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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

The relative importance of building design parameters in reducing energy use and sensible heat release from buildings in light of forecasted future weather data and building coverage ratio

Buildings typically have a 60-to-75-year lifespan before they require significant maintenance or modifications. However, most builders evaluate the performance of their new buildings using whole-building energy simulation tools based on the current typical meteorological year (TMY) file or actual meteorological year. The energy use consumption and sensible heat release pattern observed from buildings could potentially change based on shifting global climates. Therefore, the recommended energy-efficiency design parameters might also change during these periods. In this study, we evaluate the role of different building design parameters, such as material reflectivity, HVAC COP, and insulation values, on building energy usage and sensible heat release from buildings with different building coverage ratios (BCR), based on the current and future weather file TMY (fTMY) for the middle of the century (2040–2060). The role of sensible heat release from buildings is not accounted for accurately while estimating building energy usage in most whole-building energy simulations. The study conducts a series of whole-building energy simulation analyses using EnergyPlus to evaluate the role of different design parameters based on TMY and fTMY weather conditions. The analysis is conducted for two hot desert climatic cities: Phoenix (USA) and Abu Dhabi (UAE). The results show that, for the base case in a future climate, the sensible heat release is reduced by an average of 30% due to the reduced delta T between the surface and ambient air. Further, the results show an increase in total energy consumption by 5% annually. The results also show that, for buildings with traditional coatings, shorter buildings release more heat than taller buildings. On the other hand, for buildings with reflective paints, shorter buildings release less heat than taller buildings. The findings from this study can be used by policymakers, utility companies, and builders to better understand the relative role of different building design parameters while constructing new and retrofitting existing buildings.

Alhazmi, Mansour [King Fahd University of Petroleu↗
DOE OSTI2025

Carbonation reaction of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA): CO 2 mass consumption under various treatment conditions

Concrete is a key building material around the world due to its excellent strength and durability. Recycling demolished concrete for new construction materials may play a significant role in sustainable development. Producing recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) from waste concrete is one approach for such an initiative. However, using RCA may pose challenges, such as reduced density, lower elastic modulus and strength, and increased water absorption. Recently, the carbonation of RCA has emerged as a method to address those concerns. This study explores the carbon sequestration capacity of RCA through carbonation, examining various parametric conditions, including initial CO 2 pressure, relative humidity, temperature, and pre-treatment approach. Both lab-scale and large-scale carbonation tests were conducted. Additionally, a cost analysis and CO 2 footprint assessment were performed. The findings showed that applying higher initial CO 2 pressures (e.g., 40–60 psi) and optimal relative humidity (~55 %) could significantly enhance the carbonation efficiency of RCA. Elevating temperature also led to accelerated CO 2 consumption, being more effective on the lab scale. The economic analysis presented potential cost benefits when substituting natural aggregates with CO 2 -treated RCA. All in all, these results suggest that the carbonation of RCA may provide significant environmental benefits through carbon sequestration, promoting sustainable construction practices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

A control-inspired approach for energy transition planning under uncertainty

As the global carbon footprint continues to grow, many countries are implementing carbon emission reduction policies which have incentivized the expansion of low-carbon and renewable technologies. However, the speed and scale of deployment falls short of that needed to meet climate goals. Energy system models serve as key tools for guiding investment decisions and helping policymakers evaluate the effects of various policies on the development of an energy system. This study focuses on the energy system of the United States and builds upon prior work by incorporating more geographic granularity to account for the trade of commodities and addresses transmission congestion through electricity price adjustments. Furthermore, real-world characteristics, such as delays in constructing new liquid fuel production and electricity generation facilities, are integrated using a sequential decision-making approach that better reflects how decisions can be updated as uncertainties unfold. Results demonstrate that stochastic programming combined with sequential decision-making produces energy transition pathways that are robust to multiple uncertain futures. Additionally, considering real-world characteristics significantly impacts the deployment of renewable technologies and the ability to meet carbon emission reduction goals while also reliably meeting demand. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for uncertainty and real-world characteristics to avoid overly optimistic projections in energy system planning.

energy systems↗
DOE OSTI2024

Can section 45Q tax credit foster decarbonization? A case study of geologic carbon storage at Acid Gas Injection wells in the Permian Basin

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is an important pathway for meeting climate mitigation goals. While the economic viability of CCUS is well understood, previous studies do not evaluate the economic feasibility of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Permian Basin specifically regarding the new Section 45Q tax credits. We developed a technoeconomic analysis method, evaluated the economic feasibility of CCS at the acid gas injection (AGI) wells, and assessed the implication of Section 45Q tax credits for CCS at the AGIs. We find that the compressors, well depth, and the permit and monitoring costs drive the facility costs. Compressors are the predominant contributors to capital and operating expenditure driving the levelized cost of CO 2 storage. Strategic cost reduction measures identified include 1) sourcing of low-cost electricity and 2) optimizing operational efficiency in well operations. In evaluating the impact of the tax credits on CCS projects, facility scale proved decisive. We found that facilities with an annual injection rate exceeding 10,000 MT storage capacity demonstrate economic viability contingent upon the procurement of inputs at the least cost. The new construction of AGI wells were found to be economically viable at a storage capacity of 100,000 MT. The basin is heavily focused on CCUS (tax credit – $\$$65/MT CO 2 ), which overshadows CCS ($\$$85/MT CO 2 ) opportunities. Balancing the dual objectives of CCS and CCUS requires planning and coordination for optimal resource and pore space utilization to attain the basin's decarbonization potential. We also found that CCS on AGI is a lower cost CCS option as compared to CCS on other industries.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment for Evaluating the Global Warming Potential of Geothermal Energy Production Using Inactive Oil and Gas Wells for District Heating in Tuttle, Oklahoma

Repurposing abandoned oil and gas infrastructure for geothermal energy production has great potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study quantified the life cycle global warming potential of geothermal energy production using four inactive oil and gas wells repurposed for district heating in Tuttle, Oklahoma. A cradle-to-grave prospective life cycle assessment was performed to compare GHG emissions between the geothermal district heating system and conventional natural gas-fired heating system from 2020 to 2050. For initial implementation of the geothermal system, we investigated two approaches: 1) repurposing abandoned infrastructure from a nearby oil and gas well site, and 2) production and injection well drillings including new construction of a central heat exchange station. Environmental impacts from the geothermal system were estimated for five scenarios where a natural gas peaking boiler is incorporated to supply peak heat demand. The prospective results indicated that cumulative reduction in GHG emissions from transitioning to the geothermal district heating system increase over time as a function of future renewable resource penetration and technological advancements within electricity, fuel, and steel production. Over 30 years, the global warming potential associated with the district heating demand will have been reduced by up to 24 % with the repurposed system. These results imply that repurposing existing oil and gas infrastructure for geothermal energy systems of district heating will bring future climate benefits.

abandoned oil and gas wells↗
DOE OSTI2024

Anomalies of non-invertible symmetries in (3+1)d

Anomalies of global symmetries are important tools for understanding the dynamics of quantum systems. We investigate anomalies of non-invertible symmetries in 3+1d using 4+1d bulk topological quantum field theories given by Abelian two-form gauge theories, with a 0-form permutation symmetry. Gauging the 0-form symmetry gives the 4+1d “inflow” symmetry topological field theory for the non-invertible symmetry. We find a two levels of anomalies: (1) the bulk may fail to have an appropriate set of loop excitations which can condense to trivialize the boundary dynamics, and (2) the “Frobenius-Schur indicator” of the non-invertible symmetry (generalizing the Frobenius-Schur indicator of 1+1d fusion categories) may be incompatible with trivial boundary dynamics. As a consequence we derive conditions for non-invertible symmetries in 3+1d to be compatible with symmetric gapped phases, and invertible gapped phases. Along the way, we see that the defects characterizing \mathbb{Z}_{4} ℤ 4 ordinary symmetry host worldvolume theories with time-reversal symmetry \mathsf{T} 𝖳 obeying the algebra \mathsf{T}^{2}=C 𝖳 2 = C or \mathsf{T}^{2}=(-1)^{F}C, 𝖳 2 = ( − 1 ) F C , with C C a unitary charge conjugation symmetry. We classify the anomalies of this symmetry algebra in 2+1d and further use these ideas to construct 2+1d topological orders with non-invertible time-reversal symmetry that permutes anyons. As a concrete realization of our general discussion, we construct new lattice Hamiltonian models in 3+1d with non-invertible symmetry, and constrain their dynamics.

Córdova, Clay↗
DOE OSTI2025

Energy impacts of nationwide window upgrades in commercial buildings

This report presents comprehensive estimates of the energy impacts of nationwide commercial building window upgrades in the United States, using a conservative approach. Windows play a substantial role in determining building energy use and occupant experience. Estimates point to commercial building windows impacting loads that represent more than 6 quads (approximately 6%) of annual primary energy use in the U.S. (Harris, 2022). Beyond heating and cooling loads, windows also have effects on lighting and occupant comfort. The fastest route to improving the energy efficiency of windows in U.S. buildings is upgrading or replacing windows in existing buildings. This is due to poor performance of windows in older existing buildings compared to most new construction, low levels of window replacement, and long window service life compared to energy-using building components. Nationwide window upgrades were considered using the following technologies: • Secondary glazing systems • Double pane (clear and tinted) • Triple pane (clear and tinted) • Electrochromic glazing Nationwide upgrades provide on the order of 4%–6% site energy savings in typical buildings, or up to 26% in buildings with the highest savings potential. Electrochromic windows, with their ability to adapt dynamically to environmental conditions, can provide additional benefits, ranging from median savings of 7.2% in buildings with window to wall ratio (WWR) greater than 10% and up to 28% for some buildings. Savings increase substantially for buildings with higher WWR. This study’s approach focused on isolating the direct energy benefits from improvement in window performance, and does not take into account the following additional benefits from window retrofits, which are likely to be substantial: • Managing peak demand and enabling HVAC equipment downsizing. • Energy savings from customizing upgrades to building type and climate. • Energy savings and comfort improvements resulting from post-retrofit reductions in air leakage. • Non-energy benefits, such as occupant comfort and resilience during extreme weather.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Integrity Monitoring and Assessment, Prediction, Repair, and Corrosion Control of the Hanford Storage Tanks — 25213

BACKGROUND AND PROJECT TASKS Proposed work addresses focus area 1: Waste Retrieval, Transport and Closure, with particular focus on increasing volume available for tank storage 1) Refurbish/fortify existing double shell storage tanks (Tank Refurbish – Polymer Grout) 2) Robust monitoring tools for internal corrosion (Integrity Monitoring -Reference Electrodes) 3) Mitigate external corrosion (Degradation Prevention - Cathodic Protection) 4) Determine viability of constructing new tanks, and storage room creation by way of evaporation (Cost Benefit Analysis)

Shukla, Pavan K. [Savannah River National Laborato↗
DOE OSTI2025

Master Services Agreement - Flexible Feeder/Distribution System Support: Cooperative Research and Development (Final Report)

PGE will engage NREL on a broad range of projects related to the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into the utility's operations. This portfolio of work could include projects focused on DER adoption models, advanced distribution management system (ADMS) and distributed energy management system (DERMS) design, DER dispatch strategy development, and DER valuation framework development. Additional topics could include long-term energy planning, renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand-side management. As well as technology evaluations and design guidance for building retrofits and new construction projects, energy and energy infrastructure planning, policies, and markets (and their analysis), energy storage, energy security and resilience (including energy system-related cybersecurity), transportation and mobility, technology integration analysis. Additionally, other assistance as requested by PGE consistent with NREL’s expertise.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Machine Learning Based Metamodel for Faster Life Cycle Assessment of Large Portfolio of Buildings

Managing a large portfolio of buildings involves decisions on reuse, retrofit, renovation, rehabilitation, and new construction, influenced by trade-offs between performance metrics such as cost, time, and operational flexibility over the building's life cycle. Traditional life cycle assessment tools for evaluating these metrics can be labor- and compute-intensive, requiring extensive data and modeling for each building. Metamodels (or surrogate models) using machine learning have been explored as faster alternatives, but training these models has been hindered by the limited availability of comprehensive data on key life cycle metrics. Recent advancements in machine learning, particularly deep learning techniques like zero-shot and few-shot learning, allow models to learn from sparse or limited data. We propose a machine learning-based metamodel that leverages these techniques for rapid estimation of key building life cycle metrics. This presentation will cover the model architecture, data collection, training, and validation processes, along with an ongoing case study applied to a large portfolio of buildings. We will discuss the model's performance in terms of accuracy, compute time, limitations, and its potential for expanding to additional life cycle metrics. This data-driven approach offers a promising direction for the rapid evaluation of large building portfolios.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2026

Colorado Residential Resiliency and Managed Charging

Validate and model impacts of electric vehicle (EV) home charging on service transformers; analyze diverse grid locations and configurations to determine 'risk factors'; finalize/deliver new design tools and typical EV load curves; improve/issue new construction standards for transformers, secondaries, and services. To ensure residential charging equity, smart charge management strategies will be studied and analyzed with the goal of creating affordable demand charges for customers.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Transforming Windows from Energy Liabilities to Zero-Energy Assets: Next-Generation Solutions for Buildings

Windows have traditionally contributed to a building's HVAC load, but they can also become a source of net energy gain or even operate as zero-energy components. For heating applications, highly insulating windows can harness more solar heat than the energy lost through them, transforming windows from energy liabilities to assets. Dynamic glazings provide further benefits by regulating solar heat gain, reducing cooling loads in summer and heating demands in winter. This simulation study focuses on developing the next generation of zero-energy windows (ZEW) for residential new construction. Through annual energy simulations across climate zones 1-8, ZEW performance benchmarks were established based on current code-level buildings, and we've identified the regions where meeting ZEW standards are most achievable. This work evaluates both static and dynamic window technologies, assessing their effects on annual energy use and cost. Key findings demonstrate that ZEW performance is achievable across diverse climate zones, with specific regional requirements. Most climate zones from 3-8 can achieve ZEW with specific configurations, while some warm climates (1-2) appear challenging for ZEW implementation. Climate zones 4-6 consistently allow for zero energy window implementation, offering multiple pathways through either static or dynamic window technologies. Colder climate zones (7-8) ZEW products allow for higher SHGC values while requiring low U-values.

Yu, Lili↗
DOE OSTI2024

Powering Data Centers with Clean Energy: A Techno-Economic Case Study of Nuclear and Renewable Energy Dependability

Rising data demands from artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) generating images, videos, and text have prompted increased need for larger and more robust data centers in the United States. Major companies interested in these larger data centers face the choice of linking them to existing regional grids, building stand-alone power supplies onsite, or a combination of both. The request, review, and approval process for new transmission lines to grids in the United States, however, has grown in recent years to times spans rivaling those of new construction for nuclear power plants. Building an islanded power supply for each data center is therefore becoming a prominent option. In this case study, several technologies are modeled in techno-economic simulations for long-term system costs subject to fixed electricity demand from a singular data center. A 250 MWe data center is assumed with additional 50 MWe for resiliency. Techno-economic simulations are conducted using the Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON) software, which is a part of the Framework for Optimization of Resources and Economics (FORCE) tool suite. Technologies considered include solar, wind, lithium-ion batteries, and several types of nuclear reactors: large-scale reactors, small modular reactors, and microreactors. A low- and high-cost estimate for each technology is assumed to develop a range of expected economic performance. Low-cost estimates included several clean energy production tax credits. Different combinations of renewable energy generators with nuclear reactors are considered, ranging from a fully renewable-powered data center to a fully nuclear-powered data center. Historic time series of wind and solar availability from the Texas grid are used to train a reduced order model; this model then generates unique time series with similar characteristics of the training dataset. Multiple scenarios of weather and subsequent operations are simulated for each renewable-nuclear combination to determine total costs throughout the project lifetime. Fully renewable-powered configurations required large amounts of installed capacity (GW scale) in the simulations to meet the fixed demand of the data center. This is due to some scenarios in the historical dataset which captured low-wind and low-solar days, requiring over-building of these technologies as well as batteries to compensate for the low amounts of electricity generation. Fully nuclear-powered configurations outperformed the fully renewable and mixed renewable-nuclear configurations in terms of cost, with ranges between $1B and $10B in 2023 USDs compared to $40B+ for fully renewable configurations. Of the nuclear technologies, small modular reactors performed better economically than large-scale nuclear models due to lower projected capital costs, and both performed better than the microreactor models. These results demonstrate the applicability of firm, dispatchable electricity resources from baseload generators like nuclear power plants for operating facilities that run at constant power without daily variability.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Update on Integrity Monitoring, Prediction and Assessment, Corrosion Control, and Repair of the Hanford Storage Tanks

DOE has launched a multi-year research program with the focus of preserving and increasing available volume for waste storage at Hanford. The long-term availability and operability of the Hanford Double Shell Tanks (DST) is critical to the completion of the Hanford mission. Maintaining the integrity of the tank will involve having a technology for repair or refurbishment of a DST should the tank function be compromised by degradation, monitoring the tank for indications of accelerated degradation, developing a means for mitigating accelerated degradation, and evaluating options for increasing the storage capacity in the tank farm without constructing new tanks. The project work was started in the middle of 2024; significant progress has been made in the following four areas: (i) tank refurbishment using a high performance grout and an epoxy sealant layer system, (ii) developing a chemically and radiologically stable reference electrode, (iii) designing and implementing a cathodic protection system to mitigate underside corrosion of DST secondary shells, and (iv) exploring evaporation to increase waste storage capacity.

Shukla, Pavan [Savannah River National Laboratory ↗
DOE OSTI2024

eCC++ : A Compiler Construction Framework for Embedded Domain-Specific Languages

eCC++ is a new compiler construction framework for embedding domain-specific programming languages within C++. That is, the host language is C++, the guest language is the DSL to be embedded in C++, and eCC++ is the tool that enables the embedding. The eCC++ framework is composed of three main components: a front-end, an API for program verification based on a functional and declarative intermediate representation (IR), and a Multi-Level Intermediate Representation (MLIR) code generator. The eCC++ front-end consists of a library of C++ classes and operators that can be used to define the guest language. Guest sources are compiled with any standard C++ compiler, and when run, the resulting executable generates an eCC++ IR representation of the program, which can be verified within the eCC++ framework. Finally, eCC++ allows for high-level and domain-specific optimizations before generating MLIR. In summary, eCC++ aims to act as a generic front-end that enables embedding guest languages into C++, and provides necessary compiler technology for program verification, targeting the existing capabilities in the MLIR infrastructure. The paper evaluates the eCC++ expressiveness and usability describing the process of embedding GraphIt, a high-performance graph language in C++.

Gonzalez Tallada, Marc↗
DOE OSTI2024

New Instrument for Time-Resolved OH and HO 2 Quantification in High-Pressure Laboratory Kinetics Studies

Here, we have constructed a new time-resolved high-pressure fluorescence assay by gas expansion (HP-FAGE) apparatus, optimized for the detection of OH and HO 2 radicals in complex gas-phase reactions. The new instrument fills a gap in the existing experimental toolkit for chemical kinetics by enabling the quantification of two key reactive species with microsecond time resolution from high-pressure sources, which was previously not attainable. The HP-FAGE is interfaced with a flow reactor, designed for pressures up to 100 bar and temperatures up to 1000 K, in which reactions are initiated by laser photolysis of radical precursors at repetition rates of 1–10 Hz. The HP-FAGE samples gas out of the reactor into a miniature FAGE chamber, where OH is detected by resonant laser-induced fluorescence using a time-delayed probe laser pulse. HO 2 is converted to OH via reaction with NO and then detected by OH fluorescence. The novel FAGE design places the probe region very close to the gas expansion, minimizing the transport time of sampled molecules and resulting in time resolution better than 20 μs for both OH and HO 2 . We calibrate the sensitivity of HP-FAGE, validate its performance with measurements of well-known reaction kinetics (OH + CH 4 , OH + OH, OH + HO 2 , and HO 2 + HO 2 ), and discuss prospects for its future use.

calibration↗
DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Fuels Campaign Time-at-Temperature Irradiation Campaign and Post-Irradiation Examination Plan

With increasing per capita energy consumption and rapidly growing energy consumption predicted for data centers, the US faces challenges in meeting projected energy demands. The current administration is attempting to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear construction by providing significant investments in advanced nuclear and by modernizing regulatory approaches for the licensing new reactors. However, enabling extended power uprates (EPUs) for the current nuclear reactor fleet would provide a shorter-term solution to better calibrate near-term energy generation capacity to the ever-growing energy demands of the modern era. One pathway to achieve power uprates is to increase the operational window by reassessing fuel safety limits around anticipated transients. Existing light-water reactors (LWRs) utilize a targeted operational window with well-defined operational efficiencies, yet this window is also often bound by conservative safety limits that result in suboptimal operational performance. For example, the operation of the existing fleet is highly constrained by safeguards to operation related to anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs), which are moderate-frequency transients expected with a frequency greater than 0.01 per reactor-year. These AOOs include temperature excursions where the critical heat flux for the system is exceeded, resulting in a departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) at the cladding surface. This DNB event is a thermohydraulic condition that, with current conservative fuel safety limits, results in the fuel rods being classified as “failed,” meaning that the cladding may not be returned to service.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗