Integrating More Renewable Energy

UTD Impacts > Integrating More Renewable Energy

Advancing
Renewable
Natural Gas

On-Site-Generated Renewable Natural Gas

UTD is working with leading developers of on-site RNG generators such as Impact Bioenergy to improve the effectiveness, compactness and economy of on-site waste digesters, in order to expand the use of RNG beyond traditional applications and to reduce energy and disposal costs.

Impact Bioenergy

Renewable Natural Gas Growth as Transportation Fuel

UTD partnered with the California Energy Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy, and leading OEMs to support the technical development of Near Zero Emission engines such as Cummins Westport 6.7L, 8.9L and 11.9L engines, along with improvements in CNG fueling infrastructure. Availability of this equipment allowed Low Carbon Fuel Standards and other mechanisms to increase market demand for Renewable Natural Gas, which can often be carbon negative.

Cummins Westport

Integrating Renewable Thermal and Electrical Energy

SUN Equinox System

UTD’s field performance validation of the Solar Usage Now (SUN) Equinox solar-driven technology provided key performance validation. The system can meet 100% of hot-water and space heating needs of residential, commercial, industrial and other end users, and can be supplemented by gaseous fuel when solar energy is unavailable.

Solar Usage Now

Arctic Solar XCPC Technology

UTD provided technical support and experimental validations over a seven-year period to advance this unique solar energy technology which can achieve 200°C (392°F) to serve commercial, industrial and other end users (such as for process heating), and can be supplemented by gaseous fuel when solar energy is unavailable.

Arctic Solar Inc.

Novel High Temperature Particle Thermal Storage

In partnership with US DOE ARPA-E and with substantial prime funding from ARPA-E, UTD has advanced a unique new technology that captures and stores renewable energy to deliver heat and power on-demand to commercial, industrial and other end users, and can be supplemented by gaseous fuel when solar energy is unavailable.

GTI

Integrated Energy System Innovations

UTD is advancing the application of integrated energy systems for end users, such combination water heating and space conditioning coupled with on-site photovoltaic electrical energy generation. UTD is validating and optimize performance, identifying best installation practices, and supporting pilot integrated systems which include low-capacity equipment or other innovative key components from companies such as those listed below.

Dettson

iflow

Integrating Hydrogen Produced by Renewable Energy

Testing Hydrogen Compatibility of End-Use Equipment

UTD is assessing the sensitivity of operating existing end-use equipment on natural gas blended with hydrogen, which can be derived from renewable energy. Efforts are being coordinated with other leading researchers from Europe and elsewhere.

Hydrogen Compatibility in End Use Equipment: Contact UTD for more information

Developing Hydrogen-Focused Combustion

UTD is working with national laboratories, university partners, manufacturers, and other researchers to assess opportunities for end users to use gas that contains a significant amount of hydrogen, which can be derived from renewable energy. UTD is a participant in U.S. DOE’s cross-cutting HyBlend^TM research project. A wide spectrum of burners need consideration, and performance on hydrogen blends can vary substantially.

Developing Hydrogen-Focused Combustion: Contact UTD for more information

Advancing Hydrogen as Transportation Fuel

UTD is working with national laboratories, university partners, manufacturers, and other researchers to advance hydrogen as a zero-emission transportation fuel, which can be derived from renewable energy. Technical development efforts including developing revolutionary compressors and more economical pre-cooling systems, and participating in the development of consensus-driven protocols for safe fueling.

Advancing Hydrogen as Transportation Fuel: Contact UTD for more information

UTD Resources

UTD Market Impact

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