Experts from 16 of the nation’s top energy research universities convened at the National Energy Research Laboratory (NETL) May 16–17, 2017, as part of NETL’s University Coalition for Energy Research (UCFER). Workshop participants shared information about ongoing energy research projects, toured NETL laboratory facilities, learned about current NETL research projects, and discussed opportunities for research collaboration.

Launched in 2016, the Coalition advances basic and applied fossil energy research through collaborations involving researchers from member universities and the U.S. Department of Energy. Under the leadership of Penn State and NETL, the Coalition coordinates research and the sharing of key data focused on coal, natural gas, and oil.

The Coalition recently expanded its membership to 16 with the addition of seven universities: Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University, Ohio State, Louisiana State University, the University of Utah, and the University of North Dakota. The new additions joined nine founding members: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Penn State, Princeton University, Texas A&M University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Southern California, the University of Tulsa, the University of Wyoming, and Virginia Tech.

Universities in the Coalition perform research that directly supports the Office of Fossil Energy’s Coal and Oil & Gas Programs. Research topics include advanced energy systems, carbon capture and storage, natural gas resources and infrastructure, and onshore and offshore oil and gas technology.

Research completed throughout the 6-year $20 million UCFER initiative is expected to accelerate the development and deployment of fossil fuel–based technologies, enabling the continued use of our nation’s abundant natural resources in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner while exposing future engineers and scientists to this valuable research.