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DOE OSTI2022

Bioenergy Feedstock Library Annual Summary Report

The Bioenergy Feedstock Library (BFL), part of the Biomass Feedstock National User Facility (BFNUF) located at INL, is a physical sample repository and a web-accessible electronic database. The BFL stores physical and chemical characteristics of biomass and waste carbon sources for energy use as well as samples generated from across U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) funded projects. The objective of this Bioenergy Feedstock Library Annual Summary Report for 2022 is to focus on the (1) publicly available analytical data and equipment tracked through the BFNUF, (2) physical samples available for request, (3) sample and data archival progress from recent BETO-funded projects, and (4) publicly available data sets created upon request from BETO, INL projects, or outside entities. This report highlights key statistics from FY22 and available data and information important for INL, BFL users, academics, and industry.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Bioenergy Feedstock Library 2023 Annual Summary Report

The Bioenergy Feedstock Library (BFL), part of the Biomass Feedstock National User Facility (BFNUF) located at INL, is a physical sample repository and a web-accessible electronic database. The BFL stores physical and chemical characteristics of biomass and waste carbon sources for energy use as well as samples generated from across U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and U.S. Department of Agriculture funded projects. The objective of this Bioenergy Feedstock Library Annual Summary Report for 2023 is to focus on the updates to (1) publicly available analytical data and equipment tracked through the BFNUF, (2) physical samples available for request, (3) sample and data archival progress from recent BETO-funded projects, and (4) publicly available datasets created upon request from BETO, INL projects, or outside entities compared to the 2022 Bioenergy Feedstock Library Annual Summary Report. This report highlights key statistics and available data and information important for INL, BFL users, academics, and industry.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Togiak Heat Recovery Project

Togiak is one of hundreds of Alaskan Native, roadless communities only accessible by boat or plane. This project constructed a heat recovery (HR) system which pipes what was previously wasted heat generated at the power plant to four nearby community buildings. The power plant houses diesel fired generators which provide electricity to the community. This project designed and constructed the system that recovers a portion of the heat produced by the generators and pipes it to the end-user buildings. The heat recovery system integrates with each building’s internal heating system. The objective is to significantly reduce the heating costs in these four community facilities. By reducing the energy use and cost in these community facilities, the local economy is strengthened by keeping the funds inside the community that were formerly used to purchase imported fuel, thereby multiplying the impact of the energy cost reduction. Energy independence is enhanced and energy resilience is increased by reducing dependence on long fuel supply chains which are easily interrupted by unpredictable natural and man-made disasters such as earthquakes, climate change, road rail and sea accidents, etc.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2020

Assessing and Reducing Plug and Process Loads in Office Buildings

Plug and process loads (PPLs) account for 33% of U.S. commercial building electricity consumption (McKenney et al. 2010). (See Figure 1.) Minimizing these loads is a significant challenge in the design and operation of an energy-efficient building. Lobato et al. (2011) and Lobato et al. (2012) define PPLs as energy loads that are not related to general lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, and water heating, and that typically do not provide comfort to the occupants. The percentage of total building energy use from PPLs is increasing. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), by 2030, commercial building energy consumption is expected to increase by 24%; PPL energy consumption is anticipated to increase by 49% in the same time frame (DOE 2010). These trends illustrate the importance of PPL energy reduction to achieve an overall goal of reducing whole-building energy consumption.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2020

Assessing and Reducing Plug and Process Loads in Retail Buildings

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Hydrogen Storage for Flexible Fossil Fuel Power Generation: Integration of Underground Hydrogen Storage with Gas Turbine (Final Report)

As the nation continues to encourage, through market structures and financial incentives, the proliferation of intermittent renewable electricity, how to optimize the ever-changing electric grid and identify means to retain and improve resilience, while ensuring continued reductions in GHG emissions, will be critical. According to Bloomberg, wind & solar generated 10.5% of US electricity in 2020 and that percentage continues to grow. In support of expanding renewable energy use, and to address its intermittent nature, this project will develop the Hydrogen Storage for Flexible Fossil Fuel Power Generation platform that is dispatchable, reliable, repeatable and have the ability to produce zero or negative carbon power while interfacing with geology capable of CO2 and hydrogen storage. GTI Energy (GTIE) and team members Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHIA), Ameren Illinois, Hexagon Purus, and the Low Carbon Resources Initiative (LCRI) completed a Phase I Conceptual Study under contract DE-FE0032012 for Hydrogen Storage for Flexible Fossil Fuel Power Generation: Integration of Underground Hydrogen Storage with Gas Turbine. The Hydrogen Storage for Flexible Fossil Fuel Power Generation platform addresses the intermittent nature of the expanding use of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) generation. The low cost of the electricity (COE) generated results in greater dispatch and more operation at higher power levels (higher efficiency), fewer short intervals, and fewer start/stop cycles. The reliable, resilient system can produce zero carbon power and store hydrogen. It will demonstrate hydrogen storage in geologic formations like those used in natural gas underground storage thus enabling large scale storage of hydrogen in sedimentary strata across the United States rather than in geographically restricted salt caverns. The Phase I study confirmed the system is feasible and generates power at lower cost than other low carbon approaches. The demonstration defines the pathway for broad commercial application and will accelerate the development of larger systems suitable for centralized utility scale electricity production. The study advanced the maturity of the H 2 storage-based system with flexible power generation by completing a Pre-FEED study (Phase II). The Pre-FEED focused on the selected Energy Farm on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) site that includes above ground and underground hydrogen storage, low-carbon hydrogen production (GTI’s Compact Hydrogen Generator, CHG) with underground CO2 sequestration, and a 40-MW class gas turbine. The Pre-FEED addressed the entire system and its interconnection to the natural gas and electric grid and mitigation of key risks, such as storage behavior, load-following, and system operation. During Phase 1 of the project, the team completed key tasks, which moved the entire demonstration project, specific components and approaches closer to commercialization. These Phase I Accomplishments include: Completing System Requirements Review; Completing System Layout and Modeling - Heat & Mass Balance and Process Flow Diagram; Completing modelling of 9 turbine performance cases; Evaluating rock strata for underground storage of hydrogen and sequestration of carbon dioxide; Completing initial modelling of underground storage of hydrogen and withdrawal with evaluation of loss and water production; Identifying roadable storage for above ground hydrogen storage; Identifying existing electrical infrastructure for receiving/delivering electricity; Identifying existing gas supply infrastructure for receiving natural gas; Document concept design/development plans in required reports. Conclusions: The 12-month Feasibility study in Phase I study was completed and confirmed the system is feasible and generates power at lower cost than other low carbon approaches and even lower cost than the reference NGCC plant without carbon capture when taking advantage of 45Q carbon credits. The study enabled the fidelity of the concept to be improved and allowed identification of the requirements for the system. Defining the individual system and component requirements was performed via the system requirements review with the whole team. These requirements were then incorporated into and iterated with our Heat & Mass Balance process model and process flow diagrams were generated to reflect the overall system. This information was then used to complete the TEA and show economic feasibility. Large scale non-salt geologic storage of hydrogen is an enabling technology for a hydrogen-fired turbine that can be retrofitted into large-scale electric generating units (EGU). Our demonstration will include 428 MWh or ~4 hours full load of hydrogen storage (above and underground). Carbon capture inherent to the CHG process can capture 90% CO 2 (with upgrades to >98%). This system provides a COE of 23% savings relative to an NGCC with a post combustion amine system. Our proposed storage system decouples carbon capture and hydrogen production from power production; therefore, we expect our proposed system’s efficiency and variable COE to be superior resulting in overall higher dispatch and reduced deep cycling. Our demonstration will be full to multi-day hydrogen storage and has the potential for longer (seasonal) duration commercially. The demonstration defines the pathway for broad commercial application and will accelerate the development of larger systems suitable for centralized utility scale electricity production.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2026

220EV Box Truck Telemetry Dataset

This dataset contains telemetry data for the 520EV refuse trucks accessed through a Veracity data platform as provided by Peterbilt. The dataset contains driving data on both electric trucks used by SWS. Data were recorded at an hourly resolution and contain energy use data while driving and idling, distance driven (miles), and driving speed (miles per hour). This dataset also contains charging data on the fast charger in kilowatt-hours for each hour.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2026

520EV Refuse Truck Telemetry Dataset

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2022

Assessing the performance of global thermostat adjustment in commercial buildings for load shifting demand response

Abstract Efficiently leveraging new sources of flexibility is critical to mitigating load balancing challenges posed by variable renewable resources. The thermal inertia of commercial buildings allows us to shift their power consumption on minute to hourly timescales to provide demand response to the grid while maintaining occupant comfort. Global thermostat adjustment (GTA) provides a readily available and scalable approach for implementing load shifting demand response using commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, since it leverages the inherent sophistication of modern building automation systems. However, there is an incomplete understanding of GTA’s performance for this purpose and its impact on building systems and occupant comfort. In this paper, we explore the performance of GTA by analyzing results from nearly nine hundred experiments on eight university campus buildings in Michigan and North Carolina. Using GTA, we manipulate each building’s thermostat setpoints causing the building to shift its power consumption with respect to its baseline. We quantify the magnitude of HVAC power response, energy use of HVAC subsystems, and impact on occupant comfort. Finally, we connect our experimental results with power system operation using an optimization model that coordinates GTA actions across a large collection of grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) to reduce high ramp rates on the grid and mitigate renewable energy curtailment. Overall, our work finds that the impacts on HVAC subsystems are often complex, and may result in additional energy being consumed by fans and terminal reheat. These effects must be considered when using GTA for load shifting. Additionally, we demonstrate that occupant comfort, as assessed by indoor temperature and humidity, can be maintained during GTA events. From a societal perspective, our modeling work finds that the additional renewable energy that can be integrated through the use of GTA strategies eclipses any additional energy consumed by buildings.

Keskar, Aditya (ORCID:0000000244617980)↗

DOE OSTI2022

Challenges and Lessons Learned from an Analysis of Three Zero Energy Buildings

Zero energy buildings, or zero energy ready buildings, which are designed and operated by public or private commercial property owners can play an important role in reducing carbon emissions. This paper discusses lessons learned and key takeaways from an in-depth analysis of three zero energy buildings that took an integrated design and construction approach to significantly reduce energy use. Two of these projects are new construction and one is a retrofit to zero energy. Findings are based on project literature review, data analysis, and in-depth interviews with the building design teams and staff who were involved during the design, construction, and operation of the buildings. The paper addresses value proposition and cost data in such a way that other building owners can replicate the strategies and technology solutions in response to regulatory mandates or organizational goals. It also provides details on operational improvements taken at each zero energy building to enhance energy performance and increase the potential for load flexibility, and discusses challenges and lessons gleaned from design teams and building staff. The findings serve as a reference for building owners, designers, engineers, contractors, or others interested in, or involved with, the design, construction, or use of new or existing buildings. The paper also includes recommended pathways for widespread adoption of zero energy strategies that can be applied in various locations.

ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION↗

DOE OSTI2025

Opportunities for iron and steel industrial wastewater treatment and reuse in the United States

Concerns around water security in the United States have heightened the interest in industrial water treatment and reuse to improve water efficiency and operational reliability. Alongside nationwide efforts to expand industrial capacity, primary manufacturing sectors are adopting more resource-efficient technologies. This transition is expected to shift industrial water consumption patterns, driving the need for improved treatment and reuse practices. This study investigates opportunities for water use, treatment, and reuse in the iron and steel sector through a review of academic and industry literature and interviews with industry representatives. It identifies key challenges in water and wastewater management and outlines the conditions under which innovative treatment technologies could be deployed. Based on these insights, the study presents a practical water management action plan. Furthermore, it assesses water quality targets across different process operations, evaluates existing treatment technologies, and highlights challenges and opportunities for improvement relative to future performance expectations. Although water is often perceived as a low-cost commodity, industry feedback suggests that improvements in water use and treatment efficiency are typically prioritized only when they also reduce energy use, carbon emissions, or costs. This study advocates for a direct two-way partnership between industry and research audiences to bring their attention toward sustainable industrial water use, treatment, and reuse.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Iterative X-ray spectroscopic ptychography

Spectroscopic ptychography is a powerful technique to determine the chemical composition of a sample with high spatial resolution. In spectro-ptychography, a sample is rastered through a focused X-ray beam with varying photon energy so that a series of phaseless diffraction data are recorded. Each chemical component in the material under investigation has a characteristic absorption and phase contrast as a function of photon energy. Using a dictionary formed by the set of contrast functions of each energy for each chemical component, it is possible to obtain the chemical composition of the material from high-resolution multi-spectral images. This paper presents SPA (spectroscopic ptychography with alternating direction method of multipliers), a novel algorithm to iteratively solve the spectroscopic blind ptychography problem. First, a nonlinear spectro-ptychography model based on Poisson maximum likelihood is designed, and then the proposed method is constructed on the basis of fast iterative splitting operators. SPA can be used to retrieve spectral contrast when considering either a known or an incomplete (partially known) dictionary of reference spectra. By coupling the redundancy across different spectral measurements, the proposed algorithm can achieve higher reconstruction quality when compared with standard state-of-the-art two-step methods. It is demonstrated how SPA can recover accurate chemical maps from Poisson-noised measurements, and its enhanced robustness when reconstructing reduced-redundancy ptychography data using large scanning step sizes is shown.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2022

If One GEB is Good, a Community of GEBs is Better

Energy efficient, connected, grid-interactive, smart and flexible buildings are key to decarbonization, lowering energy use and improving the nation’s electricity grid. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Connected Communities initiative works to demonstrate how coordinated groups of highly efficient buildings combined with other distributed energy resources (DERs), such as electric vehicle (EV) charging, batteries, storage, demand response and photovoltaic (PV) generation can reliably and cost-effectively serve as grid assets by strategically deploying efficiency and demand flexibility while reducing carbon emissions. In 2021, DOE competitively awarded $61 million to a diverse portfolio of 10 pilot projects to promote grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) working together to reliably and cost-effectively serve as grid assets while decarbonizing. Two of the main tenets of the program are measuring the communities’ energy and carbon performance and understanding how to replicate project successes in other communities. This paper begins with a discussion of what Connected Communities are (including a brief history) and their many benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and increased building efficiency and demand flexibility. Next, it provides an overview of the 10 projects, highlighting the diversity of approaches to measure success and replicate the projects: geographic locations; building types; utility, regulatory, market environments; and building vintages that will be used to test the ability of buildings to serve as grid resources. It concludes with a discussion of anticipated project impacts and the metrics that will be used to evaluate the Connected Communities projects.

Nemtzow, David↗

DOE OSTI2021

Low-energy Scattering and Effective Interactions of Two Baryons at $m_{\pi}\sim$ 450 MeV from Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics

The interactions between two octet baryons are studied at low energies using lattice QCD (LQCD) with larger-than-physical quark masses corresponding to a pion mass of $m_{\pi}\sim 450$ MeV and a kaon mass of $m_{K}\sim 596$ MeV. The two-baryon systems that are analyzed range from strangeness $S=0$ to $S=-4$ and include the spin-singlet and triplet $NN$, $\Sigma N$ ($I=3/2$), and $\Xi\Xi$ states, the spin-singlet $\Sigma\Sigma$ ($I=2$) and $\Xi\Sigma$ ($I=3/2$) states, and the spin-triplet $\Xi N$ ($I=0$) state. The $s$-wave scattering phase shifts, low-energy scattering parameters, and binding energies when applicable, are extracted using L\"uscher's formalism. While the results are consistent with most of the systems being bound at this pion mass, the interactions in the spin-triplet $\Sigma N$ and $\Xi\Xi$ channels are found to be repulsive and do not support bound states. Using results from previous studies at a larger pion mass, an extrapolation of the binding energies to the physical point is performed and is compared with experimental values and phenomenological predictions. The low-energy coefficients in pionless EFT relevant for two-baryon interactions, including those responsible for $SU(3)$ flavor-symmetry breaking, are constrained. The $SU(3)$ symmetry is observed to hold approximately at the chosen values of the quark masses, as well as the $SU(6)$ spin-flavor symmetry, predicted at large $N_c$. A remnant of an accidental $SU(16)$ symmetry found previously at a larger pion mass is further observed. The $SU(6)$-symmetric EFT constrained by these LQCD calculations is used to make predictions for two-baryon systems for which the low-energy scattering parameters could not be determined with LQCD directly in this study, and to constrain the coefficients of all leading $SU(3)$ flavor-symmetric interactions, demonstrating the predictive power of two-baryon EFTs matched to LQCD.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Enabling residential heating decarbonization through hydronic low-temperature thermal distribution using forced-air assistive devices

Space heating represents approximately one-tenth of the United States’ energy use and has a breadth of potential for emission reduction. An element of space heating, hydronic heat distribution methods, use water supply temperatures up to 82.2 °C (180 °F). However, this operating temperature can be incompatible with high-efficiency heat generation systems, which typically provide heating temperatures of up to 60 °C (140 °F). In this work, a low-cost retrofit solution is developed using experimentally validated computational tools by incorporating an airflow distributor that preferentially directs the airflow from a fan to enhance heat transfer over the finned-tube heat exchanger found in conventional baseboards. The same heat output of traditional baseboard heat distribution systems operating at higher water supply temperatures (71.1 – 82.2 °C) can also be achieved at lower temperatures (≤60 °C). Specifically, results indicate that the technology can produce more than a 46.7% improvement in the heat transfer output at temperatures as low as 60 °C (140 °F), effectively matching the same output range achieved by 71.1 – 82.2 °C (160–180 °F) water supply temperatures. An important benefit of this solution is that it utilizes the existing infrastructure as opposed to requiring the replacement of the entire distribution system. Additionally, this technology enables existing building infrastructure to be coupled with newer, high-efficiency heating systems such as condensing boilers, solar-thermal systems, and geothermal/air-to-water heat pumps that may produce lower water supply temperatures (60 °C). A geospatially resolved techno-economic and environmental analysis is completed and presented to further understand the equivalent carbon footprint of enabling higher efficiency heat generation systems with the improved efficiency heat distribution system disclosed. Using 2021 grid-average emission factors, an emission reduction of up to a 67.5% decrease (2658 kgCO 2 /yr) for a single-family home, depending on state and climate region, could be realized by replacing a traditional natural gas-fired boiler with an air-to-water heat pump coupled to the same high-temperature heat distribution system along with the low-cost retrofit solution. A complete CO 2 emission reduction of 6688 kgCO 2 /yr, depending on state and climate region, could be realized if all electricity is further renewably sourced. Thus, this study provides a possible pathway towards enabling the reduction of operational emissions in space heating.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2023

Demonstration of improved laser preheat with a cryogenically cooled magnetized liner inertial fusion platform

We report on progress implementing and testing cryogenically cooled platforms for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments. Two cryogenically cooled experimental platforms were developed: an integrated platform fielded on the Z pulsed power generator that combines magnetization, laser preheat, and pulsed-power-driven fuel compression and a laser-only platform in a separate chamber that enables measurements of the laser preheat energy using shadowgraphy measurements. The laser-only experiments suggest that ~89% ± 10% of the incident energy is coupled to the fuel in cooled targets across the energy range tested, significantly higher than previous warm experiments that achieved at most 67% coupling and in line with simulation predictions. The laser preheat configuration was applied to a cryogenically cooled integrated experiment that used a novel cryostat configuration that cooled the MagLIF liner from both ends. Furthermore, the integrated experiment, z3576, coupled 2.32 ± 0.25 kJ preheat energy to the fuel, the highest to-date, demonstrated excellent temperature control and nominal current delivery, and produced one of the highest pressure stagnations as determined by a Bayesian analysis of the data.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2022

A multi-product landscape life-cycle assessment approach for evaluating local climate mitigation potential

Increasing demand for land-based climate mitigation requires more efficient management of agricultural landscapes for competing objectives. Here we develop methods for assessing trade-offs and synergies between intensification and carbon-sequestering conservation measures in annual crop production landscapes using the DayCent ecosystem model and the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) life-cycle assessment (LCA) model. We compiled county-scaled crop yields, fertilizer application rates, and tillage intensity for a corn–soybean farming case study landscape in the US state of Iowa. Using DayCent, we estimated a baseline soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual rate of 0.29 Mg C ha -1 y -1 driven by historical increases in crop productivity and reductions in tillage intensity. We then simulated the effects of management interventions targeted toward intensification (stover removal) and SOC sequestration (tillage intensity reduction and winter cover crop addition) individually and in combination. We propose a new multi-product landscape–LCA approach that analyzes marginal changes in corn grain, corn stover, and soybean production from the landscape in terms of their value for biofuel production (corn ethanol, soy biodiesel, and cellulosic ethanol from stover) and associated net displacement of conventional fossil-derived fuel use. This enables us to evaluate both intensification and sequestration effects in common CO 2 -equivalent mitigation units. We also used DayCent-simulated yields under the different land management scenarios to estimate farm-level costs and revenues. Our results show that intensification via collecting 30% of corn stover for biofuel production would increase the total greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of this landscape by 0.93 Mg CO 2 e ha -1 y -1 and provide $49 ha -1 y -1 of additional net revenue from biomass sales, but would reduce the baseline SOC accumulation rate by approximately 40%. In contrast, integrated approaches that include co-adoption of winter cover cropping and/or tillage intensity reduction would result in increased rates of SOC accumulation above the baseline, achieving simultaneous improvements in both farm profits and the overall GHG mitigation potential of the landscape.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

A review of future weather data for assessing climate change impacts on buildings and energy systems

The effectiveness of climate change impact assessments and the development of adaptation strategies depend on the availability of high-quality future weather data. However, significant gaps exist between the needs of the energy research community and the focus of the climate modeling community, primarily due to a historical lack of communication and collaboration between the two groups. Here, to address this issue, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the critical aspects involved in creating future weather data for building and energy system modeling, including emissions scenarios, general circulation models, downscaling methods, categories of future weather data, and uncertainties in climate simulations. Moreover, it critically evaluates the applicability and suitability of various types of future weather data in five key application scenarios: energy use analysis, resilience analysis, HVAC design, utility-scale analysis, and renewable energy analysis. Finally, this work presents recommendations for high-level actions and research directions to foster collaboration between the energy research and climate modeling communities and to promote the integration of future weather data into energy codes and the design practices of buildings and energy systems.

Climate change↗