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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 1,279 records · Page 71

Securing Solar for the Grid: Spring 2024 IAB Meeting

The Spring 2024 IAB meeting will focus on updates from the research team and collective feedback and inputs for an updated Roadmap for Solar Cybersecurity. Researchers from the four DOE National Laboratories will present with industry counterparts for the major research tasks within the S2G program, including: Solar Cybersecurity Standards and Certifications, Solar Risk Assessments & Mitigation, Solar Supply Chain Assessment, Network Monitoring Tools and Analysis, and Training and Workforce Development. Sandia National Laboratories developed an original Roadmap for PV Cybersecurity in 2017. This year, we are updating that roadmap to reflect the current state of research and industry and identify gaps and priorities still to be addressed. We look forward to the IAB’s input on key topics for the roadmap.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

South Asia Group for Energy - Bhutan

Bhutan's electricity system is already low-carbon through the use of hydropower. However, generation from hydroelectric plants is reduced during the dry winter months and will be impacted by climate change and other extreme weather events. Bhutan is mitigating these risks by diversifying their energy mix with clean energy resources. Bhutan is exploring photovoltaic (PV) solar energy development to enhance its energy system's overall resilience. To ensure efficient grid planning and solar integration, Bhutan's power generator, Druk Green Power Corporation, and the transmission and distribution utility, Bhutan Power Corporation, are partnering with the South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE) to develop their solar capabilities, integrate solar energy into the grid, and strengthen Bhutan's energy infrastructure and efficiency.

Bhutan↗

Reverse Engineering of Medical Devices for Innovation and Advancement in Healthcare

Medical cybersecurity research addresses the critical intersection of healthcare and digital security. As medical devices expand and become increasingly interconnected, the healthcare sector is poised to become a primary target for cyber warfare. This project aims to mitigate the risks associated with a field that often underestimates the importance of cybersecurity.

Baldwin, David↗

On the Application of Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE)

The 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy has recommended a transition to secure-by-design methodologies in critical infrastructure. This paper presents the adoption of the National Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) Strategy as initiated by the U.S. DOE’s CESER office, advocating for the integration of cybersecurity at the earliest stages of system design. The strategy targets design engineers responsible for energy infrastructure to embed CIE principles within the engineering lifecycle, thus enhancing cyber resilience. This paper discusses the expansion of secure-by-design concepts to cyber-physical systems, moving beyond traditional IT security to include engineering considerations that can mitigate cyber risks through design choices. The paper introduces Digital Risk Management, balancing traditional cybersecurity with CIE to reduce both likelihood and impact of cyber threats. A set of CIE starter questions derived from 12 core principles is detailed, aiding engineers to consider cybersecurity in their designs and highlights the importance of CIE in anticipating and reducing the impacts of cyber attacks, suggesting that such integration is essential for national security and infrastructure resilience.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Decision Points and Practical Considerations for AI Projects

In this presentation, I will present business-relevant decisions, risks, and considerations for practical implementations of AI projects. I will use energy efficiency and renewable energy AI projects at NREL as examples and case-studies highlighting the journey from concept to implementation. First, I present challenges, questions, and trade-offs related to system inputs: the data. Next, I will examine issues with system behavior and trust, presenting examples, risks, and mitigation strategies. Finally, I will discuss challenges to effective widespread deployment of AI systems including energy, compute, and time requirements.

AI↗

Lessons Learned for Responsible Use of Cloud in the Cirrus Project, Following the CrowdStrike Outage Event

A disruption in CrowdStrike’s Falcon cybersecurity platform on July 19th, 2024, caused worldwide chaos. This event highlights the imperative need for cloud security measures for networks that are critically reliant on cloud technology. This incident negatively impacted air travel, government networks, and critical infrastructure sectors such as hospitals and financial institutions. While no electric utilities had a physical impact, and few had an IT impact, there were issues created by loss of cloud services, and other interrelated industries. For utilities and energy distribution organizations, understanding and mitigating these risks is essential. The Cirrus tool offers a strategic solution engineered to weave cloud integration seamlessly into the fabric of operational management, thereby enhancing resilience and streamlining efficiency in the face of digital challenges.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Seismic Resilience of Large Power Transformer Bushings & Non-SF6 Industrial Base Scan Review

Large (high voltage) power transformers (LPT), and more specifically, their bushings, are known to be susceptible to seismic failure. With bushing failure, a transformer will have to be replaced, which has a considerable lead time, adding to the power outage duration. Cost-efficient, proven solutions are not currently available to mitigate this risk, which can persist for the more than 30-year life of a particular transformer. This work will focus on developing and demonstrating a hardware solution to address seismic vulnerabilities and reduce outage risks from LPT failure. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) is a specialty gas with excellent electrical insulation properties which has been used extensively in the power industry. This gas is unfortunately also one of the most potent greenhouse gases known to humanity. A 2014 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that SF6 has a global warming potential (GWP) 23,000 times higher than Carbon Dioxide, and has the highest GWP of all gases assessed (Myhre 2013). SF6 is almost exclusively man-made and is produced for use as an insulator in high voltage electrical equipment. This makes the production and use of SF6 one of the leading sources of anthropogenic climate change. To fully eliminate the environmental impacts of SF6, alternative technology is needed. The ideal replacement would be a technology that can fulfil the same role as SF6, at the same cost or cheaper, but without adverse environmental effects. Currently, no technology fits this description, however several promising technologies have begun to enter the market. An industry scan was performed to assess the state of industry adoption and manufacturing capability for SF6-free alternative technologies for use at the high-voltage level, and the primary barriers to broader adoption.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

Development of a Real-Time Neutron Noise Analysis System for Fuel Debris Removal at Fukushima Daiichi

The decommissioning of Units 1, 2, and 3 at Fukushima Daiichi presents unique challenges, particularly in mitigating the risk of re-criticality during fuel debris removal. Disturbing previously stable debris configurations has the potential to cause changes in the multiplication of the system, necessitating real-time monitoring to ensure operational safety. Current neutron detection systems, primarily passive, are not optimized for continuous real-time analysis and are limited in their ability to detect rapid changes in system reactivity.

Neutron Detection Systems↗

Multifaceted Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Small Modular Reactors in Africa: A Nonproliferation Perspective

In response to the increasing global energy demands driven by industrialization and the urgent need for decarbonization, this study explores the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a sustainable energy solution in Africa. With a focus on nonproliferation concerns, the paper assesses Africa's energy landscape, emphasizing the need for diverse and reliable power sources. While highlighting the scalability and cost-effectiveness of SMRs, the analysis acknowledges potential challenges associated with adhering to the Nonproliferation Treaty with their mass deployment in the African continent. Examining regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, and security protocols, the study also underscores the importance of regional collaboration to prevent the misuse of nuclear technology for military and malicious purposes. The economic and geopolitical implications of SMR deployment in Africa are also investigated, considering its contributions to energy security and economic growth. Drawing insights from successful case studies, the paper concludes by synthesizing key findings and proposing recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. These recommendations encompass regulatory enhancement, capacity building, technology transfer, and diplomatic efforts to strengthen nuclear security, nonproliferation, and safeguards. The overarching aim is to advocate for a balanced approach that maximizes the benefits of SMRs while mitigating associated risks to ultimately contribute to the sustainable and secure development of nuclear energy in Africa.

Prah, Christina↗

Fe Coated Optical Fiber for Distributed Corrosion Monitoring in Soil and Aqueous Environment

Natural gas pipeline corrosion represents a substantial cost and safety concern during normal operations. Effective monitoring of corrosion is important to detect and mitigate pipeline risks before corrosion-related catastrophic events happen. Here, we describe the use of Fe-coated optical fiber sensors (OFS) for distributed corrosion monitoring where Fe acts as a corrosion proxy. By using an optical backscatterring reflectometer (OBR), corrosion was monitored based on the increase in backscattered intensity amplitude of the light being passed as Fe undergoes corrosion. The Fe-coated OFSs were prepared with a film thickness between 25-225 nm by an electroless plating approach and corroded by a CO2-saturated acidic electrolyte. The corrosion rate was approximately 2.5 mm/yr for Fe with a film thickness of 30 nm and increased with film thickness. Backscattering-based corrosion rates were supported by visible light transmission measurements, which have been previously demonstrated. Additionally, a correlation between the intermittent transmission and residual Fe film thickness during corrosion of Fe was established. Corrosion was measurable out to > 100 m which is a significant improvement over our previous work showing corrosion sensing at < 10 m. The corrosion sensor was also tested in soil at >1 ft depth. Fe-coated OFS was loaded into a Draka cable which provides mechanical support during fiber deployment and installation into either acidified soil, top-soil, or sandy soil.

aqueous environment↗

Fe-Coated Optical Fiber for Distributed Corrosion Monitoring in Soil and Aqueous Environments

Natural gas pipeline corrosion represents a substantial cost and safety concern during normal operations. The effective and real-time monitoring of corrosion is important to detect and mitigate pipeline risks before corrosion-related catastrophic events happen. Here, we describe the use of iron (Fe) coated optical fiber sensors (OFS) for distributed corrosion monitoring where Fe acts as a corrosion proxy. By using an optical backscattering reflectometer (OBR), corrosion was monitored based on the increase in the backscattered intensity amplitude of the light being passed as Fe underwent corrosion. The Fe-coated OFSs were prepared with a film thickness between 25–225 nanometers (nm) by an electroless plating approach and corroded by a carbon dioxide (CO2)-saturated acidic electrolyte. The corrosion rate (CR) was approximately 2.5 millimeters (mm)/year for Fe with a film thickness of 30 nm and increased with film thickness. Backscattering-based CRs were supported by visible light transmission measurements, which have been previously demonstrated. Additionally, a correlation between the intermittent transmission and residual Fe film thickness during the corrosion of Fe was established. The corrosion was measurable out to > 100 meters (m), which is a significant improvement over our previous work, which showed corrosion sensing at < 10 m. The corrosion sensor was also tested in soil at > 1 foot depth.

aqueous environment↗

Digital Assurance Checklist for Homeowners and Installers

This document provides a comprehensive Digital Assurance Checklist for securing behind-the-meter energy assets, focusing on both installers and homeowners. As distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV and battery storage become integral to residential energy systems, cybersecurity emerges as a critical component of reliability and safety. The guide outlines actionable steps for installers during pre-installation, commissioning, and post-installation phases, emphasizing practices like network segmentation, credential management, firmware validation, and homeowner education. For homeowners, the document introduces a tiered approach to cyber hygiene—from essential measures like strong Wi-Fi credentials and automatic updates to advanced strategies such as network segmentation, DNS filtering, and intrusion detection. By adopting these practices, stakeholders can mitigate cyber risks, safeguard energy infrastructure, and ensure resilient, secure operation of DER systems. Additional resources and references to industry standards are included to support implementation.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Digital Assurance Checklist for Homeowners and Installers

This document provides a comprehensive Digital Assurance Checklist for securing behind-the-meter energy assets, focusing on both installers and homeowners. As distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV and battery storage become integral to residential energy systems, cybersecurity emerges as a critical component of reliability and safety. The guide outlines actionable steps for installers during pre-installation, commissioning, and post-installation phases, emphasizing practices like network segmentation, credential management, firmware validation, and homeowner education. For homeowners, the document introduces a tiered approach to cyber hygiene—from essential measures like strong Wi-Fi credentials and automatic updates to advanced strategies such as network segmentation, DNS filtering, and intrusion detection. By adopting these practices, stakeholders can mitigate cyber risks, safeguard energy infrastructure, and ensure resilient, secure operation of DER systems. Additional resources and references to industry standards are included to support implementation.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Prediction of Calcium Oxalate Stone Risk with Interventions

Introduction Mitigations intended to reduce bone mineral loss in-flight also influence the level of renal stone risk to astronauts. Extending a recent study completed by our group [1], we investigate the likely influence of combined fluid intake and Ca excretion mitigation strategies. Methods A computational biochemistry model representing CaOx crystal precipitation, growth, and agglomeration [2] is combined with a probabilistic analysis to predict the in-flight CaOx renal stone incidence risk ratio (IRR) relative to pre-flight values using 1517 astronaut 24-hour urine chemistries. The output of this simulation is used to assess the combined impact of controlling fluid intake and Ca excretion on maintaining IRR < 1.2 for > 95% of the population, a threshold determined from initial analysis of the model output compared to referent populations [1]. Results and Conclusions Figure 1 illustrates the simulated in-flight astronaut population (n=40000) with CaOx IRR > 1.2. The red lines indicate the known clinical risk boundary of each factor, and the white box is considered the area of high combined clinical risk. The simulation and identified risk threshold conform well to the expected clinical risk boundaries. The results, assuming insensible water losses equal or exceed 0.7 L/day, imply mitigations achieve risks similar to pre-flight levels when either Ca < 150 mg/day or fluid volume intake > 3.2 L/day individually, or combined Ca < 200 and fluid volume intake > 2.5 L/day. We continue to investigate similar compounded effects and look to apprise engineering trades by informing relative risk changes during mission design. References [1] D. A. Goodenow-Messman, S. A. Gokoglu, M. Kassemi, and J. Myers, Jerry G., “Characterization of Astronaut CaOx Renal Stone Incidence Rates to Quantify In-flight and Post-flight Relative Risk,” npj Microgravity, in review, 2021. [2] M. Kassemi and D. Thompson, “Prediction of renal crystalline size distributions in space using a PBE analytic model. 1. Effect of microgravity-induced biochemical alterations,” Am. J. Physiol. Physiol., vol. 311, no. 3, pp. F520–F530, Sep. 2016, doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00401.2015.

Debra A Goodenow↗

After the hurricane: Validating a resilience assessment methodology

With increasing utility grid outages in the United States, there is growing interest in assessing risk and developing mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of grid outages. Working with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a replicable energy resilience assessment methodology and investment decision tool to: (1) identify and score hazards and vulnerabilities at the site level; (2) analyze risks to energy infrastructure; and (3) identify and prioritize energy resilience investments. This work improves on existing resilience assessment methodologies and tools by combining a bottom-up, all-hazards assessment methodology with top-down geographic information system mapping capabilities to provide an innovative, dynamic tool for identifying and prioritizing actionable solutions. This process combines probabilistic forecasting with an iterative approach for continuously updating and reassessing risks to address temporal dynamism. Relationships among systems are modeled and visualized to estimate the effectiveness of resilience actions across multiple interdependent systems and inform financial priorities through cost-difficulty-impact trade-offs. The approach is validated in a case study at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida, which experienced a Category 5 hurricane in 2018. The risks and mitigation strategies identified pre-hurricane are compared with post-hurricane, realized impacts. The assessment effectively identifies risks and actions to increase site energy resilience, but the methodology can be enhanced though greater consideration of the interdependencies between the energy system and related systems like transportation, communication, and food/water systems, which impact the recovery of the energy system and the base.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Overview of Altair's Thermal Control System and the Associated Technology Development Efforts

Abstract In early 2004, President Bush announced a bold vision for space exploration. One of the goals included in this vision is a return to the moon by 2020. In response to this vision, NASA established the Constellation Program, which includes several project offices. One of the Constellation projects is Altair, which is the next generation Lunar Lander. The future Altair missions are very different than the Lunar missions accomplished during the Apollo era. As such, there are several project risks and design challenges that have never before been addressed. Due to the unique thermal environment associated with this mission, many of these risks and design challenges are associated with the vehicle's thermal control system. NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) includes the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP). ETDP consists of several technology development projects. The project chartered with mitigating the aforementioned risks and design challenges is the Thermal Control System Development for Exploration Project. The current paper will summarize the Altair mission profile, the operational phases, and the thermal design challenges unique to this particular vehicle. The paper will also describe the technology development efforts being performed to mitigate the risks and design challenges. The technology development project is performing a rigorous development effort that includes thermal control system fluids, evaporators, heat exchangers, and Lunar surface radiators. Constellation Program, there are several project offices. One of these projects includes the development of NASA's new lunar lander vehicle. The overall mission architecture for this vehicle, Altair, is very similar to Apollo's architecture. This paper will provide the reader with an overview of the Altair vehicle. In addition, Altair's thermal control system, including the functionality and the hardware, will be discussed. The paper will also describe the technology development process and the various technology developments currently underway.

Stephan, Ryan A.↗

Risk Management for Human Support Technology Development

NASA requires continuous risk management for all programs and projects. The risk management process identifies risks, analyzes their impact, prioritizes them, develops and carries out plans to mitigate or accept them, tracks risks and mitigation plans, and communicates and documents risk information. Project risk management is driven by the project goal and is performed by the entire team. Risk management begins early in the formulation phase with initial risk identification and development of a risk management plan and continues throughout the project life cycle. This paper describes the risk management approach that is suggested for use in NASA's Human Support Technology Development. The first step in risk management is to identify the detailed technical and programmatic risks specific to a project. Each individual risk should be described in detail. The identified risks are summarized in a complete risk list. Risk analysis provides estimates of the likelihood and the qualitative impact of a risk. The likelihood and impact of the risk are used to define its priority location in the risk matrix. The approaches for responding to risk are either to mitigate it by eliminating or reducing the effect or likelihood of a risk, to accept it with a documented rationale and contingency plan, or to research or monitor the risk, The Human Support Technology Development program includes many projects with independently achievable goals. Each project must do independent risk management, considering all its risks together and trading them against performance, budget, and schedule. Since the program can succeed even if some projects fail, the program risk has a complex dependence on the individual project risks.

jones, Harry↗

Technology Readiness Assessment for Stirling Power Convertor

Stirling-based power conversion system could represent a critical enabling technology for future NASA missions, offering significantly enhanced power efficiency over traditional thermoelectric systems. To ensure the successful infusion of this technology into deep space and planetary surface missions, a rigorous evaluation of its maturity and associated risks is essential. The objective of this Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is to determine the current technology readiness level (TRL) of the Stirling power convertor and identify key technical risks and challenges associated with its maturation and potential infusion into a targeted flight system. The evaluation process will rigorously follow the NASA TRA procedure: (1) determining the requirements that underpin the design, function, and performance; (2) finding and listing all new technology elements (NTEs) and critical technology elements (CTEs); (3) identifying the level of integration assumed for the assessment; and (4) assessing the TRL for each NTE and CTE. The overall subassembly TRL will then be determined via a roll-up using the “weakest link” criterion, culminating in a final (5) assessment of risks to further progression of maturity. This paper will present the results of a comprehensive technology readiness assessment (TRA) conducted on the Stirling-based dynamic power conversion subassembly, excluding the radioisotope heat source. The paper will also describe a detailed breakdown of the TRL roll-up and a matrix of identified risks and recommended mitigation paths, along with identified key technical risks and challenges to achieve the required long-duration performance. Key Words: Radioisotope Power Conversion, Technology Readiness Assessment

Radioisotope Power Conversion↗