Energy researchers from across the nation affiliated with the Institute for the Design of Advanced Energy Systems (IDAES) – a partnership of research universities and Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories led by NETL – convened a wide-ranging workshop Thursday, Nov. 1, in Pittsburgh to discuss progress and review plans for 2019 focused on new computational tools to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing coal-fired power plants and support the development of the advanced energy systems of the future.

IDAES was formed in 2016 to develop new process systems engineering capabilities to accelerate the development of a broad range of advanced fossil energy systems.

The Institute consists of experts from NETL, Sandia and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Carnegie Mellon University and West Virginia University. Pooling skills and resources, the Institute is pioneering development of new computational tools that can be used to optimize the performance of power plants over a full range of operating conditions, supporting the existing fleet and enabling the design and scale up of transformative advanced energy systems, such as the coal plant of the future.

According to NETL’s David Miller, some of the topics to be highlighted during the Pittsburgh workshop will include recent advances in dynamics and process control, new tools for conceptual design of modular systems, approaches for advanced model development, optimization-based machine learning for kinetics and physical properties, optimization of chemical looping combustion processes, and tools for understanding how fossil energy technologies integrate with the power grid.

A key thrust of IDAES centers on advancing simulation-based engineering approaches to designing new energy systems. Creating new effective energy technologies and processes can be lengthy and costly because experimental scientists are often unable to observe and measure aspects of design research. Simulation-based engineering uses advanced computational tools at multiple scales to accelerate development and deployment of fossil fuel technologies. IDAES is a resource for the development and analysis of innovative advanced energy systems that use process systems engineering tools and approaches.

Miller said “IDAES is demonstrating innovative ways to help address the large, complex challenges associated with future energy systems by facilitating close collaboration among federal and academic institutions.”

Additional information about the work of IDAES is available here.

NETL, which leads IDAES, develops and commercializes advanced technologies that provide reliable and affordable solutions to America's energy challenges. NETL’s work supports DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.