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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 91 records · Page 5

Max Tech Appliance Design: Potential for Maximizing U.S. Energy Savings through Standards

This study surveyed the technical potential for efficiency improvements in 150 categories of appliances and equipment representing 33 quads of primary energy use across the US economy in 2010 and (1) documented efficient product designs, (2) identified the most promising cross-cutting strategies, and (3) ranked national energy savings potential by end use. Savings were estimated using a method modeled after US Department of Energy priority-setting reports - simplified versions of the full technical and economic analyses performed for rulemakings. This study demonstrates that large savings are possible by replacing products at the end-of-life with ultra-efficient models that use existing technology. Replacing the 50 top energy-saving end-uses (constituting 30 quads of primary energy consumption in 2010) with today's best-on-market equivalents would save {approx}200 quads of US primary energy over 30 years (25% of consumption anticipated there from). For the 29 products for maximum feasible savings potential could be estimated, the savings were twice as high. These results demonstrate that pushing ultra-efficient products to market could significantly escalate carbon emission reductions and is a viable strategy for sustaining large emissions reductions through standards. The results of this analysis were used by DOE for new coverage prioritization, to identify key opportunities for product prototyping and market development, and will leverage future standards rulemakings by identifying the full scope of maximum feasible technology options. High leverage products include advances lighting systems, HVAC, and televisions. High leverage technologies include electronic lighting, heat pumps, variable speed motors, and a host of controls-related technologies.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Appliance Standard Testing

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance Standards and Equipment Program tests, sets and helps enforce efficiency standards on more than 60 U.S. products. A majority of that testing is performed at the Intertek laboratory in Cortland, NY.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Realistic operation of two residential cordwood-fired outdoor hydronic heater appliances—Part 2: Particle number and size

The use of wood as a fuel for home heating is a concern from an environmental health and safety perspective as biomass combustion appliances emit high concentrations of particulate matter. Wood burning significantly contributes to wintertime particulate matter concentrations in many states in the northern United States. Of particular concern are outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters. These devices are concerning as they tend to have very large combustion chambers and typical use patterns can result in long periods of low output, which result in an increased particulate matter emission rate relative to high heat output operating conditions. In this study, the performance of two hydronic heaters operating under different combustion conditions, including four different heat output categories approximately corresponding to categories I–IV denoted in Environmental Protection Agency Method 28 Outdoor Wood-fired Hydronic Heaters, and during start-up and reloading events were investigated. Measurements of flue gas particulate number concentration and size for particles with aerodynamic diameters between 0.006 and 10 µm were made using a dilution sampling system. The measured particle number concentration in the flue gas was between 0.71 and 420 million particles per cubic centimeter and was dependent on fuel loading and heat output. For each hydronic heater tested, the highest average particle concentration was found at the beginning of each test during the cold-start condition. Additionally, the majority of the particles had aerodynamic diameters less than 0.100 µm (particles of this size made up between 64% and 97% of all particles) and less than 1% of all particles had aerodynamic diameters greater than 1 µm for all phases. For particles in the accumulation mode, between 0.100 and 1 µm, the mean particle diameter was dependent on fuel loading and heat output.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Stochastic Optimal Scheduling of Residential Appliances with Renewable Energy Sources

This paper proposes a stochastic, multi-objective optimization model within a Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework, to determine the optimal operational schedules of residential appliances operating in the presence of renewable energy source (RES). The objective function minimizes the weighted sum of discomfort, energy cost, total and peak electricity consumption, and carbon footprint. A heuristic method is developed for combining different objective components. The proposed stochastic model utilizes Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) for representing uncertainties in electricity price, outdoor temperature, RES generation, water usage, and non-controllable loads. The proposed model is solved using a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) solver and numerical results show the validity of the model. Case studies show the benefit of using the proposed optimization model.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

A Hierarchical Control Architecture: Utilization of Behind-the-Meter Appliances with Increased Visibility and Controllability

Optimal operations of distribution systems to enhance reliability and resiliency can be achieved if information with higher fidelity can be accessed from grid premise devices. This paper discusses a hierarchical control architecture that can introduce higher visibility and controllability by utilizing the estimated injection and absorption of different behind-the-meter controllable loads, and DERs, including EVs, within a premise. The acquired information is used to make control decisions for scheduling the premise appliances to reduce energy consumptions. The premise controller can also optimize the consumptions on a day-to-day basis in addition to taking input signals from the utility operators to support grid-service events (e.g., peak shaving). The entire control architecture is designed in a modular and scalable fashion that provides benefits to the utility from the reuse of existing infrastructure while creating opportunities for various grid services to be enabled by the operation of premise controllers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Grid Friendly Appliance Controllers to Increase the Dynamic Stability of Networked Resiliency-based Microgrids

Microgrids provide the ability to maintain service to critical end-use loads when utility service is not available. Despite their ability to increase resiliency, they can have high capital and operating costs; this can be compounded by the complexities associated with low inertia systems. One option to mitigate the costs is to more effectively engage the assets within the microgrids, specifically the end-use loads. Previous work has shown that by using Grid Friendly™ Appliance controllers, it is possible to increase the dynamic stability of multiple microgrids during switching transients, without the need to oversize generation assets or to install energy storage devices. Building on the previous work, this paper will present a method for determining the set-points of decentralized controllers, accounting for the different characteristics and sizes of loads, to facilitate multiple microgrid switching operations. By effectively engaging the end-use load as a resource, the switching operations necessary to network low inertia microgrid for resiliency applications can be supported without the need to oversize generation assets or for energy storage.

GridLAB-D, Distribution Analysis↗

IGMS: An Integrated ISO-to-Appliance Scale Grid Modeling System

This paper describes the Integrated Grid Modeling System (IGMS), a novel electric power system modeling platform for integrated transmission-distribution analysis that co-simulates off-the-shelf tools on high performance computing (HPC) platforms to offer unprecedented resolution from ISO markets down to appliances and other end uses. Specifically, the system simultaneously models hundreds or thousands of distribution systems in co-simulation with detailed Independent System Operator (ISO) markets and AGC-level reserve deployment. IGMS uses a new MPI-based hierarchical co-simulation framework to connect existing sub-domain models. Our initial efforts integrate opensource tools for wholesale markets (FESTIV), bulk AC power flow (MATPOWER), and full-featured distribution systems including physics-based end-use and distributed generation models (many instances of GridLAB-D[TM]). The modular IGMS framework enables tool substitution and additions for multi-domain analyses. This paper describes the IGMS tool, characterizes its performance, and demonstrates the impacts of the coupled simulations for analyzing high-penetration solar PV and price responsive load scenarios.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Enabling Resiliency Operations across Multiple Microgrids with Grid Friendly Appliance Controllers

Changes in economic, technological, and environmental policies are resulting in a re-evaluation of the dependence on large central generation facilities and their associated transmission networks. Emerging concepts of smart communities/cities are examining the potential to leverage cleaner sources of generation, as well as integrating electricity generation with other municipal functions. When grid connected, these generation assets can supplement the existing interconnections with the bulk transmission system, and in the event of an extreme event, they can provide power via a collection of microgrids. To achieve the highest level of resiliency, it may be necessary to conduct switching operations to interconnect individual microgrids. While the interconnection of multiple microgrids can increase the resiliency of the system, the associated switching operations can cause large transients in low inertia microgrids. The combination of low system inertia and IEEE 1547 and 1547a-compliant inverters can prevent multiple microgrids from being interconnected during extreme weather events. This study will present a method of using end-use loads equipped with Grid Friendly™ Appliance controllers to facilitate the switching operations between multiple microgrids; operations that are necessary for optimal operations when islanded for resiliency.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in New California Homes with Gas Appliances and Mechanical Ventilation

Substantial energy is used to condition the air that enters California homes through leaks in the building envelope and ductwork - typically about a third of all heating and cooling. Reducing this through air sealing is essential to California achieving zero energy homes. However, this outdoor air also dilutes pollutants emitted inside homes and contributes to a healthy indoor environment and acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). To address this IAQ issue, California’s Title 24 Building Standards have required mechanical ventilation in new homes since 2008. This report presents a comprehensive study of the impacts of these requirements in recently constructed homes with natural gas appliances. The study included a survey about satisfaction and activities that impact IAQ; a field study of homes built to 2008 or later; and simulations assessing how various ventilation rates would impact chronic exposures to an indoor emitted pollutant as air tightness improves in California. The report focuses on the field study; the webbased survey and simulation elements are described in appendices. The field study characterized 70 homes built between 2011 and 2017. Each home was monitored over roughly one week with the dwelling unit mechanical ventilation system operating and windows closed. Pollutant measurements included time-resolved fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) indoors and outdoors, and formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) indoors. Time-integrated measurements were made for formaldehyde, NO 2 and nitrogen oxides (NO X ) indoors and outdoors at all homes. Activity monitoring devices were installed on the cooktop, range hood and other exhaust fans, and the heating and cooling system. The field study found that most homes met most ventilation requirements and the dwelling unit ventilation fans on average moved 50% more airflow than the minimum specified in Title 24. Air pollutant concentrations were similar or lower than those reported in a study of recent construction California new homes conducted in 2007-08. Notably, the median formaldehyde level was 38% lower than in the prior study. Measured concentrations were below health guidelines for most pollutants, indicating that IAQ is acceptable in new California homes when dwelling unit mechanical ventilation is used. However, the dwelling unit mechanical ventilation fans were only operating in one quarter of the homes when first visited and the control switches in many homes did not have informative labels as required by the standards. Corrective action needs to be taken to improve labeling and controls for ventilation systems.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Portable appliance security apparatus

An apparatus for securing a small computer, or other portable appliance, against theft is described. It is comprised of a case having an open back through which the computer is installed or removed. Guide members in the form of slots are formed in a rear portion of opposite walls of the case for receiving a back plate to cover the opening and thereby secure the computer within the case. An opening formed in the top wall of the case exposes the keyboard and display of the computer. The back plate is locked in the closed position by a key-operated plug type lock. The lock is attached to one end of a hold down cable, the opposite end thereof being secured to a desk top or other stationary object. Thus, the lock simultaneously secures the back plate to the case and retains the case to the stationary object.

Kerley, J. J.↗

Hair Styling Appliances

Key tool of Redken Laboratories new line of hair styling appliances is an instrument called a thermograph, a heat sensing device originally developed by Hughes Aircraft Co. under U.S. Army and NASA funding. Redken Laboratories bought one of the early models of the Hughes Probeye Thermal Video System or TVS which detects the various degrees of heat emitted by an object and displays the results in color on a TV monitor with colors representing different temperatures detected.

Source record↗

Enabling Graph Appliance for Genome Assembly

In recent years, there has been a huge growth in the amount of genomic data available as reads generated from various genome sequencers. The number of reads generated can be huge, ranging from hundreds to billions of nucleotide, each varying in size. Assembling such large amounts of data is one of the challenging computational problems for both biomedical and data scientists. Most of the genome assemblers developed have used de Bruijn graph techniques. A de Bruijn graph represents a collection of read sequences by billions of vertices and edges, which require large amounts of memory and computational power to store and process. This is the major drawback to de Bruijn graph assembly. Massively parallel, multi-threaded, shared memory systems can be leveraged to overcome some of these issues. The objective of our research is to investigate the feasibility and scalability issues of de Bruijn graph assembly on Cray s Urika-GD system; Urika-GD is a high performance graph appliance with a large shared memory and massively multithreaded custom processor designed for executing SPARQL queries over large-scale RDF data sets. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no research on representing a de Bruijn graph as an RDF graph or finding Eulerian paths in RDF graphs using SPARQL for potential genome discovery. In this paper, we address the issues involved in representing a de Bruin graphs as RDF graphs and propose an iterative querying approach for finding Eulerian paths in large RDF graphs. We evaluate the performance of our implementation on real world ebola genome datasets and illustrate how genome assembly can be accomplished with Urika-GD using iterative SPARQL queries.

Big data↗

Condenser assembly system for an appliance

An appliance includes a compact condenser assembly formed with at least two separately and independently produced wire on tube condensers. Each of the at least two wire on tube condensers has a condenser inlet and a condenser outlet. The at least two wire on tube condensers are at least substantially locked and positioned in a matingly engaged configuration forming a compact condenser assembly. The at least two wire on tube condensers are configured to be operationally connected in at least one of a parallel configuration, a series configuration, a selectable configuration, and a bypass configuration.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Voltage stability smart meter for analyzing voltage data and controlling an electrical power source and/or an electric appliance

Systems and methods for voltage stability monitoring and active/reactive power support are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a smart electric meter of an end user in a grid power system can measure the voltage supplied to the end user via the grid power system, and can analyze the voltage data to detect critical voltage characteristics. The critical voltage characteristics may indicate that a voltage collapse event is likely. The smart electric meter can further estimate a voltage stability margin based on the voltage data. If necessary, the smart electric meter can control an electrical power source and/or an electric appliance positioned at or near the end user to increase the voltage stability margin.

Min, Liang↗