Checking In with Energy Central Experts: Tom Rolfson, Project Manager at POWER Engineers – [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Expert Interview]

In this latest interview for our Energy Central Network of Experts, I’m thrilled to welcome back Tom Rolfson, Project Manager with POWER Engineers and Expert in our Generation Professionals Group. In the year since our first interview with Tom, the rapid pace of technological advancements and regulatory shifts in the utility sector continue to bring about new challenges. Tom addresses these in our conversation, sharing his insights on how the landscape has evolved since our last discussion, highlighting significant regulatory changes and their impact on existing coal plants and facility designs.

We also explore exciting developments in carbon capture technology, including a groundbreaking project converting natural gas service pipelines to CO2 transport systems. Navigating this critical juncture in the power sector requires expertise. Learning from seasoned veterans like Tom allows for informed decision-making, so join us as we unpack these pivotal topics and more in our insightful interview.

Matt Chester: Given the rapid pace of change in the utility sector, how have you seen the landscape evolve since our last conversation? Are there any notable trends or shifts that have caught your attention?

Tom Rolfson: First, I’d say that regulatory changes are shifting some trends—particularly the greenhouse gas regulations finalized by the EPA. For example, I think most existing coal plants are going to have significant changes if they want to keep operating. This isn’t all that unexpected, but now it’s in regulation. We’ll also see changes to facility designs for both new facilities and most existing electric steam-generating boilers out there.

We’ve seen really rapid development—especially in a state like Texas where there’s an incentive program—for new generating-capacity installations. In fact, there’s so much development activity planned that it will be nearly impossible to build everything forecasted.

MC: When we last chatted, you mentioned your interest in hydrogen, carbon capture, and waste-to-energy technologies. Can you provide updates on any advancements or breakthroughs in these areas that have occurred recently? Are there specific projects or initiatives that stand out to you?

TR: Right now, we’re seeing a lot of development in carbon capture. Some power plants are being developed with carbon capture integrated in the design. I know of an exciting new project for a pipeline where natural gas service is being converted to CO2. It’s a pipeline hundreds of miles long, so I think it’s reasonable to expect there may be some related power plant development so these facilities will have something to tap into for moving that captured CO2.

MC: Environmental sustainability is a pressing concern for the industry. How do you believe utilities and stakeholders can effectively balance the need for reliable energy with environmental stewardship? Are there any strategies or initiatives that you advocate for in this regard?

TR: One of the most important things we can do is make sure we continue educating the public and all stakeholders—for a lot of utilities, that’s their customers—about what they can do on the demand side to help balance the need for reliable energy and environmental stewardship. Demand-side flexibility—as I addressed in a webinar I gave about energy megatrends—can actually help reduce system-wide emissions by a significant degree.

I also think that educating customers and stakeholders is important so they understand that new fossil-fuel fired power plants being built have new, advanced technologies that make them much more efficient and cleaner than the older power plants we’ve relied to feed the power grid for the last 30 years. We may still use fossil fuels, but it’s significantly better.

The last thing I’d say is that I strongly advocate for more educational initiatives so people are able to find facts and information quickly and easily, avoiding—as much as possible—biased perspectives. It’s hard for many people to believe a utility industry’s opinion is unbiased, but it’s important to share facts and make them readily available and easy to access.

MC: If you could leave our Energy Central readers with one piece of advice to take to heart at this critical juncture in the power sector, what would it be?

TR: To me, it’s “do your research.” The caveat would be that, in the same way you wouldn’t seek medical advice from a non-medical person, it’s important to make sure you’re doing critical research from reliable sources.

There’s an idea that’s been proliferated that all infrastructure projects are bad; that they’re killing the environment and impacting our human health. When you get down to the nuts and bolts, yes. Anything anyone does impacts something else.

Ultimately, though, we’re at a point where one of the worst decisions we can make is not making a decision on the future of our energy system. I’m not suggesting people don’t think critically about it; instead, I’m emphasizing the importance of sharing good information and moving forward to make things better.

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Thanks to Tom for joining me for this interview and for providing a wealth of insights and expertise to the Energy Central Community. You can trust that Tom will be available for you to reach out and connect, ask questions, and more as an Energy Central member, so be sure to make him feel welcome when you see her across the platform.

The other expert interviews that we’ve completed in this series can be read here, and if you are interested in becoming an expert, you can reach out to me or you can apply here.