NETL’s water-energy research and development (R&D) activities are now the focus of a new quarterly newsletter set for release later this month. Additionally, the recent launch of the Lab’s Water-Energy Research homepage further highlights NETL’s capabilities and competencies across a broad spectrum of water-energy topics directed at enhancing the nation’s fossil energy infrastructure while protecting the environment.

The newsletter will feature water-energy project highlights, spotlights of the Lab’s researchers, upcoming water-energy conferences and more. It will cover the width and breadth of the Lab’s in-house and extramural water-related activities across NETL’s crosscutting, carbon capture and storage, oil and gas, critical minerals and rare earth element recovery, modeling and analysis, coal byproduct and other programs.

The inaugural January 2021 edition highlights funding opportunities and recently awarded research projects, journal publications and work being carried out in support of the National Alliance for Water Innovation.

“Water is a critical component in nearly every phase of fossil energy development and use – from resource extraction and processing to the recovery of valuable byproducts to power generation and pollution control. NETL’s water research is an integrated, synergistic effort across programs to deliver affordable and reliable domestic energy to the American people,” Jared Ciferno, Oil & Gas technology manager, said. “Both the newsletter and Water-Energy Research website will make information on NETL’s accomplishments in the water-energy space accessible to stakeholders in efforts to form potential partnerships that explore water’s role in the development of sustainable fossil energy technologies.”

NETL has been carrying out an integrated effort directed at the link between water and energy since 2002.  The NETL Water-Energy Research website showcases the Lab’s current programs and projects to advance our understanding of fossil energy exploration, extraction, development and use on freshwater availability and quality with the goal of improving the security and resiliency of our fossil-energy investments. Research on water is being carried out in a synergistic manner across the Lab’s programs in thermoelectric power generation, oil and gas development, carbon capture and storage, value product recovery, coal combustion products, university coal research, life cycle analysis, and systems modeling and analysis.   

“Ensuring that water is used in the most efficient and environmentally sound manner possible is an important focus of the research conducted at NETL,” Andrea McNemar, a member of NETL’s Carbon Storage Team, said. “The website will highlight the Lab’s water-energy capabilities and draw focus to areas where establishing partnerships can help forward this critical research.”

Visit NETL’s Water-Energy Nexus here, and subscribe to the newsletter here.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. From developing creative innovations and efficient energy systems that make coal more competitive, to advancing technologies that enhance oil and natural gas extraction and transmission processes, NETL research is providing breakthroughs and discoveries that support domestic energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans. Highly skilled men and women at NETL’s sites in Albany, Oregon; Anchorage, Alaska; Houston, Texas; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.