With industry support, the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Lab (DOE-NETL) is collaborating with the Penn State Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Lab to spearhead the development of a National Experimental Turbine (NExT) rig, an initiative to help modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure.
NExT Goals
- Develop an advanced turbine geometry for US companies and institutions that provides a platform for acquiring detailed data for tool development.
- Measure detailed baseline data to be provided to the industry partners.
- Once developed, the advanced turbine can be used by the industry partners to develop proprietary designs that can be quickly and cheaply tested.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship for this project is from the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Lab and the industry partners:
Project Schedule
| 2019 |
Solicit input from partners on NExT geometry and requirements Perform turbine design vendor bidding and selection Kick-off of conceptual design Hold conceptual design review |
| 2020 |
Hold preliminary and detailed design reviews Procure hardware |
| 2021 |
Continue procurement and delivery of all NExT hardware Test additively manufactured blades and vanes Test cast blades and vanes |
| 2021 |
Continue turbine testing |
