Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ABI Energy (Energy Efficiency Technology for Pipeline Transportation)
Reporting period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-05-31
During this project, ABI's objective was to demonstrate both the technological and economic feasibility of the ABI technology in order to be able to proceed to full-scale production. This was done both through pilot site and lab simulations where we successfully:
• demonstrated above 20% energy savings in water transition lines, i.e. large diameters pipes (over 28 inches) and for long distances (over 2km). These transition lines typically use heavy-duty water pumps (1000KW and above) to push the water into a storage pool and are relatively straight with minimal curves.
• demonstrated above 20% energy savings in water distribution lines, i.e. medium to small diameter pipes (14 inches and below), shorter distances (up to hundreds of meters), with multiple curves.
The company is now ready to cooperate with other companies, and a number of very prominent international companies have already shown interest in our product. As soon as it will be permitted (due to Covid-19 restrictions), we will have face to face meetings in Israel. Most of these companies are ready to place the orders or setup pilots at their location.
• demonstrated above 20% energy savings in water transition lines, i.e. large diameters pipes (over 28 inches) and for long distances (over 2km). These transition lines typically use heavy-duty water pumps (1000KW and above) to push the water into a storage pool and are relatively straight with minimal curves.
• demonstrated above 20% energy savings in water distribution lines, i.e. medium to small diameter pipes (14 inches and below), shorter distances (up to hundreds of meters), with multiple curves.
The company is now ready to cooperate with other companies, and a number of very prominent international companies have already shown interest in our product. As soon as it will be permitted (due to Covid-19 restrictions), we will have face to face meetings in Israel. Most of these companies are ready to place the orders or setup pilots at their location.
During this phase one project, ABI Energy completed the analysis of both the technological feasibility and economic viability of installing its PWG in an operational water station for immediate impact on energy consumption. Pilots and simulations were conducted where the following will be tested:
• Reduction in the amount of energy needed to transfer 1 m3 of water.
• Ability to conserve specific energy (in the line friction section) in the range of 10% -12% compared to the scenario without using the system.
• Automatic activity capability.
• No damage caused to the water supply system under examination.
• Check that water quality is not affected.
• Economic examination regarding the feasibility of using the system: fiscal outlay (the cost of the system) versus income from energy savings.
The pilot took place in partnership with one of the most efficient and innovative water utilities in the world (MEKOROT – Israel’s main water utility) and has brough ABI firmly to TRL 7 where the company is now ready to build all necessary tools and capabilities to make ABI’s technology scalable for mass production. We have begun identifying (via Mekorot’s connections) pilot sites in Europe for the next stage (phase two project).
• Reduction in the amount of energy needed to transfer 1 m3 of water.
• Ability to conserve specific energy (in the line friction section) in the range of 10% -12% compared to the scenario without using the system.
• Automatic activity capability.
• No damage caused to the water supply system under examination.
• Check that water quality is not affected.
• Economic examination regarding the feasibility of using the system: fiscal outlay (the cost of the system) versus income from energy savings.
The pilot took place in partnership with one of the most efficient and innovative water utilities in the world (MEKOROT – Israel’s main water utility) and has brough ABI firmly to TRL 7 where the company is now ready to build all necessary tools and capabilities to make ABI’s technology scalable for mass production. We have begun identifying (via Mekorot’s connections) pilot sites in Europe for the next stage (phase two project).
ABI's Energy Efficiency Technology can be implemented in the field of energy-intensive technologies to reduce the energy consumption of pipeline transportation of water and aqueous solutions, multicomponent liquids, petroleum products, powders, mixtures and other.
The advantages in implementation of ABI’s Energy efficiency Technology are the decrease of up to 30% in specific energy consumption of pipeline transportation processes by decreasing the hydrodynamic resistance; increasing the water flow rate up to 25%; decreasing up to 25% of operational pressure in the discharge pipeline; increasing lifetime of water pipeline systems by 1.2 - 1.3 times due to the decrease of operational pressure. At present time ABI’s system was designed for pressurized pipelines only.
A significant advantage of ABI’s PWG is that it can be applied with minimal modifications to existing pipeline systems, without changing the pipeline itself. Also, the system consumes no more than one percent of the energy used for activating pipeline transportation.
By using ABI Energy PWG system in multiple water stations, a given water utility can reduce energy costs by as much as 30%. This can save 20% or more in its OPEX, allowing water tariffs to cover company expenses as well as reduce water tariffs to the end customer. This is a game changing technology for utilities. Our PWG is the first ever practical and sustainable solution that converts turbulent flow into partially laminar flow in a stable state over long distances. Since turbulent flow is a stable state (the flow “wants” to stay turbulent), it is extremely challenging to modify it into partially laminar flow and keep it in that manner without consuming a considerable amount of energy for this process. ABI was able to make this physical transition with very low energy.
The ABI solution brings immediate value to customers without need for infrastructure changes or change in day to day operations. No obstruction is inserted to the flow nor touches the pump. Only a simple tapping to the pipe is required (easy and non-invasive). Once operating, the PWG causes an immediate drop in hydrodynamic resistance and consequently a reduction in pump power consumption. Customers can expect ROI in matter of weeks. Water utility operations are consequently much more efficient compared to any other efficiency program or product they may use as the solution’s impact is on a fixed physical phenomenon (turbulent flow) which is inherent within the pump’s operations, hence - “efficiency solution agnostic”. This is the competitive advantage. Savings and cost effectiveness will be delivered to customers from day one regardless of any other solution they may be using to improve efficiency in their network. Water utilities are looking at efficiency improvements as turn-key projects while this solution aims to deliver major efficiency improvement as a retro-fit product.
The advantages in implementation of ABI’s Energy efficiency Technology are the decrease of up to 30% in specific energy consumption of pipeline transportation processes by decreasing the hydrodynamic resistance; increasing the water flow rate up to 25%; decreasing up to 25% of operational pressure in the discharge pipeline; increasing lifetime of water pipeline systems by 1.2 - 1.3 times due to the decrease of operational pressure. At present time ABI’s system was designed for pressurized pipelines only.
A significant advantage of ABI’s PWG is that it can be applied with minimal modifications to existing pipeline systems, without changing the pipeline itself. Also, the system consumes no more than one percent of the energy used for activating pipeline transportation.
By using ABI Energy PWG system in multiple water stations, a given water utility can reduce energy costs by as much as 30%. This can save 20% or more in its OPEX, allowing water tariffs to cover company expenses as well as reduce water tariffs to the end customer. This is a game changing technology for utilities. Our PWG is the first ever practical and sustainable solution that converts turbulent flow into partially laminar flow in a stable state over long distances. Since turbulent flow is a stable state (the flow “wants” to stay turbulent), it is extremely challenging to modify it into partially laminar flow and keep it in that manner without consuming a considerable amount of energy for this process. ABI was able to make this physical transition with very low energy.
The ABI solution brings immediate value to customers without need for infrastructure changes or change in day to day operations. No obstruction is inserted to the flow nor touches the pump. Only a simple tapping to the pipe is required (easy and non-invasive). Once operating, the PWG causes an immediate drop in hydrodynamic resistance and consequently a reduction in pump power consumption. Customers can expect ROI in matter of weeks. Water utility operations are consequently much more efficient compared to any other efficiency program or product they may use as the solution’s impact is on a fixed physical phenomenon (turbulent flow) which is inherent within the pump’s operations, hence - “efficiency solution agnostic”. This is the competitive advantage. Savings and cost effectiveness will be delivered to customers from day one regardless of any other solution they may be using to improve efficiency in their network. Water utilities are looking at efficiency improvements as turn-key projects while this solution aims to deliver major efficiency improvement as a retro-fit product.