Results for “Justice” — Page 12

DOE OSTI2022

The 2022 magneto-optics roadmap

Abstract Magneto-optical (MO) effects, viz. magnetically induced changes in light intensity or polarization upon reflection from or transmission through a magnetic sample, were discovered over a century and a half ago. Initially they played a crucially relevant role in unveiling the fundamentals of electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. A more broad-based relevance and wide-spread use of MO methods, however, remained quite limited until the 1960s due to a lack of suitable, reliable and easy-to-operate light sources. The advent of Laser technology and the availability of other novel light sources led to an enormous expansion of MO measurement techniques and applications that continues to this day (see section 1). The here-assembled roadmap article is intended to provide a meaningful survey over many of the most relevant recent developments, advances, and emerging research directions in a rather condensed form, so that readers can easily access a significant overview about this very dynamic research field. While light source technology and other experimental developments were crucial in the establishment of today’s magneto-optics, progress also relies on an ever-increasing theoretical understanding of MO effects from a quantum mechanical perspective (see section 2), as well as using electromagnetic theory and modelling approaches (see section 3) to enable quantitatively reliable predictions for ever more complex materials, metamaterials, and device geometries. The latest advances in established MO methodologies and especially the utilization of the MO Kerr effect (MOKE) are presented in sections 4 (MOKE spectroscopy), 5 (higher order MOKE effects), 6 (MOKE microscopy), 8 (high sensitivity MOKE), 9 (generalized MO ellipsometry), and 20 (Cotton–Mouton effect in two-dimensional materials). In addition, MO effects are now being investigated and utilized in spectral ranges, to which they originally seemed completely foreign, as those of synchrotron radiation x-rays (see section 14 on three-dimensional magnetic characterization and section 16 on light beams carrying orbital angular momentum) and, very recently, the terahertz (THz) regime (see section 18 on THz MOKE and section 19 on THz ellipsometry for electron paramagnetic resonance detection). Magneto-optics also demonstrates its strength in a unique way when combined with femtosecond laser pulses (see section 10 on ultrafast MOKE and section 15 on magneto-optics using x-ray free electron lasers), facilitating the very active field of time-resolved MO spectroscopy that enables investigations of phenomena like spin relaxation of non-equilibrium photoexcited carriers, transient modifications of ferromagnetic order, and photo-induced dynamic phase transitions, to name a few. Recent progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology, which is intimately linked to the achieved impressive ability to reliably fabricate materials and functional structures at the nanoscale, now enables the exploitation of strongly enhanced MO effects induced by light–matter interaction at the nanoscale (see section 12 on magnetoplasmonics and section 13 on MO metasurfaces). MO effects are also at the very heart of powerful magnetic characterization techniques like Brillouin light scattering and time-resolved pump-probe measurements for the study of spin waves (see section 7), their interactions with acoustic waves (see section 11), and ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensing applications based on nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond (see section 17). Despite our best attempt to represent the field of magneto-optics accurately and do justice to all its novel developments and its diversity, the research area is so extensive and active that there remains great latitude in deciding what to include in an article of this sort, which in turn means that some areas might not be adequately represented here. However, we feel that the 20 sections that form this 2022 magneto-optics roadmap article, each written by experts in the field and addressing a specific subject on only two pages, provide an accurate snapshot of where this research field stands today. Correspondingly, it should act as a valuable reference point and guideline for emerging research directions in modern magneto-optics, as well as illustrate the directions this research field might take in the foreseeable future.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2024

Topological Interpretability for Deep Learning

With the growing adoption of AI-based systems across everyday life, the need to understand their decision-making mechanisms is correspondingly increasing. The level at which we can trust the statistical inferences made from AI-based decision systems is an increasing concern, especially in high-risk systems such as criminal justice or medical diagnosis, where incorrect inferences may have tragic consequences. Despite their successes in providing solutions to problems involving real-world data, deep learning (DL) models cannot quantify the certainty of their predictions. These models are frequently quite confident, even when their solutions are incorrect. This work presents a method to infer prominent features in two DL classification models trained on clinical and non-clinical text by employing techniques from topological and geometric data analysis. We create a graph of a model's feature space and cluster the inputs into the graph's vertices by the similarity of features and prediction statistics. We then extract subgraphs demonstrating high-predictive accuracy for a given label. These subgraphs contain a wealth of information about features that the DL model has recognized as relevant to its decisions. We infer these features for a given label using a distance metric between probability measures, and demonstrate the stability of our method compared to the LIME and SHAP interpretability methods. This work establishes that we may gain insights into the decision mechanism of a DL model. This method allows us to ascertain if the model is making its decisions based on information germane to the problem or identifies extraneous patterns within the data.

Spannaus, Adam↗

DOE OSTI2024

HIPSTER (Harmonized Impacts across Products, Scenarios, and Technologies for Environmental and Resource metrics) [SWR-24-17]

Development of a prototype, code-based life cycle assessment framework, the Harmonized Impacts across Products, Scenarios, and Technologies for Environmental and Resource metrics (HIPSTER), to coherently assess outputs of prospective NREL models across environmental and resource use metrics. Eventually, HIPSTER is aimed to also cover socioeconomic and justice metrics. At present, NREL model scenario impact assessments are performed incoherently, as they as based on varying assumptions and inputs, specifically life cycle inventories, and cover different system boundaries. HIPSTER was created to align the assumptions and boundaries with those of cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment. In FY22, HIPSTER was successfully applied using scenarios from the ReEDS™ model, NREL's flagship capacity expansion model resulting in cradle-to-grace time-series life cycle impacts across LCA midpoints and resource use metrics.

Ghosh, Tapajyoti↗

DOE OSTI2024

BioSiting Tool (BioSiting) v2

The BioSiting Tool provides a geospatial interface for analyzing bioeconomy resources and infrastructure across the continental U.S. The tool integrates empirical and modeled data from a broad range of sources. Bioeconomy resources mapped in the tool include agricultural residues, forest residues, municipal solid waste streams, food waste, manure, fats, oils and greases and potential yields of energy crops. Infrastructure mapped in the tool includes biorefineries, material recovery facilities, anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment plants, combustion plants, district energy systems, crude oil pipelines, petroleum pipelines, natural gas pipelines, railways and freight terminals. Additional data layers include environmental justice indicators at the census tract level and carbon dioxide geologic storage potential. Users can select a location on the map, define a buffer radius in kilometers and generate an inventory of all bioecomony resources within the buffer zone. Data from the tool can be downloaded from individual buffer zones, or at the state or national level.

Huntington, Tyler↗

DOE OSTI2023

QuESt Equity v.1

SAND2024-08793O QuESt Equity cross-references several public databases for power plant pollution and demographics to assess energy equity and environmental justice for energy storage projects. It also calculates the impacts of power plant pollution in disadvantaged communities. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Rosewater, David↗

DOE OSTI2022

The Policy Mullet: Good Intentions in the Front, Bad Policy in the Back

To achieve important policy goals like decarbonization, energy efficiency, and social justice, it is important to translate high-level policy into operational practice. Establishing sustainable purchasing goals has been one important part of this translation. However, not all sustainable purchasing policies are equally effective for organizations. In this study, we analyze sustainable purchasing policies collected from 30 public-sector organizations. We discuss a theoretical framework of optimal policy language and use that framework to evaluate the policies we collected. We believe that an ideal sustainable purchasing policy can increase the likelihood of implementation success by providing more product-specific guidance, giving authority to procurement staff, setting performance targets, and requiring reporting to account for progress. In our review of public sector sustainable purchasing policies, we found that policy language is less than ideal when measured against the framework. Based on our findings, we highlight the best practice language organizations can use in their sustainable purchasing policies to meet sustainability goals. While there is more work needed to inform best practices with sustainable purchasing policies, we recommend that organizations utilize existing frameworks when developing a sustainable purchasing policy to encourage better implementation.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Women in Environmental Science

Despite the prominent role that women have traditionally played in environmental activism and initiatives to promote environmental justice, women’s representation in most environmental science fields remains low. The first environmental laws in the U.S., established in the 60’s and 70’s, were propelled by movements evolved out of male dominated scientific professions, mainly engineering. To this day, environmental fields are still perceived as not open to women. Yet the field being so broad, it offers many opportunities for women scientists to contribute to the advancement of science and technology needed to address the most pressing environmental issues. To this end, the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechonology organized a session at its 2019 General Meeting entitled Women in Environmental Science that showcased the work of women leading efforts in environmental fields. The session was convened by Dr. Gemma Reguera (Michigan State University) and Dr. Arpita Bose (Washington University in St. Louis) and included 4 additional speakers whose work spans basic and applied environmental research yet impacts discovery-driven science, technology development, science policy and communication, in addition to environmental advocacy and stewardship. The talks highlighted the career path of women-led teams whose research and professional activities are contributing to the development of “biobased solutions to DOE mission challenges in energy and environment”.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

CUAS Regulatory Authority in the United States [Slides]

Slides describing: (1) How the United States (U.S.) Passes Federal Laws, (2) Initial Actions in Regulatory Space for CUAS, (3) Department of Justice (DOJ): Flow-down Authority, (4) Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Flow-down Authority, (5) CUAS Authority Granting Timeline, (6) CUAS Regulations, (7) Defining UAS Threats, (8) CUAS actions permitted pursuant to 50 USC 2661 for the Department of Energy, (9) Penalties

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2021

The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100): Executive Summary

The City of Los Angeles has set ambitious goals to transform its electricity supply, aiming to achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2045, along with aggressive electrification targets for buildings and vehicles. To reach these goals, and assess the implications for jobs, electricity rates, the environment, and environmental justice, the Los Angeles City Council passed a series of motions directing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to determine the technical feasibility and investment pathways of a 100% renewable energy portfolio standard. The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100) is a first-of-its-kind objective, rigorous, and science-based power systems analysis to determine what investments could be made to achieve these goals. The LA100 final report is presented as a collection of 12 chapters and an executive summary, each of which is available as an individual download.

100% renewable↗

DOE OSTI2021

Advancing Equity in Utility Regulation

Increasingly, states are recognizing equity as a goal of utility regulation, going beyond traditionally stated objectives to ensure that electricity systems are reliable, safe, and fairly priced. State initiatives are critical not only to address historical inequities, but to ensure equitable benefits and burdens in the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. This report provides four perspectives on advancing equity in electric utility regulation, from representatives of energy justice and consumer organizations and a leading utility in this area. The authors provide recommendations related to regulatory issues such as stakeholder engagement, defining "public interest," intervenor funding, electricity infrastructure siting, access to distributed energy technologies, consumer protections, bill affordability programs, rate design, program design, and metrics to track and evaluate results of policies, regulations, and programs intended to deliver equitable outcomes.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Review of Energy Equity Metrics

A literature review of energy equity and energy justice metrics was performed to support efforts to develop an energy equity metrics framework. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) reviewed the available literature, surveyed work in progress on the topic, and solicited expert feedback to lay the groundwork for metrics development and provide reference material for equity research and development applications. The literature review identified three distinct equity metric types: target population identification, investment decision making, and program impact assessment.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Environmental and Circular Economy Implications of Solar Energy in a Decarbonized U.S. Grid

This report addresses environmental and circular economy (CE) considerations related to solar technologies via novel analysis of the three Solar Futures core scenarios as well as synthesis of published research. We organize these issues into the three basic life cycle phases of a solar technology: manufacturing, operation (including site selection and construction), and EOL. Related environmental justice issues are also explored. Finally, we recommend research and development (R&D) activities that could help clarify challenges and identify solutions. Because PV deployment is projected to be much larger than CSP deployment, we offer a more detailed analysis of PV-related issues.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Equitable Demonstration and Deployment Roundtable Report

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosted the Equitable Demonstration and Deployment Roundtable on August 25, 2021. The roundtable brought together experts in climate and energy justice, demonstration projects, and renewable energy deployment to explore issues that will lead to greater understanding of the barriers to equity at scale and the role that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) can play to reduce and mitigate them. A large percentage of the participants included experts in energy equity issues from national and local organizations across multiple sectors, both public and private. These individuals engaged with DOE and national laboratory researchers to identify community-based challenges and propose opportunities for DOE to address those challenges to energy demonstration and deployment. The roundtable examined equity considerations for two phases of the energy development process: demonstration and deployment. These two pathways were selected for discussion during the same workshop because they are inextricably linked within the energy ecosystem. Ensuring the deployment of safe, affordable, and reliable energy deployment is DOE's primary goal and energy demonstration projects are a key driver moving technologies from the laboratory to market to achieve this result.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2022

MOD-Plan: Multi-Objective Decision Planning Framework for Electric Grid Resilience, Equity, and Decarbonization [Slides]

Traditionally electric grid planning strives to maintain safe, reliable, efficient, and affordable service for current and future customers. As policies, social preferences, and the threat landscape evolve, additional considerations for power system planners are emerging, including decarbonization, resilience, and energy equity and justice. The MOD-Plan framework leverages and extends prior work to provide a framework for integrating incorporating resilience, equity, and decarbonization into integrated distribution system planning.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and Equinor U.S. Holdings Inc.

The focus of this collaboration is to offer narrative and analysis across life cycle GHG emissions of the proposed hydrogen hub, techno-economic and market factor analyses informed insights on transportation and storage for hydrogen, and the development of social justice and workforce readiness plans to introduce the hydrogen economy to Appalachia. The proposed work also includes supporting narrative and analysis to achieve market adoption of hydrogen and follow-on investments to build out a national clean hydrogen network. The outcome of this collaboration will enable Equinor to respond to the Region Clean Hydrogen Hub FOA 2779 most effectively and to decarbonize and effectively develop a hydrogen market in Appalachia, while enhancing NETL’s modeling through direct industry collaboration. Learnings and improvements will be incorporated into future updates of NETL’s mechanisms, tools, and insights.

08 HYDROGEN↗

DOE OSTI2021

The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100): Chapter 1. Introduction

The City of Los Angeles has set ambitious goals to transform its electricity supply, aiming to achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2045, along with aggressive electrification targets for buildings and vehicles. To reach these goals, and assess the implications for jobs, electricity rates, the environment, and environmental justice, the Los Angeles City Council passed a series of motions directing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to determine the technical feasibility and investment pathways of a 100% renewable energy portfolio standard. The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100) is a first-of-its-kind objective, rigorous, and science-based power systems analysis to determine what investments could be made to achieve these goals. The LA100 final report is presented as a collection of 12 chapters and an executive summary, each of which is available as an individual download. This chapter introduces the study.

100% Renewable↗

DOE OSTI2021

The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100): Chapter 2. Study Approach

The City of Los Angeles has set ambitious goals to transform its electricity supply, aiming to achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2045, along with aggressive electrification targets for buildings and vehicles. To reach these goals, and assess the implications for jobs, electricity rates, the environment, and environmental justice, the Los Angeles City Council passed a series of motions directing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to determine the technical feasibility and investment pathways of a 100% renewable energy portfolio standard. The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100) is a first-of-its-kind objective, rigorous, and science-based power systems analysis to determine what investments could be made to achieve these goals. The LA100 final report is presented as a collection of 12 chapters and an executive summary, each of which is available as an individual download. This chapter describes the LA100 study approach, including the modeling framework and scenarios.

100% Renewable↗

DOE OSTI2021

The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100): Chapter 3. Electricity Demand Projections

The City of Los Angeles has set ambitious goals to transform its electricity supply, aiming to achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2045, along with aggressive electrification targets for buildings and vehicles. To reach these goals, and assess the implications for jobs, electricity rates, the environment, and environmental justice, the Los Angeles City Council passed a series of motions directing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to determine the technical feasibility and investment pathways of a 100% renewable energy portfolio standard. The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100) is a first-of-its-kind objective, rigorous, and science-based power systems analysis to determine what investments could be made to achieve these goals. The LA100 final report is presented as a collection of 12 chapters and an executive summary, each of which is available as an individual download. This chapter explores how electricity is consumed by customers now, how that might change through 2045, and potential opportunities to better align electricity demand and supply.

100% Renewable↗