Flexenergy Inc.
FlexEnergy was founded in 2008 by Edan Prabhu after a decade of research and development to convert weak gases and waste gases into energy without producing harmful emissions. In 2010, FlexEnergy and Ingersoll Rand Energy Systems (Ingersoll Rand’s microturbine division), combined to form FlexEnergy Inc, bringing together a company with innovative engineering and one with mature, proven products and service.
Landfill gas and digester gas systems produce methane as a byproduct and can often benefit from onsite, distributed generation of power. FlexEnergy says its gas turbine platform can utilize this gas that would otherwise be wasted or flared, to generate clean, reliable, onsite power.
FlexEnergy maintains a network of offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia serving both private and government entities. FlexEnergy has installed hundreds of power generation systems worldwide for a variety of applications. With more 3 million hours of operating experience in the field and under a variety of conditions, FlexEnergy says its turbine technology is both mature and reliable.
Q: What new projects or systems have you been focusing on this year?
A: The Flex Turbine MT250 is FlexEnergy’s standard 250 kilowatt gas turbine, capable of running on a variety of fuel gases–from pipeline-quality natural gas to oil field associated gas to biogas. With over one million operating hours, the MT250 continues to go through improvements and upgrades each year. Many MT250s currently operate in landfills, and successfully handle declining methane quality and contaminants in biogas.
FlexEnergy also has been developing the Flex Powerstation FP250, which integrates its standard gas turbine with a gradual oxidizer. The FP250 is designed and engineered for fuel flexibility, so that problematic waste fuel gases with as little as 5 percent methane can now be used be to generate electricity, supplying additional site revenue. FlexEnergy currently has one demonstration unit at a Dept. of Defense landfill in Fort Benning, Ga.
Q: What makes you different from your competitors?
A: We have an industrial grade product which is robust and reliable in any climate or environment. For instance, with biogas, which often has high levels of contaminants, we have a high tolerance for H2S (hydrogen sulfide) of up to 6,500 ppm. FlexEnergy’s systems can run on a wider range of fuel sources, from gases that are very low in methane content to very high. We also prioritize customer support by ensuring that service and support in the U.S. is provided directly by our factory rather than through distributors.