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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

Analysis and Planning Framework for Nuclear Plant Transformation

Commercial nuclear power in the United States has been an unqualified success by any measure, providing low cost, carbon-free, and safe baseload electricity for decades. The industry today is at the peak of its historical performance in terms of generation output, reliable operations, and demonstrated nuclear safety. However, it is no longer among the lowest-cost electric generation sources with the emergence of subsidized renewables and shale gas generation. The business model that has served the operating nuclear fleet so well over its life is now a drag on cost performance due to its reliance on a large highly skilled labor force. In contrast, digital technology and innovation are enabling dramatic efficiencies in energy production, resulting in fierce competition for a commodity such as electricity. The nuclear power industry has responded to this challenge with many initiatives to improve efficiency and modernize plant equipment, especially where reliability and obsolescence issues are pressing. However, it would be a missed opportunity to merely modernize the plant components and the work processes of an outdated business model that was formulated to manage the technology of the 1960s. Rather, the greater opportunity is to transform that business model to one that fully exploits the capabilities of modern digital technology, resulting in substantially lower production costs and sustainable market viability. One successful example of such transformation is the concept of Integrated Operations, which was introduced into the North Sea oil and gas industry a couple of decades ago when the profitability of operating these fields was severely threatened by low world petroleum prices and the high overhead of operating the offshore oil and gas platforms. This effort resulted in significant changes to how these oil fields were operated and allowed the industry to continue profitable operation of these platforms. This example has some remarkable parallels to the U.S. commercial nuclear industry as described in the next section. This report provides an analysis and planning framework for such a nuclear plant operating model transformation based on the transferable learnings from the North Sea transformation. This framework is termed Integrated Operations for Nuclear or ION. This report describes the key principles and methods of Integrated Operations and how they are being applied in a collaboration between the DOE Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program and Xcel Energy in an initiative to transform its operating model for performance improvement and long-term sustainability. It describes a method to bring the operating costs of a nuclear fleet in line with market-based pricing, transforming work functions to reduce cost with technology innovations. This initiative will continue over the next several years in the detailed development of transformative concepts for nuclear plants, which will be published as follow-up to this initial report on Integrated Operations for Nuclear.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Decarbonization and technology cost drivers: considerations for potential future thermoelectric water use in the power sector

The power sector is currently undergoing significant changes, driven by a combination of factors, including decarbonization and technology innovation. This study aims to assess implications of these drivers on U.S. power sector technology futures and the associated water and environmental implications for cooling thermoelectric power plants. Specifically, we evaluate four decarbonization scenarios for the contiguous United States that vary in assumptions concerning demand growth and technology costs, with technology costs driving alternative outcomes that prioritize either technologies that require low amounts of water (such as wind, solar, and battery) or high amounts of water (such as nuclear and carbon capture and storage). These scenarios are executed in a power sector capacity expansion model and compared to two reference scenarios that assume status quo with policy and cost drivers. Our analysis indicates that future U.S. thermoelectric water withdrawals could decrease by 25%–60%, but water consumption could more than triple in some scenarios. These changes are driven by a combination of retirement of some power facilities, shifts in cooling technologies, and new technology deployment. The water use patterns vary across the United States, with the eastern regions demonstrating a lot more variability in water consumption across scenarios than western regions. However, local concerns can influence these possible investments, since increased water consumption can exacerbate water scarcity, leading to conflicts among competing users and affecting regional social, environmental, and economic dynamics. Future work should consider possible costs associated with alternate water sources, as well as improve the representation of water constraints within simulations. Inclusion of extreme events and alternate modeling platforms (e.g. production cost modeling and resource adequacy) may also be warranted to further stress test the robustness of these possible technology futures. Such assessments will be critical for ensuring decarbonization and other infrastructure-oriented investments lead to a reliable and resilient power grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integrated Heat Pump Thermal Storage and Power Cycle for CSP (Final Technical Report)

Pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) is a storage system that stores electricity in thermal reservoirs. In this project, methods of integrating PTES with concentrating solar power (CSP) systems were investigated and their feasibility evaluated. Hybrid "solar-PTES" devices can provide both flexible renewable power generation as well as a variety of electricity storage services. Techno-economic models of PTES and solar-PTES were developed and used to assess their performance, cost, and commercial viability. Systems were optimized using multi-objective optimization techniques. The value that these storage devices provide to the grid was estimated using production cost modelling. Key advances made in this project include the development of detailed techno-economic models that improve state-of-the-art assessments of these technologies. Off-design models were developed and used in grid-analysis models. This work describes for the first time how PTES and solar-PTES behave over a range of operating points and assesses the value that these systems can provide to the electrical grid. Feedback was obtained from experts in the field, which clarified key technological and economic barriers that must be addressed to improve the feasibility of these devices.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1980

Assessment of potential future hydrogen markets in the U.S.

Potential future hydrogen markets in the United States are assessed. Future hydrogen markets for various use sectors are projected, the probable range of hydrogen production costs from various alternatives is estimated, stimuli and barriers to the development of hydrogen markets are discussed, an overview of the status of technologies for the production and utilization of hydrogen is presented, and, finally, societal aspects of hydrogen production and utilization are discussed.

Kashani, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A low-cost forward fairing for the Bell Long Ranger Helicopter

A description is presented of work concerned with determining the effects of long-term flight service on advanced composite helicopter airframe components. The helicopter chosen for the program is the Long Ranger Model 206L. The components to be evaluated include the baggage door, litter door, vertical fin, and forward fairing. Only the vertical fin is classified as primary structure. Loss of any of the other components will not compromise safety of the aircraft. Attention is given to the program objectives, the design of the forward fairing, the fabrication procedures, the exterior surface, the cocure procedure, material tests, and initial cost-tracking. The considered program demonstrates the ability to produce an acceptable fairing by the 'one-shot' cocured process and, based on learning curve experience, production costs will be low. The low-temperature 200 F cure does not affect the structural properties to an unacceptable degree. A method for obtaining a smooth, exterior painted surface for Kevlar/epoxy fabric has been developed.

Zinberg, H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced cryogenic propellant tank development status

The design and development of cryogenic propellant tanks with reduced weight and production costs is described with reference to applications for the National Launch System. The development program focused on the use of an aluminum-lithium alloy to demonstrate the production capability, manufacturability, and strength inherent in the novel material. Other key parameters for the alloy include fracture toughness, stress-corrosion resistance, and conformance to NASA specifications for cryogenic propellant tanks. The commercially produced aluminum-lithium alloy product forms are shown to operate acceptably in the temperature range for cryogenic propellant tanks. The alloy under consideration and the tank design are important advances in the development of ultralightweight launch-vehicle structures.

Scholz, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Exploring NASA Human Spaceflight and Pioneering Scenarios

The life cycle cost analysis of space exploration scenarios is explored via a merger of (1) scenario planning, separating context and (2) modeling and analysis of specific content. Numerous scenarios are presented, leading to cross-cutting recommendations addressing life cycle costs, productivity, and approaches applicable to any scenarios. Approaches address technical and non-technical factors.

cost modeling estimation↗
DOE OSTI2022

Finding values in lignin: A promising yet under-utilized component of the lignocellulosic biomass

This article outlines the technical and economic potentials of lignin in unlocking sustainable biorefineries. The benefits of using this highly functionalized biopolymer for the growth of sustainable economy have been highlighted. But practically, the possibility of commercially substituting petroleum oil with lignin is still not very high as the estimated biofuel production cost is 2–3 times higher than the former one. However, with the advancement in technology and more efficient measures by biorefineries such as storing and processing the biomass near the field so as to reduce the transportation cost, it is possible to gain higher profits. Companies like Domtar, Stora Enso, Borregaard’s LignoTech, VITO, and Chemelot InSciTe have been promoting commercial value of lignin. The growth of lignin market after the start-up production at various sites has been discussed in this review. Combining the complete “start-to-finish” analysis with economic evaluation gives a pragmatic overview of the possibilities whether lignin will join petroleum oil as an efficient and cost-effective renewable source.

Jassal, Vidhisha↗
DOE OSTI2022

A method for determining optimal electric range by considering electric vehicle lightweighting on perceived ownership cost

The limited driving range due to high costs and low energy densities of batteries constraints the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market growth. Lightweighting in theory can reduce energy consumption rate and extend the driving range. The knowledge gap is to quantitatively link the cost-effectiveness of light-weight technologies with range extension and consumer acceptance of BEVs. In this study, a physics-based energy consumption model of BEVs is constructed and associated with a statistics-based model on the basis of travel surveys. A perceived cost of ownership (PCO) is then developed by adding intangible costs to traditional total cost of ownership models. We estimate, at the disaggregate vehicle model and driver level and the aggregate market level, 1) the extended range due to lightweighting for a given battery size; and 2) the optimal electric range based on lightweighting decisions. The cost-effectiveness of lightweighting for BEV range extension is found to vary with income-dependent daily range limitation value, driving patterns and lightweighting technology costs. In general, adopting lightweighting in BEVs is more cost-effective for consumers with higher daily limitation value, as well as for those with higher driving intensity or suitable daily driving patterns. When the lightweighting involves a higher vehicle production cost, less lightweighting could reduce the overall PCO for BEV owners. 4 of the selected top ten BEV models are found to benefit from additional 2.09%–4.45% lightweighting. Finally, the method built in this study can guide automakers in planning R&D investments in battery and lightweighting technologies.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Techno-Economic Evaluation of a 600MW Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant using the Pumped Storage Hydropower Valuation Tool

This paper presents a techno-economic evaluation of the proposed 600 MW, 8-hour Craig – Hayden pumped storage hydropower project using the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pumped Storage Hydropower Valuation Tool. The analysis integrates plant technical characteristics, regional grid conditions, and market-based operating assumptions to quantify stacked value streams from energy arbitrage, capacity, ancillary services, transmission congestion relief, and reliability. Both price taker and price influencer frameworks are applied to examine the impact of market participation and system interactions on lifecycle economic performance using Benefit - Cost Analysis and Multi - Criteria Decision Analysis. The results show that the price taker approach provides higher revenue estimates based on exogenous price signals, while the price influencer approach captures production cost savings, renewable curtailment reduction, and market price formation, yielding more conservative but system-representative outcomes. The study demonstrates the strategic value of long-duration PSH for enhancing operational flexibility, resource adequacy, and grid reliability in a high-renewable Western Interconnection.

Bhattacharyya, Arjun [ORNL] (ORCID:000900060976046↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Value of Increased HVDC Capacity Between Eastern and Western U.S. Grids: The Interconnections Seam Study

The Interconnections Seam Study examines the potential economic value of increasing electricity transfer between the Eastern and Western Interconnections using high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission and cost-optimizing both generation and transmission resources across the United States. The study conducted a multi-model analysis that used co-optimized generation and transmission expansion planning and production cost modeling. Four transmission designs under eight scenarios were developed and studied to estimate costs and potential benefits. The results show benefit-to-cost ratios that reach as high as 2.9, indicating significant value to increasing the transmission capacity between the interconnections under the cases considered, realized through sharing generation resources and flexibility across regions.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Technoeconomic Insights into Metal Hydrides for Stationary Hydrogen Storage

Abstract Metal hydrides (MHs) are promising candidates for storing hydrogen at ambient conditions at high volumetric energy densities. Recent developments suggest hydride‐based systems can cycle and operate at favorable pressures and temperatures that work well with fuel cells used in stationary power applications. In this study, we present a comprehensive design and cost analysis of MH‐based long duration hydrogen storage facilities for a variety of power end users (0 to 20 megawatts (MW) supplied over 0 to 100 hours), to offer insights on technical targets for material development and operation strategies. Our findings indicate that hydride‐based storage systems hold significant size advantage in physical footprint, requiring up to 65% less land than 170‐bar compressed gas storage. Metal hydride systems can be cost competitive with 350‐bar compressed gas systems, with TiFe 0.85 Mn 0.05 achieving $0.45/kWh and complex MH Mg(NH 2 ) 2 ‐2.1LiH‐0.1KH achieving $0.38/kWh. Extending charging times and increasing operating cycles significantly reduce levelized cost of storage, especially for complex MHs. Key strategies to further enhance the competitiveness of MHs include leveraging waste heat from fuel cells, reducing use of critical minerals, and achieving MH production costs of US$10/kg.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Muconic Acid Production from P. putida Using High Protein Algae Hydrolysate

The composition of algal biomass is highly dynamic, with protein, lipid, and carbohydrate contents varying in response to nutrient and environmental conditions during cultivation. Because shifts in biomass composition are often associated with reduced biomass productivity, production costs can often increase if targeting higher biomass compositional quality (enriched in carbohydrates or lipids at reduced protein content) as input for the algal biorefinery. The optimal algal biorefinery configuration is thus a function of many factors. One of the key strengths of the Combined Algal Processing (CAP) process is the versatility of feedstocks and products produced. The concept has been demonstrated with ethanol and a variety of carboxylic acids (succinic, butyric, muconic) as coproducts along with lipid upgrading to biofuel. Modification of the approaches, processes and downstream upgrading to fuels has allowed the CAP process to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Muconic acid is a high-value, potential fermentation coproduct of interest because it can be easily converted to adipic acid, a high-volume monomer for the production of nylon and other valuable consumer plastics. As such, the production of muconic acid through CAP was explored to expand the suite of products from algal biomass and to begin exploring the valorization of high protein content biomass from rapidly grown algae biomass. We have established initial performance parameters and shown that the range of substrates consumed by the muconic acid-producing microbe, Pseudomonas putida, includes at least glucose, mannose, glycerol, and lactic acid. We achieved complete utilization of these four major hydrolysate substrates achieving productivities of 0.037 (g/L/h) from Scenedesmus obliquus and 0.029 (g/L/h) from Monoraphidium minutum hydrolysates. Final titer and process yield (mol of muconic acid per mol of substrate (molP/molS)) were 0.99 g/L and 0.42 molP/molS from S. obliquus hydrolysate and 0.75 g/L and 0.23 molP/molS from M. minutum hydrolysate, respectively.

BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multiscale simulation of integrated energy system and electricity market interactions

Accelerating the deep decarbonization of the world's electric grids requires the coordination of complex energy systems and infrastructures across timescales from seconds to decades. Here, we present a new multiscale simulation framework that integrates process- and grid-centric modeling paradigms to better design, operate, and control integrated energy systems (IESs), which combine multiple technologies, in wholesale energy markets. Traditionally, IESs are analyzed with a process-centric paradigm such as levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) or annualized net revenue, ignoring important interactions with electricity markets. This framework explicitly models the complex interactions between an IES's bidding, scheduling, and control decisions and the energy market's clearing and settlement processes, while incorporating operational uncertainties. Through two case studies, we show the importance of understanding and quantifying complex resource-grid interactions. In case study 1, we demonstrate that optimized bidding from one resource shifts the profit distribution for all energy systems in the market. This result suggests new and more flexible IES technologies can disrupt the economics of all market participants, possibly leading to accelerated retirements of less flexible resources. Interestingly, the optimized bidding has little impact on grid-level aggregate statistics, such as total generation costs and renewable penetration rate. While aggregate modeling strategies may remain valid under some IES adoption scenarios for analysis focused on regional outcomes, direct comparisons of IES technologies at specific locations without considering these interactions may lead to misleading or incorrect conclusions. In case study 2, we consider the design and flexible operation of IESs that hybridize conventional generators with energy storage. Through a sensitivity analysis, we find that as the size of the storage system increases, the total number of start-ups for coal- and natural gas-based IESs reduced by 25% and 33.6%, and the total thermal generator ramping (i.e., mileage) reduced by 86.5% and 62.5%, respectively. This shows the primary benefit of storage may not be reduced operational costs (which do not change significantly) but fewer start-ups and less ramping, which may greatly simplify the design, operation, and control of carbon capture systems. The new modeling and optimization capabilities from this work enable the coupling of rigorous, dynamic process models with grid-level production cost models to quantitatively identify the nuanced interdependencies across these vast timescales that must be addressed to realize clean, safe, and secure energy production. Moreover, the proposed general multiscale simulation framework is applicable to all IES technologies and can be easily extended to consider other energy carriers (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia) and energy infrastructures (e.g., natural gas pipelines).

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cost Analysis of Heavy-Duty Vehicle Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stationary Power Plants

Heavy-duty PEM fuel cells could be a low-cost, low emission alternative to combustion turbines for re-electrifying hydrogen if used as part of a long duration grid energy storage systems. Many studies expect heavy duty PEM fuel cell production costs to reduce as manufacturing volumes ramp up and their expected durability of 25,000-30,000 hours aligns well with a 30-year life for hydrogen seasonal energy storage plants that would likely operate less than 10% of the year. The labor, material, and equipment costs associated with installing PEM fuel cells and their required balance of plant for stationary applications have not been thoroughly explored, however. This study performs a detailed design and cost analysis of a 100 MW stationary PEM fuel cell power plant, capturing costs such as cooling, power electronics, pipes, valves, fittings, cabling, conduit, concrete foundations, buildings, and land. It employs methods consistent with NLR's solar PV benchmarking cost analysis and annual technology baseline to derive the total installed costs of stationary PEM fuel cell plants that utilize heavy duty PEM fuel cells.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Simple Approach for Calibrating Imaging Systems with a Solid-State Sensor

Solid-state array imaging has become an indispensable tool for various modem scientific instrumentation and industrial applications. Often in experiments, use of an imaging system with linear response is very desirable. The linearity of commercial products, however, has yet to be accurately determined in order to assess their nonlinearity effects. Linearity is affected both by sensors and electronics. It is also very desirables to employ low-cost products if we can provide the performance comparable of expensive ones through calibration. Here, we present a very simple approach for approximately checking linearity of imaging systems and also a simple calibration method for precisely measuring intensity ratio or relative intensity variation. These methods can be readily implemented with existing equipment. The calibration method works well with an intermediate-grade analog sensor interfaced by a frame grabber. In our initial attempt for calibration, the nonlinearity of the camera can be reduced from about five percent to much less than one percent in standard deviation.

Leslie, Fred W.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advances on Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms for the Production of Added-Value Compounds

In recent years, abundant research has been performed on biofilms for the production of compounds with biotechnological and industrial relevance. The use of biofilm platforms has been seen as a compelling approach to producing fine and bulk chemicals such as organic acids, alcohols, and solvents. However, the production of recombinant proteins using this system is still scarce. Biofilm reactors are known to have higher biomass density, operational stability, and potential for long-term operation than suspended cell reactors. In addition, there is an increasing demand to harness industrial and agricultural wastes and biorefinery residues to improve process sustainability and reduce production costs. The synthesis of recombinant proteins and other high-value compounds is mainly achieved using suspended cultures of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. This review discusses the use of biofilm reactors for the production of recombinant proteins and other added-value compounds using bacteria and fungi.

Carvalho, Fábio M.↗