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At least 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Pathways to CO2 Utilization and Storage for the Intermountain West

The presentation, delivered at American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Carbon, Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) held in Houston, Texas, April 25–27, 2023, provides a detailed perspective on CO2 utilization and storage as a deep decarbonization pathway as it relates to states that make up the Intermountain West (I-WEST) region of the U.S. Content within shows findings from evaluation of the opportunity and potential value delivery that exists for CCUS to deploy at significant scale in the I-WEST region considering the region’s prominent enabling factors. This work is part of a larger initiative involving the development of a regional, stakeholder-informed technology “roadmap” for a sustainable and equitable transition to carbon neutral in the I-WEST.

Vikara, Derek↗
DOE OSTI2023

Overview of the Pathways to CO2 Utilization and Storage for the Intermountain West Region

The topic of the webinar focused on findings from the first phase of I-WEST initiative, specifically related to CO2 utilization and storage as one of the many potential deep decarbonization pathway available to the region. Specifically, the seminar presented topics like: an overview of CCUS technology and benefits; a highlight of a variety of CO2 storage and utilization approaches available to the region, relevant governing regulations, and technical and non-technical grand challenges associated with each option; findings from an assessment of opportunities for CCUS deployment at significant scale within the Intermountain West; and context to help listeners better understand the technical aspects of CCUS and how they interface with economic, social, and policy aspects of decarbonization applicable to the I-WEST geographic region.

Vikara, Derek↗
DOE OSTI2023

In-situ resource utilization-derived water purification and hydrogen and oxygen production

This disclosure provides an integrated system and method for producing purified water, hydrogen, and oxygen from contaminated water. The contaminated water may be derived from regolith-based resources on the moon, Mars, near-Earth asteroids, or other destination in outer space. The integrated system and method utilize a cold trap to receive the contaminated water in a vapor phase and selectively freeze out water from one or more volatiles. A heat source increases temperature in the cold trap to vaporize the frozen contaminated water to produce a gas stream of water vapor and volatiles. A chemical scrubber may remove one or more volatiles. The integrated system and method utilize ionomer membrane technology to separate the water vapor from remaining volatiles. The water vapor is delivered for crew use or delivered to an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

Finger, Barry Wynns↗
DOE OSTI2013

Utilization of Common Automotive Three-Way NO{sub x} Reduction Catalyst for Managing Off- Gas from Thermal Treatment of High-Nitrate Waste - 13094

Studsvik's Thermal Organic Reduction (THOR) steam reforming process has been tested and proven to effectively treat radioactive and hazardous wastes streams with high nitrate contents to produce dry, stable mineral products, while providing high conversion (>98%) of nitrates and nitrites directly to nitrogen gas. However, increased NO{sub x} reduction may be desired for some waste streams under certain regulatory frameworks. In order to enhance the NO{sub x} reduction performance of the THOR process, a common Three-Way catalytic NO{sub x} reduction unit was installed in the process gas piping of a recently completed Engineering Scale Technology Demonstration (ESTD). The catalytic DeNO{sub x} unit was located downstream of the main THOR process vessel, and it was designed to catalyze the reduction of residual NO{sub x} to nitrogen gas via the oxidation of the hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds that are inherent to the THOR process gas. There was no need for auxiliary injection of a reducing gas, such as ammonia. The unit consisted of four monolith type catalyst sections positioned in series with a gas mixing section located between each catalyst section. The process gas was monitored for NO{sub x} concentration upstream and downstream of the catalytic DeNO{sub x} unit. Conversion efficiencies ranged from 91% to 97% across the catalytic unit, depending on the composition of the inlet gas. Higher concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the THOR process gas increased the NO{sub x} reduction capability of the catalytic DeNO{sub x} unit. The NO{sub x} destruction performance of THOR process in combination with the Three-Way catalytic unit resulted in overall system NO{sub x} reduction efficiencies of greater than 99.9% with an average NO{sub x} reduction efficiency of 99.94% for the entire demonstration program. This allowed the NO{sub x} concentration in the ESTD exhaust gas to be maintained at less than 40 parts per million (ppm), dry basis with an average concentration of approximately 17 ppm, dry basis. There were no signs of catalyst deactivation throughout the 6 day demonstration program, even under the high steam (>50%) content and chemically reducing conditions inherent to the THOR process. Utilization of the common Three-Way automotive catalyst may prove to be a cost effective method for improving NO{sub x} emissions from thermal treatment processes that utilize similar processing conditions. This paper will discuss the details of the implementation and performance of the Three-Way catalytic DeNO{sub x} unit at the THOR ESTD, as well as a discussion of future work to determine the long-term durability of the catalyst in the THOR process. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Uncertainty evaluation for the realistic safety analysis methodology of RIA by utilizing experimental results

An audit calculation methodology for the safety analysis of reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) in a PWR based on the realistic approach is under developing in Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety. In this paper important uncertainty parameters to the rod performance were described, and the validity of those parameters was assessed by utilizing the CABRI and NSRR experimental results. Sensitivity study has been carried out to identify the parameters by changing fuel burnup, injected energy and full-width half maximum (FWHM) of given RIA power pulses. FRAPCON-3.5 and FRAPTRAN-1.5 fuel performance code were utilized. Non-parametric order statistics was used for the uncertainty quantification, and 124 inputs on each experimental case were produced by simple random sampling technique. Analysis results showed that the assessed fuel performance uncertainties such as the fuel enthalpy, fission gas release and clad plastic hoop strain could not bound some experimental results. This means that the currently considered uncertainty range, particularly for the peak power, is not enough to cover the fuel performance uncertainty within a sufficient probability and confidence level. (author)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utilizing GEOPHIRES-X Beyond Electricity

The GEOPHIRES tool is a techno-economic simulator for evaluating the thermal performance and cost-competitiveness of geothermal plants for electricity, heating, and/or cooling. The tool combines reservoir, wellbore, and surface plant cost and performance models to estimate overall techno-economic metrics such as net present value or levelized cost of electricity, heating, or cooling. We recently upgraded the tool to an object-oriented Python framework, presented in an accompanying paper. As part of the upgrade, we enhanced the capability to simulate the performance of geothermal plants for heating and cooling, which is the topic of this paper. Specifically, we (1) integrated absorption chillers to investigate the performance of utilizing geothermal heat for cooling, (2) integrated a heat pump module to boost the geothermal temperature and thermal output, (3) integrated a district heating module to estimate heating demand for a district based on local weather data, and simulated heat supply with geothermal energy and peaking boilers, and (4) integrated GEOPHIRES as an engine in the dGeo simulator to perform a geospatial analysis of geothermal district heating feasibility across a large region (e.g., a state or the entire United States) utilizing resource and thermal demand maps. This paper presents background information and case studies for several of these heating and cooling end-use options in GEOPHIRES.

absorption chiller↗
DOE OSTI2023

EVs@Scale Next-Gen Profiles - Fleet Utilization 2023

As U.S. fleet operators begin transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), critical questions arise regarding how to manage this shift without disrupting fleet operations or placing undue stress on the electric grid. A major challenge for fleets is maintaining effective operational schedules while accommodating charging requirements, particularly with high-power charging (HPC) infrastructure, which presents grid stability concerns for utilities. Proposed solutions such as charging substations, megawatt charging systems (MCS), and smart charge management systems (SCMS) offer potential pathways forward, but their effectiveness depends on alignment with real-world fleet behavior and operational constraints. This report investigates the charging and utilization behavior of EV and EVSE fleets actively employing HPC technologies by conducting detailed case study analyses based on telematics data. A suite of predefined metrics—covering charging, routing, and other operational behaviors—is developed to evaluate the impact of fleet activities on grid infrastructure and identify opportunities for optimization. Results highlight variations in charging behavior across fleets, such as weekday versus weekend usage, diurnal charging trends, and the role of operational predictability in enabling SCMS effectiveness. While SCMS can help lower costs and improve energy efficiency for fleets with stable schedules, they may be insufficient for fleets with highly variable or long-haul operations, which may require more robust solutions like MCS. Visualization of aggregated hourly energy metrics reveals that while fleet behaviors are diverse, there are common temporal patterns that could inform infrastructure planning and energy management. These insights emphasize the need for fleet-specific charging strategies that minimize grid impact while supporting reliable fleet operations. Additionally, the report underscores the broader economic stakes of electrification, particularly in high-value markets such as freight, where misaligned transitions could stall EV adoption. By examining current EV and EVSE fleet deployments using predetermined standardized metrics, this study offers a foundation for developing technologies and operational frameworks that support scalable, grid-compatible electrification across a variety of fleet types while establishing a baseline understanding of operational behaviors. In doing so, we aim to ensure that future charging solutions reflect actual fleet needs and grid constraints—an essential step toward maintaining operational continuity and achieving a successful transition to electric fleet operations.

Charging↗
DOE OSTI2018

Streamlining Stakeholder Data Accessibility Utilizing Web-Based GIS Capabilities - 18672

Environmental data is often complex, and it can be difficult to provide proper context to fully understand and comprehensively analyze the data. One tool identified to better present complicated data is the use of web-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Web-based GIS provides much-needed visual context to the complex data collected at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). By overlaying environmental data atop relevant geographical features, such as topography, surface or subsurface geology, hydrogeological features, buildings, roads, and technical areas, LANL's diverse group of stakeholders are better able to understand environmental data collected at the LANL site within the framework of the surrounding geography. Since 2012, Los Alamos has utilized a web-based GIS module in the Intellus New Mexico data-sharing web site. This web site provides unfettered public access to LANL and New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) - Department of Energy (DOE) Oversight Bureau environmental data. Through the past five years of real world experience, LANL identified areas where questions and confusion arose, particularly for those not directly associated with the site's environmental cleanup mission. In order to query the millions of records in Intellus in a meaningful way, users had to have substantial knowledge of the data organization and nomenclature ahead of time. While this was not a challenge for LANL and NMED environmental scientists, it proved to be a substantial barrier for members of the general public to utilize Intellus. In 2017, LANL initiated an Intellus redesign with the goal of deconstructing the type of questions people asked and identifying the types of user personas accessing the site to engineer a simpler path to desired data sets. Greatly simplified click paths ('Quick Paths') were created that walk the user through the basics with a minimum of jargon and a strong reliance on mapping results for easy visualization. The improved mapping was enabled by an upgraded online GIS functionality that allowed LANL to easily integrate their own base-maps to provide users the most up to date views of their data. The integrated Intellus GIS was enhanced to assimilate with LANL's dynamic base maps and site information in relation to data collection activities, to avoid outdated presentations. A simplified user interface (UI) was added and easier data querying was designed. A more robust visual presentation was created that allowed better viewing of spatial data. All data queries in the new simplified 'Quick Path' give the users the option to map the results and save their results to their optional accounts. This brings the power of GIS visualization to all users without the need for GIS knowledge or extensive training. By integrating with Esri{sup R} technologies, base-map layers in ArcGIS Online{sup R} can be updated by LANL or other data providers at any time and reflected immediately in the Intellus mapping application called GIS+ 1. Users can even load additional map layers to GIS+ that contain their own spatial data or information shared from over a million users on ArcGIS Online{sup R}, such as ecological information from the Fish and Wildlife Service, or geology layers from the USGS. The results from the improved quick path search in Intellus can be viewed in GIS+ and analyzed using Esri's{sup R} Smart Mapping technology, which makes it easy to classify results with its visual representation of the results in an interactive histogram, where sliders can be dragged to look at various intervals for each color range for that query. With enhanced GIS+, Los Alamos National Laboratory is able to observe improve Stakeholder engagement and positive Stakeholder interactions within its public environmental database, Intellus New Mexico. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Simple, Revolutionary Approach to Waste Packaging Utilizing Proven Technology - 20201

Historically, removing hazardous waste from gloveboxes involves the use of bags as the primary containment method. This method can prove tedious, repetitive, and time consuming to ensure the process follows all safeguards required to contain the waste and mitigate any breach of containment. Layers of bags, yards of tape, and multiple filters are added to the waste stream in order to transfer the hazardous waste from the glovebox safely into the drum package. Then, finally, it can be shipped and disposed of. The process to cut, tie, and tape each bag for disposal involves manual effort by multiple operators. Following Administrative Safety Controls, good operators are able to safely perform those tasks; but, since the bag is the only confinement layer, incidents can occur. Operators, in some cases, are also at close proximity to this waste which may increase the risk of radiation exposure. Once the waste is transferred out through these bags, it is nearly impossible to remove packaged waste that may contain higher dosage levels, thus increasing drum disposal costs incurred by the facility. Exceeding the allowable radiation levels, and drums not fully filled, both contribute significantly to excess disposal costs. Central Research Laboratories (CRL), based in Red Wing Minnesota, has developed the Waste Drum Transfer System (WDTS) building upon the proven technology and containment of the Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) as an alternate, more efficient method of waste transfer. This solution consists of an RTP Alpha port mounted inside a glovebox and Beta assembly unit composed of a drum liner fitted inside a standard 55 gallon drum. The use of the Beta drum liner bypasses the typical use of bags, sleeves or tape to provide leak tight containment. The process to connect and disconnect a drum from the glovebox is achieved by the self-docking and rotating system controls of the RTP Alpha, all done with only one operator standing in an upright ergonomic position. This system also allows for greater flexibility in available Beta connection options, expanding the overall functionality of the system. This system can be disconnected and reconnected multiple times to maximize volume containment. This will minimize drum disposal costs and reduce the overall volume of waste output by more efficiently filling the drums. Radiation levels inside each drum can be monitored and adjusted more efficiently by operators utilizing the reconnect option. Minimal As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) levels are also achievable with this system. This paper will show how highly efficient packaging and disposal of hazardous waste can be accomplished in a cost-effective manner utilizing the proven RTP technology. Maximized operator productivity and safety, as well as minimized radiation dose exposure, are all attainable through the system's engineered controls. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Use of Multi-Attribute Utility Analyses to Assess Transportation Routes from ISFSIs - 20535

With two consolidated interim storage facilities for used nuclear fuel (UNF) having applied for storage licenses, there is the potential need to transport UNF in the U.S. from shutdown reactor sites to complete the site cleanup and from operating reactor sites who may be running out of storage options (e.g., spent fuel pools are nearly full and dry storage facilities are reaching licensed capacity). At some of the shutdown reactor sites, only the independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) exists and often there remains a degraded transportation infrastructure for performing shipments from these sites. At other sites (e.g., operating reactor plants), the existing transportation infrastructure on the site is unchanged and sufficient for moving UNF, but the environment around the route may have changed (e.g., what was once a rural setting has transformed into a more urban setting) and/or local stakeholders want their input taken into consideration in UNF transportation activities. So, although preliminary evaluations have been performed to identify viable modes of transport from these sites using rail, barge, and/or heavy haul truck, if multiple options exist for moving the UNF from the site (e.g., multiple truck routes or a truck and a barge route both exist) then an evaluation that takes input from multiple stakeholders should be considered to identified the preference (e.g., ranking) of routes from a site. Orano has supported the development of several studies examining the viable routes for removing UNF from some of these sites and has utilized a multi-attribute utility analysis (MUA) to establish a ranking of routes and associated modes to move the UNF from the ISFSIs to a Class I rail carrier. The ultimate result from the MUA is a list(s) of the most to the least favored/preferred routes from the site. This paper provides an overview of the MUA methodology and provides an example of its application to a site with a shutdown reactor. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

GIS-Based Modeling of Contaminated Soil Volumes at Multiple Sites in the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program - 20149

The remediation of hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste (HTRW) sites produces cost-related risks associated with the estimation of contaminated soil or debris volumes. Historical risk-management techniques include cost contingencies to cover volume uncertainties that affect project budgeting and decision-making. The Buffalo District teamed with project partners to lessen volume uncertainty and reduce project risks at multiple HTRW sites managed under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Historical remedial investigations under FUSRAP commonly identified the presence of radiological material in site media, the associated human health risk, and then areas of remediation. To manage remedial execution and reduce risk, pre-design or remediation-phase sampling essentially 'chased' contamination, which was not conducive to efficient predictive budgeting derived from Feasibility Study (FS) cost analyses. The Buffalo District first optimized their approach to better understand volume uncertainty by utilizing the Argonne National Laboratory's Bayesian Approaches for Adaptive Spatial Sampling (BAASS) software [1]. BAASS processed soft data (e.g., gamma walk-over data) and spatial sampling data to estimate the lateral extent of contaminated soil irrespective of depth (i.e., gross contamination extent) and define areas of contaminant uncertainty. The software performed a binary transformation of contaminant concentrations at all sampling points based upon remedial action goals or a sum of ratios approach (i.e., clean, impacted, or range of impacts in soil). The model produced two-dimensional (horizontal) contaminant probability contours and statistical uncertainty in the sampling coverage and resulting contaminant extents. This method was translated vertically by partitioning the sampling data into depth brackets that produced a stacked representation of contaminant extents and uncertainty in the subsurface (i.e., similar to construction lifts). The results commonly led to a better understanding of project uncertainty and the need for sampling strategies that produce high-confidence soil volumes, which control costs. The BAASS-based delineations were eventually replaced by Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) methods available in ArcGIS Spatial or 3D Analysts [2]. The EBK method calculates contaminant probability zones derived from user-controlled semivariograms of the spatial datasets. The resulting probability zones (e.g., 50% or 80% of contaminant probability) represent the two-dimensional surface delineation of the overall horizontal remedial area, similarly to BAASS. However, unlike BAASS, the vertical sampling data within these probability zones became vertical control points to contour a subterranean surface that connects subsurface points to the land-surface delineations of contamination. The resulting representation of horizontal and vertical impacts within an enclosed envelop (volume) of soil included uncertainty distributions that are used to plan uncertainty-reduction sampling. These data-driven and math-based models of three-dimensional sampling results produced well-bounded remedial volumes for project planning and better uncertainty predictions during project budgeting. The EBK method was applied to several FUSRAP sites managed by the Buffalo District and compared to less rigorously modeled sites previously remediated by the District. The comparison of modeled to actual remediated volumes provide a basis for validating the volume-estimation method. This comparison is important to ensure modeled volumes match physical boundaries of site remediation. FUSRAP sites with denser investigative sampling and lesser volume uncertainty proved useful in remedial planning and contracting. The Buffalo District noted that historical sites with sparser sampling arrays had greater disparity between estimated volumes and final remedial volumes. The benefit achieved over the cost of detailed soil sampling appears positive for FUSRAP projects, especially where impacts vary widely and appear unbounded by investigation-phase sampling. The subsequent Empirical Bayesian Kriging of contamination coupled with vertical contouring for soil estimations reduces uncertainty in soil volumes or indicates where sampling is required to reduce uncertainty, which together optimize remedial planning and budgeting. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Utilizing Commercial Submersible Mixer Pumps for Sludge Removal in Savannah River Site's Tank 26 - 20289

The Savannah River Site (SRS) Liquid Waste System (LWS) safely manages, stores, treats, and dispositions liquid radioactive waste. The LWS consists of 51 underground waste storage tanks (eight of which are operationally closed and filled with grout), waste evaporators, treatment facilities, and solidification facilities, known as the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) and Saltstone Production Facility (SPF). One of the waste storage tanks, Tank 26, was placed into service in 1980 as an F Tank Farm (FTF) Evaporator Feed Tank. From 1980 to 2013, Tank 26 received F Canyon receipts and dilute supernate that was then transferred to the 242-16F FTF Evaporator for volume reduction. In 2013, the steam tube bundle failed in the FTF Evaporator, and the decision was made not to repair/resume evaporator operation. During operation of Tank 26, solids built up to a level of 2.03 m in the tank with a volume of 1062.9 kL. Due to the evaporator failure and subsequent shutdown, the solids in Tank 26 were selected to feed Sludge Batch 10, which is collected and prepped prior to being sent to DWPF for final disposition. To accomplish solids removal, Commercial Submersible Mixer Pumps (CSMPs) were selected to slurry the solids in preparation to be sent to Tank 51. Four CSMPs were installed in Tank 26 with each one installed in a separate quadrant of Tank 26. This work would mark the first deployment of CSMPs in an SRS waste tank. The CSMPs were developed in response to operational issues from previous mixing pumps and budgetary constraints. The CSMPs use the concept of modifying commercially available equipment for nuclear waste applications. The CSMPs consist of a 230-horsepower submersible mixing pump (manufactured by GPM, Inc.) joined to a mast fabricated at SRS. For this application, Savannah River Remediation (SRR) design services was challenged to provide a mast design that required no steel superstructure support system on top of Tank 26. Also, SRR design services provided a simplified Tank 26 riser interface that did not require extensive machine parts to adjust height of the suction screen of the CSMP within the tank. Other design improvements include no requirements for tank top radiation monitors and no requirements for flushing of the CSMPs during startup/shutdown operations. The CSMPs were operated at an initial height of 2.29 m above the Tank 26 bottom for 10 days. After sludge sounding, the CSMPs were lowered to a height of 1.52 m with no issues due to proper work planning and the simplified riser interface. With the CSMPs lowered to a level of 1.52 meters above the tank bottom, the CSMPs were operated for 12 days and another sounding was performed. The sounding level came back matching the disturbance depth results of the first pump run. Chemistry samples were analyzed while the tank was left to settle. The analysis revealed enough weight percent solids to provide good feed to Sludge Batch 10. Also, the results revealed the supernate within the mixture would provide good salt solution feed to Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Salt Batch 3. So, the plan was modified to let the disturbed solids settle and decant the salt solution for addition to SWPF Salt Batch 3. Then water will be added back to Tank 26, and the CSMPs run in order to wash the solids to decrease settling time prior to being sent to Tank 51 for Sludge Batch 10. Utilizing CSMPs for waste removal in an SRS Tank has provided a cost-effective means for further waste removal efforts. In addition, the CSMPs are easier to operate by utilizing a robust and simplified design. The CSMPs performed quite well with no process shutdown or delays during operation. As a result, CSMPs are integral to the future of removing radioactive waste from storage tanks at SRS. (authors)

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

EVs@Scale Next-Gen Profiles - Fleet Utilization 2024

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s EVs@Scale initiative, the Next-Gen Profiles (NGP) project provides a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of electric vehicle (EV) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) operations across real-world fleet deployments. This paper presents findings from the NGP’s Fleet Utilization study, which investigates operational behavior and asset usage across seventeen EV fleets and two EVSE fleets, encompassing a wide range of vehicle types and use cases. Data collected from diverse sources—varying in format and temporal resolution—are first reformatted into a unified structure. From this harmonized dataset, a suite of rigorously defined performance metrics is calculated at an hourly cadence, enabling consistent cross-comparison of charging, routing, and other key operational behaviors. Amid rapidly increasing EV adoption and growing demands for energy-efficient fleet operations, the analysis reveals clear utilization trends—including diurnal and weekly activity cycles, differences in short versus long charging session dependencies, and route-specific energy usage patterns. These findings highlight the need for tailored infrastructure strategies and the deployment of advanced energy management systems, such as Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and Site Energy Management Systems (SEMS), which can optimize charging schedules and mitigate peak loads. By leveraging anonymized, harmonized datasets and standardized metrics, this study offers critical insights into fleet behavior and performance, providing a foundation to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enable the scalable deployment of electrified transportation.

Wells, Landon↗
DOE OSTI2025

Creating Apptainer Workflows with Docker-Compose-like Utilities

Creating Apptainer Workflows with Docker-Compose-like Utilities In this presentation, I will explore the utilization of a tool called process-compose, inspired by docker-compose, to create Apptainer-based services. This approach allows for easy deployment and management of fully containerized applications on High Performance Computing (HPC) systems without requiring elevated privileges. Benefits to the Ecosystem: By incorporating process-compose and Apptainer, I aim to address several key challenges in the HPC ecosystem: Simplified Workflow Management: Process-compose provides a user-friendly interface for defining and managing complex containerized application services, reducing the setup time and lowering the barrier to entry for new users. Enhanced Portability: Apptainer ensures that containerized applications can run consistently across different HPC environments, promoting greater portability and reducing compatibility issues. Process-compose is also a single binary that does not need to be installed by admin level users. Community Driven Solutions: This approach aligns with the goals of the High Performance Software Foundation (HPSF) to advance community-driven solutions. By sharing our experiences and insights, I hope to foster collaboration and innovation within the HPC community. Increased Productivity: The combination of process-compose and Apptainer streamlines the serve deployment process, allowing researchers and developers to focus more on their scientific work rather than the intricacies of system or service administration. Through this presentation, attendees will gain valuable insights into the practical implementation of containerized workflows on HPC systems, learn about the benefits of using process-compose and Apptainer, and understand how these tools can contribute to a more efficient HPC ecosystem.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Navigating Integration: Key Challenges for Data Centers, Nuclear Stakeholders, and Utility Operators

he exponential growth of data centers—driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing—is reshaping the U.S. energy landscape, presenting urgent challenges and transformative opportunities for data center developers, nuclear energy providers, and utility operators. As data centers are projected to consume up to 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028, stakeholders must address rapid deployment needs, grid congestion, and the demand for reliable, high-quality power. This presentation explores the multifaceted barriers to integrating data centers with nuclear and utility infrastructure, including land use constraints, public perception, regulatory complexity, and workforce alignment. It highlights the distinct priorities and operational cultures of each sector, and the friction that arises from misaligned planning horizons and risk tolerances. We examine collaborative strategies such as co-siting, hybrid power-purchase agreements, unified community engagement, and innovative financing models.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Working with Your Utility on Energy Efficiency

This fact sheet highlights way organizations can work with their utility provider to better understand the variety of energy efficiency programs and incentives available to them.

benchmarking↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of microalgae cultivation at air-CO 2 equilibrium pH for improving carbon utilization efficiency

Microalgae are often cultivated at near-neutral pH to optimize growth. However, this results in significant CO 2 loss through outgassing in open-pond cultivation systems, leading to low CO 2 utilization efficiency and higher biomass production costs. One potential solution is algal cultivation at air-CO 2 equilibrium pH, which minimizes CO 2 outgassing but may inhibit growth due to stresses at higher pH levels. In this study, we evaluated the viability of this approach by growing Picochlorum celeri and Tetraselmis striata under outdoor relevant conditions at equilibrium pH. Compared to pH 7 cultures, biomass productivity declined by 35 % for P. celeri and 57 % for T. striata. Although CO 2 outgassing could be minimized, the significant loss in productivity led to a higher overall minimum biomass selling price (MBSP). Increased ammonia toxicity at the higher pH was found to be one of the growth-limiting factors and was mitigated by reducing ammonium fertilizer concentration. This adjustment resulted in a more moderate productivity decline of 13 % (instead of 35 %) for T. striata, and consequently, a lower MBSP was achieved. These findings suggest that equilibrium pH cultivation may be a viable method for reducing CO 2 loss without significantly compromising biomass productivity. Depending on the strain, strategies to mitigate stressors, such as ammonia toxicity, may be necessary.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗