Pembina, Hanwha Explore Waste Heat Power at Pipeline Compressor Stations

Pembina Pipeline and Hanwha Power are evaluating waste heat recovery systems for compressor stations and midstream infrastructure as operators explore lower-carbon technologies for pipeline networks.

(P&GJ) — Pembina Pipeline and South Korea’s Hanwha Power have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate waste heat recovery power generation at pipeline compressor stations and other midstream infrastructure in North America.

The companies said the collaboration will focus on assessing the use of supercritical CO₂-based waste heat recovery systems at Pembina-operated facilities. The technology is designed to generate electricity by capturing heat produced by industrial equipment such as gas turbines without requiring additional fuel consumption.

Under the agreement, Pembina and Hanwha plan to identify potential pilot projects and jointly evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of deploying the systems across midstream assets. The companies said the technology could improve energy efficiency while helping reduce emissions tied to pipeline and gas infrastructure operations.

Hanwha said its waste heat recovery system uses supercritical CO₂ as a working fluid, allowing for a more compact design and water-free operation compared with some conventional waste heat recovery technologies. The company said the approach may be particularly suited for North American oil and gas infrastructure where water use and emissions reduction are growing operational concerns.

Michael Sicker, Hanwha Power’s head of the Americas, said the agreement marks an initial step in expanding the company’s lower-carbon power generation business in Canada and North America. Pembina Senior Vice President Chris Rousch said the partnership aligns with the company’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and explore emerging technologies for its infrastructure network.