Energy Department Invests $28 Million to Advance Cleaner Fossil Fuel–Based Power Generation

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of 14 research and development projects to advance energy systems that will enable cost-competitive, fossil fuel–based power generation with near-zero emissions. The new projects, which span 11 states, will accelerate the scale-up of coal-based advanced combustion power systems, advance coal gasification processes, and improve the cost, reliability, and endurance of solid oxide fuel cells. The total award value of the projects exceeds $36 million, which includes a federal investment of more than $28 million and recipient cost-sharing of $8.4 million.

Fossil fuels are the dominant energy source in the United States and worldwide. Today, coal, oil, and natural gas provide approximately 80 percent of the Nation’s energy. The Energy Information Administration projects that in 2040 that figure will have dropped only slightly, to 77 percent. The selected projects will advance technologies that increase the performance, efficiency, and availability of existing and new fossil fuel–based power generation; support national goals for the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions; and help facilitate the safe and sustainable use of the Nation’s abundant fossil energy resources.

Funding for the new projects is provided by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE). The projects will be managed by FE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.  The selected projects will support DOE’s Advanced Combustion Systems Program, which is developing efficient and economically attractive combustion systems that generate electricity with near-zero emissions. (EIN News)