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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 325 records · Page 18

In Situ Study on Cu-to-Cu Thermal Compression Bonding

Cu-to-Cu thermal compression bonding (TCB) has emerged as a promising solution for ultrafine pitch packaging in 3D integrated circuit technologies. Despite the progress made by conventional Cu-to-Cu TCB methods in achieving good mechanical strength of the Cu bonds, the bonding processes generally require high temperature and high pressure, which may degrade the performance and reliability of the device. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the processing parameters to understand the bonding mechanism and achieve effective TCB at a low temperature and low pressure. Here, we developed an in situ TCB technique inside a scanning electron microscope. The in situ TCB method enables a real-time observation of bonding development, which provides critical insights into how the texture and microstructure of Cu bumps may influence the creep and surface diffusion during the bonding process. This work features a strategy to advance our understanding of the bonding mechanisms and provides insight into tailoring the microstructure of Cu for bonding at a low temperature and low pressure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cybersecurity Risk Profiles for Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

Managing the digitalization of increasingly diversity energy resources is a complex challenge for energy systems planners and managers. As the penetration of solar photovoltaics (PV) and other distributed renewable energy resources (DERs) expands, distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) will play an increasingly important role in managing, monitoring, and controlling DERs as electric systems before more distributed, interconnected, and networked. However, the cybersecurity implications of DERMS deployments are not well understood today. A lack of understanding around the cybersecurity implications of DERMS deployments and variability in the security posture of DERMS vendors, owners, and operators could introduce new security risks to evolving electric power systems. This paper describes cybersecurity attack scenarios on DERMS, identifies related cybersecurity standards and guidelines, reviews the security features of state-of-the-art DERMS solutions, and offers cybersecurity guidance for DERMS vendors, owners, and operators to protect DERMS' unique capabilities. Standardizing cybersecurity requirements for DERMS could help improve the security of DERMS integrations and improve innovations that are more secure by design. The cybersecurity guidance found in this paper is intended to offer a unified approach and lay the foundation for future standardization of DERMS cybersecurity to reduce risk to the solar industry and other renewable energy stakeholders when integrating these technologies with electric power systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Integrating the Design of Desalination Technologies into Produced Water Network Optimization

The oil and gas energy sector uses billions of gallons of water for hydraulic fracturing each year to extract oil and gas. The water injected into the ground for fracturing along with naturally occur-ring formation water from the oil wells surfaces back in the form of produced water. Produced water can contain high concentrations of total dissolved solids and is unfit for reuse outside the oil and gas industry without desalination. In semi-arid shale plays, produced water desalination for beneficial reuse could play a crucial role in alleviating water shortages and addressing extreme drought conditions. In this paper we co-optimize the design and operation of desalination technologies along with operational decisions across produced water networks. A multi-period produced water network model with simplified split-fraction-based desalination nodes is developed. Rigorous steady-state desalination mathematical models based on mechanical vapor recompression are developed and embedded at the desalination sites in the network model. An optimal common design is ensured across all periods using global capacity constraints. The solution approach is demonstrated for multi-period planning problems on networks from the PARETO open-source library. Model formulation and challenges associated with scalability are discussed.

Naik, Sakshi↗

Electrical Fault and Power Quality Detection Algorithms and Customer-Owned DERs Monitoring with a Cyber Grid Guard System and DLT

In this study, the electrical fault and power quality detection algorithms and customer-owned DERs monitoring use cases were implemented, with a Cyber Grid Guard system and DLT. Electrical utilities continue to deploy more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) inside and outside electrical substations, and are associated with customer-owned distributed energy resources (DERs). Data from these IEDs, such as power meters and protection relays, must be kept confidential and of high integrity. Blockchain technology has the potential to increase microgrid resilience by enhancing data sharing security. The growing use of IEDs and customer-owned renewable energy sources (DERs) may make it necessary to connect Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) with power system applications. We implemented the electrical faulted phase detection and power quality monitoring algorithms with a Cyber Grid Guard (CGG) system using DLT. In addition, the DERs (wind turbine farms) use case and protective relay cyber-event tests were assessed, by using the CGG system with DLT. In the experimental model, the testbed was created by using a real-time simulator and CGG system with power meters/ protective relays in the loop. The data collected from the CGG system and IEDs were compared with the same time stamp source. These results showed the successful assessment of protection, control and monitoring applications using a CGG system with DLT. In the future, power system applications for the ESGT with DERs and the CGG system will be based on executing smart contracts between electrical utilities and customer-owned DERs.

Piesciorovsky, Emilio↗

NRIC Strategy for Advancing Nuclear Integrated Energy Systems

Integrated energy systems (IES) combine low-carbon energy sources to meet demand for clean energy in multiple forms across multiple sectors of economy. IES create opportunities to cost-effectively dispatch generation resources to balance electricity supply and demand. In addition to producing electricity, IES increase the value of non-emitting energy sources by integrating generation technologies with industrial processes to efficiently produce commodities that benefit the manufacturing, industrial processing, and transportation industries. Nuclear energy technology is key to enabling these benefits. Advanced nuclear reactors capable of producing high-quality heat, electricity, and radiation, will play a foundational role in IES of the future.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Catalytic Upgrading of Pyrolysis Vapors 2.3.1.314

Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) is a versatile pathway for the direct liquefaction of biomass and waste carbon sources to generate a stabilized bio-oil intermediate that can be further processed into renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. The objective of this project is advance the CFP state-of-technology through integrated catalyst and process development, expand market responsiveness by creating routes to novel co-products, and provide experimental data to inform process modelling and scale-up activities. Research advancements over the past two years include reducing analytical uncertainty by achieving 100 ± 1% carbon balances during reaction testing with woody biomass, improving process efficiency by achieving a 4x increase in catalyst cycle length, demonstrating compatibility with waste feedstocks, and confirming process durability for 100+ reaction cycles. Additionally, this project supported a comprehensive pathway review to evaluate scale-up needs. This review resulted in the early identification of technical risks and informed proactive planning for the BETO 2022 Verification. Other impacts from this project include generation of broadly enabling scientific knowledge (14 publications/18 presentations since 2019), engagement with industry partners (e.g., Johnson Matthey and ExxonMobil), and identification of a promising pathway to market that addresses emerging demands for biogenic refinery feedstocks.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Glass/Glass Photovoltaic Module Reliability and Degradation: A Review - Figures

Glass/glass (G/G) photovoltaic (PV) module construction is quickly rising in popularity due to increased demand for bifacial PV modules, with additional applications for thin-film and building-integrated PV technologies. G/G modules are expected to withstand harsh environmental conditions and extend the installed module lifespan to greater than 30 years compared to conventional glass/backsheet (G/B) modules. With the rapid growth of G/G deployment, understanding the outdoor performance, degradation, and reliability of this PV module construction becomes highly valuable. In this review, we present the history of G/G modules that have existed in the field for the past 20 years, their subsequent reliability issues under different climates, and methods for accelerated testing and characterization of both cells and packaging materials. We highlight some general trends of G/G modules, such as greater degradation when using poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) encapsulants, causing the industry to move toward polyolefin-based encapsulants. Transparent backsheets have also been introduced as an alternative to the rear glass for decreasing the module weight and aiding the effusion of trapped gaseous degradation products in the laminate. New amendments to IEC 61215 standard protocols for G/G bifacial modules have also been proposed so that the rear side power generation and UV exposure will be standardized. We further summarize a suite of destructive and non-destructive characterization techniques, such as current-voltage scans, module electro-optical imaging, adhesion tests, nanoscale structural/chemical investigation, and forensic analysis, to provide deeper insights into the fundamental properties of the module materials degradation and how it can be monitored in the G/G construction. This will set the groundwork for future research and product development.

transparent backsheet↗

Model-based Co-Simulation of Heat Pump Water Heater with Phase Change Materials Thermal Energy Storage

The study analysis the behavior of a new developed heat pump water heater technology which integrates a phase change materials storage with a standard heat pump water heater to maximize the performance parameters of the Unified Energy Factor (UEF) and First Hour Rating (FHR). A model-based control development co-simulation platform is developed to include equipment models, such as heat pump, standard water tank, phase change materials storage tank, and integrate them with control model to support controls design, analysis, verification, and validation. Simulation results are compared with lab test results to validate the accuracy of developed co-simulation platform

Sun, Jian↗

Electric Vehicles at Scale (EVs@Scale) Laboratory Consortium

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electric Vehicles at Scale Lab Consortium (EVs@Scale Lab Consortium) is accelerating research to support the establishment of a secure and scalable national network of charging infrastructure. This network will be critical to support tens of millions of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs on American roads by 2030. The EVs@Scale Lab Consortium brings together national laboratories and key stakeholders to conduct infrastructure research and development (R&D) that advances innovations in, and sets unified standards for, high-power and wireless charging. The effort will also develop technologies to integrate vehicle charging with the power grid, and develop cybersecurity measures to protect drivers, vehicles, equipment, and the grid.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,POWER TRANSMISSION AND↗

Developing an Energy Service Interface Specification

Developing an Energy Service Interface (ESI) specification requires engaging a community of stakeholders including grid operators, Information and Communication Technology implementors, integrators, and finally standards bodies who will define an interface that respects and boundaries of ownership and roles of responsibility in order to activate millions of Distributed Energy Resource for the provision of grid services. By applying Interoperability Maturity Model Criteria and ESI principles to common grid-DER service use cases, the Grid Modernization Lab Consortium team will engage subject matter experts to develop a specification, with an eventual goal of informing development of ESI compliant profiles or standards. The ESI Specification is intended to specify the characteristics, attributes, or qualities that need to be addressed in ESI compliant standards or profiles. This includes addressing interoperability criteria and the service-performance style of the interface.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

De-Risking Field Deployment of Power System Innovations Using Hardware-in-the-Loop Experiments

The last decade has seen needs for integrating new technologies in power system. Unlike other industries, field mis-operation of novel technologies in power system can create heavy economic losses. Thus, de-risking field deployment is critical. This webinar will provide background on technology readiness level introduced by the space industry and the use of these readiness levels in power industry to assess the maturity level of power system technologies. This webinar will discuss the different approaches used to de-risk field deployment of controller technologies and power hardware technologies. This webinar will also discuss the challenges and limitations of these de-risking approaches. Finally, the webinar will provide results from hardware-in-the-loop experiments performed at National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

controller hardware-in-the-loop↗

Department of Energy/IDEA: More best-practices research

This article continues the overview of the U.S. Department of Energy and IDEA collaboration by highlighting additional case studies that demonstrate innovative engineering approaches in district energy systems. It focuses on how campuses are improving efficiency, integrating advanced technologies, and reducing energy use and emissions through data-driven strategies. The University of Cincinnati is featured for its highly efficient chilled water system, using advanced algorithms and upgraded “smart chillers” to optimize performance, reduce energy consumption, and lower costs. Wake Forest University emphasizes a data-informed modernization process, using system optimization and targeted building improvements to significantly boost efficiency and reduce overall energy use. Arizona Western College showcases creative solutions to extreme cooling demands, including system redesign, smart controls, and thermal storage to improve reliability and cut peak energy costs. Overall, the article demonstrates that combining innovative engineering, real-time data analysis, and system optimization can significantly enhance performance, reduce emissions, and deliver cost savings in district energy systems.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

Integrating Marine Hydrokinetic and Offshore Wind Energy: A Review of Technologies, Deployment, and Challenges

Together, offshore wind (OSW) and marine hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies have vast potential to expand the world’s access to abundant energy resource. With more than 60 GW of offshore wind energy capacity and 527 MW of ocean energy deployed globally by 2023, there is a significant amount of available resources; however, technical and non-technical challenges prevent the combined large-scale deployment of these technologies. There is still a lack of research that provides a parallel review of both MHK and OSW technologies in order to better understand their synergistic working principles. This paper aimed to address that research gap by presenting a comprehensive side-by-side review of the worldwide technological landscape, global deployment trends, integration strategies, and modeling approaches for MHK and OSW. A particular focus has been given on analyzing existing modeling and simulation techniques, assessing integration and control strategies, and comparing technologies based on water depth. Furthermore, this study provides important insights into the readiness levels of both technologies by highlighting ongoing international projects. By addressing these issues, this review will give researchers and industry stakeholders an outline for assessing the maturity of OSW and MHK systems and facilitating their transition to large-scale, sustainable deployment.

16 - TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Demonstration of the carbon capture with building make-up air unit

Building-integrated carbon capture technology has the potential to reduce the cost of CO 2 capture while improving indoor air quality (IAQ). To promote the adoption of CO 2 capture in a building environment, this study investigated the possibility of integrating carbon capture technology with an existing rooftop make-up air unit (MAU) system to trap CO 2 . Here, in this study, a modular compact CO 2 capture system containing amine-functionalized polymer fibers was examined. The system, which was installed at the exhaust of the MAU, captures CO 2 before it leaves the building to enter the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. The demonstrated average amount of CO 2 captured was 1.1–1.4 mmol/g of adsorbent material. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) was further performed on the CO 2 capture system, considering material costs, energy costs, as well as transportation and regeneration costs. These results were then used to estimate the levelized cost per ton CO 2 captured (LCOC). To achieve LCOC below $\$$100/t-CO 2 , adsorbents should have working capacities of 4.9 t and 3 t-CO 2 /year for 5 years and 10 years of operation, respectively. In summary, this study highlights a viable path toward the decarbonization of the commercial buildings sector and provides quantitative performance and economic insight on the suitability of building-integrated carbon capture technology.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

A 2023 Perspective: What Is the Value of Hybridization?

This report takes a wind developer's perspective and provides a summary of the current and future state of hybrid facilities, and ultimately seeks to answer the question: "Are hybrid power plants a pivotal tool for meeting future energy and decarbonization targets?" The intention is not to provide an in-depth system-level technical analysis of hybrid facilities, but to showcase a high-level overview of the hybrid facility ecosystem and its potential future directions. Lastly, the authors acknowledge and recognize that non-renewable generation technologies can be integrated into a hybrid facility, however these technologies are outside the scope of this report.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

New frontiers in wind-wildlife monitoring systems

Effective minimization of negative effects of wind energy on wildlife is an iterative process whereby direct observations of wildlife effects inform and validate mitigation strategies. Yet, the full implementation of this adaptive management has been hindered by a lack of appropriate data. The accurate, high-resolution data required exceeds the capacity of most current monitoring approaches (human observers or monitoring technologies applied in isolation). Current applications of monitoring technologies struggle to harness their full potential by failing to capitalize on opportunities for integration with additional technologies and/or by having limited temporal and spatial resolution. At the emergence of this new frontier of wildlife monitoring, we review the elements of a robust wind-wildlife monitoring system and highlight sensor fusion principles that facilitate effective implementation and integration of multiple monitoring technologies. We also illustrate how sensor fusion solutions can generate high resolution data on collision and displacement effects on terrestrial wildlife across complex spatial and temporal scales.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

A Business Case Evaluation of Gas Switching Reforming (GSR) Technology: A Promising Technology for Natural Gas Reforming with Integrated CO2 Capture

Hydrogen is essential in the transition to sustainable energy, and developing low-carbon production methods is a key research focus. Traditional steam methane reforming (SMR) dominates the hydrogen industry but contributes substantially to CO2 emissions. In response, Gas Switching Reforming (GSR) has emerged as a novel process that integrates carbon capture and utilizes process heat more efficiently. Unlike other reforming methods, GSR consolidates oxidation and reduction reactions within a single reactor, which minimizes external energy inputs and simplifies scaling. Like conventional steam methane reforming (SMR), GSR can be integrated with water-gas shift and pressure swing adsorption units for pure hydrogen production. This work presents a comprehensive business case analysis of GSR technology based on experimental results in Technology Readiness Level 3, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic (TEA) evaluation incorporating ASPEN Plus process modeling considering different configurations and energy scenarios. The TEA incorporates data from kinetic experiments from various catalysts to evaluate the GSR process under various conditions. The goal of this work is to evaluate GSR’s potential to serve as a low-carbon alternative to SMR, focusing on global warming potential and additional impact categories to evaluate a wide spectrum of environmental impacts. Comparative assessments were conducted with SMR, chemical loop reforming (CLR), and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis to explore trade-offs across environmental metrics. The environmental impact assessment of this work encompasses the entire hydrogen production lifecycle from raw material extraction to plant decommissioning, using a cradle-to-gate boundary. Preliminary findings highlight that GSR, when integrated with low-carbon energy sources, could significantly reduce environmental impacts, making it a promising candidate for low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure. The insights from this business case evaluation aim to guide industry in scale-up and commercialization of this promising clean energy technology.

03 NATURAL GAS↗