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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 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

The Continuum from Energy Codes to Advanced Technologies: A New Approach to Training

In July of 2020, the unamended 2018 IECC became the statewide energy code for the state of Nebraska. This represented a significant energy code advancement over the previous code – the 2009 IECC. To support the implementation of the new code, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), along with in-state partners, including the Nebraska Energy Office and the Nebraska Code Officials Association, applied for and received a FOA award for an integrated and innovative training and education program.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

New Mexico: New Mexico's Clean Energy Resources and Economy [Brochure]

New Mexico is poised to become a leader in clean energy production, thanks to its exceptional renewable resources—particularly the solar energy potential of its southern deserts. From 2010 to 2011, New Mexico’s solar photovoltaic capacity nearly tripled from 43 megawatts (MW) to 116 MW, placing New Mexico fourth in the nation. Concentrated solar thermal generation plants have the potential to further develop this resource. Geothermal activity in the northern Rocky Mountain areas has significant energy production potential; there are also pockets of strong wind resources across the state. New Mexico’s state energy policies and utility incentive programs aim to take full advantage of these resources. In 2012, 4.4% of electricity in New Mexico was generated from renewable resources. New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard requires that this rate increase to 20% by 2020 for investor-owned utilities and 10% for cooperatives. In addition to its Renewable Portfolio Standard, personal and corporate tax credits are available for alternative energy production and efficient building development. To encourage conservation, New Mexico has also adopted an energy efficiency standard. Its goal is to reduce energy consumption relative to 2005 levels—5% by 2014 and 10% by 2020. New Mexico also boasts several utility rebate programs for energy efficient appliance purchases.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Support Federal Facility Decarbonization

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) plays a key role in helping agencies understand and meet energy-related goals, including those surrounding smart buildings technologies and grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs), which can support decarbonization. GEB enables demand flexibility that has the potential to reduce electrical infrastructure costs and transform the grid edge, where buildings connect to the power grid.

decarbonization↗
DOE OSTI2012

International Review of Frameworks for Standard Setting & Labeling Development

As appliance energy efficiency standards and labeling (S&L) programs reach a broader geographic and product scope, a series of sophisticated and complex technical and economic analyses have been adopted by different countries in the world to support and enhance these growing S&L programs. The initial supporting techno-economic and impact analyses for S&L development make up a defined framework and process for setting and developing appropriate appliance efficiency standards and labeling programs. This report reviews in-depth the existing framework for standards setting and label development in the well-established programs of the U.S., Australia and the EU to identify and evaluate major trends in how and why key analyses are undertaken and to understand major similarities and differences between each of the frameworks.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Compliance and Verification of Standards and Labeling Programs in China: Lessons Learned

After implementing several energy efficiency standards and labels (30 products covered by MEPS, 50 products covered by voluntary labels and 19 products by mandatory labels), the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) is now implementing verification and compliance mechanism to ensure that the energy information of labeled products comply with the requirements of their labels. CNIS is doing so by organizing check testing on a random basis for room air-conditioners, refrigerators, motors, heaters, computer displays, ovens, and self -ballasted lamps. The purpose of the check testing is to understand the implementation of the Chinese labeling scheme and help local authorities establishing effective compliance mechanisms. In addition, to ensure robustness and consistency of testing results, CNIS has coordinated a round robin testing for room air conditioners. Eight laboratories (Chinese (6), Australian (1) and Japanese (1)) have been involved in the round robin testing and tests were performed on four sets of samples selected from manufacturer's production line. This paper describes the methodology used in undertaking both check and round robin testing, provides analysis of testing results and reports on the findings. The analysis of both check and round robin testing demonstrated the benefits of a regularized verification and monitoring system for both laboratories and products such as (i) identifying the possible deviations between laboratories to correct them, (ii) improving the quality of testing facilities, (iii) ensuring the accuracy and reliability of energy label information in order to strength the social credibility of the labeling program and the enforcement mechanism in place.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Evaluation of Boulder, CO, SmartRegs Ordinance and Better Buildings Program

Under the SmartRegs ordinance in the city of Boulder, Colorado, all rental properties in the city must achieve an energy efficiency level comparable to a HERS Index of approximately 120 points or lower by the year 2019. The City of Boulder received a $\$$12 million grant from the DOE's Better Buildings initiative to create and incentivize their EnergySmart Program. In this report, the Consortium forAdvanced Residential Buildings (CARB) describes its work with the program, including energy audits of rental properties, developing training programs for insulators and inspectors, and conducting interviews with property owners.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2011

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Improves Cooling System Performance: Best Management Practice Case Study #10: Cooling Towers (Fact Sheet)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a longstanding sustainability program that revolves around energy and water efficiency as well as environmental protection. MSFC identified a problematic cooling loop with six separate compressor heat exchangers and a history of poor efficiency. The facility engineering team at MSFC partnered withFlozone Services, Incorporated to implement a comprehensive water treatment platform to improve the overall efficiency of the system.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1982

Energy efficient engine combustor test hardware detailed design report

The combustor for the Energy Efficient Engine is an annular, two-zone component. As designed, it either meets or exceeds all program goals for performance, safety, durability, and emissions, with the exception of oxides of nitrogen. When compared to the configuration investigated under the NASA-sponsored Experimental Clean Combustor Program, which was used as a basis for design, the Energy Efficient Engine combustor component has several technology advancements. The prediffuser section is designed with short, strutless, curved-walls to provide a uniform inlet airflow profile. Emissions control is achieved by a two-zone combustor that utilizes two types of fuel injectors to improve fuel atomization for more complete combustion. The combustor liners are a segmented configuration to meet the durability requirements at the high combustor operating pressures and temperatures. Liner cooling is accomplished with a counter-parallel FINWALL technique, which provides more effective heat transfer with less coolant.

Zeisser, M. H.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the 2009 and 2012 IECC Residential Provisions – Technical Support Document

This analysis was conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program (BECP). DOE supports the development and adoption of efficient residential and commercial building energy codes. These codes set the minimum requirements for energy efficient building design and construction and ensure energy savings on a national level. This analysis focuses on one and two family dwellings, townhomes, and low-rise multifamily residential buildings. For these buildings, the basis of the energy codes is the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). This report does not address commercial and high-rise residential buildings, which reference ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1.

Mendon, Vrushali V.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Connected Thermostat Alternatives for Room Air Conditioners and Minisplit Heat Pumps

The availability of smart, connected thermostats has improved climate control, energy efficiency, and grid demand-response programs for central HVAC systems. However, a significant gap exists in addressing integrated control systems for point-source heating and cooling systems such as window air-conditioners (window ACs) and mini-split heat pumps (MSHPs). This report examines the emerging market of third-party connected thermostats tailored for these systems, focusing on their effectiveness, reliability, and potential barriers to adoption.This study evaluates several commercially available products designed for room ACs and MSHPs through a series of laboratory tests. While these infrared-based (IR-based) thermostats offer remote temperature control and scheduling via mobile apps, our findings reveal that none are seamless, with reliability of basic functions being a critical factor. Promising features include integration of indoor air quality metrics and time-of-use pricing, but the latter are not yet available in the U.S. Barriers to broad user acceptance include non-seamless setup processes, challenges in thermostat placement, and unclear product differentiation. There is a pressing need for research and development in enabling MSHPs and central thermostats to coordinate, enhancing energy savings and comfort in retrofit applications. This study underscores the importance of further innovation in connected thermostat technology to address the diverse needs of single-zone HVAC systems and promote efficient energy management in households.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Building a Clean Energy Workforce: Best Practices for State Energy Offices

As federal investments into the clean energy economy are underway, State Energy Offices (SEOs) are engaging in efforts to grow the workforce through the creation and/or funding of workforce initiatives that recruit, train and support pathways into energy efficiency and clean energy jobs. This report provides a summary of clean energy workforce development best practices, supplemented by case studies and lessons learned from several SEOs that showcase these strategies in practice. SEOs can reference this resource as they implement, manage, oversee, and/or evaluate efforts their offices are undertaking through various federally funded programs.

clean energy↗
DOE OSTI2023

Home Energy Efficiency for the Hill District

The Hill District neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania worked with the U.S. Department of Energy through the Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program) pilot to explore strategies that improve residential energy efficiency, support the transition to renewable energy, and identify potential funding streams for increased neighborhood investment. Communities LEAP is supporting clean energy transitions in 24 communities across the United States that are facing energy-related challenges.

community↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrated Spatial, Spectral, & Temporal Optical Reflectance System for Precision Occupancy & Location Sensing to Improve Building Energy Efficiency

Buildings consume approximately 35% of the electricity used in the U.S. and building owners can significantly reduce this energy use by providing services like heating, electrical power and lighting only when people are present. The ARPAe funded program titled “INTEGRATED SPATIAL, SPECTRAL, & TEMPORAL OPTICAL REFLECTANCE SYSTEM FOR PRECISION OCCUPANCY & LOCATION SENSING TO IMPROVE BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY” demonstrates how a low cost sensor technology developed for measuring distances can be used to count and locate occupants with a high degree of precision with a very low error rates. This platform tells a building control system where occupants are located (but not who they are) so that energy consuming services can be provided only when the services are needed by building occupants. The original proof of concept involved using low cost, commercially available time-of-flight (TOF) sensors that measure distance, but the performance of these existing sensors was lacking, as they could not operate properly in the presence of sunlight, which blinded the simple TOF sensors and limited their utility in buildings. This project proposed a powerful new class of TOF sensors that used state-of-the-art integrated circuit (IC) fabrication processes that combined advanced photonics with conventional silicon chip circuitry for improved sensor performance. An equally important part of this project was to find ways to maximize occupant count and location accuracy while using the fewest number of sensors possible, in order to keep costs low. By using building blueprints to create digital twins of commercial building spaces, the team developed new algorithms to maximize occupant count and tracking accuracy by properly locating the minimum number of sensors at just the right spots in the building. This capability not only minimizes system costs but also simplified sensor installation and system commissioning. Our simulations of our sensor networks for a range of commercial floorplan designs demonstrated that our installed cost target of $0.08/sqft was attainable, though not fully demonstrated during the project. Finally, we noted that the TOF sensor concept could provide a valuable role in health and eldercare by tracking patients without the need for worn sensors and would be useful for fall detection and other patient safety metrics, including tracking healthcare/patient interactions. We feel that, when fully developed, this new class of sophisticated TOF sensors and support software will be a powerful new approach to improving building energy efficiency based on occupant centric control platforms and will also open new levels of patient safety in healthcare operations. To realize this potential, the team formed the Troy Sensor Company LLC to oversee licensing of the programs patents and continue to seek commercialization of this program’s activity sensing technologies.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2014

Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy Annual Report for FY2013

This report presents a summary of the activities of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) during Fiscal Year 2013 (FY2013). In FY2013, ARPA-E issued funding solicitations and selected projects for three new programs covering a broad array of energy technologies, including: $36 million to develop transformational energy storage technologies for electric vehicles; $32 million to develop cost-effective, energy-efficient manufacturing techniques for processing and recycling lightweight metals; and $34 million to develop transformational biological technologies to convert natural gas to liquids for transportation fuels. ARPA-E announced two additional funding opportunities in FY2013 with project selections that were ultimately announced in FY2014. These programs include $27 million to develop next-generation power switching devices that improve energy efficiency in a wide range of applications – including new lighting technologies, computer power supplies, industrial motor drives, and automobiles – and $30 million to advance solar energy beyond current photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. Altogether, technologies funded through these five programs have the potential to transform the way we generate, use, and store energy. In September 2013, ARPA-E also began utilizing Innovative Development in Energy-Related Applied Science (OPEN IDEAS), a rolling open solicitation that will allow ARPA-E to quickly support innovative applied energy research that has the potential to lead to new focused programs. In addition to these new programs, ARPA-E hosted the fourth annual Energy Innovation Summit from February 25-27, 2013. The Summit brought together leaders from academia, government, and business to discuss the foremost energy issues, showcase the latest technology innovations, and cultivate relationships to help advance cutting-edge technologies to market. The event drew over 2,200 attendees from 49 states and 26 countries and featured over 150 speakers and keynote addresses. At the Summit, ARPA-E recognized several preliminary indicators of likely project success, including that 17 projects had attracted over $450 million in private sector follow-on funding after ARPA-E's initial investment of approximately $70 million. Finally, ARPA-E continued to focus on providing awardees with practical training and critical business information as part of the Agency's Technology-to-Market program. This support equips projects with a clear understanding of market needs to guide technical development and help projects succeed.

Martin, C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Energy efficient engine: High pressure turbine uncooled rig technology report

Results obtained from testing five performance builds (three vane cascades and two rotating rigs of the Energy Efficient Engine uncooled rig have established the uncooled aerodynamic efficiency of the high-pressure turbine at 91.1 percent. This efficiency level was attained by increasing the rim speed and annulus area (AN(2)), and by increasing the turbine reaction level. The increase in AN(2) resulted in a performance improvement of 1.15 percent. At the design point pressure ratio, the increased reaction level rig demonstrated an efficiency of 91.1 percent. The results of this program have verified the aerodynamic design assumptions established for the Energy Efficient Engine high-pressure turbine component.

Gardner, W. B.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Developing Subgrantee Administrative Training for the Weatherization Assistance Program

During Fiscal Years (FY) 2019 and 2020, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a series of online trainings for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to support Subgrantee administrative professionals. NREL and its subcontractor developed a series of online administrative trainings for WAP Subgrantees. In total, 29 administrative training courses were developed for WAP Subgrantees, focused on the following job roles: Weatherization Director, Fiscal Manage, Quality Assurance Manager. As of September 8, 2020, 2,840 users in nearly all WAP Grantee jurisdictions had registered with the learning management system and completed over 23,000 courses. This report provides a summary of the development process, rollout, and outreach to the WAP network, user response, and lessons learned.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

Development of a Low Cost 10kW Tubular SOFC Power System

The DOE program funded from 2003 through early 2013 has brought the Acumentrics SOFC program from an early stage R&D program to an entry level commercial product offering. The development work started as one of the main core teams under the DOE Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) program administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the DOE. During the first phase of the program, lasting approximately 3-4 years, a 5kW machine was designed, manufactured and tested against the specification developed by NETL. This unit was also shipped to NETL for independent verification testing which validated all of the results achieved while in the laboratory at Acumentrics. The Acumentrics unit passed all criteria established from operational stability, efficiency, and cost projections. Passing of the SECA Phase I test allowed the program to move into Phase II of the program. During this phase, the overall objective was to further refine the unit meeting a higher level of performance stability as well as further cost reductions. During the first year of this new phase, the NETL SECA program was refocused towards larger size units and operation on coal gasification due to the severe rise in natural gas prices and refocus on the US supply of indigenous coal. At this point, the program was shifted to the U.S. DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) division located in Golden, Colorado. With this shift, the focus remained on smaller power units operational on gaseous fuels for a variety of applications including micro combined heat and power (mCHP). To achieve this goal, further enhancements in power, life expectancy and reductions in cost were necessary. The past 5 years have achieved these goals with machines that can now achieve over 40% electrical efficiency and field units that have now operated for close to a year and a half with minimal maintenance. The following report details not only the first phase while under the SECA program and the key achievements but also the results while under EERE’s leadership and the transition to an early commercial product offering.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Battery Test Manual For Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This battery test procedure manual was prepared for the United States Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle Technologies Program. It is based on technical targets established for energy storage development projects aimed at meeting system level DOE goals for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). The specific procedures defined in this manual support the performance and life characterization of advanced battery devices under development for PHEV’s. However, it does share some methods described in the previously published battery test manual for power-assist hybrid electric vehicles. Due to the complexity of some of the procedures and supporting analysis, a revision including some modifications and clarifications of these procedures is expected. As in previous battery and capacitor test manuals, this version of the manual defines testing methods for full-size battery systems, along with provisions for scaling these tests for modules, cells or other subscale level devices.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗