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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Decarbonizing Industrial Heat and Electricity Applications Using Advanced Nuclear Energy

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is investigating the technical pathways to assist industrial heat and electricity users to meet their decarbonization goals through integration with advanced nuclear power plants (NPPs). This project will deliver a library of process models and accompanying documents that guide specific industries in choosing potential nuclear technologies based on their needs. Considerations in providing this guidance include specific hazards from the industrial facility, heat transport requirements and associated technologies, and feasibility with site-specific demand profiles. The library of facility process models will be based on real data from industrial facilities in the United States. The industrial processes will be identified in this project based on the following: (1) operational heat characteristics that nuclear systems can provide, (2) sufficient energy requirements to merit the capital investment for nuclear plant construction, and (3) environmental benefits of replacing existing energy production with carbon-free nuclear power. Other decarbonization opportunities considered are the addition of nuclear-powered electrolysis processes or high-temperature electric heating where the thermal requirements exceed nuclear generation conditions. In addition to assessing the technical feasibility, INL is evaluating the impact of hazards introduced by the industrial facilities on the siting requirements of advanced NPPs. Site characterization of an industrial plant is essential to determine the feasibility and suitable integration methods for each industry. The assessment of siting and technical data will reveal opportunities for a single-use nuclear integration as well as integration of multiple industrial facilities with a single NPP.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2024

Impact of carbon dioxide removal technologies on deep decarbonization: EMF37 MARKAL–NETL modeling results

Here this paper examines the MARKAL-NETL modeling results for the Energy Modeling Forum Study on Deep Decarbonization & High Electrification Scenarios for North America (EMF 37) with specific focus on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies and opportunities under different scenarios guidelines, policies, and technological advancements. The results demonstrate that CDR, such as, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air capture (DAC) and afforestation are key negative emission technologies in deep decarbonization scenarios in the U.S. are accounted for about 70% of annually avoided carbon dioxide emissions (CO 2 ) by 2050, or more than 2 billion tons of CO 2 (GtCO 2 ). The potential scale of CDR and its impact on the energy system depends on energy supply and demand technologies advancement and their costs, the level of end-use sectors electrification, availability and costs of CDR. Results show that the carbon prices are substantially lower if the advanced technologies available, particularly, in carbon management scenarios.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Decarbonization Potential of Global Fired Clay Brick Production

Fired clay bricks (FCBs) are a dominant building material globally due to their low cost and simplicity of production, especially in low- and middle-income countries. With a projected rising housing demand, commensurate growth in brick demand is anticipated, the production of which could result in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Robust models are needed to estimate brick demand and emissions to systematically address decarbonization pathways. Few sources report production values; hence, we present two novel proxy models: (i) a consumption prediction model, relying on country-specific clay extraction data, dynamic building stock modeling, and average material intensity use allowing for projections to 2050; and (ii) a GHG emissions model, using literature-based data and production technology-specific inputs. Based on these models, the current global FCB consumption is estimated as 2.18 Gt annually, resulting in approximately 500 million tCO2e (1% of current global GHG emissions). If unaddressed, this fraction could increase to 3.5-5% in 2050 considering a moderate SSP 2-4.5 climate change mitigation scenario. Consequently, we explored three potential decarbonization pathways: (i) improving energy efficiency; (ii) shifting production to best practices; and (iii) replacing half of FCB demand with hollow concrete blocks, resulting in 27%, 49%, and 51% reduction in GHG emissions, respectively.

Olsson, Josefine A↗
DOE OSTI2025

Glass Furnace Decarbonization Technology Stack (Final Technical Report)

This report summarizes the objectives, approach, and outcomes of the Glass Furnace Decarbonization Technology Stack project undertaken by Owens-Brockway Glass Container Incorporated under award number DE-CD0000093. The project aimed to implement a pioneering combination of furnace technologies at the Zanesville, OH manufacturing site to reduce carbon intensity (CI) by 20–40% compared to baseline operations. The proposed Furnace Technology Stack included a Gas/Oxy-fuel system, OPTIMELT™ Heat Recovery System, raw material pre-heating, electric boosting, and forehearth electrification—designed to demonstrate commercial feasibility and drive industry-wide decarbonization.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Decarbonizing Solvent Chemistry Through Microwave Processing [Abstract]

National Energy Technology Laboratory and Covestro LLC. will collaborate on a project titled, “Decarbonizing Solvent Chemistry Through Microwave Processing”, which was selected for funding by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) FOA DE-EE0002997. The project aims to develop a microwave-based approach for low-heat aqueous-based industry-relevant reactions currently conducted using a conventional fossil-energy fueled hydrothermal reactor. The team has combined expertise in the areas of polymer production, microwave assisted reactions and scale-up, and life cycle analysis to perform the tasks proposed.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Decarbonization of Off-Road, Rail, Marine, and Aviation (DORMA) Program (2023 Annual Progress Report)

This document summarizes the progress of VTO's Decarbonization of Off-Road, Rail, Marine, and Aviation (DORMA) program during the fiscal year 2023. DORMA's R&D focus was on research, development, and demonstration of new propulsion and vehicle technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in difficult-to-decarbonize transportation applications.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Role of Hydrogen as Fuel in Decarbonizing US Clinker Manufacturing for Cement Production: Costs and CO2 Emissions Reduction Potentials

As a low-carbon fuel, feedstock, and energy source, hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in the decarbonization of high-temperature process heat during the pyroprocessing steps of clinker production in cement manufacturing. However, to accurately assess its potential for reducing CO2 emissions and the associated costs in clinker production applications, a techno-economic analysis and a study of facility-level CO2 emissions are necessary. Assuming that up to 20% hydrogen can be blended in clinker fuel mix without significant changes in equipment configuration, this study evaluates the potential reduction in CO2 emissions (scopes 1 and 2) and cost implications when replacing current carbon-intensive fuels with hydrogen. Using the direct energy substitution method, we developed an Excel-based model of clinker production, considering different hydrogen–blend scenarios. Hydrogen from steam methane reformer (gray) and renewable-based electrolysis (green) are considered as sources of hydrogen fuel for blend scenarios of 5%–20%. Metrics such as the cost of cement production, facility-level CO2 emissions, and cost of CO2 avoided were computed. Results show that for hydrogen blends (gray or green) between 5% and 20%, the cost of cement increases by 0.6% to 16%, with only a 0.4% to 6% reduction in CO2 emissions. When the cost of CO2 avoided was computed, the extra cost required to reduce CO2 emissions is $229 to $358/ metric ton CO2. In summary, although green hydrogen shows promise as a low-carbon fuel, its adoption for decarbonizing clinker production is currently impeded by costs.

Okeke, Ikenna J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Residential Home Decarbonization Using Advanced Micro-CHP

An efficient micro-combined heat and power (CHP) prototype was developed to provide heat and electricity for single-family homes and light commercial buildings. The unit can be installed independently at the point of energy consumption. Consequently, it enables cost-effectively and flexibly matching heat and electrical loads, simplifying distribution and installation processes, and recovering and storing waste heat as hot water. The analyzed results show that the micro-CHP using natural gas as fuel achieves 10.68%–32.80% CO2 reduction in the selected five home applications. The potential effect of H2 on decarbonization of these home was also evaluated, finding that the micro-CHP using a blended fuel with H2 and natural gas can further reduce CO2 emissions. However, the 50% CO2 reduction in the micro-CHP requires at least 70%–90% of H2 in the blend with natural gas. Overall, the micro-CHP technology demonstrates a solid potential to accelerate micro-CHP adoption in residential and light commercial markets, thereby promoting broader micro-CHP acceptance and use in the future for building decarbonization.

Gao, Zhiming [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000271397995)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Can section 45Q tax credit foster decarbonization? A case study of geologic carbon storage at Acid Gas Injection wells in the Permian Basin

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is an important pathway for meeting climate mitigation goals. While the economic viability of CCUS is well understood, previous studies do not evaluate the economic feasibility of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Permian Basin specifically regarding the new Section 45Q tax credits. We developed a technoeconomic analysis method, evaluated the economic feasibility of CCS at the acid gas injection (AGI) wells, and assessed the implication of Section 45Q tax credits for CCS at the AGIs. We find that the compressors, well depth, and the permit and monitoring costs drive the facility costs. Compressors are the predominant contributors to capital and operating expenditure driving the levelized cost of CO 2 storage. Strategic cost reduction measures identified include 1) sourcing of low-cost electricity and 2) optimizing operational efficiency in well operations. In evaluating the impact of the tax credits on CCS projects, facility scale proved decisive. We found that facilities with an annual injection rate exceeding 10,000 MT storage capacity demonstrate economic viability contingent upon the procurement of inputs at the least cost. The new construction of AGI wells were found to be economically viable at a storage capacity of 100,000 MT. The basin is heavily focused on CCUS (tax credit – $\$$65/MT CO 2 ), which overshadows CCS ($\$$85/MT CO 2 ) opportunities. Balancing the dual objectives of CCS and CCUS requires planning and coordination for optimal resource and pore space utilization to attain the basin's decarbonization potential. We also found that CCS on AGI is a lower cost CCS option as compared to CCS on other industries.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

ZeroCAL: Eliminating Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Limestone’s Decomposition to Decarbonize Cement Production

Limestone (calcite, CaCO 3 ) is an abundant and cost-effective source of calcium oxide (CaO) for cement and lime production. However, the thermochemical decomposition of limestone (~800 °C, 1 bar) to produce lime (CaO) results in substantial carbon dioxide (CO 2(g) ) emissions and energy use, i.e., ~1 tonne [t] of CO 2 and ~1.4 MWh per t of CaO produced. Here, we describe a new pathway to use CaCO 3 as a Ca source to make hydrated lime (portlandite, Ca(OH) 2 ) at ambient conditions (p, T) while nearly eliminating process CO 2(g) emissions (as low as 1.5 mol. % of the CO 2 in the precursor CaCO 3 , equivalent to 9 kg of CO 2(g) per t of Ca(OH) 2 ) within an aqueous flowelectrolysis/ pH-swing process that coproduces hydrogen (H 2(g) ) and oxygen (O 2(g) ). Because Ca(OH) 2 is a zero-carbon precursor for cement and lime production, this approach represents a significant advancement in the production of zero-carbon cement. The Zero CArbon Lime (ZeroCAL) process includes dissolution, separation/recovery, and electrolysis stages according to the following steps: (Step 1) chelator (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA)-promoted dissolution of CaCO 3 and complexation of Ca 2+ under basic (>pH 9) conditions, (Step 2a) Ca enrichment and separation using nanofiltration (NF), which allows separation of the Ca-EDTA complex from the accompanying bicarbonate (HCO 3 – ) species, (Step 2b) acidity-promoted decomplexation of Ca from EDTA, which allows near-complete chelator recovery and the formation of a Ca-enriched stream, and (Step 3) rapid precipitation of Ca(OH) 2 from the Ca-enriched stream using electrolytically produced alkalinity. These reactions can be conducted in a seawater matrix yielding coproducts including hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ), resulting from electrolysis and limestone dissolution, respectively. Careful analysis of the reaction stoichiometries and energy balances indicates that approximately 1.35 t of CaCO 3 , 1.09 t of water, 0.79 t of sodium chloride (NaCl), and ~2 MWh of electrical energy are required to produce 1 t of Ca(OH) 2 , with significant opportunity for process intensification. This approach has major implications for decarbonizing cement production within a paradigm that emphasizes the use of existing cement plants and electrification of industrial operations, while also creating approaches for alkalinity production that enable cost-effective and scalable CO 2 mineralization via Ca(OH) 2 carbonation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Climate change and its influence on water systems increases the cost of electricity system decarbonization

The electric sector simultaneously faces two challenges: decarbonization to mitigate, and adaptation to manage, the impacts of climate change. In many regions, these challenges are compounded by an interdependence of electricity and water systems, with water needed for hydropower generation and electricity for water provision. Here, we couple detailed water and electricity system models to evaluate how the Western Interconnection grid can both adapt to climate change and develop carbon-free generation by 2050, while accounting for interactions and climate vulnerabilities of the water sector. We find that by 2050, due to climate change, annual regional electricity use could grow by up to 2% from cooling and water-related electricity demand, while total annual hydropower generation could decrease by up to 23%. To adapt, we show that the region may need to build up to 139 GW of additional generating capacity between 2030 and 2050, equivalent to nearly thrice California's peak demand, and could incur up to $\$$150 billion (+7%) in extra costs.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Simulating regional workforce impacts of decarbonizing integrated steelmaking

Global efforts to mitigate climate change are increasing pressure on heavy manufacturing industries to decarbonize production. The iron and steel industry is responsible for 7% of CO 2 emissions globally (2% in the United States) and is often a major employer in the regions where iron and steel is produced. Understanding the future prospects for workers in regions with high CO 2 emitting industries—including impacts of phasing out or evolving such industries—will be critical for informing regional economic and clean energy strategies. We simulate the impact of an “in-place” transition that replaces today’s integrated production with direct reduced iron (DRI) used in electric arc furnaces (EAFs), using Southwest Pennsylvania as an application of our generalizable approach. Our results suggest that the integrated steelmaking workforce today has the skills, knowledge, and abilities (SKAs) to fill over 95% of all jobs required by DRI/EAF facilities, but the number of jobs is only 25% of those at integrated plants. We also find that some occupational groups have greater general transferability into the broader job market, while other groups, such as production workers, are ill-equipped today based on current SKAs to transition out of the iron and steel industry. Our methodology further suggests factors that limit transitions: Around 85% of occupations are more limited by missing skills, while 15% are more limited by insufficient wages. These results may help to improve the design of social policy and the targeting of retraining programs, while the simulation approach can be readily adapted for other regions and industries.

decarbonization↗
DOE OSTI2024

The role of hydrogen as long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier for electricity sector decarbonization

With countries and economies around the globe increasingly relying on non-dispatchable variable renewable energy (VRE), the need for effective energy storage and international carriers of low-carbon energy has intensified. This study delves into hydrogen's prospective, multifaceted contribution to decarbonizing the electricity sector, with emphasis on its utilization as a scalable technology for long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier. Using Japan as a case study, based on its ambitious national hydrogen strategy and plans to import liquefied hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel source, we employ advanced models encompassing capacity expansion and hourly dispatch. We explore diverse policy scenarios to unravel the timing, quantity, and operational intricacies of hydrogen deployment within a power system. Our findings highlight the essential role of hydrogen in providing a reliable power supply by balancing mismatches in VRE generation and load over several weeks and months and reducing the costs of achieving a zero-emission power system. The study recommends prioritizing domestically produced hydrogen, leveraging renewables for cost reduction, and strategically employing imported hydrogen as a risk hedge against potential spikes in battery storage and renewable energy costs. Furthermore, the strategic incorporation of hydrogen mitigates system costs and enhances energy self-sufficiency, informing policy design and investment strategies aligned with the dynamic global energy landscape.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

To What Extent Will Decarbonization Deepen the Conversation Between Industry and the Grid?

Decarbonization - the transition away from un-mitigated fossil fuel combustion throughout the economy - requires big changes from both power and process systems. On the power system side, those changes are expected to include large increases in variable generation, e.g., from wind and solar, which has near-zero marginal costs and at large shares can produce infrequent but consequential energy droughts. On the process systems side, industries are investigating their options for direct and indirect electrification, the latter exemplified by replacing fossil fuel inputs with zero-carbon, energy-carrying chemicals like hydrogen and ammonia produced via electrochemical processes. The economic features of these changes within the larger context of power and process systems suggest that their realization could be accompanied by a paradigm shift in how industrial facilities interact with the grid. For example, the dominant type of demand participation in power markets could change from today's focus on load reductions at peak times to a new focus on shifting electricity use, enabled in part by large-scale product storage, to take advantage of renewable energy that would otherwise be curtailed and to avoid consumption during high-price energy droughts. This talk will describe these and other possible design and operational approaches from grid and industrial economic perspectives, culminating in an enumeration of open problems that lie at the interface of today and tomorrow's power and process systems.

co-design↗
DOE OSTI2024

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Support Federal Facility Decarbonization

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) plays a key role in helping agencies understand and meet energy-related goals, including those surrounding smart buildings technologies and grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs), which can support decarbonization. GEB enables demand flexibility that has the potential to reduce electrical infrastructure costs and transform the grid edge, where buildings connect to the power grid.

decarbonization↗
DOE OSTI2024

Microstructure development of novel composite heating elements for steel decarbonization

The iron and steel industry is critical for the modern world but is also responsible for 7% of the total energy sector CO2 emissions. It is a difficult industry to decarbonize due to the high temperature heat required for the production of steel, such as reheating steel slabs to ~1250 °C for hot rolling. Electrification of this process using resistive heating is currently not possible due to the poor creep resistance of MoSi2 heating elements, which need to be operated well below their maximum temperatures when mounted horizontally. To solve this problem, novel MoSi2 composite heating elements with SiBCN ceramic reinforcements are being developed using high energy ball milling and electric field assisted sintering (EFAS). The microstructure and density of the composites after sintering depends on the sintering parameters chosen. Herein we present the effects of EFAS sintering parameters on the microstructure and density of the MoSi2-SiBCN composites.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pathway to Decarbonization Through Industrial Energy Efficiency: Micro and Macro Perspectives from Compressed Air Usage

Abstract Energy audits directly provided the industrial sector with reduced energy costs and avoided emissions. Still, they also lead to far-reaching indirect and induced local, regional, and national benefits. This paper aims to present the techno-economic-environmental analysis to achieve decarbonization through implementing industrial energy efficiency at micro and macro levels. An integrated techno-economic-environmental methodology is developed. Case studies of micro-level carbon reduction efforts through industrial energy efficiency technologies are presented. The broader macroeconomic and environmental effects of technology on society are analyzed using data from 206 energy audits of industrial compressed air systems conducted over 13 years. The impacts show that energy-efficient improvements lead to direct cost savings for manufacturers, boost economic activity across sectors, and affect carbon dioxide emissions both short-term and long-term in the region. Given their extensive benefits, energy audits significantly influence policymaking. We devised a methodology to link micro-level energy audit data with macroeconomic and environmental analyses to quantify these cascading benefits. The economic scenario analysis shows that $228 M has been saved from direct industrial energy savings from implementing all compressed air recommendations in the studied periods and the region. In addition, the investment made through manufacturers would create 2,025 jobs and $383 M annually, cascading regional economic impacts. The environmental analysis shows that the regional manufacturers have directly avoided about 2.8 M metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Engineering↗