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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 415 records · Page 23

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DOE OSTI2020

Pulse-train drive system for electrostatic generators and motors

A novel motor drive system has been described for use in electrostatic generator/motor systems based on the time variation of capacity of a rotating condenser comprised of segmented rotor and stator elements. It takes advantage of the fact that the motor action of such a system depends only on the rms value of the drive pulses, which therefore can be formed simply by periodically interrupting a high-frequency ac wave train. This new circuitry simplifies the drive system and takes advantage of recent developments of devices used in the art of inversion of dc voltages to high-frequency (tens of kiloHz) ac.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

maranasgroup/scRBA

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important model organism and a workhorse in bioproduction. Here, we reconstructed a compact and tractable genome-scale resource balance analysis (RBA) model (i.e., named scRBA) to analyze metabolic fluxes and proteome allocation in a computationally efficient manner. Resource capacity models such as scRBA provide the quantitative means to identify bottlenecks in biosynthetic pathways due to enzyme, compartment size, and/or ribosome availability limitations. ATP maintenance rate and in vivo apparent turnover numbers (kapp) were regressed from metabolic flux and protein concentration data to capture observed physiological growth yield and proteome efficiency and allocation, respectively. Estimated parameter values were found to vary with oxygen and nutrient availability. Overall, this work (i) provides condition-specific model parameters to recapitulate phenotypes corresponding to different extracellular environments, (ii) alludes to the enhancing effect of substrate channeling and post-translational activation on in vivo enzyme efficiency in glycolysis and electron transport chain, and (iii) reveals that the Crabtree effect is underpinned by specific limitations in mitochondrial proteome capacity and secondarily ribosome availability rather than overall proteome capacity.

Dinh, Hoang↗

DOE OSTI2023

Evaluating proteome allocation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae phenotypes with resource balance analysis

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important model organism and a workhorse in bioproduction. Here, we reconstructed a compact and tractable genome-scale resource balance analysis (RBA) model (i.e., named scRBA) to analyze metabolic fluxes and proteome allocation in a computationally efficient manner. Resource capacity models such as scRBA provide the quantitative means to identify bottlenecks in biosynthetic pathways due to enzyme, compartment size, and/or ribosome availability limitations. ATP maintenance rate and in vivo apparent turnover numbers (k app ) were regressed from metabolic flux and protein concentration data to capture observed physiological growth yield and proteome efficiency and allocation, respectively. Estimated parameter values were found to vary with oxygen and nutrient availability. Altogether, this work (i) provides condition-specific model parameters to recapitulate phenotypes corresponding to different extracellular environments, (ii) alludes to the enhancing effect of substrate channeling and post-translational activation on in vivo enzyme efficiency in glycolysis and electron transport chain, and (iii) reveals that the Crabtree effect is underpinned by specific limitations in mitochondrial proteome capacity and secondarily ribosome availability rather than overall proteome capacity.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Sparse chronology strategy for integrating seasonal energy storage in capacity expansion models

Here, this study develops the sparse chronology method to enhance the representative period framework in capacity expansion models, enabling the effective integration of long-duration energy storage modeling. Traditional representative period methods cannot capture the state of charge of seasonal energy storage systems because they do not establish effective inter-day linkages to connect the state of charge between periods. The sparse chronology approach addresses this limitation by establishing inter-day linkages that allow state of charge to shift inter-seasonally. At the same time, it groups identical representative days into partitions, applying constraints sparsely and implicitly to reduce computational load further. Validation results demonstrate that this method successfully simulates long-duration energy storage patterns, achieving close alignment with a continuous yearly benchmark model, with seasonal trends and state of charge cycles clearly represented. The computational load analysis reveals that the sparse chronology method efficiently applies constraints on maximum and minimum state of charge limits within the representative day framework, eliminating the need for detailed constraints on each individual day. By partitioning representative days and constraining only the start and end of each partition, the method significantly decreases computational requirements. Simulation results show that sparse chronology closely approximates the continuous yearly method's accuracy, even with as few as 20 representative days, achieving correlation values with the benchmark of nearly 0.9 in state of charge plots. Furthermore, it maintains computational efficiency, requiring only 4 % of the solver time compared to the continuous yearly method with 20 representative days. This approach allows capacity expansion models to incorporate long-duration energy storage with high temporal, spatial, and technological resolution, enabling more detailed modeling for large-scale power systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Role of Anions in Stabilizing the [Zn–Al] Layered Double Hydroxides: A Thermodynamic Study

Here, room-temperature acid solution calorimetry, high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry, and low-temperature heat capacity measurements were employed to calculate the thermodynamic stabilities of the [Zn–Al–X] layered double hydroxides (LDH) containing different anions (X = Cl – , CO 3 2– , and SO 4 2– ). Cryogenic heat capacity measurements demonstrated a Schottky-type anomaly in the heat capacity of all three LDHs below 11 K. This anomaly is attributed to the tunneling of protons between adjacent oxygen atoms in the LDH interlayer as this creates an energy system similar to a two-level system modeled with a Schottky term. These heat capacity measurements were also used to determine vibrational entropies which, when combined with configurational entropies, provide standard entropies of these LDHs. Enthalpies of formation of LDHs from binary components were determined and combined with the entropies of formation to calculate Gibbs free energies. Based on these values, the order of stability is [Zn–Al–SO 4 ] > [Zn–Al–CO 3 ] > [Zn–Al–Cl]. This trend results from a combination of the interlayer spacing, amount of water in the interlayer, interactions among the interlayer species, and interactions between the metal hydroxide layer and the interlayer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2020

Optimal economic operation of liquid petroleum products pipeline systems

The majority of overland transport needs for crude petroleum and refined petroleum products are met using pipelines. Numerous studies have developed optimization methods for design of these systems in order to minimize construction costs while meeting capacity requirements. Here, we formulate problems to optimize the operations of existing single liquid commodity pipeline systems subject to physical flow and pump engineering constraints. The objectives are to maximize the economic value created for users of the system and to minimize operating costs. We present a general computational method for this class of continuous, non-convex nonlinear programs, and examine the use of pump operating settings and flow allocations as decision variables. Furthermore, the approach is applied to compute optimal operating regimes and perform engineering economic sensitivity analyses for a case study of a crude oil pipeline developed using publicly available data.

02 PETROLEUM↗

DOE OSTI2024

Enhanced prediction of Cs removal by CST from Hanford tank waste with K accountability

Abstract The treatment of Hanford tank waste is one of the most challenging environmental cleanup activities to date. To expedite the processing of liquid waste stored in underground tanks in Washington State it is necessary to remove the significant dose contributor, 137 Cs. Crystalline silicotitanate ion exchanger is currently used to remove 137 Cs from the aqueous phase of Hanford tank wastes in preparation for vitrification at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Improving the understanding of potassium impacts on ion exchange behavior of Cs will help in the operation of a critical component of one of the most complex treatment processes in the world today. Optimization of this process can result in significant cost savings and less waste production. Toward this effort, a series of batch contact tests varied in potassium concentration were conducted to look at the impact of potassium concentration on Cs distribution. Experimental distribution ratios ( K d ) were compared to the distribution ratios predicted using the ZAM model. A significant underprediction of Cs capacity in the presence of potassium was seen with the existing model. A revision of the equilibrium constants was determined and provided a statistically better fit for determining the Cs K d values in tank waste matrices.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2025

Cement and concrete as carbon sinks: Transforming a climate challenge into a carbon storage opportunity

Cement and concrete, while traditionally recognized as the main contributors to anthropogenic CO 2 emissions, also have untapped capacity to serve as substantial and scalable carbon sinks. This perspective examines how engineered mineral carbonation can transform cement-based materials into functional carbon storage systems, generating both environmental and economic value. We review the fundamental mechanisms of CO 2 uptake in cementitious systems, highlighting current limitations in reaction kinetics, phase control, and durability under varying environmental conditions. Emphasis is placed on the utilization of alkaline industrial residues and emerging magnesium-based cements, which offer synergistic pathways for carbon sequestration and circular resource use. We further assess the performance trade-offs associated with CO 2 uptake and the feasibility of deploying these technologies on industrial scales. A strategic roadmap is proposed that integrates scientific innovation, regulatory alignment, and carbon accounting in the life cycle to accelerate the adoption of carbon-storing concrete. This perspective provides a comprehensive framework to advance cement and concrete as engineered carbon sinks and supports the transition to a climate-positive construction industry.

Carbon storage↗

DOE OSTI2026

Energy Infrastructure Futures: A Multiscale Evaluation of Projected Power Plant Siting Across the Western Interconnection

The US Western Interconnection is facing unprecedented challenges in the form of less predictable peak demand, increasingly diverse generating resources, and fast-growing loads due to the onset of artificial intelligence, hyperscale computing, and electrification. Projecting where future generation may be developed is critical to maintaining a robust and resilient electric grid under this mounting uncertainty and variability. Using an integrated multisectoral, multiscale modeling framework that links a human-Earth systems model, an hourly load model, a geospatial power plant siting model, and an hourly grid operations model, we evaluate the power plant landscape evolution under eight alternative futures between 2020 and 2055. These futures represent a wide but plausible range of atmospheric conditions, emissions constraints, and economic, technological, and population growth assumptions. We find that local-level development can vary substantially both by generation type and capacity buildout across these futures. Specific regions of the Western Interconnection are projected to see large amounts of capacity development regardless of the future scenario. We additionally determine that projected power plant locations are more heavily influenced by the cost to interconnect to the electric grid than the locational energy value.

Mongird, Kendall↗

DOE OSTI2021

PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative Program and Methodology

The US Department of Energy’s PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative has been launched in order to collect and evaluate production data across multiple PV fleet partners. Performance statistics are anonymized, aggregated and shared to represent a snapshot of the US commercial and utility-scale fleet. Production data have been collected from over 1500 systems representing more than 1.3 GWdc capacity. Preliminary analysis indicates median performance loss rates are in line with previous publications of system degradation, on the order of –0.6%/yr to –0.9%/yr (preliminary numbers subject to change). These values are higher than module-only degradation rates which are often used in pro-forma estimates of project performance and economics, potentially exposing owner/operators to increased risk if systems under-perform over time.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Bill Savings vs. Backup Power: Evaluating operational tradeoffs for home solar+storage systems [Slides]

Adoption of residential solar photovoltaic+energy storage systems (PVESS) is driven by both bill savings opportunities and customer demand for backup power. Prior work by this team (Gorman et al., 2022; Gorman et al., 2023) explored PVESS backup power capabilities during long-duration power interruptions (e.g., due to severe weather events), when customers are assumed to be able to anticipate the event and charge their batteries in advance. In many cases, however, power interruptions are unpredictable (and often relatively short); for those types of events, a customer will typically set its battery to maintain some minimum capacity in reserve in case of an interruption, which reduces the capacity available for managing utility bills. This study evaluates this operational tradeoff to help customers and installers configure backup reserve settings, and to inform decision-making more generally about the customer value of backup power services compared to utility bill savings. This study utilizes Berkeley Lab’s PRESTO tool to produce stochastic simulations of (predominantly short-duration) power interruption events, and builds on an earlier case-study demonstrating PVESS backup performance during short-duration interruptions (Baik et al., 2023).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Low-temperature thermal properties of Fe-doped Co 3 Sn 2 S 2

Recent studies on Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 usually focus on its electrical and magnetic behaviors as it is a Weyl semimetal, half metal, and anisotropic ferromagnet at the same time. Only a few works looked into its low-temperature thermal characteristics. Here, in this study, we report the low-temperature heat capacity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of Fe-doped Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , as well as the formation energies, band structures, and spin-polarized density of states calculated by using the spin-polarized relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker – Green’s function method (sprKKR). The heat capacity data reveal that the sample with a heavier Fe-doping level has a lower Debye temperature and a larger density of states at the Fermi level, the latter confirmed by our ab initio computational results. The Fe-doping increases the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient at temperatures above 120 K and dramatically suppresses the thermal conductivity. Furthermore, we discuss how the external applied magnetic field affects the Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity of pristine Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 . Our findings provide a detailed reference and may stimulate future investigations into the low-temperature thermal transport properties of Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 and other compounds in the shandite family.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Characterizing Drought Behavior in the Colorado River Basin Using Unsupervised Machine Learning

Drought is a pressing issue for the Colorado River Basin (CRB) due to the social and economic value of water resources in the region and the significant uncertainty of future drought under climate change. Here, we use climate simulations from various Earth System Models (ESMs) to force the Variable Infiltration Capacity hydrologic model and project multiple drought indicators for the sub-watersheds within the CRB. We apply an unsupervised machine learning (ML) based on Non-Negative Matrix Factorization using K-means clustering (NMFk) to synthesize the simulated historical, future, and change in drought indicators. The unsupervised ML approach can identify sub-watersheds where key changes to drought indicator behavior occur, including shifts in snowpack, snowmelt timing, precipitation, and evapotranspiration. While changes in future precipitation vary across ESMs, the results indicate that the Upper CRB will experience increasing evaporative demand and surface-water scarcity, with some locations experiencing a shift from a radiation-limited to a water-limited evaporation regime in the summer. Large shifts in peak runoff are observed in snowmelt-dominant sub-watersheds, with complete disappearance of the snowmelt signal for some sub-watersheds. The work demonstrates the utility of the NMFk algorithm to efficiently identify behavioral changes of drought indicators across space and time and to quickly analyze and interpret hydro climate model results.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

Optimal operation and sizing of pumped thermal energy storage for net benefits maximization

Abstract Current trends in the modern grid are leading to the development and deployment of energy storage to help integrate increasing variable renewable energy sources into the grid. This paper studies a pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) system for multiple grid services including energy arbitrage, frequency regulation, spinning and non‐spinning reserve, and resource adequacy. Optimal dispatch methods are proposed for individual services as well as value stacking from multiple services to maximize the economic benefits. Assessment results demonstrate the superiority of value stacking. Specifically, the study shows the maximum revenue from an individual grid service with a 30‐MWh PTES system was $522,520, while the value stacking could increase the benefits to $678,477. In addition, sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the cost‐effectiveness of a PTES system with different combinations of power transfer limits and energy capacity. It was found that the power transfer limit had a greater impact than the energy capacity on the benefits. The proposed method could help determine the optimal duration of a future PTES system.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Magnetism of single crystalline breathing pyrochlore spinel AgInCr 4 ⁢S 8

Single crystals of Ag⁢In⁢Cr 4⁢ S 8 are grown by chemical vapor transport and crystallographic ordering of Ag/In that results in a breathing pyrochlore motif of Cr 3+ is verified by x-ray and neutron diffraction. Long-range antiferromagnetic order is observed below a Néel temperature of 𝑇 N ≈ 9.6 K. The magnetic properties are characterized using ac and dc magnetization, specific heat capacity, and single crystal neutron diffraction measurements. The specific heat data are characterized by a small lambda anomaly near 9.5 K and the estimated magnetic entropy reaches ≈ $\frac{1}{3}$ of the expected value by 3⁢𝑇 N , suggesting significant short-range order in the paramagnetic phase. Single crystal neutron diffraction evidences an incommensurate spin structure with propagation vector 𝒌 = (0,0,𝛿) and 𝛿 = 0.343 at 5 K. The minimal model that accounts for the data consists of ferromagnetic layers of Cr atoms, with magnetic moments lying in the plane of the layers and modulating in the perpendicular direction to form a helical structure propagating along 𝒌. Furthermore, this study represents a rare investigation of single crystals within the family of breathing pyrochlore materials.

Frustrated magnetism↗

DOE OSTI2023

Cost Projections for Utility-Scale Battery Storage: 2023 Update

In this work we describe the development of cost and performance projections for utility-scale lithium-ion battery systems, with a focus on 4-hour duration systems. The projections are developed from an analysis of recent publications that include utility-scale storage costs. The suite of publications demonstrates wide variation in projected cost reductions for battery storage over time. We use the recent publications to create low, mid, and high cost projections. Projected storage costs are $245/kWh, $326/kWh, and $403/kWh in 2030 and $159/kWh, $226/kWh, and $348/kWh in 2050. Battery variable operations and maintenance costs, lifetimes, and efficiencies are also discussed, with recommended values selected based on the publications surveyed.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2021

An economic assessment of behind-the-meter photovoltaics paired with batteries on the Hawaiian Islands.

Due to natural variability and uncertainty, the ever-increasing penetration of solar generation in Hawaii presents challenges to power grid operators to maintain reliable system operation. Demand response (DR) has the potential to be a cost-effective tool for Hawaii to reach its aggressive renewable energy goals while maintaining the reliability of power grids. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has approved the Hawaiian Electric Company's revised portfolio of DR programs. The companies have released a grid services purchase agreement and subscribed an initial tranche of load into their DR programs. This paper presents innovative analytical methods and comprehensive economic assessment for distributed photovoltaics (PV) paired with battery energy storage systems (BESSs) for two new DR programs, including fast frequency response and capacity grid service. Optimal dispatch and sizing methods are proposed for the paired system considering different tariff schedules and PV compensation programs across five islands. It was found that while the best resource configuration and potential economic benefits vary with tariff structure, a BESS paired with PV can be optimally dispatched to generate multiple value streams simultaneously. Compensation from DR programs is an important value stream to help increase the cost-effectiveness of the integrated system.

Battery energy storage system↗

DOE OSTI2022

Plant-based engineering for production of high-valued natural products

Plants are a unique source of complex specialized metabolites, many of which play significant roles in human society. In many cases, however, the availability of these metabolites from naturally occurring sources fails to meet current demands. Thus, there is much interest in expanding the production capacity of target plant molecules. Traditionally, plant breeding, chemical synthesis, and microbial fermentation are considered the primary routes towards large scale production of natural products. Here, in this paper, we explore the advances, challenges, and future of plant engineering as a complementary path. Although plants are an integral part of our food and agricultural systems and sustain an extensive array of chemical constituents, their complex genetics and physiology have prevented the optimal exploitation of plants as a production chassis. We highlight emerging engineering tools and scientific advances developed in recent years that have improved the prospects of using plants as a sustainable and scalable production platform. We also discuss technological limitations and overall economic outlook of plant-based production of natural products.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗