Project Overview
The Anax Turboexpander Project demonstrated the first installation of the Anax Turboexpander (ATE-500), a novel technology that converts wasted pressure energy from natural gas pipelines into clean, reliable electricity. Funded through ERA’s Natural Gas Challenge in 2021, the project validated the use of Anax’s technology, advancing it from prototype to commercial readiness.
Transforming Pressure Energy into Electricity
The ATE-500 is a 500-kilowatt system designed to capture energy that would otherwise be lost during natural gas pressure letdown and convert it into emissions-free electricity. Traditionally, pressure reduction is achieved through valves that dissipate energy as heat. By replacing these valves with turboexpanders, the system can recover this pressure energy and utilize the waste heat typically available at industrial sites. This approach displaces fossil-fuel-based electricity with clean, renewable power and reduces direct combustion emissions from heaters.
The primary customers for this technology are natural gas companies, pipeline operators and large industrial energy consumers that manage pressure regulating stations. These entities are under increasing regulatory and financial pressure to decarbonize operations and improve energy efficiency. By offering these industries a way to decarbonize using their existing assets, the technology enables cost savings, regulatory compliance and significant emissions reductions without requiring entirely new renewable generation projects. Anax suggests that, at an individual site level, the system can reduce emissions by thousands of metric tonnes every year, removing 0.57 tonnes of CO2 per megawatt of power generation.
Advancing the Commercialization of the ATE-500
The project achieved several milestones, most notably commissioning the first two-stage turboexpander with active magnetic bearings on a live natural gas pipeline. While the technology was demonstrated in Pennsylvania, USA, it validated critical technical objectives such as safe pressure regulation, consistent electricity generation and clean power quality, while also creating Alberta-based economic value through local partnerships. These achievements provide Anax with the credibility and operational experience needed to move toward commercial deployment across North America.
At the same time, the project encountered significant challenges that generated important lessons for future work. One of the primary obstacles was the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain crisis, which led to material shortages and extended equipment lead times. These issues highlighted the need for value chain supplier diversification, early procurement and strategic stockpiling of critical components. From a technical perspective, the project reinforced the value of design flexibility and iterative problem-solving. Challenges with field engineering warranted adjustments to system configurations, controls and installation processes. Anax suggests that future projects will benefit from a more modular and adaptable design approach that can accommodate diverse site conditions and unforeseen technical constraints. Collectively, these insights will guide smoother commercialization, accelerate adoption and strengthen the role of turboexpander technology in advancing decarbonization goals.
What’s next?
After the project completed in May 2025, Anax Power stated it will focus on transitioning from demonstration to large-scale commercial deployment of the ATE-500. The company suggests it plans to execute projects with major pipeline operators in Canada and the United States, scaling the technology across extensive pipeline networks with the potential for hundreds of installations. The near-term efforts Anax hopes to accomplish include completing initial multi-unit projects with early adopters, hosting structured site visits to the Pennsylvania field demonstration for Canadian stakeholders and advancing partnerships with oil and gas operators. These initiatives will be supported by continued technical refinement, unit cost optimization, targeted industry engagement and proactive regulatory alignment, positioning Anax to establish a strong commercial track record and accelerate adoption of its turboexpander technology.