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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Who is marginalized in energy justice? Amplifying community leader perspectives of energy transitions in Ghana

There is a divide in energy access studies, between technologically-focused modeling papers in engineering and economics, and energy justice frameworks and principles grounded in social sciences. Quantitative computational models are necessary when analyzing energy, and more specifically electricity, systems, as they are technologically-complex systems that can diverge from intuitive patterns. To assure energy justice, these models must be reflective of, and informative to, a wide range of stakeholders, including households and communities alongside utilities, governments, and others. Yet, moving from a qualitative understanding of preferences to quantitative modeling is challenging. In this perspective piece, we pilot the use of the value-focused thinking framework to inform stakeholder engagement. The result is a strategic objective hierarchy that highlights the tradeoffs and the social, economic and technological factors that need to be measured in models. We apply the process in Ghana, using a survey, stakeholder workshops, and follow-up interviews to uncover key tradeoffs and stakeholder-derived objectives. We discuss three key areas that have been rarely, if ever, well-represented in energy models: (1) the relationship between the dynamics of electricity end-use and the technology and economic structure of the system; (2) explicit tradeoffs between electricity access, cost, and reliability as defined by stakeholders; and (3) the definition of new objectives, such as minimizing hazards related to theft. We conclude that this model of engagement provides an opportunity to tie together rigorous qualitative analysis and stakeholder engagement with crucial quantitative models of the electricity system.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Studies of Single-Transverse Kinematic Variables for Neutrino Interactions on Argon

It is now well-known that a variety of theoretically-challenging nuclear effects play an important role in determining neutrino-nucleus interaction cross sections. Deficiencies in existing models of these effects represent a leading source of systematic uncertainty for neutrino oscillation experiments. In recent neutrino cross section measurements published by the T2K and MINERvA experiments, the study of kinematic observables called Single-Transverse (Kinematic) Variables (STVs) in the plane transverse to the neutrino beam have been demonstrated to provide a powerful tool on nuclear modeling uncertainties. In the near future, the SBN and DUNE experiments will both leverage the novel Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber technology to pursue high-precision measurements of neutrino oscillations. As the interpretation of the results from these measurements will require a detailed understanding of neutrino-argon scattering cross sections and given the scarcity of available neutri no-argon data, a measurement of Single-Transverse Kinematic Variables distributions in neutrino-argon scattering is of high interest for the neutrino physics community. This thesis presents the first detailed comparison of model predictions for distributions of these observables obtained using four standard neutrino event simulation tools (GENIE, NuWro, GiBUU and NEUT). Results are shown for simulations of muon neutrinos from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam interacting in the MicroBooNE LArTPC. Opportunities for discrimination between nuclear models with respect to future measurements is highlighted. Furthermore, first calculations of STVs from experimental argon data are shown. Data corresponding to 4.449x10^19 POT of exposure were collected using the MicroBooNE LArTPC in the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Equivalent Breakeven Installed Cost: A Tradeoff-Informed Measure for Technoeconomic Analysis of Candidate Heliostat Improvements

Technoeconomic analysis (TEA) is commonly used to determine economic viability of power-generating technologies, including concentrating solar power (CSP) and thermal (CST) production plants. Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and analogous measures provide an estimate of long-term costs for operating power plants over their designed lifetimes by accounting for revenues and costs in a time-discounted manner. While these measures are effective when assessing a technology’s total lifecycle costs and productivity under various designs, TEA of candidate incremental technology improvements from the lens of LCOE can be limited when required investment and LCOE impacts are small. In this work, we propose a novel metric for TEA of a plant component technology that recasts relative changes in levelized system costs into component-specific capital cost budgets. This measure, which we refer to as the equivalent breakeven installed cost, is the maximum budget for the technology component that leads to improved levelized costs. We illustrate the usefulness of this metric using the example of candidate heliostat improvements for a CSP tower plant. Here, the results suggest that a reduction in mirror washing costs yield a total plant O&M cost of $37/kWe-yr, which is a breakeven proposition if the average reflectance is reduced from 0.90 to 0.85 as a result of the cost savings.

Zolan, Alexander (ORCID:0000000326017604)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Subcritical Neutron and Gamma Noise Measurements at the Seven Percent Critical Experiment (7uPCX)

As part of a collaborative international effort organized by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), with key participants from L’Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), a series of high-multiplication subcritical neutron and gamma noise measurements were planned and executed. The primary aim of this research was to advance detector technology, assess the validity of gamma noise for subcriticality measurements, and nuclear criticality safety, focusing on collecting list-mode or time-series data from various reactor configurations with multiplication values ranging from 20 to 310. This comprehensive dataset enabled a detailed comparative analysis of multiple detector systems and the results of both neutron and gamma noise measurements. In this work we focus on experimentally comparing the results from neutron and gamma noise measurements. We note good agreement between estimations of the prompt neutron decay constant and demonstrate the effects of changing reactor geometry on the efficiency of the differing methods.

Criticality↗
DOE OSTI2021

Integration of Simulated and Real Distributed Acoustic Sensor Measurements to Develop AI Enhanced Intelligent Sensing Operations

Distributed acoustic sensors (DAS) have shown remarkable success in monitoring critical civil, energy and transportation assets over long distances and under harsh environmental conditions. Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with DAS can extend their operational capabilities from conventional tasks (e.g., vibration frequency detection) to more advanced intelligent tasks like anomaly detection. However, these AI technologies often require large labeled/ annotated DAS measurements datasets of the assets in both normal and anomalous operating conditions. This data acquisition task can be both time consuming and costly. This work develops a generative adversarial network based unsupervised domain adaptation framework to build intelligent DAS operational capabilities.

Venketeswaran, Abhishek↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measuring Heat Transfer Coefficients for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cycle Recuperators

This paper describes the measurement of convective heat transfer coefficients and friction factors for sCO 2 flowing in pin-fin patterned pipes at the US DoE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown, WV. The measurement procedures were validated by conducting benchmark tests with smooth stainless-steel tube and comparing the results with published correlations for Nusselt number (𝑁𝑢) and friction factor. Over Reynolds numbers (Re D ) ranging from 5×104 to 2.5×105 , measured 𝑁𝑢 was within 5% of the Dittus-Boelter correlation and measured friction factors were within 5% of the McAdams correlation for smooth tube flow.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Equivalent Breakeven Installed Cost: A Tradeoff-Informed Measure for Technoeconomic Analysis of Candidate Heliostat Improvements: Preprint

Technoeconomic analysis (TEA) is commonly used to determine economic viability of power-generating technologies, including concentrating solar power (CSP) and thermal (CST) production plants. Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and analogous measures provide an estimate of long-term costs for operating power plants over their designed lifetimes by accounting for revenues and costs in a time-discounted manner. While these measures are effective when assessing a technology's total lifecycle costs and productivity under various designs, TEA of candidate incremental technology improvements from the lens of LCOE can be limited when required investment and LCOE impacts are small. In this work, we propose a novel metric for TEA of a plant component technology that recasts relative changes in levelized system costs into component-specific capital cost budgets. This measure, which we refer to as the equivalent breakeven installed cost, is the maximum budget for the technology component that leads to improved levelized costs. We illustrate the usefulness of this metric using the example of candidate heliostat improvements for a CSP tower plant. Here, the results suggest that a reduction in mirror washing costs yield a total plant O&M cost of $37/kWe-yr, which is a breakeven proposition if the average reflectance is reduced from 0.90 to 0.85 as a result of the cost savings.

concentrating solar power↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measuring type Ia supernova angular-diameter distances with intensity interferometry

This paper investigates the potential of intensity interferometry, based on the Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect, for measuring supernova sizes and distances. With optimized telescope positioning, observing strategy, and advancements in single-photon detection technology, this method can provide precise angular size measurements of supernovae with apparent magnitudes as bright as 12 mag. For type Ia supernovae, this limiting brightness corresponds to a local volume extending to redshift z∼0.004 and an anticipated discovery rate of approximately 1 event per year. The combination of angular size data with known physical dimensions enables accurate distance determination. Multiple telescope pairs at different relative positions allow tomographic mapping of the ejecta structure while reducing distance uncertainties. As type Ia supernovae serve as standardizable candles for measuring the Universe’s expansion history, combining intensity interferometry distances with the supernova Hubble diagram facilitates measurements of the Hubble constant H0.

cosmological parameters↗
DOE OSTI2024

Empirical Validation of UBEM: An Assessment of Bias in Urban Building Energy Modeling for Chicago

Residential and commercial buildings currently account for 30% of total global final energy consumption. Urban-scale building energy modeling (UBEM) can enable scalable investments and unlock building improvements by quantifying energy, demand, emissions, and cost reductions of specific measures or packages for building-specific technologies in large geographic regions. While the sophistication of UBEM data sources and technologies have increased dramatically in the past decade, there remains a knowledge gap for empirical validation and sources of bias between building-specific energy models and measured data at varying geographic scales.As UBEM continues to develop, systemic analysis of accuracy, bias, and limitations of the resulting models is necessary to inform best practices and move toward standardization. These are characterized for the Automatic Building Energy Modeling (AutoBEM) software suite with an initial case study involving metered electricity consumption data from 247,188 buildings in Chicago, Illinois, USA - averaged across years 2019-2021 - compared to the following datasets: (1) the AutoBEM-generated nation-scale Model America version 2 (MAv2) data for 596,064 buildings, (2) tax assessor data for 579,829 buildings, (3) tax assessor data filled with MAv2, and (4) 102 representative dynamic archetypes. The accuracy is reported for every building type and vintage combination, along with multiple sources of bias for unique building descriptors. The AutoBEM simulation workflow produced energy consumption estimates that closely match aggregated metered electricity consumption data for different types of buildings constructed during various time periods at the city scale - with initial normalized mean bias error of 10.9%, and 1.1% after removing outliers. Contribution of statistically significant factors including building type, land use, age, and size to variance in UBEM bias is quantified.

Garg, Ankur↗
DOE OSTI2026

Experimental Investigation of Subcritical Neutron and Gamma Noise Methods at the Seven Percent Critical Experiment (7uPCX)

As part of a collaborative international effort organized by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), with key participants from the Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), a series of high-multiplication subcritical neutron and gamma noise measurements was planned and executed. The primary aim of this article was to advance detector technology, assess the validity of gamma noise for subcriticality measurements, and nuclear criticality safety, focusing on collecting list-mode or time-series data from various reactor configurations with multiplication values ranging from 20 to 310. This comprehensive dataset enabled a detailed comparative analysis of multiple detector systems and the results of both neutron and gamma noise measurements. In this work, we focus on experimentally comparing the results from neutron and gamma noise measurements. We note good agreement between estimations of the prompt neutron decay constant and demonstrate the effects of changing reactor geometry on the efficiency of the differing methods. Our results agree well with independent experimental measurements and simulations performed by LLNL.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Conceptual Framework to Describe Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Interactions

Energy efficiency (EE) and demand response (DR) resources provide important utility systems and ratepayer benefits. At the same time, the rapid change in the amount and type of variable renewable energy, like solar and wind, is reshaping the role and economic value of EE and DR, and will likely affect the time-dependent valuation of EE and DR measures. Utilities are increasingly interested in integrating EE and DR measures as a strategic approach to improve their collective cost-effectiveness and performance. We develop a framework to identify the EE and DR attributes, system conditions, and technological factors that are likely to drive interactions between EE and DR. We apply the framework to example measures with different technology specifics in the context of different utility system conditions. We find that EE and DR interactions are likely driven by changes in discretionary load, the addition of controls or other capabilities to shift loads, and the coincidence of savings with system peak or load building periods. Our analysis suggests increasing complexity in evaluating EE and DR interactions when moving from standalone equipment to integrated systems. The framework can be applied to research on integrated building systems by grouping measures into portfolios with different likely implications for EE and DR interactions.

Satchwell, Andrew J. (ORCID:0000000244053599)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Developing Technology Performance Level Assessments for Early-Stage Wave Energy Converter Technologies: Preprint

The advantage of using Technology Performance Level (TPL) in conjunction with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessments in guiding technology development trajectories to successful outcomes in less time, at less overall cost, and with less encountered risk has been well articulated in the literature. In partnership with industry and international collaborators, a TPL assessment methodology for grid-connected applications has been developed through the application of the systems engineering approach. Metrics under seven different categories have been developed, weighted based on their relative relevance, and combined to yield a composite score. The methodology has been implemented in a spreadsheet tool plus a web application specifically aimed at assessing early stage (TRL 1-3) concepts. The target use cases are (a) technology developers improving their design, to find fatal flaws early, to get feedback on current design, to identify areas of improvement that will yield the highest return on investment, (b) reviewers assessing technologies in competitions or for making funding decisions, (c) investor or project developer doing due diligence, (d) policy makers landscaping the technology domain for formulating R&D strategy. The methodology and the tools are undergoing continuous improvement based on the experience and lessons learnt from applying it to internal and external marine energy technology development projects. The methodology is also being adapted for assessing WECs servicing markets outside the continental grid - broadly categorized as Powering the Blue Economy (PBE) applications. Such applications have vastly different functional requirements entailing a modification of the methodology to account for their higher risk tolerance, reduced price sensitivities, lower power needs, different permitting protocols, etc. This paper presents the latest status of the TPL assessment methodology and tools, describes its adaptation to select PBE markets, and explores its extension to other domains where it could provide a comprehensive and holistic measure of a nascent or disruptive technology's technoeconomic performance potential.

metrics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Developing Technology Performance Level Assessments for Early-Stage Wave Energy Converter Technologies

The advantage of using Technology Performance Level (TPL) in conjunction with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessments in guiding technology development trajectories to successful outcomes in less time, at less overall cost, and with less encountered risk has been well articulated in the literature. In partnership with industry and international collaborators, a TPL assessment methodology for grid-connected applications has been developed through the application of the systems engineering approach. Metrics under seven different categories have been developed, weighted based on their relative relevance, and combined to yield a composite score. The methodology has been implemented in a spreadsheet tool plus a web application specifically aimed at assessing early stage (TRL 1-3) concepts. The target use cases are (a) technology developers improving their design, to find fatal flaws early, to get feedback on current design, to identify areas of improvement that will yield the highest return on investment, (b) reviewers assessing technologies in competitions or for making funding decisions, (c) investor or project developer doing due diligence, (d) policy makers landscaping the technology domain for formulating R&D strategy. The methodology and the tools are undergoing continuous improvement based on the experience and lessons learnt from applying it to internal and external marine energy technology development projects. The methodology is also being adapted for assessing WECs servicing markets outside the continental grid - broadly categorized as Powering the Blue Economy (PBE) applications. Such applications have vastly different functional requirements entailing a modification of the methodology to account for their higher risk tolerance, reduced price sensitivities, lower power needs, different permitting protocols, etc. This paper presents the latest status of the TPL assessment methodology and tools, describes its adaptation to select PBE markets, and explores its extension to other domains where it could provide a comprehensive and holistic measure of a nascent or disruptive technology's technoeconomic performance potential.

metrics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Material efficiency technologies in the food and beverage industry

The U.S. food and beverage (F&B) sector is a major contributor to manufacturing gross domestic product and supports substantial employment and economic activity, while exerting significant pressures on land and water resources. At the same time, the industry faces growing expectations to balance its resource-intensive operations without compromising cost competitiveness. Material inefficiencies across the F&B value chain, particularly in raw material use and product loss/waste, lead to substantial financial losses and resource depletion. Thus, the F&B sector requires adoption of solutions and measures to avoid food wastage, reduce raw material consumption and valorize waste to high-value added products. This work presents a comprehensive understanding of the various technology solutions available for the F&B sector. The following two research questions are addressed: “What are the mid-to-high Technology Readiness Level technologies or measures to reduce material use and enable waste valorization in the F&B sector? What are the barriers to their commercial deployment? Additionally, what targeted research and development efforts are needed to overcome these barriers and accelerate their scale-up?” The findings are intended to support evidence-based decision-making, guide strategic investment, and help stakeholders strengthen resilience and competitiveness across the F&B sector.

Nain, Preeti [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000258358959)↗
DOE OSTI2022

The low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of greigite (Fe 3 S 4 )

Heat capacity measurements provide important insights into the energetic, thermodynamic, and magnetic properties of materials. Herein we report the heat capacity of greigite (Fe 3 S 4 ) from 1.8 to 300 K. Greigite is a magnetic spinel mineral and through a ferromagnetic magnon term, C fsw = B fsw T 3/2 , ferrimagnetic ordering is observed in the low-temperature heat capacity. Using a set of theoretical fits of the experimental data, we calculate the thermodynamic functions, including the standard entropy ($Δ_{0}^{T}$S m °). Greigite is important in iron sulfide formation and reaction pathways in environmental, ore-forming, and technological settings and previous work has measured enthalpies $ΔH_{r}°$ of formation and decomposition to neighboring phases. In this work, the stability of greigite relative to the elements is demonstrated with a negative Gibbs energy ($ΔG_{r}°$) of formation and the stability relative to decomposition products of pyrrhotite (FeS 1.092 ) and pyrite (FeS 2 ) is demonstrated with a positive Gibbs energy ($ΔG_{r}°$) of decomposition. Values of the standard thermodynamic functions C p,m °, $Δ_{0}^{T}$S m °, $Δ_{0}^{T}$H m °, and Φ m ° are tabulated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

SOFIA: Spectrometer Optimized for Facility Integrated Applications

Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers developed the Spectrometer Optimized for Facility Integrated Applications (SOFIA) for new capabilities in non-destructive nuclear material analysis, nuclear data measurements, and actinide science. SOFIA is the first ultra-high resolution gamma spectrometer technology based on low-temperature microcalorimeter designs. By precisely measuring the gamma rays passively emitted from radioactive and nuclear materials, SOFIA provides rapid, completely nondestructive analysis to improve the economics and timeliness of nuclear material analysis by reducing reliance on costly sampling and destructive analysis. By developing the first compact instrument based on ultrahigh resolution microcalorimeter gamma spectroscopy, the researchers intended to bring this technology into practical use in nuclear facilities and analytical laboratories.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

High‐Resolution Direct Push NMR Tools for Groundwater Investigations

Abstract A small‐diameter nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology optimized for use with direct push (DP) and cone penetrometer test (CPT) drilling has been developed. The DP NMR tool can be deployed through 2.25‐in. diameter DP and CPT drilling rods allowing high‐resolution NMR logging measurements to be acquired during retraction of drill rods. DP NMR technology runs from a person‐portable battery‐powered control unit and provides significantly higher resolution in both the spatial (vertical) dimension and in the time domain of the NMR measurement than previously available NMR technology. In this study, we summarize the development of two different DP NMR tools and demonstrate their application at different sites within the United States. We believe that this technology can provide a leap forward in adoption of NMR technology for high‐resolution hydrological and geophysical investigations in groundwater resources and environmental remediation applications.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Distributed optical fibre sensing in physical oceanography: emergence and future prospects

Distributed optical fibre sensing (DOFS) is a technology that enables continuous, real-time measurements of a range of environmental parameters along the length of a fibre optic cable. In this article, we review the recently emerged applications of DOFS techniques in physical oceanography and offer a perspective on the technology's potential for future growth within the field. The introduction of DOFS to physical oceanography is contextualised with a brief history of the technology, which spun off primarily from the use of seafloor-laid optical fibres for telecommunications purposes. The key components and underpinning physics of a DOFS system are outlined and, on their basis, the suite of variables that are observable with DOFS are discussed. The implementation factors of DOFS, which include trade-offs between measurement accuracy and spatio-temporal resolutions and ranges, are also examined. The physical oceanographic applications of DOFS to date are then illustrated with case examples of four distinct DOFS techniques: distributed temperature sensing (DTS), which can provide ocean temperature observations; distributed static strain sensing (DSS) and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), which are sensitive to temperature, cable strain and strain-associated variables, such as pressure and ocean velocity; and ultra-long-range observations of ocean currents with optical interferometry. The forthcoming prospects of DOFS in physical oceanography are considered, and are proposed to include new fibre optic-based approaches to sense ocean salinity and measure through the water column. We conclude with reflections on the future role of DOFS within the Global Ocean Observing System, and highlight the opportunities provided by the existing world-wide network of seafloor-laid optical fibres.

Naveira Garabato, Alberto C. [Univ. of Southampton↗