NETL representatives joined gas turbine researchers and industry experts at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Turbo Expo, held June 7-11, to discuss the role of advanced turbine technologies in achieving  energy production with net-zero emissions and the changing workforce dynamics brought about by the economic focus of addressing climate change amongst other turbine and energy related topics.

ASME’s Turbo Expo provided a full spectrum of research and industry knowledge to truly confirm the latest market trends, technical developments, challenges, and the future state of the turbomachinery industry. The event encompassed topics spanning the entire turbomachinery industry – gas turbines, steam turbines, wind turbines, fans and blowers, Rankine cycle, and power cycles based on supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Bryan Morreale, NETL Associate Laboratory Director for Research & Innovation was among the participants in the panel “Engineering in 2030 – How Must Our Educational Programs Change to Better Equip the Needed Workforce” which discussed innovative ideas for addressing next-generation workforce needs. The panel detailed the increasing momentum toward climate neutral targets in both the aviation and power generation sectors. According to panel experts, the next generation of engineers must work at the intersection of turbine technology with integrated renewable sources of power along with zero carbon fuels like hydrogen, materials engineering, computational sciences, hybridized propulsion systems, and cyber-physical systems.

“With so many representatives from major names in industry such as GE and Boeing, along with those from the Department of Energy’s national labs, ASME’s Turbo Expo was the place to be for networking and exchanging ideas,” Morreale said. “With the country on the cusp of a vast energy transformation to combat the effects of climate change, NETL is in a prime position to drive innovation and deliver solutions by leveraging our world class expertise and facilities.”

NETL experts also made several technical presentations, displayed a virtual booth and chaired other panels throughout the course of the expo.

Richard Dennis, NETL’s technology manager for Advanced Turbines and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Cycles Programs and an ASME fellow, delivered the Industrial Gas Turbine Technology Award Lecture, “Two Decades of U.S. DOE Gas Turbine Research and Innovation” which detailed NETL’s research capabilities and achievements. 

In another example, Heather Quedenfeld, deputy director of NETL’s Technology Development Center, hosted “Women in Engineering Networking Event.”

The Lab’s Advanced Turbines Program manages a research portfolio designed to address environmental concerns associated with the future use of fossil fuels by developing revolutionary, near-zero-emission advanced turbines technologies. In response to the Administration’s goal to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 NETL is researching next-generation turbine technology with the goal of producing reliable, affordable, diverse, and environmentally friendly energy supplies. Research focus toward this goal includes developing gas turbine technology fueled with 100 % hydrogen, that have the potential to offer cleaner, more efficient, and better load-following capabilities than existing competing technologies. Assessing the potential benefit of hydrogen fueled pressure gain combustion system technology for combined cycle gas turbines is also a major thrust at NETL.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory develops and demonstrates for commercialization 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.