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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2022

Static and dynamic modeling of steam integration for a NuScale small modular reactor and pulp and paper mill coupling for carbon-neutral manufacturing

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are reactor designs producing less than 300 MWe and are generally planned for deployment as multimodule nuclear power plants. The possibility of factory-manufactured, flexibly sized plants expands the opportunities for nuclear power to different communities and industries, including manufacturing plants that currently utilize fossil fuels to produce both steam and electricity. This paper examines the feasibility of coupling a NuScale SMR with a midsize pulp and paper mill in the Southeastern United States. A steady-state mill model was developed in Aspen HYSYS, based on real data from the operation of the mill, and modified it to include the SMR while maintaining steam quality requirements and making as few changes as possible to existing equipment. Dynamic plant models were also developed Dymola to demonstrate possible plant conditions, using three configurations. Preliminary results suggest that, while SMR coupling is physically feasible, its economic feasibility is limited by the differences in steam and electricity demands. Because of limitations in the amount of steam the mill can take from the SMR, sizing the SMR for the plant’s steam demand may result in an electricity deficit, or vice versa. Furthermore, dynamic analyses show that the addition of a thermal storage system could reduce such deficits, but this entails its own challenges. Each plant must determine the best configuration and control scheme for itself, based on its electricity and heat needs, including the peak duration and intensity for both. Ultimately, an implementation of SMRs with manufacturing processes would benefit from partnering with a local utility to purchase excess electricity generated by the SMR. This will help manufacturing facilities meet their environmental and cost-savings goals, in addition to meeting the need for cost-effective baseload power across the United States.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Geothermal Deep Direct Use for Turbine Inlet Cooling in East Texas

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory (SMU), Eastman Chemical (Longview, TX), and TAS (Houston, TX) evaluated the feasibility of using geothermal heat to improve the performance of a natural-gas power plant in East Texas. The area of interest is the Eastman Chemical plant in Longview, Texas, which is on the northwestern margin of a geologic region known as the Sabine Uplift. The feasibility study focused on determining the potential for accessing a subsurface hot-water geothermal resource within a 10-km radius of the site to provide thermal energy for absorption chillers. Wells within a 20-km radius are included for broader geological comparison to determine the heat flow, temperature-at-depth, field porosity and permeability. The lithologies of most interest are the Lower Cretaceous Trinity Group and Upper Jurassic Cotton Valley Group. The deeper Cotton Valley formations are hotter (averaging 117 to 130°C), yet permeability and porosity are low. The shallower Trinity Group contains more variability in permeability and porosity and lower temperatures averaging about 98 to 117°C. The shallower formations are considered despite the lower temperature because of increased ability to produce larger volumes of water and extract enough heat before reinjection. The complete SMU analysis is available in the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS). Tapping such deep geothermal sources for direct heating (as opposed to power generation) is known as geothermal deep direct use (DDU). Geothermal DDU has potential across a wide swath of the United States but is underutilized due to challenging project economics associated with developing a deep geothermal resource for what are typically small-scale, variable-demand projects. This project examines the feasibility of geothermal energy integration in a natural-gas combined cycle power station in East Texas. The DDU resource is tapped to drive absorption chillers (24/7) for production of chilled water at 5-10°C (41-50°F). This chilled water is stored until needed, which allows for continuous operation with a relatively small-capacity geothermal/absorption chiller system. When conditions are favorable, the chilled water is dispatched to cool the air entering the compressor stage of a gas combustion turbine. This process, known as turbine inlet cooling (TIC), boosts power production during periods of high temperature and high-power demand. Such systems can enhance grid reliability and reduce the cost for peak-demand power. A simulation model of the power plant was developed in IPSEpro software and validated against operational data from the plant. This model allowed the team to estimate the additional power that could be produced by applying TIC under different operating and ambient conditions. Absorption chiller performance was estimated from vendor sources to determine the production rate of chilled water from the geothermal resource. Geothermal drilling and development costs were estimated using NREL's GEOPHIRES 2.0. The expected lower drilling costs in this region led to an estimated cost of geothermal heat of about $4/MMBtu (1.4 cents/kWh t ). The estimated cost for the absorption chillers and TIC hardware were obtained from literature sources and project partners. Hourly data were obtained for weather, natural gas and electricity prices, and plant operating state for 2017, which served as a representative year. NREL estimated the capital cost, operating cost, and additional electricity production and revenue for different combinations of geothermal capacity, chiller capacity, and water storage-tank size. The analysis drove toward smaller geothermal and chiller systems to reduce equipment cost. A relatively low-cost water storage tank accumulated the near-continuous chilled water output for later use when TIC was most valued.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Climate change challenges, plant science solutions

Abstract Climate change is a defining challenge of the 21st century, and this decade is a critical time for action to mitigate the worst effects on human populations and ecosystems. Plant science can play an important role in developing crops with enhanced resilience to harsh conditions (e.g. heat, drought, salt stress, flooding, disease outbreaks) and engineering efficient carbon-capturing and carbon-sequestering plants. Here, we present examples of research being conducted in these areas and discuss challenges and open questions as a call to action for the plant science community.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2022

ReNew100: Reliable Power System Operation with 100% Renewable Generation

The ReNew100 project has developed and demonstrated an operator support system (OSS) to operate power systems with 100% renewable power generation from inverter-based resources (IBRs) like wind and solar that significantly reduces the risk of widespread power outages in a simulated operational environment at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The OSS achieves resilient operation for power systems under changing operation modes including varying combinations of conventional and renewable generation, including cases with 100% renewable generation from wind and solar IBRs. The OSS continuously monitors the N-1 security of the power system, which refers to the ability of the power systems to survive single outages of power system elements, like the loss of a generator or a power line, without causing widespread power outages beyond those expected and planned for. If the OSS identifies that the system is not N-1 secure, an automatic Controller Parameter Optimization (CoPO) developed within Renew100 is activated to optimize the N-1 security of the system by tuning controller parameters within different assets like batteries, wind, and solar plants. The core innovation of ReNew100 is the development of this CoPO as well as the demonstration of the OSS for a real-time simulation of the Hawai'i Island power system. Moreover, Renew100 has developed new model calibration techniques for dynamic power system models and demonstrated them for Hawai'i Island.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Rapid screening of secondary aromatic metabolites in Populus trichocarpa leaves

Abstract Background High-throughput metabolomics analytical methodology is needed for population-scale studies of bioenergy-relevant feedstocks such as poplar ( Populus sp.). Here, the authors report the relative abundance of extractable aromatic metabolites in Populus trichocarpa leaves rapidly estimated using pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry (py-MBMS). Poplar leaves were analyzed in conjunction with and validated by GC/MS analysis of extracts to determine key spectral features used to build PLS models to predict the relative composition of extractable aromatic metabolites in whole poplar leaves. Results The Pearson correlation coefficient for the relative abundance of extractable aromatic metabolites based on ranking between GC/MS analysis and py-MBMS analysis of the Boardman leaf set was 0.86 with R 2 = 0.76 using a simplified prediction approach from select ions in MBMS spectra. Metabolites most influential to py-MBMS spectral features in the Clatskanie set included the following compounds: catechol, salicortin, salicyloyl-coumaroyl-glucoside conjugates, α-salicyloylsalicin, tremulacin, as well as other salicylates, trichocarpin, salicylic acid, and various tremuloidin conjugates. Ions in py-MBMS spectra with the highest correlation to the abundance of extractable aromatic metabolites as determined by GC/MS analysis of extracts, included m/z 68, 71, 77, 91, 94, 105, 107, 108, and 122, and were used to develop the simplified prediction approach without PLS models or a priori measurements. Conclusions The simplified py-MBMS method is capable of rapidly screening leaf tissue for relative abundance of extractable aromatic secondary metabolites to enable prioritization of samples in large populations requiring comprehensive metabolomics that will ultimately inform plant systems biology models and advance the development of optimized biomass feedstocks for renewable fuels and chemicals.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2023

3P Program: Phenotyping X Prediction = Productivity (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

The goal of the 3P Program was to establish integrated, real-time phenotyping and to analyze above- and below-ground plant architecture and total carbon partitioning and allocation to predict heterosis and develop superior crop hybrids by fully leveraging the Sorghum gene pool. There were two overarching themes: 1) the development of a new crop improvement approach utilizing advances in high-throughput phenotyping (HTP), computing, and genomics for public dissemination and 2) leveraging this platform for sorghum crop improvement and commercialization. The Clemson team worked on creating genomic resources and using both statistical learning and high-throughput phenotyping in genomics-assisted breeding. Research was broadly interested in the genetics of carbon partitioning, with the aim of improving crop performance and achieving sustainability. The technology and resources created can be readily found in the public domain and serve to advance scientific understanding of crop genomics and breeding. Genomic prediction was able to identify top crosses to be made, and a hybrid prediction pipeline is in place to drive year-over-year genetic gain. Roots have long been ignored by plant breeders and agronomists, not because they are unimportant but because they are hard to measure. This is an untapped white space of potential insight and innovation. To address this, Hi Fidelity Genetics developed the RootTracker to measure roots in the field on a continuous basis. A database system called RootTracker Tracker was developed to handle data coming from the RootTrackers. In using this device, valuable data was observed for plant breeding, hydrochemical development, and other agricultural biology applications. Carnegie Mellon’s goal was developing new techniques to generate high-resolution 3D models of plants from data collected in the field. The idea was that more useful and more informative phenotypes could be extracted by resolving small features, such as seeds and flowers, and that by modeling in 3D, the spatial structure of plants could be examined. To achieve this, multiple images collected by a new small format structured light stereo imager were fused together. A sorghum panicle modeling pipeline was developed to allow the collection and processing of data. Carolina Seed Systems is an agricultural technology company focused on decarbonizing the agricultural system. Their technology pipeline serves to drive fundamental progress towards creation and distribution of carbon negative crops. The genomic and the engineering technology developed through the 3P Program was leveraged to deliver both value and sustainability from the grower to the consumer. Promising sorghum hybrids were scaled up and commercialized. The overall goal of our research was to integrate, create, and deploy genetic and engineering concepts and technologies to enhance crop productivity in a sustainable fashion. The combination of public and private partners allowed the basic research and hypothesis testing to be quickly accelerated for commercial application by the companies yet maintained that the core framework and academic insights remain in the public domain for continued market disruption, competition, and innovation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Syngas Cleanup Using Radically Engineered Modular Systems

The overall objective of this project was to address key knowledge gaps and develop modular sorbent-based warm syngas cleanup designs that will enable 1- to 5-MW REMS-based plants to be cost-competitive with large state-of-the-art commercial plants utilizing all of our abundant domestic coal reserves. We proposed to develop two potential new desulfurization process designs specifically targeted for REMS plants for combined heat and power or polygeneration from coal gasification. The first design is a modification of our commercially offered dual transport reactor design based Warm-gas Desulfurization Process (WDP) where the transport-reactor regenerator is replaced with a fluidized-bed regenerator. This design leverages the learnings obtained from our pre-commercial demonstration testing of the WDP technology for over 3,000 hours and conclusions from the lessons learned workshop. The second design is a fixed-bed process that leverages the successful composition and chemistry of our WDP sorbent to develop an effective fixed-bed sorbent formulation and fixed-bed process design. These two potential desulfurization process designs have a strong technical likelihood of success and offer the best opportunity to effectively employ design standardization, mass production and advanced manufacturing techniques to enable cost competitiveness for syngas cleanup at smaller scale.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2022

Progress in the development and understanding of a high poloidal-beta tokamak operating scenario for an attractive fusion pilot plant

Abstract The high poloidal-beta ( $$\beta _{\textrm{P}}$$ β P ) regime was first proposed as a high bootstrap current scenario for a steady-state fusion pilot plant (FPP) in the 1990s (Kikuchi in Nucl Fusion 30:265, 1990). Since then, there have been many theoretical, modeling, and experimental research activities on this topic. A joint DIII-D/EAST research team began exploring the high- $$\beta _{\textrm{P}}$$ β P regime in 2013, focusing on addressing the needs of attractive FPP design by taking advantage of the extensive diagnostic set and sophisticated plasma control system on DIII-D and the well-developed integrated modeling capability at General Atomics. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate such a scenario on EAST with truly long pulse and metal wall compatibility. This paper summarizes the highlights of the research results on DIII-D by the joint team in the past decade. Experimental evidence and modeling analysis show the high- $$\beta _{\textrm{P}}$$ β P scenario has great advantages in addressing key needs for an attractive FPP design, such as high-energy confinement quality at low rotation, excellent core-edge integration, high line-averaged density above the Greenwald limit, low disruption risk, and high bootstrap current fraction for steady-state operation. This provides a relatively safe and economical option to base an FPP design on that will lead to commercial fusion energy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Modeling of Vertical Motor-driven Pump for Simulation of a Fault Signature \\ for Condition Monitoring

As part of the ongoing effort to transition from preventive maintenance strategies to condition-based maintenance strategies in nuclear power plants, there is significant reliance on using machine learning techniques. To develop a robust machine learning model that can diagnose all the fault modes of a vertical motor-driven pump, data capturing the unique signature of each fault mode is required. In practice, it is difficult to collect or capture data that captures all the fault modes from a single plant site. So to address this situation, a computational model of a vertical motor-driven pump is developed using the multipurpose finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics. The developed model is used to generate simulated data under normal operation and is compared with the vibration data collected using vibration sensors. Once the simulation model is verified under normal operating condition, simulated data for the fault mode for which minimal or no evidence is available in historical plant process data is developed. This simulated data is used to develop fault signatures to achieve robust predictive models. This paper presents modeling details and verification of the model that can used to generate data for fault modes that are not available at a plant site for condition monitoring purpose.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗

DOE OSTI2023

Modeling of Vertical Motor-driven Pump for Simulation of a Fault Signature \\ for Condition Monitoring

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗

DOE OSTI2022

Investigation of the impact of supplemental reflective films to improve micro-light climate within tomato plant canopy in solar greenhouses

The non-uniform growth and development of crops within Chinese Solar Greenhouses (CSG) is directly related to the micro-light climate within canopy. In practice, reflective films are used to improve micro-light climate within plant canopy by homogenizing light distribution and so increasing total plant light interception. However, as to our knowledge, the contributions to light distribution within canopy have not been investigated for passive reflector like reflective films. Field experiments dealing with light conditions and growth behavior over time, are complicated to carry out, time-consuming and hard to control, while however, accurate measurements of how reflective films influence the micro-light climate of canopy are an essential step to improve the growth conditions for any crop. Here, we propose a supplementary light strategy using reflective films to improve light distribution within plant canopy. Based on the example of CSG, a 3D greenhouse model including a detailed 3D tomato canopy structure was constructed to simulate the influence of supplementary reflective films to improve micro-light climate. Comparison of measured solar radiation intensity with predicted model data demonstrated that the model could precisely predict light radiation intensity over time with different time points and positions in the greenhouse. A series of reflective film configurations were investigated based on features analysis of light distribution in the tomato canopy on sunny days using the proposed model. The reflective film configuration scheme with the highest impact significantly improved the evenness of horizontal and vertical light distribution in tomato canopy. The strategy provided here can be used to configure reflective films that will enhance light conditions in CSG, which can be applied and extended in different scenarios.

Liu, Anhua↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Digital Twin for an Inverter-Based Resource Power Plant: Real-time data streaming unlocks situation awareness

Here, this study presents the development and successful implementation of a digital twin specifically designed for a grid-connected IBR power plant. By integrating a reduced-order model of the IBR system and dynamically updating the grid impedance with real-time data, the digital twin effectively captures and replicates the behavior of the physical system. Its accuracy and reliability are validated through critical test scenarios, including a three-phase fault and a line-tripping event. The results confirm that the digital twin closely emulates its physical counterpart, demonstrating its strong potential for real-time analysis, system monitoring, and predictive decision making in modern power systems.

Digital twins↗

DOE OSTI2020

Structural basis for Ca2+-dependent activation of a plant metacaspase

Abstract Plant metacaspases mediate programmed cell death in development, biotic and abiotic stresses, damage-induced immune response, and resistance to pathogen attack. Most metacaspases require Ca 2+ for their activation and substrate processing. However, the Ca 2+ -dependent activation mechanism remains elusive. Here we report the crystal structures of Metacaspase 4 from Arabidopsis thaliana ( At MC4) that modulates Ca 2+ -dependent, damage-induced plant immune defense. The At MC4 structure exhibits an inhibitory conformation in which a large linker domain blocks activation and substrate access. In addition, the side chain of Lys225 in the linker domain blocks the active site by sitting directly between two catalytic residues. We show that the activation of At MC4 and cleavage of its physiological substrate involve multiple cleavages in the linker domain upon activation by Ca 2+ . Our analysis provides insight into the Ca 2+ -dependent activation of At MC4 and lays the basis for tuning its activity in response to stresses for engineering of more sustainable crops for food and biofuels.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

US-UK fusion energy collaborations in the digital space

The US and UK share the vision for fusion as a vital part of the clean energy future. This vision is reflected in the respective national plans in the form of the Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion (BDV) in the US and the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) program in the UK. Digital tools such as simulation and control frameworks, design tools, AI/ML, high performance computing (HPC), and virtual reality (VR) will play an important role in developing, diagnosing, operating, and further improving burning-plasma-class fusion power plants. Therefore, a collaborative approach, involving both the public and private sectors, to developing these digital tools can accelerate the path to fusion energy commercialization. In this report we discuss previous and ongoing collaborations and opportunities to expand these collaborations into new areas. We conclude this report with near term actions and a vision of the collaboration to the Joint Coordinating Committee.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Process-based balance of system cost modeling for offshore wind power plants in the United States

This paper describes the development of a process-based and open-source balance of system cost model that provides the capability to evaluate both existing and novel offshore wind technologies. Individual design and installation steps are represented with bottom-up engineering models that compute times and costs associated with the process; furthermore, operational constraints are assigned to each process so that delays caused by weather and presence of marine mammals may be accounted for in the overall project timeline. The model structure, assumptions, inputs, and results are vetted with industry partners and compared against actual projects for validation. Installation times show reasonable agreement with real data. Project cost sensitivities are investigated to compute the system-level impact of different design choices. First, individual vessel efficiencies are computed for varying numbers of installation vessels and weather time series to show the diminishing returns of more than two feeder barges. Then, array cable capital costs and installation times are determined for a representative project with different turbine sizes. These values quantify the cost-benefit tradeoffs and show a net-cost savings of decreasing numbers of turbines, increased turbine spacing, and fewer turbine terminations. These results demonstrate that the balance of system model features the accuracy, functionality, and accessibility to serve as the foundation for a wide range of analyses to identify cost reduction potentials for offshore wind energy in the United States.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Hybrid Analytics Solution for Power Plant Operations

Expert Microsystems, Inc., MapEx Software Inc. and XMPLR Energy LLC have teamed to submit a proposal to the US Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy to improve the efficiency, reliability and flexibility of existing coal-based power plants. The project, titled Hybrid Analytics Solution to Improve Coal Power Plant Operations (the “Hybrid Analytics” project), will develop, demonstrate and commercialize a novel approach that integrates two proven real-time monitoring techniques. The Hybrid Analytics approach integrates into a single, integrated solution: a) an established, advanced data-driven analytics solution that includes artificial intelligence, advanced pattern recognition and machine-learning techniques and b) a well-proven, first principle thermal heat balance model solution. The future role of coal plants will depend on the ability to cycle and follow loads to meet marginal power demands, accommodate renewables and support the grid. Essential to success in this new role is a plant’s ability to maintain high reliability, efficiency and flexibility. However, these changing operational demands put significant stresses on power plant components that directly impact the ability to deliver these requirements. In the past, plants have independently monitored performance using physics-based solutions (heat rate, boiler losses, etc.) and reliability using data-driven analytics (advanced pattern recognition). The Hybrid Analytics solution integrates both approaches to enhance fault detection, provide automated diagnostics and estimates of remaining time to act, and provide critical, enhanced and accurate real-time information to coal plant operators. As a result, coal plants can improve efficiency, reliability, and flexibility and can cost-effectively maintain their key role in the power delivery system.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2021

Development of a Modular, Crushed-Rock Thermal Energy Storage Pilot Design

The goal of this project, primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, is to design a next-step pilot to advance near-term energy storage integrated with a fossil plant to provide a facility capable of being viable and effective in a market with growing penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE). Thermal energy storage (TES) represents an ideal technology for this purpose. The current effort will complete a feasibility study to prepare for the Phase II pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED) for implementing a crushed-rock TES system integrated with a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plant. The crushed rock storage technology, which is being developed by Brenmiller Energy, is a modular TES system termed bGen™, which can accommodate both thermal and electrical inputs and output steam, hot water, or hot air. For this application, the estimated efficiency is 80% thermal to thermal. The TES technology is being designed to operate on a slipstream from NYPA’s Eugene W. Zeltmann Power Project (Zeltmann) natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plant. The projected size of the system will be up to 4 MWe with at least 4 hours of storage duration, or 16 MWh-e total. Final sizing is being determined during the ongoing feasibility study. The next-step pilot being designed as part of the current project will represent a 5-fold increase in scale for this TES technology, and will be used to validate the technology’s ability to provide effective and economical energy storage. This pilot would represent the next-to-last demonstration scale before the technology could be commercial ready at GWh-e scales in the 2030 timeframe. This project is expected to design the critical next-step pilot, which will be undertaken in real-world operating conditions to better determine the crushed rock TES technology’s ability to be integrated with an NGCC plant and assess degradation over transient cycling at rates befitting various marketplaces. The crushed-rock TES pilot design is a technically feasible next step in the development of the technology and is built upon years of prior testing and demonstration. The proposed TES technology was developed by Brenmiller over the last 8 years and has been tested in 3 generations of demonstration units at various sites, globally. During this field testing, different characteristics and performance of the technology were validated, including the following key features: energy storage capacity, energy storage charge/discharge rate, energy storage loses, energy storage mechanical testing. This presentation will provide an update on the results of the conceptual design study for the modular crushed-rock TES system, integrated with a NGCC power plant.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Data for An Orphan Gene BOOSTER Enhances Photosynthetic Efficiency and Plant Productivity

Seeds of Col-0 wild type, sig6 T-DNA mutants (CS877785, ABRC), PRL-1-OE, and sig6 T-DNA mutants transfected with PRL-1 (sig6::PRL-1) were planted in 1/2 MS media. Seedlings growth including chlorophyll development defects were investigated across the genotypes. Four-days-old-post-light exposure seedlings were harvested and performed RNAseq analysis with four biological replicates.

Biomass Analytics↗