Release Date: March 19, 2007

NETL Researcher Receives Technology Transfer Award
Innovative Software Commercialized Worldwide

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A researcher at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has been selected to receive a national award for his leadership role in commercializing a one-of-kind software tool for worldwide use in the power, chemical, and research communities.

Dr. Stephen Zitney, a Research Group Leader in NETL’s Office of Research and Development

Dr. Stephen Zitney, a Research Group Leader in NETL’s Office of Research and Development, will receive the 2007 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Excellence in Technology Award at the FLC National Meeting in Arlington, Texas, on May 17, 2007. The FLC selected Dr. Zitney for his effort in facilitating the successful transfer of innovative software technology, the Advanced Process Engineering Co-Simulator (APECS), to the private sector.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Dr. Zitney, “but satisfaction also comes from supporting the effective transfer of a new computational science and engineering technology, in this case APECS, and observing the significant impact that technology has in the marketplace to improve the design and operation of complex industrial systems.”

APECS is a highly sophisticated co-simulation software tool that combines best-in-class commercial process simulation and computational fluid dynamics software to assist industry in analyzing and optimizing plant performance. To date, engineers and researchers in more than a dozen organizations worldwide use the software to address the challenge of designing next-generation plants to operate with unprecedented efficiency and near-zero emissions, while operating profitably amid cost fluctuations for raw materials, finished products, and energy.

Facilitated by a Department of Energy–funded cooperative agreement through NETL, Dr. Zitney initiated the APECS research, development, and technology transfer process with Fluent Inc. and its collaboration partners: Aspen Technology Inc, Carnegie Mellon University, Iowa State University, West Virginia University, and ALSTOM Power.

The technology previously earned a prestigious R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine for being among the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace in 2004.

The FLC is a nationwide network of more than 700 major federal laboratories and centers, including their parent departments and agencies. The consortium provides a forum to develop strategies and opportunities that link laboratory mission technologies and expertise with the marketplace.