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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Advanced Mineral Separations with Novel Simulated Moving Beds

Lithium is a critical mineral that is widely used in batteries and energy storage applications, making it increasingly important in the next few decades. To meet the growing demand for lithium and secure domestic supply chains, there is a need to exploit unconventional lithium resources. However, utilizing current lithium extraction processes is challenging due to the high salinity in those resources. Thus, it is essential to develop energy-efficient, and less chemical-intensive separation processes that can exploit high-salinity lithium resources. Accordingly, this project aims to design a novel zwitterionic stationary phase and use it to develop a continuous chromatography process to recover LiCl minerals from traditionally unexploited domestic saline resources. The developed zwitterionic stationary phase allows fractionating minerals based on their different sorbent affinities under water elution. A systematically designed continuous process can separate lithium from other minerals, reducing the risk of material fouling and the overall chemical consumption to produce battery-grade lithium. This approach is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the lithium extraction process while also reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional processes. At the end of the project, the technology will be demonstrated in continuous mode using a simulated moving bed (SMB) to recover >100 g of LiCl from real resource waters. The U.S.-based resources that this project targets for LiCl recovery are formation water, oil-produced water, and geothermal brines, supplied by Standard Lithium Ltd. and Shell Inc, respectively.

critical minerals↗
NASA NTRS2014

Explaining Earths Energy Budget: CERES-Based NASA Resources for K-12 Education and Public Outreach

Among atmospheric scientists, the importance of the Earth radiation budget concept is well understood. Papers have addressed the topic for over 100 years, and the large Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) science team (among others), with its multiple on-orbit instruments, is working hard to quantify the details of its various parts. In education, Earth's energy budget is a concept that generally appears in middle school and Earth science curricula, but its treatment in textbooks leaves much to be desired. Students and the public hold many misconceptions, and very few people have an appreciation for the importance of this energy balance to the conditions on Earth. More importantly, few have a correct mental model that allows them to make predictions and understand the effect of changes such as increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. As an outreach element of the core CERES team at NASA Langley, a multi-disciplinary group of scientists, educators, graphic artists, writers, and web developers has been developing and refining graphics and resources to explain the Earth's Energy budget over the last few decades. Resources have developed through an iterative process involving ongoing use in front of a variety of audiences, including students and teachers from 3rd to 12th grade as well as public audiences.

Chambers, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Educator Resource Center for NASA Langley Research Center

The goal of the ERCN is to provide expertise and facilities to help educators access and utilize science, mathematics, and technology instructional products aligned with national standards and appropriate state frameworks and based on NASA s unique mission and results. The NASA Langley s Office of Education has established the service area for this ERC to be the five states of Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. This educational grant activity is associated with NASA s Mission to inspire the next generation of explorers.. .as only NASA can. The communication of NASA s knowledge is the prime role of this ERC. Functioning as a dissemination system of instructional materials and support for pre-college education programs we have met the NASA Education ERCN Program's goal. The following ERCN objectives have been accomplished: Demonstrate and facilitate the use of NASA educational products and technologies in print, video and web based formats. Examples include but are not limited to NASA approved Educator s Guides with Activities based on national standards for appropriate subjects and grade levels. We have demonstrated the use videotape series in analogue format and the new digital video instructional systems along with the use of NASA TV. The promotion of web page based resources such as the new NASA Portal web and the ability to download print resources is continuously facilitated in workshops. This objective has been completed by educator contacts that include on-site visits, phone requests, postal mail requests, e-mail requests, fax requests and workshops offered.

Bridgford, Todd↗
DOE OSTI2025

Directed energy deposition of radially functionally graded nickel based superalloys IN625 and IN738: Microstructure and mechanical properties

This study investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of radially functionally graded (RFG) materials fabricated from nickel-based superalloys IN625 and IN738 using directed energy deposition (DED). RFG cylindrical deposits with radial gradients of IN625-IN738 and IN738-IN625 were successfully fabricated and confirmed to be crack-free through tailored composition grading, scan strategy and process parameters that minimized thermal gradients and solidification velocities. Microstructural analysis revealed distinct variations across the gradient, characterized by differences in dendrite arm spacing, microsegregation, and the formation of distinct γ' precipitates and carbide/boride phases (MC, M 6 C, M 2 C, and MB 2 ) in as-deposited (AD) conditions, which evolved into M 23 C 6 and M 2 B upon subsequent heat treatment (HT). EBSD showed predominant columnar grains with a [100] texture, while microhardness profiles demonstrated consistent variation across the gradients. Mechanical testing highlighted the synergy of the graded structure, combining IN738's strength with IN625's ductility, resulting in enhanced properties such as a yield strength of 1131 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 1382 MPa, and elongation of 12 % for HT IN625-IN738 grading. Numerical simulations employing CALPHAD thermodynamic calculations and finite element thermal modeling are used to establish phase evolution and microstructural feature correlation with thermal profiles, aiding in the optimization of process-structure-property relationship.

Additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2022

Analysis of the Selective Flotation of Elemental Gold from Pyrite Using Diisobutyl Monothiophosphate

The gold contained in copper ores is an important resource for the gold industry. In some cases, elemental gold is present and can be recovered by selective flotation. It has been reported that the gold grade and recovery can be increased, without sacrificing the copper recovery, by replacing AERO 3477 (diisobutyl dithiophosphate (DTP)) with AERO 7249 (mixture of diisobutyl monothiophosphate (MTP) and diisobutyl dithiophosphate (DTP)) as the main collector. The fundamental understanding of the improvement in selectivity with the addition of MTP in the flotation of elemental gold from pyrite is limited and is the subject of this paper. In this regard, the hydrophobicity and selectivity of DTP and MTP in the flotation of pyrite and gold are compared and discussed. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to examine the electron density, reactivity, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the MTP and DTP collectors. The interaction energies for the adsorption of MTP and DTP from fresh pyrite, oxidized pyrite and gold surfaces were calculated and discussed with respect to the experimental results reported in the literature. Molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) was used to examine the adsorption state of MTP and DTP on the pyrite (100) and Au (111) surfaces.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

GradeIT (Road Grade Inference Tool)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed the Road Grade Inference Tool, "GradeIT". This tool is a modular Python package the leverages the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) 1/3 arc-second Digital Elevation Model (DEM), an open and free public dataset. Roadway gradient (slope) has a strong influence on vehicle energy consumption behavior and longitudinal dynamics. Therefore, any tools, models, or analyses that consider vehicle energy consumption or driving profiles is incomplete without accurate elevation and grade information. Despite the acute need for this data, it is rarely collected alongside GPS (latitude and longitude) data, and tools to post-process GPS data to append elevation and grade are difficult to come by. GradeIT satisfies this significant need in the research community. Utilization of the USGS DEM makes the underlying data available to any potential user and ensures continuous data anywhere in the continental United States. The USGS DEM is a great resource; however, in order to be useful for automotive and traffic engineering applications, significant interpolation and filtering is required to achieve an accurate representation of gradient on the roadway. GradeIT employs a two-dimensional interpolation to approximate elevation at a point on the road from the nearest nodes in the DEM. Then, GradeIT applies multiple filtering techniques to smooth the elevation profile to a realistic road topology. Finally, road grade is derived from the elevation profile and returned as the primary output.

Holden, Jacob↗
NASA NTRS2014

Portable Intravenous Fluid Production Device For Ground Use Project

Several medical conditions require the administration of intravenous (IV) fluids,but limitations of mass, volume, shelf-life, transportation, and local resources can restrict the availability of these important fluids. Such limitations are expected in long-duration space exploration missions and in remote or austere places on Earth. This design uses regular drinking water that is pumped through two filters to produce, in minutes, sterile, ultrapure water that meets the stringent quality standards of the United States Pharmacopeia for Water for Injection (Total Bacteria, Conductivity, Endo - toxins, Total Organic Carbon). The device weighs 2.2 lb (1 kg) and is 10 in. long, 5 in. wide, and 3 in. high (≈25, 13, and 7.5 cm, respectively) in its storage configuration. This handheld device produces one liter of medical-grade water in 21 minutes. Total production capacity for this innovation is expected to be in the hundreds of liters. The device contains one battery powered electric mini-pump. Alternatively, a manually powered pump can be attached and used. Drinking water enters the device from a source water bag, flows through two filters, and final sterile production water exits into a sealed, medical-grade collection bag. The collection bag contains pre-placed crystalline salts to mix with product water to form isotonic intravenous medical solutions. Alternatively, a hypertonic salt solution can be injected into a filled bag. The filled collection bag is detached from the device and is ready for use or storage. This device currently contains one collection bag, but a manifold of several pre-attached bags or replacement of single collection bags under sterile needle technique is possible for the production of multiple liters. The entire system will be flushed, sealed, and radiation-sterilized. Operation of the device is easy and requires minimal training. Drinking water is placed into the collection bag. Inline stopcock flow valves at the source and collection bags are opened, and the mini-pump is turned on by a switch to begin fluid flow. When the collection bag is completely filled with the medical- grade water, the pump can be turned off. The pump is designed so it cannot pump air, and overfilling of the collection bag with fluid is avoided by placing an equal amount of water in the source bag. Backflow is avoided by inline check valves. The filled collection bag is disconnected from its tubing and is ready for use. The source bag can be refilled for production of multiple liters, or the source bag can be replaced with an input tube that can be placed in a larger potable water source if the device is attended. The device functions in all orientations independent of any gravity fields. In addition to creating IV fluids, the device produces medical-grade water, which can be used for mixing with medications for injection, reconstituting freeze-dried blood products for injection, or for wound hydration or irrigation. Potential worldwide use is expected with medical activities in environments that have limited resources, storage, or resupply such as in military field operations, humanitarian relief efforts, submarines, commercial cruise ships, etc.

Technology Portfolio System↗
DOE OSTI2020

Integrated Proteomic and Glycoproteomic Characterization of Human High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma

Many gene products exhibit great structural heterogeneity because of an array of modifications. These modifications are not directly encoded in the genomic template but often affect the functionality of proteins. Protein glycosylation plays a vital role in proper protein functions. However, the analysis of glycoproteins has been challenging compared with other protein modifications, such as phosphorylation. Here, we perform an integrated proteomic and glycoproteomic analysis of 83 prospectively collected high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) and 23 non-tumor tissues. Integration of the expression data from global proteomics and glycoproteomics reveals tumor-specific glycosylation, uncovers different glycosylation associated with three tumor clusters, and identifies glycosylation enzymes that were correlated with the altered glycosylation. In addition to providing a valuable resource, these results provide insights into the potentialroles of glycosylation in the pathogenesis of HGSC, with the possibility of distinguishing pathological outcomes of ovarian tumors from non-tumors, as well as classifying tumor clusters.

Hu, Yingwei↗
NASA NTRS2010

NASA Education Activities on the International Space Station: A National Laboratory for Inspiring, Engaging, Educating and Employing the Next Generation

The International Space Station (ISS) National Lab Education Project has been created as a part of the ISS National Lab effort mandated by the U.S. Congress The project seeks to expand ISS education of activities so that they reach a larger number of students with clear educational metrics of accomplishments. This paper provides an overview of several recent ISS educational payloads and activities. The expected outcomes of the project, consistent with those of the NASA Office of Education, are also described. NASA performs numerous education activities as part of its ISS program. These cover the gamut from formal to informal educational opportunities in grades Kindergarten to grade 12, Higher Education (undergraduate and graduate University) and informal educational venues (museums, science centers, exhibits). Projects within the portfolio consist of experiments performed onboard the ISS using onboard resources which require no upmass, payloads flown to ISS or integrated into ISS cargo vehicles, and ground based activities that follow or complement onboard activities. Examples include ground based control group experiments, flight or experiment following lesson plans, ground based activities involving direct interaction with ISS or ground based activities considering ISS resources in their solution set. These projects range from totally NASA funded to projects which partner with external entities. These external agencies can be: other federal, state or local government agencies, commercial entities, universities, professional organizations or non-profit organizations. This paper will describe the recent ISS education activities and discuss the approach, outcomes and metrics associated with the projects.

Severance, Mark T.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Research Laboratory for Engineering and Tehnology (ReLEnT)-Summer Program

During the fiscal years 1994-1995 students at Central State University (CSU) have worked diligently under the supervision of the PI and associates to plan, design and conduct a four-week hands on summer program for high school students in grades 9 to 12. These workshops consists of experiments and computer aided design and manufacturing, designed to constructively stimulate interests in engineering and technology, and promote enrollment at CSU after they matriculate from high school. The experience gained in two years will be utilized to realize one of the deliverables for CSU engineering program during 1996. In FY-96 a new total of 30 students are now being interviewed for the 1996 program. This grant also provides resource for students enrolled in CSU's engineering program to work as undergraduate research assistants and ReLEnT tuition scholarship awards. These students are involved in the development of research, design projects, workshop procedures, laboratory exercises and seminars. Undergraduate students receiving tuition scholarships are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Finally, the ReLEnT award has made it possible for CSU to acquire some experimental and CFD capability which now provides us with the opportunity to compete and respond to RFP's on a competitive basis and a timely manner.

Okhio, Cyril B.↗
NASA NTRS1996

A Cross-Industry Analysis of LOFT Debriefings

Line Oriented Simulation (LOS) iss widely used to provide crews opportunities to practice Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) concepts in realistic, challenging simulated flight situations. LOS includes both Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT), the original "non-jeopardy" form in which the crews are not graded on their performance, and Line Oriented Evaluation (LOE). In LOE, crews are graded, which is required in those airlines that participate in the FAA's Advanced Qualification Program (ALP). How much crews learn in LOS arid take back to the line hinges on the effectiveness of the debriefing that follows the LOS. The simulation itself is a busy, intense experience, and thoughtful discussion afterwards is necessary for the crew to sort out and interpret what happened and why. Instructors are expected to lead briefings in a way that encourages crew members to analyze for themselves their performance in the LOS. Rather than lecturing the crew in the traditional manner on what they did right and wrong, the instructor is expected to facilitate self-discovery and self-critique by the crew. We have recently completed a study in which we observed 36 LOFT briefings at 5 major U.S. airlines. We audiotape recorded the briefings, transcribed the recordings, and coded for more than 70 variables. Our analysis addresses four broad questions: To what extent do instructors attempt to facilitate crew self-analysis? What techniques do instructors use to facilitate and how effective are these techniques? What is the character of crew participation? To what extent do briefings emphasize CRM and crew performance? We discuss the implications of our findings for ALP and LOE.

Dismukes, Key↗
NASA NTRS2002

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the 2000-2001 NASA "Why?" Files Program

NASA 'Why?' Files, a research and standards-based, Emmy-award winning series of 60-minute instructional programs for grades 3-5, introduces students to NASA; integrates mathematics, science, and technology by using Problem-Based Learning (PBL), scientific inquiry, and the scientific method; and motivates students to become critical thinkers and active problem solvers. All four 2000-2001 NASA 'Why?' Files programs include an instructional broadcast, a lesson guide, an interactive web site, plus numerous instructional resources. In March 2001, 1,000 randomly selected program registrants participated in a survey. Of these surveys, 185 (154 usable) met the established cut-off date. Respondents reported that (1) they used the four programs in the 2000-2001 NASA 'Why?' Files series; (2) series goals and objectives were met; (3) programs met national mathematics, science, and technology standards; (4) program content was developmentally appropriate for grade level; and (5) programs enhanced/enriched the teaching of mathematics, science, and technology.

Pinelli, Thomas E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Remote Sensing Applications to the Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program

Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Land Inventory demonstrated the effective use of remote sensing techniques within the context of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The inventory combined data from field work, a literature search, and photointerpretation to fulfill both State and Federal requirements. A primary project objective was to accurately identify and map all surface features and disturbances from abandoned surface and underground mining. Black-and-white aerial photographs were used to record pits, contour benches, highwalls, spoil material, graded and recontoured areas, impounded water, and serious erosion and slide prone areas. In addition, vegetation cover estimates and surrounding land uses were noted. The inventory data base provides Pennsylvania with a valuable resource management tool that should be systematically updated. The utilization of remotely sensed data from SPOT or LANDSAT-D satellites may prove valuable in the anticipated updating and monitoring of the Pennsylvania AML inventory over the next several years.

Clemens, E.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization of vacuum conductance in commercially available (sintered) and additively manufactured porous structures

This report documents the work performed in characterizing the vacuum conductance of porous structures made by conventional sintering (purchased as commercially available products from Mott Corporation ranging from 20 to 100 media grade) and additive manufacturing (powder bed fusion). The additively manufactured structures described in this report were originally intended to be the first iteration of several in an effort to produce desirable conductance characteristics. While resources were not available to link the experimental results to a modeling effort to better understand why certain characteristics were observed, the author hopes that this report may provide a useful set of data for future use, especially as sintered porous structures are not uncommonly procured from Mott corporation for research and development purposes. For that reason, all of the raw data is tabulated in the Appendix: it is possible to reproduce all of the figures shown in this report independently. For a quick order-of magnitude scan of the conductances, refer to Figures 5, 6, 8 and 9.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2012

Expedition Earth and Beyond: Using Crew Earth Observation Imagery from the International Space Station to Facilitate Student-Led Authentic Research

Student-led authentic research in the classroom helps motivate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related subjects. Classrooms benefit from activities that provide rigor, relevance, and a connection to the real world. Those real world connections are enhanced when they involve meaningful connections with NASA resources and scientists. Using the unique platform of the International Space Station (ISS) and Crew Earth Observation (CEO) imagery, the Expedition Earth and Beyond (EEAB) program provides an exciting way to enable classrooms in grades 5-12 to be active participants in NASA exploration, discovery, and the process of science. EEAB was created by the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Education Program, at the NASA Johnson Space Center. This Earth and planetary science education program has created a framework enabling students to conduct authentic research about Earth and/or planetary comparisons using the captivating CEO images being taken by astronauts onboard the ISS. The CEO payload has been a science payload onboard the ISS since November 2000. ISS crews are trained in scientific observation of geological, oceanographic, environmental, and meteorological phenomena. Scientists on the ground select and periodically update a series of areas to be photographed as part of the CEO science payload.

Graff, P. V.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Austin Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar PV [Austin SHINES]. Final Report, Version 2

The Austin SHINES project and solution is a software management platform, for an electric grid with a high penetration of dispersed photovoltaic (PV) solar generation sites, which maintains the traditional power quality and reliability associated with grid service. This project developed and deployed the platform as a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), engaging multiple advanced controls, to evaluate operation and optimization of a fleet of diverse DER assets, installed at several locations among Austin Energy’s customers and distribution system. The project also produced a methodology to create a replicable DERMS template, adaptable to other regions and market structures. Last, Austin SHINES aimed to demonstrate the solution’s methodology would enable the DER grid ecosystem to serve load at a technical cost (System Levelized Cost of Electricity, or System LCOE) of less than the U.S. Department of Energy SHINES program metric of $0.14/kWh, in a defined boundary, while enabling a high penetration of distributed PV. Research was categorized in 6 reports (Final Deliverables = FD) listed below, with titles and descriptions indicating which area of understanding was investigated: FD-1: System Levelized Cost of Electricity (System LCOE) Methodology The creation and use of the System LCOE to Serve Load metric that encompasses the holistic, system-level costs and benefits of all resources, and enables them to be evaluated based on their ability to support an efficient and low-cost integrated grid ecosystem. FD-2: Software Platform Product Description The creation of new DER control methodologies deployable within a utility-grade software platform that enable DER's to maximize their benefit within a grid, that is capable of serving load enabling a high penetration of distributed PV generation. FD-3: Optimal Design Methodology Optimal design methodologies for individual DER installations that enable utilities to determine the optimal combinations and sizing for individual DER sites. FD-4: Austin SHINES Ownership and Operation Models for DER System Performance A comparison of multiple DER aggregation and ownership methodologies including direct utility control, third-party aggregator, and autonomous. FD-5: Economic Modeling & Optimization A comparison of multiple DER technology mixes and configurations within the distribution system, providing insight into an optimal blend of technologies that best enable the distribution system to serve load at the lowest cost at high penetrations of solar. FD-6: Fielded Assets Deployed DER assets within the Austin Energy SHINES circuits. Austin SHINES provided an opening for state-of-the-art technology products to be deployed, providing a rich opportunity for improving how each of the products perform as stand-alone products, and in concert with other complementary products. The Austin SHINES project comprised of two key metrics for System LCOE: SystemLCOE_SHINES<$0.14/kWh Modeled ΔSystemLCOE_SHINES/ΔSystemLCOE_Base≥20% at same solar penetration The System LCOE calculation uses the costs of the utility-owned infrastructure as it exists today, the cost of the DERs that exist in the system today, and the cost of the purchase of energy from ERCOT wholesale markets over the course of the calendar year. All costs are on an annualized basis. The capital and operating costs are derived from the rate case, which produces a yearly cost. The net cost of energy and services imported to the system is integrated over the test year, as is the load served and solar penetration. The first metric was easily achieved by every scenario considered. The goal was set when the Department of Energy’s SHINES Funding Opportunity Announcement was written in 2015 and was a more difficult target at the time. Due mostly to rapidly declining costs for DERs and the significant decrease in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) energy market prices, which results in lower net cost of energy purchases, the System LCOE is well below this target for all scenarios considered. A fleet of DERs can assume different mixtures, each of which serves the load at a different LCOE. The optimal mixture of DERs serves load at the smallest System LCOE. The second metric (hereinafter %delta metric) asks that the holistic DERMS controls reduce the incremental cost above the baseline of going to a high solar penetration future by at least 20% as compared to the case of a DER deployment with no sophisticated controls (autonomous). Many comparison sets were created throughout this project. Physical technology was installed for informing utility engineering and testing several types of operational control schemes, through the DERMS. The types of operational control which were compared for valuation of the System LCOE Metric were: Holistic control = using the full suite of the DERMS platform to decide and optimize how/why the systems operate depending on weather, market, and reliability signal input. Autonomous control = a local mode at the asset site, wherein a schedule operates the asset, with visibility into performance only No control = the baseline for comparing value against the other two types of control The types of ownership control included: Direct Utility control = the utility dispatches a signal to each asset Third-Party Aggregator = a third party aggregates a fleet of assets and the utility dispatches one signal for all Autonomous = a local mode is set for operation at the asset site, wherein a schedule operates the asset, with visibility into performance only The types of control methodologies deployable within a utility-grade software platform included: Utility Peak Load Reduction = Lower transmission cost obligation Day-Ahead Energy Arbitrage = Realize economic value through price differential Real-Time Price Dispatch = Realize economic value from real-time price spikes Voltage support = Reduce losses and increase solar generation Distribution Congestion Management = Increase local grid reliability Demand Charge Reduction = Lower customer bills and realize system benefit The fielded assets deployed for the project were: Utility Scale Kingsbery Energy Storage System: 1.5 MW / 3 MWh Li-Ion battery storage Mueller Energy Storage System: 1.75 MW / 3.2 MWh Li-Ion battery storage, 7 Energy Storage Units (250 kW each) La Loma Community Solar: 2.6 MW Commercial Scale Aggregated storage installations at 3 sites, with existing solar (300+ kW): One 18 kW / 36 kWh Li-Ion battery storage Two 72 kW / 144 kWh Li-Ion battery storage Residential Scale Aggregated storage installations: -Six stationary battery storage systems (10 kWh each) at homes with existing solar -One Electric Vehicle installed as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Utility-Controlled Solar via Smart Inverters at 12 homes Autonomously-Controlled Smart Inverters at 6 homes Over the course of the project, Austin SHINES undertook installing more than 3 MW of distributed battery energy storage, smart PV inverters, a DER control platform, and other enabling technologies utilizing customer and utility locations and aggregation models. All of these resources were to be integrated and optimized at the utility level. DER assets and control methodologies were designed to achieve a credible pathway to a System LCOE for energy delivered to load of $0.14//kWh or less by 2020, while maximizing distributed solar generation and maintaining acceptable standards of power quality. The project also established a template for other regions to follow, to maximize the adoption of distributed solar PV in support of an economic and efficient grid. In total, the Austin SHINES project added value to the DER subject area in each layer of integration. From utility, to commercial to residential scales, the sheer hierarchy of communication and coordination was a significant accomplishment in addition to learnings from what these communications revealed was unique to each. Economically, the most effective method demonstrated was the criticality of planning phases. Contingencies and multiple projection scenarios helped guide the project to deploy optimal design as close as feasible, in real world conditions. The project and reports will serve public benefit by outlining specific areas of DER strategy and installation where many stakeholders and needs can be addressed with improved efficiency. Overall, communities and utilities should use the results to guide the increasing options available for powering the grid with DER, renewables, and carbon considerate energy.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2021

Application of Gaussian Mixture Regression for the Correction of Low Cost PM2.5 Monitoring Data in Accra, Ghana

Low-cost sensors (LCSs) for air quality monitoring have enormous potential to improve air quality data coverage in resource-limited parts of the world such as sub-Saharan Africa. LCSs, however, are affected by environment and source conditions. To establish high-quality data, LCSs must be collocated and calibrated with reference grade PM2.5 monitors. From March 2020, a low-cost PurpleAir PM2.5 monitor was collocated with a Met One Beta Attenuation Monitor 1020 in Accra, Ghana. While previous studies have shown that multiple linear regression (MLR) and random forest regression (RF) can improve accuracy and correlation between PurpleAir and reference data, MLR and RF yielded suboptimal improvement in the Accra collocation (R2 = 0.81 and R2 = 0.81, respectively). We present the first application of Gaussian mixture regression (GMR) to air quality data calibration and demonstrate improvement over traditional methods by increasing the collocated PM2.5 correlation and accuracy to R2 = 0.88 and MAE = 2.2 μg/cu. m. Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) are a probability density estimator and clustering method from which nonlinear regressions that tolerate missing inputs can be derived. We find that even when given missing inputs, GMR provides better correlation than MLR and RF performed with complete data. GMR also allows us to estimate calibration certainty. When evaluated, 95% confidence intervals agreed with reference PM2.5 data 96% of the time, suggesting that the model accurately assesses its own confidence. Additionally, clustering within the GMM is consistent with climate characteristics, providing confidence that the calibration approach can learn underlying relationships in data.

Sensors↗