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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 649 records · Page 36

Dark Energy Survey Year 1 Results: Cosmological Constraints from Cluster Abundances, Weak Lensing, and Galaxy Correlations

We present the first joint analysis of cluster abundances and auto or cross-correlations of three cosmic tracer fields: galaxy density, weak gravitational lensing shear, and cluster density split by optical richness. From a joint analysis (4×2pt+N) of cluster abundances, three cluster cross-correlations, and the auto correlations of the galaxy density measured from the first year data of the Dark Energy Survey, we obtain Ωm=0.305-0.038+0.055 and σ8=0.783-0.054+0.064. This result is consistent with constraints from the DES-Y1 galaxy clustering and weak lensing two-point correlation functions for the flat νΛCDM model. Consequently, we combine cluster abundances and all two-point correlations from across all three cosmic tracer fields (6×2pt+N) and find improved constraints on cosmological parameters as well as on the cluster observable-mass scaling relation. This analysis is an important advance in both optical cluster cosmology and multiprobe analyses of upcoming wide imaging surveys.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Preparing an Incompressible-Flow Fluid Dynamics Code for Exascale-Class Wind Energy Simulations

The U.S. Department of Energy has identified exascale-class wind farm simulation as critical to wind energy scientific discovery. A primary objective of the ExaWind project is to build high-performance, predictive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools that satisfy these modeling needs. GPU accelerators will serve as the computational thoroughbreds of next-generation, exascale-class supercomputers. Here, we report on our efforts in preparing the ExaWind unstructured mesh solver, Nalu-Wind, for exascale-class machines. For computing at this scale, a simple port of the incompressible-flow algorithms to GPUs is insufficient. To achieve high performance, one needs novel algorithms that are application aware, memory efficient, and optimized for the latest-generation GPU devices. The result of our efforts are unstructured-mesh simulations of wind turbines that can effectively leverage thousands of GPUs. In particular, we demonstrate a first-of-its-kind, incompressible-flow simulation using Algebraic Multigrid solvers that strong scales to more than 4000 GPUs on the Summit supercomputer.

algebraic multigrid↗

From Intermolecular Interaction Energies and Observable Shifts to Component Contributions and Back Again: A Tale of Variational Energy Decomposition Analysis

Quantum chemistry in the form of density functional theory (DFT) calculations is a powerful numerical experiment for predicting intermolecular interaction energies. However, no chemical insight is gained in this way beyond predictions of observables. Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) can quantitatively bridge this gap by providing values for the chemical drivers of the interactions, such as permanent electrostatics, Pauli repulsion, dispersion, and charge transfer. These energetic contributions are identified by performing DFT calculations with constraints that disable components of the interaction. This review describes the second-generation version of the absolutely localized molecular orbital EDA (ALMO-EDA-II). The effects of different physical contributions on changes in observables such as structure and vibrational frequencies upon complex formation are characterized via the adiabatic EDA. Example applications include red- versus blue-shifting hydrogen bonds; the bonding and frequency shifts of CO, N 2 , and BF bound to a [Ru(II)(NH 3 ) 5 ] 2 + moiety; and the nature of the strongly bound complexes between pyridine and the benzene and naphthalene radical cations. Additionally, the use of ALMO-EDA-II to benchmark and guide the development of advanced force fields for molecular simulation is illustrated with the recent, very promising, MB-UCB potential.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Energy density functional and sensitivity of energies of giant resonances to bulk nuclear matter properties

The development of a modern and more realistic nuclear energy density functional (EDF) for accurate predictions of properties of nuclei is the subject of enhanced activity, since it is very important for the study of properties of nuclear matter (NM), giant resonances and, in particular, of properties of rare nuclei with unusual neutron-to-proton ratios. Here, we provide a short review of the current status of the nuclear EDF and the theoretical results obtained for properties of nuclei and nuclear matter. We will first describe a method for determining the parameters of the EDF, associated with the Skyrme type effective interaction, by carrying out a Hartree-Fock based fit to extensive set of data of ground state properties and constraints. Next we will describe the fully self-consistent Hartree-Fock (HF) based random-phase-approximation (RPA) theory for calculating the strength functions S(E) and centroid energies E CEN of giant resonances and the folding model (FM) distorted wave Вorn approximation (DWBA) to calculate the excitation cross section of giant resonances by α scattering. Then we will provide results for: (i) the Skyrme parameters of the KDE0v1 EDF; (ii) consequences of violation of self-consistently in HF-based RPA; (iii) FM-DWBA calculation of excitation cross section; (iv) values of the E CEN of isoscalar and isovector giant resonances of multipolarities L=0–3 for a wide range of spherical nuclei, using 33 EDFs associated with standard form of the Skyrme type interactions, commonly employed in the literature; and (v) the sensitivities E CEN of the giant resonances to bulk properties of NM. We also determine constraints on NM properties, such as the incompressibility coefficient and effective mass, by comparing with experimental data on E CEN of giant resonances.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Enabling a Flexible Grid with Increased Penetration of DER: Techno-economic Analysis of Metal Hydride Thermochemical Energy Storage Integrated with Stirling Engine for Grid Energy Storage Applications

This report summarizes the results of a techno-economic assessment of the capital and operational expenses for 3 scenarios utilizing a TES/Stirling engine system which is charged by an electric heater to provide grid power and energy storage. While there are several integration possibilities and material choices that could be utilized in such systems, three difference scenarios were chosen for this assessment to reflect an anticipated deployment of the technology where each might require different TES system configurations. Additionally, an enhanced version of the HTMH is considered to demonstrate the expected impact on costs with further technology development. The predicted capital and operational LCOS for the system configurations range from $0.0198/kWhr e - $0.0734/kWhr e which compare positively to the LCOS for lithium ion battery storage ranging from $0.087/kWhr e – $0.329/kWhr e . The key drivers for cost improvements to the system are material property enhancements in the HTMH primarily related to reducing the costs associated with the HTMH vessel and heat exchangers. This analysis demonstrates the potential benefits and flexibility of integrating a Stirling engine with a metal hydride-based TES system and suggests that the MH TES technology, at its current level of development, provides a highly competitive alternative to lithium ion batteries for large scale grid energy storage applications.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Deferred Payment Loans for Energy Efficiency: Case Study of a Low- and Moderate-Income Home Improvement Financing Model and Potential Application to Energy Efficiency Projects

Energy efficiency can provide important benefits for low- and moderate-income households such as lower utility bills and healthier, more comfortable homes, but the upfront costs of efficiency improvements are often a barrier. Extending financing to these households can help overcome this barrier but presents its own challenges, including the financial burden of monthly payments and the risk of incurring the repercussions of nonpayment. The deferred payment loan model can give low- and moderate-income households access to energy efficiency without the financial burden of monthly payments while mitigating the risk of nonpayment. From a program sponsor perspective, when grant funds are limited or unavailable, the model provides certain advantages of both grants and financing. Like a grant, target recipients have minimal risk, but like a loan, funds can serve multiple participants since the funding can be revolved. Organizations in several parts of the country have employed the model to provide safe, healthy homes by paying for home repair and home improvement. This case study provides a detailed overview of the deferred payment loan program for home improvements known as the Home Repair Program run by the Opportunity Council, a Community Action Agency (CAA) serving three counties in Washington State. This case study also considers two other CAA-administered deferred payment loan programs – one in Wisconsin and another in Michigan.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Reducing Energy Use and Making Energy More Efficient in Noorvik (Final Technical Report)

Final technical report for Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency (RACEE)-funded project for the City of Noorvik. The community reduced per capita energy usage by 18% from 2010 levels by participating in the three phase project that included goal setting, technical assistance, and implementation funding.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Quantification of Energy Savings and Demand Reduction for a Heat Pump Integrated with Thermal Energy Storage (Final Report)

To mitigate the variation in demand on the electric grid, thermal energy storage (TES) is an alternative to electric batteries or installing new peaking power plants. Stakeholders and policy makers across the United States have expressed interests in promoting TES, as demonstrated by the US Department of Energy’s Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings program and the efforts of various state legislatures. However, the cost value provided by TES are unclear. If reliable cost benefits were determined, stakeholders would have a clearer picture of the financial returns that can be gained from their investment in TES. The study in this report is conducted by ORNL with collaboration with Emerson the Helix Innovation Center. In the first part of this report, EnergyPlus was used to perform whole-building simulations for two residential buildings in Indianapolis and Atlanta. The HVAC system in both buildings were equipped with phase change material TES. The TES tank was charged in off-peak hours and discharged in peak hours to perform load shifting. First, the economic value implied by existing time-of-use (TOU) rates offered by utility companies was analyzed via whole-building simulation. Second, existing demand reduction (DR) incentives sourced from 3 different electrical grid administrators (i.e., California, Texas, and New England region) were surveyed to determine their implied value. The study suggests that the traditional value analysis that focuses on ROI for the building owner significantly undervalues TES technology making economic viability difficult. A more comprehensive value analysis that includes peak demand management and deferred capital for peaking power plants shows that TES should be economically viable but here the value is greater for the utility and requires large market penetration and aggregation to fully realize the benefits. Therefore, to facilitate commercialization, new business models are needed that include a broader range of stakeholders and distribute the value of TES proportionally. In the 2 nd part of this project, the benefits of a novel phase change material (PCM) integrated heat pump configuration were evaluated via detailed component based simulation. A one-dimensional PCM heat exchanger model which discretizes the PCM tank and refrigerant tubes into small control volumes is developed. Each control volume can have different PCM temperatures, PCM properties, and heat transfer coefficients. The PCM tank is charged by a wrapped tank condenser and discharged by an internal refrigerant coil. The PCM heat exchanger model is integrated into DOE/ORNL Heat Pump Design Model for heat pump system simulation. To demonstrate the performance of the PCM integrated heat pump, a case study in Chicago was performed. A Time-of-Use utility structure-based control strategy is implemented to schedule the PCM tank charging and discharging mode switching. Compared with a conventional electric heat pump, the PCM integrated heat pump shows superior performance on load shifting and utility cost reduction. As a result, the proposed system demonstrates 24.6% utility saving for cooling application and 25.8% utility saving for heating application.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Inefficient intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution for the H + HO2 reaction and negative internal energy dependence for its rate constant

Quasiclassical trajectories (QCT) and newly constructed global potential energy surfaces are used to compute thermal and nonthermal rate constants for the H + HO 2 reaction. The thermal QCTs rate constants are up to 50% smaller than transition state theory (TST) rate constants based on the same level of electronic structure theory. This reduction is demonstrated to result from inefficient intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) in the transient H 2 O 2 well, with a significant fraction of trajectories that reach the H 2 O 2 well promptly dissociating back to reactants instead of via the heavily statistically favored 2OH channel. The nonstatistical reduction factor, κ IVR , that quantifies this effect is shown to increase in importance with temperature, with κ IVR = 0.81 at 300 K and 0.47 at 2500 K. Finally, we show that inefficient IVR causes H + HO 2 rate constants mediated by H 2 O 2 to depend inversely on the initial vibrational excitation of HO 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗