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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

A method to acquire CT organ dose map using OSL dosimeters and ATOM anthropomorphic phantoms

Purpose: To present the design and procedure of an experimental method for acquiring densely sampled organ dose map for CT applications, based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters “nanoDots” and standard ATOM anthropomorphic phantoms; and to provide the results of applying the method—a dose data set with good statistics for the comparison with Monte Carlo simulation result in the future.Methods: A standard ATOM phantom has densely located holes (in 3 × 3 cm or 1.5 × 1.5 cm grids), which are too small (5 mm in diameter) to host many types of dosimeters, including the nanoDots. The authors modified the conventional way in which nanoDots are used, by removing the OSL disks from the holders before inserting them inside a standard ATOM phantom for dose measurements. The authors solved three technical difficulties introduced by this modification: (1) energy dependent dose calibration for raw OSL readings; (2) influence of the brief background exposure of OSL disks to dimmed room light; (3) correct pairing between the dose readings and measurement locations. The authors acquired 100 dose measurements at various positions in the phantom, which was scanned using a clinical chest protocol with both angular and z-axis tube current modulations.Results: Dose calibration was performed according to the beam qualities inside the phantom as determined from an established Monte Carlo model of the scanner. The influence of the brief exposure to dimmed room light was evaluated and deemed negligible. Pairing between the OSL readings and measurement locations was ensured by the experimental design. The organ doses measured for a routine adult chest scan protocol ranged from 9.4 to 18.8 mGy, depending on the composition, location, and surrounding anatomy of the organs. The dose distribution across different slices of the phantom strongly depended on the z-axis mA modulation. In the same slice, doses to the soft tissues other than the spinal cord demonstrated relatively small variations, with the maximum COV around 11.4%. This might be attributed to the angular mA modulation, the placement of the dosimeters, the chest cavity of the scanned region, and the size of the phantom. Doses to the spinal cord were consistently lower than those to other soft tissues.Conclusions: The method is suited for acquiring densely sampled organ dose maps, and can be used for studying dose distributions relevant to subject size, organ location, and clinical CT protocols.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Impact of hydrogen SAE J2601 fueling methods on fueling time of light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) are zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) that can provide drivers a similar experience to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), in terms of fueling time and performance (i.e. power and driving range). The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed fueling protocol J2601 for light-duty HFCEVs to ensure safe vehicle fills while maximizing fueling performance. This study employs a physical model that simulates and compares the fueling performance of two fueling methods, known as the “lookup table” method and the “MC formula” method, within the SAE J2601 protocol. Both the fueling methods provide fast fueling of HFCEVs within minutes, but the MC formula method takes advantage of active measurement of precooling temperature to dynamically control the fueling process, and thereby provides faster vehicle fills. Here, the MC formula method greatly reduces fueling time compared to the lookup table method at higher ambient temperatures, as well as when the precooling temperature falls on the colder side of the expected temperature window for all station types. Although the SAE J2601 lookup table method is the currently implemented standard for refueling hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the MC formula method provides significant fueling time advantages in certain conditions; these warrant its implementation in future hydrogen refueling stations for better customer satisfaction with fueling experience of HFCEVs.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-196: Hypo-Fractionation with Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy for Unilateral Metallic Prosthesis Prostate Cancer Patients

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the dosimetric feasibility of hypo-fractionated intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for unilateral metallic prosthesis prostate cancer patients based on proton collaborative group (PCG)-GU002-10 (NCT01230866) protocol criteria. Methods: A total of five unilateral metallic prosthesis prostate cancer cases were included in this retrospective study. For each case, IMPT plans were generated for treatment to be delivered with 7.6 Gy[RBE] per fraction in 5 fractions per week for a total dose of 38 Gy(RBE). Each plan was generated using two anterior-oblique beams and one lateral beam. Treatment plans were optimized with an objective meeting PCG-GU002-10 (NCT01230866) protocol criteria: (i) planning target volume (PTV): D99.5% > 36.1 Gy[RBE], (ii) rectum: V24 < 35%, V33.6 < 10%, (iii) bladder: V39 < 8 cc, and (iv) femoral head: V23 < 1cc. Results: All five cases satisfied PTV D99.5% (average=36.82 Gy[RBE]; range, 36.36–37.13 Gy[RBE]). PTV D95% ranged from 36.66 Gy[RBE] to 38.65 Gy[RBE] and PTV V100 ranged from 95.47% to 97.95%. For the rectum, V24 was less than 35% (average=14.07 Gy[RBE]; range, 6.22–18.42%, whereas V33.6 Gy[RBE] was less than 10% (average=6.83; range, 3.06 – 9.15%). Rectal mean dose ranged from 4.22 Gy[RBE] to 9.97 Gy[RBE]. For the bladder, V39 was found to be less than 8 cc (average=3.69 cc; range, 0.19–7.68 cc). Bladder mean dose ranged from 4.22 Gy[RBE] to 18.83 Gy[RBE]. For the femoral head, V23 was 0 in all five cases. Conclusion: All five unilateral metallic prosthesis prostate cancer IMPT plans generated with one lateral and two anterior-oblique beams satisfied the dosimetric criteria of PCG-GU002-10 (NCT01230866) protocol.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Porphyrin Spin Qubit and Its 2D Framework Nanosheets

Abstract Molecular spin qubits have been shown to reach sufficiently long quantum coherence times to envision their use as hardware in quantum processors. These will however require their implementation in hybrid solid‐state devices for which the controlled localization and homogeneous orientation of the molecular qubits will be necessary. An alternative to isolated molecules that can ensure these key aspects is 2D framework in which the qubit would act as node. In this work, it is demonstrated that the isolated metalloporphyrin [Cu(H 4 TCPP)] molecule is a potential spin qubit, and maintains similar quantum coherence as node in a 2D [{CuTCPP}Zn 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] metal–organic framework. Mono‐ and multilayer deposits of nanosheets of a similar 2D framework are then successfully formed following a modular method based on Langmuir–Schaefer conditions. The orientation of the {CuTCPP} qubit nodes in these nanosheets is homogeneous parallel to the substrate. These nanosheets are also formed with a control over the qubit concentration, i.e., by dilution with the unmetallated porphyrin. Eventually, 2D nanosheets are formed in situ directly on a substrate, through a simple protocol devised to reproduce the Langmuir–Schaefer conditions locally. Altogether these studies show that 2D spin qubit frameworks are ideal components to develop a hybrid quantum computing architecture.

Urtizberea, Ainhoa↗
DOE OSTI2023

Elucidating the Effect of Ion Exchange Protocol on the Copper Exchange Efficacy, Copper Siting, and SCR activity in Cu-SSZ-13

The influence of the copper ion exchange protocol on SCR activity of SSZ-13 is quantified. Using the same parent SSZ-13 zeolite, four exchange protocols are used to assess how exchange protocol impacts metal uptake and SCR activity. Large differences in the SCR activity, nearly 30 percentage points at 160 °C at constant copper content, are observed for different exchange protocols implying that different exchange protocols lead to different copper species. Hydrogen temperature programmed reduction on selected samples and infrared spectroscopy of CO binding corroborates this conclusion as the reactivity at 160 °C correlates with the intensity of the IR band at 2162 cm -1 . DFT-based calculations show that such an IR assignment is consistent with CO adsorbed on a Cu(I) cation within an eight-membered ring. This work shows that SCR activity can be influenced by the ion exchange process even when different protocols lead to the same metal loading. Perhaps most interesting, a protocol used to generate Cu-MOR for methane to methanol studies led to the most active catalyst both on a unit mass or unit mole copper basis. This points to a yet not recognized means to tailor catalyst activity as the open literature is silent on this issue.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Agrobacterium ‐Mediated Transformation of Brachypodium distachyon

Abstract Brachypodium distachyon is an excellent model system for the grasses and has been adopted as a research organism by many laboratories around the world. It has all of the biological traits required for a model system, including small stature, short life cycle, small genome, simple growth requirements, and a close relationship to major crop plants (cereals). In addition, numerous resources have been developed for working with this species, including genome sequences for many lines, sequenced mutant collections, and a large, freely available germplasm collection. Fortunately, among grasses B. distachyon is one of the most easily transformed species, an absolute necessity for a model system. Agrobacterium ‐mediated transformation is the preferred method to transform plants because it usually results in simple insertions of target DNA. In this article, we describe a method for Agrobacterium ‐mediated transformation of the inbred B. distachyon lines Bd21 and Bd21‐3. Embryogenic callus induced from immature embryos is co‐cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL1 or Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 18r12v. Hygromycin and paromomycin are used as selective agents, with comparable transformation efficiencies (defined as the percentage of co‐cultivated callus that produce transgenic plants) of 40% to 70%. It takes 20 to 30 weeks to obtain T 1 seeds starting from the initial step of dissecting out immature embryos. This protocol has been shown to be efficient and facile in several studies that resulted in the creation of over 22,000 T‐DNA mutants. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Chen, Fengjuan↗
DOE OSTI2017

EpiK: A Knowledge Base for Epidemiological Modeling and Analytics of Infectious Diseases

Computational epidemiology seeks to develop computational methods to study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems. Recent advances in computing and data sciences have led to the development of innovative modeling environments to support this important goal. The datasets used to drive the dynamic models as well as the data produced by these models presents unique challenges owing to their size, heterogeneity and diversity. These datasets form the basis of effective and easy to use decision support and analytical environments. As a result, it is important to develop scalable data management systems to store, manage and integrate these datasets. In this paper, we develop EpiK —a knowledge base that facilitates the development of decision support and analytical environments to support epidemic science. An important goal is to develop a framework that links the input as well as output datasets to facilitate effective spatio-temporal and social reasoning that is critical in planning and intervention analysis before and during an epidemic. The data management framework links modeling workflow data and its metadata using a controlled vocabulary. The metadata captures information about storage, the mapping between the linked model and the physical layout, and relationships to support services. EpiK is designed to support agent-based modeling and analytics frameworks—aggregate models can be seen as special cases and are thus supported. We use semantic web technologies to create a representation of the datasets that encapsulates both the location and the schema heterogeneity. The choice of RDF as a representation language is motivated by the diversity and growth of the datasets that need to be integrated. A query bank is developed—the queries capture a broad range of questions that can be posed and answered during a typical case study pertaining to disease outbreaks. The queries are constructed using SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language (SPARQL) over the EpiK. EpiK can hide schema and location heterogeneity while efficiently supporting queries that span the computational epidemiology modeling pipeline: from model construction to simulation output. As a result, we show that the performance of benchmark queries varies significantly with respect to the choice of hardware underlying the database and resource description framework (RDF) engine.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Development and application of a machine learning based multi-objective optimization workflow for CO 2 -EOR projects

Carbon dioxide-Enhanced Oil Recovery (CO 2 -EOR) is known as one of techniques for hydrocarbon production improvement as wells as an important candidate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, an ideal development strategy for a CO 2 -EOR project would consider multiple objectives including to maximize oil recovery, CO 2 storage volume and project economic outcomes. This work proposes a robust computational framework that couples artificial neural network (ANN) and multi-objective optimizers to optimize the aforementioned objectives in CO 2 -EOR processes simultaneously. Expert ANN systems are trained and employed as surrogate models of the high-fidelity compositional simulator in the optimization workflow. The robustness of the development optimization protocol is confirmed via a synthetic injection-pattern-base case study. Afterward a field implementation to Morrow-B formation to optimize the tertiary recovery stage of the field development is discussed. This work compares the optimum solution found using an aggregate objective function and the solution repository (Pareto front) generated by the multi-objective optimization process. The comparison indicates the existence of potential multi-solutions satisfying certain criteria in a CO 2 -EOR project designing, which cannot be found using traditional weighted sum method. The optimization results provide significant insight into the decision-making process of CO 2 -EOR project when multiple objective functions are considered.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2014

Particle infectivity of HIV-1 full-length genome infectious molecular clones in a subtype C heterosexual transmission pair following high fidelity amplification and unbiased cloning

The high genetic diversity of HIV-1 impedes high throughput, large-scale sequencing and full-length genome cloning by common restriction enzyme based methods. Applying novel methods that employ a high-fidelity polymerase for amplification and an unbiased fusion-based cloning strategy, we have generated several HIV-1 full-length genome infectious molecular clones from an epidemiologically linked transmission pair. These clones represent the transmitted/founder virus and phylogenetically diverse non-transmitted variants from the chronically infected individual's diverse quasispecies near the time of transmission. We demonstrate that, using this approach, PCR-induced mutations in full-length clones derived from their cognate single genome amplicons are rare. Furthermore, all eight non-transmitted genomes tested produced functional virus with a range of infectivities, belying the previous assumption that a majority of circulating viruses in chronic HIV-1 infection are defective. Thus, these methods provide important tools to update protocols in molecular biology that can be universally applied to the study of human viral pathogens. - Highlights: • Our novel methodology demonstrates accurate amplification and cloning of full-length HIV-1 genomes. • A majority of plasma derived HIV variants from a chronically infected individual are infectious. • The transmitted/founder was more infectious than the majority of the variants from the chronically infected donor.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Toward the Minimal Floating Operation Count Cholesky Decomposition of Electron Repulsion Integrals

As quantum chemistry calculations deal with molecular systems of increasing size, the memory requirement to store electron-repulsion integrals (ERIs) greatly outpaces the physical memory available in computing hardware. Here, the Cholesky decomposition of ERIs provides a convenient yet accurate technique to reduce the storage requirement of integrals. Recent developments of a two-step algorithm have drastically reduced the memory operation (MOP) count, leaving the floating operation (FLOP) count as the last frontier of cost reduction in the Cholesky ERI algorithm. In this report, we introduce a dynamic integral tracking, reusing, and compression/elimination protocol embedded in the two-step Cholesky ERI method. Benchmark studies suggest that this technique becomes particularly advantageous when the basis set consists of many computationally expensive high-angular-momentum basis functions. With this dynamic ERI improvement, the Cholesky ERI approach proves to be a highly efficient algorithm with minimal FLOP and MOP count.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Population and hierarchy of active species in gold iron oxide catalysts for carbon monoxide oxidation

The identity of active species in supported gold catalysts for low temperature carbon monoxide oxidation remains an unsettled debate. With large amounts of experimental evidence supporting theories of either gold nanoparticles or sub-nm gold species being active, it was recently proposed that a size-dependent activity hierarchy should exist. Here we study the diverging catalytic behaviors after heat treatment of Au/FeO x materials prepared via co-precipitation and deposition precipitation methods. After ruling out any support effects, the gold particle size distributions in different catalysts are quantitatively studied using aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). A counting protocol is developed to reveal the true particle size distribution from HAADF-STEM images, which reliably includes all the gold species present. As a result, correlation of the populations of the various gold species present with catalysis results demonstrate that a size-dependent activity hierarchy must exist in the Au/FeO x catalyst.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Towards complete assignment of the infrared spectrum of the protonated water cluster H + (H 2 O) 21

The spectroscopic features of protonated water species in dilute acid solutions have been long sought after for understanding the microscopic behavior of the proton in water with gas-phase water clusters H + (H 2 O) n extensively studied as bottom-up model systems. We present a new protocol for the calculation of the infrared (IR) spectra of complex systems, which combines the fragment-based Coupled Cluster method and anharmonic vibrational quasi-degenerate perturbation theory, and demonstrate its accuracy towards the complete and accurate assignment of the IR spectrum of the H + (H 2 O) 21 cluster. The site-specific IR spectral signatures reveal two distinct structures for the internal and surface four-coordinated water molecules, which are ice-like and liquid-like, respectively. The effect of inter-molecular interaction between water molecules is addressed, and the vibrational resonance is found between the O-H stretching fundamental and the bending overtone of the nearest neighboring water molecule. The revelation of the spectral signature of the excess proton offers deeper insight into the nature of charge accommodation in the extended hydrogen-bonding network underpinning this aqueous cluster.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quantifying how the cis/trans ratio of N,N -dimethyl-3,5-dimethylpiperidinium hydroxide impacts the growth kinetics, composition and local structure of SSZ-39

This work integrates experiments and computational methods to quantify how the cis/trans ratio of the OSDA used in SSZ-39 synthesis impacts the crystallization kinetics, material properties, and final product composition. The crystallization kinetics increase by 30% when increasing the trans isomer content from 14% to 80%. Per prior work, in all cases based on the synthesis gel composition and product yield aluminum is the limiting reagent, and the absence of any amorphous material detected in the time resolved PXRD studies leads us to conclude that FAU dissolution is the rate limiting step in the formation of SSZ-39 in this synthesis protocol. The TGA and NMR results suggest that the trans isomer of OSDA is selectively incorporated into the product. The NMR binding studies, and corresponding DFT-based results show that the trans isomer binds to FAU more strongly than the cis isomer, providing one possible explanation for this enhancement in kinetics and preferential uptake of the trans isomer. The EDS analysis indicates that the Si/Al ratios are between 7.7 and 8.6 at low and high trans OSDA content, indicating zeolite composition is mildly sensitive to the trans isomer content. EDS results show this decrease in aluminum content leads to a corresponding decrease in sodium uptake. DFT-based calculations confirm OSDA–sodium interactions cannot explain any decrease in sodium uptake, reinforcing lower aluminum content as the cause of lower sodium uptake. Preliminary cobalt titration experiments show a surprisingly low cobalt uptake but also show a clear dependence of the cobalt uptake on the solution pH.

Cui, Zheng [Tulane University, New Orleans, LA (Un↗
DOE OSTI2021

Characterization of Agfa Structurix series D4 and D3sc x-ray films in the 0.7–4.6 keV energy range

X-ray films remain a key asset for high-resolution x-ray spectral imaging in high-energy-density experiments conducted at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The soft x-ray Opacity Spectrometer (OpSpec) fielded at the NIF has an elliptically shaped crystal design that measures x rays in the 900–2100 eV range and currently uses an image plate as the detecting medium. However, Agfa D4 and D3sc x-ray films’ higher spatial resolution provides increased spectral resolution to the data over the IP-TR image plates, driving the desire for regular use of x-ray film as a detecting medium. The calibration of Agfa D4 x-ray film for use in the OpSpec is communicated here. These calibration efforts are vital to the accuracy of the NIF opacity measurements and are conducted in a previously un-studied x-ray energy range under a new film development protocol required by NIF. The absolute response of Agfa D4 x-ray film from 705 to 4620 eV has been measured using the Nevada National Security Site Manson x-ray source. A broader range of energies was selected to compare results with previously published data. The measurements were taken using selected anodes, filters, and applied voltages to produce well-defined energy lines.

Dutra, E. C. (ORCID:0000000167649195)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficiently Verifiable Quantum Advantage on Near-Term Analog Quantum Simulators

Existing schemes for demonstrating quantum computational advantage are subject to various practical restrictions, including the hardness of verification and challenges in experimental implementation. Meanwhile, analog quantum simulators have been realized in many experiments to study novel physics. In this work, we propose a quantum advantage protocol based on verification of an analog quantum simulation, in which the verifier need only run an O ( λ 2 ) -time classical computation, and the prover need only prepare O ( 1 ) samples of a history state and perform O ( λ 2 ) single-qubit measurements, for a security parameter λ . We also propose a near-term feasible strategy for honest provers and discuss potential experimental realizations. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Liu, Zhenning (ORCID:000000020794419X)↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-J-52: A Novel Approach to X-Ray Tube Quality Assurance for CBCT Systems in Order to Better Assess the Patient Imaging Dose in a Large, Multi-Unit Treatment Facility

Purpose: To standardize the tube calibration for Elekta XVI cone beam CT (CBCT) systems in order to provide a meaningful estimate of the daily imaging dose and reduce the variation between units in a large centre with multiple treatment units. Methods: Initial measurements of the output from the CBCT systems were made using a Farmer chamber and standard CTDI phantom. The correlation between the measured CTDI and the tube current was confirmed using an Unfors Xi detector which was then used to perform a tube current calibration on each unit. Results: Initial measurements showed measured tube current variations of up to 25% between units for scans with the same image settings. In order to reasonably estimate the imaging dose, a systematic approach to x-ray generator calibration was adopted to ensure that the imaging dose was consistent across all units at the centre and was adopted as part of the routine quality assurance program. Subsequent measurements show that the variation in measured dose across nine units is on the order of 5%. Conclusion: Increasingly, patients receiving radiation therapy have extended life expectancies and therefore the cumulative dose from daily imaging should not be ignored. In theory, an estimate of imaging dose can be made from the imaging parameters. However, measurements have shown that there are large differences in the x-ray generator calibration as installed at the clinic. Current protocols recommend routine checks of dose to ensure constancy. The present study suggests that in addition to constancy checks on a single machine, a tube current calibration should be performed on every unit to ensure agreement across multiple machines. This is crucial at a large centre with multiple units in order to provide physicians with a meaningful estimate of the daily imaging dose.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

No-Impact Threshold Values for NRAP's Reduced Order Models

The purpose of this study was to develop methodologies for establishing baseline datasets and statistical protocols for determining statistically significant changes between background concentrations and predicted concentrations that would be used to represent a contamination plume in the Gen II models being developed by NRAP’s Groundwater Protection team. The initial effort examined selected portions of two aquifer systems; the urban shallow-unconfined aquifer system of the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System (being used to develop the ROM for carbon-rock aquifers, and the a portion of the High Plains Aquifer (an unconsolidated and semi-consolidated sand and gravel aquifer, being used to development the ROM for sandstone aquifers). Threshold values were determined for Cd, Pb, As, pH, and TDS that could be used to identify contamination due to predicted impacts from carbon sequestration storage reservoirs, based on recommendations found in the EPA’s ''Unified Guidance for Statistical Analysis of Groundwater Monitoring Data at RCRA Facilities'' (US Environmental Protection Agency 2009). Results from this effort can be used to inform a ''no change'' scenario with respect to groundwater impacts, rather than the use of an MCL that could be significantly higher than existing concentrations in the aquifer.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Wave Energy Research, Testing and Demonstration Center

The purpose of this project was to build upon the research, development and testing experience of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) to establish a non-grid connected open-ocean testing facility for wave energy converters (WECs) off the coast of Newport, Oregon. The test facility would serve as the first facility of its kind in the continental US with a fully energetic wave resource where WEC technologies could be proven for west coast US markets. The test facility would provide the opportunity for self-contained WEC testing or WEC testing connected via an umbilical cable to a mobile ocean test berth (MOTB). The MOTB would act as a “grid surrogate” measuring energy produced by the WEC and the environmental conditions under which the energy was produced. In order to realize this vision, the ocean site would need to be identified through outreach to community stakeholders, and then regulatory and permitting processes would be undertaken. Part of those processes would require environmental baseline studies and site analysis, including benthic, acoustic and wave resource characterization. The MOTB and its myriad systems would need to be designed and constructed.The first WEC test at the facility with the MOTB was completed within this project with the WET-NZ device in summer 2012. In summer 2013, the MOTB was deployed with load cells on its mooring lines to characterize forces on mooring systems in a variety of sea states. Throughout both testing seasons, studies were done to analyze environmental effects during testing operations. Test protocols and best management practices for open ocean operations were developed. As a result of this project, the non-grid connected fully energetic WEC test facility is operational, and the MOTB system developed provides a portable concept for WEC testing. The permitting process used provides a model for other wave energy projects, especially those in the Pacific Northwest that have similar environmental considerations. While the non-grid connected testing facility provides an option for WEC developers to prove their technology in a fully-energetic wave environment, the absence of grid connection is somewhat of a limitation. To prove that their technology is commercially viable, developers seek a multi-year grid connected testing option. To address this need, NNMREC is developing a companion grid connected test facility in Newport, Oregon, where small arrays of WECs can be tested as well.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗