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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 901 records · Page 50

Behind the Meter Solar+Storage: Market data and trends [Slides]

As the distributed solar market evolves toward more dynamic forms of deployment, interest in paired solar-plus-storage applications continues to gain steam, but details on the current state of the market are relatively sparse. To fill that void, Berkeley Lab has released an in-depth analysis of this budding market segment. This report draws on the Lab’s Tracking the Sun dataset to characterize trends in deployment, system sizing and equipment selection, installer-market development, and system pricing. The report also provides indicative analyses of the financial and resilience value that host customers in several key markets presently receive by pairing storage with solar.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Modeling of Glycolate Destruction in the Recycle Collection Tank

The Savannah River Site’s DWPF is being upgraded with the introduction of the NG flowsheet. Glycolic acid has been shown to be a superior alternative to formic acid for sludge processing. The new flowsheet improves or maintains necessary parameters such as 1) reduction of mercury, 2) adjustment of feed rheology, 3) pH stability, and 4) adjustment of melter oxidation/reduction potential. Further, the use of glycolic acid virtually eliminates the potential for catalytic hydrogen generation in DWPF processing DWPF process condensates are collected and returned to the Savannah River Site (SRS) CSTF. The RCT collects off-gas condensate during chemical processing, vitrification, and other unit operations performed in DWPF and is the singular return vessel delivering recycle effluent back to CSTF. Each batch of recycle will have a small amount of glycolate from chemical processing and melter off-gas condensates. To avoid potential flammability issues due to thermolysis of glycolate in the CSTF, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) provided to Savannah River Remediation (SRR) at their request a Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP) to quantify and mitigate glycolate returns via DWPF’s recycle stream. The request included testing of a process to oxidize glycolate and other organic species that are responsible for hydrogen generation from thermolysis. Following that work SRR provided a Task Technical Request (TTR) that requested process modeling. In 2021 a TTQAP was issued to cover the modeling work. Modeling draws data from laboratory scale studies using chemical simulants and radioactive waste samples. Chemical kinetic modeling was performed to evaluate the feasibility of using sodium permanganate to destroy glycolate in the RCT. The results from the laboratory studies were summarized in a series of reports. Reference 9 is a report of lab scale processing of actual DWPF Slurry Mix Evaporate Condensate Tank (SMECT) and Offgas Condensate Tank (OGCT) samples in the SRNL Shielded Cells. Tests at caustic conditions demonstrated sodium permanganate was effective in converting glycolate to oxalate, and permanganate (Mn 7+ ) is reduced to manganate (Mn 6+ ) with no significant formation of carbon dioxide or carbonate. Equation (1) was found to best describe the observed reaction of glycolate with permanganate under nominal (60 to 145 mg/L in RCT) glycolate entrainment conditions.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Update of Erosion Conditions and Assessment of Mitigation Options for the L-Bar Site

The L-Bar former uranium milling site was remediated and closed per regulations and is now under the long-term stewardship of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Legacy Management (DOE/LM). Since assuming stewardship in 2004, DOE/LM has observed erosion and sedimentation processes at the L-Bar Site that will challenge meeting the design closure criteria in the long term, and therefore erosion control structures were installed in several areas. Portions of these structures were subsequently damaged by summer convective storm events and they are being redesigned. At the request of DOE/LM, Desert Research Institute (DRI) reviewed the proposed redesign plans of the erosion control structures. The purpose of this review is to support DOE/LM decisions regarding mitigation of ongoing erosion processes, including assessing possible repair of the existing erosion control structures, as well as plan for effective long-term site management. This design review is performed in reference to the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) standards contained in 40 CFR 192.02 that require containment of residual radioactive material be effective for up to 1,000 years (if achievable, but certainly for 200 years), limit radon release, protect groundwater, and minimize future maintenance. The erosion control structures under review are not subject to the UMTRCA standard directly, but they contribute to the performance of the overall containment system by virtue of their relationship with the large diversion channels bounding the disposal cell. The 11 design drawings included in “Erosion Control Alternatives Analysis, L-Bar, New Mexico, Disposal Site, LTS-111-0043-08-002,” dated January 11, 2019, and listed in Appendix A, and supporting calculations in Weston (2019) are the focus of the review. Additionally, DOE/LM provided supporting data such as a 2018 photogrammetry-based digital elevation model of the site, precipitation records collected from an on-site weather station, and sedimentation records collected at an on-site basin. This assessment includes review of the proposed design to mitigate current site conditions but also addresses site changes between the initial erosion assessment report (Miller et al., 2012) and current conditions. The analysis is at a predesign engineering level and does not include development of hydraulic or sediment transport models. Site precipitation data are included in Miller et al. (2012). The natural conditions of the site, the design of site diversion systems, observed erosion at the site, and predesign engineering analysis are used to develop a holistic view of the challenges to L-Bar Site stability and possible responsive actions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Status Report on the Electroreduction of Metal Oxides

SRNL is working with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to adapt and demonstrate the electroreduction technology. SRNL will also draw on the extensive work cited in the literature and the experience gained at Y-12. Since most of the development efforts have focused on irradiated UO 2 fuel pellets, several noteworthy gaps exist in the technology for processing purified U 3 O 8 powder. SRNL research efforts will address some of those gaps. This report focuses on two activities. Task 1 is to establish an electrochemical reduction test capability at SRNL. Task 2 is to evaluate potential alternate anode materials.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

A New Approach to Fundamental Mechanism Discovery in Polymer Upcycling

We present a new experimental methodology for detailed experimental investigations of depolymerization reactions over solid catalysts. This project aims to address a critical need in fundamental research on chemical upcycling of polymers – the lack of rapid, sensitive, isomerselective probing techniques for the detection of reaction intermediates and products. Our method combines a heterogeneous catalysis reactor for the study of multiphase (gas/polymer melt/solid) systems, coupled to a vacuum UV photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This apparatus draws on our expertise in probing complex gas-phase chemistry and enables highthroughput, detailed chemical speciation measurements of the gas phase above the catalyst, providing valuable information on the heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Using this approach, we investigated the depolymerization of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) over Ir-doped zeolite catalysts. We showed that the product distribution was dominated by low-molecular weight alkenes with terminal C=C double bonds and revealed the presence of many methyl-substituted alkenes and alkanes, suggesting extensive methyl radical chemistry. In addition, we investigated the fundamental reactivity of model oligomer molecules n-butane and isobutane over ZSM-5 zeolites. We demonstrated the first direct detection of methyl radical intermediates, confirming the key role of methyl in zeolite-catalyzed activation of alkanes. Our results show the potential of this experimental method to achieve deep insight into the complex depolymerization reactions and pave the way for detailed mechanistic studies, leading to increased fundamental understanding of key processes in chemical upcycling of polymers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hazardous Chemical Inventory Guidelines, Purpose, and Process

The Environment, Safety, and Health Planning department at Sandia National Laboratories is interested in the purchase and storage of chemicals and their potential impact following an uncontrolled release. The large number of projects conducted at SNL make tracking every chemical purchase impractical; therefore, attention is focused on hazardous substances purchased in large quantities. Chemicals and quantities of concern are determined through regulatory guidelines; e.g., the OSHA Process Safety Management list, the EPA Risk Management Plan list, and the Department of Energy Subcommittee on Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions Emergency Response Planning Guidelines. Based on these regulations, a list of chemicals with quantities of concern was created using the Aerial Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) and SCREEN View chemical dispersion modelling software. The nature of this report does not draw conclusions, rather it documents the logic for a chemicals of concern list to ensure compliance with various regulations and form the basis for monitoring chemicals that may affect hazard classification. Hazardous Chemical Inventory Guidelines, Purpose, and Process 4 This page left blank.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Development of an Assessment Methodology That Enables the Nuclear Industry to Evaluate Adoption of Advanced Automation

Nuclear power has a crucial role in providing safe, reliable, and economical carbon-free electricity for today and the future. For continued operation, many of the existing United States nuclear power plants will begin the subsequent license renewal process for extending their operating license periods. As plants extend their expected operating lifetimes, there is a significant opportunity to modernize. These plants have a much stronger business case with these extended mission periods to modernize and significantly enhance their economic viability in current and future energy markets by implementing digital technologies that support innovation, efficiency gains, and business-model transformation. Ensuring continued safety and reliability is crucial. Transformative digital technologies—including automation—that fundamentally change the concept of operation for the nuclear power plant operating model requires a critical focus on the human and technology integration element. Further, the nuclear industry has historically been reluctant to modernize due to having a risk adverse culture and lack of clarity for a transformative new state vision (Joe & Remer, 2019; Thomas et al., 2020). Common barriers include (1) the perceived value and return on investment (ROI) of digital technology, (2) the perceived risk associated with licensing, regulatory, and cybersecurity, and (3) insufficient guidance for performing digital modifications to power generation systems. This work presents a methodology to address these barriers and support the industry in adopting advanced automation and digital technology through developing a transformative vision and implementation strategy that will address the human and technology integration element. This research leverages previous LWRS Program and industry results. It draws specifically on previous LWRS Program research in the areas of advanced alarm systems, computer-based procedures, model informed decision support, and advanced human-system interface displays (e.g., overviews and task-based). The modernization methodology can be used to guide transformative thinking when integrating a set of vendor-specific capabilities to support a new concept of operations and a utility’s end-state vision. The results of this research are organized into six major sections: - Section 1 introduces the need for supporting large-scale digital modifications that will renew the technology base for extended operating life beyond 60 years - Section 2 describes the challenges that the nuclear industry is enduring with modernizing. - Section 3 summarizes the primary standards and guidance. - Section 4 presents earlier work from the LWRS Program regarding the development of a transformative conceptual design for an advanced control room of a hybrid plants. - Section 5 presents a methodology that is designed at addressing the challenges in the industry today in achieving a transformative new state vision and concept of operations. - Conclusions and next steps of this research are provided in Section 6.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Demonstration and Evaluation of an Advanced Integrated Operations Concept for Hybrid Control Rooms

The U.S. nuclear industry has an urgent need to reduce operations and maintenance costs to remain economically competitive in today’s energy market. Measures to improve efficiency in operations will need to leverage technology in a way that safely transforms how plants are operated. This work describes the Evaluation of an integrated operations concept that draws together data from existing Instrumentation and Control (I&C) infrastructure, upgraded I&C systems, new sensors, and field technologies such as computer-based procedures to provide operators with centralized, streamlined instructions. The concept was developed to allow for an operator to remotely supervise many plant activities and to dramatically streamline plant operations and maintenance. This describes the methods, results, and design recommendations for the concept based on an operator workshop to evaluate the concept.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Evaluating China's Road to Cyber Super Power

This report examines open source, non-classified qualitative analysis to evaluate China’s current cyber maturity. Evidence for this document draws on materials from academia, private cybersecurity companies, and national security research institutions. Private sector threat intelligence firms produce high quality analysis on Chinese APTs tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and investigation from companies such as FireEye illuminate China’s ability to wield cyber means for its security ends. None of the materials cited in this assessment originate from classified United States or foreign government sources. Any references to United States government sources are sourced entirely to unclassified information.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Electric Distribution System Planning with DERs - High-level Assessment of Tools and Methods

This document addresses analytical tools and methods to support electric distribution system planning with distributed energy resources (DERs) and grid modernization, drawing on leading-edge research and examples from around the United States. In this report, tools include computer models and software, as well as other analytical aids and practices that support distribution system planning. At its core, distribution system planning is about supporting investment decisions. Enhanced and integrated distribution system planning allows utilities to move from a passive reactive role to smart proactive planning with respect to DERs. Distribution system planning can increase transparency around utility distribution system investments before they are brought to the regulatory body for cost recovery, can support deferring traditional infrastructure investments, and can provide information and incentives to customers and third parties about where DERs can help the grid. A growing number of states are beginning to consider a comprehensive distribution system planning process that addresses the costs and benefits of DERs, reflects more choices coming from the customer/third-party domains, is integrated with resource and transmission planning, and incorporates planning scenarios that reflect the dynamic and changing nature of the electricity system

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Weather impacts on solar PV operations summary of the current body of knowledge and implications for further investigation

There is growing concern that severe weather events are negatively affecting solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and pose ongoing and unrecognized risks. Clearly research is needed to quantify and characterize the risks so that properly calibrated improvements can be implemented. To begin this process, this report is a collection of information of severe weather impacts on solar PV available today taken from research, insurance data, and field inspections. While it is not comprehensive enough to draw conclusions, this information provides a baseline for action and indicates an urgent need to investigate further.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Software-defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS): An Architectural Blueprint (Final Report)

This is the initial version of a reference for suppliers and energy companies of all sizes to deploy networks based on software-defined networking technology (SDN) to improve reliability, reduce cyber security attack surface, and facilitate mitigation of adversarial behavior. It is a living document and will progress over the life cycle of the Software-Defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS) project. Version 2 of this report provides information on the Red Team tabletop assessment performed against the initial reference architecture. Version 3 of this report updates the reference architecture with lessons learned from the Red Team tabletop assessment, as well as provides additional details for the use cases. It also provides information on the decision process that could be used by an organization when considering deploying SDN in their environment. The final version of this report consolidates all the interim reports generated by the project into a final report. It also draws from PNNL’s experience in deploying SDN to make recommendations on how SDN could be deployed in a utility environment, and provides rationale for those decisions allowing individual utilities to make risk-based and knowledge-based decisions on how to best deploy SDN in their own environment

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Software-defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS): An Architectural Blueprint (Final Summary Report)

This is the initial version of a reference for suppliers and energy companies of all sizes to deploy networks based on software-defined networking technology (SDN) to improve reliability, reduce cyber security attack surface, and facilitate mitigation of adversarial behavior. It is a living document and will progress over the life cycle of the Software-Defined Networking for Energy Delivery Systems (SDN4EDS) project. Version 2 of this report provides information on the Red Team tabletop assessment performed against the initial reference architecture. Version 3 of this report updates the reference architecture with lessons learned from the Red Team tabletop assessment, as well as provides additional details for the use cases. It also provides information on the decision process that could be used by an organization when considering deploying SDN in their environment. The final version of this report consolidates all the interim reports generated by the project into a final report. It also draws from PNNL’s experience in deploying SDN to make recommendations on how SDN could be deployed in a utility environment, and provides rationale for those decisions allowing individual utilities to make risk-based and knowledge-based decisions on how to best deploy SDN in their own environment. This summary report provides a higher-level overview of the project reports. Readers interested in additional detail, including results of the Red Team assessments and the final configuration, are encouraged to read the full final report.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

IHE DDT Qualification Tests (FY2020-FY2021)

A DDT tube test was designed to meet all requirements established in the new DOE IHE qualification standard. Ten tests were successfully executed with PBX 9502 as a demonstration of the design, assembly, heating system, and methods, and to establish a baseline set of test results with an existing IHE. The explosive response in all tests was low violence (as anticipated). This report contains detailed design drawings, assembly instructions and procedures for future execution of the qualification test series, and makes recommendations for minor improvements.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Instantiation of HCML Demonstrating Bayesian Predictive Modeling for Attentional Control

The research team developed models of Attentional Control (AC) that are unique to existing modeling approaches in the literature. The goal was to enable the research team to (1) make predictions about AC and human performance in real-world scenarios and (2) to make predictions about individual characteristics based on human data. First, the team developed a proof-of-concept approach for representing an experimental design and human subjects data in a Bayesian model, then demonstrated an ability to draw inferences about conditions of interest relevant to real-world scenarios. Ultimately, this effort was successful, and we were able to make reasonable (meaning supported by behavioral data) inferences about conditions of interest to develop a risk model for AC (where risk is defined as a mismatch between AC and attentional demand). The team additionally defined a path forward for a human-constrained machine learning (HCML) approach to make predictions about an individual's state based on performance data. The effort represents a successful first step in both modeling efforts and serves as a basis for future work activities. Numerous opportunities for future work have been defined.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Storage Futures Study: Key Learnings for the Coming Decades

This report is the final in NREL's Storage Futures Study, a multiyear research project that explored the role and impact of energy storage in the evolution and operation of the U.S. power sector. The SFS examined the potential impact of energy storage technology advancement on the deployment of utility-scale storage and the adoption of distributed storage, and the implications for future power system infrastructure investment and operations. The research findings and supporting data were published across a series of six reports, culminating in this final, seventh publication that draws upon findings from across the study, previous work, and additional analysis to identify eight key learnings about the future of energy storage and its impact on the power system. The key learnings can help policymakers, technology developers, and grid operators prepare for the coming way of energy storage deployment.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Quantification of Methane Emissions from Marginal (Low Production Rate) Oil and Natural Gas Wells

The objective of this research was to measure methane emissions from marginal well sites at various basins across the United States. The goal was to collect and evaluate representative, defensible, and repeatable data and draw quantifiable conclusions on the extent of emissions from marginal wells across oil and gas producing regions of the U.S., and to compare these results to published data on the emissions from nonmarginal wells.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

The Energy in Modular (EMOD) Buildings Method: A Guide to Energy-Efficient Design for Industrialized Construction of Modular Buildings

Industrialized construction has immense potential to address the growing need globally to build and upgrade the building stock to be affordable, energy-efficient, and resilient. It can also help achieve the United States' goal of a 50% reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. Despite this potential, and the ever-increasing push for electrification and decarbonization of households in the United States, industrialized construction has not yet been leveraged specifically to help address these challenges and accelerate the pathway to meet these goals. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) aims to claim this missed opportunity by focusing on delivering affordable, grid-efficient net-zero energy (NZE) modular buildings for underserved communities to ensure an equitable transition to the future of clean energy, accelerate decarbonization of the built environment, and support the development of a high-productivity construction and energy efficiency workforce. The Energy in Modular (EMOD) method is our approach to designing, producing, and delivering affordable, net-zero energy, low-carbon, and healthier buildings at scale. The following energy efficiency strategies are part of the scope of this guide: envelope thermal control, envelope infiltration control, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, smart controls, and solar plus storage. We draw synergies between design for manufacturing and assembly, process optimization, retrofit technologies, and digitization. Our goal is to influence the improvement and production of buildings to increase performance, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce GHG emissions. This guide documents the research and development efforts initiated by a set of design objectives to "modularize" a set of energy efficiency and low-carbon strategies into a housing unit while preserving and enhancing energy efficiency benefits and decarbonization pathways. This guide is intended to serve as a framework for housing developers, housing agencies, architects, energy experts, and process engineers or factory operator personnel who are critical to today's modular builder teams. This guide focuses on specific energy efficiency strategies, decarbonization pathways, and associated processes as part of NREL's research efforts. Stakeholders may substitute other means, methods, and technologies for the ones evaluated in this study.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗