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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 955 records · Page 53
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Progress and roadmap for electro-privileged transformations of bio-derived molecules

Biomass incorporates carbon captured from the atmosphere and can serve as a renewable feedstock for producing valuable chemicals and fuels. Here we look at how electrochemical approaches can impact biomass valorization, focusing on identifying chemical transformations that leverage renewable electricity and feedstocks to produce valorized products via electro-privileged transformations. First, we recommend that the field should explore widening the spectrum of platform chemicals derived from bio-feedstocks, thus offering pathways to molecules that have historically been derived from petroleum. Second, we identify opportunities in electrocatalytic production of energy-dense fuels from biomass that utilize water as the hydrogen source and renewable electricity as the driving force. Finally, we look at the potential in electrochemical depolymerization to preserve key functional groups in raw feedstocks that would otherwise be lost during harsh pre-treatments in traditional depolymerization routes. Finally, on the basis of these priorities, we suggest a roadmap for the integration of biomass and electrochemistry and offer milestones required to tap further into the potential of electrochemical biomass valorization.

electrocatalysis↗
NASA NTRS2012

The GreenLab Research Facility: A Micro-Grid Integrating Production, Consumption and Storage of Clean Energy

There is a large gap between the production and demand for energy from alternative fuel and alternative renewable energy sources. The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has initiated a laboratory-pilot study that concentrates on using biofuels as viable alternative fuel resources for the field of aviation, as well as, utilizing wind and solar technologies as alternative renewable energy resources, and in addition, the use of pumped water for storage of energy that can be retrieved through hydroelectric generation. This paper describes the GreenLab Research Facility and its power and energy sources with .recommendations for worldwide expansion and adoption of the concept of such a facility

McDowell Bomani, Bilal Mark↗
DOE OSTI2020

Conceptual Design Study of a Thermal Energy Storage System Using Granular Solids for Coal-fired Boilers

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Presentation for the 2020 International Pittsburgh Coal Conference held virtually from September 8-11, 2020.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Abstract: As electricity from various renewable energy sources is increasingly supplied to the power grid, the grid’s stability will be challenged. Proposed grid-stability solutions will need to address variability of sources, such as solar and wind energy, in order to alleviate problems such as overgeneration and ramping. In regions where increases in solar energy are prominent, such as California, the net power demand curve often referred to as “the Duck Curve,” has caused problems for energy dispatchers, due to over-generation and fast ramping demands. In this project, we investigated a conceptual design for a Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS) integrated into a coal-fired power plant to support grid-scale storage. Implementing a TESS into power plants can allow for an increase in renewable sources, increase grid resilience, and allow conventional coal-fired plants to operate more efficiently. For this project, a TESS using granular solids as the energy-storage media is integrated into a conventional coal-fired power plant. The purpose of the TESS is to store energy from the flue gas during low demand periods and transfer the energy to steam during peak demand periods. The storage allows the stabilization of combustion and related boiler components at low loads and provides the opportunity to avoid some shutdowns. This study uses thermodynamic properties of several candidate thermal storage materials to estimate the size of storage system required for several operating scenarios. </span>

Huckaby, E. David↗
DOE OSTI2024

From Silos to Synergy: Identifying a Roadmap for Cross-Sector Research to Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition

The U.S. Department of Energy's blueprints for the transportation, buildings, and electricity sectors call for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. These plans focus on zero-emission vehicles, investments in transit, energy-efficient buildings, and the widespread adoption and deployment of renewable energy technologies like solar photovoltaics (PV), energy storage and energy-efficient appliances. However, these sectors are often studied and modeled in isolation, overlooking how household decisions to adopt clean technologies in one sector influence others. This study, led by an interdisciplinary team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), explores opportunities for cross-sector collaboration to drive more effective and equitable decarbonization. Through discussions with 22 NREL researchers across transportation, building, solar, and grid sectors, the study highlights the need for integrated tools and models that capture interactions between these sectors. Key insights include the need for data standardization and interoperability to enable cross-sector analysis and decision-making. Strengthening utility partnerships is also critical to align energy policies with decarbonization goals and manage the increased demand for renewable energy. The study also emphasizes the importance of equity in the clean energy transition, calling for targeted incentives and support to ensure that low-income and underserved communities benefit from clean technologies like electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances. To support these efforts, innovative funding mechanisms must be expanded to facilitate interdisciplinary research, such as city-specific decarbonization plans and federal projects like DOE"s Standard Scenarios. By encouraging collaboration and integrating cross-sector insights, this study aims to provide a roadmap to accelerate the clean energy transition and ensure it is both sustainable and inclusive.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Life-Cycle Emissions and Human Health Implications of Multi-Input, Multi-Output Biorefineries

To meaningfully broaden the supply of fuels for the transportation sector, biofuel production must be scaled up and this requires a wider array of biomass feedstocks, including agricultural residues and organic waste. Rather than pursuing conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and anaerobic digestion of wastes as separate pathways, there are economic and environmental advantages associated with integrating these processes in a single facility. However, existing research rarely goes beyond carbon footprints in quantifying the effects of such a shift in bioenergy production. In addition to CO2, CH4, and N2O, this study explores the life-cycle air pollution (NH3, volatile organic compounds, NOx, SO2, and PM2.5), marine eutrophication, acidification, and local external cost implications of biorefineries capable of taking in crop residues, food waste, and manure to produce liquid fuel, electricity, and/or other options such as renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, bioplastics, and protein-rich livestock feed. Relative to a single-input, single-output baseline, biorefineries integrated with organic waste codigestion to coproduce electricity or RNG can reduce life-cycle CO2-equivalent emissions by 84-149%, and the monetized external impacts across all scenarios range from $1.07/gallon to -$0.75/gallon ethanol.

Air pollution↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Cost-Effective Wave Energy Harvesting System with Maximum Power Point Tracking Capability

In this paper, we propose a low-cost bidirectional four-switch inverter that transfers three-phase energy between a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) driven by a wave energy collector and the power grid or a local ac load. To achieve high control performance, the machine-side inverter uses a high-gain observer for rotor position estimation and a Lyapunov-based approach for torque control. For the gridside inverter control, we estimate the filter capacitor voltage with a model reference adaptive system and control the dc-link voltage with a Lyapunov-based energy function. We also track the maximum power point from the sea waves with an integral control law that actively matches the generator impedance with that of the wave collection device. The proposed system supports both grid-following/forming modes. We validate our control design with simulation results on a 3-kW hardware setup.

wave energy, power systems integration, control de↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Procedure to Correct the Historical Atmospheric Longwave Irradiance Data When the World Reference Is Established with Respect to the International System of Units

Historical atmospheric longwave irradiance data sets with traceability to the International System of Units (SI) are essential for renewable energy and atmospheric science research and applications. To date, all pyrgeometers used to measure the irradiance are traceable to the interim World Infrared Standard Group (WISG), not to SI units. In 2013, the Absolute Cavity Pyrgeometer (ACP) (Reda et al. 2012) was developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to measure the atmospheric longwave irradiance. The ACP has been compared against the InfraRed Integrating Sphere (IRIS), developed by the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos/World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC) (Grobner 2012). The ACP and the IRIS are absolute instruments traceable to SI units through the International Temperature Scale of 1990. Results of six comparisons between the ACP and the IRIS at different locations have shown that the irradiance measured by WISG pyrgeometers underestimates clear-sky atmospheric longwave irradiance by 2 W/m 2 to 6 W/m 2 (Grobner et al. 2014); therefore, once the world reference is established with traceability to SI units, the WISG would be corrected, then used to calibrate field pyrgeometers with traceability to SI units. The following described method is used to correct the historical atmospheric longwave irradiance data sets in anticipation of the WISG scale change.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Assessing Low-Temperature Geothermal Play Types: Relevant Data and Play Fairway Analysis Methods

This data catalog contains information on low temperature geothermal play types. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) supports the Geothermal Heating and Cooling Geospatial Datasets and Analysis project, conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This project is part of a broader effort to demonstrate the multifaceted value of integrating geothermal power and geothermal heating and cooling technologies into national decarbonization strategies and community energy plans. There is a need to establish baseline low-temperature geothermal resource data sets and evaluate methods for deploying these technologies. This project aims to reduce exploration risk of low temperature geothermal systems by collecting baseline datasets that can be used for Play Fairway Analysis methodologies. This data catalog contains links to publicly available datasets from different sources that can be relevant for the low temperature geothermal systems. This submission contains data catalogs for Alaska, Hawaii, and the Conterminous United States, as well as a technical report on the methods used to classify and asses the geothermal play types.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Procedure to Correct the Historical Atmospheric Longwave Irradiance Data When the World Reference Is Established with Respect to the International System of Units

Historical and traceable atmospheric longwave irradiance data sets with traceability to the International System of units (SI) are essential for renewable energy and atmospheric science research and applications. To date, all pyrgeometers used to measure the irradiance are traceable to the interim World InfraRed Standard Group (WISG) not to SI units. In 2013 the Absolute Cavity Pyrgeometer (ACP), [Reda et al., 2012] was developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to measure the atmospheric longwave irradiance. The ACP has been compared against the InfraRed Integrating Sphere (IRIS) developed by the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos/World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC) [J. Grobner, 2012]. ACP and IRIS are absolute instruments traceable to SI units through the International Temperature Scale ITS-90. Results of six comparisons between ACP and IRIS at different location have shown that the irradiance measured by WISG pyrgeometers is underestimating clear-sky atmospheric longwave irradiance by 2 to 6 W/m 2 [Grobner et al., 2014]. Therefore, once the world reference is established with traceability to SI units the WISG would be corrected then used to calibrate field pyrgeometers with traceability to SI units. The described method below is used to correct the historical atmospheric longwave irradiance data sets in anticipation of the WISG scale change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Procedure to Correct the Historical Atmospheric Longwave Irradiance Data When the World Reference Is Established with Respect to the International System of Units

Historical atmospheric longwave irradiance data sets with traceability to the International System of Units (SI) are essential for renewable energy and atmospheric science research and applications. To date, all pyrgeometers used to measure the irradiance are traceable to the interim World Infrared Standard Group (WISG), not to SI units. In 2013, the Absolute Cavity Pyrgeometer (ACP) (Reda et al. 2012) was developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to measure the atmospheric longwave irradiance. The ACP has been compared against the InfraRed Integrating Sphere (IRIS), developed by the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos/World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC) (Gröbner 2012). The ACP and the IRIS are absolute instruments traceable to SI units through the International Temperature Scale of 1990. Results of six comparisons between the ACP and the IRIS at different locations have shown that the irradiance measured by WISG pyrgeometers underestimates clear-sky atmospheric longwave irradiance by 2 W/m 2 to 6 W/m 2 (Gröbner et al. 2014); therefore, once the world reference is established with traceability to SI units, the WISG would be corrected, then used to calibrate field pyrgeometers with traceability to SI units. The following described method is used to correct the historical atmospheric longwave irradiance data sets in anticipation of the WISG scale change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Assessing Low-Temperature Geothermal Play Types: Relevant Data and Play Fairway Analysis Methods

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) is supporting the Geothermal Heating and Cooling Geospatial Datasets and Analysis project conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as part of a broader effort to demonstrate the multi-faceted value of integrating geothermal power and geothermal heating and cooling (GHC) technologies into national decarbonization plans and community energy plans. Currently, there is a need to establish baseline low-temperature geothermal resource datasets and evaluate methods for deploying these technologies to provide the basis for supporting private sector investment. This project is focused on collecting baseline datasets, updating conceptual models, and creating Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) workflows for low-temperature (<150 degrees Celsius) geothermal resources of different geothermal play types (i.e., sedimentary basin, orogenic belts, and radiogenic geothermal play types) that could be used for geothermal heating and cooling (GHC), combined heat and power (CHP), and other geothermal direct uses (GDU) applications. Low-temperature geothermal resources are defined as reservoirs - natural or engineered - with temperatures <150 degrees Celsius. While the focus in the NREL effort is on GHC, resources at the upper end of this temperature range can also be used for small-scale power generation. This project does not include Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) technologies because they can be effectively developed almost anywhere. Low-temperature geothermal resources have not been studied as extensively as higher- to medium-temperature geothermal resources, but there is recent interest in improving understanding of these types of resources with an uptick of interest in geothermal technologies for decarbonizing heating and cooling systems. In addition, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and other emerging technologies for exploiting petrothermal resources have opened the possibility of utilizing deep sedimentary basin systems, where porous media provide permeability and high temperatures can be reached at great depths. This project takes the approach of classifying low- temperature geothermal resources by geothermal play type (GPT). We defined and characterized three major classes of low-temperature GPT: sedimentary basins, orogenic systems, and radiogenic systems. We develop methodologies for evaluating and analyzing the potential for these resources building off the PFA approach to de-risking geothermal exploration and characterization. The proposed PFA approach for low-temperature geothermal resources includes: 1) identifying relevant data (e.g., datasets such bottom-hole temperatures from oil and gas wells, heat flow data, Quaternary faults and stress field data, geophysical data, etc.); 2) grouping and weighting of relevant datasets into PFA criteria (e.g., geological, risk, and economic criteria); 3) uncertainty quantification; 4) developing favorability or common risk maps for low-temperature geothermal resources to identify potential locations for more focused data collection; and 5) estimating electric power generation and heating potential at those locations using the GeoRePORT Resource Size Assessment Tool (RSAT). This project should facilitate future deployment of GHC, CHP, and GDU by providing data, tools, and a workflow applicable to low-temperature geothermal resources. Increased deployment of GHC and GDU will help achieve national and local decarbonization goals.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Increasing Reliability and Safety of Hydrogen Components - Reliability Data Collection

Come learn about the new Hydrogen Component Reliability Database (HyCReD) and participate in discussions on hydrogen component reliability data collection, collaboration, and analysis. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, HyCReD is a collaborative project between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the University of Maryland, and hydrogen stakeholders to improve safety reliability for hydrogen facilities by integrating risk reduction methodologies and component reliability data taxonomies that support hydrogen infrastructure failure rate analysis.

component↗
DOE OSTI2025

Tightest Mixed-Integer Programming Formulations for Quadratic SCUC Optimization

In this project, we developed new, tighter Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) formulations for the combined Alternating Current (AC) Security-Constrained Unit Commitment (SCUC) and Security-Constrained Optimal Power Flow (SCOPF). The work addresses a critical challenge in power system operations: efficiently determining which generation units to commit and how to optimally dispatch them while maintaining network reliability constraints for both normal and contingency scenarios. Our efforts: 1. Advance the Understanding of SCUC/SCOPF Modeling: By introducing tighter MIP formulations and leveraging cutting-edge optimization tools (Julia/JuMP, PowerModels.jl), this project has pushed forward the state of the art in efficient power systems scheduling. 2. Enhance Technical and Economic Feasibility: The methods developed provide more accurate and potentially faster solutions to large-scale, realistic scheduling and dispatch problems in electric power systems, which can translate into improved reliability and potentially lower costs for grid operations. 3. Benefit to the Public: Greater efficiency in power system operations leads to cost savings for utilities and end-users. Improved reliability and integration of advanced modeling approaches can facilitate the adoption of clean energy resources and better accommodate uncertainties in renewable generation. Because this technology could impact bulk power markets and reliability, these innovations have far-reaching public benefits in terms of cost savings, reliability, and sustainability.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of Advanced Solid Sorbents for Direct Air Capture (Final Technical Report – Unlimited)

RTI Team, proposes an approach for demonstrating carbon-neutral methanol (MeOH) produced from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) removed from air by direct air capture (DAC) and green hydrogen (H 2 ) from water (H 2 O) electrolysis using renewable electricity. The proposed project will include completing a feasibility study that informs a conceptual design of an integrated process that meets technical and economic targets set forth.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Exploring the Grid Value of Offshore Wind Energy in Oregon

The significant offshore wind energy potential of Oregon faces several challenges, including a power grid which was not developed for the purpose of transmitting energy from the ocean. The grid impacts of the energy resource are considered through the lenses of (i) resource complementarity with Variable Renewable Energy resources; (ii) correlations with load profiles from the four balancing authorities with territory in Oregon; and (iii) spatial value to regional and coastal grids as represented through a production cost model of the Western Interconnection. The capacity implications of the interactions between offshore wind and the historical east-to-west power flows of the region are discussed. The existing system is shown to accommodate more than two gigawatts of offshore wind interconnections with minimal curtailment. Through three gigawatts of interconnection, transmission flows indicate a reduction of coastal and statewide energy imports as well as minimal statewide energy exports.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1991

In-flight demonstration of hybrid GPS/Loran RAIM

A receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) scheme has been implemented in a real time, prototype hybrid GPS/LORAN receiver. A four-channel GPS receiver and an eight-channel LORAN-C receiver are used to obtain raw GPS and LORAN pseudorange measurements. The measurement data is sent to a microcomputer for position and integrity determination. Navigation data is presented to the pilot on a standard course deviation indicator with a data renewal rate of up to one update per second. Provisions are made to simulate signal malfunctions in real time by injecting step or ramp failures in the pseudorange measurements. A least-squares fault detection algorithm is presented for the detection of slowly growing measurement errors. The performance of the hybrid GPS/LORAN receiver has been demonstrated through actual flight tests. One of the flight tests is summarized in the paper.

Van Graas, Frank↗