TECHNICAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies are gaining new attention as a possible path toward meeting decarbonization goals. Many governments and companies are investing in CCUS research and development, with pilot projects well under way.

This track will focus on CCUS adoption and deployment, as well as the technical, economic, and policy challenges facing its widespread adoption. Speakers will also highlight state and federal emission regulations impacting power plant operations, as well as attainment goals and operational strategies to remain in compliance even as non-point-source air challenges increase.

Topics include:

• Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) adoption and deployment
• CCUS financing
• Tax credits and incentives
• Direct air capture
• Regulatory issues
• Emission standards for plants
• Carbon pricing

Climate change and the need to find cleaner, carbon-free sources of energy are driving both short- and long-term decisions in the power sector. Decarbonization faces several challenges, including the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, the need for energy storage of varying durations and scales and the costs associated with transitioning from fossil fuels. At the same time, advances in technology and government policies are working to overcome these challenges and accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon future.

This track focuses on the latest regulations and incentives, resource planning strategies and net-zero goals. Topics include:

• Resource planning
• Carbon costs/taxes
• Climate legislation (IRA and IIJA)
• Utility-scale solar and wind
• Zero-carbon generation sources
• Gas-fired emissions reduction
• Renewable fuels
• Geothermal

The electric power sector is deploying a variety of energy storage options that range in terms of duration and technology. Lithium-ion battery technology dominates much of the talk about short-duration storage. Medium- and long-duration storage that use technologies such as compressed air energy systems, pumped hydro and a host of novel battery chemistries also are being developed and deployed. This track focuses on the growing adoption of storage technologies, their ability to support growing volumes of renewable energy resources, operational challenges and pathways to their further adoption.

Topics include:

• Utility-scale case studies and applications
• Integration challenges
• Non-battery storage solutions
• Safe operations and best practices
• System financing and viability
• Hybrid power plants

The growth of microgrids is driven by a range of factors, including an increasing demand for reliable and resilient power, economics and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Utilities are deploying microgrids in the face of extreme weather events, while hospitals, municipalities, the military and others aim to provide energy security for mission critical services. Key issues discussed in this track include microgrid planning, costs, location, design and operations.

Topics include:

• Case studies of new microgrids
• Design and development
• Generation options
• Integration challenges and standards
• Market drivers
• When microgrids make sense and when they don’t
• Utility interaction with microgrids
• Aggregation and Virtual Power Plants (VPP)
• Mission critical microgrids

Small modular reactors and microreactors are emission-free, baseload generation sources that can be factory-built, sited close to demand centers and can help drive decarbonization goals. Advanced reactors are targeted for commercial deployment by the end of the decade and could use traditional and nontraditional coolants such as liquid metals, salts and gases. This track will offer the latest on SMR deployment plans, cost projections and the status of rapidly evolving public policy support for the technology.

Topics include:

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactor technologies
• State and federal policy support
• SMR economics and viability
• Supply chain and construction costs
• Capacity and resource planning
• Using data and digital tools

To compete, conventional plant owners and operators must strategically manage their assets and optimize operations and maintenance using the latest processes and solutions, including leveraging data to maximize the productivity of a highly trained and adaptive workforce.

Topics in this track include:

• Workforce challenges and safety
• Case studies on the impact of equipment upgrades
• Combined cycle, HRSGs.
• Boilers
• Cooling towers
• New technologies for plant O&M
• Life cycle management
• Plant retirement strategies

Control room digitalization and rapid advances in sensors, control systems, simulation tools and artificial intelligence are driving efficiency gains from existing operations and enabling real-time data on plant health and performance.  In this track, experts will showcase the latest digital technologies that enhance decision-making, drive down costs and ensure that existing generating assets remain viable.

Educational sessions will explain and include case studies on the following topics:

• Predictive maintenance
• Digital twins
• Industrial Internet of Things
• Data analytics
• Artificial Intelligence/augmented reality
• Sensors
• Software solutions
• Cybersecurity
• Controls and communication
• Blockchain technology

Hydrogen as a fuel for electricity generation or a way to store energy is integral in a decarbonized future. Government incentives are also expected to help scale up the clean hydrogen economy. Challenges remain to deploy technologies that can readily accommodate 100% hydrogen combustion in large-scale power plant applications. This track addresses the technical challenges that need to be addressed, from combustors to balance of plant modifications.

Topics include:

• Advancements in hydrogen-powered turbines
• Balance of plant considerations
• Electrolysis and fuel cell technologies
• Hydrogen production, transportation and storage
• Project modeling and financing
• Hydrogen hub initiatives
• Policy incentives