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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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DOE OSTI2024

Status report on HFIR irradiation of optimized alumina forming alloys

Properties of FeCrAl alloys under neutron irradiation are of interest because of these materials’ potential application as accident-tolerant fuel cladding in nuclear systems. In parallel, alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) alloys are of interest for use as structural materials in advanced nuclear systems for their potential higher resistance to embrittlement and high-temperature steam oxidation resistance. An irradiation campaign for fiscal year 2024 has been developed under the Advanced Fuels Campaign to perform irradiation testing of various FeCrAl and AFA alloys in Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). The goals of this irradiation campaign are to (1) study the impact of minor alloying elements on the neutron-irradiated mechanical properties of FeCrAl alloys and (2) collect neutron-irradiated mechanical properties on AFA alloys for comparison with those of FeCrAl alloys. This campaign will include both tensile and fracture toughness specimens tested following HFIR irradiation at temperatures representative of normal operating conditions in light-water reactors. The pre-irradiation characterization to date, the irradiation plan for the FeCrAl and AFA specimens, and the subsequent post-irradiation experimental test plan are presented in this report, along with the status of HFIR builds and scheduled insertion dates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Optimal charging scheduling and management for a fast-charging battery electric bus system

Herein we discuss how battery electric buses (BEBs) are rapidly being embraced by public transit agencies because of their environmental and economic benefits. To address the problems of limited driving range and time-consuming charging for BEBs, manufacturers have developed rapid on-route charging technology that utilizes typical layovers at terminals to charge buses in operation using high power. With on-route fast-charging, BEBs are as capable as their diesel counterparts in terms of range and operating time. However, on-route fast-charging makes it more challenging to schedule and manage charging events for a BEB system. First, on-route fast-charging may lead to high electricity power demand charges. Second, it may increase electricity energy charges because of charging that occurs during on-peak hours. Without careful charging scheduling and management, on-route fast-charging may significantly increase fuel costs and reduce the economic attractiveness of BEBs. The present study proposes a network modeling framework to optimize the charging scheduling and management for a fast-charging BEB system, effectively minimizing total charging costs. The charging schedule determines when to charge a BEB, while the charging management strategically controls the actual charging power. Charging costs include both electricity demand charges and energy charges. The charging scheduling and management problem is first formulated as a nonlinear nonconvex program with time-continuous variables. A discretizing method and a linear reformulation technique are then adopted to reformulate the model as a linear program, which can be easily solved using off-the-shelf solvers, even for large-scale problems. Finally, the model is demonstrated with extensive numerical studies based on two real-world bus networks. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively determine the optimal charging scheduling and management for a fast-charging BEB system, which carries the potential for use in large-scale real-world bus networks.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Developing a Reduced 240-Bus WECC Dynamic Model for Frequency Response Study of High Renewable Integration

The ongoing changes in the generation resource mix, driven by the rapid adoption of inverter-based resources (IBR) as well as the early retirement of synchronous generators, are bringing new challenges to the planning and operation of bulk electric power systems. Consequently, there is an increasing need to understand, design, and quantify the reliability service provision from IBRs by performing integrated scheduling and dynamic simulations. However, test systems that have consistent scheduling and dynamic models rarely exist largely because of the decoupled nature of the two simulations on a synchronous generator-dominated system. This paper develops the dynamic model of a reduced Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system. In conjunction with the existing scheduling model, it is suitable for integrating scheduling and dynamic simulations. The reduced 240-bus WECC model reflects the generation resource mix of the Western Interconnection as of 2018. Moreover, the developed dynamic model is validated against field frequency events measured by FNET/GridEye and preserves the dominant inter-area oscillation mode in WECC.

dynamic simulation↗
DOE OSTI2024

Research Reactors Division Infrastructure Investment Plan for the High Flux Isotope Reactor

The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) is a unique national asset. Operational for nearly 60 years, continued investment into the aging infrastructure is necessary to ensure operation for another 6 decades. Additionally, growing missions require HFIR as well as important upgrades. Consequently, carefully integrated planning is required to ensure that infrastructure investments are timely executed to ensure long-term, reliable operation of HFIR. Concerns about challenges to the operational reliability of HFIR resulted in a recommendation from the 2023 Operations Review by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Basic Energy Sciences that a HFIR management strategy be developed to address the infrastructure needs. This report defines the investment needs, which are evolving as new upgrade efforts are better defined. HFIR is part of the three-source strategy within the Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) and contributes to the five strategic science areas outlined in the NScD 10 Year Strategic Science Plan: quantum materials, soft matter, materials and engineering, chemistry, and biosciences. Fundamental to this strategy are three core values: operational excellence, responsible stewardship, and servant leadership. These values guide our mission of safe and reliable operation of the reactor and require a strong and just nuclear safety culture, a solemn respect for responsible care of the facility, good workforce development, robust procedures and processes, an effective communication strategy, world-class asset management, a determined customer focus, and a commitment to protecting the environment, the safety and health of the public and our people, and the quality of work performed within our facility. These principles are all essential to operate HFIR at a world-class level. The Research Reactors Division (RRD) will lead a new era of neutron science and isotope production at HFIR through responsible and purposeful leadership and unwavering support of the science community. The approach outlined in this plan highlights the direction leadership is taking to ensure that HFIR is ready to support the science challenges and national needs of the future and that the United States maintains world leadership in neutron sciences. The plan is in alignment with the DOE’s desire to continue operating HFIR and with the NScD strategic science goals for the future. HFIR is an aging facility with numerous infrastructure challenges and needs. It has an aging workforce in relation to the general population of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), with many expected retirements over the next 5–10 years. With an increase in work scope caused by changing national priorities and science goals, several critical hires have been identified. To manage HFIR’s infrastructure needs, a prioritized list of equipment upgrades has been identified along with an analysis of future staffing requirements. A desire to operate HFIR at eight cycles per year will necessarily require some significant changes to procedures and processes currently in place as well as targeted staffing additions. Many of the equipment upgrades identified in this plan will significantly increase the reliability of the plant, thus contributing to the effort to reach the goal of safely operating eight cycles per year. A plan to attain eight-cycle operation is being prepared in parallel with the activities identified in this plan, although the actions identified to satisfy both plans will overlap. This plan identifies new infrastructure needs—for both plant equipment and staffing—thus necessitating formulation of future budget requests to fund the increased work scope and improvement activities. Some activities are currently being scheduled with the expectation that funding will be received. Any delays to funding or reductions of funding from the identified cost estimations will directly and negatively affect the plan’s implementation.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Y-12 Groundwater Protection Program Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan (CY 2021)

This plan provides a description of the groundwater and surface water quality monitoring activities planned for calendar year (CY) 2021 at the U.S. Department of Energy Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) that will be managed by the Y-12 Groundwater Protection Program (GWPP). Groundwater and surface water monitoring is performed by the GWPP. Groundwater and surface water monitoring will be performed in three hydrogeologic regimes at Y-12: the Bear Creek Hydrogeologic Regime (Bear Creek Regime), the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Hydrogeologic Regime (East Fork Regime), and the Chestnut Ridge Hydrogeologic Regime (Chestnut Ridge Regime). The Bear Creek and East Fork regimes are located in Bear Creek Valley and the Chestnut Ridge Regime is located south of Y-12. Additional surface water monitoring will be performed north of Pine Ridge along the boundary of the Oak Ridge Reservation. The following sections of this report provide details regarding the CY 2021 groundwater and surface water monitoring activities. Section 2 describes the monitoring locations in each regime and the processes used to select the sampling locations. A description of the field measurements and laboratory analytes is provided in Section 3. Sample collection methods and procedures are described in Section 4, and Section 5 lists the documents cited for more detailed operational and technical information. The narrative sections of the report reference several appendices. Figures (maps and diagrams) and tables (excluding a data summary table presented in Section 4) are in Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively. Groundwater Monitoring Schedules (when issued throughout CY 2021) will be inserted in Appendix C, and addenda to this plan (if issued) will be inserted in Appendix D. Laboratory requirements (bottle lists, holding times, etc.) are provided in Appendix E, and an approved Waste Management Plan is provided in Appendix F. Modifications to the CY 2021 monitoring program may be necessary during implementation. Changes in programmatic requirements may alter the analytes specified for selected monitoring wells or may add or remove wells from the planned monitoring network. Each modification to the monitoring program will be approved by the Y-12 GWPP manager and documented as an addendum to this sampling and analysis plan.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Progress towards the completion of the proton power upgrade project

The Proton Power Upgrade project at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will increase the proton beam power capability from 1.4 to 2.8 MW. Upon completion in early 2025, 2 MW of beam power will be available for neutron production at the existing first target station (FTS) with the remaining beam power available for the future second target station (STS). The project has installed seven superconducting radio-frequency (RF) cryomodules and supporting RF power systems to increase the beam energy by 30% to 1.3 GeV, and the beam current will be increased by 50%. The injection and extraction region of the accumulator ring are being upgraded, and a new 2 MW mercury target has been developed along with supporting equipment for high-flow gas injection to mitigate cavitation and fatigue stress. The first four cryomodules and supporting systems were commissioned in 2022-2023 and supported neutron production at 1.05 GeV, 1.7 MW with high reliability. The first-article 2 MW target was operated successfully for approximately 4400 MW-Hours over two run periods. The long outage began in August 2023 for installation of the remaining technical equipment and construction of the Ring-to-Target Beam Transport tunnel stub that will enable connection to the STS without interrupting operation of the FTS. The upgrade is proceeding on-schedule and on-budget, and resumption of neutron production for the user program is planned for July 2024.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Progress towards the completion of the proton power upgrade project

The Proton Power Upgrade project at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will increase the proton beam power capability from 1.4 to 2.8 MW. Upon completion in early 2025, 2 MW of beam power will be available for neutron production at the existing first target station (FTS) with the remaining beam power available for the future second target station (STS). The project has installed seven superconducting radio-frequency (RF) cryomodules and supporting RF power systems to increase the beam energy by 30% to 1.3 GeV, and the beam current will be increased by 50%. The injection and extraction region of the accumulator ring are being upgraded, and a new 2 MW mercury target has been developed along with supporting equipment for high-flow gas injection to mitigate cavitation and fatigue stress. The first four cryomodules and supporting systems were commissioned in 2022-2023 and supported neutron production at 1.05 GeV, 1.7 MW with high reliability. The first-article 2 MW target was operated successfully for approximately 4400 MW-Hours over two run periods. The long outage began in August 2023 for installation of the remaining technical equipment and construction of the Ring-to-Target Beam Transport tunnel stub that will enable connection to the STS without interrupting operation of the FTS. The upgrade is proceeding on-schedule and on-budget, and resumption of neutron production for the user program is planned for July 2024.

Champion, Mark↗
DOE OSTI2021

DOE Award No.: DE-FE0023919 Phase 4 Scientific/Technical Report

This is the Phase 4 Report for the ‘Deepwater Methane Hydrate Characterization and Scientific Assessment or Genesis of Methane Hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM2)’ research project (DOE Award No. DE-FE0023919). The report summarizes activities from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. The project is led by the University of Texas at Austin (UT). The project objective is to gain insight into the nature, formation, occurrence and physical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sediments for the purpose of methane hydrate resource appraisal through the planning and execution of drilling, coring, logging, testing and analytical activities that assess the geologic occurrence, regional context, and characteristics of marine methane hydrate deposits in the Gulf of Mexico outer continental shelf (OCS). We published a dedicated American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin volume describing initial results from the UT-GOM2-1 expedition in Sept. 2020. This is part 1 of a multi-volume commitment by AAPG to this project. We further confirmed that the natural gas in hydrate at GC-955 was formed by primary microbial processes (>76.1 %). The in-situ effective permeability hydrate-bearing sandy silts at the GC-955 reservoir ranges from 0.1 md (1.0×10-16 m2) to 2.4 md (2.4×10-15m2) in cores with 83% to 93% hydrate saturation. The intrinsic permeability (the single phase permeability) is estimated from reconstituted samples to be ~12 md (1.2×10-14 m2) to ~41 md (4.1×10-14 m2). We used observation and models to interpret that the core degradation that is found in pressure cores is due to dissociation of the methane hydrate in the outer circumference of the core and dissolution of that methane into the fresh pore water that the core is stored with. We are designing approaches to minimize this core loss in the future. We spent an enormous amount of effort to further improve the ability of the pressure coring tool (the PCTB) to pressure seal correctly. We completed upgrading the upper section of the PCTB to address poor pressure. We successful tested the modifications at Geotek’s test facility in Salt Lake City (Bench Test II). We completed a Land Test of the PCTB at the Schlumberger Cameron Test and Training Facility (CTTF). The tool did not seal in 6 out of 7 tests and we clearly demonstrated that cuttings were wedging in the ball valve assembly, keeping the ball valve from sealing. We reproduced the failure mechanism observed during the land test at Salt Lake City and confirmed the sensitivity of the ball valve assembly to grit. Geotek designed and tested 9 modifications to address this issue and the PCTB is now 100% successfully sealing in the presence of grit. Our science expedition is scheduled for spring 2022 and we are fully focused on preparing for this. UT and Ohio State completed a Shallow Hazard Assessment report for each proposed UT-GOM2-2 drilling location, pursuant to 30 CFR 250.214(f) and 250.244 (f). The Shallow Hazard Reports will accompany the UT-GOM2-2 Exploration Plan that is submitted to BOEM, and completes the geological and geophysical analysis for UT-GOM2-2 permitting efforts. We updated the UT-GOM2-2 Operations Plan (Version 1). We completed the UT-GOM2-2 Science and Sample Distribution Plan (Version 1). We evaluated the scope, budget, and schedule that would result from using a commercial vessel. We developed detailed drilling schedule, mud volume, and resource estimates. We developed a vessel specification document and a well plan, and sent these documents to prospective vessel contractors.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modular, Crushed-Rock Thermal Energy Storage Pilot Design (Final Report)

The goal of this project was to design a next-step pilot to advance near-term energy storage integrated with a fossil plant to provide a facility capable of being viable and effective in a market with growing penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE). Thermal energy storage (TES) represents an ideal technology for this purpose. The completed effort included a feasibility study to prepare for the Phase II pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED) for implementing a crushed-rock TES system integrated with a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plant. The crushed rock storage technology, which is being developed by Brenmiller Energy, is a modular TES system termed bGen™, which can accommodate both thermal and electrical inputs and output steam, hot water, or hot air. For this application, the estimated efficiency is 80% thermal to thermal. For the feasibility study, the Brenmiller technology was designed to operate on a slipstream from NYPA’s Eugene W. Zeltmann Power Project (Zeltmann) NGCC plant in Astoria, New York. The projected size of the system will be up to 4 MWe with at least 4 hours of storage duration, or 16 MWh-e total. The study also included a techno-economic evaluation of a 200 MWh commercial-scale demonstration. Prior to this project, EPRI had reviewed Brenmiller’s technology, which is being built to demonstrate bGen™ at 1.7 MWe on a solar plant (Rotem) and has been designed for an NGCC facility in Italy, assessing it at technology readiness level (TRL) 5. Brenmiller is also conducting a separate 1-MWth pilot with NYPA that pairs a bGen™ module with a microturbine for a combined-heat-and-power (CHP) application to improve efficiency and provide flexibility. The next-step pilot being designed as part of this project would represent a 5-fold increase in scale, versus Rotem, and would show the technology’s ability to provide effective and economical energy storage, bringing the technology to TRL 6. This pilot would represent the next-to-last demonstration scale before the technology could be commercial ready at GWh-e scales in the 2030 timeframe. The main objective of the work completed by the Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI), Brenmiller Energy (Brenmiller), New York Power Authority (NYPA), and United E&C (formerly AECOM) was to perform a Phase I feasibility study on the integration of a crushed-rock thermal energy storage (TES) with a fossil plant. Under this project, the EPRI-led team successfully completed a feasibility study to prepare for the potential future Phase II pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED) to implement a crushed-rock TES system integrated with a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plant. Specific deliverables under this project included the Technology Maturation Plan, Conceptual Study, Techno-Economic Assessment, Technology Gap Assessment, Project Plan for Phase II (submitted as Phase II Renewal Application), Commercialization Plan, and the Final Report (this document). This Final Report includes a compilation of the various summary reports that were prepared during the 12-month schedule of the Phase I project execution under award DE-FE0032017.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Scalable Approach to Minimize Charging Costs for Electric Bus Fleets

Incorporating battery electric buses into bus fleets faces three primary challenges: a BEB’s extended refuel time, the cost of charging, both by the consumer and the power provider, and large compute demands for planning methods. When BEBs charge, the additional demands on the grid may exceed hardware limitations, so power providers divide a consumer’s energy needs into separate meters even though doing so is expensive for both power providers and consumers. Prior work has developed a number of strategies for computing charge schedules for bus fleets; however, prior work has not worked to reduce costs by aggregating meters. Additionally, because many works use mixed integer linear programs, their compute needs make planning for commercial-sized bus fleets intractable. This work presents a multi-program approach to computing charge plans for electric bus fleets. The proposed method solves a series of subproblems where the solution to the charge problem becomes more refined with each problem, moving closer to the optimal schedule. The results demonstrate how runtimes are reduced by using intermediate subproblems to refine the bus charge solution so that the proposed method can be applied to large bus fleets of 100+ buses. Not only will we demonstrate that runtimes scale linearly with the number of buses but we will also show how the proposed method scales to large bus fleets of over 100 buses while managing the monthly cost of energy.

Mortensen, Daniel (ORCID:0000000276494452)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Guest Editorial: Planning and operation of resilient distribution system for integrated multi-energy

Resilience is the ability of power systems to prepare for and adapt to low-probability, high-impact incidents and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. With the ageing of electricity distribution infrastructure and increasing threats of weather-related incidents and natural disasters, the need to effectively enhance the resilience of the electricity distribution system has become urgent and has attracted worldwide attention. Although there are an increasing number of publications related to enhancing resilience strategies, resilience is an emerging concept in power systems. Existing practices are mostly focused on deploying distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids, hardening the existing infrastructures and building redundant capacities. However, from a broader perspective, resilience enhancement of power distribution system is a systematic engineering, involving long-term system planning and upgrading (e.g., deployment of smart grid technologies and intelligent switches), short-term proactive scheduling, real-time robust and resilient control of DERs, and post-event restoration and recovery strategies. Based on this point, this Special Issue in IET Energy System Integration focuses on soliciting the most recent and original technologies, scheduling and control strategies for improving the resilience of power distribution system. Eight papers are presented in this Special Issue, covering various aspects related to resilience enhancement of power distribution system, including fault-tolerant frequency measurement, robust scheduling of integrated electricity and district heating systems, robust control of DERs, efficient methods for safety verification as well as novel graph theory-based approach to restore the distribution systems after multiple simultaneous faults. A brief introduction of these 8 papers is provided below.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Co-Simulation Model for Optimal Wind-Hydro Coordination Using Wind Farm Control Dynamics

The growing share of Variable Renewable Energy sources (VRES) in power systems presents challenges for regula- tors, grid operators and energy producers. The VRES’ operation has limited flexibility in their operations, as they are highly dependent on ambient environments. To address these challenges, decision-makers must consider multiple objectives, among these are revenue, power system services and mechanical load on wind turbines. Coordinated operation of power plants and different wind farm control strategies are examples of measures that can benefit these objectives. This study proposes a Multi-Objective Linear Programming (MOLP) model to simulate the optimum operation of wind and hydropower plants that share limited transmission capacity. Further, wind farm control dynamics are included to obtain realistic output power and accumulated damage. From this, a case study based on a relevant location in Norway is presented to analyze the improved effect of wind- hydro coordination and wind farm control in achieving the objectives of accumulated wind turbine damage and total revenue of the hybrid power system. In addition, the study considers the potential advantages of adding a variable-speed pump to the hydropower plant. The results demonstrate that by considering multiple objectives in the optimization, one may achieve better overall performance of the objectives. By utilizing the flexibility of hydro storage, the decision maker may adjust to obtain the most desired outcome. Moreover, the added flexibility of utilizing a pump for hydro storage shows great improvements for the combined revenue of the power plants and reduced curtailment of the wind farm. However, less impact is observed from using a variable speed pump compared to a fixed speed pump.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of a Beam Sweeping System for the Fermilab Antiproton Source Target

Intensity of the incident 120-GeV proton beam on the antiproton production target is scheduled to increase to 5x10 12 protons per pulse. To prevent damage to the target, we plan to spread the hot spot on target with a beam sweeping system, Now under development are rotating-field magnets for installation upstream and downstream of the target. These magnets will deflect the beam in a circular pattern on the target. Peak current of 7 kA and peak voltage drop of 6 kV are expected. The power supply, which is separated from the magnet by a distance of about 10 m, utilizes magnetic pulse compression by saturating inductors to drive the magnets through the long transmission lines.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hybrid Solar System (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

GTI Energy (GTI) teamed with the University of California at Merced (UCM) to scaleup the hybrid solar system (HSS) technology for demonstrating its performance at the US Gypsum (USG) plant in Plaster City, California. The technology integrates two-stage concentrating solar collector with matching particle thermal transport and storage (TSS) system to deliver cost-effective, and on-demand distributed high temperature industrial process heat up to 600°C with solar thermal, in this case to a gypsum kettle, to reduce its fuel use and carbon footprint. Current solar technologies, which reach these temperatures, are not distributable (towers) or cost-effective (dish). The research team developed a conceptual system design for host site retrofit, including preliminary heat balance, process flow diagram, particle to process heat exchanger and equipment placements at the site. Subsequently, parallel efforts were carried out at UCM to design, build and test a 12 m long commercial scale prototype concentrating thermal-only collector system and at GTI to design, build and test a matching 650°C capable particle TTS system. The nominal 50 kWth collector consists of a parabolic trough and three 4 m long two-stage receivers in series. Prior to on-sun testing, a 4 m long receiver was fabricated and successfully tested at 650 °C in a laboratory setting for 100 hrs of continuous operation showing less than 15% radiation loss. A 7 m wide x 17 m long parabolic trough was then installed at UCM for on-sun testing of the 12 m long receiver, and concurrently several 4 m long receivers were built. The optics of the parabolic trough were calibrated, and on-sun test were carried out on 12 m long receivers. During tests, the intense solar radiation (53x) caused the absorber tubes in the receivers to bend, reducing the overall optical efficiency. To address the bending issue, a self-consistent algorithm that includes ray tracing, thermal and deformation models was developed to perform thermal stress analysis on absorbers for parabolic solar collectors. Results obtained with this algorithm showed a dramatic rise in deformation as absorber tube length increases. A combined efficiency parameter that includes the occluded area for the mounts was developed to obtain an optimized tube length obtained. Based on the results, a length of 2.7 m for the absorber + 0.2 m for the coupler was chosen to minimize any bending and optimize optical efficiency while maintaining ease of mounting. The associated particle TTS system was designed, built and successfully tested at GTI. It includes storage, receiving and lock hoppers and piping that simulates the transfer of captured solar energy to an actual industrial furnace. Tests over 77 charge-discharge cycles demonstrated <2% particle degradation, with no problematic particle accumulations and no flow interruptions. The piping pressure drop was about 5 psi. The team also worked with Stanley Consultants (Stanley) to prepare conceptual and preliminary engineering packages to facilitate follow-on development and commercialization efforts. These include process and instrumentation diagram’s (P&ID’s), general arrangements, electrical one-line, project definitions document, equipment data sheets, schedule, and construction cost estimate for 2 MWth system. Updated HSS technology commercialization and customer engagement plans and detailed costs and evaluated market trade-offs and manufacturing.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2023

LANL/UTEP Metallurgical Science Center of Excellence Planning

LANL seeks research assistance and skills development in three distinct subject areas over the next three years. Individualized scope and detail implementation schedules will be the first deliverable for these subject areas and will represent a joint determination between LANL SMEs and UTEP faculty based on LANL priority (schedule) and UTEP staffing (faculty and student- graduate and undergraduate) and capability of immediate availability per schedule. LANL will endeavor to make summer internships available to UTEP students within these subject areas: Chemical Sciences, Additive Manufacturing, and Metallurgy: casting and solidification, characterization, and metal purification. Unarticulated but generalized scoping tasks follow within each topical area to indicate that students and technicians familiar with these skill sets are of value and interest in LANL workforce pipeline and the tasks that seek to develop these skill sets are intentional on LANL's part. Consequently, LANL will sponsor 2-3 senior (capstone) projects within these subject areas per year over the three year time period within these task areas and within separations technologies, wet chemical analysis, and analytical characterization and quantification as required by all tasks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Plan for Scaling Up Hydrogen Production with Nuclear Power Plants

The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program Flexible Plant Operations and Generation (FPOG) Pathway is developing options to help U.S. nuclear power plants (NPPs) better integrate with intermittent wind and solar capacity and the recent surge of natural gas power generation. Research is focusing on improving NPP flexibility through hybrid production of electricity and other products, such as hydrogen (H 2 ) and energy storage for the purpose of shifting power production to a later time. In the case of H 2 production, the clean electrical and thermal power from an NPP can be used to split water using electrolysis. This report outlines the opportunity for NPPs to participate in a first-of-akind (FOAK) commercial nuclear H 2 project intended to bring industry partners together to create regional clean H 2 hubs. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will fund at least one hub up to $1.25 billion as federal cost share totally no less than 50% to execute a nuclear H 2 project. The report discusses the set of activities that are now underway or that are planned for completion by the FPOG Pathway to reduce the economic, technical, regulatory, and safety risks of these projects. DOE cross-program activities are being coordinated to ensure success in the timeframe allowed by the BIL. Figure ES-1 shows the approximate schedule of coordinated research and development (R&D) and pilot demonstration projects leading up to the first commercial nuclear H 2 production project. Execution of this plan requires DOE and industry collaboration. DOE research accomplishments are being provided to the electric utilities or industries looking to participate in the H 2 hub proposal and project execution process.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Optimizing workplace charging facility deployment and smart charging strategies

This study introduces a workplace charging (WPC) optimization model that maximizes the total satisfied electric miles of employees’ plug-in electric vehicles, subject to a given annual budget. The model optimizes both planning decisions of charger number and power levels and operation decisions of charging spot assignment and charging schedule for the given temporal distribution of charging demands and varied electricity prices. Results of experiments based on national average travel data indicate that the actual WPC strategy varies by budget level. Through optimization, the strategy could reduce impacts of the varied electricity price by shifting charging schedules to periods when electricity prices are low. Also, the model is expanded to study the trade-off between providing WPC and addressing consequence of degraded charging service by including the per-mile shadow cost of unsatisfied charging demand. Finally, we observe that their relative competitiveness mainly depends on the actual shadow cost of WPC.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗