NETL Director Marianne Walck, Ph.D., discussed how the Lab works to tackle climate change and helps to ensure a clean energy future as part of the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation Distinguished Lecture series at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Sept. 25.

CMU faculty, students, researchers and other key attendees listened as Walck described her career in science and leadership in the national laboratory system, including 33 years at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) that concluded as vice president for SNL’s California laboratory and its Energy and Climate Program. Prior to joining NETL, Walck also served as deputy laboratory director for Science and Technology and chief research officer at Idaho National Laboratory.

Walck currently leads the complete NETL complex, including two major components: world-class research and development focused on carbon management and resource sustainability and development and execution of a broad spectrum of national energy programs for offices under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

During her lecture, she explained how NETL supports critical national decarbonization goals. Recent research accomplishments highlighted included modeling on next-generation artificial intelligence computer systems, achieving a 25% cost reduction and zero carbon emissions in ammonia production using microwave technology, publishing a hydrogen pipeline cost model, increasing alloy strength by 256%, developing groundbreaking technology to extract rare earth elements, and releasing techno-economic analyses of carbon management. 

Walck also talked about the importance of partnerships between NETL and universities, including past collaborations between NETL and CMU, and future opportunities to continue their valuable partnership.

Lecture attendees also learned about NETL’s internship and fellowship opportunities, which are available to undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral students and faculty through a variety of programs.

Prior to her lecture, Walck and Bryan Morreale, Ph.D., associate laboratory director for Research & Innovation, met with CMU faculty and leadership to learn more about CMU’s energy expertise and discuss future energy innovations.

The Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University addresses the world’s most important energy-related challenges by enabling collaborative research, strategic partnerships, public policy and outreach, entrepreneurship and education. The institute supports transformative work that strives to optimize energy resources and reduce the environmental impacts associated with energy production and use with social equity. It also seeks to encourage the development of breakthrough technologies that will accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers 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.