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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 919 records · Page 51
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Aquifer Hydraulic Testing and Characterization Plan for the Ringold Formation Unit A in the Hanford 200-ZP-1 Groundwater Operable Unit and Vicinity

This document presents a plan for testing and characterizing the hydraulic properties of the Ringold Formation, member of Wooded Island – unit A (Rwia) in the 200-ZP groundwater operable unit. The testing approach includes multiple field methods and associated analyses designed to investigate and understand aquifer hydraulic properties over a range of scales. Testing was designed to achieve specific testing objectives identified previously in the 200 ZP-1 Groundwater Operable Unit Ringold Formation Unit A Characterization Sampling and Analysis Plan (Ringold A SAP). The test plan provides necessary technical and operational detail for writing subsequent field test instruction documents specific to each testing location. Hydraulic characterization activities will proceed in a phased manner focusing on areas identified to have knowledge gaps and also critical for remedy modifications and/or selection. These activities are designed to minimize impact to pump-and-treat (P&T) operations and to use existing P&T injection and extraction wells as stress wells, and include use of the new Rwia monitoring wells installed for Ringold A SAP activities. ZP-1 hydraulic testing will include slug testing in new Rwia wells, shutdown-recovery tests in multiple Rwia and composite Ringold Formation member of Wooded Island – unit E (Rwie)-Rwia aquifer test locations, installation of new Automated Water Level Network stations in Rwia monitoring wells, characterization of P&T and barometric responses, identifying the vertical distribution of hydraulic conductivity in the Rwia and Rwie units using electromagnetic borehole flowmeter tests, and single-well tracer testing in select Rwia monitoring wells. Slug testing to be conducted during drilling is described under the Ringold A SAP. The remaining testing activities are to be conducted after well drilling and completion and are described in this test plan.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Considerations for a Medium-Voltage DC Electrolysis Testbed

Here we present the results of a study focused on the feasibility of using Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) power distribution from wind power generation to electrolyzers for hydrogen production. This approach, using hybrid energy generation in a MVDC microgrid, offers many advantages. These include possible improvements in efficiency, reliability and installation cost compared to a more typical state-of-the-art AC distribution configuration. It also eliminates the need for transformers, which have recently been subject to price volatility and availability concerns. This study highlights the practical feasibility of MVDC distribution networks for integrating various energy sources, offering improved efficiency and reduced system complexity compared to conventional AC-based solutions. Future work will focus on enhancing fault protection strategies, scaling the system to larger renewable installations, and conducting hardware implementation at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Flatirons Campus (FC). In the sections that follow we show that a DC Collection and Distribution System (DC CDS) reduces the losses associated with the electrical conversion / distribution process relative to a state-of-the-art AC approach, improving overall efficiency by 5%. On the qualitative side, reducing the number of conversion stages is likely to improve reliability, reduce capital investment cost, and enable simpler control algorithms to be used, and reduced risk of instabilities and malfunctions.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

MC Formula Protocol for H35HF Fueling (CRADA Final Report)

The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Frontier Energy, and the industry partners worked together to help SAE J2601-5 develop an H35 high-flow (HF) medium-duty (MD) and heavy-duty (HD) fueling protocol. The team upgraded NREL's hydrogen filling simulations (H2FillS) model to accommodate an MC Formula fueling (t-final) table generation capability by leveraging NREL's high-performance computing system. Based on protocol boundary conditions (e.g., allowable maximum flow rate, range of storage system size) set by SAE J2601-5, the team generated the fueling tables and then validated the reliability of those tables by installing them on NREL's HD dispenser and ZBT's H35HF dispenser and then performing H35HF fueling experiments. Through the validation process, this team certified that the fueling tables generated were reliable to install in commercial H35HF dispensers and then performed H35HF fueling of commercial MD/HD vehicles.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacture Nb1Zr Development

Next generation fission and fusion nuclear reactors require materials that can withstand operating temperatures greater than 500 °C, neutron irradiation doses of up to 200 displacements per atom (dpa), and potentially corrosive coolants such as the alkali liquid metals sodium, lithium, and NaK (Na33K eutectic alloy). Refractory alloys, such as Nb1Zr (Nb-1wt%Zr) and Molybdenum alloy TZM (Mo-0.5wt%Ti-0.08wt%Zr) have been traditionally considered viable candidates for advanced fission and fusion reactor concepts. However, it is relatively difficult to generate complex geometries of interest from these alloys using traditional manufacturing methods. In addition, there needs to be a concentrated effort to address refractory metal challenges at elevated temperature operation. In order to generate complex geometries of interest, modern manufacturing techniques are considered to increase the technological readiness level (TRL), cost-effectiveness, and schedule savings. This work focused on the continued development of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) to improve both design flexibility, evaluate microstructure and properties, and ultimately accelerate the TRL and qualification of these processes and alloys for components to potentially be put into service. Niobium alloy Nb1Zr was identified through a down-selection process outlined in previous reports as a candidate to develop in L-PBF AM. Historically, Nb1Zr had been explored for high temperature fast spectrum fission reactors for both terrestrial and space applications. Molybdenum alloy TZM has also been considered for these reactor concepts due to exceptional high-temperature strength, creep resistance, and stability under irradiation. L-PBF AM of TZM has previously been investigated at LANL under the Microreactor program, NASA, ORNL, and in academia. However, due to the crack prone nature of TZM, L-PBF AM of TZM resulted in significant microcracking and additional development is required to pursue viable maturation. Other AM methods have been found to be more successful in printing TZM, and those alternatives approaches are discussed in this effort. The efforts detailed in this report focused on continued development of Nb1Zr through L-PBF and development of TZM via L-PBF and electron powder bed fusion (E-PBF). The objective of this work was to further the development of these AM techniques for the chosen refractory alloys, elucidating and addressing associated challenges through characterization of several demonstration builds. At LANL, Nb1Zr builds were completed using an EOS M290 and M400 machines, and a refractory alloy-dedicated L-PBF system, the Xact Metal XM200G, was installed. The XM200G primary purpose was to do the Nb1Zr parameter development process; however, due to difficulties associated with the machine installation and qualification process, it was decided to pivot development to the larger M400 and M290 machines. Although the supply of Nb1Zr powder was limited, it was sufficient to generate sub-scale metallographic specimens for the purpose of parameter development. This was first accomplished on the EOS M400 then the M290 due to machine schedule availability. Further development of TZM has been initiated at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) under contract with LANL to use both a heated build envelope L-PBF machine and E-PBF machine that have been found in the literature to mitigate microcracking. UTEP was provided with TZM powder and build plates to support parallel TZM parameter development across both machines. As part of the contract, UTEP will also be conducting microstructural characterization once optimized process parameters have been identified. The optimized process parameters for each machine will be used to generate a series of metallographic, mechanical, and surface finish specimens for subsequent characterization and testing. In the next section, we provide a detailed discussion of the methodology used for investigating the feasibility of leveraging these alloys for use in advanced reactor applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Iodine Removal in the DFLAW Flow-Sheet

In support of the WTP project, off-gas system and regulatory testing has been conducted previously on the DM1200 pilot melter equipped with a prototypical off-gas system installed at The Catholic University of America’s Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL). During the regulatory tests, an AC-S test bed filled with Kombisorb BAT 37 was included in the prototypical off-gas system and evaluated for response to HLW and LAW exhaust streams. Offline testing and small-scale testing of that media were also conducted. Testing demonstrated that a temperature rise occurred in the activated carbon media when water vapor was first introduced to virgin Kombisorb BAT 37, in response to high nitrogen oxide concentrations, and in response to the presence of organic compounds. Conditioning of the test bed by gradually increasing the NOx concentration prior to the introduction of organics was found to be an important operational strategy for preventing larger temperature excursions. However, no mercury was present in the exhaust stream during DM1200 testing and therefore comparable test data for mercury removal efficiency or temperature response of the carbon media in the presence of mercury were not collected in the DM1200 tests. In view of the need for data on mercury removal performance, BNI contracted with Atkins and the VSL to install and operate a suitable test system at VSL to collect the required data. That testing was designed to assess the performance of Kombisorb BAT-37 and the guard bed material, Sofnolime RG, for simulated melter exhaust streams that contain the highest concentrations of mercury, nitrogen oxides, acid gases, and organic compounds expected in WTP LAW melter exhaust. During shakedown testing with the new system, however, it became evident that a number of issues with Sofnolime RG as the guard bed material would render it unsuitable for this application. BNI subsequently determined that the guard bed was redundant for removal of acid gases since they could be adequately removed by the SBS and WESP. However, since the guard bed material was also credited with significant iodine removal , there was a need for a replacement material that would adequately perform that role. BNI identified several candidate media but performance data in gas compositions that are representative of the WTP LAW off-gas were not available. Accordingly, there was a need to test and evaluate the performance of these candidate media prior to performing the originally-planned tests. To that end, small scale tests were conducted to assess the performance of various adsorbents in simulated melter exhaust streams that contain mercury, iodine, nitrogen oxides, acid gases, and acetonitrile, which are expected to be present in WTP LAW melter exhaust.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Steel Creek, Pen Branch, and D-Area Watershed Stream Gauging Stations

A network of stream gauging systems were installed in the Steel Creek, Pen Branch, D-Area Discharge Canal, and the D006 Stream in support of the groundwater modeling efforts for the P-Area Groundwater Operable Unit (OU); Chemical, Metals, and Pesticides (CMP) Pits OU; and the D-Area Watershed, respectively. Each location is monitored by a MACE Floseries3 FloPro data logger and a MACE doppler ultrasonic area/velocity sensor. Each stream gauging system is powered by an internal 12-volt battery supplied by a solar panel with a trickle charger. Information collected by each data logger is logged internally and telecommunicated via a cellular network to an online server for real time analysis and monitoring. The MACE doppler ultrasonic area/velocity sensor can measure stream depth and velocities to give output values of flow rates, total flow, net flow, and volumes. The water depth is measured by a ceramic pressure transducer located on the top of the sensor. The velocity is measured by a continuous wave doppler sensor to give an average velocity across the whole stream profile. This report discusses the equipment and methods used to install continuous stream gauging stations and provides a summary of data collected through FY2025.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

2024 Buildings Technology Baseline: Dataset Documentation

The Buildings Technology Baseline is a curated and regularly updated dataset of current and projected performance, retail, and installed price data for all major building energy technologies needed to enable cost/benefit analyses. Building technology analyses require an up-to-date understanding of installation costs and cost-effectiveness of key building energy efficiency technologies. The dataset was assembled by Guidehouse during fiscal year 2024. Data was gathered from the 2024 National Residential Efficiency Measures Database (NREMDB), the 2023 Energy Information Administration Updated Buildings Sector Appliance and Equipment Costs and Efficiencies ("EIA Building Data Report"), DOE Lighting Market Model, the 2023 RSMeans database, and the 2020 Grid-Interactive Efficient Building Technology Cost, Performance, and Lifetime Characteristics ("GEB Data Report"), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, various literature, as well as new data from online retailers, stakeholder interviews, and contractor databases in 2023 and 2024. The dataset has been reviewed by subject matter experts at NREL and DOE. The 2024 dataset release is intended to be a starting point for interested users to provide feedback. This database is not intended to provide specific cost estimates for a specific project. The cost estimates do not include any rebates or tax incentives that may be available for the measures. Rather, it is meant to help determine which measures may be more cost-effective. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) makes every effort to ensure accuracy of the data; however, NREL does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Residential and Small Commercial Solar Photovoltaic and Storage Permitting, Inspection, and Interconnection Timelines: A Retrospective Review (2017-2023)

This report is part of the ongoing Solar Time-Based Residential Analytics and Cycle Time Estimator (SolarTRACE) project, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The SolarTRACE project utilizes time-stamped project-level data provided by installer-partners to assess nationwide and AHJ- and utility-level PI&I and other solar PV adoption timelines since 2017. Our dataset now covers 22% of residential solar and 33% of residential storage installs in the U.S. since 2017. This report provides an update to our previous 2022 report (Cruce et al., 2022b) and includes: updated 2017 2023 project timelines for residential rooftop solar PV up to 20kW; updated tracking of permitting process changes at nearly 4,000 AHJs nationwide; and first-ever reporting of timelines for residential PV+storage projects up to 20kW.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hanford Site Bee Nest Box Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2021

This report summarizes the results of the third year of monitoring bee nest boxes on the Hanford Site. Twenty bee nest boxes were installed as a component of compensatory mitigation for the installation of the L-894 water line between the 200-East and 200-West Areas of the Hanford Site in July 2019. The goal of this compensatory mitigation is to replace lost nesting habitat for above-ground nesting bees in a mature sagebrush ecosystem. Annual monitoring will track the condition and occupation of the bee nest boxes to determine if the compensatory mitigation was successful and to identify best practices when replacing nesting habitat for native bees.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hanford Site Bee Nest Box Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2020

This report summarizes the results of the second year of monitoring bee nest boxes on the Hanford Site. Twenty bee nest boxes were installed as a component of compensatory mitigation for the installation of the L-894 water line between the 200-East and 200-West Areas of the Hanford Site in July 2019. The goal of this compensatory mitigation is to replace lost nesting habitat for above-ground nesting bees in a mature sagebrush ecosystem. Annual monitoring will track the condition and occupation of the bee nest boxes to determine if the compensatory mitigation was successful and to identify best practices when replacing nesting habitat for native bees.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hanford Site Bee Nest Box Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2019

This report summarizes the results of the first year of monitoring bee nest boxes on the Hanford Site. Twenty bee nest boxes were installed as a component of compensatory mitigation for the installation of the L-894 water line between the 200-East and 200-West Areas of the Hanford Site. The goal of this compensatory mitigation is to replace lost nesting habitat for above-ground nesting bees in a mature sagebrush ecosystem. Annual monitoring will track the condition and occupation of the bee nest boxes to determine if the compensatory mitigation was successful and to identify best practices when replacing nesting habitat for native bees.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Wind River Experimental Forest Subcanopy Tower Information Sheet

Wind River was one of three sites that collected 3d sonic anemometer data for an ICOS subcanopy observation study. The three sites were defined by the following features and terrain: a deciduous broadleaf forest in flat terrain (Lanžhot, Czech Republic), a coniferous forest in mountainous terrain (Renon, Italy), and a tall conifer forest in mountain-valley terrain (Wind River, USA). The Wind River subcanopy towers were deployed in a high LAI, old-growth evergreen conifer forest and collected approximately 11 months of data. The site is an ecologically rich temperate rainforest in the western Cascade Mountains, and the biological carbon sink and source strength has been measured since 1998 using eddy covariance on the top of a 74 m tall flux tower (currently called the Wind River NEON tower). Additionally, forest inventory records date back to the 1920s. In 2024, four subcanopy towers were installed near the Wind River NEON tower to measure wind flow in the understory canopy layer for better understanding canopy flow coupling and decoupling in the subcanopy and how this affects the interpretation of overstory fluxes. The subcanopy tower installation was done by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Washington State University (WSU) with collaborations from the University of Utah and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pull Force Evaluation of CCS Insulated End Caps

Insulated end caps installed on DC pins of Combined Charging System (CCS) inlets have been identified as potential debris sources within electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) connectors, increasing the risk of electric shock and fire hazards. Although standards such as IEC 62196-1:2022 specify mechanical pull-force requirements for these end caps, it remains unclear whether these requirements provide adequate robustness under real-world conditions. To address this concern, the National Charging Experience (ChargeX) Consortium's Hardware Task Force conducted evaluations of insulated end caps used in OEM CCS inlets. This study assesses the performance of insulated end caps used in OEM CCS inlets, specifically those installed on DC pins, using the procedures defined in IEC 62196-1:2022 (Section Sign) 26.7 and SAE J3400, supplemented by additional experimental conditioning. To ensure relevance to real-world conditions, NLR collaborated with charging network operators (CNOs) to guide the selection of charging inlet samples. Material analyses of the insulated end cap samples were conducted to confirm that the tested materials reflected the types and properties commonly observed in the field. The selected samples underwent temperature and humidity conditioning followed by pull-force testing to evaluate the end-cap integrity. Although SAE J3400 inlets were not directly tested due to limited diversity in available field data, the underlying end-cap principles between CCS and SAE J3400 are comparable, allowing the study's insights to be relevant to both technologies. Overall, this study provides a structured evaluation framework to inform potential refinements to mechanical pull-force requirements in charging standards.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

SolarAPP+ Performance Review (2024 Data)

The Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) platform is an online portal to facilitate and expedite rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage permitting processes. SolarAPP+ allows PV contractors to upload system specifications, have that information automatically reviewed for code compliance, and receive instant approval for code-compliant systems, reducing authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) staff time needed for review. SolarAPP+ also provides inspection checklists to verify installation practices and adherence to approved designs. This report is part of an ongoing series of reviews of SolarAPP+ performance. Consistent with previous performance reviews, we summarize SolarAPP+ adoption trends to date and compare various metrics for PV systems permitted through SolarAPP+ versus systems permitted through traditional AHJ permitting processes. As of the end of 2024, 799 AHJs had expressed interest in the platform, with 264 fully adopting (215) or piloting (49) the platform. In 2024, 861 installers submitted 37,393 permits through the SolarAPP+ platform, including 27,375 permits for PV+storage systems. SolarAPP+ permits accounted for around 43% of all permits issued in all participating AHJs, and more than 60% of all permits in several participating AHJs. We compare permitting timelines through SolarAPP+ to traditional AHJ permitting processes to assess the platform's performance. Consistent with previous SolarAPP+ performance reviews, we find that permitting timelines are significantly shorter for SolarAPP+ projects. Based on median timelines, a typical SolarAPP+ project is permitted and inspected 12 business days sooner than traditional projects. We estimate that automatic SolarAPP+ permitting saved around 18,400 hours of AHJ staff time in 2024. Finally, we estimate that SolarAPP+ eliminated over 100,000 business days in permitting-related delays in 2024.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

The SAND detector for the DUNE experiment

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation project aiming to study several neutrino properties. It will feature two experimental setups: a near detector that will be installed at Fermilab, in proximity of the neutrino-production point, and a far detector at a distance of 1300 km and 1500 m underground, at the SURF laboratory. The DUNE design and configuration will allow the study of neutrino oscillation, astrophysical neutrinos, and beyond standard model physics. The near detector complex foresees three detectors to be installed. Among these, the System for on-Axis Neutrino Detection (SAND) will serve as on-axis beam monitor, reduce the systematic uncertainties for the oscillation analysis, and search for physics beyond the standard model. SAND will be composed of three sub-detectors, surrounded by a 0.6 T superconducting magnet. The outermost detector will be a lead/scintillating-fiber electromagnetic calorimeter while the inner volume will include a 1-ton liquid argon active target placed upstream followed by a target tracker system. The SAND detector and its goals will be shown in this poster.

Alemanno, Francesca [Salento U.; INFN, Lecce]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Hydrogen Production Cost from Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis

Rigorous stakeholder-vetted techno-economic analysis (TEA) was conducted to estimate the cost of hydrogen (H 2 ) production using Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide (PSO) electrolysis. The analysis evaluates Current (2025) and Future (2035) technology cases at centralized plant scales of 50 and 500 metric tonnes per day (MTD), assuming electricity, water, and air as the only system inputs. Untaxed, unsubsidized levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is projected to range from 2020 $\$$1.81 to $\$$2.47/kg H 2 at an electricity price of $\$$0.03/kWh and 97% capacity factor under Nth-of-a-kind (NOAK) deployment assumptions. Total installed capital cost was developed using bottom-up Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) stack cost modeling and detailed balance-of-plant estimates, including mechanical and electrical subsystems, installation, site preparation, engineering, and contingency. Stack performance assumptions include thermoneutral operation, degradation over time, and periodic replacement. LCOH was calculated using the Hydrogen Analysis (H2A) discounted cash flow model in constant 2020 dollars. Results indicate PSO electrolysis has potential for competitive hydrogen production costs under low-cost electricity and mature manufacturing conditions.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Photovoltaics and Energy Security in the Greater Arctic Region

The greater Arctic region (>60°N latitude) has been largely overlooked as a promising location for photovoltaic (PV) installations, with lower latitude and warmer regions receiving more attention. While few large PV installations currently exist in the Arctic, a closer examination of the region's geography, climate, PV technology characteristics, and energy needs reveals that PV systems can significantly contribute to energy security in high-latitude areas. This report examines both the opportunities and significant challenges for such a vision.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Jijak Gises Project

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, d.b.a. Gun Lake Tribe (Gun Lake Tribe/Tribe), installed a grid connected 68.87 kW solar photovoltaic array at the Tribe’s Jijak Property located in Hopkins, MI. The array generated 95,070 kWh its first year of operation, 7,014 kWh more than projected. The Jijak Gises solar array saved $\$$12,214 during the first year of production including $\$$6,022 in generation credit and $\$$6,192 in offset electrical cost. The array will save the Tribe more than $\$$312,000 with increasing electric rates during the normal life of the system reducing Gun Lake Tribe’s reliance on other energy resources. Competitive pricing allowed the Tribe to install a second smaller array to power the Jijak Garden. The 4.85kW Jijak Garden Array produced 6,643.96 kWh during its first year of production, 475.95 kwh more than projected saving $\$$1,126 during year one of production including invoice credits and offset energy consumption. Over the first 20 years of the array, it is expected to produce 132,879 kWh of electrical energy, saving over $26,000 over the life of the system.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗