Advanced turbine systems (ATS), including microturbines, andfuel cells, took the top dollars in the Department of Energyresearch, development and demonstration budget for FY99, accordingto a budget assessment by the American Gas Association. Overall,AGA estimated DOE’s research funding for natural gas set a newrecord at $246 million. That’s up from the $209 million in thisyear’s budget.

“The increase in the natural gas RD&D budget signifies arecognition by the administration and the Congress that natural gaswill power the next century,” said Steve Crout, AGA director ofgovernment relations.

Microturbines and small industrial turbines captured $56.7million of the total, while development of four different types offuel cells was allotted about $52 million. Natural gas vehicles got$27.6 million and gas heat pumps received $8.6 million.

On the upstream end, of the fossil energy research budget $26.5million was allocated to supply projects with the largest part,$13.4 million going to E&P projects and $9.1 million going toemerging processing technology applications.

©Copyright 1998 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press,Inc.