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APGA staff and member Sue Kristjansson, from Oak Ridge Utility District, attended a workshop of key stakeholders engaged in natural gas direct-use technology development and deployment. The objective was to identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness of getting new products to market. Also, current and future challenges facing our industry were identified and discussed, as well as ways to overcome obstacles limiting the advancement of new natural gas technologies.

There was, additionally, conversation on opportunities to expand natural gas technology development and enhance the effectiveness of research and development programs. It was valuable discussion as attendees included natural gas industry representatives, Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office and National Labs representatives, natural gas direct-use technology developers, HVAC equipment manufacturers, and academic institutions and non-profit organizations engaged in natural gas technology development. Prior to the Natural Gas Direct Use Technology Workshop, representatives from the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) had a brief discussion on a promising, new natural gas technology, gas heat pumps. There was group discussion on how this could be developed, as well as commercialized. The APGA Direct Use Task Group (DUTG) will be engaged on any appropriate deliverables and discussions from this valuable meeting.

For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.