EPRI: Generating Results for Utilities
Researching breakthrough technologies
The Electric Power Research Institute’s Charlotte-based facility sits inconspicuously off of a nonchalant road. But the work being done inside that research and development arm of the utility industry is anything but unremarkable.
EPRI, as it is known, has long been a beacon of light for electric utilities. It’s doing the legwork on scores of energy projects that range from beefing up the smart grid to developing new technologies to promoting distributed generation and renewable energy. Almost 40 years after its inception, it’s racked up quite a track record.
“EPRI’s collaborative structure multiples the effect,” says Brian Schimmoller, a marketing leader for EPRI, as he walked reporters through the building. “Together, we have the resources that any one company may not have.”
EPRI's birth in 1973 was a direct result of events that converged to call into question the ability of the United States to meet future energy demands. The electric utility industry was thus compelled to take control of its destiny and to make critical investments in science and research. Because individual companies lacked both the resources and the technological expertise to go it alone, they formed a consortium, now known as EPRI with funding last year of $378 million.
In the beginning, EPRI spent its resources on projects dealing with underground transmission and ultrahigh voltage systems. Along the way, it has worked to refine combined cycle plant concepts and to initiate research on the effects of acid rain. Today, it is fixated on increasing transmission capacity, reducing emissions and improving all aspects of nuclear engineering. During every phase, EPRI's role has been to coordinate projects, see them through to completion and to introduce them to the market place.
Consider: EPRI is developing “splices” that can thrust 10 percent to 15 percent more power through the transmission lines, enabling utilities to avoid the construction of new infrastructure. It is also working on new “conductors” that can run hotter than the current ones, which also allow more through-put without causing the wires to sag. RF sensors, meanwhile, can wirelessly measure the transmission line temperature so that it can be adjusted accordingly.
“Part of the value is the journey and learning the pitfalls,” says Jeffrey Brehm, a marketing leader for EPRI. “The utilities that help fund these projects get easy access to the data and can help shape the research.”
The Benefactors
To be sure, tougher economic times have caused utilities to rethink their approach to research and development. The natural reaction during these times is to slash what is considered to be non-essential spending and to focus all resources on core functions -- and to strengthen the balance sheet.
As such, utilities have changed the way that they participate in such programs. Instead of making contributions to the organization that are spread to multiple projects, they target those areas that affect their specific operations.
The section of the EPRI facility dealing with corrosive resistant materials, for example, is working on making localized repairs within nuclear plants without having to shut down an entire unit. It is establishing a technique to test and fix broken parts that may have been irradiated.
Similarly, another area of the facility uses ultrasonics and radiography to find flaws in the fabrication of parts -- cracks, stresses and corrosion that may not be visible. That’s an in-service inspection of as many as 900 parts. And further, another area is testing all types of materials to get an understanding of how long components could be expected to last before they would need to be replaced.
The latter section of the facility has recently completed the work on a pipe welding service that allows dissimilar materials to be combined -- a service that can extend product life cycles. That filler is now commercially available. “The benefactors are across the board: vendors as well as coal and construction companies,” says Darryl Glanton, who heads that research.
“We just grow the technology,” Glanton adds. “We don’t offer it as a service.” He says that in some cases a developer may consider its technology proprietary and will not want to participate in a collaborative research project. That may apply to a gas turbine manufacturer. But many times the participants must combine resources as a way to leverage development, as it is with carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
With a wave of new technologies sweeping the energy landscape, it is imperative that utilities get on the cutting edge. It’s a strong case for many kinds of collective pursuits and the chief reason for EPRI’s existence.
EnergyBiz Insider has been named Honorable Mention for Best Online Column by Media Industry News, MIN. Ken Silverstein has been named one of the Top Economics Journalists by Wall Street Economists.
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energybizinsider@energycentral.com.
