The latest developments in sensor technologies and their applications to the power sector and other fields were the highlight of the Infrastructure Sensing Collaboration Workshop held Aug. 24-25 for research leaders at NETL and its partners with the University of Pittsburgh.

The workshop engaged industry and stakeholders, providing valuable feedback on the latest sensor developments while informing innovative and practical technologies to industry via technology transfer. The emerging sensor area will promote workforce development to support both near-term research and development capability needs.

The workshop in Pittsburgh covered a wide variety of topics such as key capabilities for electricity transmission and distribution systems; electrical power conversion technology; oil and natural gas infrastructure; hydrogen infrastructure; conventional power generation systems; renewable power generation from solar, wind, geothermal; and manufacturing processes for steels/metals, chemicals, etc.

“Decarbonizing the power sector and our economy — particularly through the use of hydrogen-based—continues at the forefront of NETL’s research, and the latest, most advanced sensing capabilities are needed for our nation’s power facilities, grid infrastructure and industries to realize this transformation,” said NETL Director Brian Anderson. “The Infrastructure Sensing Collaboration Workshop and events like it show what’s possible when government and academia come together.”

The workshop focused on development and advancement of sensor technologies for critical infrastructure monitoring, energy delivery and storage, hydrogen-based electricity grid, conventional and renewable energy generation and carbon storage.

NETL’s Crosscutting Research Sensors, Controls, and Novel Concepts program has established itself as a leader in the development of sensor technologies. For years, the Lab has developed, tested and matured novel sensor and control technologies that are operable in next-generation energy systems, including hybrid plants incorporating components such as hydrogen-powered turbines and fuel cells, renewables and energy storage applications. These sensors are enabling responsiveness to varying conditions in real time, maintaining high efficiencies and reducing emissions. This research is aiding in the achievement of the Department of Energy’s goals, which include net-zero carbon emissions in the energy sector by 2035 and a decarbonized wider economy by 2050.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers technological solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.