Helping natural gas utilities protect environment, decrease costs

News release

Dartmouth’s Lorax Systems Inc. developing world-leading mechanical gas leak detection and control system

December 7, 2018 – Dartmouth, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Adopting clean technology innovations helps companies better control costs, improves their global competitiveness and reduces negative effects on the environment. Driven to provide practical solutions to real world problems, Lorax Systems Inc. has developed the Meter Valve, a mechanical device that detects natural gas leaks and automatically stops the flow of the fuel in the event of fire, flood or as requested by the utility.

The company is working to commercialize this industry-leading product that will help keep the public safe, protect the environment and reduce costs for consumers thanks to support from the Government of Canada. The Meter Valve will also be tested to meet regulatory requirements needed to help it expand into the American and domestic natural gas markets.

Today, Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced support to Lorax Systems Inc. for product development and sales activities.

The Government of Canada provided a $750,000 repayable contribution, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, for the project.

This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in initiatives that build on the region’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation network, and skilled workforce.

Quotes

“When Canadian businesses like Lorax Systems Inc. bring their innovative goods, services and ideas out to the world, they help to create good jobs and economic growth at home. Targeted investments like the one being announced today, support the work of the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping us grow beyond our borders.”

-     The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Lorax’s technologies, like the Meter Valve, will not only keep us safe, they will help protect our environment, which is particularly important to me as a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. Canadians understand that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand in hand, and that their quality of life today – and economic success tomorrow – rest on commitments to preserve a clean environment for future generations.”

-     Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour

“We are witnessing a major global shift in fossil fuel usage in the oil and gas sector. This shift towards increased use of Natural gas brings many advantages to our resource rich country; however, its increased use also presents us with environmental and safety challenges. From an environmental perspective, Lorax is focused on developing practical and affordable technologies to help mitigate many of these risks. From a safety perspective, these same technologies, proven in the field, help to ensure the safe transmission of fluids that people must use and interact with daily.”

-     Mark Bishoff, President & CEO, Lorax Systems Inc.

“In the United States alone, over 500,000 incidents occur annually where natural gas is released into the atmosphere due to 3rd party damage. Lorax Systems has developed a technology that completely stops the flow of gas when small or catastrophic leaks are detected. This technology not only mitigates the environmental concerns we all have, but brings safety to a new level for users and suppliers of natural gas. Lorax Systems’ technologies, combined with the ‘Internet of Things’, bring real time visibility to the operational status of our gas grids.”

-     Dennis Jarnecke, R&D Director, Gas Technology Institute, Chicago, Illinois

Quick facts

  • Based in Dartmouth, Lorax has been creating environmental solutions for the oil and gas industry since 2010.

  • Lorax’s successful LineGuardian liquid fuel leak detection system for residential and commercial use finds line or connection problems immediately – from invisible pinholes to catastrophic failures – and shuts down the flow of fuel at the source.

  • The Meter Valve adapts the LineGuardian product so it can be used by natural gas utilities.

  • All sales, marketing, product development, assembly, quality assurance and information technology (IT)/customer support for Meter Valve will take place in Nova Scotia, while the components will be manufactured in Alberta.

  • Meter Valve has been independently tested by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a not-for-profit research, development and training organization serving the natural gas industry. 

  • Meter Valve is patented technology for commercial and light industrial use. Other products are in development for residential and industrial use.

  • Lorax Systems expects to increase sales, create 10 highly skilled engineering, IT, sales and marketing positions, and maintain six full-time jobs.

Contacts

Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
1-902-830-3839 (cell) / 1-902-426-9417
alex.smith@canada.ca

Mark Bishoff
President & CEO
Lorax Systems Inc.
1-902-476-1544 (cell) / 1-877-335-6729
mbishoff@loraxsystems.com

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