The inside of today’s energy systems host some of the harshest environments anywhere on the planet, and the faults, fractures, and carbon dioxide plumes deep underground present an array of challenges for resource recovery. Sophisticated sensors help energy systems to operate more efficiently, and assist in recovering underground oil and gas. However, creating sensors that can withstand these formidable environments is a challenge. NETL is on the task.

Ten years ago, NETL concluded work on its mercury control program – one of its most successful and productive research programs, and one that culminated in highly effective technologies that are now widely used throughout the entire power generation sector, protecting our waters and wildlife.

The Carbon Capture Simulation Initiative (CCSI), led by the Office of Fossil Energy’s (FE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), released the CCSI Toolset as open source software. The CCSI Toolset is the nation’s only suite of computational tools and models designed to help maximize learning and reduce cost and risk during the scale-up process for carbon capture technologies. The toolset is critically important to perform much of the design and calculations, thus reducing the cost of both pilot projects and commercial facilities.

Supporting domestic energy and technologies that produce efficient, affordable power with responsible stewardship of the environment are top priorities for NETL. Our researchers are examining new innovations that can provide clean, efficient energy from coal, natural gas, and oil. But the path from discovery to commercialization can take decades. So how do decision makers choose which breakthrough technologies have the potential to thrive in the commercial market and bring lasting benefit?

Most people care about the environment, but wonder, “What can I do to help?” For this Earth Day, April 22, NETL has created a video showing that everyone can help keep their earth the best place to live in the galaxy.

NETL has been at the forefront of research to make offshore energy production safer and more efficient ever since the Lab helped assess the Macondo Oil Spill in 2010. Now, a component of that expertise is front and center in a new article appearing March 26 in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports, released by Nature Publishing Group. 

A new analysis conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) indicates that continued retirement of fossil fuel power plants could have an adverse impact on the nation’s ability to meet power generation needs during future severe weather events.

Water is an essential resource for human life. It’s also a key component of energy production. In celebration of World Water Day, we’re sharing some of our innovative water conservation projects. For example, thermoelectric power generation accounts for more than 40 percent of freshwater withdrawals and more than 3 percent of freshwater consumption. That adds up to billions of gallons of water per day. As populations grow and economic development continues to expand, so too will our energy demand and water consumption.

With technical support from NETL, the City of Pittsburgh has drawn national attention for the strides it is making in becoming an energy Smart City. Now, through a partnership involving the University of Pittsburgh and the City’s Office of Resiliency, NETL is participating in a new international effort to broaden thinking about energy innovation and urban development.

The need for improvement drives innovation, and the work of NETL’s Process Systems Engineering (PSE) Research team is a significant example of how that adage meets reality. The team is keenly focused on optimizing today’s fossil-fuel-based power plants while planning for tomorrow’s complex energy markets - efforts that could usher in new jobs and lower the cost of electricity. NETL has already received international attention for its development and use of advanced PSE models and computational tools to support decision-making and analysis, and those capabilities continue to grow.