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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Mixed polyester recycling can enable a circular plastic economy with environmental benefits

The mixed and varied nature of fossil-based and bio-based plastic waste requires complex and costly separations to enable compatibility with recycling technologies. A circular plastic economy based on mixed polyesters through cleaving ester bonds to produce monomers, while re-utilizing bio-based monomers to produce high-quality sustainable plastics, charts an exciting solution. However, the feasibility of such a circular economy solution remains underexplored. Here, in this study, we conducted a techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of three polyester depolymerization recycling processes-methanolysis, glycolysis, and acid hydrolysis-for a mixed feedstock (polyethylene terephthalate [PET], polylactic acid [PLA], and polybutylene adipate terephthalate [PBAT]). Methanolysis outperforms glycolysis and hydrolysis economically and environmentally due to more efficient downstream separations, generating products with a 31% decrease in selling price and 21%-46% reduction in acidification, carcinogenic toxicity, fossil-fuel depletion, global warming potential, particulate formation, and smog formation compared to conventional polyester manufacturing. This study highlights the viability of a circular plastic economy for mixed polyesters via a single chemical recycling process.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of Prognostic Models Using Plant Asset Data

The recent growth of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies provides opportunities for leveraging data-driven algorithms to address the problems of diagnostics and prognostics in the nuclear power industry. The use of machine learning and other statistical methods as prognostic models is of particular interest in the nuclear industry to accurately predict future equipment or plant state given a set of measurements. Such predictive capability will enable predictive assessment of component condition and remaining life and allow for condition-based predictive maintenance. The resulting optimization of maintenance scheduling and reduction in unnecessary maintenance activities will lower overall maintenance costs and improve the economics of nuclear power. This report discusses the various aspects of data processing and model development that are likely to influence the performance of prognostic models. Data from a boiling-water reactor was used to evaluate several prognostic models to identify key considerations for developing such models to predict data-driven plant state and equipment degradation condition. Preliminary results indicate the need for data sets that are relevant to the problem at hand and contain signatures that may be correlated to the prediction problem. Assuming such data exist, development of prognostic models using data-driven methods requires an understanding of the various sources of influence on the prediction accuracy (such as the model architecture, data preprocessing approaches, and potentially external factors influencing the equipment or plant system under assessment). Ongoing research is evaluating these factors in greater detail and examining techniques for calculating prediction uncertainty bounds.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Build-to-Replace: A New Paradigm for Reducing Advanced Reactor O&M Costs

Nuclear energy is a carbon free source of reliable, resilient, and dispatchable energy that has the potential to feature prominently in a future energy mix. To this end, many new reactor designs are being developed to help reduce cost and improve safety. Operating and maintenance (O&M) costs can make up a significant portion of lifecycle costs. Traditional approaches for nuclear plant design O&M is to perform significant inspections and testing of plant equipment to extend the life of equipment as long as possible. This is contrasted with approaches used in other industries where equipment is replaced when it is no longer functional in lieu of spending time and resources on maintenance. This research investigated the “build-to-replace” approach for new nuclear power plants. A methodology was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the “build-to-replace” approach. Several scenarios were developed and analyzed using the approach. Modest reductions in O&M costs were obtained in some cases.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantifying Occupant Health and Productivity for Deep Retrofits: Beyond Traditional IEQ Studies

As energy-efficiency standards for both new construction and existing building renovations become more stringent, further reductions become less tractable and more expensive. With increasing interest and rising investment in healthy built environments, integrating energy efficiency with improved occupant experience (i.e., health, comfort, and work performance) offers a new path to drive deep energy retrofits. However, the difficulty in quantifying and verifying health and productivity gains from building upgrades leads to lower valuation of human benefits in practice. Building codes and standards have progressive energy targets but often give minimum requirements to occupant health for factors such as ventilation and thermal comfort. State and federal laws in the United States that govern the energy service performance contract (ESPC) have no clear and consistent guidance on quantifying non-energy benefits and incorporating them into a formal cost-effectiveness analysis. This paper presents a methodology to measure a building’s potential performance improvement regarding occupant health based on existing evidence correlating IEQ to occupant outcomes. Health improvement measures are integrated with a building energy model to identify and measure the impact of holistic improvement strategies. The net present value of these measures is determined based on the investment costs required to attain those improvements, energy savings, and personnel gains. We will discuss results from one pilot building, which showed nearly $50 per square foot 20-year net present value using the integrated approach.

Keene, Kevin M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Engineered enzymatic cascade converts diols to amino alcohols

Aliphatic amino alcohols such as 6-amino-1-hexanol are potential platform chemicals for a variety of advanced materials, but applications are currently limited by reagent costs. Aliphatic amino alcohols can currently be synthesized from biomass-derived diols at elevated temperatures and pressures using Ru-based catalysts that produce a mixture of amino-alcohol, diamine, and cyclic amine products. Replacing chemical amination with an enzymatic cascade would reduce resource needs and enable reactions under milder conditions. In this work, we characterized a two-enzyme cascade that selectively converts C4–C7 diols to the corresponding amino alcohols under aqueous conditions at room temperature and pressure. By engineering the rate-limiting enzyme and optimizing reaction conditions, we increased amino alcohol production nearly 30-fold, achieving a selectivity of 99%. The same enzyme cascade could also be used to convert amino alcohols into cyclic amines through reduction of the corresponding cyclic imine. This engineered cascade provides a green opportunity to sustainably synthesize asymmetric bifunctional platform chemicals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Vehicle Platooning: An Energy Consumption Perspective

Urban traffic congestion is a chronic problem faced by many cities in the US and worldwide. It results in inefficient infrastructure use as well as increased vehicle fuel consumption and emission levels. Excessive fuel consumptions add extra costs to commuters as well as transportation businesses. Consuming less fuel and thus reducing costs by a single percentage digit can have a significant impact on the balance sheet as well as the protection of the environment. Researchers have developed, and continue to develop, tools and systems to optimize the operations of fleets as well as engines in order to burn less fuel and therefore generate less CO2 emissions. Platooning is one such tool that attempts to maintain relatively small distances (i.e. pre-determined time gap) between consecutive vehicles. It has the potential to increase the capacity of the road as well as reduce the consumed fuel. In this paper, we use a fuel consumption model for internal combustion light-duty vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, buses and trucks in order to determine and quantify the effects of platooning on a fleet fuel consumption. The results suggest that a reduction of up to 3%, 3.5%, 4.5 %, 10%, and 15% in fuel consumption can be achieved for internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, buses and trucks.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Summary of Working Group 3: Laser and High-Gradient Structure-Based Acceleration

Accelerating particles at high gradients with high efficiencies is essential for reduction of size and cost of future accelerators for science and industry. This includes a future multi-TeV e+e- collider for particle, free-electron lasers for basic energy sciences and national security, industrial accelerators for energy and environmental applications, and accelerators for other applications. One way to achieve this is to use advanced externally-powered structures, both laser and RF driven. Working Group 3 (WG3) discussed novel accelerating structures with new geometries, new materials, frequencies from microwave to THz and optical spectrum, and operating conditions from room temperature to cryogenic. Presentations included recent advances in understanding RF breakdown and multipactor phenomena at different frequencies and materials, and other physics limitations to the accelerating gradient. Other relevant topics, such as developing high-gradient photoinjectors, high-efficiency RF power sources, and RF structures for a potential muon collider were discussed also. More details on each of the WG3 topics can be found in the articles published in these proceedings.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Integrated Risk-Informed Condition Based Maintenance Capability and Automated Platform: Technical Report 1

Due to continuing global energy market trends, driven heavily by the abundant preserves of natural gas, there is an immediate need to reduce costs associated with operation and maintenance (O&M) for the current domestic nuclear power industry and for future reactor developments. This is to ensure that nuclear power generation remains an economically competitive and viable option in the energy market. O&M costs include labor-intensive preventive maintenance (PM) programs, which involve manually-performed inspection, calibration, testing, and maintenance of plant assets at periodic frequency and time-based replacement of assets, irrespective of their condition. This has resulted in an expensive, labor-centric business model to achieve high capacity factors. Fortunately, there are technologies (advanced sensors, data analytics, and risk assessment methodologies) that can enable the transition from a labor-centric business model to a technology-centric business model. The technology-centric business model will result in a significant reduction of PM activities, laying the foundation for real-time condition assessment of plant assets, reducing overall labor and part costs. To enable this transition, PKMJ Technical Services LLC is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (operated by the Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC) and the Public Services Enterprise Group (PSEG) Nuclear, LLC in the Integrated Risk-Informed Condition-Based Maintenance Capability and Automated Platform Project. In this report, the configuration of a digital cloud platform using Microsoft Azure is discussed, data from the PSEG Salem Nuclear Generating Station Units 1 & 2 are imported into a digital cloud platform, and the data is used for an evaluation of several key areas: cost impact analysis, risk-informed model development, and preventive maintenance strategy optimization. First, the cost impact analysis reviews which plant assets are potential good candidates for condition-based monitoring. Next, INL utilized the data in their local environment to develop the risk-informed model; which provides estimates of failure rates and probability of failures of assets based upon their past performance. The developed model is performed on assets selected from the cost impact analysis. Lastly, engineers assess the preventive maintenance strategy for the selected assets at PSEG against maintenance strategies in the nuclear industry for similar assets to potentially identify acceptable justification for the extension of current maintenance frequencies.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Process with Decoupled Absorber Kinetics and Solvent Regeneration through Membrane Dewatering and In-Column Heat Transfer (Final Report)

This report summarizes the work conducted on project DE-FE0031604 where University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy (UK CAER) has validated its intensified CO 2 capture process through substantial enhancements to the kinetics of the absorption process and energy reductions by absorber temperature profile modification, dewatering and heat integration technologies for achieving significant capital and operating cost reductions. To address DOE’s objective of improving post-combustion CO 2 capture technology and reducing associated cost, UK CAER employed an intensified process which combined three key aspects targeted at overcoming inherent limitations or barriers in the conventional CO 2 capture and desorption process. The process designed to be independent of the type of solvent used, included (1) the use of 3-D printed two-channel structured packing material to control the temperature profile and increase the CO 2 absorption rate in the absorber, (2) a zeolite membrane dewatering unit for dewatering of the carbon-rich solvent to decouple solvent concentration needs for CO 2 absorption and desorption, and (3) a rich-split feed with two-phase flow heat transfer prior to the stripper that provided a secondary point of vapor generation to provide energy savings in steam extraction and solvent regeneration. The project was executed over two budget periods. This involved testing of individual process components which included the advanced heat transfer packing and the dewatering membrane on UK CAER’s 30 liter per minute (L/min) CO 2 (3” Column) capture bench unit with simulated flue gas in the first budget period. Subsequent scaled-up testing of these components together with the split-feed configuration were also tested in UK CAER’s 0.1 MWth CO 2 capture unit with coal-derived flue gas in the second-budget period. Long term studies were done during this period to assess process and solvent performance over extended duration. Project partners Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Media & Process Technology (MPT) led the development efforts for the advanced packing material and dewatering membrane respectively. Data from the long term testing was used as input for an environmental, health and safety (EH&S) assessment for the process and scaled technology performed by ALL4 LLC. Trimeric Corporation also completed a techno-economic analysis (TEA) for the UK CAER technology which was compared to the DOE reference Case B12B. Tests on the 3” column capture unit showed that the advanced heat transfer packing could be used to lower the bulge temperature in the absorber, and this was also proven in the scaled testing in the 0.1 MWth CO 2 capture unit. The bulge temperature could be lowered by >10 °C, changing the temperature profile in the absorber, and showed potential to enhance absorption with the ability to tailor the profile to provide conditions suitable for a solvent’s properties and kinetics. Conditions for short term evaluation of a 19” zeolite dewatering membrane on the 3” column capture unit yielded desirable fluxes and sustained rejection rates of >80%. However, for the scaled testing of six membrane modules consisting of 21 parts of 31-inch-long membrane tubes in each bundle (surface area 0.3 m 2 ), over a more extended duration, similar rejection rates could not be achieved. With the split-feed of the rich stream to the stripper, improved heat recovery minimized waste heat exiting the top of the stripper. The stripper exhaust temperatures could be reduced by >10 °C; reducing the amount of water vaporization contributed to lowering the regeneration energy by ~ 15%. The energy benefit could be sustained from the long term monitoring of the solvent performance. The solvent properties were not significantly impacted over the long-term operations. The benefits of the UK CAER process demonstrated experimentally were mostly validated from the TEA comparing a commercial scale application of the technology to DOE reference Case B12B. The cost of CO 2 capture for the UK CAER technology was estimated to be ~$34.97/tonne of CO 2 captured; a reduction of 23% compared to Case B12B. The increase in cost of electricity was also shown to be 16% lower than that of Case B12B. The total parasitic demand was also shown to be 11% lower. The key drivers for the benefits are a result of the process intensification approaches employed in the UK CAER technology for enhanced solvent performance, effective heat recovery and improved energy performance. The EH&S assessment did not find any major environmental concerns or barriers to the full scale implementation of the technology.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of an All-Aqueous Thermally Regenerative Redox Flow Battery to Support Fossil Fuel Assets

Low-temperature thermal energy, a largely untapped resource, holds significant promise for large-scale electrical power generation globally. Various stationary sources, including industrial entities and thermal power plants, emit considerable low-temperature heat that currently remains unutilized. This energy is often overlooked because its low temperature renders it unsuitable for efficient power generation using conventional methods. However, current research is exploring diverse technologies capable of converting low-temperature heat into grid-scale power, aiming to enhance grid efficiency, further decarbonization initiatives, and facilitate a shift toward more decentralized power systems. One such innovative technology is the thermally regenerative battery (TRB), noted for its high power and energy densities compared to similar technologies, positioning it as a potential game-changer in power generation. TRBs integrate two scalable and well-established unit operations: a redox flow battery and a distillation column. This integration suggests that once an effective TRB chemistry is established, the pathway to commercialization could be expedited. The copper-based thermally regenerative ammonia battery (Cu aq -TRAB) stands out as the first TRB that circumvents electrodeposition/dissolution reactions, stabilizing Cu(I) and Cu(II) within the electrolyte and maintaining stability of all electroactive species in an aqueous phase. This stabilization has led to improvements in coulombic efficiency, open circuit potential, and copper solubility, thereby enhancing power density, energy density, and overall energy efficiency. Preliminary tests were conducted to determine the effects of various electrolyte species on the performance metrics of the battery, both theoretically and experimentally. These tests revealed that the solubility of copper in the Cu aq -TRAB electrolyte was constrained by the Cu(I)-NH 3 complex. Adjusting the background electrolyte to 5 M NH4Br and the ligand concentration to 4 M NH 3 enabled the copper concentration to reach a maximum of 0.6 M. This modification led to an estimated theoretical maximum energy density of 9.5 Wh L -1 for the Cu aq -TRAB. Additionally, full cell testing indicated a tradeoff between peak power and energy density with varying copper and ammonia concentrations. Increasing the applied current density during discharge linearly raised the average power output, with a minimal reduction in energy density due to a balance between higher ohmic overpotential and reduced time for undesirable ammonia crossover. Furthermore, a comprehensive numerical sensitivity analysis of the complete Cu aq -TRAB system was performed. This analysis aimed to assess how the battery and the distillation column responded to changes in system input parameters, providing insights into optimal research directions for enhancing system performance. The analysis revealed that at room temperature, battery power was significantly more sensitive to ohmic losses than to mass transfer, with reaction rates having minimal impact. This trend continued even at higher temperatures. Also, the thermal energy required for ammonia separation was studied, showing that increased temperatures generally reduced energy requirements, except in low-pressure scenarios above 65 °C. An investigation into membrane performance in the Cu aq -TRAB was undertaken, given the significant impact of ammonia transport control and ohmic losses on system performance. Various membranes were evaluated to identify key performance metrics. Among the tested membranes, Selemion CMVN exhibited the highest performance, with a peak power density of 84 mW cm -2 and average values of 26 ± 6.8 mW cm -2 for power density and 2.9 Wh L -1 for energy density at an applied current density of 50 mA cm -2 . An economic assessment indicated a levelized cost of storage at $410 per MWh under optimal conditions, highlighting the commercial potential of the Cu aq -TRAB when utilizing cost-effective, readily available materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integration of pH Control into Chi.Bio Reactors and Demonstration with Small-Scale Enzymatic Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Hydrolysis

Small-scale bioreactors that are affordable and accessible would be of major benefit to the research community. In previous work, an open-source, automated bioreactor system was designed to operate up to the 30 mL scale with online optical monitoring, stirring, and temperature control, and this system, dubbed Chi.Bio, is now commercially available at a cost that is typically 1–2 orders of magnitude less than commercial bioreactors. In this work, we further expand the capabilities of the Chi.Bio system by enabling continuous pH monitoring and control through hardware and software modifications. For hardware modifications, we sourced low-cost, commercial pH circuits and made straightforward modifications to the Chi.Bio head plate to enable continuous pH monitoring. For software integration, we introduced closed-loop feedback control of the pH measured inside the Chi.Bio reactors and integrated a pH-control module into the existing Chi.Bio user interface. We demonstrated the utility of pH control through the small-scale depolymerization of the synthetic polyester, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), using a benchmark cutinase enzyme, and compared this to 250 mL bioreactor hydrolysis reactions. The results in terms of PET conversion and rate, measured both by base addition and product release profiles, are statistically equivalent, with the Chi.Bio system allowing for a 20-fold reduction of purified enzyme required relative to the 250 mL bioreactor setup. Through inexpensive modifications, the ability to conduct pH control in Chi.Bio reactors widens the potential slate of biochemical reactions and biological cultivations for study in this system, and may also be adapted for use in other bioreactor platforms.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cyclic olefin copolymer-based reinforced anion exchange membranes for water electrolyzers

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have emerged as a promising technology for water electrolysis in hydrogen production since they offer significant cost reduction in choices of electrocatalysts and bipolar plates. However, AEMs satisfying multiple requirements of high ionic conductivity, good chemical stability, robust mechanical properties, scalable synthesis, and low manufacturing costs are rare. Herein, we introduce quaternary ammonium functionalized cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs) as a new class of chemically stable and low-cost AEM materials. To further enhance the mechanical robustness, we prepared reinforced composite AEMs by impregnating the ionically functionalized COC into a mechanically robust matrix. The resulting reinforced composite membrane exhibits a high hydroxide conductivity of 127 mS cm −1 and excellent mechanical strength. In water electrolyzers, the MEA demonstrated outstanding performance, achieving a current density of 2.24 A cm −2 at 1.8 V, attributable to high conductivity, enhanced mechanical properties, and good alkaline stability of the composite membrane. These results indicate that the COC-based AEMs demonstrate good potential for application in AEM electrolyzers.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2021

Solar PV Curtailment in Changing Grid and Technological Contexts: Preprint

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity with no marginal costs or emissions. As a result, PV output is almost always prioritized over other fuel sources and delivered to the electric grid. At increasing levels of PV penetration situations arise where PV is curtailed, either because of local supply/demand imbalances or to maintain system flexibility. In 2018, we estimate that about 6.5 million MWh of PV output was curtailed in four key countries: Chile, China, Germany, and the United States. We find that PV curtailment peaks in the spring and fall, when PV output is relatively high but electricity demand is relatively low. Similar to the case of wind, some PV curtailment is attributable to limited transmission capacity connecting sparsely populated solar-heavy regions to load centers.Grid policies generally seek to minimize curtailment because it is viewed as an economic and environmental loss. However, we argue that changing grid and technological contexts warrant new thinking on PV curtailment. In the grid context, as grids integrate more PV and other renewable energy generation, seeking an optimal level of accepted curtailment becomes more efficient than preventing it. In the technological context, emerging technologies such as advanced inverters and low-cost battery storage are making PV systems more flexible. With flexible PV, grid operators can use withheld PV output to provide various non-generation grid services. This withheld PV output is a form of curtailment under prevailing definitions of the term. Hence, policies that aim to minimize curtailment may undercut the ability of grid operators to fully use the emerging capabilities of flexible PV systems. We argue that the changing grid and technological contexts require a re-examination of the curtailment paradigm. We argue that PV output that is withheld to provide grid services is fundamentally different from output that goes unused in response to system constraints. As a result, we propose a more exclusive definition of curtailment as unused PV output rather than the more expansive conventional definition as any reduction in system output from its technical potential. The terminological distinction is more than a question of semantics. Facilitating grid services by withholding PV output may increase the potential value of flexible PV systems to the grid. This shift in thinking may allow grid operators and policymakers to think in terms of PV curtailment management rather than minimization. Effective curtailment management may include policies that increase PV system dispatchability, alternative PV compensation schemes that decouple generator revenue from system output, and policies to increase grid flexibility.

Chile↗
DOE OSTI2024

Potential for large-scale deployment of offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems in the United States

This study explores the role of producing low-carbon hydrogen using water electrolysis powered by offshore wind in facilitating the United States’ transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. This research introduces an open-source scenario analysis tool for offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems, aiming to assess the impact of technology, regional considerations, and policy incentives on the cost of producing low-carbon hydrogen through offshore wind. Conducting a regional techno-economic analysis at four U.S. coastal sites, the study evaluates two energy transmission configurations and examines associated costs for the years 2025, 2030, and 2035. The results highlight that locations using fixed-bottom technology may achieve cost-competitive water electrolysis hydrogen production by 2030 through leveraging geologic hydrogen storage and federal policy incentives. Furthermore, floating technology locations are expected to see an average 38% reduction in the levelized cost of hydrogen from 2025 to 2035.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Stabilizing Single-Atom Iron Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction via Ceria Confining and Trapping

Atomically dispersed Fe-N-C materials recently hold great interest in costly Pt substitution for the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction of fuel cells. However, the heat treatment involved in the materials preparation excites Fe aggregating into low activity of nanosized species rather than high activity of single-atom Fe sites. Herein we proposed a new "ceria-assisted" strategy to preferentially generate the active single-atom Fe sites in Fe-N-C materials, which involves oxidative polymerization of pyrrole, Ce 3+ and Fe 3+ adsorption, and subsequent heat treatment. Owing to its spatial confinement and strong trapping for Fe atoms, ceria can effectively suppress agglomeration of isolated Fe atoms and stabilize the Fe atoms by bonding to O in the lattice during the heat treatment, leading to a high content of atomically dispersed Fe (4.6 wt.%). Accordingly, the final catalyst showed ultrahigh ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.915 V and kinetic current density of 7.15 mA cm -2 at 0.9 V. When it was as assembled an anion exchange membrane fuel cell, a large maximum power density of 496 mW cm -2 was achieved.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

First Solar Thermal Energy Planner (STEP 1) and Nationwide Industrial Heat and Power Analysis

The First Solar Thermal Energy Planner (STEP 1) and Nationwide Industrial Heat and Power Analysis (aka the STEP 1 Project or the Project) aimed to (1) developed a brand-new web tool that could provide decision support through free, rapid techno-economic analysis of behind-the-meter solar+storage systems for industrial process heat and (2) conduct high-level analyses of the cost-competitiveness of the same systems across the US in key sectors. The STEP 1 web tool collects key location, land availability, thermal load profile, proccess heat temperature and media, and other key parameters through an easy-to-use user interface (UI). The UI was designed to meet the user at their level of understanding by minimizing the number of required inputs as much as possible while including options for more nuanced inputs if the user desires. STEP 1 advises users on which solar thermal tehcnologies that could fit their needs based on the inputs provided (namely process media and temperature). The tool can model a wide range of solar thermal technologies including flat plate collectors, evacuated tubes, parabolic troughs, linear Fresnel, and molten salt towers all with corresponding thermal energy storage (TES) - solar PV with resistive heating and TES is also included. Once the parameters are collected, a nominal thermal energy production profile for the facility's location is generated using NREL's System Advisory Model (SAM) and then passed to a modified version of NREL's REopt platform to optimize the size (capacity) and dispatch of the solar+storage system to minimize lifecycle costs subject to energy balance, fuel and electricity rates, emission reductions goals, and other constraints. This entire process takes less than 20 minutes, is completely free, requires zero coding skills, and provides the user with a high-level assessment on the techno-economic feasability of deploying solar+storage systems for their energy needs. In addition to the development of the STEP 1 web tool, the project completed two complementary analyses focused on leveraging the backend code of STEP 1, public industrial facility locations and fuel consumption data, and key sector information to assess the economic opportunity of reducing fuel costs at various levels of capacity factor around the US. Both analyses found that there are key markets, locations, industrial sectors (namely food and beverage), and degrees of offset where solar thermal technologies could be cost-effectively deployed, highlighting a key market entry point for these technologies, and assessing deployment potential. In summary, the STEP 1 project improved the opportunities for solar+storage systems to expand into the industrial process heat market through breaking down barriers to assessing these technologies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Algae to HEFA : Economics and potential deployment in the United States

Abstract To reach the goals set by the US Department of Energy's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge, currently available feedstocks may be insufficient. Giving priority to developing, prototyping and reducing the cost of algal feedstock before investing and lining up locations is important. As the production of algal feedstocks advances, a simplified conversion approach using more mature technologies can help reduce the investment risk for algae‐based fuels. Reducing process complexity to the steps described here [namely, conversion of lipids to HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) fuels and relegating the remainder of the biomass to anaerobic digestion or food/feed production] enables the near‐term production of algal SAF but presents challenging economics depending on achievable cultivation costs and compositional quality. However, these economics can be improved by present‐day policy incentives. With these incentives, the modeled algae‐to‐HEFA pathway could reach a minimum fuel selling price as low as $4.7 per gasoline gallon equivalent depending on the carbon intensity reduction that can be achieved compared with petroleum. Uncertainty about algal feedstock production maturity in the current state of technology and the future will play a large role in determining the economic feasibility of building algae‐to‐HEFA facilities. For example, if immaturity increases the feedstock price by even 10%, SAF production in 2050 is about 58% of the production which could have been achieved with mature feedstock. Additionally, growth in this conversion pathway can be notably boosted through the inclusion of subsidies, and also through higher‐value coproducts or higher lipid yields beyond the scope of the process considered here.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗