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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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ENPAX (ENergy Platform — Automated eXpenditures) is an open-source Python library that provides modular, bottom-up capital and operating expenditure (CAPEX/OPEX) models for energy technologies. Cost estimates are derived using system design characteristics, site specific details, power system considerations and infrastructure assumptions.
Renewable microgrids are an integral part of the future sustainable energy system. This chapter focuses on the role of renewable energy-based microgrids in the electricity system transformation. It is seen as a foundation that complements large-scale generation plants and high-voltage transmission lines by providing additional flexibility and resilience. This flexibility and resilience are crucial for balancing the energy system and ensuring its long-term sustainability, given the changing supply and demand patterns due to rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV), battery storage, electric mobility, and heat pumps. It is also an opportunity for residential and commercial consumers to become active participants in the energy market. Innovation, new technologies and business models will act as the key enabler for this transformation. The regulatory restructuring of the energy market will be crucial for successful integration of prosumers and aggregated energy communities. The chapter presents the vision of a sustainable, decentralized, and digitized energy future including market potential, most innovative case study projects and start-up companies, and the shifts needed in the regulatory landscape.
This Small Business Voucher CRADA will focus on wind turbine blade fatigue analysis for development of predictive life models. The parties will cooperate to conduct structural validation fatigue testing that produces high quality data enabling validation of blade damage models with sensing technologies developed by Sentient.
DuPont, Local Motors, and the Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center (CMSC) at Purdue worked together to advance process simulation capabilities for Additive Manufacturing (AM) and develop printable short fiber reinforced semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastics suitable for vehicle components. DuPont provided one candidate thermoplastic material, which was evaluated against the following three criteria: 1) Printability using extrusion additive manufacturing processes. 2) Suitability for vehicle applications based on mechanical coupon screening tests. 3) Predictive capability of process simulations. Indiana Manufacturing Institute provided modeling and simulation technology and access to Purdue’s lab scale AM printer. Local Motors provided mechanical property requirements and printed demonstration prototype components using their Thermwood Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) printer. To meet the performance and cost requirements of the automotive industry, high fiber content semi-crystalline engineering materials are required. Printing experience and property data for a 50% by weight short glass fiber reinforced material were gathered. Further, material properties required for simulating the printing process with the glass-fiber reinforced material were characterized. Knowledge was acquired with regards to the processability and performance of this thermoplastic material. Predictions of part deformation and crystallinity level were verified against experimental observations. Any significant results other than verification of simulation, e.g., novel material identified here would be impactful.
Because of the complex core geometry, prismatic high temperature gas-cooled reactors (prismatic HTGRs) often exhibit complex thermal fluid behaviors during both normal operating and transient conditions. Most HTGR designs rely on passive safety system for decay heat removal, such as the reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS). During postulated accidents like Pressurized Conduction Cooldown (PCC) event, the decay heat is first radially transferred from the core region to the reactor vessel outer surface, then to the RCCS cooling panels. The peak fuel temperature is controlled by heat transfer mechanisms with two distinctive characteristic length scales, i.e., the core-wise effective heat conduction and local heat conduction in the fuel pellet scale. As both length scales are essential to determine the fuel temperature, from the modeling perspective, computer codes must be able to capture heat transfer in both scales. This is challenging for both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools because of extremely large amount of computation resources required, and for system analysis codes because of the challenge to model the complex core geometry. Under the support of DOE-NE’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, efforts have been pursued to support HTGR technology development and its modeling and simulation needs. There is a particular need for advanced modeling and simulation tools to predict thermal-fluid behavior during safety-related transients. In our previous studies, the ring model was adopted in SAM and further developed to simulate the normal operating condition and a PCC event using the MHTGR-350 design of General Atomics as the reference design. This current work represents a continuation of these previous efforts, and the focus is to critically review and examine simplifications and assumptions made to develop the ring model, and to perform code validation using experimental data from an integral-effect test facility, the High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) at the Oregon State University. In this study, the test PG-27 from the HTTF test suite was selected for code validation purpose. The test PG-27 is a transient test designed to simulate the PCC event of the MHTGR design. Very good agreements between SAM prediction and experimental measurements were found in both coolant and solid structure temperatures during the transient.
This analysis, conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), models potential geothermal deployment on BLM and USFS land for the years 2025, 2030, 2035, and 2050 under various scenarios using the Renewable Energy Potential (reV) model and the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model. This report identifies potential future high opportunity geothermal leasing areas (i.e., Best, Middle, and Least identified opportunities) based on available data for geothermal resource potential, natural resource conflicts, and transmission access. In addition, this analysis considers the impacts of the Energy Policy Act of 2005's (EPAct 2005's) default competitive leasing provisions, specifically the impact this may have had on geothermal resource discovery outside of known geothermal resource areas.
The North American electric grid relies on a complex communications infrastructure that extends beyond facility perimeters traditionally covered by NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards. While CIP requirements have significantly strengthened cybersecurity within Electronic Security Perimeters, many operational communications—such as those between control centers, substations, and third-party networks—fall outside current regulatory scope. As grid modernization introduces new technologies and connectivity models, these external pathways present evolving security challenges. This brief explores the nature of these challenges, including emerging attack vectors and supply chain considerations, and highlights how ongoing grid transformation increases exposure to sophisticated threats. It outlines practical strategies and policy options to complement existing standards, such as expanding secure communications practices, enhancing supply chain transparency, and fostering collaboration among federal, state, and industry stakeholders. Near-term actions like encryption, authentication, and contractual safeguards can help reduce risk while longer-term frameworks are developed to ensure resilient and secure grid operations.
This paper is about the design, functions, and implementation of regulatory innovations platforms for public utility. Such platforms are intended to enable the rapid testing of new technologies and business models, incorporating at least some regulatory flexibility as necessary to facilitate testing, while managing and limiting exposure to associated risks. The platforms are also designed to ensure rapid learning for all participating parties, including innovators, utility companies, and utility regulators.
The U.S. Research Impact Alliance (USRIA) was created with a vision to leverage successful models that accelerate technology development and commercialization, and support startup businesses based upon federal research investments. Building upon lessons learned and feedback from cohort teams, the USRIA programs have morphed into customized solutions that offer services which provide the most impact to startup businesses. Based upon discussions with small and startup businesses, entrepreneurs, and technology developers, a variety of resources have been developed to support each of these target audiences. USRIA created program differentiators to offer one-on-one engagement and direct communication with cohort teams, highly relevant conversations with targeted introductions, and minimal “class” time (only used when an issue is applicable to all cohort members).
The benefits of addressing the water, energy, and food sectors in an integrated manner is gaining significant recognition. An integrated approach can provide improved resource use efficiencies, more coherent environmental policies, and an overall strategy for achieving sustainability in the three sectors, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Food), 6 (Water), and 7 (Energy). Societies are concerned with ensuring food security, avoiding wars over water, and creating opportunity by ensuring access to energy. To be effective, however, this approach needs to be adopted at all levels of societies including government, private and civil society and reinforced by management and planning methods. This special issue identifies different approaches that are either being conceptualized or tested to support the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach. The articles contribute to answering the question, “Is achieving Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Sustainability a science and data need or an integrated public policy need?” In either case, both natural and social sciences will need to combine to support science issues or integrated policy issues. The papers explore the ways in which science, data, and policy development could help to define integrative principles and policies for the three sectors. This approach could expand beyond the water, energy, and food sectors to include health, environment, trade, commerce, and international assistance thereby providing broad support to the SDGs. Moreover, this issue demonstrates that data combined with new technologies (tools and models) can support better decision-making when adopted by governments and the sectors.
Context: This webinar was hosted by the MultiSector Dynamics Community of Practice (MSD CoP; https://multisectordynamics.org). Abstract: The energy transition is a game-changer across multiple sectors, requiring researchers and practitioners to re-evaluate the evolving connections between climate, water, and power systems, as well as the associated co-management of resources and decision-making. In anticipation of new technologies, policies, business models, and other solutions, applied science for decision-making at the climate-water-energy nexus is needed to support transitions with the expected climate resilience, maintained and enhanced energy security, thriving economies, and equity considerations. Through panelists' applied research and operational experience, the webinar will provide lesson-learnt in how to increase the readiness of water-energy research and become actionable in the context of energy transitions. A number of themes will be discussed, including the connection between growing computational resources and complexity of models, and the implications on the intended users, the actual actionable products, the availability of data for validation of the models, uncertainty characterization and decision-making under uncertainty, and the communication of the novelty to decision-makers and the public. Presenters : David McCollum (Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Co-Chair), and Gokul Iyer (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Co-Chair), Curt Jawdy (Tennessee Valley Authority), Nathalie Voisin (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and Andrew D. Jones (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Moderator: Pat M. Reed (MSD CoP Facilitation Team) This webinar was held on: April 30, 2024 from 1-2 PM ET
This paper reports on a project that has attempted to seize on an opportunity to take a giant leap forward in commercializing a technology that would address a key opportunity to achieve energy savings in the existing residential housing stock. It is typically very difficult to increase the R-value of the walls in existing residential housing as doing so from the inside is disruptive and there have not been good solutions to increase thermal envelope performance from the exterior through adding continuous insulation due to the additional work required to fit existing architectural features to the new wall thickness and to reclad the façade. A high thermal resistivity or R-value per inch product that can be used in these applications offers an excellent solution.This paper summarizes a three-year research project to a produce vacuum insulated panel (VIP)/vinyl siding that would have sufficient R-value to meet the continuous insulation requirements of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC, 2018) in all climate zones and has a much thinner profile that will facilitate its application to existing residential homes without the need for expensive retrimming of the architectural details. The paper will supply information on the development of the technology, its thermal modelling, testing, voice of user sessions to solicit input from architects, designers, manufacturers, contractors, and installers, and a techno-economic analysis to gauge its competitiveness with existing product options.
The KAERI advanced spent fuel conditioning process (ACP) process is a critical component of the US- South Korean nuclear cooperation and the following “123 Agreement.” Its development has received considerable attention in both countries. The ACP is an electrochemical processing (pyroprocessing) that recycles over 96% of the used nuclear fuel (UNF). It is also intrinsically proliferation-resistant in theory. In normal operation, the U/TRU product is very hot radiologically. In addition, the Cm provides a high level of spontaneous neutrons, making the product unsuitable for weapon use. However, as pointed in some study, “the need for safeguards to protect against the diversion and misuse of separated plutonium applies essentially equally to all grades of plutonium.” As pointed by many studies, the well-established traditional Nuclear Material Accounting (NMA) approach cannot be directly applied to electrochemical processing because of the lack of an input accountability tank, the non-continuous material flow, and the unsatisfactory level of confidence in sampling methods. Therefore, nuclear safeguards remain a grand challenge in the developing of commercial electrochemical separations facilities, especially around the heart of such facilities, the electrorefiner (ER) systems. In contrast to NMA data, process monitoring (PM) data is normally an indirect measurement of the SNM and is acquired much more frequently. In a broad sense, PM includes monitoring by various types of equipment, e.g. radiation detectors, cameras, voltage, current sensors. Because it is already being collected by the operator, the additional cost to safeguards is low. It has long been believed that PM data can supplement NMA data and help improve safeguards, although the benefits are hard to quantify. The U.S. DOE’s Material Protection, Accounting, and Control Technology (MPACT) campaign has made substantial investments into innovative PM sensor technology and predictive model development for real- or near real-time measurement and prediction of molten salt density and level, salt composition and actinide concentration especially Pu, the cell voltage, and the cell current to supplement traditional NMA. For aqueous-based reprocessing facilities, it is reported that PM, integrated with traditional NMA, have a high detection probability for specific diversions. For electrochemical reprocessing, preliminary studies have shown that PM data can support traditional NMA in various ways by providing a basis to estimate some of the in-processing nuclear material inventories. Despite early success, further studies on fusion of PM data and NMA data are still needed, which is the goal of this proposed work.
This paper reports on a project that has attempted to seize on an opportunity to take a giant leap forward in commercializing a technology that would address a key opportunity to achieve energy savings in the existing residential housing stock. It is typically very difficult to increase the R-value of the walls in existing residential housing as doing so from the inside is disruptive and there have not been good solutions to increase thermal envelope performance from the exterior through adding continuous insulation due to the additional work required to fit existing architectural features to the new wall thickness and to reclad the facade. A high thermal resistivity or R-value per inch product that can be used in these applications offers an excellent solution. This paper summarizes a three-year research project to a produce vacuum insulated panel (VIP)/vinyl siding that would have sufficient R-value to meet the continuous insulation requirements of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC, 2018) in all climate zones and has a much thinner profile that will facilitate its application to existing residential homes without the need for expensive retrimming of the architectural details. The paper will supply information on the development of the technology, its thermal modelling, testing, voice of user sessions to solicit input from architects, designers, manufacturers, contractors, and installers, and a techno-economic analysis to gauge its competitiveness with existing product options.
NREL Marine Energy One-Pager: A resource designed for use during NREL campus visits - especially with high-profile guests - as well as at events in Washington, D.C., when engaging with the new administration, and for displays at WPTO or lab booths. The U.S. holds vast untapped marine energy resources - wave, tidal, river, and ocean currents - that can strengthen grid resilience, support coastal communities, and advance energy independence. NREL leads innovation in this space through advanced modeling tools, patented technologies, and world-class testing facilities. NREL's simulation platforms, like OpenFAST and SAM, help reduce development time and risk. Patented devices such as PKelp and FlexWEC demonstrate flexible, resilient approaches to energy capture. At Flatirons Campus, NREL offers motion simulation, structural testing, wave tanks, and megawatt-scale microgrid emulation via the ARIES platform. These capabilities help developers refine and validate devices before in-water trials. With upcoming open-water testing at PacWave and strong partnerships, NREL is accelerating the path to commercialization - positioning the U.S. as a global leader in marine energy innovation.
Falls City is a small community in Nebraska interested in understanding how energy from local energy systems could support the community's economic development planning. To address the current community needs and address the future energy demand technical assistance conducted through the Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP) assessed the technical and economic opportunities of adding energy technologies to Falls City's municipally owned and operated electric utility system. The modeling performed considered the technical and economic feasibility of technologies using the System Advisor Model (SAM). The modeling explored three technology configurations using multiple years of historical weather and wholesale cost data (2015-2022 & a typical meteorological year), and two different wholesale escalation rates (0.3% and 2.5%). Wholesale energy prices were based on the Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) real-time energy market and the annual escalation rates of these rates based on historical SPP wholesale and national retail electricity price trends. Results from the modeling showed that at current CAPEX costs and SPP wholesale electricity costs no technology combination averaged across the scenarios run provide a positive net present value (NPV). External financial support, changes in market conditions, and additional revenue streams would help create more economically favorable projects. As conditions change re-evaluation may be necessary.
Point defects directly impact solar cell device performance by limiting the carrier lifetime. In this work, density functional theory calculations are first used to determine the formation energy and diffusion energy barriers of dominant defects in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 . Next, continuum reaction–diffusion models are developed to analyze the redistribution of defects during manufacturing processes. We estimate defect capture cross sections using a first-principles-based approach. Here, these cross sections are combined with our calculated defect profiles and trap energy levels to parameterize a Shockley–Read–Hall recombination model, which we implement into a device simulator to predict carrier lifetimes and device performance. In that way, a predictive technology computer aided design model is built to predict and optimize the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 solar cells.
This report summarizes the design and application of an outdoor power line sensor testbed (OPLST) with a real-time simulator and power meter to compare a potential transformer (PT) and current transformer (CT) versus an advanced line-post sensor. The OPLST was created to validate advanced medium-voltage (20/34.5 kV) outdoor power line sensors used in electrical distribution systems. Electrical utilities have installed metering and relay-protection transformers like PTs and CTs for several decades. The PTs/CTs are iron core measurement transformers based on the electromagnetic induction principle and provide reliable data in normal grid operation. However, new outdoor power line sensors (OPLS) using other technologies like voltage divider, Rogowski coil and optical principles have become available and may have favorable performance and costs compared to PTs/CTs. Therefore, the importance of testing these technologies with the PT/CT, to compare the measured phase voltage/current at different power grid scenarios is crucial to understand the performance of these new OPLS. For this study a G&W Electric Model CVS-36-O power line sensor was chosen as the OPLS to test with voltage/current signals. An OPAL-RT Technologies Model OP4510 real-time simulator and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Model SEL-735 power meter were installed with the 20/34.5 kV OPLST to compare the measured transient events collected from an advanced OPLS and the PT/CT. This system is installed at the Distributed Energy Communications and Control (DECC) lab, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The simulator generated different power grid scenarios (electrical faults, capacitor bank operation, service restoration, etc.), and its analog-output signals were connected to the voltage/current amplifiers that feed the 20/34.5 kV aerial cable loop through the PT/CT devices. Additional PT/CT devices were also wired with the medium voltage aerial cable loop to measure the phase current/voltage signals and server as references. After each test, common format for transient data exchange (COMTRADE) files were collected from the SEL-735 power meter and used to compare the performance of the OPLS with the PT/CT. The behavior of analog signals, harmonic components, total harmonic distortion and crest factors were assessed and found favorable for the G&W sensor as compared to the reference PT/CT.