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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 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) Grid Connection Roadmap

In an effort to define the roadmap for establishing the necessary electrical infrastructure at the Idaho National Laboratory to fully support connection of NRIC reactors, this roadmap serves to identify the current forecasted reactors planned for installation at INL and provide a consolidated list of the identified infrastructure improvements that will be necessary to support testing of NRIC reactors. Additionally, the roadmap will leverage this information to establish an integrated timeline to support detailed planning and execution of system improvements. To drive this planning, requirements, as derived from authoritative sources, will be identified. A clear definition of impacted stakeholders will be established, as well as a list of risks that will need to be managed as the program moves forward.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) Grid Connection Roadmap (Rev. 1)

In an effort to define the roadmap for establishing the necessary electrical infrastructure at the Idaho National Laboratory to fully support connection of NRIC reactors, this roadmap serves to identify the current forecasted reactors planned for installation at INL and provide a consolidated list of the identified infrastructure improvements that will be necessary to support testing of NRIC reactors. Additionally, the roadmap will leverage this information to establish an integrated timeline to support detailed planning and execution of system improvements. To drive this planning, requirements, as derived from authoritative sources, will be identified. A clear definition of impacted stakeholders will be established, as well as a list of risks that will need to be managed as the program moves forward.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Technology Overview: Side Stream Filtration for Cooling Towers

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) identified cooling tower side stream filtration as a technology that offers key benefits to the federal sector, including the potential to reduce energy and water use, decrease operating costs, and extend cooling equipment life. This overview provides agencies with key information to deploy side stream filtration systems that may otherwise be overlooked.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Review of Codes and Standards for Energy Storage Systems

This article identifies several examples of industry efforts and successes in removing gaps in energy storage (ES) Codes & Standards (C&S) by updating or creating and publishing new standards. A particular challenge discussed in this article is that while modern battery technologies including lithium ion (Li-ion) increase technical and economic viability of grid energy storage, newer battery technologies also present new or unknown risks to managing the safety of energy storage systems (ESS). There has been progress in filling gaps in published ES C&S that recognize and address the expanding range of technologies and their unique characteristics. However, there remain significant need and opportunity for researchers to contribute to the underlying knowledge base that informs development of technical references and standards, and ultimately the application of published standards for the effective and safe design and use of modern ESS.

Energy Storage, Codes and Standards↗
DOE OSTI2025

Business Models for Scaling Demand Flexibility Volume III – Stakeholder ecosystem management challenges, and lessons learned from U.S. programs

Load growth at the grid edge is driving increased attention to the distribution system and its ability to enable customer technology adoption in an affordable and timely manner. Key industry stakeholders, including electric utilities and regulators, can benefit from strategies to manage and balance customer needs with infrastructure investments, such as demand flexibility. This report focuses on demand flexibility—the ability to reduce, shift, shed, generate, or modulate loads in response to building and grid needs—to reduce the need for costly grid upgrades by deferring investment needs and increase system reliability by shifting electricity usage during periods of high risk. Specifically, we focus on the emerging characteristics of business models for demand flexibility as a framework to understand how demand flexibility programs generate value. In this report, we focus on demand flexibility program stakeholder ecosystem management strategies, which provide information on value delivery and describe how program implementers leverage partner capabilities and collaborate to deliver customer and grid benefits. This report discusses the role of stakeholder ecosystem management in demand flexibility programs, identifies existing challenges to effective stakeholder management, and describes lessons learned. This report is part of a series that includes reports on value propositions, customer relationship management strategies, and program life cycle.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Business Models for Scaling Demand Flexibility Volume II – Customer relationship management strategies, challenges, and lessons learned from U.S. programs

Load growth at the grid edge is driving increased attention to the distribution system and its ability to enable customer technology adoption in an affordable and timely manner. Key industry stakeholders, including electric utilities and regulators, can benefit from strategies to manage and balance customer needs with infrastructure investments, such as demand flexibility. This report focuses on demand flexibility—the ability to reduce, shift, shed, generate, or modulate loads in response to building and grid needs—to reduce the need for costly grid upgrades by deferring investment needs and increase system reliability by shifting electricity usage during periods of high risk. Specifically, we focus on the emerging characteristics of business models for demand flexibility as a framework to understand how demand flexibility programs generate value. In this report, we focus on demand flexibility program customer relationship management strategies, which provide information on value creation and focus on ensuring customers can navigate programs smoothly. This report discusses the role of customer relationship management strategies in demand flexibility programs, characterizes customer relationship management strategies that can be considered during program design and implementation, identifies existing challenges to customer relationship management strategies, and describes lessons learned. This report is part of a series that includes reports on value propositions, stakeholder ecosystem management, and program life cycle.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mauka Energy FEVER Tool DOE SBIR Phase 1 Final Scientific/Technical Report

This report is on the Forestry Electric Vehicle Energy Routing (FEVER) Tool, a novel software system developed to support heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) operations in remote, forested, and mountainous regions. The Phase I project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of modeling EV energy consumption using terrain elevation, road conditions, and route features specific to forestry logistics. The tool combines geographic information systems (GIS), electric motor physics, and vehicle-specific data to calculate feasible, energy-efficient routes. Collaborations with Oregon State University’s Research Forests and Titan Freight Systems enabled collection and validation of GPS and elevation-based trip data. The FEVER Tool offers substantial opportunities for the efficient management of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles in sectors like forestry, agriculture, mining, defense and waste management—areas which are beginning to adopt HDEVs. The project demonstrated technical feasibility and lays the groundwork for commercial development and deployment in other industries and environmental conditions in Phase II.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

WIP: Collaborating to Introduce Second-Life Battery Technology Research in an Informal STEM Learning Environment

This work in progress, innovative practice, paper outlines an interdisciplinary collaborative model utilized by a team of educational researchers, and engineers to design a series of community-centered, place-based learning activities suitable for a middle or high school informal STEM learning environment. Based on the potential applications and benefits of Second-Life Electric Vehicle Batteries, the activities connect cutting-edge STEM research with multidimensional real-world challenges within their communities related to climate change, renewable energy integration and storage, intelligent transportation systems, and optimized energy management, that empowers students to think critically about the role they can play in shaping a more resilient, environmentally sustainable community.

Whiteside, Hope↗
DOE OSTI2023

Informing climate adaptation strategies using ecological simulation models and spatial decision support tools

Introduction: Forest landscapes offer resources and ecosystem services that are vital to the social, economic, and cultural well-being of human communities, but managing for these provisions can require socially and ecologically relevant trade-offs. We designed a spatial decision support model to reveal trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services in a large eastern Cascade Mountain landscape in Washington State, USA. Methods: We used process-based forest landscape (LANDIS-II) and hydrology (DHSVM) models to compare outcomes associated with 100 years of simulated forest and wildfire dynamics for two management scenarios, Wildfire only and Wildfire + Treatments. We then examined the strength and spatial distribution of potential treatment effects and trends in a set of resources and ecosystem services over the simulation period. Results: We found that wildfire area burned increased over time, but some impacts could be mitigated by adaptation treatments. Treatment benefits were not limited to treated areas. Interestingly, we observed neighborhood benefits where fire spread and severity were reduced not only in treated patches but in adjacent patches and landscapes as well, creating potential synergies among some resource benefits and services. Ordinations provided further evidence for two main kinds of outcomes. Positive ecological effects of treatments were greatest in upper elevation moist and cold forests, while positive benefits to human communities were aligned with drier, low- and mid-elevation forests closer to the wildland urban interface. Discussion: Our results contribute to improved understanding of synergies and tradeoffs linked to adaptation and restoration efforts in fire-prone forests and can be used to inform management aimed at rebuilding resilient, climate-adapted landscapes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Understanding Multilevel Selection May Facilitate Management of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Sustainable Agroecosystems

Studies in natural ecosystems show that adaptation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and other microbial plant symbionts to local environmental conditions can help ameliorate stress and optimize plant fitness. This local adaptation arises from the process of multilevel selection, which is the simultaneous selection of a hierarchy of groups. Studies of multilevel selection in natural ecosystems may inform the creation of sustainable agroecosystems through developing strategies to effectively manage crop microbiomes including AM symbioses. Field experiments show that the species composition of AM fungal communities varies across environmental gradients, and that the biomass of AM fungi and their benefits for plants generally diminish when fertilization and irrigation eliminate nutrient and water limitations. Furthermore, pathogen protection by mycorrhizas is only important in environments prone to plant damage due to pathogens. Consequently, certain agricultural practices may inadvertently select for less beneficial root symbioses because the conventional agricultural practices of fertilization, irrigation, and use of pesticides can make these symbioses superfluous for optimizing crop performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine how multilevel selection influences the flow of matter, energy, and genetic information through mycorrhizal microbiomes in natural and agricultural ecosystems, and propose testable hypotheses about how mycorrhizae may be actively managed to increase agricultural sustainability.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

NRIC Integrated Energy Systems Demonstration Pre-Conceptual Designs

This report presents pre-conceptual design scenarios for a potential multiphase demonstration program for innovative uses of nuclear energy with the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and the Crosscutting Technology Development Integrated Energy Systems (CTD IES) program in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. The demonstration program would address the need for low-carbon energy sources among industry stakeholders by identifying and implementing high-impact advanced nuclear projects within a holistic systems perspective. Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, the managing and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for industry stakeholder participation in the potential demonstration program. Funding sources have not yet been identified for the demonstration program. Responses to the EOI will shape the development and funding requirements for the potential program and inform the down-selection of project designs for further planning and analysis from the wide set of pre-conceptual design scenarios shown in this report. This introductory section summarizes the need for low-carbon energy sources, describes the phases envisioned for the demonstration program, and outlines the organization of this report.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

On the Use of Smart Meter Data to Estimate the Voltage Magnitude on the Primary Side of Distribution Service Transformers

This paper develops a novel method to estimate the voltage magnitude on the primary side of distribution service transformers. The proposed method relies exclusively on smart meters, and therefore it is fully data-driven. This is an important feature because electric utilities have detailed models of only the primary network - that is, the network between the distribution substation and the primary side of service transformers that are installed closer to end-customer sites. The network that connects the secondary side of service transformers to end-customer sites, referred to as the secondary network, is simply represented by a lumped load. For each secondary network, the proposed method uses data acquired from only 2 smart meters: the closest and the farthest-in the sense of electrical distance - from the service transformer. As a reference to this feature, the proposed method is named SM2Vp. To our knowledge, this is the first time a method is shown to provide actionable information for realtime operation and control of power distribution grids using only two smart meters per secondary network. This is important because utilities have experienced barriers in managing and using large data sets for real-time operation and control. SM2Vp is primarily intended to provide pseudo-measurements for distribution system state estimation, but it can also be used directly for voltage control schemes. The performance of SM2Vp is demonstrated by numerical simulations carried out on three secondary network synthetic models and by using field data provided by a utility partner serving customers in southwestern California. A maximum relative error of approximately 3.9% or less is observed for the primary voltage magnitude estimates in all numerical experiments.

distribution service transformer↗
DOE OSTI2023

AD – Elog Data Search Using Natural Language Processing Techniques

The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a Machine Learning model using natural language processing techniques to categorize AD E-Log entries efficiently. AD E-Logs, which play a vital role in Fermilab's projects as a system to record and manage various data, often suffer from slow search processing and imprecise results. To address this issue, we preprocessed the data and employed the Doc2Vec model for training. The resulting model enables us to identify and retrieve the most relevant entries, thus enhancing user experience in accessing desired information.

Muse, Amiin↗
DOE OSTI2023

Physical Layer Security at a Point-to-Point MIMO System With 1-Bit DACs and ADCs

Low-resolution converters reduce the power consumption of wireless devices and help enable large energy-efficient arrays. In this letter, we evaluate the secrecy rate for the extreme case of 1-bit single-user multiple-input multiple-output systems following two signaling approaches. In the first method, the system uses discrete signaling. In the second, the system combines Gaussian signaling with artificial noise alongside power allocation. In the first case, we give a closed-form expression of the secrecy rate and propose an algorithm that provides near-optimal results for low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Further, in the second scenario, depending on the channel state information, we suggest different precoding plans and derive a secrecy rate lower bound. At low SNR, power is allocated to the main signal. Only at high SNR is optimal power allocation effective. Moreover, knowing the eavesdropper channel greatly improves the system’s secrecy.

1-bit digital-to-analog (DAC) and analog-to-digita↗
DOE OSTI2022

Authentication of smart grid communications using quantum key distribution

Smart grid solutions enable utilities and customers to better monitor and control energy use via information and communications technology. Information technology is intended to improve the future electric grid’s reliability, efficiency, and sustainability by implementing advanced monitoring and control systems. However, leveraging modern communications systems also makes the grid vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here we report the first use of quantum key distribution (QKD) keys in the authentication of smart grid communications. In particular, we make such demonstration on a deployed electric utility fiber network. The developed method was prototyped in a software package to manage and utilize cryptographic keys to authenticate machine-to-machine communications used for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). This demonstration showcases the feasibility of using QKD to improve the security of critical infrastructure, including future distributed energy resources (DERs), such as energy storage.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Project Development of an Electrochemical Denitration and Caustic Generation System for HLW Pretreatment at Hanford - 26350

An engineering-scale electrochemical processing skid is proposed to perform the denitration of Hanford tank waste, which would help to mitigate a key process concern with the direct feed processing of the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). The reduction of nitrates and organic compounds in the waste feed will directly reduce hazardous NOx and ammonia gases generated during the vitrification process, which in turn will aid in addressing potential regulatory and safety challenges associated with processing large volumes of tank waste. This paper highlights the past legacy work, project layout, accomplishments from Phase 1 and research and development envisioned for Phase 2. An innovative electrochemical denitration and caustic generation (EDCGe) process was demonstrated for the pretreatment of tank waste at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in the early 2000s. The denitration electrolyzer, off-gas abatement system, and caustic generator electrolyzer are being developed with the intent that the denitration electrolyzer will convert nitrate and nitrite anions to nitrogen gas while also yielding other gaseous byproducts, which may include N2O, NH3, VOCs, and H2. The gaseous byproducts will be managed via a tandem off-gas catalyst-bed treatment system. The caustic generation electrolyzer will recycle NaOH from the feed to produce a clean caustic stream for use within the batching tanks at Hanford, aiding in the preparation of waste for WTP. The reduction in hazardous emissions and improved waste treatment processes provides a robust solution for nuclear waste management, contributing to environmental safety and regulatory compliance. The EDCGe technology is being adapted, modified, and updated for the preparation of the Direct Feed-High Level Waste (DF-HLW) flowsheet at Hanford. Phase 1 demonstrated a bench-scale proof-of-concept for reactions involving the denitration electrolyzer and gas phase abatement of ammonia. The electrochemical technology is drawing on the scientific outcomes that were reported in the legacy work. The results from Phase 1 demonstrated the viability of the EDCGe system in reducing the nitrogen species of simple non-radioactive waste simulants. Commercially available alloys used as electrode materials and membranes are being studied for the denitration and caustic generation electrolyzers. The continuation of this project holds promise for broader applications, such as energy-efficient ammonia production, and contributes significant advancements in nuclear waste management. Additional material discovery has been investigated into ceramic Na super ion conductive (NaSICON) materials and off-gas abatement catalyst discovery. NaSICON is of interest for selective transport of Na within the electrolyzers to make a clean caustic stream. Future integration and optimization efforts, informed by Phase 1 results and ongoing research, will continue to drive advancements in nuclear waste management technology. The technology developed for the EDCGe treatment of tank waste will also have broader potential to inform other fields, such as energy-efficient ammonia production, as well as ammonia abatement catalysis through the lessons learned in electrochemical nitrate reduction. The applications and benefits of this research extend beyond Hanford and the Savannah River Site, supported by a collaborative team of scientists and engineers from national labs, academia, and industry, ensuring a comprehensive approach to solving complex waste treatment challenges. The team is leveraging advanced electrochemical technologies, machine learning, novel catalysts tailored for gaseous nitrogen species, and cutting-edge reactor systems to enhance the process efficiency and effectiveness of the denitration process.

Rodene, Dylan [Savannah River National Laboratory ↗
DOE OSTI2023

An Overview of the Risk Assessment Information System

This technical memorandum (TM) presents an overview of the Risk Assessment Information System (RAIS), a collection of web-based tools designed to assist with the environmental risk assessment process. The objective of the RAIS is to be a single resource for the risk assessment process, providing guidance when planning and performing the steps: data assessment, exposure assessment, toxicity assessment, and risk characterization. The RAIS evolved as a result of the initial remediation efforts at various United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. The goal was to increase the efficiency and transparency of the human health and ecological assessments being performed by DOE’s Office of Environmental Management, Oak Ridge Operations (ORO) office by providing a repository for toxicity information, physicochemical data, risk assessment procedures, standardized risk calculation methods, and web-based tools. Since the initial launch in 1996, the RAIS has expanded its user base outside of the federal government and now has users from over 100 countries, universities, states, and local governments. What sets the RAIS apart from other risk assessment sites are the publicly available, searchable toxicity and physicochemical databases and the wide range of chemical and radionuclide risk calculation tools. The purpose of this TM is to present the RAIS tools in order of the website menus and explain how they fit in the risk assessment process. In addition, this TM describes differences between the chemical and radionuclide tools of the RAIS. Screening level equations, chronic daily intake equations, and default exposure factors used in the chemical and radionuclide calculators are included in the appendices of this TM. This TM is not intended to be a detailed guide to risk assessment or the RAIS tools. The tools on the RAIS can be used to comply with procedures from multiple agencies, including but not limited to DOE, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and many state governments. Further information on the RAIS tools can be found in the user guides and tutorials available on the webpage.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗