Splendor of the Pacific Northwest Drives NETL Researcher To Help Save the Planet

Working for NETL at its research site in Albany, Oregon, has provided Billy Epting with an abundance of opportunities to explore his true passions - developing solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysis cell(SOEC) technology to address climate change and enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with his family.

"I got into my field because I wanted to address climate change, solve our energy challenges and make the energy landscape in our country cleaner and more sustainable," Epting said.

A senior research scientist, Epting is advancing SOFC and SOEC technology to serve as an efficient, combustion-less, virtually pollution-free power source to help the nation meet its clean energy goals, which call for a net-zero carbon emission electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.

Examples in nature that underscore the importance of his work are close at hand. "Living near Eugene provides us with easy access to the rugged and scenic Pacific coast. The Cascade Mountains, full of old-growth forests, crystal-clear lakes and other stunning beauty, are about an hour to the east," Epting said.

Over a recent holiday weekend, Epting and his family traveled a few hours south to take in the majesty of the ancient coastal redwoods found in northern California.

"We love nature," Epting said. "My wife, Julia, and I take our children (Naomi, who will soon start kindergarten, and Alden, 1½) hiking and camping every chance we get."

Exploring the region's natural splendor with his children drives Epting. "I care deeply about leaving the world a better place for them, and SOFCs and SOECs are an important part of the NETL technology portfolio to reach that objective," he said.

SOFCs are electrochemical conversion devices that produce electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. They are highly efficient and produce far less carbon dioxide, require very little water and use less fuel while providing the same amount of electricity as today's combustion-based fossil energy technologies.

SOFCs can efficiently convert a variety of abundant domestic fuels into clean power via electrochemical reactions. SOECs can use clean electricity to generate hydrogen as a clean fuel for generating electricity later when it is needed as well as for long-haul trucking and other applications.

Every fuel cell or electrolyzer has two electrodes - an anode and a cathode where electricity-producing chemical reactions take place. One of the primary obstacles to widespread commercialization of the technology is degradation, a gradual decline in performance that limits the device's lifespan. Contributors to performance degradation are tied to the microstructural composition of the positive and negative electrodes.

Epting and his NETL colleagues are using the Lab's cutting-edge computational tools to model thousands of simulated microstructures as they seek to boost the performance and longevity of this energy-efficient, near-zero-emission technology.

"These are very complicated systems with complicated microstructures, and characterizing and modeling these processes is resource-intensive, with many variables to consider," Epting said. "Deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) helps us understand the results of our many-variable models and develop ML-based materials with enhanced longevity."

Away from work, Epting enjoys the benefits of an eco-friendly lifestyle. For instance, the Epting family has a small flock of chickens, which can produce up to 20 fresh eggs a week. A mix of leafy greens and other vegetables can be found in their garden.

"I love to grow big patches of lettuce mixes (such as mesclun). I can go out and pick fresh greens any time I want a salad and keep it going half the year, with occasionally re-sowing. Also, nothing beats watching our daughter eat sugar snap peas straight off the vine," Epting said.

Before relocating to Oregon in July 2020, Epting studied at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University and worked at NETL's research campus near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While in Pittsburgh, he participated in Tree Tender, a volunteer program that plants and cares for trees that can thrive in urban areas.

"I love trees," said Epting, adding he takes special pride in the magnolia tree and Douglas fir growing at his Oregon home.

Caring for those trees, the garden, flowers and other plants is a priority. Natural pollination is one key to maintaining healthy vegetation. "Bees are one of the world's most important pollinators, so I would like to have a beehive, too," Epting said.

NETL is a DOE national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By using its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.

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