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At least 361 records · Page 20

The value of hydropower flexibility for electricity system decarbonization

Hydropower is an abundant, dispatchable, clean energy resource that will play an important role in supporting the clean energy transition. In particular, dispatchable hydropower can provide the operational flexibility that will be required in future systems with high variable renewable energy penetrations. However, the theoretical operational flexibility of hydropower can be restricted in practice by various non-power constraints. In this paper, we quantify how increasing the operational flexibility of dispatchable hydropower resources with reservoirs impacts least-cost generation portfolios and supports power system decarbonization. Specifically, we conduct a capacity expansion analysis of a two-zone system: a hydro-dominated region and a neighboring region with aggressive decarbonization targets that are represented by the United States Pacific Northwest and California respectively. We then introduce a quantifiable index for characterizing the operational flexibility of reservoir hydropower and assess how changes in this metric impact the system-optimal generation portfolio. We find that increasing hydropower flexibility leads to more investment in wind generation, less investment in natural gas generation, lower system costs, and lower system emissions. We further demonstrate a substitution effect between the grid services provided by flexible hydropower operation, increased transmission capacity on a congested line, and energy storage resources. Finally, we show that increasing the operational flexibility of hydropower increases the effective load carrying capability of both hydropower and wind resources. This research supports a more nuanced understanding of how hydropower can support electricity system decarbonization and may motivate reassessing the cost-benefit tradeoffs of non-power constraints that restrict operational flexibility.

Capacity expansion modeling↗

Comparison of Zirconium Redistribution in BISON EBR-II Models Using FIPD and IMIS Databases with Experimental Post Irradiation Examination

Metallic fuels have seen increased interest for future sodium fast reactors due to their material properties: high thermal conductivities and advantageous neutronic properties allow for greater fission densities. One drawback to typical metallic fuels is zirconium redistribution, which impacts this advantageous material and its neutronic properties. Unfortunately, the processes behind zirconium migration behavior are understood using first principles, so before these fuels are implemented in future fast reactors, characterization and fuel qualification regimes must be completed. These activities can be supported through the use of robust modeling using the most accurate empirical models currently available to fuel researchers around the world. The tool that allows researchers to model this complex coupled thermo-mechanical behavior and nuclear properties is BISON. Additionally, BISON model parameters need to be compared against PIE measurements. The current work utilizes two fuel pins from EBR-II experiment X441 to optimize various model parameters, including porosity correction factor, thermal conductivity, phase transition temperature, and diffusion coefficient multipliers, before implementing the final model for seven fuel pins with differing characteristics. To properly evaluate the BISON simulations, the results are compared to PIE metallography data for each fuel pin, to ensure the zirconium redistribution is properly reflected in the simulation results. Six out of seven analyzed fuel pins demonstrate good agreement between the metallography images and BISON results, showing alignment of the Zr-rich, Zr-depleted, and moderately Zr-enriched zones at various axial heights along the fuel pins. Further work is needed to refine the model parameters for general pin use.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Sensitivity of organized convective storms to model grid spacing in current and future climates

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are complexes of thunderstorms that become organized and cover hundreds of kilometres over several hours. MCSs are prolific rain producers in the tropics and mid-latitudes and are the major cause of warm-season flooding. Traditionally, climate models have difficulties in simulating MCSs partly due to the misrepresentation of complex process interactions that operate across a large range of scales. Significant improvements in simulating MCSs have been found in kilometre-scale models that explicitly simulate deep convection. However, these models operate in the grey zone of turbulent motion and have known deficiencies in simulating small-scale processes (e.g. entrainment, vertical mass transport). Here, we perform mid-latitude idealized ensemble MCS simulations under current and future climate conditions in three atmospheric regimes: hydrostatic (12 km horizontal grid spacing; Δx), non-hydrostatic (Δx = 4, 2 and 1 km) and large eddy scale (Δx = 500 m and 250 m). Our results show a dramatic improvement in simulating MCS precipitation, movement, cold pools, and cloud properties when transitioning from 12 km to 4 km Δx. Decreasing Δx beyond 4 km results in modest improvements except for up- and downdraft sizes, average vertical mass fluxes, and cloud top height and temperature, which continue to change. Most important for climate modelling is that Δx = 4 km simulations reliably capture most MCS climate change signals compared to those of the Δx = 250 m runs. Significantly different climate change signals are found in Δx = 12 km runs that overestimate extreme precipitation changes by up to 100%.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Mapping the three-dimensional fermiology of the triangular lattice magnet EuAg 4 Sb 2

In this paper, we report the temperature-field phase diagram as well as present a comprehensive study of the electronic structure and three-dimensional fermiology of the triangular-lattice magnet EuAg 4 ⁢Sb 2 , utilizing quantum oscillation measurements, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations. The complex magnetic phase diagram of EuAg 4 ⁢Sb 2 highlights many transitions through nontrivial AFM states. Shubnikov-de Haas and de Haas-van Alphen oscillations were observed in the polarized ferromagnetic state of EuAg 4 ⁢Sb 2 , revealing three pairs of distinct spin-split frequency branches with small effective masses. A comparison of the angle-dependent oscillation data with first-principles calculations in the ferromagnetic state and angle-resolved photoemission spectra shows good agreement, identifying tubular hole pockets and hourglass-shaped hole pockets at the Brillouin zone center, as well as diamond-shaped electron pockets at the zone boundary. As the temperature increases, the frequency branches of the tiny hourglass pockets evolve into a more cylindrical shape, while the larger pockets remain unchanged. This highlights that variations in exchange splitting, driven by changes in the magnetic moment, primarily impact the small Fermi pockets without significantly altering the overall band structure. As a result, this is consistent with first-principles calculations, which show minimal changes near the Fermi level across ferromagnetic and simple antiferromagnetic states or under varying on-site Coulomb repulsion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

FAST Irradiations, Postirradiation Examinations, and Modeling of U-Mo for Light Water Reactor Applications

Many next generation light water reactor (LWR) concepts, such as mobile small modular reactors, are seeking to use smaller core dimensions than conventional reactor types. Smaller reactor cores require an increase in fissile material to maintain reactivity. For non-proliferation purposes, enrichment increases are limited to less than 20% (high assay low enriched uranium, [HALEU]) and so higher uranium density fuels than UO 2 must be considered. To this end, uranium-molybdenum alloys were tested using the Fission Accelerated Steady-state Test (FAST) approach. The experiment test matrix is focused on identifying the temperature transition between low swelling and high fission gas retention to break away swelling and low fission gas retention. This paper documents the results of irradiation tests and post-irradiation examinations (PIE) including neutron radiography, rodlet profilometry, fission gas collection analysis, and optical metallography. The results of these tests showed that unconstrained U-Mo fuels (solid, Na-bonded rodlets) have a swelling threshold between 400-450°C with minimal fission gas release below this point. Higher temperature solid fuel showed microstructural zoning with small pore networks while lower temperature solid fuels have a uniform microstructure with large pore networks. U-Annular Mo fuels where swelling had some self-constraint imposed upon it, were shown to have much reduced swelling compared to their solid counterparts as well as very low fission gas release for irradiation temperatures up to 500°C. These initial results show that the use of U-Mo in constrained fuel geometries could be used as a high uranium density HALEU fuel for LWRs.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Quantum paramagnetism in a non-Kramers rare-earth oxide: Monoclinic Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7

Little is so far known about the magnetism of the A 2 B 2 O 7 monoclinic layered perovskites that replace the spin-ice supporting pyrochlore structure for r A /r B > 1.78. We show that high quality monoclinic Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7 single crystals with a three-dimensional network of non-Kramers Pr 3+ ions that interact through edge-sharing superexchange interactions, form a singlet ground-state quantum paramagnet that does not undergo any magnetic phase transitions down to, at least, 1.8 K. The chemical phase stability, structure, and magnetic properties of the layered perovskite Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7 were investigated using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetization measurements. Synthesis of polycrystalline samples with the nominal compositions of Pr 2 Ti 2+x O 7 (–0.16 ≤ x ≤ 0.16 ) showed that deviations from the Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7 stoichiometry lead to secondary phases of related structures including the perovskite phase Pr 2/3 TiO 3 and the orthorhombic phases Pr 4 Ti 9 O 24 and Pr 2 TiO 5 . No indications of site disordering (stuffing and antistuffing) or vacancy defects were observed in the Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7 majority phase. A procedure for growth of high-structural-quality stoichiometric single crystals of Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7 by the traveling solvent floating zone method is reported. Thermomagnetic measurements of single-crystalline Pr 2 Ti 2 O 7 reveal an isolated singlet ground state that we associate with the low-symmetry crystal electric-field environments that split the (2J + 1 = 9)-fold degenerate spin-orbital multiplets of the four differently coordinated Pr 3+ ions into 36 isolated singlets resulting in an anisotropic temperature-independent van Vleck susceptibility at low T. Here, a small isotropic Curie term is associated with 0.96(2)% noninteracting Pr 4+ impurities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Habitable Zone Planet Finder Reveals a High Mass and Low Obliquity for the Young Neptune K2-25b

Using radial velocity data from the Habitable Zone Planet Finder, we have measured the mass of the Neptune-sized planet K2-25b, as well as the obliquity of its M4.5 dwarf host star in the 600–800 Myr Hyades cluster. This is one of the youngest planetary systems for which both of these quantities have been measured and one of the very few M dwarfs with a measured obliquity. Based on a joint analysis of the radial velocity data, time-series photometry from the K2 mission, and new transit light curves obtained with diffuser-assisted photometry, the planet’s radius and mass are 3.44 ± 0.12 R {sub ⊕} and 24.5{sub −5.2}{sup +5.7}M{sub ⊕}. These properties are compatible with a rocky core enshrouded by a thin hydrogen–helium atmosphere (5% by mass). We measure an orbital eccentricity of e = 0.43 ± 0.05. The sky-projected stellar obliquity is λ = 3° ± 16°, compatible with spin–orbit alignment, in contrast to other “hot Neptunes” that have been studied around older stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Semi-Dirac and Weyl fermions in transition metal oxides

We illustrate that a class of compounds with I4/mcm crystalline symmetry hosts three-dimensional semi-Dirac fermions. Unlike the known two-dimensional semi-Dirac points, the degeneracy of these three-dimensional semi-Dirac points is not lifted by spin-orbit coupling due to the protection by a nonsymmorphic symmetry—mirror reflection in the a–b plane and a translation along the c axis. This crystalline symmetry is found in tetragonal perovskite oxides, realizable in thin films by epitaxial strain that results in a 0 a 0 c - -type octahedral rotation. Interestingly, with broken time-reversal symmetry, two pairs of Weyl points emerge from the semi-Dirac points within the Brillouin zone, and an additional lattice distortion leads to an enhanced intrinsic anomalous Hall effect. The ability to tune the Berry phase by epitaxial strain can be useful in novel oxide-based electronic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The First Habitable-zone Earth-sized Planet from TESS. III. Climate States and Characterization Prospects for TOI-700 d

We present self-consistent three-dimensional climate simulations of possible habitable states for the newly discovered habitable-zone Earth-sized planet TOI-700 d. We explore a variety of atmospheric compositions, pressures, and rotation states for both ocean-covered and completely desiccated planets in order to assess the planet’s potential for habitability. For all 20 of our simulated cases, we use our climate model outputs to synthesize transmission spectra, combined-light spectra, and integrated broadband phase curves. These climatologically informed observables will help the community assess the technological capabilities necessary for future characterization of this planet—as well as similar transiting planets discovered in the future—and will provide a guide for distinguishing possible climate states if one day we do obtain sensitive spectral observations of a habitable planet around an M star. We find that TOI-700 d is a strong candidate for a habitable world and can potentially maintain temperate surface conditions under a wide variety of atmospheric compositions. Unfortunately, the spectral feature depths from the resulting transmission spectra and the peak flux and variations from our synthesized phase curves for TOI-700 d do not exceed 10 ppm. This will likely prohibit the James Webb Space Telescope from characterizing its atmosphere; however, this motivates the community to invest in future instrumentation that perhaps can one day reveal the true nature of TOI-700 d and to continue to search for similar planets around less distant stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Energizer Bunny: Dual-Use Photovoltaic and Pasture-Raised Rabbit Farms (Final Report)

This case study project lays the groundwork for the broader realization of agrivoltaics by considering the techno-economic, environmental, and social aspects of system development and assessing a novel rabbit-based concept. Research on the social and political barriers to agrivoltaic development is sparse, which emphasizes the importance of this project as it provides key insight into the consequential socio-political challenges that may hinder the diffusion of agrivoltaic technology. Additionally, the rabbit agrivoltaic concept is novel and has not been applied in experimental or commercial applications to date. This project advances our understanding of the viability of this co-location scheme through empirical assessment of integrating grazing rabbits with solar. A total of five manuscripts (3 published in peer-reviewed journals, 2 under review) have resulted from this project. The techno-economic component of the project included a) a pilot test study investigating the feasibility of the rabbit agrivoltaic concept and b) an economic analysis of the advantages available to solar operators who leverage grazing animals for lawn maintenance and a dual-revenue stream. Our calculations indicate that the co-location of solar and rabbit farms is a viable form of agrivoltaics, increasing overall site revenue by 2.5%-24.0% above projected electricity revenue. The environmental component of the project entailed an ISO 14040 and 14044 compliant life cycle assessment to quantify the impacts of the rabbit agrivoltaic concept. The results indicate pasture-based agrivoltaic systems provide a dual synergy that produces 69.3% less emissions and demands 82.9% less fossil energy per functional unit of cumulative MWh output of electricity and cumulative kg of meat compared to non-integrated production. The social component of the project included conducting two separate interview studies with agriculture and solar industry professionals and the distribution of a public survey. The interview findings identify the key socio-political opportunities for agrivoltaics include: the retention of agricultural land and rural interests, and increased local level acceptance of solar development. The key barriers to agrivoltaics include: ensuring long term agricultural productivity is not compromised, and subnational zoning strategies. The survey results indicate that support for local solar projects increase by 10% when an agricultural function is incorporated. Survey respondents prefer agrivoltaic projects that are a) designed to provide economic opportunities for farmers and the local community b) located on private property or existing agricultural land, and c) do not threaten local interests. Cumulatively, this project can inform agrivoltaic decision making, solar development practices, rabbit-based applications, land use management, and policy making in a way that supports the furtherance of the renewable energy transition, conserves arable land, and utilizes innovative solar photovoltaic technologies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Phonon spectrum in the spin-Peierls phase of CuGeO 3

CuGeO 3 has long been studied as a prototypical example of the spin-Peierls transition in a 𝑆 = 1/2 Heisenberg chain. Despite intensive investigation of this quasi-one-dimensional material, systematic measurements and calculations of the phonon excitations in the dimerized phase have not to date been possible, leaving certain aspects of the spin-Peierls phenomenon unresolved. We perform state-of-the-art density functional theory (DFT) calculations to compute the electronic structure and phonon dynamics in the low-temperature dimerized phase. We also perform high-resolution neutron spectroscopy to measure the full phonon spectrum over multiple Brillouin zones. We find excellent agreement between our numerical and experimental results that extend to all measurement temperatures. Notable features of our phonon spectra include a number of steeply dispersive modes, nonmonotonic dispersion features, and specific phonon anticrossings, which we relate to the mode eigenvectors. By calculating the magnetic interactions within DFT and studying the effects of different phonon modes on the superexchange paths, we discuss the possibility of observing spin-phonon hybridization effects in experiments performed both in and out of equilibrium.

density functional theory↗

Cold Climate Integrated Heat Pump with Energy Storage for Grid-Responsive Control

An air-source integrated heat pump (ASIHP) is a multifunctional unit, capable of space cooling, space heating, and water heating. We developed a packaged cold climate ASIHP, using a multi-stage compressor, capable of working down to -25°C, and providing 100% rated capacity down to -15°C with a heating COP > 2.2. An innovative system configuration and related controls were developed to solve charge balance in the integrated heat pump, smooth charge migration, and mode transition among multiple working modes. Extensive laboratory investigations for individual modes were performed to verify the performance. Its integrated heating capability provides speedy water heating to meet domestic hot water use and store heating energy in a phase change material ceiling/panel. The heating energy storage can be used to shift the load when the electricity price is high. Based on the performance data and a calibrated model from the laboratory testing, we conducted building energy simulations driven by a model predictive control, using EnergyPlus in one U.S. cold climate zone to investigate the grid-responsive control strategy and estimate the utility cost reduction potential.

Shen, Bo↗

On the viability of stimulated hydrogen generation from iron-rich formations

Hydrogen-based technologies present a promising solution for the global energy transition. In addition to electrolytic production, subsurface geological formations provide a potential natural source of hydrogen. Iron-rich ultramafic rocks, in particular, are favorable for hydrogen generation through natural processes such as serpentinization. Naturally occurring reactions and migration can be enhanced through various types of stimulation, including thermal, hydraulic, and chemical treatment. Through numerical simulations, we analyzed the complex interplay of factors influencing the production and migration within the subsurface, emphasizing the importance of different stimulation techniques, catalysts, and conditions. Our findings indicate that key parameters, such as damage zone permeability and width, significantly impact producible hydrogen mass. Our results indicate that a combination of large damage zone widths, high permeability, and a stimulated reaction rate of 1 × 10 -9 can yield economically viable production rates of up to 1 kg s -1 at the wellhead. Moreover, the availability of ferrous iron, rather than the serpentinization rate itself, has been identified as the primary limiting factor in achieving economically sustainable hydrogen production. In conclusion, while an unstimulated rock volume of 0.165 km 3 yields only 45t of hydrogen in two years, various stimulation techniques can increase production to 18500t.

08 - HYDROGEN↗

Direct observation of minibands in a twisted graphene/WS 2 bilayer

Stacking two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials with different interlayer atomic registry in a heterobilayer causes the formation of a long-range periodic superlattice that may bestow the heterostructure with properties such as new quantum fractal states or superconductivity. Recent optical measurements of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterobilayers have revealed the presence of hybridized interlayer electron-hole pair excitations at energies defined by the superlattice potential. The corresponding quasiparticle band structures, so-called minibands, have remained elusive, and no such features have been reported for heterobilayers composed of a TMD and another type of 2D material. We introduce a new x-ray capillary technology for performing microfocused angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with a spatial resolution of ~1 μm, and directly observe minibands at certain twist angles in mini Brillouin zones (mBZs). We discuss their origin in terms of initial and final state effects by analyzing their dispersion in distinct mBZs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Parameters of the Lightning Attachment Processes in a Negative Cloud-To-Ground Stroke Observed on a Microsecond Timescale

We present time-correlated ultra-high-speed video camera and electromagnetic field measurements of the attachment processes in a natural negative cloud-to-ground stroke. The video camera frame exposure time and pixel resolution were 740 ns and 0.91 m/pixel, respectively. The common streamer zone (CSZ) was first observed 2.52 µs preceding the first frame showing the return stroke (RS) in progress, when the upward and downward leader-tips were 9.8 m apart. In the next frame, the two leaders were observed to have propagated toward each other within the CSZ, with their tips being 0.91 m apart. Our observations show with unprecedented precision/clarity that (a) the slow front in the field waveform is associated with the CSZ, and (b) the “proper” start of the RS is marked by the onset of the fast transition in the field waveform which occurs at the completion of the attachment processes (when the upward and downward leaders have merged).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Influence of Temperature on Properties and Dynamics of Gas-Solid Flow in Fluidized-Particle Tubular Solar Receiver

A fluidized particle single-tube solar receiver has been tested for investigating the gas-particle characteristics that enable the best operating conditions in a commercial-scale plant. The principle of the solar receiver is to fluidize the particles in a vessel – the dispenser – in which the receiver tube is plunged. The particles are flowing upward in the tube, irradiated over 1-meter height, by applying an overpressure in the dispenser. Experiments with a concentrated solar flux varying between 188 and 358 kW/m² are carried out, and the particle mass flux varied from 0 to 72 kg/(m²s). The mean particles and external tube wall temperatures in the irradiated zone are heated from the ambient to respectively 700°C and 940°C. It is shown that the temperature rise leads to a decrease of the particle volume fraction. Furthermore, a self-regulation of the system is evidenced with a short transient regime. This characteristic is essential from the operational viewpoint. The thermal efficiency of the receiver increases with the particle flow rate, reaching between 60 and 75% above 30 kg/(m²s). Several fluidization regimes are identified thanks to pressure signal analyses, like slugging, turbulent and fast fluidization, showing that regimes transitions are strongly affected by the temperature.

Gueguen, Ronny (ORCID:0000000252368638)↗

Strong Zeeman splitting in orbital-hybridized valleytronic interfaces

We report stacked heterointerfaces of two-dimensional (2D) materials are well-suited to obtain novel electronic functionality at small length scales, because the intrinsic properties of both materials can be blended by interlayer coupling with remarkable effects on the electronic band structure. In particular, band degeneracy at the K and K' Brillouin zone valleys of 2D materials can be broken by symmetry reductions by applying an external magnetic field, with possible application in valleytronic devices. Nevertheless, this usually requires impractically large external magnetic fields > 100 T. An alternative and more practical route is provided via stacking a non-centrosymmetric layered material on a magnetic substrate to induce valley splitting through the magnetic proximity effect; however, the splitting magnitude can vary sharply between similar interfaces. In this work, first-principle calculations are used to calculate the valley splitting of eight low-strain interfaces with transition metal dichalcogenides stacked on 2D magnetic substrates. It is shown that the interlayer band hybridization plays a major role when the two layers’ bands are closely aligned in energy, with the resulting band repulsion and the total valley splitting being strongly dependent on the Hubbard U correction , showing up to an order of magnitude change. The WSe 2 /CrGeTe 3 interface in particular shows strong interlayer interactions, which can potentially lead to a significantly high valley splitting of 26 meV; however further experimental investigations will be needed to resolve uncertainties in the predicted valley splitting.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

1D Simulation of Avalanche to Streamer to Spark Transition of Plasma Discharge in Ammonia-Air Combustion

The backward problem of plasma assisted combustion emphasizes evaluating the effect of the evolving thermochemical state on the plasma discharge. This paper investigates the dependence of avalanche to streamer to spark formation dynamics and kinetics on the gas composition and temperature at different points in an ammonia-air premixed laminar flame using a self-consistent multigrid-based 1D plasma solver. Different values of ..alpha.., the coefficient for effective ionization events per unit length, have been reported for electron avalanches in air and stoichiometric NH3-air mixtures. The streamer inception has been shown to obey the Meek's criterion. An exponential reduction in streamer and spark formation time has been observed from plasma simulations at different points in the unburnt, pre-heat zone, reaction zone and the fully burnt regions of the premixed flame. While the enhancement of the reduced electric field with increasing temperature affects effective ionization, there exists a minimum breakdown field for streamer formation, which does not vary proportionally with the changing number density of the gas. The change in the mixture from reactants (NH3, O2, N2) to products of complete combustion of ammonia in air (N2, H2O) has also been shown to affect the streamer and spark formation. Finally, the major pathways during the streamer and spark phases which are responsible for producing important radicals used in combustion of NH3 are also discussed.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PH↗