The March 2022 edition of the SSAE Newsletter provides updates about recent research initiatives undertaken within NETL’s Strategic Systems Analysis and Engineering (SSAE) directorate. Click here to access this latest edition and learn about activities that SSAE is leading to gain insights into new energy concepts, support the analysis of energy system interactions and advance its capabilities. Highlights in this edition include:

North Allegheny Senior High School Team One and Marshall Middle School Team One, both from Wexford, claimed victory at the 31st annual Western Pa. Bowl (WPASB), held Feb. 26 and March 5, 2022, in a virtual setting. Forty-one teams from 27 high schools and 30 teams representing 17 middle schools throughout Western Pennsylvania participated in the competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). 

Example and screenshot of CORD datasets used within the “CORD Platform” dashboard web application. The map (top center) displays coal delivery pathways extending from mine (black squares) to power plants (blue triangles and light blue highlighted circles) associated with the Powder River (Basin) coal source region (purple area on map). Datasets are summarized around the map within charts, lists, and graphs accordingly.

Read the latest edition of the Carbon Capture Newsletter to learn about recent developments in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)/NETL Carbon Capture Program.  The Carbon Capture Program is developing the next generation of advanced carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technologies that can provide step-change reductions in both cost and energy requirements over currently available technologies.

A new report by NETL confirms that it would be technically feasible to produce jet fuel at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) by converting natural gas from wells on the property into liquid fuel using a commercially available technology — a step that could build upon the airport’s already successful grid independence initiatives, insulate the airport from fuel disruptions in the marketplace, and provide a path to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S.  Department of Defense (DOD) progress on a $4 million plan to pursue a technology for recovering rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals from coal ash, has its roots in a ground-breaking project spearheaded by NETL and private partner – Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI). The DOD’s action is an example of how NETL leverages cooperative partnerships for technology development in the public and private sectors.

GE Global Research (GEGR) in partnership with Cooperative Energy completed commissioning tests for a first-of-its-kind full-scale prototype large power transformer (LPT), a technology that can lead to greater grid resilience during power outages. This work is being performed under a cooperative agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components program (TRAC), which is managed by NETL. 

March is Women’s History Month, providing NETL with a prime opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women from across the Lab who are advancing research to mitigate climate change, discovering clean energy technologies and leading teams of research scientists and engineers as they contribute to the legacy of women who have served as pioneers in their fields.

NETL Director Brian Anderson, Ph.D., will be a key panelist for a discussion of scientific achievements and the role of national laboratories in advancing energy transition during the 40th annual CERAWeek – the world’s preeminent energy conference set for Tuesday, March 8 in Houston, Texas.

The tutelage and guidance provided by NETL’s Ruishu Wright as she mentors research associate Abhishek Venketeswaran demonstrates how the Lab is working to apply new concepts to the energy sector while fostering the careers of tomorrow’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) specialists.