Advanced Dry Power Plant Cooling Workshop
ARPA-E held a workshop on "Advanced Dry Power Plant Cooling Technologies" from Monday, May 12 to Tuesday, May 13 at the Hotel Chicago in Chicago, IL.
The workshop convened leading experts in thermal transport, advanced manufacturing, air-cooled condenser systems and dry power plant cooling technologies to identify innovative research paths forward for the development of disruptive technologies that can significantly reduce the water consumption needed to cool power plants at low cost. Participants lent their expertise to help set energy efficiency and cost targets that will define a successful research program and explore possibly technology pathways.
ARPA-E was interested in low-cost cooling technologies that eliminate water consumption for cooling power plants without a loss of power conversion efficiency. Areas of interest and targeted outcomes included:
- Identification of innovative low cost air cooling strategies that reduce thermal resistance and pressure;
- Identification of efficient forced draft technologies;
- Identification of innovative waste heat capture and absorption cooling technologies;
- Identification of high performance radiant cooling coatings and associated technologies;
- Identification of advanced manufacturing technologies to fabricate transformational heat exchanger designs at the MW scale and at low cost; and
- Identification of other innovative technologies that meet the performance objectives.
Approximately 40-50 experts from academia, national/federal labs, and industry participated. Information gained from the workshop will assist ARPA-E leadership in the development of potential programs and funding opportunities which target key technological roadblocks relevant to the ARPA-E mission.
Agenda: Monday, May 12th – Tuesday, May 13th
Day 1: Afternoon Session
Welcome & Introduction to ARPA-E
ARPA-E Interest in Alternative Power Plant Cooling: Motivation & Transformational Objectives
Techno-Economic Modeling Tool
Daniel Matuszak, Booz Allen Hamilton
Science & Technology Breakthroughs Being Pursued in NSF/EPRI Power Plant Cooling Research Program
Advanced Air Cooling Technologies
Mike Ohadi, University of Maryland
Advanced Absorption Cooling Technologies
Bill Worek, Stonybrook University
Advanced Radiative Cooling Technologies
Aaswath Raman, Stanford University
Day 1: Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Exploration of System Technology & Performance
Day 2: Morning Session
Realization of Novel Heat Exchanger & Condenser Designs Through Advanced Manufacturing
Overview of Manufacturing Air-Cooled Systems
EPRI’s Atlanta Test Facility Overview
Day 2: Morning Breakout Sessions
Manufacturing, Scalability & Economics of Conceptual Designs