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A Message From Leadership
Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
This week the U.S. Department of Energy selected twelve projects to receive approximately $34 million to develop advanced technologies that can progress the present state of small-scale solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) hybrid systems. These research and development efforts come as a part of the Department's SOFC program and will benefit the United States and its global partners for decades to come.
SOFCs are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel and oxidant directly into electrical energy. They produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction and not through a combustion process, making them very unique. The projects selected as a part of this funding opportunity announcement (issued in May) represent a significant step toward the goal of making SOFC systems commercially available for hydrogen production and power generation.
To learn more about the selected projects, visit the Office of Fossil Energy's website.
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Fossil Energy Monthly Highlights
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Experience
For the past 25 years, the MLEF program has provided students with the opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on research experience with the Office of Fossil Energy (FE).
During a 10-week appointment, participants train under the mentorship of engineers and physical scientists while working on mission-focused research projects. Because this year presented unique circumstances, our mentors made sure that we were able to offer projects to all of the selected candidates during the transition to a virtual program.
In recognition of everyone’s fantastic work, we met with a few of the 2020 participants who recently concluded their fellowships to learn more about their experience.
Read part I and part II of the MLEF experience blogs.
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Produced Water: From a Waste to a Resource
FE is funding several research and development projects aimed at reducing the cost of treating and reusing produced water; the overall goal is to transform produced water from a waste to a resource.
The Department of Energy has previously invested approximately $100 million into produced water projects and continues to collaborate with industry, universities, state governments, other federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
Learn more about the importance of produced water and FE's research efforts in this area.
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Alaska North Slope Field Laboratory Accomplishments
In an ongoing effort to maximize the value of the Nation’s oil resources, the Department of Energy and its partners are investing in the first-ever polymer flood field pilot on the Alaska North Slope.
To increase the amount of oil recovery on the ANS, the Department has invested approximately $7 million in a five-year effort to evaluate polymer flood technology and its application to heavy oil enhanced oil recovery in Alaska.
Read this blog to learn about the project's recent accomplishments to date.
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 NETL-Supported Project Develops Flexible Rare Earth Element Extraction Method from Low-Rank Coal Ash
With the support of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), researchers from the University of North Dakota (UND) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory identified unique pathways and pretreatments to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from low-rank coal (LRC) ash.
LRCs such as lignites are one of the most abundant fossil fuel sources in the world. To understand the forms, associations, and partitioning of the REEs, along with other relevant elements and minerals in the ash samples, as well as their ash chemistry, mineralogy, and morphology, the research team conducted an extensive characterization effort.
Researchers produced a mixed REE concentrate that was greater than 2 percent by weight using ash samples from full-scale power generation stations and a pilot-scale combustion system at UND.
Read more.
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FE at Industry Events
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Event
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Event Date
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FE Staff Attending
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Small-Scale Liquefied Natural Gas in Central America Webinar
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September 17
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
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Tour of Shell Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex
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September 21
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
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National Coal Transportation Association 46th Annual Business Meeting and Conference
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September 21–23
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Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal and Carbon Management Lou Hrkman
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Shale Insight 2020
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September 29 –October 1
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg and various FE leadership
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4th Annual North American Oil Country Tubular Goods and Line Pipe Forecasting Conference
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October 1
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Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas Shawn Bennett
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Africa Oil Week
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October 7–8
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
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Japan Clean Energy Week
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October 12–14
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
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Virginia Coal & Energy Alliance 2020 Annual Meeting & Southern States Energy Board Clean Coal Committee Meeting
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October 26–23
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
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VI Brazilian Coal Conference
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October 28
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Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg
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Please contact FECommunications@hq.doe.gov with any media inquiries.
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Next Month on Social Media
Be sure to follow FE on social media to keep up with next month's content. Here are the upcoming themes for October:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Energy Awareness Month
- In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
Thanks for reading! See you next month.
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