NETL researchers are growing versatile biocatalysts using microbes from a coalbed methane (CBM) well to convert industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) wastes and other single-carbon compounds into useful chemicals to manufacture biofuel, food additives and other high-value products while reducing emissions of greenhouse gas.

NETL researchers are investigating the use of microwaves to convert a combination of waste plastics and the stalks, leaves and cobs that remain in fields after corn is harvested, called corn stover, into hydrogen, which can then be used in various industrial and energy-related applications.

The Appalachian region is well suited to be one of the nation’s clean energy hydrogen hubs because of its natural gas resources, infrastructure, storage capacity, workforce and industrial demand, according to a recently released report conducted by NETL. NETL Director Brian Anderson, Ph.D., said the report, “Appalachian Hydrogen Infrastructure Analysis,” studied how development of a hydrogen industry in Appalachia offers a path to sustainable long-term growth.

NETL will provide technical support and expertise to award the American-Made Direct Air Capture (DAC) Prizes, a series of interconnected competitions offering up to $115 million to advance carbon dioxide (CO2) removal technologies from hard-to-decarbonize sectors of the U.S.

As the U.S. economy moves toward a net zero carbon emissions future, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking to partner with states, local governments and public utilities or agencies to support the procurement and use of carbon conversion products. These efforts have been enabled by provisions included in Section 40302 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Food processing company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), with support from NETL, demonstrated an integrated system of processing carbon dioxide (CO2) and transporting it from an ethanol plant to the Mt. Simon Sandstone saline reservoir for permanent geologic storage. This is the largest demonstration of its kind in the United States and marks a crucial step forward in efforts to decarbonize the U.S. economy and power sector by 2050.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced up to $30 million in funding for research and development (R&D) projects to advance carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches that will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution by capturing it directly from both the atmosphere and oceans and converting it into valuable products such as fuels and chemicals.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Aug. 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $46 million for 22 projects that will create biofuel energy and bioproducts to help decarbonize the transportation and power generation sectors.

Working as part of a three-year cooperative agreement with DOE-NETL, researchers have demonstrated that algae grown using carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by a fossil energy power plant can be processed into a nutrient-rich supplement for chicken feed to produce quality eggs and poultry products. 

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced $2.2 million in funding for a project that will produce high-strength, lightweight building materials made from domestic coal waste. The waste will be sourced from active coal preparation facilities or existing waste storage structures and converted into building materials that are lighter, less bulky and fire-resistant, for use in residential, commercial and infrastructure applications.