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DOE OSTI2024

Planning Roadmap for DER Integration in India: Industry Best Practices and Resource Guide

Ensuring safe, reliable, cost-effective DER integration at scale requires holistic planning, broad stakeholder engagement, and should address key development areas such as standards adoption, equipment testing and certification, interoperability and cybersecurity, interconnection procedures, and advanced forecasting and DER management. Each of these areas currently represent significant challenges for utilities, regulators, OEMs, developers, and even consumers worldwide. India has already seen significant growth of DERs and has announced targets for substantial growth yet to come, with the potential for DERs to make up a non-negligible portion of the country's overall generation capacity. As such, it is of critical importance that Indian stakeholders consider the potential impacts of wide-spread adoption of DERs and take preemptive action related to the five development areas listed here, among others. India should consider strategies including the adoption of key DER standards related to interconnection, testing, and cybersecurity; enabling effective and secure communication channels for DER interoperability; testing and certifying DER equipment in accredited testing laboratories; building robust, streamlined interconnection procedures; and revamping legacy system planning structures to incorporate DERs in a holistic planning framework.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Pathways to commercial building plug and process load efficiency and control

Abstract To accomplish net-zero carbon emissions in the built environment by 2050, we must equitably decarbonize commercial buildings, including reducing plug and process loads (PPLs). PPLs are plug-in or hardwired electric and gas loads that are not associated with major building end uses like lighting and HVAC. Research shows PPL energy reduction strategies and control technologies have the potential to save energy. But even when implemented, these savings have rarely been achieved and there has not been widespread uptake in U.S. commercial buildings. We investigate why these technologies and strategies have not seen widespread adoption and identify behavior and technology pathways to increase PPL reduction in U.S. commercial buildings. We examined behaviors of commercial building stakeholders through 44 interviews and cross-referenced qualitative analysis findings with in-depth technical knowledge of existing PPL control technologies and reduction strategies. PPL control implementation must be paired with management strategies, such as occupant engagement and training, to achieve optimal savings, and best practices should be disseminated across the industry. We found that increasing access to cost and energy savings data will promote uptake of PPL control technologies and allow designers to better incorporate PPLs into building design. Improving access to funding for PPL energy efficiency projects and addressing the split-incentive problem will increase adoption of PPL efficiency and control. Code bodies should continue to include PPL monitoring and reduction measures in energy codes. Key building stakeholders, including cybersecurity and information technology teams, should be involved in PPL monitoring and reduction strategy processes for successful implementation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2022

Environmentally Sound One-Step Solar Silicon From Natural Quartzite

This project aimed to demonstrate a new molten salt electrodeposition process to go straight from low-cost silica at $200/tonne ($40¢/kg Si basis) to polysilicon in a single step using less than 30 kWh/kg. This would eliminate the carbothermic reduction step and all direct greenhouse emissions, along with 90% of the energy. It would also eliminate the chemical hazards of chlorosilane handling which have resulted in multiple fatalities in the polysilicon industry – in Japan, the US and China. This project had the following major accomplishments: Stakeholder engagement indicated that the solar silicon market is very sensitive to price, provided quality is sufficient. The most important measure of silicon quality is not purity but carrier lifetime, as many impurities can reduce performance at concentrations too small to measure; Experiments set a baseline of current efficiency which is too low for commercial application (~3%), with electronic current ruled out as a mechanism for reduced current efficiency; A scale-up plant narrative narrative described a potential plant and formed the basis for the TEA components; TEA showed that current efficiency, large cell size, and zirconia membrane lifetime are key factors which determine capital and operating costs for the process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Fossil Fuel Transitions Framework: Case Studies of the Decision-Making Process for Energy and Economic Development Pathways

Each community is unique, and transitions must be tailored to local and national contexts, with recognition that access to financing is a key differentiator between wealthy and low-to-middle income countries. This analysis examines six community fossil fuel transitions in two different country contexts to provide insights on inclusive processes and decision-making criteria that bring forth positive outcomes for the communities. In both the United States and Chile, a coordination mechanism is established across government agencies and the importance of stakeholder engagement is recognized. In many cases, the government, local community groups, and electric utility or industry players have a critical role in transition planning and support.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Expanding Access to Charging at Home (EACH) Technical Report

This report summarizes the implementation, outcomes, and key learnings of Expanding Access to Charging at Homes (EACH), a nationwide multifamily housing charging initiative focused on accelerating deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at multifamily housing properties. The program combined education, outreach, and technical assistance to support property owners, managers, residents, and industry stakeholders in overcoming barriers to EV charging adoption. The report highlights program strategies, stakeholder engagement, resources developed, and recommendations to help scale charging access at multifamily housing nationwide.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2026

Control Room of the Future Testbed Workshop – After-Action Report

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity is supporting a one-year, multi-laboratory effort to define the needs and requirements for a Control Room of the Future testbed, or CROFT. The effort responds to increasing grid complexity driven by large new loads, dynamic generation resources, and the growing adoption of advanced technologies and tools, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). To support safe, secure, and effective grid modernization, CROFT will focus on how emerging technologies and tools can be rigorously evaluated in realistic operational settings, with attention to human-machine interaction, cognitive load, and workforce readiness. The project team includes Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, National Laboratory of the Rockies, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. As part of the scoping effort, the team conducted two industry-focused workshops: one at DTECH on February 5, 2026, informed by prior industry interviews, and a second on May 4, 2026, adjacent to IEEE T&D. These engagements brought together utilities, vendors, consultants, national laboratories, academia, and government stakeholders to identify and prioritize use cases, barriers, validation needs, data-sharing constraints, and near- and longer-term requirements. This feedback will directly inform CROFT’s architecture and research focus areas, ensuring the testbed is grounded in real-world operational needs and designed to evaluate emerging technologies and tools in realistic control-room environments.

artificial intelligence↗

DOE OSTI2024

Utility and Industry Perceptions of Control Room Modernization Over the Last 10 Years

Within the current United States (U.S.) nuclear power fleet, main control room modernization (CRM) is an important step towards cost savings. In recent decades, plants have been engaged in upgrades to varying degrees. This process requires a nuanced, balanced, and timely approach that ensures continued safety and long-term sustainability. In 2012 a survey was issued to individuals from the nuclear industry to learn their perspectives on a range of CRM issues. The survey targeted the benefits and challenges for utilities undertaking this process, including the main drivers and barriers to technology upgrades, regulatory compliance, and the effects these factors have on concepts of operations, strategic approaches, and staffing. In 2022, the survey was issued again to understand whether CRM perceptions had changed in the last 10 years. Our findings identify changes in industry thinking from a decade ago. Here we reveal perspective shifts that represent increased optimism and, in some instances, increased doubt regarding the opportunities and challenges inherent in CRM and implementation. We also report nuanced differences in CRM perspectives between utility and surrounding nuclear industry respondents.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

Scaling Sustainable Biochar Research & Commercialization for Agriculture & Conservation: A Summary from a Stakeholder Convening

Biochar is a carbon-rich substance with the potential to increase soil carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve soil health. When used as part of soil health management systems, biochar can provide multiple synergistic benefits for the agricultural sector and society, while also supporting the production of renewable, climate-neutral biofuels. Establishing a pyrolysis biochar bioenergy industry (PBBI) is necessary to harness the environmental benefits of biochar. To galvanize the necessary coordination to support a PBBI, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and American Farmland Trust (AFT) co-hosted a virtual convening event on biochar research and commercialization in March 2022. Participants represented a diverse set of stakeholders, including biochar producers, agricultural producers, and members of nonprofit, industry and government agencies. This whitepaper offers a summary of the convening, as well as insights from subsequent stakeholder engagement. Sustainably sourced, fit-for-purpose biochar can be a powerful tool in the soil health management systems and climate-smart toolbox, with decades of research supporting the soil, environment, production, and climate benefits. However, because biochar represents a range of feedstocks, processes and products, there is a critical need to: • Coordinate efforts to characterize and test the application of biochar types across locations with diverse soil and management conditions • Address research and decision-support gaps • Support the growing industry These objectives can be addressed or advanced through a coordinated strategy. To support establishment of this strategy, the convening participants identified key gaps in implementation and research. The experiences of foresters, ranchers, and farmers already using biochar, some of whom participated in the convening, helped inform priorities. Key gaps include: • Practical, applied on-farm research • Supporting management for agricultural productivity • Maximum benefits for conservation • Decision support • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) • Quantification of climate mitigation potential Existing research gaps include: • Potential synergies among biochar, soil organic matter, and enhanced rock weathering • Development of new storage reservoirs for biochar in industrial products Convening participants further provided next steps for rapidly developing a PBBI to produce sustainable, fit-for-purpose biochars that increase soil health and mitigate climate change. Participants also stressed the need for actionable, coordinated, large-scale research relevant to commercial production in the next five years. To have a chance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need an array of tools that would aid in mitigation; a coordinated strategy to enable biochar to be an effective tool in the climate-smart toolbox must be created; We cannot wait 50 years.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

GeoTGo: AI/ML software for development of community geothermal resources

For effective and equitable outcomes in achieving the national goal of net-zero carbon emissions, communities must be not only included, but even lead the implementation of innovative green-energy technologies. Collaborations with communities should happen through informed decision-making, community-centered research and engagement of stakeholders at the local, state, and regional levels. Community-led research and implementation are fundamental to achieving success. These collaborations include rule makers, environmental regulators, clean energy industries, and technology researchers and developers. Unfortunately, many green infrastructure initiatives still adhere to a top-down and expert-driven process of site selection and design without awareness and acknowledgment of public engagement needs. This can lead to costly delays, including lawsuits, and ultimately less than desired or lacking outcomes as well as missed opportunities1. Geothermal, like many new technologies whose social and economic impacts are not fully understood, often cause disproportionately high adverse effects on disadvantaged communities. These effects can be related to human health, environmental, climate, and other cumulative impacts, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of these impacts. We are focusing our work on the needs of the New Mexico Native American Pueblos and Tribes (NMP&T). To address these needs, we are developing a novel web-based interactive software and user friendly interface called GeoTGO (https://geotgo.com) that provides everything that is needed for communities to better understand and develop their geothermal resources. We will bridge the gap between technology advancements and community needs by facilitating the interactions between the geothermal industry, regulators, stakeholders, and end-users. GeoTGO will merge data, software (including data analysis, text mining, artificial intelligence, and modeling tools), knowledge, expertise, and experience to provide fast processing and dissemination of the latest information about cutting-edge geothermal technologies to users and communities. More information about the project is available at https://envitrace.com/projects/geotgo.html.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Increasing Industry Involvement: A Solution from a Student's Perspective

Many engineering employers are finding that graduates are not sufficiently equipped to begin contributing productively when they exit a 4-year institution and enter the workforce. The Intern Professional Development Center (IPDC) is a proposed business model that exposes engineering undergraduates to industry-relevant knowledge, while providing them with working experience during their degree. Using a tri-stage approach, the IPDC engages with students early in their academic careers, provides continuous training and development opportunities, and finally connects the students with potential employers. The two topics most commonly under-represented in engineering programs are: - Familiarity with drafting software - Knowledge of relevant codes and standards. The Intern Professional Development Center (IPDC): A tri-stage solution for recruiting, training, and encouraging the workforce of tomorrow. An IPDC allows students to be active members of industry during their undergraduate careers, leading to: - Improved local talent retention; - Improved graduation and academic performance statistics; - Near-guarantee for post-graduation employment. In March of 2019, the first IPDC prototype began operating in the Tri-Cities, Washington. Since then, 3 undergraduate students have entered the IPDC at Stage 2, beginning with the standard training and professional development. Of those 3 students, 2 have already moved on to Stage 3, with successful ongoing internships with local employers. At a performance review for one of the IPDC's Stage 3 students after 90 days of employment, the direct manager said: 'How soon can we get another one?'.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Building Construction Collaborative (Final Technical Report)

This report summarizes the outcomes of RMI’s five-year U.S. Department of Energy–funded Advanced Building Construction Collaborative (ABC-C), which accelerated adoption of high-performance construction through industry collaboration, market research, technology commercialization, and demand aggregation. It highlights the Collaborative’s achievements—including engagement of more than 130 organizations, support for over $637 million in funding for ABC companies, and recommendations to scale advanced building construction through coordinated market, policy, and investment strategies.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Connecting People to Data: Enabling Data Connected Communities through Enhancements to the Geothermal Data Repository

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Data Repository (GDR) has implemented a series of new features designed to connect people to data. These features, which are based on feedback from the GDR user community and surveys of the greater geothermal research community, are designed to improve data quality and empower members of all communities to better engage with geothermal data resources by providing universal access to data and by improving the connections between data providers, subject matter experts, and the communities of people using GDR data. This paper will explore some of the recent enhancements made to the GDR to improve data discoverability, reduce submission time, and result in better quality data submissions. These improvements include the ability for users to save a list of their favorite datasets, search for insight into geothermal datasets or data availability, or sign up to receive notifications of future updates to specific datasets. These improvements aim to enhance the overall user experience of the GDR while further connecting communities to the data they need to inform decisions, advance geothermal research, and develop innovative solutions to local energy problems.

access↗

DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Fuels Campaign: Strategic Vision

The Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) is dedicated to propelling the United States to the forefront of nuclear fuel technology through a comprehensive strategic vision. The vision is structured around five key goals: driving U.S. leadership in nuclear fuel technology, expanding nuclear energy production from the existing fleet, completing the qualification basis for advanced reactor fuel technology, driving innovation in advanced nuclear fuel technology, and enabling a high-performing organization. By focusing on these goals, AFC aims to define and implement cutting-edge nuclear fuel technologies, support industry advancements, achieve critical fuel qualifications, foster innovative research, and ensure effective program management and stakeholder engagement. This strategic approach will solidify the United States’ position as a global leader in nuclear energy and fuel technology, while also preparing for the future of environmentally friendly and reliable nuclear power.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Fuels Campaign: Strategic Vision

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2023

National Solar Jobs Accelerator (Final Technical Report (FTR))

The aptitudes and experiences gained through military service—such as dynamic leadership, teamwork and critical thinking skills, technical specialization, and a mission-completion work ethic—make veterans exceptional candidates for a wide range of solar energy careers. The solar industry offers a highly collaborative and purpose-driven work environment that resonates with service members and veterans looking to rise to their next challenge, and solar employers are eager to tap into this valuable talent pool. From October 2019 - February 2023, The National Solar Jobs Accelerator (publicly the Solar Ready Vets Network TM (SRV Network; SRVN)) enhanced and streamlined options for military service members and veterans to pursue solar training, certification, and employment, while advancing solar employers’ efforts and capacity to invest in military talent as part of a long-term workforce development strategy. The SRVN was led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) in partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program (HOH) and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Through several direct-impact and indirect, high-impact capacity building initiatives aligned with six key objectives, the SRV Network strengthened solar career pathways, and promoted increased representation of military talent across all levels and sectors of the solar workforce. A work-based learning Corporate Fellowship model connected transitioning service members with on-the-job experience in leadership roles with solar employers nationwide. The project advanced broader veteran recruitment and talent development by expanding GI Bill eligibility and streamlining veterans’ pathways for solar training and credentialing, supported direct connections to jobs with top solar employers, and led coordination among key education and industry partners to advance registered apprenticeships aligned with solar career pathways. To ensure that the project best served the needs of all stakeholders, an Advisory Committee of military-connected solar professionals, solar employers, and training providers met biannually to guide project activities and sustainability plans. The project team engaged the broader “SRV Network” (comprised of over 2,000 veterans, employers and training organizations) through regular newsletters and targeted outreach to share resources, hiring fairs, webinars, and other opportunities for engagement. The work done under this award builds on the previous iterations of the Department of Energy’s Solar Ready Vets ® program. As the solar industry continues to grow rapidly over the next decade, the military community will continue to be a highly valuable source of talent. The relationships established and work accomplished through this project will have an enduring positive impact well beyond the funding period.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Getting Technical: Introducing Students to Technical Concepts for Nuclear Science and Policy to Create and Encourage Diversity in the Nuclear Field

When discussing diversity, it is important to consider the many of the types of diversity: gender diversity, racial diversity, religious diversity, cultural diversity, and diversity in abilities. The nuclear field has recently seen a surge in the diversity within the entire industry, but there is still room for the industry to grow in those areas. Where does that begin? How does that develop? When is the right time to engage the next generation of nuclear professionals? What topics should be introduced to encourage and foster excitement in the nuclear field? These questions are all certainly important but narrowing in on the topics that should be introduced might prove to be a very effective way to grow excitement in and, then, diversity in the nuclear field. Students at all socioeconomic levels should be introduced to various technical concepts that correspond to the stage and level of education that is appropriate for those students. Oftentimes there may be a speaker at a school for certain ages that will provide an overview of the nuclear industry as a whole, or perhaps even specifics on what that person does, but rarely is the interaction carried on over a long period of time and rarely do presentations for these students introduce technical concepts. Creating new, effective volunteer programs in a wide range of schools in local areas where nuclear sciences are supported would allow professionals in the nuclear field to identify and focus on students whose aptitude might lean them towards future careers in the nuclear field. This paper will focus on potential, effective ways to start these programs, and it will identify a range of technical concepts that might be considered as age-appropriate or that can be molded to fit individual schools and would, in turn, begin to develop a diverse base of students to grow and enter the nuclear field.

Loftin, Bradley↗

DOE OSTI2020

Wabash CarbonSAFE Subtask 4.1 - Application of Policy Frameworks for Improved Carbon Capture and Storage Social Site Characterization & Stakeholder Engagement

Anthropogenic climate change threatens environmental and human health globally. Limiting these threats requires large-scale and innovative greenhouse gas mitigation responses across carbon-intensive energy and industrial sectors. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies present potential opportunities for mitigating climate change while maintaining a diverse energy resource portfolio. Successful development of CCS physical sites requires effective and efficient project management solutions that elicit and incorporate the concerns and perspectives of diverse stakeholders. Due to the urgency of climate change mitigation technology implementation and the costs of CCS development, CCS project developers cannot risk setbacks by poor stakeholder assessment that concern management processes. Thus, this report presents four prominent policy frameworks and associated case studies as opportunities to improve CCS social site characterization and stakeholder engagement. After comparing the relative effectiveness and efficiencies of each framework with regard to CCS, this report concludes that the Advocacy Coalition Framework, Narrative Policy Framework, and Policy Conflict Framework can improve the CCS social site characterization process, while the Collaborative Governance Framework paired with the Q-Methodology provides an ideal framework for direct stakeholder engagement. Overall, this report finds that the Narrative Policy Framework and the Collaborative Governance Framework are most ideally suited for the purposes of CCS social site characterization and stakeholder engagement.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2025

Accelerating nuclear-integrated data center pursuits in the USA: SWOT analysis, power-thermal management strategies and demonstration plan

Here, this study explores the increasing interest in leveraging nuclear power to meet the escalating energy demands of data centers in the United States (U.S.) by focusing on key factors that contribute to accelerated deployment. The study highlights the importance of N+1/N+2 power supplies (where N is the required number of units), outlines research and innovations in nuclear-integrated data center thermal management and demonstration plan. It also provides updates about status and costing of various reactor system designs. A summarized strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis shows the potential options for grid connectivity, reactors, and site selection. Suitable site discussions consider land and water availability, grid access, and optical fiber connectivity, and the study presents graded prospects for Department of Energy (DOE) sites with a specific example. Community engagement and partnerships are emphasized, particularly the roles of local government, federal agencies, utilities, and data center industry partners, which are crucial for accelerating deployment, business outreach, and approvals. The study provides actionable insights for stakeholders to accelerate the deployment of nuclear-powered data centers.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗