VANCOUVER, BC (December 27, 2024): NGIF Accelerator, through its Industry Grants program, is proud to announce that Kinitics Automation’s valve actuator, the KVA38, is now available for commercial use. Kinitics has successfully completed its project, which demonstrated the efficiency of the zero-bleed valve actuator for natural gas production facilities. Supported by grant funding of $209,081, this solution replaces traditional methane-venting pneumatic devices and marks a milestone toward reducing emissions in the Canadian natural gas sector.
Kinitics Automation, a Vancouver-based company, developed the KVA38, a spring-loaded electric valve actuator designed specifically to eliminate methane venting from production wells across Canada. Using advanced shape memory alloy technology, the KVA38 actuator is fully electric, with high reliability and minimal maintenance, contributing to lower costs compared to conventional motor-operated valve actuators and instrument air pneumatics.
In collaboration with NGIF Accelerator’s Industry Grants program partners, a field demonstration of the KVA38 took place at a remote natural gas wellsite owned by Tourmaline Oil Corp. near Edson, Alberta, as part of the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) Program. Three KVA38 actuators were deployed to control key valves in a multi-phase separator system and demonstrated exceptional performance, recording over 10,000 cycles and 160 days of operation without causing any unintentional shutdowns.
Image: Kinitics KVA38
The KVA38 is now commercially available to the North American market and certified for use in both regular and challenging locations. With options for AC or DC power and various stroke length configurations, the product can mount to a range of globe valves and service a range of energy sector applications, including separation and artificial lift.
“Our collaboration with Kinitics showcases how innovation can lead to tangible results in reducing emissions while improving operational efficiency for natural gas producers,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator. “Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking clean technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“The NGIF Accelerator’s Industry Grants program has provided Kinitics with a fantastic opportunity to engage natural gas companies to further improve efficiencies,” said Dean Pick, president and CEO of Kinitics Automation. “Through this successful commercial product trial, the KVA38 has been validated for widespread deployment and adoption. This initial deployment is estimated to reduce CO2e emissions by 91 tonnes annually, and we continue to place additional units in the field with the aim of eliminating methane venting from the landscape.”
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, clean 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 cleantech development that enhances environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as NGIF continues to support technologies like Kinitics Valve Actuator,” 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 Kinitics Automation Limited
Kinitics Automation is a leading developer of motion control products using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) materials and Bundled Wire technology. Kinitics’ Actuators and Piston Pumps are providing the next generation of automation and process control for multiple industries in the energy, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace sectors. For more information, please visit kiniticsautomation.com
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 per cent of the country’s energy needs.
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Media Information:
Ayoola Ajibare
Communications Coordinator, NGIF Capital Corporation
(403)-389-2212
aajibare@ngif.ca
