Utilizing Systems Analysis to Inform Carbon Capture Technology Development

The National Energy Technology Laboratory’s technology development pathway includes transitions from discovery, to development, and to system testing, with the ultimate goal of establishing readiness for commercialization via internal and external research activities. Systems analysis informs a basis for establishing technology goals, provides perspective on a developing technology’s component and integrated system performance and cost, and provides an understanding of current and future technology competitiveness. Modeling advanced technology processes and incorporating the advanced subsystems into an integrated plant analysis provides an understanding of important design and operating parameters required to achieve targeted plant performance and cost objectives. Examples of how system studies inform priority experimental data needs, enable risk assessments, and are used to define appropriate technology development scales are considered.