NETL report assesses future energy systems

A recently released National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) report provides an independent assessment of the nation’s future energy systems, focusing on cost, performance, and integration.

“Reference plant configurations found in the report inform technology comparisons and also provide perspective for regulators and policymakers,” Robert James, of NETL’s Energy Process Analysis Team, said. “The data is also used to assess goals and metrics and to provide a consistent basis for comparing developing technologies, which is valuable information from a research and development perspective.”

Officials said the work involved analyzing 13 power plant configurations, including seven integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) configurations, four PC power plant configurations, and two state-of-the-art turbine-based NGCC power plant configurations.

The engineering and analysis also included developing and using advanced models, coupled with optimization and uncertainty quantification to support decision-making. Experimental capabilities in chemistry and physics complement methodologies based in the fundamental disciplines of mathematics, economics, finance, operations research, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.

NETL produces technological solutions for the nation’s energy challenges, developing innovations and energy systems that result in bolstering coal’s competitiveness while advancing technologies enhancing oil and natural gas extraction and transmission processes.