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.

NETL senior officials discussed programs driving the development of sustainable energy technologies and the organizational structure that supports and advances its research activities during a meeting with up-and-coming leaders of the national lab system. On Monday, May 9, NETL held a virtual discussion with representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) national labs who were selected to participate in the Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program (OSELP) 2022 Cohort. “OSELP is a distinguished fellows program that brings together exceptional leaders to explore the complexities, challenges and opportunities facing the national lab system and DOE. It was an honor and tremendous opportunity for NETL to share our insights with this elite group,” said NETL Director Brian Anderson.

The project team developing the National Experimental Turbine (NExT), an initiative advanced with NETL support and oversight, has surpassed several key milestones as it builds a first-of-its-kind testing platform for manufacturing a new generation of higher-efficiency gas turbines. Gas turbines play an important role in U.S. energy security and represent a critical technology for energy conversion, with broad uses for combined cycle power plants, aircraft propulsion, and backup power generation for renewable energy plants and hospitals. Technological strides in turbine development can have wide-reaching economic and environmental benefits. According to data presented at the 2019 American Society of Mechanical Engineers TurboExpo, a one-point U.S turbine efficiency improvement, in terms of carbon reduction, is equivalent to eliminating the emissions from 2 million cars.

NETL Director Brian Anderson, Ph.D., addressed participants of the virtual 2022 Spring Symposium of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative (MITEI) Tuesday, May 10 and highlighted NETL’s ongoing contributions to building a sustainable energy future via hydrogen power generation and carbon capture. The symposium’s theme, “Hydrogen’s Role in a Decarbonized Energy System: How to Enable It,” explored the hydrogen markets, infrastructure, production and policies needed to achieve a future in which the needs of the economy are met by a hydrogen-based power sector ─ actions essential to meet the administration’s greenhouse gas emission reduction and net zero-carbon economy goals by 2050.

NETL researchers will showcase critical decarbonization projects and important research initiatives at the 12th Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Energy Innovation Summit May 23-25 in Denver, Colorado. The summit is an annual conference and technology showcase that brings together experts from different technical disciplines and professional communities to think about America’s energy challenges in new and innovative ways. Now in its twelfth year, the Summit offers a unique, three-day program aimed at moving transformational energy technologies out of the lab and into the market. “With so much outstanding work going to build a sustainable energy future empowered by legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, NETL is excited to return to the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit as a technology development partner,” said Mike Knaggs, NETL associate director of research partnerships and technology transfer.

For many, the term “hybrid energy technology” conjures images of gasoline/battery-powered cars. But in one particular NETL research facility, “hybrid energy technology” means innovative energy-producing power technology combinations that can achieve increased efficiency, flexibility, and reduced emissions while meeting America’s energy needs. NETL’s Hybrid Performance (HyPer) facility was created to support U.S. Department of Energy efforts to research highly efficient power generation technologies that can reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil and other energy feedstocks. HyPer researchers are also focused on achieving the Administration’s goal of zero CO2 emissions from power generators by 2035. Another “must do” on HyPer’s research checklist is creating an ability to provide the flexibility to accommodate intermittent power fluctuations associated with renewable power resources like wind and solar, leading to a more stable power grid.

Through a collaboration with one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) hardware manufacturers, NETL is developing a cutting-edge computer modeling capability using next-generation computer architecture that is much smaller, more energy-efficient, and hundreds of times faster than current supercomputers. Cerebras Systems Inc. designed its revolutionary wafer-scale engine (WSE) to tackle tough AI problems, but NETL’s Dirk Van Essendelft, Ph.D., and his team realized that this new type of computer chip could be used to solve real-world engineering problems.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced more than $2.3 billion for three efforts to advance diverse carbon management approaches that reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution, address the impacts of climate change, and create good-paying jobs while prioritizing community engagement and environmental justice. The first is a Notice of Intent (NOI) for $2.25 billion, funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to accelerate geologic carbon storage projects each capable of permanently storing at least 50 million metric tons of captured CO2 – the equivalent to the emissions from roughly 10 million gasoline-powered cars a year. In addition, DOE issued two funding opportunities, totaling $91 million, to increase the number of available CO2 storage sites and to advance critical carbon management technologies. Expanding commercial CO2 storage capacity and related industries will provide economic opportunities for hard-hit communities and help deliver on President Biden’s goal of a achieving an equitable transition to a net-zero economy by 2050. 

An NETL team and two research leaders whose cutting-edge projects are reducing atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gas and developing transformational processes to produce chemicals and fuels have received prestigious 2022 Excellence in Government Awards from the Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board. NETL’s Carbon Capture Team received the Chairperson’s Excellence in Government Gold Award and the Outstanding Small Team Gold Award. Team members are Dustin Brown, Katharina Daniels,José Figueroa, Krista Hill, Andrew Jones, Carl Laird, David Lang, Andrew O’Palko, Mariah Richardson, Zachary Roberts, Elliot Roth and Nicole Shamitko-Klingensmith.

NETL extends its gratitude and recognition to Randal “Burt” Thomas for his outstanding scientific research and demonstrated exceptional leadership at NETL’s Albany facility for more than six years. His achievements led to his nomination in the leadership category of the Oregon Federal Executive Board (FEB) Excellence in Government Awards. The Oregon FEB Excellence in Government Awards recognize outstanding federal employees for efforts that encourage innovation and excellence in government, reinforce pride in federal service and call public attention to the broad range of services provided by federal employees. The winners of the FEB Excellence in Government Awards are selected by an independent committee of federal executives. “Being nominated for such an award is a major accomplishment and reflects the quality of talent that calls NETL home,” NETL Director Brian Anderson said. “As our country undergoes a profound transformation to achieve a sustainable energy landscape and combat climate change while creating exciting new job opportunities, Thomas’ work is a demonstration of how our Lab is leading the way.”