On Friday, February 15, 2019, GTI Energy hosted a group of staff members representing various Texas elected officials in the Austin Capitol building. The Lunch and Learn was designed to educate attendees about the GTI-led $119 million dollar Supercritical Transformational Electric Power (STEP) pilot plant known as STEP Demo, a breakthrough option in future power generation.

The 10MW test-bed facility is being constructed at the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) in San Antonio, and will mature the technology for commercial deployment. The STEP technology will lead to smaller power plants with higher efficiency, reduced costs, and lower emissions.

In addition to learning about the project and the technology, attendees gained insight into the numerous economic and environmental benefits the pilot plant will bring to the state.

It bolsters San Antonio’s role as a technology leader, and will drive continued job creation in research, engineering and construction as well as enhanced research and education opportunities for the next generation of energy professionals.

Vann Bush, GTI Energy’s Vice President of Research Operations, and Danny Deffenbaugh, SWRI’s Vice President of Mechanical Engineering, both presented. Dan LeFevers, Director of State and Consumer Programs, directed questions from the attendees to the various technical experts in the room.