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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 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Aeroacoustic Assessment of Wind Plant Controls

The Aeroacoustic Assessment project aims to quantify changes in aeroacoustic noise generation by a utility scale wind turbine operating under imposed yaw offsets common for wake steering and wind plant control strategies. Active plant control utilizing wake deflection control strategies have been shown experimentally and computationally to reliably produce 1-2% of additional annual energy production (AEP) without significant changes in turbine structural loads, the potential impact on aeroacoustic emissions has yet to be quantified or completely understood. Yawed operation of a wind turbine changes the three-dimensional aerodynamic interaction between the rotor blades and the incoming atmospheric flow, leading to changes in noise generation. This work quantifies the extent to which active control induces additional aeroacoustic emissions from additional separation and other flow interaction dynamic effects. Given public concerns about wind turbine noise and the need for observational data required for regulators to establish noise restrictions, we must understand potential acoustic emissions resulting from active control prior to commercial deployment and the development of practical noise reduction methods and technologies. The work outlined in this report details the new aeroacoustic measurement capability developed at NREL and its application to making full-field observations of noise from a utility-scale wind turbine. Preliminary noise modeling with the aeroacoustics module in OpenFAST helped to establish the design of the experiment, specifically targeting the noise observed at observers distributed around the DOE-owned GE 1.5 MW wind turbine. Low-frequency and infrasound measurement capability implemented in this project establish an operational baseline for the wind turbine, setting the stage for future control, rotor blade, and turbine design research.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data Center Cybersecurity, Supply Chain Risk Management, and Emerging Regulation Cohort Summary: Takeaways and Action Plans

This report summarizes the outcomes of the Data Center Cohort under the Department of Energy’s Technical Assistance for Digital Assurance (TADA) initiative, aimed at enhancing grid resilience through cybersecurity, supply chain risk management (SCRM), and Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE). The cohort engaged 17 organizations across utilities, data center operators, vendors, and technology providers in three sessions combining presentations, discussions, and exercises. Key topics included AI-driven load behavior, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in UPS/BESS and cooling systems, governance gaps at utility–data center boundaries, and supply chain integrity. Five cross-cutting themes emerged: interconnection architecture vulnerabilities, fragmented governance, AI-driven stability risks, lack of regulatory frameworks, and long-term supply chain concerns. Actionable recommendations were developed, including implementing DMZ segmentation, formalizing vendor access agreements, designing AI workload limits, and advancing standards through NERC and state-level programs. These strategies aim to strengthen resilience, clarify responsibilities, and ensure secure integration of data centers into the grid.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Autogenous acid production using a regulated bio-oxidation method for economical recovery of REEs and critical metals from coal-based resources

Acid is a necessary component for the successful leaching of minerals containing REEs (rare earth elements) and other sources. Pyrite (FeS2), which is present in REE containing minerals, can be used to produce acid. Pyrite is utilized as a source to create ferric sulfate and sulfuric acid in the presence of A. Ferroxidans. Such microorganism-based bio-oxidation necessitates the establishment of optimal conditions for continual acid production. For efficient acid generation, additional optimization was done by varying residence time, solid percentage, and airflow rate. A step-by-step analysis and associated details are offered in this work, which used pyrite to create acid for leaching. For the bio-oxidation of pyrite with varying purity, an automated bioreactor was used. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to examine the morphology and elemental content of bioleaching sediments. Eh and pH measurements were continuously done to ensure healthy operation of the bioreactors. The analysis suggested that, the Eh value in the range of ∼ 640–680 mV, pH range of ∼ 1.3–1.5 and residence time of 4–6 days with 6% solid feed are favorable conditions of operation.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Imidazole as a Small Molecule Analogue in Two-Component Signal Transduction

In two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs), responses to stimuli are mediated through phosphotransfer between protein components. Canonical TCSs use His → Asp phosphotransfer in which phosphoryl groups are transferred from a conserved His on a sensory histidine kinase (HK) to a conserved Asp on a response regulator (RR). RRs contain the catalytic core of His → Asp phosphotransfer, evidenced by the ability of RRs to autophosphorylate with small molecule analogues of phospho-His proteins. Phosphorelays are a more complex variation of TCSs that additionally utilize Asp → His phosphotransfer through the use of an additional component, the histidine-containing phosphotransfer domain (Hpt), which reacts with RRs both as phosphodonors and phosphoacceptors. Here we show that imidazole has features of a rudimentary Hpt. Imidazole acted as a nucleophile and attacked phosphorylated RRs (RR-P) to produce monophosphoimidazole (MPI) and unphosphorylated RR. Phosphotransfer from RR-P to imidazole required the intact RR active site, indicating that the RR provided the core catalytic machinery for Asp → His phosphotransfer. Imidazole functioned in an artificial phosphorelay to transfer phosphoryl groups between unrelated RRs. The X-ray crystal structure of an activated RR·imidazole complex showed imidazole oriented in the RR active site similarly to the His of an Hpt. Furthermore, imidazole interacted with RR nonconserved active site residues, which influenced the relative reactivity of RR-P with imidazole versus water. Rate constants for reaction of imidazole or MPI with chimeric RRs suggested that the RR active site contributes to the kinetic preferences exhibited by the YPD1 Hpt.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Smart Grid Constraint Violation Management for Balancing and Regulating Purposes

The gradual active load penetration in low voltage distribution grids is expected to challenge their network capacity in the near future. Distribution system operators should for this reason resort to either costly grid reinforcements or to demand side management mechanisms. Since demand side management implementation is usually cheaper, it is also the favorable solution. To this end, this article presents a framework for handling grid limit violations, both voltage and current, to ensure a secure and qualitative operation of the distribution grid. This framework consists of two steps, namely a proactive centralized and subsequently a reactive decentralized control scheme. The former is employed to balance the one hour ahead load while the latter aims at regulating the consumption in real-time. In both cases, the importance of fair use of electricity demand flexibility is emphasized. Thus, it is demonstrated that this methodology aids in keeping the grid status within preset limits while utilizing flexibility from all flexibility participants.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2016

FutureGen 2.0 Oxy-combustion Large Scale Test – Final Report

The primary objectives of the FutureGen 2.0 CO 2 Oxy-Combustion Large Scale Test Project were to site, permit, design, construct, and commission, an oxy-combustion boiler, gas quality control system, air separation unit, and CO 2 compression and purification unit, together with the necessary supporting and interconnection utilities. The project was to demonstrate at commercial scale (168MWe gross) the capability to cleanly produce electricity through coal combustion at a retrofitted, existing coal-fired power plant; thereby, resulting in near-zeroemissions of all commonly regulated air emissions, as well as 90% CO 2 capture in steady-state operations. The project was to be fully integrated in terms of project management, capacity, capabilities, technical scope, cost, and schedule with the companion FutureGen 2.0 CO 2 Pipeline and Storage Project, a separate but complementary project whose objective was to safely transport, permanently store and monitor the CO 2 captured by the Oxy-combustion Power Plant Project. The FutureGen 2.0 Oxy-Combustion Large Scale Test Project successfully achieved all technical objectives inclusive of front-end-engineering and design, and advanced design required to accurately estimate and contract for the construction, commissioning, and start-up of a commercial-scale "ready to build" power plant using oxy-combustion technology, including full integration with the companion CO 2 Pipeline and Storage project. Ultimately the project did not proceed to construction due to insufficient time to complete necessary EPC contract negotiations and commercial financing prior to expiration of federal co-funding, which triggered a DOE decision to closeout its participation in the project. Through the work that was completed, valuable technical, commercial, and programmatic lessons were learned. This project has significantly advanced the development of near-zero emission technology and will be helpful to plotting the course of, and successfully executing future large demonstration projects. This Final Scientific and Technical Report describes the technology and engineering basis of the project, inclusive of process systems, performance, effluents and emissions, and controls. Further, the project cost estimate, schedule, and permitting requirements are presented, along with a project risk and opportunity assessment. Lessons-learned related to these elements are summarized in this report. Companion reports Oxy-combustion further document the accomplishments and learnings of the project, including: A.01 Project Management Report which describes what was done to coordinate the various participants, and to track their performance with regard to schedule and budget B.02 Lessons Learned - Technology Integration, Value Improvements, and Program Management, which describes the innovations and conclusions that we arrived upon during the development of the project, and makes recommendations for improvement of future projects of a similar nature . B.03 Project Economics, which details the capital and operation costs and their basis, and also illustrates the cost of power produced by the plant with certain sensitivities. B.04 Power Plant, Pipeline, and Injection Site Interfaces, which details the interfaces between the two FutureGen projects B.05 Contractual Mechanisms for Design, Construction, and Operation, which describes the major EPC, and Operations Contracts required to execute the project.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1973

Smoke generator

Generator is simple in construction, efficient, and extremely easy to start and regulate. It can be of such small size and weight that it can be installed easily inside a model. Size can be changed to suit needs, as long as operating temperatures can be attained and identified controls are utilized.

Parrish, K. L.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Plasmonic absorption-induced haze suppression in random scattering media

Light propagation in random scattering media is a common phenomenon in many scientific and engineering fields. Because of light-matter interaction, part of the light transmitted through a random scattering medium is diffuse and causes haze. Previous approaches to manipulate haze in random media mainly focused on regulating scattering and paid little attention to absorption. In this work, we present a comprehensive analysis of absorption-scattering coupling as well as its impact on haze in random media. We introduce the haze-absorption sensitivity (HAS) spectrum, an intrinsic property of a scattering medium that quantifies the potential of absorption-induced haze suppression. We also investigate the effect of scatterer geometry and concentration on the HAS spectrum. To experimentally demonstrate the effect of absorption in random media, we utilized the plasmonic absorption of silver and gold nanoparticles to reduce haze in a silica nanoparticle aqueous solution as the scattering medium. We showed that 15% (absolute) of haze suppression is possible by carefully choosing the optimal absorber. The experimental results closely matched the theoretical predictions. This work provides new understandings of absorption and scattering coupling in random media. The fundamental mechanisms elucidated in this work can offer new pathways for regulating haze in a variety of random scattering media.

Zhao, Lin (ORCID:000000028865859X)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Design of a Combined Proportional Integral Derivative Controller to Regulate the Temperature Inside a High-Temperature Tubular Solar Reactor

Solar fuels are proven to be promising candidates for thermochemical energy storage. However, the transient nature of solar radiation is an obstacle to maintaining a stable operational temperature inside a solar reactor. To overcome this challenge, the temperature of a solar reactor can be regulated by controlling the incoming solar radiation or the feedstock flowrate inside the reactor. In this work, a combined proportional integral derivative (PID) controller is implemented to regulate the temperature inside a high-temperature tubular solar reactor with counter-current flowing gas/particles. The control model incorporates two control systems to regulate incoming solar radiation and gas flow simultaneously. The design of the controller is based on a reduced-order numerical model of a high-temperature tubular solar reactor that is vertically oriented with an upward gas flow and downward particle flow. The reactor receives heat circumferentially through its wall over a finite segment of its length. Formulation of the heat transfer model is presented by applying the energy balance for the reactor tube and considering heat and mass transfer inside. A set of governing differential equations are solved numerically by using the finite volume method to obtain reactor wall, particles, and gas temperatures along the reactor length with various boundary conditions. Simulation results are used to tune the PID controller parameters by utilizing the Ziegler–Nichols tuning method. Both the simulation results and the controller performance are visualized on the LABVIEW platform. The controller is challenged to track different temperature setpoints with different scenarios of transient solar radiation. Here, the performance of the PID controller was compared to experimental results obtained from an industrial PID controller embedded in a 7 kW electric furnace. Results show that the combined PID controller is successful in maintaining a stable temperature inside the reactor by regulating the incoming solar radiation and the flowrate via small steady-state error and reasonable settling time and overshoot.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Regulators’ Financial Toolbox: Keeping Track of Clean Energy Summary

On February 26, 2024, NARUC’s Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment hosted a panel discussion titled “Keeping Track of Clean Energy Part III: Economy Wide Consistency” at the 2024 NARUC Winter Policy Summit. The panel was moderated by Hon. Abigail Anthony, Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, and featured remarks by Wenbo Shi, PhD-Founder/CEO, Singularity Energy; Todd Jones, Principal, US Markets, Center for Resource Solutions (CRS); and Tory Clark, Partner, Energy + Environmental Economics.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS1986

Thioredoxins in evolutionarily primitive organisms

Thioredoxins are low molecular weight redox proteins, alternating between the S-S (oxidized) and SH (reduced) states, that function in a number of biochemical processes, including DNA synthesis, DNA replication, and enzyme regulation. Until recently, reduced ferredoxin was known to serve as the source of reducing power for the reduction of thioredoxins only in oxygenic photosynthetic cells. In all other organisms, the source of hydrogen (electrons) for thioredoxin reduction was considered to be NADPH. It was found that Clostridium pasteurianum, an anaerobic organism normally living in the soil unexposed to light, resembles photosynthetic cells in using ferredoxin for the reduction of thioredoxin. The results reveal the existence of a pathway in which ferredoxin, provides the reducing power for the reduction of thioredoxin via the flavoprotein enzyme, ferredoxinthioredoxin reductase. In related studies, it was found that Chromatium vinosum, an anaerobic photosynthetic purple sulfur bacterium, resembles evolutionarily more advanced micro-organisms in having an NADP-thioredoxin system composed of a single thioredoxin which is reduced by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase. The adoption of the NADP-thioredoxin system by Chromatium seems appropriate in view of evidence tha the organi sm utilizes ATP-driven reverse electron transport. Finally, results of research directed towards the identification of target enzymes of the ferredoxin/thioredoxin system in a cyanobacterium (Nostoc muscorum), show that thioredoxin-linked photosynthetic enzymes of cyanobateria are similar to those of chloroplasts. It now seems that the ferredoxin/thioredoxin system functions in regulating CO2 assimilation via the reductive pentose phosphate cycle in oxygenic but not anoxygenic photosynthetic cells.

Buchanan, B. B.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Central transcriptional regulator controls photosynthetic growth and carbon storage in response to high light

Carbon capture and biochemical storage are some of the primary drivers of photosynthetic yield and productivity. To elucidate the mechanisms governing carbon allocation, we designed a photosynthetic light response test system for genetic and metabolic carbon assimilation tracking, using microalgae as simplified plant models. The systems biology mapping of high light-responsive photophysiology and carbon utilization dynamics between two variants of the same Picochlorum celeri species, TG1 and TG2 elucidated metabolic bottlenecks and transport rates of intermediates using instationary 13 C-fluxomics. Simultaneous global gene expression dynamics showed 73% of the annotated genes responding within one hour, elucidating a singular, diel-responsive transcription factor, closely related to the CCA1/LHY clock genes in plants, with significantly altered expression in TG2. Transgenic P. celeri TG1 cells expressing the TG2 CCA1/LHY gene, showed 15% increase in growth rates and 25% increase in storage carbohydrate content, supporting a coordinating regulatory function for a single transcription factor.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Structural basis for the regulation of β-glucuronidase expression by human gut Enterobacteriaceae

The gut microbiota harbor diverse β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes that liberate glucuronic acid (GlcA) sugars from small-molecule conjugates and complex carbohydrates. However, only the Enterobacteriaceae family of human gut-associated Proteobacteria maintain a GUS operon under the transcriptional control of a glucuronide repressor, GusR. Despite its potential importance in Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Shigella, and Yersinia opportunistic pathogens, the structure of GusR has not been examined. Here, we explore the molecular basis for GusR-mediated regulation of GUS expression in response to small-molecule glucuronides. Presented are 2.1-Å-resolution crystal structures of GusRs from Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in complexes with a glucuronide ligand. The GusR-specific DNA operator site in the regulatory region of the E. coli GUS operon is identified, and structure-guided GusR mutants pinpoint the residues essential for DNA binding and glucuronide recognition. Interestingly, the endobiotic estradiol-17-glucuronide and the xenobiotic indomethacin-acyl-glucuronide are found to exhibit markedly differential binding to these GusR orthologs. Using structure-guided mutations, we are able to transfer E. coli GusR’s preferential DNA and glucuronide binding affinity to S. enterica GusR. Structures of putative GusR orthologs from GUS-encoding Firmicutes species also reveal functionally unique features of the Enterobacteriaceae GusRs. Finally, dominant-negative GusR variants are validated in cell-based studies. In conclusion, these data provide a molecular framework toward understanding the control of glucuronide utilization by opportunistic pathogens in the human gut.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Reduced adiposity by compensatory WAT browning upon iBAT removal in mice

Highlights: • Prolonged time course for cold exposure was utilized to elucidate dynamic changes in BAT and in WAT browning in mice. • Loss of classic iBAT enhanced WAT browning due to compensatorily increased sympathetic WAT input in mice. • Significantly reduced adiposity in the iBAT removal group compared with the control group in mice. The strong effects of classic brown adipose tissue (BAT) and recruited beige adipocytes in treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome have been attracting increasing research interest. Cold treatment is an effective, convenient approach to stimulate BAT activity and induce white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. Here, we utilized prolonged cold exposure (from 2 h to 2 weeks in a 4° cold chamber) to elucidate dynamic changes in BAT and in WAT browning during acute and chronic cold exposure in mice. BAT mass decreased quickly, with reduced lipid droplet sizes within 8 h of cold exposure owing to the utilization of BAT pre-storage triglycerides, and subsequently increased during prolonged cold exposure. These dynamic morphological changes in BAT were confirmed by gene expression changes in ADRB3 and PGC1α, while UCP1 and ELOVL3 expression was continuously up-regulated throughout the entire cold exposure period. Additionally, cold treatment increased BAT secretion of FGF21, which has been reported to activate beige adipocyte formation. Thus, to illustrate potential crosstalk between secreted BAT proteins (so-called BATokines) and beige adipogenesis during cold stress, we performed an interscapular BAT (iBAT) removal experiment in mice. Surprisingly, loss of classic iBAT enhanced WAT browning due to compensatorily increased sympathetic WAT input. Unexpectedly, we observed significantly reduced adiposity in the iBAT removal group compared with the control group. These results further suggest that WAT browning plays an important role in whole-body energy metabolism during cold acclimation, even without iBAT. Furthermore, our data imply that enhanced WAT browning may be an efficient therapeutic tool to combat obesity and related syndromes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Learning Behavior of Distribution System Discrete Control Devices for Cyber-Physical Security

Conventional cyber-security intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic for malicious activity and indications that an adversary has gained access to the system. The approach discussed here expands the idea of a traditional intrusion detection system within electrical power systems, specifically power distribution networks, by monitoring the physical behavior of the grid. This is achieved through the use of high-rate distribution Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), alongside SCADA packets analysis, for the purpose of monitoring the behavior of discrete control devices. In this work we present a set of algorithms for passively learning the control logic of voltage regulators and switched capacitor banks. Upon detection of an abnormal operation, the operator is alerted and further action can be taken. Finally, the proposed learning algorithms are validated on both simulated data and on measured PMU data from a utility pilot deployment site.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integration of Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) Systems Optimized with Second-Generation, High-Temperature Superconducting (2G-HTS) Technology with a Major Fossil-Fueled Asset

Utility companies and fossil fueled generation assets are seeking combinations of “hybrid energy storage” to allow power to be provided in advance of, and to otherwise complement, peaking natural gas-fired generation. American Maglev Technology of Florida Inc. (AMT) learned during the Phase I program based on interactions with NRG Energy (NRG) that energy storage such as superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) can qualify as a Black Start unit in most markets, ensuring orderly re-start of grid operations and fossil fueled power plants and serving as an important asset of hybrid energy storage technology. In conjunction with the University of Houston (UH), AMT and NRG are working together to scale up low-cost, high- efficiency, second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) technology for deployment across several markets, with a primary focus on the commercial development of utility grid-scale SMES (g-SMES) systems. Ultimately the program confirmed that the novel g-SMES design can meet the performance and financial requirements of the fossil power plant industry, while exhibiting continuous grid-voltage regulation; cost-effective, peak-hour energy storage with almost infinite life; increased input/output efficiency; and the capability to undergo millions of charging cycles, without degradation, representing a significant improvement over lithium ion and other conventional storage technologies. We believe wide scale deployment of this technology is feasible and practical when compared to the higher life cycle cost and relatively short lifespan of chemical batteries. Based on these findings, the future for deployment of SMES at many fossil-fueled power plants exceeding 100MW capability is bright. Further de-risking g-SMES technology would pave the way for the construction of a subscale prototype. Eventually, scaled-down versions of SMES are expected to be competitive with the multi-billion-dollar lithium-ion market for a wide range of commercial, industrial, and transportation uses. There is long-term potential for commercialization and widespread deployment of this disruptive technology, which would spawn a new worldwide supply chain and create domestic, high-tech manufacturing jobs in the green industry.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

An Architectural Survey of the Pluto Test Bunker Facility, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in conjunction with the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO), proposes to reactivate Building 26-2205 as part of a project to detect foundry-type operations with remote sensing. The project is known as the Signals Exploration Testbed, or SET for short. Building 26-2205 (State Historic Preservation Office [SHPO] Resource No. B11558) is the former Compressor Building for the Pluto Program in Area 26 of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Proposed actions at Building 26-2205 include removal of exterior building and site features, such as fencing, concrete pads, a large steel tank, and visible utilities, as well as interior changes to the building’s floor plan. These activities constitute an undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 United States Code [USC] § 306101) and its implementing regulations, 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1971

Technology for the cities

The activities of an organization for making the technology derived from NASA programs available for use by urban communities are discussed. Examples of technology utilization accomplished by the organization are: (1) self-contained breathing apparatus for firemen, (2) short range communication systems, (3) pavement marking, (4) protective clothing for firemen, (5) underground pipe and conduit locator, and (6) automatic fire hose flow regulator. The manner in which urban problems are identified and the designation of applicable technical developments are described.

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