Researchers at NETL have tapped big data to expedite the development of stronger boilers, turbine components and other metallic equipment to improve the efficiency and reliability of coal-burning power plants. Results of a recent study by a team of NETL researchers and their collaborators at Case Western Reserve University show that an approach called materials data analytics can be used to significantly shorten the development time of specialized alloys needed for next generation energy applications.

NETL highlighted its Joule 2.0 supercomputer and innovative applications to advance fossil energy research at this week’s SuperComputing 2019 (SC19) conference in Denver. Chief Information Officer Antonio Ferreira and other Lab personnel attended the conference Nov. 17-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. This year, NETL participated alongside the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 16 other national laboratories as part of the DOE booth. The exhibit demonstrated the value of high-performance computing in providing clean, reliable and affordable energy to meet America’s needs.

A new NETL report provides cost and performance analyses that are important inputs toward meeting the projected demands of future power markets.

NETL welcomed approximately 100 students, mentors and volunteers to the Lab’s Morgantown, West Virginia, site Nov. 16 for the 2019 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) CyberForce Competition™.

The Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Pittsburgh District, will sponsor a Federal Agency Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the William S. Moorhead Federal Building, Room 1310, 1000 Liberty Ave., downtown Pittsburgh.

NETL’s Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) directorate underpins much of the Lab’s research by generating information and analysis beyond the reach of physical experiments alone. CSE develops science-based simulation models, mathematical methods and algorithms and software tools required to address the technical barriers that often hinder development of next-generation fossil energy technologies.

NETL has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for cooperative agreements to competitively solicit and award projects that will focus on materials research, development, testing and validation to enhance the domestic materials supply chain and the reliability of the existing fossil power generation fleet.  Notice of Intent for DE-FOA-0002192, Extreme Environment Materials for Power Generation, will support DOE’s Crosscutting Research Program.

The NETL Regional Workforce Initiative will present a free Future of Work Webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. This online event will explore how rapid technology and societal changes have affected workforce training and created significant challenges in various industries, including the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Interested persons can register for the webinar here.

NETL has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for energy storage opportunities and research needs that could lead to advances in energy storage technologies. Areas of interest include fossil-fueled electricity generating units, fossil-fueled poly-generation facilities and suitable fossil-fueled industrial applications. 

NETL will develop four projects to protect the nation’s power grid and ensure reliable access to electricity.