Scientists and engineers will make more than 60 presentations during the first half of May to highlight program areas critical to the development of an environmentally sustainable and prosperous U.S. energy future as part of NETL’s annual Crosscutting Research and Advanced Energy Systems Project Review Meeting.

The annual project review showcases a broad spectrum of NETL-supported projects advancing research toward a carbon emission-free electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050 while ensuring affordable, reliable energy supplies for U.S. economic growth in all regions.

Although the series of presentations will continue through mid-June, the May 4-13 period is an especially busy time for the project review meeting because it features an impressive 62 sessions, all held virtually, to discuss NETL-supported projects in Gasification Systems, Crosscutting Research Water Management, Transformative Power Generation, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

All sessions are free and open to all interested parties, but registration is required for attendance. Registration information, schedules and agendas are posted on the NETL website.

Program sessions set for the first two weeks of May are:

• Gasification Systems (May 4-5). Researchers from universities, national labs and other organizations will discuss projects focused on new air separation concepts and technologies for production of oxygen for use in gasification systems, which convert diverse types of solid fuels into clean synthesis gas to enable low-cost production of electricity, transportation fuels, chemicals, hydrogen and other useful products to suit market needs.

• Crosscutting Research Water Management (May 10). Water is a fixed resource with competing demands. There is an inextricable link between water and energy, as thermoelectric power generation accounts for 40% of freshwater withdrawals in the United States. New technologies to treat wastewater at power plants, monitor plant effluent to remove key contaminants and reduce water consumption will be presented.

• Transformative Power Generation (May 11-12). Projects in advanced combustion technology and thermal energy storage will be the focus on the first day of sessions. The following day will include project presentations on technologies to improve the efficiency, reliability, performance and operational flexibility of existing power plants.

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (May 13). Sessions will explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve the efficiency, flexibility and reliability of power plants. The session is co-hosted by NETL’s Transformative Power Generation and Crosscutting Research Sensors & Controls programs. Additional topics for the day include the use of AI-enabled robots to repair boilers as well as hybrid analytics to improve operations. One of the presentations conducted during this session will focus on the Science-Based Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Institute (SAMI), which is led by NETL for advancing cutting-edge AI and ML computational technologies to drive innovative solutions for effective, environmentally sustainable fossil energy resource recovery and utilization.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory develops and commercializes advanced technologies that provide clean energy while safeguarding the environment. NETL’s work supports DOE’s mission to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy and environmental challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.