To celebrate our diverse workforce, we produced EPRI’s first Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion report. The report captures the many perspectives of EPRI employees and underscores the Institute’s spirit of inclusion and belonging. EPRI’s employee resource groups continue to expand their global reach and effectiveness, making our team stronger and more connected than ever.
DIVERSE WORKFORCE
A fire in August damaged part of EPRI’s Charlotte T&D research lab facilities. The collective response from leadership and employees, including reassigning research to Knoxville and Lenox labs, put the Institute on an accelerated track to rebuild and receive an occupancy permit in November, preventing significant delays in ongoing research projects and maintaining research commitments to our members. Lessons learned will inform future operational strategies.
QUICK RECOVERY FROM FIRE
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
SECURITY CHALLENGES
In an EPRI first, our Knoxville 80PLUS laboratory received ISO 17025 Accreditation for Testing Laboratories last month. This global distinction identifies the lab as one that operates competently and generates valid results. This cross-sector effort spanned a year and resulted in an external audit that found zero non-conformance issues, which is rare for first-time certification. This new designation will raise the profile of EPRI’s laboratory work and make it easier for us to exchange information with other research institutions worldwide.
LABORATORY ACCREDITATION
OPERATIONS Highlights
Review the 2023 highlights from each of EPRI’s sectors to see examples of how EPRI and our members are actively bridging gaps in the energy transition and strengthening the system we operate today.
Reflecting on a Year of Innovation and Progress
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
ENERGY DELIVERY & CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS
NUCLEAR
GENERATION
INTRODUCTION
Scroll to See Highlights Below
Evaluating US EPA’s Proposed GHG Emissions Standards
Assessing Risk to Extend Asset Life
Hear EPRI Technical Experts
Collaborated with 17 Hydrogen Hub applicants pursuing US DOE funding (up to $7B) and continuing to operate the H2Hub Network, a technical platform convened by EPRI for industry-level collaboration to develop and share real-time learnings, best practices, and other valuable insights across hydrogen hub development and operation
Engaged in the development of 20 net-zero industrial clusters globally through collaboration with the World Economic Forum and Accenture
Hosted a public webinar on “Deploying Clean Hydrogen Infrastructure Safely” and held an in-person workshop with industry stakeholders on “A Community Approach to Hydrogen Development.”
Completed H2EDGE in-person training courses from hydrogen 101 to electrolysis, delivery and storage, and end-use
Completed the Advanced Ultra-supercritical (AUSC) Component Testing (ComTest), which focused on accelerating the development of a U.S.-based supply chain for nickel-based alloys, components operating at up to 760°C
Added to the more than 80 total hours of hydrogen blending tests, including a demonstration with Constellation and Siemens Energy
Published the Electrolyzer Techno-Economic Analysis tool, which provides preliminary screening of cost and performance for alkaline and PEM technologies
Completed analysis of economy-wide adoption of hydrogen and low-carbon fuels focusing on economic impacts of new policies (e.g., US Inflation Reduction Act) and technology readiness across power generation, industry, transportation, and buildings
Notable 2023 Achievements
Through the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative (LCRI), EPRI and GTI Energy are leading a global collaborative aimed at identifying, developing, and deploying a portfolio of low- and zero-carbon solutions. Beyond the LCRI, the Generation Sector’s low-carbon technology R&D is driving progress in key energy supply technologies, from bulk energy storage to carbon capture and storage (CCS) to end-use of low-carbon resources.
Accelerating Low-Carbon Technology Development and Adoption
Industry and governmental decision-makers depend on EPRI’s independent insights regarding energy transition implications. In 2023, EPRI provided industry-leading expertise and technical feedback on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed New Greenhouse Gas Emissions standards, which would pressure electricity affordability and reliability by limiting technology options in the years ahead. The institute also recognizes the immense water requirements of many decarbonization technologies and conducts research to identify and mitigate the resource challenges of an evolving energy mix. As energy companies evaluate future options for power plants nearing retirement, EPRI researchers help assess and evaluate community benefits of repowering, repurposing, or retiring existing assets and infrastructure.
Demonstrating EPRI’s Commitment to Communities and the Environment
Building tomorrow’s energy system starts by optimizing the operation and maintenance of the system in place today. EPRI’s advanced manufacturing and materials research is uncovering better approaches to building more resilient assets and identifying potentially catastrophic materials issues before they occur. By leveraging the power of data, researchers are advancing risk-based inspection approaches that can improve asset reliability and reduce data-related risk by driving industry-level collaboration in cybersecurity R&D. To bridge current and future capabilities, EPRI is expanding the artificial intelligence toolbox, employing analytics and robotics to improve energy system performance, reliability, resilience, efficiency, and security.
Expanding Capabilities through Advanced Technology
Dynamic energy shifts are redefining the roles of existing resources and creating new complexities as emerging technologies are integrated into the equation. EPRI’s robust R&D helps energy companies increase the flexibility of thermal assets through timely identification and proactive resolution of operational risks. As reliance on renewable energy grows, the institute is leading R&D across electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical energy storage to derive greater value from variable resources. As companies develop new plants expected to operate through the transition, researchers are identifying efficient approaches to purpose-build assets for various future scenarios, from potential hydrogen blending to carbon capture and sequestration integration.
Maximizing the Potential of Existing and Emerging Assets
Demonstrating EPRI’s Commitment to Communities and the Environment
Expanding Capabilities through Advanced Technology
Maximizing the Potential of Existing and Emerging Assets
Research Highlights
The transformation to a more sustainable energy future demands transformational thinking. Through breakthrough R&D, EPRI’s Generation Sector helps the global power sector anticipate and embrace emerging opportunities and support reliable, affordable, equitable, and resilient electricity generation for today’s customers. From optimizing thermal assets to advancing environmental controls to leading digital transformation, we help existing power plants operate longer and more resiliently.
EPRI is a recognized authority in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the energy sector. With appearances this year at the AI Congressional hearing on Capitol Hill and on White House Chronicles, EPRI offered insights on how AI can be integrated into energy operations. AI will continue to be a research priority, including quantum R&D work focused on practical, near-term applications. We are bridging the gap between early-stage R&D and utility end-users, cultivating a quantum-energy community.
EPRI is leading work examining emerging security challenges to energy supply, supply chains, grid modernization, and infrastructure security. Many of these themes were discussed by industry experts at this year’s Summer Seminar: Securing the World’s Clean Energy Journey.