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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Approaching population thresholds in presence of uncertainty: Assessing displacement of seabirds from offshore wind farms

Assessment of the displacement impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds is impeded by a lack of evidence regarding species-specific reactions to developed sites and the potential ecological consequences faced by displaced individuals. In this study, we present a method that makes best use of the currently limited understanding of displacement impacts. The combination of a matrix table displaying the full range of potential displacement and mortality levels together with seasonal potential biological removal (PBR) assessments provides a tool that increases confidence in the conclusions of impact assessments. If unrealistic displacement levels and/or mortality rates are required to equal or approach seasonal PBRs, this gives an indication of the likeliness of adverse impacts on the assessed population. This approach is demonstrated by assessing the displacement impacts of an offshore wind farm cluster in the German North Sea on the local common guillemot (Uria aalge) population. - Highlights: • A novel approach for assessing displacement impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds is presented making best use of limited data • A displacement matrix approach is linked with PBR analysis to increased confidence in assessment conclusions drawn • A case example demonstrates the applicability of the methods described in practice.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nocturnal flight activity of northern gannets Morus bassanus and implications for modelling collision risk at offshore wind farms

Assessing the potential impacts of proposed offshore wind farm developments on seabird populations requires estimation of nocturnal flight activity of seabirds for input into collision risk models. One of the seabirds considered most at risk from collision with offshore wind turbines is the northern gannet Morus bassanus. The recommended correction for gannet nocturnal flight activity is currently a highly precautionary value. Here we use data from tracking studies to derive evidence-based correction factors for nocturnal flight activity of adult gannets during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, and of immature gannets during the summer prospecting phase. Flight and diving activity of gannets was minimal during the night, astronomical and nautical twilight, for adults during the breeding season and nonbreeding season, and for immatures. Some flight activity occurred during the short period of civil twilight, but on average at about half the level seen during the day. Based on evidence from numerous tracking studies, we recommend that precautionary values of the nocturnal (sunset to sunrise) flight activity factor for estimating collision risk should be 8% of daytime flight activity during the breeding season and 3% of daytime flight activity during the nonbreeding season. Use of these evidence-based correction factors will improve the accuracy, and reduce the uncertainty of collision risk models, providing a more reliable assessment of the impacts of offshore wind farms on gannets.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Assessment of Algal Farm Designs Using a Dynamic Modular Approach

The notion of renewable energy provides an important mechanism for diversifying an energy portfolio, which ultimately would have numerous benefits including increased energy resilience, reduction of foreign energy supplies, reduced GHG emissions, development of a green energy sector that contributes to economic growth, and providing a sustainable energy supply. The conversion of autotrophic algae to liquid transportation fuels is the basis of several decades of research to competitively bring energy-scale production into reality; however, many challenges still remain for making algal biofuels economically viable. Addressing current challenges associated with algal production systems, in part, requires the ability to assess spatial and temporal variability, rapidly evaluate alternative algal production system designs, and perform large-scale assessments considering multiple scenarios for thousands of potential sites. We introduce the Algae Logistics Model (ALM) which helps to address these challenges. The flexible nature of the ALM architecture allows the model to: 1) interface with external biomass production and resource assessment models, as well as other relevant datasets including those with spatiotemporal granularity; 2) interchange design processes to enable operational and economic assessments of multiple design configurations, including the integration of current and new innovative technologies; and 3) conduct trade-off analysis to help understand the site-specific techno-economic trade-offs and inform technology decisions. This study uses the ALM to investigate a baseline open-pond production system determined by model harmonization efforts conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Six sites in the U.S. southern-tier were sub-selected and assessed using daily site-specific algae biomass productivity data to determine the economic viability of large-scale open-pond systems. Results show that costs can vary significantly depending on location and biomass productivity and that integration of novel dewatering equipment, order of operations, and equipment scaling can also have significant impacts on economics.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Measuring Rotation and Manure Effects in an Iowa Farm Soil Health Assessment

Core Ideas Farms with known management histories contribute to soil health research. Rotation‐based systems may increase soil organic carbon when combined with appropriate tillage. Inherent soil properties must be considered in soil health assessments. Rotation effects were more noticeable than manure effects on soil health groupings. Data from on‐farm sites with known management histories are needed to quantify soil biological, chemical, and physical properties influencing carbon stocks and soil health. Surface (0–15 cm) and deep core (0–122 cm) soil samples were collected from fields under two rotations in Boone County, IA. The first was a 5‐yr corn [ Zea mays (L.)], soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], corn, oat [ Avena sativa (L.)], and alfalfa [ Medicago sativa (L.)] rotation to which 0, 18, or 36 Mg ha −1 of a manure/biosolids mixture was applied prior to planting corn. The second was an 8‐yr rotation with 6 yr of mixed grass and legume pasture followed by corn and an oat crop within which the pasture mixture was reestablished. Soil samples were collected evenly across the predominant soil map units (SMUs). Bulk density (BD), soil organic C (SOC), water‐stable aggregates (WSA), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), pH, Mehlich‐3 and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable nutrients, electrical conductivity (EC), and nitrogen (total‐, NH 4 –, and NO 3 –N) were measured. Surface SOC data were consistent with Soil Survey values for the various SMUs. Crop rotation effects were more noticeable than manure/biosolid application rate effects. Data from this study were combined with previously published SOC data in Iowa. Results suggest extended rotation systems or those with cover crops may increase SOC 8 ± 4 g kg −1 compared to corn–soybean rotations (33 vs. 25 g kg −1 ). This study provides on‐farm reference values for soil health assessment tools and draws attention to the importance of inherent soil properties for these assessments.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Session 3: Agrivoltaics Pathways [Slides]

This presentation was developed for a webinar series for the USAID's South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE) and South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP). The presentation includes insights into agrivoltaic site assessment planning, including what is needed for a farm assessment, solar panel system design from the agricultural perspective, variables that go into crop selection, and environmental impact, sustainability, and agritourism, technical parameters for developing an agrivoltaics project, including what makes up a PV feasibility study, understanding variables that go into technology and equipment selection, agrivoltaic installation and agricultural integration, and monitoring and maintenance throughout the life of the project, and agrivoltaic financial planning, risk mitigation, and debt equity issues.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

A comparison of methods for assessing power output in non-uniform onshore wind farms

Wind resource assessments are used to estimate a wind farm's power production during the planning process. It is important that these estimates are accurate, as they can impact financing agreements, transmission planning, and environmental targets. Here, we analyze the challenges in wind power estimation for onshore farms. Turbine wake effects are a strong determinant of farm power production. With given input wind conditions, wake losses typically cause downstream turbines to produce significantly less power than upstream turbines. These losses have been modeled extensively and are well understood under certain conditions. Most notably, validation of different model types has favored offshore farms. Models that capture the dynamics of offshore wind conditions do not necessarily perform equally as well for onshore wind farms. We analyze the capabilities of several different methods for estimating wind farm power production in 2 onshore farms with non-uniform layouts. We compare the Jensen model to a number of statistical models, to meteorological downscaling techniques, and to using no model at all. In conclusion, we show that the complexities of some onshore farms result in wind conditions that are not accurately modeled by the Jensen wake decay techniques and that statistical methods have some strong advantages in practice.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Environmental assessment of farm-scaled anaerobic co-digestion for bioenergy production

Highlights: • Anaerobic monodigestion and codigestion were compared. • The environmental advantages of suitable waste management were proved. • The use of cereal crops as feedstock improves biogas yield. • Cultivation step implies the most important environmental hotspot. • Digestate management options were evaluated. - Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the environmental profile of a bioenergy system based on a co-digestion plant using maize silage and pig slurry as substrates. All the processes involved in the production of bioenergy as well as the avoided processes accrued from the biogas production system were evaluated. The results evidenced the environmental importance of the cultivation step and the environmental credits associated to the avoided processes. In addition, this plant was compared with two different plants that digest both substrates separately. The results revealed the environmental benefits of the utilisation of pig slurry due to the absence of environmental burdens associated with its production as well as credits provided when avoiding its conventional management. The results also presented the environmental drawbacks of the utilisation of maize silage due to the environmental burdens related with its production. Accordingly, the anaerobic mono-digestion of maize silage achieved the worst results. The co-digestion of both substrates was ranked in an intermediate position. Additionally, three possible digestate management options were assessed. The results showed the beneficial effect of digestate application as an organic fertiliser, principally on account of environmental credits due to avoided mineral fertilisation. However, digestate application involves important acidifying and eutrophicating emissions.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2016

A framework for guiding sustainability assessment and on-farm strategic decision making

Responding to future challenges and societal needs, various actions are taken in agriculture to evolve towards more sustainable farming practices. These actions imply strategic choices and suppose adequate sustainability assessments to identify, measure, evaluate and communicate sustainable development. However, literature is scarce on the link between strategic decision making and sustainability assessment. As questions emerge on how, what and when to measure, the objective of this paper is to construct a framework for guiding sustainability assessment and on-farm strategic decision making. Qualitative research on own experiences from the past and a recent project revealed four categories of actual needs farmers, advisors and experts have regarding sustainability assessment: context, flexibility, focus on farm and farmer and communication. These stakeholders' needs are then incorporated into a two-dimensional framework that marries the intrinsic complexity of sustainability assessment tools and the time frame of strategic decision making. The framework allows a farm-specific and flexible approach leading to harmonized actions towards sustainable farming. As this framework is mainly a procedural instrument to guide the use of sustainability assessment tools within strategic decision making, it fits to incorporate, even guide, future research on sustainability assessment tools themselves and on their adoption on farms. - Highlights: • How to link sustainability assessment and on-farm strategic decision making is unclear. • Two-dimensional framework incorporating stakeholders' needs regarding sustainability assessment • Linking complexity of sustainability assessment tools and the time frame of strategic decision making • Farm-specific and flexible approach to harmonize action towards sustainable farming.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Hanford Single-Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations - 241-BY and 241-TY Farm

This document identifies 241-BY Tank Farm (BY Farm) and 241-TY Tank Farm (TY Farm) lead causes and locations for the 100 series leaking tanks (241-BY-103, 241-TY-103, 241-TY-104, 241-TY-105 and 241-TY-106) identified in RPP-RPT-43704, Hanford BY Farm Leak Assessments Report, and in RPP-RPT-42296, Hanford TY Farm Leak Assessments Report. This document satisfies the BY and TY Farm portion of the target (T04) in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order milestone M-045-91F.

Girardot, Crystal L.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team-A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO)

The Missouri Agricultural Energy Saving Team-A Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO) program brought together a team of representatives from government, academia, and private industry to enhance the availability of energy efficiency services for small livestock producers in the State of Missouri. The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) managed the project via a subcontract with the University of Missouri (MU), College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, MU Extension, the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences, the MU College of Engineering, and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA). MU teamed with EnSave, Inc, a nationally-recognized expert in agricultural energy efficiency to assist with marketing, outreach, provision of farm energy audits and customer service. MU also teamed with independent home contractors to facilitate energy audits of the farm buildings and homes of these livestock producers. The goals of the project were to: (1) improve the environment by reducing fossil fuel emissions and reducing the total energy used on small animal farms; (2) stimulate the economy of local and regional communities by creating or retaining jobs; and (3) improve the profitability of Missouri livestock producers by reducing their energy expenditures. Historically, Missouri scientists/engineers conducted programs on energy use in agriculture, such as in equipment, grain handling and tillage practices. The MAESTRO program was the first to focus strictly on energy efficiency associated with livestock production systems in Missouri and to investigate the applicability and potential of addressing energy efficiency in animal production from a building efficiency perspective. A. Project Objectives The goal of the MAESTRO program was to strengthen the financial viability and environmental soundness of Missouri's small animal farms by helping them implement energy efficient technologies for the production facility, farm buildings, and the homes on these farms. The expected measurable outcomes of the project were to improve the environment and stimulate the economy by: • Reducing annual fossil fuel emissions by 1,942 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reducing the total annual energy use on at least 323 small animal farms and 100 farm homes by at least 8,000 kWh and 2,343 therms per farm. • Stimulating the economy by creating or retaining at least 69 jobs, and saving small animal farmers an average of $2,071 per farm in annual energy expenditures. B. Project Scope The MAESTRO team chose the target population of small farms because while all agriculture is traditionally underserved in energy efficiency programs, small farms were particularly underserved because they lack the financial resources and access to energy efficiency technologies that larger farms deploy. The MAESTRO team reasoned that energy conservation, financial and educational programs developed while serving the agricultural community could serve as a national model for other states and their agricultural sectors. The target population was approximately 2,365 small animal farm operations in Missouri, specifically those farms that were not by definition a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO). The program was designed to create jobs by training Missouri contractors and Missouri University Extension staff how to conduct farm audits. The local economy would be stimulated by an increase in construction activity and an increasing demand for energy efficient farm equipment. Additionally, the energy savings were deemed critical in keeping Missouri farms in business. This project leveraged funds using a combination of funds from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Missouri Energy Center and its Soil and Water Conservation Program, from the state's Linked Deposits, MASBDA's agricultural loan guarantee programs, and through the in-kind contribution of faculty and staff time to the project from these agencies and MU. Several hundred Missouri livestock producers were contacted during the MAESTRO project. Of the livestock producers, 254 invited the team to conduct a farm energy assessment which complied with ASABE 612. A total of 147 livestock farm upgrades were implemented, representing 57.5 percent of the farms for which a farm energy assessment was completed. This represented a statewide average annual savings of 1,088,324 kWh and 75,516 therms. The team also reviewed the condition of the livestock producer’s home(s). A total of 106 home energy assessments were completed and 48 individual homes implemented their recommended upgrades, representing 45 percent of the farm homes for which an energy assessment was completed. This represented a statewide average annual savings of 323,029 kWh, and 769.4 therms. More of these farmers likely would have updated their homes but the funding to incentivize them fell short. In spite of the shortfall in incentive funds, some farmers still updated their homes as they saw the value in making these changes to their home.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

Assessment of Offshore Wind Farm Effects on Sea Surface, Subsurface and Airborne Electronic Systems (Final Report)

Offshore wind energy is a valuable resource that can provide a significant boost to the US renewable energy portfolio. A current constraint to the development of offshore wind farms is the potential for interference to be caused by large wind farms on existing electronic and acoustical equipment such as radar and sonar systems for surveillance, navigation and communications. The US Department of Energy funded this study as an objective assessment of possible interference to various types of equipment operating in the marine environment where offshore wind farms could be installed. The objective of this project was to conduct a baseline evaluation of electromagnetic and acoustical challenges to sea surface, subsurface and airborne electronic systems presented by offshore wind farms. To accomplish this goal, the following tasks were carried out: (1) survey electronic systems that can potentially be impacted by large offshore wind farms, and identify impact assessment studies and research and development activities both within and outside the US, (2) engage key stakeholders to identify their possible concerns and operating requirements, (3) conduct first-principle modeling on the interactions of electromagnetic signals with, and the radiation of underwater acoustic signals from, offshore wind farms to evaluate the effect of such interactions on electronic systems, and (4) provide impact assessments, recommend mitigation methods, prioritize future research directions, and disseminate project findings. This report provides a detailed description of the methodologies used to carry out the study, key findings of the study, and a list of recommendations derived based the findings.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Hanford Single-Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations - 241-BY and 241-TY Farm

This document identifies 241-BY Tank Farm (BY Farm) and 241-TY Tank Farm (TY Farm) leak causes and locations for the 100-series leaking tanks in BY and TY Farm. The leak causes and locations report for all of the 100-series single-shell leaking tanks is one of the targets (M-045-91-T04) in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order milestone M-045-91F. The T04 target requires that the Department of Energy provide to State of Washington, Department of Ecology (Ecology) a report on the 100-series single-shell tanks which have been or will be identified as having leaked in RPP-32681, Rev. 0, Process to Assess Tank Farm Leaks in Support of Retrieval and Closure Planning, leak assessment reports. The leak assessment report for BY Farm, RPP-RPT-43704, Rev. 0A, Hanford BY-Farm Leak Assessments Report, lists one 100-series tank that either continues to be or is recommended to be classified as a leaking tank in BY Farm, 241-BY-103 (BY-103). The leak assessment report for TY Farm, RPP-RPT-42296, Rev, 0, Hanford TY-Farm Leak Assessments Report, lists four 100-series tanks that either continue to be or are recommended to be classified leaking tanks in TY Farm, 241-TY-103 (TY-103), 241-TY-104 (TY-104), 241-TY-105 (TY-105), and 241-TY-106 (TY-106). All of the other eleven 100-series tanks in BY Farm and two 100-series tanks in TY Farm are classified as “sound” or are identified in RPP-RPT-43704, Rev. 0A, and RPP-RPT-42296, Rev. 0, respectively, as requiring re-assessment of their classification per TFC-ENG-CHEM-D-42, Tank Leak Assessment Process. The TFC-ENG-CHEM-D-42 assessments are not part of the M-045-91-T04 target. This BY and TY Farm leak causes and locations document is part of a series of tank farm reports that identify leak causes and locations for 100-series leaking tanks. A summary and conclusions document will be issued, RPP-RPT-54909, Hanford Single-Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations – Summary, that compiles the results from all of the leak causes and locations tank farm reports when they have been issued which will fulfill the T04 target requirements. The identification of four of the five leaking BY and TY Farm tank leak locations focused on the first indication of radiation detected in drywells as well as liquid level decreases as appropriate, with the exception of tank TY-104 which could not be identified. Leak detection laterals were not installed underneath the BY and TY Farm tanks. For TY Farm, direct pushes were installed in 2005 to further characterize the tank leaks which were used to collaborate with the drywell data. The BY and TY Farm leaking tanks were likely due to chemistry-corrosion from the storage of Tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) waste which is conducive to stress corrosion cracking and pitting. Thermal shock (rate of temperature rise) and tank construction conditions (cold weather ductile-to-brittle transition temperature impact effects) were also likely to have affected tank integrity. There appears to be very little contribution from tank design and liner bulging. However, some or all of the factors can act serially or together to contribute to tank liner failure. The leaking BY and TY Farm tanks all stored undiluted TBP waste whereas the sound tanks stored diluted TBP waste as well as other waste types.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hanford Tank Farm Occupational Exposure and Risk Assessment Plan: Health Process Project (Rev.1)

The overall objective of the Hanford Tank Farm Occupational Exposure and Risk Assessment Plan (hereafter referred to as the “Assessment Plan”) is to provide the Tank Operations Contractor (TOC), Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with a plan for developing a transparent, peer-reviewed process for assessing potential health risks associated with worker exposures to chemical emissions from the Hanford tank farms. Revision 1 (2018) incorporates changes to the original draft plan prepared in 2016 to reflect updated strategies based on initial implementation of the recommended actions.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2014

Hanford Single-Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations - 241-SX Farm

This document identifies 241-SX Tank Farm (SX Farm) leak causes and locations for the 100 series leaking tanks (241-SX-107, 241-SX-108, 241-SX-109, 241-SX-111, 241-SX-112, 241-SX-113, 241-SX-114, and 241-SX-115) identified in RPP-ENV-39658, Rev. 0, Hanford SX-Farm Leak Assessments Report. This document satisfies the SX Farm portion of the target (T04) in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order milestone M-045-91F.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2013

Hanford Single-Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations - 241-A Farm

This document identifies 241-A Tank Farm (A Farm) leak causes and locations for the 100 series leaking tanks (241-A-104 and 241-A-105) identified in RPP-ENV-37956, Hanford A and AX Farm Leak Assessment Report. This document satisfies the A Farm portion of the target (T04) in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order milestone M-045-91F.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2019

Impact of GSA2018 Flow Update, Alternative Dispersion Model, and Increased Grid Resolution on Tank Closure Performance Assessments

The F-Area Tank Farm (FTF) and H-Area Tank Farm (HTF) Performance Assessments (PAs) involve simulations of radionuclide and chemical waste migration through groundwater to exposure points. These solute transport simulations are based on a circa 2004 “GSA/PORFLOW” flow model [WSRC-TR-2004-00106]. The GSA/PORFLOW model was significantly updated in 2016-2017 [SRNL-STI-2017-00008 Rev. 1]. Impacts of the “GSA2016” flow model on the F- and H-Tank Farm PAs were assessed in SRNL-STI-2017-00445, Impacts of Updated GSA Groundwater Flow Models on the FTF, HTF and SDF PAs. Since then (2018-2019) further revisions resulted in a “GSA2018” flow model [SRNL-STI-2018-00643], which has been adopted for the 2019 Saltstone PA revision [SRR-CWDA-2019-00001 Revision A]. This study assesses the impacts of the GSA2018 flow model on the FTF and HTF PAs. Also assessed are the impacts of an alternative plume dispersion model and increased grid resolution that have been incorporated in the 2019 Saltstone PA.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗