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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Enhancing nanostructured nickel-rich lithium-ion battery cathodes via surface stabilization

Layered, nickel-rich lithium transition metal oxides have emerged as leading candidates for lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode materials. High-performance applications for nickel-rich cathodes, such as electric vehicles and grid-level energy storage, demand electrodes that deliver high power without compromising cell lifetimes or impedance. Nanoparticle-based nickel-rich cathodes seemingly present a solution to this challenge due to shorter lithium-ion diffusion lengths compared to incumbent micrometer-scale active material particles. However, since smaller particle sizes imply that surface effects become increasingly important, particle surface chemistry must be well characterized and controlled to achieve robust electrochemical properties. Moreover, residual surface impurities can disrupt commonly used carbon coating schemes, which result in compromised cell performance. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, here we present a detailed characterization of the surface chemistry of LiNi0.8Al0.15Co0.05O2 (NCA) nanoparticles, ultimately identifying surface impurities that limit LIB performance. With this chemical insight, annealing procedures are developed that minimize these surface impurities, thus improving electrochemical properties and enabling conformal graphene coatings that reduce cell impedance, maximize electrode packing density, and enhance cell lifetime fourfold. Overall, this work demonstrates that controlling and stabilizing surface chemistry enables the full potential of nanostructured nickel-rich cathodes to be realized in high-performance LIB technology.

Lim, Jin-Myoung↗
DOE OSTI2023

Membrane Considerations for the All-Iron Hybrid Flow Battery

The all-iron flow battery is currently being developed for grid scale energy storage. As with all flow batteries, the membrane in these systems must meet stringent demands for ionic conductivity while limiting unwanted reactant (Fe 3+ ) crossover. In addition, for the all-iron chemistry proton transport across the membrane is highly desirable to maintain the pH levels in the negative and positive electrolytes. Two membranes are considered, Nafion and an in-house developed composite based on Daramic (a commercial microporous separator) and poly(vinyl alcohol). Their performance is compared for various metrics specific to the all-iron flow battery chemistry.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Physics-Based Continuum Modeling for an Aqueous Rechargeable Zn/MnO 2 Battery

This study introduces a framework for modeling the aqueous Zn/MnO 2 rechargeable battery. A reaction system and a physics-based continuum model are proposed based on two reaction types, one involving insertion and the second related to dissolution and deposition of a solid reaction product. The model, fitted to empirical data, predicts voltage behavior and capacity limitations during cycling, identifying electrolytic zinc depletion as a limiting mechanism, depending on the original cell construction. The research suggests the need for further material characterization and reaction analysis, which will advance our understanding and facilitate the development of grid-scale energy storage solutions.

Electrochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Low pH Titanium Electrochemistry in the Presence of Sulfuric Acid and its Implications for Redox Flow Battery Applications

Titanium (Ti) is a promising elemental redox active species for redox flow batteries (RFBs) due to its 100x availability in the Earth crust, and 10x lower cost (compared to elemental vanadium). Furthermore, Ti salts are highly soluble in water and concentrations >5 M can be easily obtained. Seeking to harness the higher solubility (and hence energy density) of the Ti electrolyte for flow battery applications, the Ti 4+ /Ti 3+ redox couple was investigated at high concentrations (up to 5 M) relevant to RFB applications. The behavior of Ti ions in H 2 SO 4 supported electrolytes was investigated by varying the ratio of Ti redox active species to counterion. The electrochemical characteristics, transport properties, and redox kinetics of the Ti 4+ /Ti 3+ redox couple were measured and the impact of the Ti x+ to solvating ligand ratio was examined. The coordination structures around solvated Ti x+ ions were spectroscopically determined and the effect of solvation structure on the Ti 3+ /Ti 4+ redox rate constants were examined and correlated to the calculated solvation energy (hence distinguishing between inner- and outer-sphere processes) and the role of catalysts was addressed. The Ti electrolyte development guidelines presented herein will advance the development of Ti-based RFBs as a promising pathway towards cost effective, grid-scale energy storage.

Electrochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Redox Activity Modulation in Extended Fluorenone-Based Flow Battery Electrolytes with π-π Stacking Effect

Redox flow battery shows promise for grid-scale energy storage. Aqueous organic redox flow batteries are particularly popular due to their potentially low material cost and safe water-based electrolyte. Commonly, redox active molecules used in this field feature aromatic rings, and increasing π-aromatic conjugation has been a popular strategy to achieve high energy density, high power density, and reduced crossover in new material design. However, this approach can inadvertently hinder redox activity depending on redox mechanism. This study reveals the underlying π-π stacking effect in extended aromatic redox active compounds, where aromatic radical intermediates are involved in the redox process. We report a molecular design strategy to mitigate the negative effect of π-π stacking by altering solvation dynamics and introducing molecular steric hindrance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Binder-Coated Carbon Cloth Electrodes for All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising solution for integrating intermittent renewable energy sources into the existing power grid. However, enhancing the electrochemical performance of VRFBs is critical for their widespread adoption in grid-scale energy storage. This study investigates the impact of adding a porous binder to a carbon-cloth electrode, with a focus on optimizing thermal activation conditions. The electrochemical performance of the binder-coated electrodes compared to uncoated electrodes is evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curve measurements, and charge-discharge cycling. The surface morphology and structural integrity of the binder-coated electrodes at each activation stage are examined using various material characterization techniques to assess the effects of thermal activation. The results are benchmarked against the experiments using non-coated electrodes to determine the performance improvements offered by the binder coating. Notably, the study reveals that binder-coated electrodes exhibit significantly lower resistance and improved efficiency compared to their uncoated counterparts, with optimal activation conditions enhancing performance metrics crucial for VRFB applications. These findings provide valuable insights for further optimizing electrode design and activation strategies, advancing the development of more efficient VRFB systems for large-scale energy storage.

Caiado, Ashley A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Miniaturize the Redox Flow Battery for Accelerated Materials Discovery and Development

Redox flow batteries are a promising technology for grid-scale energy storage. The aqueous organic redox flow battery is of particular interest for its potentially low material cost and sustainability. Developing novel organic active material for flow battery electrolytes typically entails molecular engineering toward desired properties, necessitating organic synthesis. In a research laboratory setting, the synthesis of specifically designed organic molecules featuring targeted functional groups is time and resources intensive. In the past, synthesizing materials required for battery testing has often required gram-scale production, presenting considerable constraints on the pace of novel organic material discovery. In this report, we introduce a miniaturized cell design that mandates only milligram-scale material synthesis while yielding testing outcomes equivalent or superior to those reported with other commercially available or homemade flow cells in the literature. The test results under various pH conditions validate the scale-down strategy to accelerate the flow battery material discovery and development using the newly designed mini cell. This approach offers researchers an efficient means to notably reduce the time and resources required to develop novel materials for flow batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

LIB Design Module for Grid Energy System Application

We will employ a machine learning approach with intelligent data mining and database construction to analyze enormous data repositories for identifying and extracting geographic-dependent cell design specifications from publicly accessible grid-scale energy storage usage databases in an automated way at scale.

Liu, Dianying [Pacific Northwest National Laborato↗
DOE OSTI2022

Role of Renewable Energy, Storage, and Demand Response in Karnataka's Power Sector Future

Karnataka ranks fourth among Indian states in installed capacity of renewable energy, which accounts for over 50% of its resource mix. The state is positioned to play a leading role in India's energy transition and contribute to meeting national targets for renewable energy thanks, in part, to ambitious state goals to develop Karnataka's abundant zero carbon energy resources and plans to phase out new investments in thermal plants. Power system stakeholders in Karnataka are faced with the challenge of planning a generation portfolio that accounts for the variability of wind and solar resources, meets increasing and shifting electricity demand, and satisfies operational and reliability requirements. The objective of this study is to evaluate least-cost pathways for Karnataka's electric power system through 2050. The capacity expansion model developed for this study identifies power system investment and operational decisions for every year (2020-2050) for all of India, with detailed representation of the state of Karnataka. The study led to five high-level results and provides a framework for recurring planning studies to meet changing system conditions and needs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

NREL Capabilities for TMCES

This is a panel presentation covering NREL's capabilities in the thermal-mechanical energy storage space, including ARIES, component R&D, and modeling tools and datasets.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Supercharge NY

The Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Supercharge NY enabled The Clean Fight to execute an inaugural accelerator program focused on enabling world-class, growth-stage energy storage companies to successfully scale deployments and establish domestic manufacturing pathways in New York State. The Clean Fight has developed and tested a successful accelerator model designed to reduce the barriers growth-stage climate tech companies face by collapsing the sales cycle to scaling solutions at speed. The Clean Fight’s Supercharge NY project allowed for the exploration into the understanding of New York-focused energy storage opportunities, challenges, and methods for enabling successful projects. The Clean Fight’s Supercharge NY project enabled high-touch matchmaking with industry leading customer and capital partners, technical assistance to facilitate scaling supply chain and manufacturing capacity, and access to non-dilutive funding for first-of-a-kind or demonstration projects in New York State. The results of the program provide a public benefit by accelerating deployments of energy storage to provide value-added energy services and sustainability benefits to communities while boosting economic opportunity and job creation for all.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fission Batteries: Definition, Key Attributes and Research and Development Needs

The term battery was first introduced by the American scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin in 1749, followed by invention of the first true battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta. Today, batteries are a ubiquitous source of portable electric power across different applications. Batteries are widely used across a range of scales from consumer products to grid-scale energy storage. There are different types of batteries, but they can be broadly classified as chemical or electric batteries [1], atomic batteries, nuclear batteries, tritium batteries or radioisotope generators [2, 3]. Atomic batteries, nuclear batteries, tritium batteries, and radioisotope generators have gained significant attention for applications requi-ing long-term power supply and high-power density, including the space power reactor [4]. While a number of reactor systems, particularly micro-reactors, are referred to as fission batteries, this paper defines key attributes required for a fission reactor to achieve capabilities comparable with the characteristics of batteries that enable their wide-spread use. Achieving this full vision of a fission battery will enable broad deployment of fission reactors that function like batteries. The research and development (R&D) activities needed to achieve the desired fission battery attributes are discussed below.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Front End Engineering Design Report

Energy storage is becoming an increasingly important component on modern power grids to ensure sufficient balancing capability for intermittent renewable power generations is available to maintain system reliability. Although energy storage has traditionally been provided by pumped storage hydroelectric systems, it is not possible to install these at every location and they can be expensive to construct. Lithium Ion batteries are increasingly being used to carry out energy storage grid services, however these can be expensive when specified over a few hours of capacity. An alternative way to store substantial energy is to use thermal energy storage (TES). This has been deployed on concentrated solar units using molten nitrate salts as a storage media. Again, the cost of the material can be prohibitive, thus lower cost alternative materials are being actively sought, such as sand, rocks and concrete. This project investigates the potential for Concrete Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) when used to directly store thermal energy from a thermal plant source. This report represents the initial Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) deliverables that are submitted for the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) safety review for process validation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

CTES Pilot Plant Detailed Design Report

Energy storage is becoming an increasingly important component on modern power grids to ensure sufficient balancing capability for intermittent renewable power generations is available to maintain system reliability. Although energy storage has traditionally been provided by pumped storage hydroelectric systems, it is not possible to install these at every location and they can be expensive to construct. Lithium Ion batteries are increasingly being used to carry out energy storage grid services, however these can be expensive when specified over a few hours of capacity. An alternative way to store substantial energy is to use thermal energy storage (TES). This has been deployed on concentrated solar units using molten nitrate salts as a storage media. Again, the cost of the material can be prohibitive, thus lower cost alternative materials are being actively sought, such as sand, rocks and concrete. This project investigates the potential for Concrete Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) when used to directly store thermal energy from a thermal plant source. This report represents the Detailed Design phase deliverables comprising of the process, mechanical, electrical, piping along with control and instrumentation documents. Civil and structural deliverables are included on a preliminary basis due to outstanding site investigation activities. CTES block transportation testing results and the pilot plant testing plan is also included in this report.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

NCSP Analytical Methods Subtask 3, AMPX Development and Maintenance, and NCSP Nuclear Data Subtask 6, SAMMY Modernization

The modernization of SAMMY continued with the removal of all container array access for the main program. The container array was used due to the computer limitations at the time of the initial writing of SAMMY, but it prevented the use of some modern code testing options. Additionally, the authors continued to make the code more modular by shifting the storage of the energy grid and the covariance information to C++ storage, thus allowing for better unit testing and the elimination of scratch files. For AMPX, the authors continued to implement the new Evaluated Nuclear Data File format to allow AMPX to read new evaluations as they become available.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nanocellulose‐Carboxymethylcellulose Electrolyte for Stable, High‐Rate Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Aqueous Zn ion batteries (ZIBs) are one of the most promising battery chemistries for grid‐scale renewable energy storage. However, their application is limited by issues such as Zn dendrite formation and undesirable side reactions that can occur in the presence of excess free water molecules and ions. In this study, a nanocellulose‐carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrogel electrolyte is demonstrated that features stable cycling performance and high Zn 2+ conductivity (26 mS cm −1 ), which is attributed to the material's strong mechanical strength (≈70 MPa) and water‐bonding ability. With this electrolyte, the Zn‐metal anode shows exceptional cycling stability at an ultra‐high rate, with the ability to sustain a current density as high as 80 mA cm −2 for more than 3500 cycles and a cumulative capacity of 17.6 Ah cm −2 (40 mA cm −2 ). Additionally, side reactions, such as hydrogen evolution and surface passivation, are substantially reduced due to the strong water‐bonding capacity of the CMC. Full Zn||MnO 2 batteries fabricated with this electrolyte demonstrate excellent high‐rate performance and long‐term cycling stability (>500 cycles at 8C). These results suggest the cellulose‐CMC electrolyte as a promising low‐cost, easy‐to‐fabricate, and sustainable aqueous‐based electrolyte for ZIBs with excellent electrochemical performance that can help pave the way toward grid‐scale energy storage for renewable energy sources.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗