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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 73 records · Page 4

Preserved and variable spatial‐chemical changes of lipids across tomato leaves in response to central vein wounding reveals potential origin of linolenic acid in signal transduction cascade

Abstract Membrane lipids serve as substrates for the generation of numerous signaling lipids when plants are exposed to environmental stresses, and jasmonic acid, an oxidized product of 18‐carbon unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., linolenic acid), has been recognized as the essential signal in wound‐induced gene expression. Yet, the contribution of individual membrane lipids in linolenic acid generation is ill‐defined. In this work, we performed spatial lipidomic experiments to track lipid changes that occur locally at the sight of leaf injury to better understand the potential origin of linolenic and linoleic acids from individual membrane lipids. The central veins of tomato leaflets were crushed using surgical forceps, leaves were cryosectioned and analyzed by two orthogonal matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging platforms for insight into lipid spatial distribution. Significant changes in lipid composition are only observed 30 min after wounding, while after 60 min lipidome homeostasis has been re‐established. Phosphatidylcholines exhibit a variable pattern of spatial behavior in individual plants. Among lysolipids, lysophosphatidylcholines strongly co‐localize with the injured zone of wounded leaflets, while, for example, lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG) (16:1) accumulated preferentially toward the apex in the injured zone of wounded leaflets. In contrast, two other LPGs (LPG [18:3] and LPG [18:2]) are depleted in the injured zone. Our high‐resolution co‐localization imaging analyses suggest that linolenic acids are predominantly released from PCs with 16_18 fatty acid composition along the entire leaf, while it seems that in the apex zone PG (16:1_18:3) significantly contributes to the linolenic acid pool. These results also indicate distinct localization and/or substrate preferences of phospholipase isoforms in leaf tissue.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Unified feature association networks through integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data

High-throughput multi-omics studies and corresponding network analyses of multi-omic data have rapidly expanded their impact over the last 10 years. As biological features of different types (e.g. transcripts, proteins, metabolites) interact within cellular systems, the greatest amount of knowledge can be gained from networks that incorporate multiple types of -omic data. However, biological and technical sources of variation diminish the ability to detect cross-type associations, yielding networks dominated by communities comprised of nodes of the same type. We describe here network building methods that can maximize edges between nodes of different data types leading to integrated networks. We systematically rank several network inference methods and demonstrate that, in many cases, using a random forest method, GENIE3, produces the most integrated networks. This increase in integration does not come at the cost of accuracy as GENIE3 produces networks of approximately the same quality as the other network inference methods tested here. Using GENIE3, we also infer networks representing antibody-mediated Dengue virus cell invasion and receptor-mediated Dengue virus invasion. A number of functional pathways showed centrality differences between the two networks including genes responding to both GM-CSF and IL-4, which had a higher centrality value in an antibody-mediated vs. receptor-mediated Dengue network. Because a biological system involves the interplay of many different types of molecules, incorporating multiple data types into networks will improve their use as models of biological systems. The methods explored here are some of the first to specifically highlight and address the challenges associated with how such multi-omic networks can be assembled and how the greatest number of interactions can be inferred from different data types. The resulting networks can lead to the discovery of new host response patterns and interactions during viral infection, generate new hypotheses of pathogenic mechanisms and confirm disease associated mechanisms of disease.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Seasonal and Dayurnal Planetary Albedo Variability from Six Years of DSCOVR EPIC Data

Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) measurements of Earth’s reflected solar radiation from the Lissajous orbital position near the Lagrangian L1 point provide continuous monitoring of the Earth’s sunlit hemisphere. CERES-based angle models were used to convert the near-hourly reflected radiances of the EPIC images into a climate-style planetary albedo data-point over the sunlit hemisphere. Integration over the sunlit hemispheres averages out the meteorological weather noise, but retains the seasonal and planetary-scale variability. As the Earth rotates, this generates variations in the Earth’s planetary albedo that are precisely aligned in longitude, which constitutes the dayurnal cycle. This dayurnal variability in the planetary albedo arises from planetary-scale changes in cloud radiative properties that can be directly compared to similarly sampled climate GCM output data. Six years of EPIC data have been analyzed, showing characteristic patterns in the seasonal and dayurnal variability of the Earth’s planetary albedo. Much of the seasonal change in planetary albedo is associated with the changing DSCOVR viewing geometry and the change in solar declination. But throughout the year, the highest planetary albedos are observed over the Central Asia (Iraq) longitude, while the lowest planetary albedos occur over the Central Pacific longitude. For these longitudes, the relative seasonal changes in the planetary albedo are slowly varying and anti-correlated. Dayurnal amplitude maxima tend to occur during the July-September timeframe, with April-May and December exhibit distinct minima in the dayurnal amplitude. West Africa and the West Pacific longitudes likewise exhibit anti-correlated seasonal variability, while they also undergo anti-correlated short period oscillations. On the other hand, in nearby longitudes, there are short period spikes in planetary albedo of a few-days duration, as well as longer period oscillations that may range from a week to several months, that generally tend to be correlated.

Planetary Albedo↗

Aspects of body self-calibration

The representation of body orientation and configuration is dependent on multiple sources of afferent and efferent information about ongoing and intended patterns of movement and posture. Under normal terrestrial conditions, we feel virtually weightless and we do not perceive the actual forces associated with movement and support of our body. It is during exposure to unusual forces and patterns of sensory feedback during locomotion that computations and mechanisms underlying the ongoing calibration of our body dimensions and movements are revealed. This review discusses the normal mechanisms of our position sense and calibration of our kinaesthetic, visual and auditory sensory systems, and then explores the adaptations that take place to transient Coriolis forces generated during passive body rotation. The latter are very rapid adaptations that allow body movements to become accurate again, even in the absence of visual feedback. Muscle spindle activity interpreted in relation to motor commands and internally modeled reafference is an important component in permitting this adaptation. During voluntary rotary movements of the body, the central nervous system automatically compensates for the Coriolis forces generated by limb movements. This allows accurate control to be maintained without our perceiving the forces generated.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗

Redefining Resource Adequacy for Modern Power Systems: A Report of the Redefining Resource Adequacy Task Force

Today's rapidly increasing levels of wind, solar, storage, and load flexibility require the industry to rethink reliability planning and resource adequacy methods for modern power systems. Periods with a risk of shortfall often no longer coincide with peak demand - reliability risks are less about peak load and more about the daily setting of the sun, extended cloud cover, wind speeds, cold snaps, and heat waves. In addition, demand is increasingly flexible. Key resources are time-sensitive, as batteries need time to recharge and electricity customers can only be asked to provide demand response for just so long. And reliability failures are often correlated - with one another and with the weather. Two driving factors require the industry to reconsider its analytical approach for resource adequacy: (1) Chronological grid operations: The increasing importance of variable renewable resources (such as wind and solar) and of energy-limited resources (storage and demand response) make it essential to understand the full year of chronological operation of the grid. Specific attention must be paid to hourly, seasonal, and inter-annual resource variability. The sequence of the variability is key, as energy-limited resources such as batteries or demand response require either a preceding period or subsequent period of high production to be useful for grid reliability. (2) Correlated events: Historically, resource adequacy analysis focused on shortfalls caused by random, discrete mechanical failures of large generating units. In contrast, shortfalls today are often caused by multiple, correlated events caused by common weather patterns. Resource adequacy analysis must increasingly shift its focus to these correlated events. The redesign of resource adequacy methods will benefit from a set of guiding principles to better allow for sharing of insights and best practices, interregional resource coordination, and a smoother regulatory process for resource procurement. The objective of this report is to move this redesign forward. It provides an overview of key drivers changing the way resource adequacy needs to be evaluated, identifies shortcomings of conventional approaches, and outlines first principles for practitioners to consider as they adapt their approaches. The central message is: what got us here won't get us there.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A Geophysical Flow Experiment in a Compressible Critical Fluid

The first objective of this experiment is to build an experimental system in which, in analogy to a geophysical system, a compressible fluid in a spherical annulus becomes radially stratified in density through an A.C. electric field. When this density gradient is demonstrated, the system will be augmented so that the fluid can be driven by heating and rotation and tested in preparation for a microgravity experiment. This apparatus consists of a spherical capacitor filled with critical fluid in a temperature controlled environment. To make the fluid critical, the apparatus will be operated near the critical pressure, critical density, and critical temperature of the fluid. This will result in a highly compressible fluid because of the properties of the fluid near its critical point. A high voltage A.C. source applied across the capacitor will create a spherically symmetric central force because of the dielectric properties of the fluid in an electric field gradient. This central force will induce a spherically symmetric density gradient that is analogous to a geophysical fluid system. To generate such a density gradient the system must be small (approx. 1 inch diameter). This small cell will also be capable of driving the critical fluid by heating and rotation. Since a spherically symmetric density gradient can only be made in microgravity, another small cell, of the same geometry, will be built that uses incompressible fluid. The driving of the fluid by rotation and heating in these small cells will be developed. The resulting instabilities from the driving in these two systems will then be studied. The second objective is to study the pattern forming instabilities (bifurcations) resulting from the well controlled experimental conditions in the critical fluid cell. This experiment will come close to producing conditions that are geophysically similar and will be studied as the driving parameters are changed.

Hegseth, John↗

The foxtail millet ( Setaria italica ) terpene synthase gene family

Terpenoid metabolism plays vital roles in stress defense and the environmental adaptation of monocot crops. Here, we describe the identification of the terpene synthase (TPS) gene family of the panicoid food and bioenergy model crop foxtail millet (Setaria italica). The diploid S. italica genome contains 32 TPS genes, 17 of which were biochemically characterized in this study. Unlike other thus far investigated grasses, S. italica contains TPSs producing all three ent-, (+)- and syn-copalyl pyrophosphate stereoisomers that naturally occur as central building blocks in the biosynthesis of distinct monocot diterpenoids. Conversion of these intermediates by the promiscuous TPS SiTPS8 yielded different diterpenoid scaffolds. Additionally, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP99A17), which genomically clustered with SiTPS8, catalyzes the C19 hydroxylation of SiTPS8 products to generate the corresponding diterpene alcohols. The presence of syntenic orthologs to about 19% of the S. italica TPSs in related grasses supports a common ancestry of selected pathway branches. Among the identified enzyme products, abietadien-19-ol, syn-pimara-7,15-dien-19-ol and germacrene-D-4-ol were detectable in planta, and gene expression analysis of the biosynthetic TPSs showed distinct and, albeit moderately, inducible expression patterns in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In vitro growth-inhibiting activity of abietadien-19-ol and syn-pimara-7,15-dien-19-ol against Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium subglutinans may indicate pathogen defensive functions, whereas the low antifungal efficacy of tested sesquiterpenoids supports other bioactivities. Together, these findings expand the known chemical space of monocot terpenoid metabolism to enable further investigations of terpenoid-mediated stress resilience in these agriculturally important species.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Comparative Analysis of Model Predictive Control and MPC-Informed Rule-Based Control for Thermal Storage Operation in Ultra-Low Temperature 4th Generation District Heating Networks

The integration of thermal storage and heat pumps in district heating networks (DHNs) can significantly enhance operational flexibility and energy efficiency; however, the practical deployment of advanced control strategies is often hindered by forecasting requirements and computational complexity. This study presents a comparative analysis of thermal storage control strategies in an ultra-low-temperature fourth-generation DHN, focusing on the development of a simplified rule-based control (RBC) explicitly informed by Model Predictive Control (MPC) behavior. The proposed methodology systematically analyzes the charging and discharging decisions of an MPC-controlled system under ideal forecasting conditions and extracts recurrent control patterns as a function of key system variables, including outdoor temperature, thermal demand, and electricity price. These patterns are translated into a set of structured time- and condition-based rules, resulting in an MPC-informed RBC that embeds predictive insights while preserving implementation simplicity and operational transparency. The approach is validated on a realistic mixed-use urban district in Denver, Colorado, USA, equipped with a centralized air-source heat pump, distributed water-to-water heat pumps, and a central thermal storage unit. Results show that the tuned RBC attains approximately 96% of ideal MPC economic performance (-27% of costs), preserves values of technical and environmental indicators (reduction only of 2-3%), and substantially reduces complexity. Sensitivity analyses further demonstrate the robustness of the RBC under varying operational conditions (i.e., ambient temperature, electricity price). Overall, the study demonstrates that MPC-informed rule-based control represents an effective trade-off between control performance and real-world applicability, enabling the integration of additional system components while maintaining simplicity, robustness, and ease of implementation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Attribution of North American Subseasonal Precipitation Prediction Skill

The skill of NOAA’s official monthly U.S. precipitation forecasts (issued in the middle of the prior month) has historically been low, having shown modest skill over the southern United States, but little or no skill over large portions of the central United States. The goal of this study is to explain the seasonal and regional variations of the North American subseasonal (weeks 3–6) precipitation skill, specifically the reasons for its successes and its limitations. The performances of multiple recent-generation model reforecasts over 1999–2015 in predicting precipitation are compared to uninitialized simulation skill using the atmospheric component of the forecast systems. This parallel analysis permits attribution of precipitation skill to two distinct sources: one due to slowly evolving ocean surface boundary states and the other to faster time-scale initial atmospheric weather states. A strong regionality and seasonality in precipitation forecast performance is shown to be analogous to skill patterns dictated by boundary forcing constraints alone. The correspondence is found to be especially high for the North American pattern of the maximum monthly skill that is achieved in the reforecast. The boundary forcing of most importance originates from tropical Pacific SST influences, especially those related to El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Furthermore, we discuss physical constraints that may limit monthly precipitation skill and interpret the performance of existing models in the context of plausible upper limits.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Satellite geological and geophysical remote sensing of Iceland

The author has identified the following significant results. Rhyolitic rocks in the Torfajokull geothermal area and geothermally altered ground in the Torfajokull and Reykjanes geothermal areas can also be delineated. The fallout pattern of tephra from the 1970 eruption from the volcano Hekla can be mapped where sufficient depth of deposition destroyed the vegetation. Standard NDPF 70mm negatives (3rd generation) were used to print enlargements of the volcanic islands of Surtsey and Heimaey. Sufficient resolution is maintained to directly update maps to the 1:100,000 scale. Low-sun angle imagery ( 10 deg) of Iceland has been particularly valuable in mapping new structural and volcanic features hidden beneath glacialic ice in Iceland's neovolcanic zone. ERTS-1 imagery has shown the marked differences in volcanic landforms in Iceland from a regional viewpoint. The regional distribution of crater rows, moberg ridges, table (moberg) mountains, calderas, central volcanoes, and shield volcanoes shows striking differences in volcanic geomorphology in different parts of Iceland's neovolcanic zone.

Williams, R. S., Jr.↗

Internal Dynamics and Boundary Forcing Characteristics Associated with Interannual Variability of the Asian Summer Monsoon

In this paper, we present a description of the internal dynamics and boundary forcing characteristics of two major components of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM), i.e., the South Asian (SAM) and the Southeast-East Asian monsoon (SEAM). The description is based on a new monsoon-climate paradigm in which the variability of ASM is considered as the outcome of the interplay of a "fast" and an "intermediate" monsoon subsystem, under the influenced of the "slow" varying external forcings. Two sets of regional monsoon indices derived from dynamically consistent rainfall and wind data are used in this study. For SAM, the internal dynamics is represented by that of a "classical" monsoon system where the anomalous circulation is governed by Rossby-wave dynamics, i.e., generation of anomalous vorticity induced by an off-equatorial heat source is balanced by planetary vorticity advection. On the other hand, the internal dynamics of SEAM is characterized by a "hybrid" monsoon system featuring multi-cellular meridional circulation over the East Asian section, extending from the deep tropics to midlatitudes. These meridional-cells link tropical heating to extratropical circulation system via the East Asian jetstream, and are responsible for the characteristic occurrences of zonally oriented anomalous rainfall patterns over East Asian and the subtropical western Pacific. In the extratropical regions, the major upper level vorticity balance is by anomalous vorticity advection and generation by the anomalous divergent circulation. A consequence of this is that compared to SAM, the SEAM is associated with stronger teleconnection patterns to regions outside the ASM. A strong SAM is linked to basin-scale sea surface temperature (SST) fluctuation with significant signal in the equatorial eastern Pacific. During the boreal spring SST warming in the Arabian Sea and the subtropical western Pacific may lead to a strong SAM. For SEAM, interannual variability is tied to SSTA over the Sea of Japan and the South China Sea regions, while the linkage to equatorial basin-scale SSTA is weak at best. A large scale SSTA dipole with warming (cooling) in the subtropical central (eastern) Pacific foreshadows a strong SEAM.

Lau, K.- M.↗

Global Patterns of Precipitation Anomalies Related to ENSO as Determined by the 20-Year GPCP Analysis

The new 20-year, monthly, globally complete precipitation analysis of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) is used to analyze ENSO-related precipitation anomalies over the globe. This Version 2 of the community generated data set is global, monthly, at 2.5 deg x 2.5 deg latitude-longitude resolution and utilizes precipitation estimates from low-orbit microwave sensors (SSM/I) and geosynchronous IR sensors and raingauge information over land. In the 1987-present period the low-orbit microwave (SSM/I) estimates are used to adjust or correct the geosynchronous IR estimates, thereby maximizing the utility of the more physically-based microwave estimates and the finer time sampling of the geosynchronous observations. Information from raingauges is blended into the analyses over land. The extension back to 1979 utilizes the OLR Precipitation Index (OPI) for the satellite component. An ENSO Precipitation Index (ESPI) using gradients of precipitation anomalies in the Maritime-Continent/Pacific Ocean region is used to define El Nino/La Nina months during the 20-year record. Mean anomalies for El Nino and La Nina are examined along with variations with respect to season and for individual events. The El Nino and La Nina mean anomalies are near mirror images of each other and when combined produce an ENSO signal with significant spatial continuity over large distances. This El Nino minus La Nina standardized precipitation anomaly map shows the usual positive anomaly over the central and eastern Pacific Ocean with the negative anomaly over the maritime continent along with an additional negative anomaly over Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean extending into Africa and a positive anomaly over the Horn of Africa and the western Indian Ocean. From these features along the Equator narrow positive and negative anomalies extend into middle latitudes in a V-shaped pattern open to the East as described by previous investigators. A number of the features are shown to continue into high latitudes. Positive anomalies extend in the Southern Hemisphere (S.H.) from the Pacific southeastward across Chile and Argentina into the south Atlantic Ocean. In the Northern Hemisphere (N.H.) the counterpart feature extends across the southern U.S. and Atlantic Ocean into Europe. Further to the west a negative anomaly extends southeastward again from the Maritime Continent across the South Pacific and through the Drake Passage. The N.H. counterpart crosses the North Pacific and southern Canada. Other features seemingly extend into Antarctica and into the Arctic Ocean.

Adler, Robert↗

A fast-reacting and versatile optokinetic stimulus pattern by computer graphics with application examples

A computer graphics method for the generation of horizontally moving vertical stripes which serve as stimuli for optokinetic nystagmus is presented. The pattern is generated by the successive addition of a constant in a digital register, leading to its periodic overflow. Digital to analog conversion of the register contents results in a staircase waveform, which is converted into a pattern of vertical lines on a CRT. The addition of any number to the reference buffer shifts all lines uniformly, so that the group velocity of the pattern is easily controlled. The computer controlled display allows an accurate realization of a commanded velocity profile with practically no time delay and facilitates study under conditions of variable feedback. The display software can be easily modified to limit stimulation to a selected area of the moving retina, and the method has been used to simulate central scotomata. It is pointed out that the technique, while more accurate, versatile and responsive than a rotating drum device, may be less useful in experiments requiring a wide field display.

Yasui, S.↗

Observations and Simulations of the Na I D-1 Line profiles in an M-Class Solar Flare

We study the temporal evolution of the Na I D1 line profiles in the M3.9 flare SOL2014-06-11T21:03UT, using observations at high spectral resolution obtained with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer instrumentation the Dunn Solar Telescope combined with radiative hydrodynamic simulations. Our results show a significant increase in the intensities of the line core and wings during the flare. The analysis of the line profiles from the flare ribbons reveals that the Na I D1 line has a central reversal with excess emission in the blue wing (blue asymmetry).We combine RADYN and RH simulations to synthesize Na I D1 line profiles of the flaring atmosphere and find good agreement with the observations. Heating with a beam of electrons modifies the radiation field in the flaring atmosphere and excites electrons from the ground state 3s 2S to the first excited state 3p 2P, which in turn modifies the relative population of the two states. The change in temperature and the population density of the energy states make the sodium line profile revert from absorption into emission. Furthermore, the rapid changes in temperature break the pressure balance between the different layers of the lower atmosphere, generating upflow/downflow patterns. Analysis of the simulated spectra reveals that the asymmetries of the Na I D1 flare profile are produced by the velocity gradients in the lower solar atmosphere.

methods: numerical↗

Model-based Systems Engineering: Creation and Implementation of Model Validation Rules for MOS 2.0

Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an emerging modeling application that is used to enhance the system development process. MBSE allows for the centralization of project and system information that would otherwise be stored in extraneous locations, yielding better communication, expedited document generation and increased knowledge capture. Based on MBSE concepts and the employment of the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), extremely large and complex systems can be modeled from conceptual design through all system lifecycles. The Operations Revitalization Initiative (OpsRev) seeks to leverage MBSE to modernize the aging Advanced Multi-Mission Operations Systems (AMMOS) into the Mission Operations System 2.0 (MOS 2.0). The MOS 2.0 will be delivered in a series of conceptual and design models and documents built using the modeling tool MagicDraw. To ensure model completeness and cohesiveness, it is imperative that the MOS 2.0 models adhere to the specifications, patterns and profiles of the Mission Service Architecture Framework, thus leading to the use of validation rules. This paper outlines the process by which validation rules are identified, designed, implemented and tested. Ultimately, these rules provide the ability to maintain model correctness and synchronization in a simple, quick and effective manner, thus allowing the continuation of project and system progress.

Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE)↗

Growth and Stability of Stratiform Carrollite (CuCo2S4) in the Tenke-Fungurume Ore District, Central African Copperbelt

Abstract Carrollite (CuCo2S4) is the main ore mineral of the critical battery metal cobalt, yet, surprisingly, detailed characterization of its thermodynamic properties and of its trace element contents remain sparse in the scientific literature. To fill these knowledge gaps, we generated the first thermodynamic data set for carrollite using well-characterized samples obtained from the stratiform sulfide mineralization style at Fungurume 88 deposit in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Detailed mineralogical investigation of these same samples suggests that carrollite has limited ability to incorporate other ‘sweetener’ elements (except Cu and Ni) by substitution mechanisms. Modeling using CHNOSZ 2.0.0. software and an integrated Cu-Co-S-O thermodynamic data set provides insights into the stability of carrollite relative to other Co-bearing minerals under physicochemical conditions relevant to the Central African Copperbelt. Further exploration of these models indicates that dropping redox potential in the mineralizing system is insufficient to explain the mineral-scale and deposit-scale zonation patterns commonly observed in Cu-Co deposits of the Central African Copperbelt. Instead, factors such as increasing pH, decreasing T, decreasing sulfur activity, or some combination of changing physicochemical parameters may need to be invoked to explain these zonation trends. At the Fungurume 88 deposit, the absence of linnaeite (Co3S4) suggests that ore precipitation occurred at temperatures cooler than 211 °C. From our pH-logfO2 diagrams, and relative to higher temperatures, such a lower T regime is marked by a greater degree of offset between the modeled Cu and Co solubility contours, thus facilitating a more differentiated and zoned distribution of these two metals at the deposit scale. Our models are offered to the geoscience community as exceptionally useful tools for modeling and visualizing the Cu-Co-S-O systematics and may be applied to a variety of geological and geometallurgical questions in the Central African Copperbelt and other deposits elsewhere.

Mineralogy↗

Impact of Transport Electrification Demand and Charging Schedules on Electricity Markets and Nuclear Generators

As the U.S. pursues deep decarbonization targets, electric vehicles (EVs) are likely to become a major driver of demand growth and a major determinant of daily demand patterns. This study analyzes a possible future ERCOT-like electricity grid, and examines the impact of different types of EV charging schedules on grid and market outcomes. This analysis demonstrates the significant impact of EV charging patterns on capacity expansion simulations. Even without EVs, the overall daily demand profile in a market can have significant impacts on prices and grid stability in that system, especially if non-dispatchable renewable generators (e.g. wind and solar) make up a significant fraction of the generation mix. EV demand will not necessarily follow this preexisting demand profile, so its daily trends may significantly change what generation portfolio would optimally serve the system. Furthermore, the effects of EV demand can alter the profitability of different types of units, by altering the frequency of market events like extreme-demand hours or zero-price hours. These effects are explored in this study. The EV demand levels were derived from MARKAL simulations of the West-South-Central North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) region for the year 2050, using a carbon tax of $100/ton. The baseline MARKAL simulation forecasted that 23% of the region’s annual electricity demand in 2050 would be attributable to EVs, and broke out demand projections for EV and non-EV end-use in that year. To model lower EV penetration into the system, an additional case was explored which assumed that EVs only achieved 75% of the demand level projected by MARKAL.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Low Resolution Picture Transmission (LRPT) Demonstration System

Low-Resolution Picture Transmission (LRPT) is a proposed standard for direct broadcast transmission of satellite weather images. This standard is a joint effort by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a digital transmission scheme, its purpose is to replace the current analog Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) system for use in the Meteorological Operational (METOP) satellites. Goddard Space Flight Center has been tasked to build an LRPT Demonstration System (LDS). It's main objective is to develop or demonstrate the feasibility of a low-cost receiver utilizing a Personal Computer (PC) as the primary processing component and determine the performance of the protocol in the simulated Radio Frequency (RF) environment. The approach would consist of two phases. In the phase 1, a Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) Modulator-Demodulator (MODEM) board that would perform RF demodulation would be purchased allowing the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to perform the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) protocol processing. Also since the weather images are compressed the PC would perform the decompression. Phase 1 was successfully demonstrated on December 1997. Phase 2 consists of developing a high-fidelity receiver, transmitter and environment simulator. Its goal is to find out how the METOP Specification performs in a simulated noise environment in a cost-effective receiver. The approach would be to produce a receiver using as much software as possible to perform front-end processing to take advantage of the latest high-speed PCs. Thus the COTS MODEM used in Phase 1 is performing RF demodulation along with data acquisition providing data to the receiving software. Also, environment simulator is produced using the noise patterns generated by Institute for Telecommunications Sciences (ITS) from their noise environment study.

Fong, Wai↗