Gas Energy System Dynamics Focus Area Natural gas use will increase substantially in the next 20 years because of its environmental, reliability, and economic benefits. It is the fuel of choice for new power plants, industrial combustion, and residential and commercial heating. However, sustaining the benefits of natural gas in light of increased utilization will require new gas utilization technologies with even higher efficiency, lower emissions, and low cost. This Focus Area will provide the scientific basis for these new technologies. Higher efficiencies not only extend projected supplies of gas, but also reduce carbon dioxide emissions from gas utilization.
Nitrogen oxides are the primary pollutants of concern from natural gas combustion.
NETL has a distinguished history in natural gas technology development, especially in gas turbines, fuel cells, and novel combustors. NETL on-site researchers have played a key role in technology development by providing insights to the fundamental mechanisms of gas combustion and conversion under the dynamic conditions of advanced gas turbines or fuel cells. NETL is recognized internationally for work in the area of combustion dynamics and control strategies. The Focus Area will work closely with the Strategic Center for Natural Gas to ensure that advanced gas utilization technologies receive appropriate attention in the national gas strategy. Find ways to minimize environmental emissions from gas utilization systems by improving efficiency and use of novel natural gas utilization systems and by ensuring stable and reliable operation of systems designed to achieve near-zero pollutant emissions.