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At least 523 records · Page 29

LK Scripting Language

The LK scripting language is a simple and fast computer programming language designed for easy integration with existing software to enable automation of tasks. The LK language is used by NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM), the SAM Software Development Kit (SDK), and SolTrace products. LK is easy extensible and adaptable to new software due to its small footprint and is designed to be statically linked into other software. It is written in standard C++, is cross-platform (Windows, Linux, and OSX), and includes optional portions that enable direct integration with graphical user interfaces written in the open source C++ wxWidgets Version 3.0+ toolkit.

Source record↗

The Role of the CEBAF Element Database in Commissioning the 12GeV Accelerator Upgrade

The CEBAF Element Database (CED) was first developed in 2010 as a resource to support model-driven configuration of the Jefferson Lab Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator (CEBAF). Since that time, its uniquely flexible schema design, robust programming interface, and support for multiple concurrent versions has permitted it to evolve into a more broadly useful operational and control system tool. The CED played a critical role before and during the 2013 startup and commissioning of CEBAF following its 18-month long shutdown and upgrade. Information in the CED about hardware components and their relations to one-another facilitated a thorough Hot Checkout process involving more than 18,000 system checks. New software relies on the CED to generate EDM screens for operators on-demand thereby ensuring that the information on those screens is correct and up-to-date. The CED also continues to fulfill its original mission of supporting model-driven accelerator setup. Using the new ced2elegant and eDT (elegant Download Tool), accelerator physicists have proven able to compute and apply energy-dependant set points with greater efficiency than ever before.

Larrieu, T.↗

Development and Testing of Techniques for In-Ground Stabilization, Size Reduction and Safe Removal of Radioactive Wastes Stored in Large Containments in Burial Grounds - 13591

Radioactive waste materials, including Transuranic (TRU) wastes from laboratories have been stored below ground in large containments at a number of sites in the US DOE Complex, and at nuclear sites in Europe. These containments are generally referred to as caissons or shafts. The containments are in a range of sizes and depths below grade. The caissons at the DOE's Hanford site are cylindrical, of the order of 2,500 mm in diameter, 3,050 mm in height and are buried about 6,000 mm below grade. One type of caisson is made out of corrugated pipe, whereas others are made of concrete with standard re-bar. However, the larger shafts in the UK are of the order of 4,600 mm in diameter, 53,500 mm deep, and 12,000 below grade. This paper describes the R and D work and testing activities performed to date to evaluate the concept of in-ground size reduction and stabilization of the contents of large containments similar to those at Hanford. In practice, the height of the Test Facility provided for a test cell that was approximately 22' deep. That prevented a 'full scale mockup' test in the sense that the Hanford Caisson configuration would be an identical replication. Therefore, the project was conducted in two phases. The first phase tested a simulated Caisson with surrogate contents, and part of a Chute section, and the second phase tested a full chute section. These tests were performed at VJ Technologies Test Facility located in East Haven, CT, as part of the Proof of Design Concept program for studying the feasibility of an in-situ grout/grind/mix/stabilize technology for the remediation of four caissons at the 618-11 Burial Ground at US Department of Energy Hanford Site. The test site was constructed such that multiple testing areas were provided for the evaluation of various tools, equipment and procedures under conditions that simulated the Hanford site, with representative soils and layout dimensions. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Development of FeCrAl-ODS steels for ATF cladding

As an enhanced accident tolerant fuel (ATF) for LWR at severe accident condition, FeCrAl-ODS ferritic steels have been developed, and their applicability is being studied under the Japanese MEXT program. Alloying design of FeCrAl-ODS ferritic steels has been conducted, focusing on effect of mutual interaction of Cr-Al on oxidation resistance and α'-embrittlement. Effects of co-addition of Zr and excessive oxygen have also been studied to improve high-temperature strength. The ring tensile test of the manufactured claddings showed that tensile strength increases by Zr-addition and Zr-added FeCrAl-ODS steels have the highest strength among the existed steels at entire temperature range from room temperature up to 1000 Celsius degrees. Although Zr-addition sometimes leads to growth of alumina scale by rapid inward diffusion of oxygen through zirconia inside alumina, oxidation rate of Zr-added FeCrAl-ODS steels was successfully reduced to the level of Zr-free specimen by controlling oxygen content to form Y{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} inside ODS steel matrix. This finding makes possible to improve not only high-temperature strength but also steam oxidation resistance in the Zr-added FeCrAl-ODS steels. (authors)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

CyberStrike STORMCLOUD

This presentation will be shared at the "Securing Solar for the Grid (S2G)" workshop at RE+ 2023. It provides an overview of the work INL and Sandia have done to develop CyberStrike STORMCLOUD, a training program was designed to enhance the ability of renewable energy and operators to prepare for a cyber incident impacting industrial control systems with specific considerations of the architectures and limitations of renewable energy.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Ecological risk assessment software for radioactive waste management facilities - 15464

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) is a systematic process which can be used to identify, quantify and characterize the risk posed by contaminants and physical stressors in the environment on biological receptors, including human and non-human biota. Human receptors can be addressed through a Human Health Risk Assessment and non-human biota can be addressed through an Ecological Risk Assessment (EcoRA). In 2012 the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) issued a CSA standard N288.6 Environmental Risk Assessment at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills. The standard applies to radioactive waste management facilities, as well as nuclear power plants. The ERA can also be used retrospectively, to estimate the effect that a contaminant or stressor has already had on the environment; and can be used to assist in determining possible remedial or risk management options to return the quality of the affected environment to a predetermined state. While industry-standard tools for estimating radiological doses to humans are readily available, there is a need for a tool to implement the CSA N288.6 standard for Ecological Risk Assessment. To address this need, AMEC developed a computer code called -Assessment of Impact of Contaminants on Ecological Receptors (AICER)-. The code was developed to be consistent with the CSA standard N288.6, by assessing the impact of radiological contamination on non-human biota for normal operations. The code can also be used to screen for the potential effects of conventional contamination on the environment. In addition, the code is also applicable for abnormal events and accidents with the appropriate modification of some parameters used in the code. The AICER code was qualified in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian quality standard CSA N286.7 -Quality Assurance of Analytical, Scientific, and Design Computer Programs for Nuclear Power Plants-. The functionality of the code is illustrated with screen shots in the paper, following the introduction of the theoretical model for the dose calculation. An inter-comparison with RESRAD-BIOTA and ERICA Assessment tool at the conceptual level was conducted. In addition, the practical application of the code for the assessment of the impacts related to an existing radioactive waste management facility is provided. In particular, analysis was conducted to evaluate radiological doses to non-human biota resulting from a fire accident scenario involving an existing waste storage and processing facility. Analysis included all feasible waterborne and airborne exposure pathways. Doses were evaluated for a range of species representing valued ecological components at various trophic levels and compared with benchmark values for indicator species. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Challenges and Opportunities for Basic Efficiency Measures in Low-Income Homes: A Southeast Alaska Case Study

Juneau, Alaska is the state's capital city and has a renewable energy goal to reach 80% renewable energy for the space heating and transportation sectors by 2045. In practical terms, this indicates a need to electrify both sectors, to take advantage of the inexpensive hydropower available from the local electric utility, Alaska Energy Light & Power. In an effort to complement and enable electrification, researchers examined the feasibility to deploy storm windows via a case study of installing storm windows in two local low-income homes. Newer models of storm windows provide an extra layer of insulation over existing windows, while preserving operability and views. They can also improve comfort and reduce noise. Researchers worked with the regional housing authority and a local builder to install the storm windows and replace inoperable windows in the two houses in 2021, in addition to conducting pre- and post-installation air leakage tests, energy monitoring, and occupant interviews. The team encountered several challenges, including a lack of egress windows, energy data from a wide variety of heating systems, extremely leaky homes, and installation issues such as windows that were not square. These results point to several barriers to widespread deployment of storm windows in the area, but also open the door to opportunities to design deployment programs that improve safety as well as efficiency.

cold climate↗

Assessing Customer Experience and Business Models around Price-to-Device Communication and Smart Control Pathways in CalFlexHub

California is facing three major challenges in electrical grid operation: renewable overgeneration, steep evening ramping, and growing peak demand. The state has identified dynamic retail price response as a key strategy evidenced by CPUC’s Dynamic Rates proceeding and CEC’s Load Management Standards. Furthermore, the CEC launched a $16M “California Load Flexibility Research and Deployment Hub (CalFlexHub)” administered by Berkeley Lab to accelerate price-response flexible load technologies in buildings and EV charging. There are more than 16 laboratory and field demonstration projects in CalFlexHub, each demonstrating innovative automated price-response technologies. CalFlexHub tests various pathways through which hourly price signals and triggered control commands are communicated to load-flexible devices such as smart thermostats, heat pumps, water heaters, and EVs. We identified seven unique communication and control pathways, which involve combinations of third-party cloud, device OEM’s cloud, building central gateway, and local controller in between the price server and the load-flexible devices. It is important for utilities and policy makers to understand the long-term implications of each pathway in designing future programs and creating related policies and mandates for market transformation. We propose an evaluation framework including the following aspects: ● Functionality: connectivity and uptime, resilience, and optimization; ● Customer experience: simplicity in setup, troubleshooting support, continuity, customer choice, first cost, and ongoing cost; ● Business model and scalability: advance interoperability, holistic solution, bridge unique gap, customer base, and value streams and pricing structures. In this paper, we identify emerging business models associated with each communication pathway and discuss their positive features and challenges from the above aspects.

Liu, Jingjing↗

Challenges and Opportunities for Basic Efficiency Measures in Low-Income Homes: A Southeast Alaska Case Study

Juneau, Alaska, is the state's capital city and aims to reach 80% renewable energy for the space heating and transportation sectors by 2045. This goal highlights a need to electrify both sectors to take advantage of the inexpensive hydropower available from the local electric utility, Alaska Electric Light and Power. To that end, researchers examined the feasibility of deploying storm windows via a case study of installing storm windows in two local low-income homes. Newer models of storm windows provide an extra layer of insulation over existing windows while preserving operability and views. They can also improve comfort and reduce noise. In addition to conducting pre- and post-installation air leakage tests, energy monitoring, and occupant interviews, researchers worked with the regional housing authority and a local builder to install the storm windows and replace inoperable windows in the two houses in 2021. The team encountered several challenges, including a lack of egress windows, energy data from a wide variety of heating systems, extremely leaky homes, and installation issues, such as windows that were not square. These results point to several barriers to the widespread deployment of window upgrades in the area and open the door to opportunities to design deployment programs that improve safety and efficiency.

cold climate↗

Can Large Language Models Understand Intermediate Representations?

Intermediate Representations (IRs) are essential in compiler design and program analysis, yet their comprehension by Large Language Models (LLMs) remains underexplored. This paper presents a pioneering empirical study to investigate the capabilities of LLMs, including GPT-4, GPT-3, Gemma 2, LLaMA 3.1, and Code Llama, in understanding IRs. We analyze their performance across four tasks: Control Flow Graph (CFG) reconstruction, decompilation, code summarization, and execution reasoning. Our results indicate that while LLMs demonstrate competence in parsing IR syntax and recognizing high-level structures, they struggle with control flow reasoning, execution semantics, and loop handling. Specifically, they often misinterpret branching instructions, omit critical IR operations, and rely on heuristic-based reasoning, leading to errors in CFG reconstruction, IR decompilation, and execution reasoning. The study underscores the necessity for IR-specific enhancements in LLMs, recommending fine-tuning on structured IR datasets and integration of explicit control flow models to augment their comprehension and handling of IR-related tasks.

Jiang, Hailong↗

Technical and Economic Aspects of Designing an Efficient Room Air-Conditioner Program in India

Several studies have projected a massive increase in the demand for air conditioners (ACs) over the next two decades in India. By 2030, room ACs could add 140 GW to the peak load, equivalent to over 30% of the total projected peak load. Therefore, there is significant interest among policymakers, regulators, and utilities in managing room AC demand by enhancing energy efficiency. Building on the historical success of the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s star-labeling program, Energy Efficiency Services Limited recently announced a program to accelerate the sale of efficient room ACs using bulk procurement, similar to their successful UJALA light-emitting diode (LED) bulk procurement program. This report discusses some of the key considerations in designing a bulk procurement or financial incentive program for enhancing room AC efficiency in India. We draw upon our previous research to demonstrate the overall technical potential and price impact of room AC efficiency improvement and its technical feasibility in India. We also discuss the importance of using low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and smart AC equipment that is demand response (DR) ready.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Lessons Learned From Incentives Programs for Efficient Air Conditioners: A Review

One of the largest drivers of growing global energy demand is the increasing market penetration of air conditioners (ACs). Global sales of room ACs were up 9% in 2013 compared to 2012, and that growth is expected to accelerate in coming decades, particularly in large metropolitan areas with hot climates. This report focuses on financial incentive programs that aim to mitigate the energy consumption attributable to the growing stock of ACs. Financial incentives leverage private investments to pull higher-efficiency technologies into the market. Through detailed case studies of AC energy-efficiency incentive programs, we show the significance and diversity of these programs and describe and share lessons learned from their design and implementation. The report also describes how incentive programs can be designed to address other pressing concerns related to growing AC use, such as challenges to power supply reliability resulting from increased peak demand and the global warming potential (GWP) of AC refrigerants. For policy makers and program administrators interested in addressing AC energy efficiency through incentive schemes, the report provides examples of past and present programs and highlights challenges that need to be considered when making program design and implementation decisions. The report begins with an overview of AC markets, highlighting their growth and savings potential, recent achievements from minimum energy performance standards, and typical barriers to the penetration of more efficient AC models. Next, we examine six AC incentive programs in depth, based on evaluation reports and/or interviews with program administrators. Finally, we outline program design features that could a) increase penetration of energy-efficient ACs, b) increase utility and customer participation in demand response programs targeted at reducing peak-load impacts, and c) phase out the use of high-GWP refrigerants in ACs. We find that incentive programs are particularly effective when they target emerging technologies that have still a low penetration in the market.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Materials Design and Discovery: Catalysis and Energy Storage (Mira Early Science Program Final Technical Report): ALCF-2 Early Science Program Technical Report

The investigation and design of new classes of materials for energy and catalysis requires a multi-facetted approach to simulation. Multiple methods are needed to study materials on the length scale 0.1 nm - 10 nm. For simulations where the atomic (and electronic) degrees of freedom are relevant, the methods of choice in the surface science, condensed matter physics, and material science communities are classical molecular dynamics (CMD), Density Functional Theory (DFT), and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC). The original scope for this Early Science Program (ESP) project was to perform fast-accurate DFT calculations on materials for energy and catalysis using the GPAW code on Blue Gene/Q. The types of calculations included significantly reduced time-to-solution on systems sizes accessible on Blue Gene/P (~10, 0000 valence electrons), but also systems which were were at least a factor of two larger (~20, 000 valence electrons). GPAW is a real-space DFT code using the projector augmented wave (PAW) method. DFT calculations on Blue Gene/P were executed on over >100, 000 cores using GPAW; thus it was consider a success on Mira’s predecessor system, Intrepid. One of the co-PIs (NAR), determined that the work necessary to allow the GPAW code for these aforementioned types of calculations could not be accomplish within the time frame of the ESP. This was not simply due to human time required to implement OpenMP parallelism, but also from intrinsic algorithmic limitations in supporting libraries, most notably ScaLAPACK. Additionally, the return-on-investment on $\mathcal{O}(N^3)$ DFT code has become some what tenable at best. NAR argues that what is really needed in preparation for exascale computing and to enable high-fidelity materials research is robust reduced scaling, $\mathcal{O}$(N) or $\mathcal{O}$(N)log(N), DFT approaches. Thus, in agreement with the other co-PIs, the decision was made to purse QMC as a complimentary method on Mira since it would be valuable for the scientific community and could easily leverage the massive parallelism that would be provided by the Blue Gene/Q. We note that the two other atomic-scale methods mentioned here, CMD and DFT, are being pursued by other ESP projects on Mira. The remainder of this report will focus on our progress on QMC.

Benali, Anouar↗

Volume III. DUNE far detector technical coordination

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay -- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. Volume III of this TDR describes how the activities required to design, construct, fabricate, install, and commission the DUNE far detector modules are organized and managed. This volume details the organizational structures that will carry out and/or oversee the planned far detector activities safely, successfully, on time, and on budget. It presents overviews of the facilities, supporting infrastructure, and detectors for context, and it outlines the project-related functions and methodologies used by the DUNE technical coordination organization, focusing on the areas of integration engineering, technical reviews, quality assurance and control, and safety oversight. Because of its more advanced stage of development, functional examples presented in this volume focus primarily on the single-phase (SP) detector module.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Thermal-hydraulic validation tests using the SMART-ITL facility with a single train passive safety injection system for the smart design

A test program was launched using a large-scale thermal-hydraulic integral effect test facility of SMART-ITL (or FESTA) to validate the performance of the SMART passive safety system. In this paper thermal-hydraulic validation tests using the SMART-ITL facility equipped with a single train of a passive safety injection system were performed and their major results were summarized. The effect of the flow distributor, break size and different types of Core Makeup Tank (CMT) and Safety Injection Tank (SIT) on the thermal-hydraulic behavior during a Small-Break Loss of Coolant Accident (SBLOCA) scenario was investigated for the SMART passive safety system development. During the SBLOCA scenario, the water layer was well stratified thermally in the core makeup tank, and the safety injection water was injected efficiently into the reactor pressure vessel from the initial period. Eventually, the reactor coolant system was cooled down properly. From the test results, it was estimated that the SMART passive safety system has sufficient cooling capability to deal with the SBLOCA scenario of SMART. The acquired data will be used to validate the safety analysis code and its related models, to evaluate the performance of SMART PSS, and to provide the base data during the application phase of the revision of standard design approval and construction licensing. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Experiment Simulation Configurations Used in DUNE CDR

The LBNF/DUNE CDR describes the proposed physics program and experimental design at the conceptual design phase. Volume 2, entitled The Physics Program for DUNE at LBNF, outlines the scientific objectives and describes the physics studies that the DUNE collaboration will perform to address these objectives. The long-baseline physics sensitivity calculations presented in the DUNE CDR rely upon simulation of the neutrino beam line, simulation of neutrino interactions in the far detector, and a parameterized analysis of detector performance and systematic uncertainty. The purpose of this posting is to provide the results of these simulations to the community to facilitate phenomenological studies of long-baseline oscillation at LBNF/DUNE. Additionally, this posting includes GDML of the DUNE single-phase far detector for use in simulations. DUNE welcomes those interested in performing this work as members of the collaboration, but also recognizes the benefit of making these configurations readily available to the wider community.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗