ADI examined where small modular reactors could realistically supply power and steam across refineries, LNG terminals, and large chemical complexes with high baseload demand. The analysis combined asset‑level screening, operator interviews, and comparisons across SMR design classes to test fit against gas‑fired alternatives. Particular attention was paid to siting constraints, operating reliability, and adoption hurdles rather than theoretical economics alone.
The client
U.S. national laboratory
The situation
Operators faced uncertainty over nuclear economics, permitting, and operational fit.
ADI’s contributions
Primary operator research
Conducted structured interviews across oil, gas, refining, LNG, and chemical operators.
Proprietary asset screening
Screened assets using ADI criteria on energy intensity and steam demand.
Technology fit assessment
Evaluated SMR designs against industrial power and reliability needs.
Strategic prioritization
Identified segments with the strongest adoption logic and policy alignment.
Key outcomes
Prioritized segments and asset types most likely to adopt SMRs, guiding partnership and outreach strategy.
Client Results
ADI helped us quantify our target market size in a very methodical manner. They got up to speed very quickly on what we do, spending time with our team, technology, and markets to perform a thorough evaluation themselves.
ADI structured and led a workshop examining how AI‑driven data center growth translates into power demand, infrastructure strain, and planning risk. Insights were synthesized from utilities, hyperscalers, OEMs, and developers to assess demand magnitude, geographic concentration, and timing relative to transmission and permitting constraints. The analysis framed implications for fuel mix, grid investment sequencing, and […]
ADI examined where small modular reactors could realistically supply power and steam across refineries, LNG terminals, and large chemical complexes with high baseload demand. The analysis combined asset‑level screening, operator interviews, and comparisons across SMR design classes to test fit against gas‑fired alternatives. Particular attention was paid to siting constraints, operating reliability, and adoption hurdles […]
ADI built a bottom‑up view of U.S. data center electricity demand driven by AI workloads, using rack density, GPU power consumption, utilization assumptions, and load growth scenarios. These demand estimates were stress‑tested through interviews with utilities, hyperscalers, and power developers to assess grid constraints and timing mismatches. The work linked physical load growth to regional […]
ADI evaluated methanol as a power‑generation fuel by comparing turbine retrofit requirements, fuel handling needs, and emissions performance against diesel and LNG. The analysis relied on levelized cost of electricity models alongside OEM input on combustion performance and operational limitations. Results focused on small‑ to mid‑scale plants where gas access or emissions compliance posed challenges. […]
ADI benchmarked distributed generation technologies using a structured index covering cost, efficiency, emissions, scalability, and regulatory fit. The framework was informed by interviews with utilities, regulators, and technology providers to reflect real‑world deployment constraints. Findings were used to rank options for grid support applications rather than treating distributed generation as a monolithic solution. The client […]
ADI developed granular process and cost models across coal gasification pathways to understand where hydrogen production costs could be reduced. The work examined gasifier selection, syngas cleanup, CO₂ capture, and integration with power generation to quantify trade‑offs across configurations. Scenarios were ranked to identify pathways suitable for further demonstration rather than incremental optimization. The client […]
ADI assessed SCR catalyst technologies by comparing plate, honeycomb, and other designs across power and industrial applications. The work combined proprietary datasets with interviews spanning utilities, OEMs, and catalyst suppliers to evaluate performance trade‑offs and competitive positioning. Emphasis was placed on lifecycle cost, replacement cycles, and application‑specific constraints rather than headline capacity alone. The client […]
ADI evaluated the North American EV and charging infrastructure market using bottom‑up forecasts of vehicle stock, charger deployment, power demand, and capital investment through 2030. The analysis differentiated Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging economics, incorporating policy scenarios, utility participation models, and EPC cost structures. Particular attention was paid to fleet charging economics […]
ADI conducted an independent technical and commercial benchmark of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts to inform the investment process for a market leader. The study examined differentiated honeycomb geometry versus plate and corrugated designs, specifically focusing on pressure drop and catalytic activity. Additionally, the analysis mapped the integration potential of SCR systems with emerging solid-adsorbent […]
In the June 2026 edition, AI-driven demand is surging, but constraints in grid capacity, permitting, and equipment supply are reshaping how and where data centers expand. Developers are increasingly embedding power considerations into site selection, shifting toward distributed infrastructure models and prioritizing regions with faster, more reliable access to electricity. As power availability becomes a […]
For much of the 20th century, R&D was viewed as a long-term investment in scientific discovery, often insulated from day-to-day operational pressures. Success was measured in patents, breakthrough technologies, and the promise of future growth. Today, that view no longer holds. Across energy, chemicals, and broader industrial sectors, R&D has been reshaped by a combination […]
Ammonia has increasingly emerged as a potential low-carbon marine fuel to support decarbonization in the maritime sector due to its carbon-free combustion profile. However, compared to methanol, ammonia has lagged behind in commercial adoption as a low-carbon marine fuel. This is primarily due to its toxicity, which requires more complex storage and handling systems, as […]
News
Article
