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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Regulators’ Financial Toolbox: Keeping Track of Clean Energy Summary

On February 26, 2024, NARUC’s Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment hosted a panel discussion titled “Keeping Track of Clean Energy Part III: Economy Wide Consistency” at the 2024 NARUC Winter Policy Summit. The panel was moderated by Hon. Abigail Anthony, Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, and featured remarks by Wenbo Shi, PhD-Founder/CEO, Singularity Energy; Todd Jones, Principal, US Markets, Center for Resource Solutions (CRS); and Tory Clark, Partner, Energy + Environmental Economics.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microgrid's Role in Enhancing the Security and Flexibility of City Energy Systems

Smart cities depend on flexible and secure energy systems to ensure resilient power for critical infrastructure; however, recent weather-related events and cyberattacks have highlighted weaknesses in our energy systems, with the potential for widespread economic and security impacts. As stated by the Executive Office of the President, "the resilience of the US electric grid is a key part of the nation's defense against severe weather." To address the energy delivery security challenge, microgrids are rising as a viable solution that enhances the flexibility and resilience of the distribution grid and boosts the reliability of the local supply for the end-user. Traditionally, high capital investment has been a barrier to large-scale adoption of microgrid technology. Understanding the flexibility and resilience benefits of microgrids and accounting for the associated value streams can make the microgrid's proposition economically viable. In this chapter, microgrids' utility and their potential to serve as a flexible and resilient resource for the utility grid by providing capabilities such as peak shaving, demand response, and frequency regulation is presented. Moreover, other value streams, such as (1) their ability to island during a disaster and sustain critical loads which makes them a robust resilience solution for end-users, in the event of the utility grid outage and (2) microgrids also provide a flexible platform for integrating distributed energy resources in conjunction with storage and conventional generation technologies, strengthen microgrid's role in reducing the over-arching goal of emission reduction. Given the myriad of benefits associated with microgrids, we present strategies which can be employed for making microgrid itself resilient against physical and cyberthreats by employing hardware, software, and personnel training solutions to operate the microgrid before, during, and after a potential disaster. This chapter, thus, provides a holistic study of the microgrid as a resilience resource, for the utility grid, and a self-contained end-user for the end-user.

cyber-physical system↗
DOE OSTI2022

Renewable Energy Resource Assessment Information for the United States

The Renewable Energy Resource Assessment Information for the United States report summarizes the results of nearly 30 national renewable energy resource assessments performed by the U.S. national laboratories since 2012. Included are assessments for solar, wind, biomass, marine, geothermal, and hydropower energy resource technologies. Increased attention is given to the renewable energy resources available near federally recognized Tribal Nations and low-to-moderate income households, where assessed.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Validation of Power Distribution Models using Load Flow Analysis in an ADMS Environment

Electric utilities are facing the need for better monitoring, analysis, and control of their distribution systems. An accurate mathematical model is a key to both the development of cutting-edge, scalable model-based algorithms and the assessment of emerging technologies such as distributed energy resources (DER) for grid planning and operation. However, the constantly evolving nature of power distribution systems poses challenges to maintaining accurate models. In this paper, we propose a novel load flow based approach to validate power distribution models. Networked equipment models described according to the Common Information Model (CIM) standard and a measurement model are used to formulate the distribution load flow problem. First, a system admittance matrix (Ybus) is derived from device-level CIM parameters. Next, the operational parameters (dynamic Ybus and nodal injections) are extracted from the measurement model using sensor configuration and equipment state. An iterative power flow method is then used to compute nodal voltages and branch flows that are compared against the measurement data to find any inconsistencies in the networked equipment model. This approach is implemented within GridAPPS-D, an open-source standards-based platform for advanced distribution management system (ADMS) application development, and demonstrated on the IEEE 13-bus, 123-bus, and 8500-node test feeders.

Common information model, model validation, power ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Tools and Methods for Optimization of Nuclear Plant Outages

Refueling outages are one of the most challenging phases in a nuclear power plants (NPP) operating cycle. Refueling outages are extremely costly for a NPP due to the large amount of required resources and because of lost revenue due to plant being off the grid. Outage durations have steadily decreased across the industry over that last few decades primarily due to improved planning and coordination, but there are still many plants that struggle to meet the performance metrics accomplished by other utilities. Schedule resilience is one of the issues. NPP outages require scheduling thousands of activities in a duration of around 30 days on average. Outage staff begin working on the schedule more than a year ahead of the outage start and make every effort to build a robust schedule. Despite the robust and detailed planning, once the outage starts, numerous emergent issues typically appear along with schedule delays requiring continuous replanning and adjusting. When schedule disruption occurs during an outage, plant staff make urgent efforts to recover but often not able to maintain the planned outage duration. These outage delays can cost a utility several million dollars per day. Tools that could help outage schedulers create a more resilient schedule and allow them to optimally reschedule emergent work could significantly reduce outage delays. One key aspect of creating a resilient schedule is to have accurate estimates for activity duration. Another important outage scheduling capability is the ability to schedule emergent work with minimal disruption. The Optimization of Outage Activities project under the Risk-Informed Systems Analysis Pathway (RISA) sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program focuses on developing tools and methods to support nuclear power plants with optimization of outage schedules. The goal of the outage optimization is the completion of all planned and emergent outage activities as fast as possible while maintaining highest level of safety. This report describes the initial development of tools to support outage management that leverage computational and machine learning methods developed in other RISA and LWRS projects.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Methods and Tools To Assess Robustness of Nuclear Plant Outages

Refueling outages are one of the most challenging phases in a nuclear power plant (NPP) operating cycle. Refueling outages are extremely costly for an NPP due to the large amount of required resources and because of lost revenue due to plant being off the grid. Outage durations have steadily decreased across the industry over that last few decades primarily due to improved planning and coordination, but there are still many plants that struggle to meet the performance metrics accomplished by other utilities. Schedule resilience is one of the issues. NPP outages require scheduling thousands of activities within 30 days on average. Despite detailed planning, once the outage starts, numerous emergent issues typically appear along with schedule delays requiring continuous replanning and adjustment. When schedule disruption occurs during an outage, plant staff make urgent efforts to recover but are often not able to maintain the planned outage duration. These outage delays can cost a utility several million dollars per day. Tools that could help outage schedulers create a more resilient schedule and allow them to optimally reschedule emergent work could significantly reduce outage delays. One key aspect of creating a resilient schedule is to have accurate estimates for activity duration. Another important outage scheduling capability is the ability to schedule emergent work with minimal disruption. This paper focuses on developing tools and methods to support NPPs with outage schedule optimization and it describes the initial development of tools to support outage management that leverage computational and machine learning methods.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Summary: Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar Photovoltaics and Battery Energy Storage at a Vietnam Industrial Park

The Clean Energy Investment Accelerator conducted a case study analysis of battery energy storage system (BESS) feasibility for an industrial park in Vietnam using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) REopt platform (a distributed energy modeling and optimization tool) to evaluate how BESS may reduce electricity costs, increase utilization of onsite renewable energy generation, and improve resilience to utility grid outages. This presentation summarizes the analysis and key takeaways.

batteries↗
DOE OSTI2024

Beginner's Guide to Understanding Power System Model Results for Long-Term Resource Plans

This guide was developed to improve decision-making in the electricity planning process by strengthening dialogue between electricity system planners and stakeholders throughout the process. This document was created for anyone who is first getting exposed to scenario results from power system planning models, or for those who are beginning to interact with power system modelers. It does not assume any experience with power system modeling, or familiarity with electricity planning concepts. This guide can be helpful to a wide range of people, including but not limited to state utility commissioners and commission staff, state energy offices, and intervenors in the planning process. It is targeted to those who are evaluating or reviewing model results presented by a utility, which typically span utility-scale generation and storage (and associated transmission) assets. This guide is designed to provide enough background and guidance that stakeholders can formulate and ask questions to evaluate model results through a deeper understanding of the key assumptions, data, and methods that drive decision outcomes. The ultimate purpose of this work is to increase transparency in the electricity planning process by enabling stakeholders to better engage and evaluate model results. A follow-on guide will provide a deeper dive into emerging topics, which are expected to become more prominent in the electricity planning process, but whose methods and approaches are still being refined.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Consumer Benefits of Clean Energy: Renewable Energy

Meeting national and state decarbonization goals requires a transition to clean energy technologies. Energy efficiency, demand flexibility, renewable energy and storage can reduce consumers’ electricity bills, lower total electricity system costs, and provide health and resilience benefits. Berkeley Lab developed a series of briefs that explore these consumer benefits of a clean energy transition. This brief discusses some of the possible consumer benefits of utility-scale and behind the meter renewable energy, with a focus on how these resources can contribute to a low-cost electricity system. It begins with a literature review of modeled impacts, primarily considering consumer benefits, of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Next, it discusses how utility-scale renewable energy can contribute to a low-cost electricity system (e.g., in some cases, low resource costs relative to other alternatives). It concludes with a discussion of behind-the-meter renewable energy consumer benefits (e.g., reduced host electricity bill, increased property value, resilience).

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Analytic Framework for Optimal Sizing of Hydrogen Fueling Stations for Heavy Duty Vehicles at Ports (CRADA 512)

This CRADA presents the strategy that PNNL and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) will take to support Seattle City Light (SCL) in properly sizing a hydrogen station for class 8 drayage trucks at the Port of Seattle (Port), as part of a coordinated plan of mixed uses for hydrogen. The proper sizing for the fueling station is unique from past experiences because it will be part of a coordinated plan for a multi-use scheme for the hydrogen, and not a stand-alone fueling station. The multiple use-streams, and their relative values, will impact all facets of station sizing and design, including fueling rates, storage technology and size, equipment selection, and safety considerations. The future deployment of this fueling station, and its proper sizing, is seen as a critical first step in the larger vision of utilizing hydrogen to address a range of issues for SCL and the Port. These include, but are not limited to, large scale fueling of medium duty (MD) and heavy duty (HD) vehicles to reduce emissions, support of adjacent light duty (LD) vehicles, support of critical port operation during extreme events (e.g. resiliency), mitigation of capital intensive electrical distribution system upgrades to support evolving port operations, a market resource that can be used by SCL to generate revenue, and support of planned future maritime operations that currently require heavy use of shipboard hydrogen. While the broader use of hydrogen by SCL and the Port is not the focus of this CRADA, how its use impacts the design of the initial vehicle fueling station, and the modular approach, are the central work. As such, this project will develop the framework and process for developing a modular station design that considers the broader range of coordinate uses of hydrogen as an energy resource.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Williston Basin CORE-CM Initiative Final Report

The University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) is leading the Williston Basin Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative to drive the expansion and transformation of coal and coal-based resource usage within the Williston Basin to produce rare-earth elements (REEs), CMs, and nonfuel carbon-based products (CBPs). This project is the first phase in a long-term program and set the stage for future work by assessing resource, market, technology, and infrastructure knowledge; identifying knowledge gaps; developing a series of plans to be carried out in future work; and initiating stakeholder engagement. Composed of several tasks, the project sought to identify, characterize, and assess several necessary aspects vital to make this future work a reality. The project’s fundamental task was to characterize the Williston Basin CORE-CM resources. Over 2500 samples from multiple sources were utilized to begin the assessment. Several locations were identified in western North Dakota where sample analysis identified the total REE (TREE) concentration as being over 500 parts per million (ppm), which is at a concentration level that would be suitable to consider for mining and extraction. Current operating coal mines have sufficient concentrations of TREEs for consideration. However, the current data across the basin are still not adequate to fully characterize REE and CM content nor give reliable estimates of the total resource potential. Waste stream reuse was also considered, and several streams were identified which ranged from potential energy sources to chemicals to material wastes. This includes streams that result from oil and gas production. These streams are not fully characterized, and further data are needed before they can be accurately assessed. Infrastructure within the Williston Basin is suitable for expansion of a new industry to mine, extract, and concentrate REEs and CMs. The development of this industry will not only preserve many existing jobs in the coal-mining industry but produce many new jobs. The supply chain for REEs and CMs is currently controlled outside of the United States in nations such as China, but the potential to develop the supply chain within the basin is considered possible. Processing of the mined materials for REEs and CMs needs further research. The technology and knowhow exist outside of the United States, and within the country much of the knowledge has been lost and must be regained. To develop the supply chain and regain lost processing technology, the creation of technology innovation centers (TICs) is crucial. The Williston Basin contains several similar centers and entrepreneurial assistance for other industries that can be applied in the development of REE and CM innovation centers. Education to develop the new skill sets required is also needed. Outreach is important for the development of the REE and CM industry within the basin. Understanding throughout federal and state governments, state agencies, industry, and resource end users is vital for the industry to form and grow. Through this project these groups have been contacted through bulletins, presentations, webinars, and annual symposiums. The report is a summary of the work conducted and throughout refers to a series of appendixes which contain more thorough and specific information about each section.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2022

Oak Ridge National Laboratory FY 2023 Site Sustainability Plan With FY 2022 Performance Data

At the close of each fiscal year, the US Department of Energy (DOE) Sustainability Performance Division (SPD) issues guidance documents and technical resource aids/tools necessary for DOE sites and national laboratories to complete sustainability reporting requirements. SPD is part of the DOE Office of Asset Management. As required by DOE Order 436.1, Departmental Sustainability, “each site will develop and commit to an annual Site Sustainability Plan (SSP) that identifies its respective contribution toward meeting the DOE’s sustainability goals.” SPD collects and compiles information reported by each site to develop an agency-wide Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan, which is used to report DOE sustainability progress to the federal government as required by all major federal agencies. DOE launched a formal Sustainability Office and annual SSP process in 2011. Each year, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in concert with the Office of Science (SC), provides the resources essential to fulfill its commitment to deliver a complete and accurate SSP report and quality performance data for entry into the DOE Sustainability Dashboard as managed by SPD. The performance data entered by each DOE site are then combined to disclose the progress of each DOE Program Office and are further combined to show comprehensive progress for the agency. The Office of Asset Management provides assistance to program offices in sustaining their missions, freeing up resources by reducing waste, avoiding excess expenditure on utilities, maximizing productivity, and improving the efficiency of facilities and processes. By focusing on mission needs, programs and associated DOE sites can help the agency meet its sustainability goals, as outlined in federal statutory and regulatory requirements. In FY 2022, the SSP guidance was updated to capture requirements from Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, the Energy Act of 2020 (EAct 20), actions outlined in DOE’s Climate Adaptation & Resilience Plan and Sustainability Plan, and EO 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. Updates in SSP guidance help to minimize and streamline reporting while simultaneously addressing updated federal requirements. Per DOE, each SSP report should provide an overview of the site’s planned actions, as well as an overview of efforts and accomplishments during the reporting period. SPD collects and compiles information reported by each site to develop DOE’s Annual Sustainability Report, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Plan, and Annual Energy Management Report to Congress. The agency goal has been to lower the reporting burden for sites and increase and improve the consistency of information available to decision makers, allowing them to better identify projects and potential for increased efficiency, as well as to reduce waste, lower emissions, and enhance operational resilience. Sites may elect to produce a more polished publication for their leadership and stakeholders, but this step is no longer required. The ORNL SSP narrative report (this document) and the reporting of DOE SPD Sustainability Dashboard performance data is a collaborative effort of approximately 30 subject matter experts (SMEs) from ORNL facility management and research divisions. Annually, these associates come together to provide a report that can be used by DOE to demonstrate continued agency progress in energy efficiency and sustainable federal operations.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quantitative Evaluation of CO 2 Storage Potential in the Offshore Atlantic Lower Cretaceous Strata, Southeastern United States

The geological storage of CO 2 in the Earth’s subsurface has the potential to significantly offset greenhouse gas emissions for safe, economical, and acceptable public use. Due to legal advantages and vast resource capacity, offshore CO 2 storage provides an attractive alternative to onshore options. Although offshore Lower Cretaceous reservoirs have a vast expected storage capacity, there is a limited quantitative assessment of the offshore storage resource in the southeastern United States. This work is part of the Southeast Offshore Storage Resource Assessment (SOSRA) project, which presents a high-quality potential geological repository for CO 2 in the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas. This is the first comprehensive investigation and quantitative assessment of CO 2 storage potential for the Lower Cretaceous section of the outer continental shelf that includes the Southeast Georgia Embayment and most of the Blake Plateau. An interpretation of 200,000 km of legacy industrial 2D seismic reflection profiles and geophysical well logs (i.e., TRANSCO 1005-1-1, COST GE-1, and EXXON 564-1) were utilized to create structure and thickness maps for the potential reservoirs and seals. We identified and assessed three target reservoirs isolated by seals based on their effective porosity values. The CO 2 storage capacity of these reservoirs was theoretically calculated using the DOE-NETL equation for saline formations. The prospective storage resources are estimated between 450 and 4700 Mt of CO 2 , with an offshore geological efficiency factor of dolomite between 2% and 3.6% at the formation scale.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

User Objectives and Design Approaches for Microgrids: Options for Delivering Reliability and Resilience, Clean Energy, Energy Savings, and Other Priorities

In fall 2019, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) initiated a joint Microgrids State Working Group (MSWG), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE). The MSWG aimed to bring together NARUC and NASEO members to explore the capabilities, costs, and benefits of microgrids; discuss barriers to microgrid development; and develop strategies to plan, finance, and deploy microgrids to improve resilience. Based on member input, the MSWG developed two companion briefing papers to answer key questions about microgrids: (1) User Objectives and Design Approaches for Microgrids: Options for Delivering Reliability and Resilience, Clean Energy, Energy Savings, and Other Priorities and (2) Private Sector, State, and Federal Funding and Financing Options to Enable Resilient, Affordable, and Clean Microgrids. Read together, these resources provide readers with an understanding of both why and how customers—whether an investor-owned, cooperative, or municipal utility; federal, state, or local government entity; individual or group of residential, commercial, and/or industrial customers; or other organization—select, design, and pay for microgrid projects.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Cost of Saving Electricity: A Multi-Program Cost Curve for Programs Funded by U.S. Utility Customers

This study analyzed the cost performance of electricity efficiency programs implemented by 116 investor-owned utilities between 2009 and 2015 in 41 states, representing about three-quarters of the total spending on U.S. efficiency programs. We applied our typology to characterize efficiency programs along several dimensions (market sector, technology, delivery approach, and intervention strategy) and report the costs incurred by utilities and other program administrators to achieve electricity savings as a result of the programs. Such cost performance data can be used to compare relative costs of different types of efficiency programs, evaluate efficiency options alongside other electricity resources, benchmark local efficiency programs against regional and national cost estimates, and assess the costs of meeting state efficiency policies. The savings-weighted average cost of saved electricity for the period was $0.025/kilowatt-hour (kWh). The cost of saved electricity for programs that targeted residential customers was $0.021/kWh, compared to $0.025/kWh for programs for commercial and industrial customers. Ultimately, we developed an aggregate program savings “cost curve” for the actual electricity efficiency resource during the period that provides insights into the relative costs of various types of efficiency programs and the savings contribution of each program type to the efficiency resource at a national level.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Designing resilient decentralized energy systems: The importance of modeling extreme events and long-duration power outages

Mitigating and adapting to climate change requires decarbonizing electricity while ensuring resilience of supply, since a warming planet will lead to greater extremes in weather and, plausibly, in power outages. Although it is well known that long-duration outages severely impact economies, such outages are usually not well characterized or modeled in grid infrastructure planning tools. Here, we bring together data and modeling techniques and show how they can be used to characterize and model long-duration outages. We illustrate how to integrate outages in planning tools for one promising mode of resilient energy supply—microgrids. Failing to treat these extremes in models can lead to microgrid designs (1) that do not realize their full value of resilience, since models do not see the benefits of protecting against extremes, and (2) that appear reliable on paper yet do not actually protect against extremes. Although utilities record power interruptions, lack of access to that data is hindering research on resilience; making datasets available publicly would substantially aid efforts to improve grid planning tools.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Addressing Regulatory Challenges to Tribal Solar Deployment Summary Slides

Tribal lands represent approximately 6.5% of total U.S. utility-scale renewable energy technical potential, but this resource is largely untapped. This project articulates key regulatory challenges or barriers that affect solar projects specifically or disproportionately because they are on Tribal lands.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗