Symposium Sponsors

Energy & Environmental Research Center
The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota is recognized internationally for developing, field-testing, demonstrating, and commercializing technologies in energy conversion, pollution prevention, environmental control, and waste remediation and utilization and has a rapidly growing customer base worldwide, specializing in multiclient consortia and serving as a broker in government-industry partnerships. Approximately 70% of its contracts are with industrial clients. The EERC offers comprehensive technical support with its highly experienced specialists, state-of-the-art facilities for chemical and physical testing, and advanced analytical capabilities and can provide a variety of field demonstration sites and systems analysis to identify technologies with the greatest potential for deployment and commercialization. As the world's leading research and development center for low-rank coals and, arguably, the leading center for all ranks of coal, the EERC manages numerous programs within the Coal Utilization Technologies Center. The EERC has been involved in research and development of clean coal technology for over 50 years, pursuing a scientific understanding of the physical, chemical, and mineralogical nature of coal as the foundation for predictively engineering coal conversion technologies and power systems. The EERC pioneered research on liquefaction of low-rank coal, and it continues to advance gasification technologies and combined-cycle systems. In addition, it is developing new tools to help the energy industry more effectively operate its existing fleet of coal-based power plants.

U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) plans and implements its programs to accomplish the overall goals and objectives of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). NETL serves as the focal point for science and technology development in fossil energy and related environmental control technologies. Through the new Strategic Center for Natural Gas (SCNG), NETL will drive an integrated planning process for natural gas technologies within DOE and will coordinate DOE's natural gas programs in gas supply, transmission, distribution, reliability, and end use. SCNG will identify research and policy support gaps; plan programs to fill these gaps; initiate research to meet future natural gas supply deliverability, reliability, and utilization requirements; and provide strong support for DOE's development of natural gas-related policies. With the four focus area leads, NETL will provide cutting-edge research and development (R&D) leadership in gas energy systems dynamics, carbon sequestration, computational energy science, and ultraclean fuels. Through partnerships, NETL will continue to utilize the full resources of the laboratory system to address fossil energy-related issues. NETL concentrates on the application of science and engineering principles to execute its mission.

EPRI
EPRI creates science and technology solutions for the global energy and energy services industry. The institute provides a wide range of innovative products and services to more than 1000 energy-related organizations in 40 countries. EPRI's multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers in environmental sciences, power generation, and delivery and use draws on a worldwide network of technical and business expertise to help solve today's toughest energy and environmental problems. A collaborative program in Strategic Research and Public Benefit Research, including environmental quality, public health, energy efficiency, renewables, and infrastructure reliability, is complemented by focused programs in business-critical technologies, including proprietary ventures. A wide variety of applications, training, and technical consulting services are available to supplement participants' in-house capabilities. EPRI has developed over 6000 hardware, software, and information products that can be provided individually. Ranging from advanced power technology to operating and maintenance manuals to environmental assessments, these products are valuable tools a participant can use to enhance operations or improve market position. EPRI's Lignite Users Group identifies and performs lignite-specific research and development activities. Current activities include assessments of upgraded lignite, database development, mercury control implications, and capturing highlights of international R&D activities. The Lignite Users Group membership is open to lignite users, producers, and government agencies.