BURNABY, BC (December 9): NGIF Accelerator is pleased to announce that Etalim has successfully completed the pilot demonstration of its thermoacoustic 1GEN genset, a breakthrough technology providing reliable, on-site power for Canada’s remote oil and gas operations.
Etalim’s 1GEN harnesses the power of thermo-acoustic technology (the core engine is free of sliding or rotating parts), which unlocks a cost-effective solution for electrifying remote well sites, including powering methane abatement solutions. By generating electricity directly at well sites from a small amount of fuel such as impure field gas, this technology supports natural gas operations by strengthening both operational efficiency and environmental performance.
Etalim received grant funding from NGIF Accelerator’s Industry Grants program to launch the project in 2022. The pilot demonstration aimed to test the thermoacoustic genset in the field at a remote Alberta oil and gas wellhead site and validate its capability to produce reliable electricity.
Over a six-month field trial completed in 2024, two prototype units were deployed at two producer sites in the Grande Prairie region of Alberta. The units powered a complete 5 and 9 well site and provided reliable on-demand electrical power for over 5,600 hours under fluctuating demands in extreme Canadian weather conditions—from winter lows of -35°C to summer highs of 33°C, including full solar exposure. The technology demonstrated optimum efficiency by its unique load-following capabilities and consistent performance across a broad operating range. The project was completed within a reasonable budget variance, marking a successful early-stage field deployment.
Image: The Etalim installation team at one of their successful installations of a 1GEN unit, powering a complete 9-well site.
Key Project Highlights:
• Over 5,600 hours of field operations across two pilot sites
• Over 900 kWh of electricity generated, with power demand ranging from 0 to 400W
• The project delivered twice the field-testing objectives while only 2.2% over eligible expenses and 8.5% over total budget
Looking ahead, insights from this pilot, including detailed power generation and fuel usage data—are informing the pilot-producers in their next-generation well pad designs. With the 1GEN system advancing from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 to TRL 8, preparations are underway for final pre-commercial deployment to reach TRL 9. This phase will enable broader field testing across diverse wellsite architectures and accelerate the path to market for a fully validated, commercial-ready solution.
“Etalim’s 1GEN demonstrates the kind of innovation that can transform natural gas operations, improving efficiency while reducing emissions,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator. “Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“Our unique 1GEN generator offers ultra-reliable, on-demand power from onsite available impure field gas. This enables wellsite electrification that is fit for purpose, helping producers cost-effectively optimize their operations, meet regulations, and reduce emissions,” said Maarten Elferink, CEO, Etalim Inc.
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable energy service offering they have come to expect from the natural gas industry. When we created NGIF, it was our vision to bring the entire natural gas value chain together to support the development of the technologies that enhance environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as NGIF continues to support technologies like ETALIM’s thermoacoustic genset,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
Industry Grants’ Participants and Project Partners
About Industry Grants program
The Industry Grants program is industry-led and offers non-dilutive grants to fund early-stage startups for technology development and field demonstration. The program specifically de-risks pre-commercial technology solutions that have the potential to increase the environmental performance of the natural gas sector. Each project in the program will accelerate technology readiness level progressions through controlled pilot testing and field trials to advance commercialization.
About NGIF Accelerator
NGIF Accelerator is the not-for-profit arm of NGIF Capital and operates all technology and innovation programs. The NGIF Accelerator mandate is to de-risk and accelerate technology development by supporting startups through their pilot projects, field trials, and industry validation. It will coordinate with federal and provincial governments to co-fund projects to advance market commercialization. NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants program and administers the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre program.
About Etalim Inc.
Etalim is a Canadian company based in Burnaby, BC, and we are the proud manufacturer of 1GEN, an innovative gas-powered generator that features our novel thermo-acoustic technology, perfectly sized for electrifying remote gas wells. Our mission is to accelerate global emission reduction by harnessing the cost-effective potential of our thermo-acoustic technology.
About Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is the voice of Canada’s gas energy delivery industry, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen. Its members are distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and other service providers. Today, natural gas meets almost 40 percent of the country’s energy needs.
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Media Information:
Dini Philip
Communications Coordinator,
