Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Advanced Energy Systems”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Cogeneration Technology Alternatives Study (CTAS) Volume 5: Analytical approach and results

Data and information in the area of advanced energy conversion systems for industrial cogeneration applications in the 1985 to 2000 time period are provided. Six current and thirty-six advanced energy conversion systems were defined and combined with appropriate balance of plant equipment. Twenty-six industrial processes were selected from among the high energy consuming industries to serve as a framework for the study. Each conversion system was analyzed as a cogenerator with each industrial plant. Fuel consumption, costs, and environmental intrusion were evaluated and compared to corresponding traditional values. Various cogeneration strategies were analyzed and both topping and bottoming (using industrial by-product heat) applications were included. The advanced energy conversion technologies indicated reduced fuel consumption, costs, and emissions. Typically fuel energy savings of 10 to 25 percent were predicted compared to traditional on site furnaces and utility electricity. Gas turbines and combined cycles indicated high overall annual cost savings. Steam turbines and gas turbines produced high estimated returns. In some applications, diesels were most efficient. The advanced technologies used coal derived fuels, or coal with advanced fluid bed combustion or on site gasification systems.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2023

Insights into Methodologies and Stochastic Optimization of Thermal Energy Storage-Coupled Advanced Reactor Systems: A Comparison of Methods for Accessing Long-Term Sub-System Sizing Adequacy

This paper investigates the potential of coupling Thermal Energy Storage (TES) with Advanced Reactors (ARs) to address uncertainties posed by climate change in deep decarbonized power systems. The TES Use-case Team at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has examined the potential of storing thermal energy from ARs during low demand periods and optimizing discharge during peak-priced hours, in both steady-state and transient conditions. Building on this groundwork, this study bridges the gaps in optimal sizing of the sub-system of TES-coupled AR systems using Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) and Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON), INL?s framework for grid optimization. By applying this framework, we present statistically-robust optimal charge, discharge including balance of plant (BOP), and storage sizing for the High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) with 203 MWth output. To this end, we generated synthetic price samples for 30 years using 2018 ? 2021 real-time market data from ERCOT, PJM and MISO. Our results reveals that the TES-coupled HTGR system is highly effective in maximizing revenue from electricity sales. We observed a substantial increase of 40 % in ERCOT and a noteworthy 15 % increase in PJM and MISO when compared to the conventional BOP without TES. This improvement is achieved through regionally-tailored sub-system sizing, which ranges from 398 to 416 MWth for the discharge system and 610 to 1029 MWth for the TES. We find that the average electricity price directly impacts the overall economics, while price volatility influences storage size. Additional sensitivity analyses were performed to access the impact of key assumptions on system economics and sizing, differentiating the optimization window (i.e., 24 ? 219 hours of chronological observations) and by imposing storage continuity condition in tracking TES cycles. We observed that at the 120-hour of the optimization window, a reasonable balance between computation time and accuracy was achieved. Our analysis also highlights the significance of conducting multi-day cycle analysis (> 120-hour) for TES to capture interaction between electricity prices and storage dynamics, providing a comprehensive understanding of TES behavior that AR developers should integrate into their plant designs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1980

Cogeneration Technology Alternatives Study (CTAS). Volume 5: Cogeneration systems results

The use of various advanced energy conversion systems is examined and compared with each other and with current technology systems for savings in fuel energy, costs, and emissions in individual plants and on a national level. About fifty industrial processes from the largest energy consuming sectors were used as a basis for matching a similar number of energy conversion systems that are considered as candidate which can be made available by the 1985 to 2000 time period. The sectors considered included food, textiles, lumber, paper, chemicals, petroleum, glass, and primary metals. The energy conversion systems included steam and gas turbines, diesels, thermionics, stirling, closed cycle and steam injected gas turbines, and fuel cells. Fuels considered were coal, both coal and petroleum based residual and distillate liquid fuels, and low Btu gas obtained through the on site gasification of coal. The methodology and results of matching the cogeneration energy conversion systems to approximately 50 industrial processes are described. Results include fuel energy saved, levelized annual energy cost saved, return on investment, and operational factors relative to the noncogeneration base cases.

Gerlaugh, H. E.↗
DOE OSTI2024

ARIES: Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems

One of the primary challenges to achieving a clean energy future is closing the gap between ambitions and real-world deployment. To accelerate solutions for a clean energy future, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, developed a visionary research platform called Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES). ARIES takes in the full picture - from community energy needs to technology developers and service providers - rather than evaluating clean energy and technologies in isolation. This innovative approach uncovers opportunities and risks in the spaces where energy technologies and sectors - such as transportation, industry, buildings, and the electric grid - meet.

ARIES↗
NASA NTRS1981

Regional characteristics relevant to advanced technology cogeneration development

To assist DOE in establishing research and development funding priorities in the area of advanced energy conversion technoloy, researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory studied those specific factors within various regions of the country that may influence cogeneration with advanced energy conversion systems. Regional characteristics of advanced technology cogeneration possibilities are discussed, with primary emphasis given to coal derived fuels. Factors considered for the study were regional industry concentration, purchased fuel and electricity prices, environmental constraints, and other data of interest to industrial cogeneration.

Manvi, R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design, Integration and Synthesis Platform to Advance Tightly Coupled Hybrid Energy Systems (DISPATCHES) v0.1.0

The DISPATCHES software will enable the design and optimization of Integrated Energy Systems (IES). The platform will support hybridizing existing generation facilities (such as nuclear and coal plants) as well as greenfield hybrid designs that incorporate advanced technologies (such as Advanced Modular Reactors and Coal FIRST), and it will enable the consideration of multiple technology options with different time constants. The design of the IES will be optimized for operation within the bulk power system via energy market signals (day ahead, real-time, and ancillary services) obtained from a production cost model. The goal of DISPATCHES is to identify flexible, dynamic designs that are responsive to grid market signals resulting in highly efficient, cost effective tightly coupled hybrid energy systems that can act as a "black box" to the grid to provide increased flexibility and resiliency.

Gunter, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS1976

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), General Electric Phase 1. Volume 1: Executive summary

A data base for the comparison of advanced energy conversion systems for utility applications using coal or coal-derived fuels was developed. Estimates of power plant performance (efficiency), capital cost, cost of electricity, natural resource requirements, and environmental intrusion characteristics were made for ten advanced conversion systems. Emphasis was on the energy conversion system in the context of a base loaded utility power plant. All power plant concepts were premised on meeting emission standard requirements. A steam power plant (3500 psig, 1000 F) with a conventional coal-burning furnace-boiler was analyzed as a basis for comparison. Combined cycle gas/steam turbine system results indicated competitive efficiency and a lower cost of electricity compared to the reference steam plant. The Open-Cycle MHD system results indicated the potential for significantly higher efficiency than the reference steam plant but with a higher cost of electricity.

Corman, J. C.↗
DOE OSTI2023

AMES: MS and MENG in Advanced Manufacturing for Energy at the University of Connecticut (Final Technical Report)

The objective of the project is to develop and implement an advanced degree program (MS and MENG in Advanced Manufacturing for Energy Systems, AMES) responding to the long-term workforce and technology requirements of the nation’s advanced energy products manufacturing industry. The program provided an industry relevant research experience by leveraging existing energy (e.g. fuels, power electronics, electrochemical power sources) and advanced manufacturing (e.g. additive manufacturing, composites, sensing) research at UConn funded by federal and state agencies, and industry, as well as through our industry partnerships. The trainees have joined research teams, advised by faculty with relevant research interests and expertise and were co-advised by industrial mentors. The AMES program have developed a truly interdisciplinary curriculum, first graduate degree program at UConn School (now College) of Engineering not housed in an academic department, with concentrations focusing on various challenges in advanced manufacturing for energy systems, e.g. advanced materials and processing. The project also developed new courses focusing on common technical and professional skills, and integrated various components for an industry relevant training. The program has admitted 29 Master of Science (MS) students since inception in January 2019. Twenty six of these students were AMES fellows, who have received partial funding from DoE through this project. The program far exceeded the goal of admitting at least five new MS (with thesis) students. All students were required to complete a thesis (M.S.) or a capstone (M.Eng.) project that are defined in collaboration with industry partners to ensure industrial relevancy, addressing a current industrial challenges. Industrial mentors also participated in advising the students in their research. AMES fellows, in addition were also required to complete an industrial internship for further industrial experience.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluation of low-exergy heating and cooling systems and topology optimization for deep energy savings at the urban district level

District energy systems have the potential to achieve deep energy savings by leveraging the density and diversity of loads in urban districts. However, planning and adoption of district thermal energy systems is hindered by the analytical burden and high infrastructure costs. It is hypothesized that network topology optimization would enable wider adoption of advanced (ambient temperature) district thermal energy systems, resulting in energy savings. In this study, energy modeling is used to compare the energy performance of “conventional” and “advanced” district thermal energy systems at the urban district level, and a partial exhaustive search is used to evaluate a heuristic for the topology optimization problem. For the prototypical district considered, advanced district thermal energy systems mated with low-exergy building heating and cooling systems achieved a source energy use intensity that was 49% lower than that of conventional systems. The minimal spanning tree heuristic was demonstrated to be effective for the network topology optimization problem in the context of a prototypical district, and contributes to mitigating the problem’s computational complexity. The work presented in this paper demonstrates the potential of advanced district thermal energy systems to achieve deep energy savings, and advances to addressing barriers to their adoption through topology optimization.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1979

Benefits of advanced technology in industrial cogeneration

This broad study is aimed at identifying the most attractive advanced energy conversion systems for industrial cogeneration for the 1985 to 2000 time period and assessing the advantages of advanced technology systems compared to using today's commercially available technology. Energy conversion systems being studied include those using steam turbines, open cycle gas turbines, combined cycles, diesel engines, Stirling engines, closed cycle gas turbines, phosphoric acid and molten carbonate fuel cells and thermionics. Specific cases using today's commercially available technology are being included to serve as a baseline for assessing the advantages of advanced technology.

Barna, G. J.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Advanced-Research-on-Integrated-Energy-Systems-Based Analysis to Support Resilient System Upgrades: Energy to Communities Energyshed In-Depth Partnership with Molokai, Hawaii

The Molokai, Hawaii, Energy to Communities (E2C) Energyshed project represents a collaborative effort between the National Laboratory of the Rockies, Shake Energy Collaborative, the Molokai Clean Energy Hui, Sustainable Molokai, and Ho'ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai to advance Molokai's Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (CERAP). Supported by Hawaiian Electric Company and the Hawaii State Energy Office, the initiative aims to develop a community-defined portfolio of renewable energy solutions that enhance energy resilience while aligning with the Hawaiian Electric Integrated Grid Plan (IGP) and Molokai's energy goals. Phase 1 focused on technical analyses and community engagement to co-design feasible energy scenarios. Challenges such as grid upgrades, storage sizing, and inverter ride-through standards were addressed to align technical and operational requirements with community preferences. The project equips Molokai with actionable data and insights to implement energy initiatives while ensuring resilient and culturally informed solutions. Future efforts aim to finalize project designs, secure interconnection agreements, and deploy energy projects that reflect community priorities and technical feasibility.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Optimization of the FRIB beam dump: a hybrid genetic algorithm and reinforcement learning approach

The operational envelope of high-power-density systems, such as particle accelerators and advanced nuclear energy systems, is critically constrained by the need to manage extreme thermal loads. To address this, we present a novel hybrid optimization framework combining a genetic algorithm (GA) with a soft actor-critic (SAC) deep reinforcement learning agent. This framework was applied to a practical high-heat-flux problem: redesigning the beam dump at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) for a power upgrade from 20 kW to 50 kW. The resulting design, validated by three-dimensional conjugate heat transfer simulations, suppresses hazardous hot spots and yields a markedly more uniform temperature distribution. This provides a robust operating margin, increasing the average power-handling capability by 72% relative to the current design, demonstrating the framework’s potential to solve complex thermal management challenges in both accelerator technology and advanced nuclear systems.

Accelerator↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advancing our understanding of instabilities in high-energy-density systems through the study of benchmark datasets with advanced modeling tools

Numerous types of pulsed power driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high energy density (HED) systems rely on implosion stability to achieve desired temperatures, pressures, and densities. Sandia National Laboratories Pulsed Power Sciences Center’s main ICF platform, Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF), suffers from implosion instabilities which limit attainable fuel conditions and can compromise fuel confinement. This Truman Fellowship research primarily focused on computationally exploring (a) methods for improving our understanding of hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic instabilities that form during cylindrical liner implosions, (b) methods for mitigating implosion instabilities, particularly those that degrade performance of MagLIF targets, and (c) novel MagLIF target designs intended to improve target performance primarily via enhanced implosion stability. Several multi-dimensional computational tools were used, including the magnetohydrodynamics code ALEGRA, the radiation-magnetohydrodynamics code HYDRA, and the magnetohydrodynamics code KRAKEN. This research succeeded in executing and analyzing simulations of automagnetizing liner implosions, shockless MagLIF implosions, dynamic screw pinch driven cylindrical liner implosions, and cylindrically convergent HED instability studies. The methods and tools explored and developed in this Truman Fellowship research have been published in several peer-reviewed journal articles and will serve as useful contributions to the fields of pulsed power science and engineering, particularly pertaining to pulsed power ICF and HED science.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

From Molecules to Modules: Advanced Characterization of Membrane Systems

Membrane technologies can enhance the efficiency and selectivity of chemical separations in energy-water systems. Advanced characterization tools are critical for discerning separation mechanisms, revealing degradation processes, and designing novel materials and material systems for new and emerging challenges. The pursuit of next-generation membranes for water and energy applications requires understanding phenomena at the molecular scale, mesoscale, and macroscale. This perspective highlights advanced characterization techniques for elucidating and enhancing membrane performance, while addressing fundamental trade-offs involved in characterizing membranes under realistic conditions.

Zhu, Yaguang [Princeton University, NJ (United Sta↗
DOE OSTI2026

Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) Cyber Range Overview and Threat-to-Consequence Demonstration

This presentation was presented at the Aggregation and Grid Security Workshop - held on June 17-18, 2025, at NREL in Golden, Colorado. The goal of the two-day workshop was to address the critical cybersecurity challenges for the future electric grid. The threat-to-consequence demonstration showcases NREL's capability to model, simulate, test, and evaluate cyberattacks targeting energy systems that coincide with natural hazards, as well as the ramifications for the energy grid as a whole.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Flexible, Multipurpose Laboratory Advances Building and Thermal Energy Systems: Expanding Evaluation and Development of Grid-Interactive Buildings

Robust hardware and controls are necessary to ensure results match their intent before they can be used broadly. However, this often requires multiple field experiments in a variety of climate zones. In the field, it is more difficult to obtain information on other important factors, such as thermal, grid, and occupant interaction. Gaps also exist in understanding the performance degradation and life cycle of thermal energy systems as they relate to buildings. There is a lack of robust, high-quality performance data for projects at scale; this data can be expensive to produce and often remain proprietary.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗