Andrew Maxson Email and Phone Number

I manage a $5M program with five direct reports associated with advanced fossil power generation focusing on bulk-energy storage, reciprocating engines, materials, novel power cycles, and carbon capture.

Managed a team focused on advanced fossil generation projects involving topics on operational flexibility, bulk-scale energy storage, and novel power cycles including supercritical CO2 power cycles, pressurized oxy-combustion, chemical looping, and fuel cells.

Managed projects on chemical looping, advanced power cycles such as supercritical CO2 power cycles, oxy-combustion, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). Also managed a program that developed new field demonstration projects with projects involving novel technologies related to water treatment and production, environmental controls, and CCS.

Worked in the CoalFleet for Tomorrow Advanced Coal and Carbon Capture and Storage programs; activities were focused on managing projects associated with improving the efficiency and reducing emissions from pulverized coal plants, oxy-combustion, poly-generation, and CCS on both coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. Projects involved both field demonstrations and paper studies.

Responsible for leading EPRI’s Industry Technology Demonstration (ITD) program, which developed several large-scale collaborative field demonstration projects designed to help address challenges facing the electric power industry related to reducing CO2 emissions. The $40M ITD program focused on two important components for potential CO2 reductions: CCS from fossil-fired power plants and renewable technologies. Demonstration projects include two projects on post-combustion CCS, including one on a novel technology for producing low-cost oxygen for integrated gasification combined cycle and oxy-combustion. These projects had both performance testing and economic study aspects.

Played a key role in managing multiple products and services designed for the power industry. Projects included boiler and emission optimization; fleet “anomaly detection” to find operational problems in advance; thermal performance monitoring; fleet optimization of dispatch; and optimal coal blending designed to reduce coal-related costs. Worked across multiple parts of GE to provide effective management of multiple teams, meet delivery schedules for large complex projects, receive research funding, and develop state-of-the art technology. Heavily involved in customer engagement and the sales effort. Consistently ranked as one of the top PLLs in the business.

Led several software product lines. Managed a diverse team installing products at a major coal utility. Products designed to optimize power generation across the fleet. Led efforts to be acquired, helping to write and present a business plan for the company. Led technical negotiations and due diligence with the GE acquisition team.

Led effort to update all marketing practices. Wrote marketing materials, press releases, and by-liners for several coal journals. Led technical and marketing efforts to develop new software products, designed to optimize power generation across an entire fleet. Managed an engineering team charged with the customization of software optimization systems designed to achieve real-time coal tracking, optimal coal blending, and on-line management tools used for the control and optimization of coal power plants. Performed experimental work to model coal flow.

Evaluated boiler efficiency calculation techniques. Developed an on-line boiler efficiency monitor, including uncertainty estimations. Measured and evaluated the efficiency and emission performance of natural gas gravel dryers and oil heaters

Research focused on engine combustion using turbulent jets. Analysis showed benefits accrued are due to reduced heat losses, superior ignition, and improved turbulent mixing.

Taught junior-level thermodynamics and senior-level lab course.

Research focused on high-pressure diesel engine combustion simulated using a shock tube. Results showed that increased pressure improved combustion but caused injector pluggage.

Summer-time role performing engineering drafting work for multiple machine designs along with sundry engineering projects.