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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Modeling Future Demand for EV Charging Infrastructure [Slides]

U.S. climate goals for economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 require rapid decarbonization of the light-duty vehicle fleet and plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to become the preferred technology for achieving this end. Considerable investments in public and private EV charging infrastructure will be needed to support widespread adoption, however, guidance is lacking on when, where, and what types of chargers will be needed. In this PLMA Load Management Dialogue session, researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) discuss findings from a recent quantitative assessment of the charging network requirements to support high penetrations of light-duty EVs by 2030. The study produced multiple detailed network growth trajectories at the national, state, and local levels that serve as a guidepost for future planning. In addition, an overview of NREL's publicly accessible EV infrastructure tools and data sets, designed to support planning and decision-making for EV infrastructure stakeholders, is provided.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Roads to Removal: Options for Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States

Our analysis shows it is feasible for the United States to remove a staggering amount of CO 2 from the air—this will be critical to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Our comprehensive, first-of-its-kind, county-resolution analysis indicates that our country can accomplish this goal by relying on demonstrated technology, natural resources, and workforces we already have. Additionally, ongoing technology development can lower costs, shorten timelines, and deliver new solutions. Our analysis evaluated how we can use forests, cropland soils, and waste biomass, along with purpose-built machines, to get us to net-zero. Further, we considered community impacts and identified locations where certain solutions could be uniquely beneficial or potentially counterproductive. Our findings enable decisionmakers to weigh both opportunities and constraints and to decide what roads to use to meet our national climate goal for net-zero CO 2 emissions.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Membrane Development for CO2 Capture from Steel Manufacturing

The U.S. government is targeting a net-zero carbon-emission economy by 2050, offering an exciting opportunity for membrane-based CO2 capture from various industrial point sources. Given that industrial flue gas has low CO2 partial pressures and high volumetric flow rates, high-permeance membranes are needed to make membrane technology economically viable for large-scale deployment. Thin film composite (TFC) membranes are necessary for this implementation because they can provide high permeance by forming a thin selective layer on top of a porous support. This presentation will report the rational design and fabrication of NETL’s highly permeable non-aging TFCs achieved by: synthesizing a high-performance rubbery selective material; developing a high-porosity membrane support; optimizing coating methods to assemble the two materials into scalable membranes; and scaling up membrane supports and TFCs via a roll-to-roll process. The novel rubbery selective material shows mixed-gas CO2 permeability of 930 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 44, exceeding the 2008 Robeson upper bound. The resulting TFCs yield remarkably high CO2 permeance of 4,500 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity of 34 at 23ºC. Moreover, the TFCs exhibit not only excellent performance stability (or non-aging behavior) for 1,000 hours in the lab, but also maintain their separation properties in a 700-hour field test at the U.S. DOE’s National Carbon Capture Center using real humid flue gas.

Tran, Thien↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Reaction Systems

An overview of NETL's Gasification Systems R&D was provided at the 2024 FECM/NETL Spring R&D Project Review Meeting on April 24, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA. The objective of the Advanced Reaction Systems Portfolio is to design, develop, and analyze technologies to support the mission of the Gasification Program to enable the use of diverse feedstocks to produce hydrogen and other value-added products with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Lewis, Eric↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Reaction Systems

An overview of NETL's Gasification Systems R&D was provided at DOE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Office (HFTO) Annual Merit Review (AMR) on May 7, 2024, in Arlington, VA. The objective of the Advanced Reaction Systems Portfolio is to design, develop, and analyze technologies to support the mission of the Gasification Program to enable the use of diverse feedstocks to produce hydrogen and other value-added products with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Lewis, Eric↗
DOE OSTI2024

Geochemical and Microbial Dynamics of Hydrogen in a Methane Storage Reservoir

Hydrogen has been identified as a flexible energy carrier with zero or negative emission across multiple energy systems, and existing natural gas infrastructure could be leveraged if hydrogen gas (H2) was blended with methane (CH4). For example, subsurface methane storage reservoirs could be slightly modified to also store hydrogen if a methane/hydrogen blend were injected. However, the compatibility of methane storage reservoirs to include H2 injection has not been fully demonstrated, and this could lead to geochemical and microbiological reactions that alter the reservoir and stored gas content. It is essential that we understand the impact of H2 gas on the biogeochemistry of subsurface storage reservoirs before deploying large-scale H2-CH4 storage, We collected produced fluid from two separate methane storage reservoirs in the Southwestern US. First, we completed a baseline analysis of the biogeochemistry through qPCR, 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomic sequencing, and geochemical analysis. Each reservoir was found to have unique geochemical conditions and a unique microbial community structure, with Site 1 having a higher TDS and an abundance of Shewanella and Site 2 having a lower TDS and high abundance of Eubacterium and Acetobacterium. Next, we ran a series of high pressure, high temperature reactors under hydrogen storage conditions with the biological sample from one of the storage reservoirs and a 20% H2-80% CH4 gas blend for up to 7 days. Our results show a decrease of hydrogen by 5% in reactors as early as 1-3 days. Previous hydrogen storage work has linked subsurface microorganisms with methanogenesis hydrogen sulfide production, acid production, and microbial corrosion. Our results show minimal change in the fluid chemistry, with the exception of a decrease in dissolved sulfate concentrations. Taxonomic sequencing demonstrated the presence of microorganisms capable of iron redox, acid generation, and hydrogen sulfide production throughout the reactors, suggesting microbial hydrogen consumption may occur through various metabolic pathways. This work demonstrates that site-specific geochemistry and microbiology may impact the efficiency of hydrogen storage in methane storage reservoirs.

environmental microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2025

Market Driven Residential Energy Codes: Comparing Performance in a Changing Technological Environment

The research project is undertaken to better understand the changing relationship between the two basic methods of building energy code compliance – prescriptive and performance – and how those methods relate to each other with respect to advancements in building energy computer simulation standards and capabilities. The International Energy Efficiency Code (IECC) is a model code adopted by many jurisdictions across the United States. Historically, the prescriptive compliance methodology has been preferred in most jurisdictions. The prescriptive methodology requires meeting or exceeding specific efficiency minimums for each envelope component. This tends to be a simple method to teach and verify. A more involved prescriptive alternative called the Total UA alternative is sometimes used. This method requires some multiplication, summing, and comparison to compute, so it is done with a fairly simple computer program. However, advances in computer and building energy simulation technology have resulted in increased use of more detailed performance compliance methods. The performance compliance method establishes the annual energy cost threshold via hourly simulation models. The compliance threshold is determined with a comparison building model simulation with geometry similar to the proposed home and with energy feature parameters and efficiencies as specified in the IECC. This project examines relationships between the two methods of building energy code compliance, including: • Overall annual energy use based on utility bill analysis by compliance method • Code official work processes with respect to compliance methods • Gaps and issues associated with building code compliance methods • Simulated energy use difference between compliance methods • Code compliance cost as a function of compliance method • Code compliance labeling effectiveness for high performance residences • Getting to net zero energy use and net zero greenhouse gas emissions through high performance code alternatives • Electronic code permitting and compliance alternatives

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Potential Challenges of HyBlend Storage in a Methane Reservoir Located in Southwestern United States

Hydrogen has been identified as a flexible energy carrier with zero or negative emissions across multiple energy systems. It is possible to utilize hydrogen by storing Hyblend, or hydrogen gas blended with methane, in existing natural gas infrastructure. However, the compatibility of adapting the current CH4 storage strategies to include H2 injection has not been fully demonstrated. It is essential that we understand the impact of H2 gas on the naturally occurring microbial community of subsurface storage reservoirs before deploying large-scale H2-CH4 storage. We designed a series of experiments that allowed us to identify potential geochemical and microbial challenges of HyBlend Storage in existing methane reservoirs. First, we collected and characterized field fluid samples from a methane reservoir located in southwestern United States. Next, we used these field fluid samples to complete a series of short-term reactor experiments at reservoir conditions (80 °C and ~1,000 psi) for a natural gas (100% CH4) and HyBlend(80% CH4/20% H2) storage environment to measure the transformation of gas content. We conducted both biotic and abiotic (sterilized) measurements to accurately understand and decouple abiotic and microbially driven processes. Overall, we found that our field sample was characterized by a diverse microbial community with the metabolic capacity for sulfur reduction, iron reduction, and acetogenesis. Across our reactors, there was minimal change in geochemistry.

hydrogen storage↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fluor Solvent Evaluation and Testing New Scope: Techno-economic Assessment of EEMPA Solvent for CO 2 Separations from Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant

In this project, a techno-economic analysis (TEA) and sensitivity studies were conducted to assess the PNNL’s leading water-lean CO 2 capture solvent, EEMPA, for capture CO 2 from a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant at different levels of capture rate. Process models for the NGCC power plant, integrated with EEMPA carbon capture processes, were developed in Aspen Plus V14 using the most up-to-date property package for EEMPA-H 2 O-CO 2 system. The TEA evaluated EEMPA carbon capture process at normal capture rates (90%, 95% and 97%) against Case B32B (Cansolv) described in NETL Rev4a baseline report, and at higher capture rates aimed at achieving zero or negative emissions from the power plant (400 ppmv, 200 ppmv, and 100 ppmv CO 2 in exhaust gas), compared to typical Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies. A manuscript was drafted for peer-reviewed publication. The results suggested that the carbon capture cost reaches a minimum of $\$$53.7/tonne CO 2 at 90% capture rate. Compared to Cansolv, one of the industrial benchmarks, EEMPA demonstrates 2-4% cost savings at capture rates up to 95%, but minimal savings at higher capture rate. The water lean-solvent system proves economically attractive for achieving moderate negative emissions (about 200 ppmv CO 2 in exhaust gas, and equivalent to 50% CO 2 removal from air) for NGCC flue gas, with marginal capture costs comparable to direct air capture (DAC) technologies. A sensitivity analysis results reveal that its economic advantage, unaffected by EEMPA price due to low solvent loss and degradation rate. However, the marginal carbon capture cost exceeds $\$$1,000/tonne CO 2 when transitioning from moderate to extreme negative emissions (100 ppmv CO 2 in exhaust gas), suggesting that water-lean solvents may not be economically competitive with other DAC technologies for removing more than 75% CO 2 from air. In addition, initial connection was established with Technology Center Mongstad (TCM) for a potential pilot testing proposal. However, detailed modeling and proposal preparation was not conducted due to the delay of non-disclosure agreement.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of Prototypical District-Scale Models

The U.S. has set the climate goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. District-scale solutions, which include scale-specific opportunities for energy and emissions savings, can be investigated and implemented to help accelerate decarbonization and progress toward this goal. However, there is currently a lack of district-scale models of buildings and community energy systems that can be used to evaluate potential district-scale technologies and strategies across a range of representative community types. This initial work aims to define and develop prototype district models that can be adapted to support the planning, design, and operation of buildings and energy systems in districts considering the complexity and interactions of diverse building loads, weather impacts, distributed energy resources (e.g., PV, EV, electric and thermal energy storage), electric and thermal grid systems, and pricing signals. An overall workflow for developing these prototype district models is established. Stakeholders and potential users of the prototype district models provided technical feedback. The specifications of the selected high priority districts were defined and documented in a scorecard format. An example prototype district model was implemented with the URBANopt platform workflows. A case study was performed to demonstrate the model application.

building energy modeling↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Co-Firing of Pine Biomass and Waste Coal in 100 and 600 MW Power Plants: A Sustainable Approach to Reduce GHG Emissions

Climate change is a global issue that has gained much attention recently. Co-firing biomass with coal/waste coal reduces the electricity sector’s GHG emissions sustainably. This study uses commercial software to model waste coal and biomass co-firing in 100 MW and 600 MW power plants. The objective is to assess the effects of fluid types (subcritical and supercritical), plant capacities (100 MW and 600 MW), boiler types (pulverized coal and circulating fluidized bed boilers), biomass and waste coal co-firing ratios (0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20, and 100:0), and carbon capture and storage efficiencies (0%, 90%, 95%, and 97%) on performance parameters such as net plant efficiency, heat rate, net plant CO2 and SO2, and particulate matter emissions. The feedstocks selected for this investigation include anthracite waste coal and loblolly pine biomass. As the biomass fraction increases from 0% to 100%, co-fired power plants net efficiency increases by 3–8%. Supercritical plants had a 6% higher net plant efficiency than the subcritical plants. The study found that the biomass’s high heating value decreased the fuel flow rate and reduced plant CO2 emissions by 10–16%. With 100% biomass power plant feed and 90% carbon capture and storage efficiency, CO2 emissions drop by 83% and SO2 and PM emissions drop to zero.

Bhoi, Prakashbhai R. (ORCID:0000000333104888)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Evaluating the resilience benefits of marine energy in microgrids

Marine energy resources could promote clean energy and resilience of coastal and island microgrids, and thus, these applications are a key future market for marine energy development. To demonstrate these benefits, this paper illustrates how inclusion of wave resources into energy resilience solutions can improve overall grid efficiency and sustainability, as well as maintain electricity supply during grid outages. The paper describes a case study evaluation of the potential to add wave energy to the Moloka'i grid as Hawaii strives to meet a 100% clean energy target. The Microgrid Component Optimization for Resilience tool is used to simulate operation in off-grid conditions and size different combinations of wave, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, storage, and fuel resources required to meet resilience objectives. This research investigates how including wave resources in a microgrid contributes to reducing or eliminating biofuel generation, producing a zero-greenhouse gas emission profile in the latter case, and avoiding the over-sizing of PV and battery systems to accommodate periods of unavailability or high demand. Insight from this paper supports the value proposition of wave resources for future markets and informs the relationship between marine generators and microgrids or isolated grids.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating the resilience benefits of marine energy in microgrids

Marine energy resources could promote clean energy and resilience of coastal and island microgrids, and thus, these applications are a key future market for marine energy development. To demonstrate these benefits, this paper illustrates how inclusion of wave resources into energy resilience solutions can improve overall grid efficiency and sustainability, as well as maintain electricity supply during grid outages. The paper describes a case study evaluation of the potential to add wave energy to the Moloka’i grid as Hawaii strives to meet a 100% clean energy target. The Microgrid Component Optimization for Resilience tool is used to simulate operation in off- grid conditions and size different combinations of wave, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, storage, and fuel resources required to meet resilience objectives. This research in- vestigates how including wave resources in a microgrid contributes to reducing biofuel generation, producing a zero-greenhouse gas emission profile, and avoiding the over-sizing of PV and battery systems to accommodate periods of unavailability or high demand. Insight from this paper supports the value proposition of wave resources for future markets and informs the relationship between marine generators and microgrids or isolated grids.

Newman, Sarah F.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Achieving American Leadership in Cybersecurity and Digital Components Factsheet

The Biden Administration’s efforts to meet 100% clean electricity by 2035 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 has created opportunities to rebuild American supply chains create new jobs, strengthen community engagement, and spur U.S. economic growth. DOE’s strategy for success in the transition to a clean energy economy hinges on building and maintaining technology supply chains that are advanced, secure, and resilient to cyber threats. As the energy sector grows increasingly globalized, complex, and digitized, the supply chain for digital components of energy systems – including software, virtual platforms and services, and data – is facing greater threats. Nearly all digital components of U.S. energy sector systems are vulnerable to cyber supply chain instability, stemming from a variety of causes and shared among a broad set of interdependent stakeholders. Overall, supply chain risks for digital components in energy sector systems will continue to evolve and likely increase as these systems are increasingly interconnected, digitized, and remotely operated.

CCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scenarios for Future Energy Systems

Energy systems in the U.S. and globally have continuously changed and expanded over the past 200 years, from animal and biomass based energy to electricity and petroleum for heat, light, transportation, and industries of all kinds. The most recent two decades have experienced a significant increase in the use of natural gas, solar, and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency, due to both technology breakthroughs and public policy. With history as a guide, we can expect on-going transformation of our energy system in future decades, including increased electrification and advanced energy technologies, ideally helping meet societal goals of reducing pollution, improving quality of human life, and preserving ecosystems. Scenario modeling is an important tool for planning energy system transformations toward specific goals - such as net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, 100% renewable energy, or energy security - particularly when there are multiple options, conflicting objectives, and significant unknowns about a path forward. This presentation will review the history of energy transitions and the future policy and societal objectives on energy. Then it will summarize multiple scenario studies of future energy systems, with a focus on "100% studies" and the challenges to meeting those objectives. It will also outline of a few of the technologies being researched now that could advance the ongoing energy transition.

ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY,SOLAR ENERGY,↗
DOE OSTI2023

Heat pumps in the United States: Market potentials, challenges and opportunities, technology advances

The US heat pump market has been affected by the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Biden administration’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through electrification and clean energy technologies is accelerating the research, development, and deployment of heat pumps in the United States for improved energy performance, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and wider adoption. The US heat pump market has experienced steady growth since 2010. In 2020, heat pumps surpassed gas furnace shipments for the first time, and the trend maintains through 2022. The current priority is to improve the affordability of energy and equitable access to heat pump technologies through cost reductions and further accelerate this trend. In addition, current R&D includes emphases on alternative refrigeration technology and lower–global warming potential refrigerants to reduce direct emissions. Heat pump market share is expected to grow as regulatory policies and financial incentives steer the building sector toward decarbonization. This paper reviews policies and market trends, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current policy landscape, and reviews current research in the United States.

Malhotra, Mini↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of Prototypical District-Scale Models: Preprint

The U.S. has set the climate goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. District-scale solutions, which include scale-specific opportunities for energy and emissions savings, can be investigated and implemented to help accelerate decarbonization and progress toward this goal. However, there is currently a lack of district-scale models of buildings and community energy systems that can be used to evaluate potential district-scale technologies and strategies across a range of representative community types. This initial work aims to define and develop prototype district models that can be adapted to support the planning, design, and operation of buildings and energy systems in districts considering the complexity and interactions of diverse building loads, weather impacts, distributed energy resources (e.g., PV, EV, electric and thermal energy storage), electric and thermal grid systems, and pricing signals. An overall workflow for developing these prototype district models is established. Stakeholders and potential users of the prototype district models provided technical feedback. The specifications of the selected high priority districts were defined and documented in a scorecard format. An example prototype district model was implemented with the URBANoptTM platform workflows. A case study was performed to demonstrate the model application.

district↗
DOE OSTI2024

Graduating Sustainable Industrial Decarbonization Solutions from the Laboratory to Real-World Deployments

Accelerating innovation and integration of industrial decarbonization technology solutions is crucial for achieving industry-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets. This can be accomplished in various ways through increased utilization of low-embodied carbon materials and the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques in construction practices. At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), we facilitate dialogue and action across all sectors to uncover industry needs to inform innovation, and explore ways we can help with implementation of emerging solutions in the real world. As an applied laboratory, NREL sits between academia and industry to fully bridge the gap from foundational science research to examining the feasibility of market applications. Integration of innovative technologies and solutions that are efficient, resilient, and grid-interactive will play a pivotal role in supporting a clean energy future. However, it is imperative that these solutions prioritize equitable outcomes, addressing the challenges faced by all communities. By embracing decarbonization, the construction industry can revolutionize itself, promoting sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, while enhancing performance and durability - all major steps toward a greener and more sustainable future.

cement↗