Advanced Turbines

Developing advanced turbine and heat engine technology for coal-based integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC), natural gas combined cycles (NGCC), sCO₂-based power cycles, modular heat engines (syngas, natural gas & hydrogen), and steam turbines.

Turbine art

The NETL Advanced Turbines Program manages a research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) portfolio designed to remove environmental concerns over the future use of fossil fuels by developing revolutionary, near-zero-emission advanced turbines technologies. In response to the Nation’s increasing power supply challenges, NETL is researching next-generation turbine technology with the goal of producing reliable, affordable, diverse, and environmentally friendly energy supplies. Program and project emphasis is on understanding the underlying factors affecting combustion, aerodynamics/heat transfer, and materials for advanced turbines and turbine-based power cycles.

Explore Key Technology Areas

Advanced Combustion Turbines

Research addresses component development for turbine systems fueled with coal-derived fuels (including hydrogen and syngas) and natural gas in combined cycle applications.

Turbomachinery for Supercritical CO₂ Power Cycles

Research is focused on developing turbine technology for sCO₂-based power cycles that are applicable to fossil fuel applications.

Pressure Gain Combustion

Research efforts focus on assessing the potential benefit of PGC system technology for combined cycle gas turbines. Researchers are focused on combustion control strategies and fundamental understanding of pressure wave-flame interaction that will lead to lab-scale testing and component prototyping for turbine integration with PGC.

Steam Turbines

Research and development focus on improving plant performance and adding load-following capabilities by improving turbines in steam-based power cycles.

Modular Hybrid Heat Engines

Research focuses on developing novel modular hybrid heat engines, based on gas turbine technology, that have the potential to offer cleaner, more efficient, and better load-following capabilities than existing competing technologies.