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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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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2013

"Ask Argonne" - Edwin Campos, Research Meteorologist, Part 2

Argonne's Edwin Campos has for the last two decades studied weather, and in particular, clouds. His research can help make solar power a more viable option for the U.S. and the world. In this video, Dr. Campos answers questions that were submitted by the public in response to his introductory video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfdoHz.... We will be posting a new "Ask Argonne" video every other month, on various topics. Keep an eye out for your next opportunity to submit a question and see if it gets answered - and if you get a shout-out on camera.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1985

Bonding Solar-Cell Modules

Status of research program on chemical bonding for solar-cell arrays subject of 57-page report. Program aimed at identifying, developing, and validating weather-stable chemical bonding promoters. Materials key to ensuring long life in encapsulated photovoltaic modules for electric-power generation. To be cost-effective, modules must hold together for at least 20 years, reliably resisting delamination and separation of component materials

Coulter, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS2012

A Newton-Raphson Method Approach to Adjusting Multi-Source Solar Simulators

NASA Glenn Research Center has been using an in house designed X25 based multi-source solar simulator since 2003. The simulator is set up for triple junction solar cells prior to measurements b y adjusting the three sources to produce the correct short circuit current, lsc, in each of three AM0 calibrated sub-cells. The past practice has been to adjust one source on one sub-cell at a time, iterating until all the sub-cells have the calibrated Isc. The new approach is to create a matrix of measured lsc for small source changes on each sub-cell. A matrix, A, is produced. This is normalized to unit changes in the sources so that Ax(delta)s = (delta)isc. This matrix can now be inverted and used with the known Isc differences from the AM0 calibrated values to indicate changes in the source settings, (delta)s = A ·'x.(delta)isc This approach is still an iterative one, but all sources are changed during each iteration step. It typically takes four to six steps to converge on the calibrated lsc values. Even though the source lamps may degrade over time, the initial matrix evaluation i s not performed each time, since measurement matrix needs to be only approximate. Because an iterative approach is used the method will still continue to be valid. This method may become more important as state-of-the-art solar cell junction responses overlap the sources of the simulator. Also, as the number of cell junctions and sources increase, this method should remain applicable.

Snyder, David B.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Site-Specific Research Conducted in Support of the Salton Sea Solar Pond Project - FY 1982 Report

The design and operation of a salt-gradient solar pond power plant at the Salton Sea presents problems not encountered at small research ponds that were built in the United States. The specific characteristics of the Salton Sea site and the desire to construct the pond using the local clay as a sealant represent major deviations from previous solar pond experience. The site-specific research in support of the plant design is described. The research activity included validation of the spectrophotometric light transmission measurement technique, a search for options for clarifying the turbid and colored water of the Salton Sea, development of water clarification specifications in terms common to industry practice, quantification of gas production from microbiological reactions in the ground, a determination of the combined effects of temperature and salinity on the permeation of the local clays, and a preliminary evaluation of material corrosion.

French, R. L.↗

DOE OSTI2022

The Impact of Stochastic Perturbations in Physics Variables for Predicting Surface Solar Irradiance

We present a probabilistic framework tailored for solar energy applications referred to as the Weather Research and Forecasting-Solar ensemble prediction system (WRF-Solar EPS). WRF-Solar EPS has been developed by introducing stochastic perturbations into the most relevant physical variables for solar irradiance predictions. In this study, we comprehensively discuss the impact of the stochastic perturbations of WRF-Solar EPS on solar irradiance forecasting compared to a deterministic WRF-Solar prediction (WRF-Solar DET), a stochastic ensemble using the stochastic kinetic energy backscatter scheme (SKEBS), and a WRF-Solar multi-physics ensemble (WRF-Solar PHYS). The performances of the four forecasts are evaluated using irradiance retrievals from the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) over the contiguous United States. We focus on the predictability of the day-ahead solar irradiance forecasts during the year of 2018. The results show that the ensemble forecasts improve the quality of the forecasts, compared to the deterministic prediction system, by accounting for the uncertainty derived by the ensemble members. However, the three ensemble systems are under-dispersive, producing unreliable and overconfident forecasts due to a lack of calibration. In particular, WRF-Solar EPS produces less optically thick clouds than the other forecasts, which explains the larger positive bias in WRF-Solar EPS (31.7 W/m 2 ) than in the other models (22.7–23.6 W/m 2 ). This study confirms that the WRF-Solar EPS reduced the forecast error by 7.5% in terms of the mean absolute error (MAE) compared to WRF-Solar DET, and provides in-depth comparisons of forecast abilities with the conventional scientific probabilistic approaches (i.e., SKEBS and a multi-physics ensemble). Guidelines for improving the performance of WRF-Solar EPS in the future are provided.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1999

Boundary Conditions for the Paleoenvironment: Chemical and Physical Processes in Dense Interstellar Clouds: Summary of Research

The basic theme of this program was the study of molecular complexity and evolution for the biogenic elements and compounds in interstellar clouds and in primitive solar system objects. Research included the detection and study of new interstellar and cometary molecules and investigation of reaction pathways for astrochemistry from a comparison of theory and observed molecular abundances. The latter includes studies of cold, dark clouds in which ion-molecule chemistry should predominate, searches for the effects of interchange of material between the gas and solid phases in interstellar clouds, unbiased spectral surveys of particular sources, and systematic investigation of the interlinked chemistry and physics of dense interstellar clouds. In addition, the study of comets has allowed a comparison between the chemistry of such minimally thermally processed objects and that of interstellar clouds, shedding light on the evolution of the biogenic elements during the process of solar system formation. One PhD dissertation on this research was completed by a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts. An additional 4 graduate students at the University of Massachusetts and 5 graduate students from other institutions participated in research supported by this grant, with 6 of these thus far receiving PhD degrees from the University of Massachusetts or their home institutions. Four postdoctoral research associates at the University of Massachusetts also participated in research supported by this grant, receiving valuable training.

Irvine, William M.↗

DOE OSTI2019

Research advances towards large-scale solar hydrogen production from water

Solar hydrogen production from water is a sustainable alternative to traditional hydrogen production route using fossil fuels. However, there is still no existing large-scale solar hydrogen production system to compete with its counterpart. In this Review, recent developments of four potentially cost-effective pathways towards large-scale solar hydrogen production, viz. photocatalytic, photobiological, solar thermal and photoelectrochemical routes, are discussed, respectively. The limiting factors including efficiency, scalability and durability for scale-up are assessed along with the field performance of the selected systems. Some benchmark studies are highlighted, mostly addressing one or two of the limiting factors, as well as a few recent examples demonstrating upscaled solar hydrogen production systems and emerging trends towards large-scale hydrogen production. Finally, a techno-economic analysis provides a critical comparison of the levelized cost of hydrogen output via each of the four solar-to-hydrogen conversion pathways.

08 HYDROGEN↗

DOE OSTI2018

NREL Renewable Energy Resource Data

This data is derived from the Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit and the Solar Integration National Dataset (SIND). The WIND Toolkit provides meteorological conditions and turbine power for more than 126,000 land-based and offshore wind sites across the continental United States, and the SIND Toolkit provides subhourly solar power data designed to assist researchers and utilities in solar generation integration studies This data set includes meteorological variables, including wind speed, direction, temperature, pressure, air density, irradiance, and surface temperature. Parameters such as wind profiles, atmospheric stability, and solar radiation data are also included.

P↗

DOE OSTI2018

NREL Renewable Energy Resource Data

Rossol, Michael↗

DOE OSTI2018

Quarter 2 Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) - DOE Solar Program

Creep-fatigue deformation is an important consideration for a thermal receiver of a gas phase (GP) Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) system due to the constant static stress or pressure, diurnal cycling, and elevated service temperatures required for efficient operation. An accurate description of the creep-fatigue behavior, not available for five of the six candidate materials, is important for assessment of preliminary designs. This project will provide a detailed analysis of the creep-fatigue behavior and damage accumulation of a candidate structural material for a CSP solar thermal receiver to address a critical knowledge barrier for receiver design in the GP pathway concept identified in the CSP Gen3 Demonstration Roadmap. This effort includes the development of rules for the design of solar receiver components against high temperature creep-fatigue and ratcheting failure modes. The ASME Code rules for high temperature nuclear components will form the basis of the method but adjustments will be made to reflect the generally shorter, diurnal operating cycles of thermal receivers and the relative consequences of failure, comparing nuclear to solar components. This is report covers the second quarter's work, which addressed outstanding questions on alloy selection for Quarter 1, and began laying the ground work for mechanical testing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Fundamentals of Solar PV Bolted Joint Loosening and Prevention

The photovoltaic (PV) industry has long reported anecdotal accounts of systems exhibiting intermittent or chronic fastener loosening, including joints that fail to maintain preload despite multiple re-tightening attempts. These occurrences are frequently, and often incorrectly, attributed to installer errors, vibration, or loading beyond design expectations (e.g., extreme weather events). Loose fasteners have serious implications and can significantly impact solar PV systems’ performance, reliability, and safety. However, effective bolted joint design and proper assembly practices can mitigate or eliminate loosening. Until the US Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) funded research on fasteners and solar PV structures, there was a notable gap in understanding the causes of loosening in solar PV systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1963

SPACE ELECTRICAL POWER

Problems in electric power systems for space applications, emphasizing solar cells and thin- film cell research and including the solar- thermionic system

SOLAR POWER SYSTEM↗

NASA NTRS1963