A number of public power utilities are sponsors of an Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Gas Technology Institute (GTI) five-year initiative to accelerate the development and demonstration of low-carbon energy technologies.
EPRI and GTI said that the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative (LCRI) is a unique, international collaborative spanning the electric and gas sectors that will help advance global, economy-wide deep decarbonization.
“With 18 anchor sponsors, the LCRI leverages the collaborative research model employed by both EPRI and GTI, bringing industry stakeholders together to conduct clean energy R&D for society's benefit,” EPRI and GTI said.
Seeded with $10 million from the EPRI collaborative, funding for the initiative is expected to be leveraged many times over its $100 million target through public and private collaboration.
Sponsors of the initiative include the following public power utilities: Nebraska’s Lincoln Electric System, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Missouri River Energy Services, New York Power Authority, Salt River Project and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Other sponsors include investor-owned utilities and natural gas companies.
The LCRI is targeting advancements in low-carbon electric generation technologies and low-carbon energy carriers, such as hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic fuels, and biofuels.
The collaborative will:
- Identify and accelerate fundamental development of promising technologies;
- Demonstrate and assess the performance of key technologies and processes; and
- Inform key stakeholders and the public about technology options and potential pathways to a low-carbon future
For LCRI's anchor sponsors, the initiative represents a key step toward achieving decarbonization goals over the next thirty years, EPRI and GTI said.
LADWP “is very excited to partner with EPRI and GTI on the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative,” said Reiko Kerr, Senior Assistant General Manager, Power System Engineering, Planning, and Technical Services, LADWP.
“We see it as an important initiative toward developing clean, low-carbon fuel technologies that will help us achieve a clean energy future for Los Angeles,” she said. “This partnership will further efforts to initiate new highly-technical research projects that will address LADWP's evolving needs and engage in new low-carbon channels for the generation, delivery and end use of electricity in ways that support reliability, sustainability and efficiency."
"LES has a long history of environmental stewardship, including reducing carbon emissions by 42% since 2010," said Kevin Wailes, CEO of LES. "Our participation in the LCRI with like-minded industry partners continues that tradition and supports current discussions by our Board on the most effective way to address a carbon reduction goal and action. The results of the LCRI are critical for the industry as we all work to find sustainable, reliable and viable technologies to meet our customers' future resource needs."
"TVA and our LCRI partners are committed to developing clean energy technologies that will help lead to a sustainable, reliable, and lower carbon future that benefits everyone,” said Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of TVA.
“To build long-term success, it is critical to have clearly defined plans to reach zero carbon goals. We are pleased to be a part of an initiative that provides a realistic roadmap to help drive our nation from where we are to where we want to be,” Lyash said.
"Large-scale investment and information sharing with partners from across the country and world translates to dramatic impact and significant steps towards a zero-carbon future," said Mike Hummel, CEO and General Manager of SRP and member of EPRI's Board of Directors.
"While SRP has our own aggressive goals to reduce carbon emissions, our work as part of the LCRI will further develop low-carbon technologies and processes that will enable more sectors, such as transportation and industry, to de-carbonize."
“MRES is dedicated to creating a cleaner energy future for our member communities by providing reliable, sustainable, low-carbon energy,” said Tom Heller, president and CEO of MRES. “We believe the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative will provide a realistic roadmap for MRES, and for electric and gas utilities across the U.S. to achieve this goal using new channels for the generation, delivery and end use of electricity. We are pleased to be an anchor sponsor of the LCRI.”
Heller is a member of EPRI’s Board of Directors.
MRES is an organization of 61 member municipalities in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Each member owns and operates a municipal electric utility. MRES provides its members with energy and a wide range of energy-related services.
“In New York, we have set a very aggressive goal to have 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040," said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of NYPA."It’s the most aggressive goal in the United States and our Clean Energy Standard also mandates 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030. In order for us to get there, we need breakthrough technologies and strong collaborations. This new LCRI effort, led by EPRI and GTI, will enable us to develop the technology innovations that will have an impact in our communities and ensure a sustainable future.”
EPRI and GTI will host a virtual roundtable on low-carbon resources Sept. 1, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET. Included among the speakers will be Quiniones.
To register for the event, click here.
