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DOE OSTI2014

Combined experimental and numerical evaluation of a prototype nano-PCM enhanced wallboard

In the United States, forty-eight (48) percent of the residential end-use energy consumption is spent on space heating and air conditioning. Reducing envelope-generated heating and cooling loads through application of phase change material (PCM)-enhanced building envelopes can facilitate maximizing the energy efficiency of buildings. Combined experimental testing and numerical modeling of PCM-enhanced envelope components are two important aspects of the evaluation of their energy benefits. An innovative phase change material (nano-PCM) was developed with PCM encapsulated with expanded graphite (interconnected) nanosheets, which is highly conductive for enhanced thermal storage and energy distribution, and is shape-stable for convenient incorporation into lightweight building components. A wall with cellulose cavity insulation and prototype PCM-enhanced interior wallboards was built and tested in a natural exposure test (NET) facility in a hot-humid climate location. The test wall contained PCM wallboards and regular gypsum wallboard, for a side-by-side annual comparison study. Further, numerical modeling of the walls containing the nano-PCM wallboard was performed to determine its actual impact on wall-generated heating and cooling loads. The model was first validated using experimental data, and then used for annual simulations using Typical Meteorological Year (TMY3) weather data. This article presents the measured performance and numerical analysis evaluating the energy-saving potential of the nano-PCM-enhanced wallboard.

finite element analysis↗

DOE OSTI2022

Impacts of wind field characteristics and non-steady deterministic wind events on time-varying main-bearing loads

Abstract. This work considers the characteristics and drivers of the loads experienced by wind turbine main bearings. Simplified load response models of two different hub and main-bearing configurations are presented, representative of both inverting direct-drive and four-point-mounted geared drivetrains. The influences of deterministic wind field characteristics, such as wind speed, shear, yaw offset, and veer, on the bearing load patterns are then investigated for similarity scaled 5, 7.5, and 10 MW reference wind turbine models. Main-bearing load response in cases of deterministic gusts and extreme changes in wind direction are also considered for the 5 MW model. Perhaps surprisingly, veer is identified as an important driver of main-bearing load fluctuations. Upscaling results indicate that similar behaviour holds as turbines become larger, but with mean loads and load fluctuation levels increasing at least cubically with the turbine rotor radius. Strong links between turbine control and main-bearing load response are also observed.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1998

Lunar Basins: New Evidence from Gravity for Impact-Formed Mascons

The prominent gravity highs (mascons) associated with uncompensated mass anomalies in lunar mare basins are a dramatic expression of the present-day rigidity of the lunar lithosphere. First discovered in Lunar Orbiter tracking data, these about 350-mGal gravity highs have been redetermined from the analysis of Clementine and historical tracking. These highs coincide with topographic lows, indicating nonisostatic support. One of the rediscoveries of this analysis is the encirclement of the highs by substantial negative anomalies over topographic highs. Recent gravity fields are providing the increased resolution necessary to determine the causes of this unique mascon signature. The compensation of the basin anomalies remains controversial. The mascon highs have long been interpreted as the result of mare loading, subsequent to the decay of residual stresses resulting from the impact. Substantially more mare fill is required to produce mascon highs than has been inferred on geological grounds, and the amount of near-surface mass deficit required to produce a gravity most exceeds bounds inferred from terrestrial examples. This problem is most acute for the youngest basin, Orientale. Recent gravity fields from Lunar Prospector have suggested mascon highs associated with nonmare basins such as Mendel-Rydberg, or minimally filled basins like Humboldtianum, further calling this explanation into question. We suggest that the mascon gravity signal is produced by a combination of crustal thickness changes, manifested by central mantle uplift, outward displacement of crust, and downward flexure of the lithosphere under mare loading. The mantle uplift is superisostatic, maintained by residual stresses resulting from the process of impact cratering and modification. In particular, the process of crater collapse and mantle rebound terminates abruptly, leaving the mantle plug in a non-equilibrium state, surrounded by a ring of thickened crust. Viscous relaxation over geological timescales has erased some but not all of the signature of the impact process. Mantle uplift inferred from gravity modeling is inversely correlated with age. While the oldest basins such as South Pole Aitken are mainly compensated isotatically, the younger basins appear to have been in a state of superisostatic loading prior to mare emplacement. If this is true, this places an important constraint on the impact process at basin scales. The idea that rebound of the transient crater via acoustic fluidization may freeze substantial stresses imcomplete to this day, may be tested by examining the gravity signatures of major basins on terrestrial bodies. The moon provides the clearest resolved examples to date, but uncertainty in gravity knowledge remains problematic.

Neumann, Gregory A.↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Comparative Study of Compressive Effects on the Morphology and Performance of Carbon Paper and Cloth Electrodes in Redox Flow Batteries

Compressing porous carbon electrodes is a common approach to improve flow battery performance, but the resulting impact on electrode structure, fluid dynamics, and cell performance is not well understood. Herein, microtomographic imaging, load cell testing, and flow cell diagnostics are employed to characterize how compression‐induced changes impact pressure drop, polarization, and mass‐transfer scaling. Five different compressions are tested, spanning ranges typically used in literature, for AvCarb 1071 cloth (0%, 9%, 20%, 25%, 32%) and Freudenberg H23 paper (0%, 8%, 12%, 17%, 22%). It is found that the two electrode structures have distinct responses to compression, resulting in differing optimal conditions identified for each material; specifically, the Freudenberg H23 exhibits lower combined ohmic, charge‐transfer, and mass‐transport values at 8% compression, resulting in improved electrochemical performance across all compressive values, as compared to the optimal AvCarb 1071 compression (20%). Overall, Freudenberg H23 exhibits a greater sensitivity to compression with peak electrochemical activity correlating with increased permeability, whereas AvCarb 1071 is insensitive to compressive loads but produces lower electrochemical performance. Herein, the trade‐offs of mechanical robustness on fluid‐dynamic and electrochemical performance between the two electrodes are demonstrated by the aforementioned findings, suggesting each could be used for specific operating environments.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Irvine Smart Grid Demonstration, a Regional Smart Grid Demonstration Project

ISGD was a comprehensive demonstration that spanned the electricity delivery system and extended into customer homes. The project used phasor measurement technology to enable substation-level situational awareness, and demonstrated SCE’s next-generation substation automation system. It extended beyond the substation to evaluate the latest generation of distribution automation technologies, including looped 12-kV distribution circuit topology using URCIs. The project team used DVVC capabilities to demonstrate CVR. In customer homes, the project evaluated HAN devices such as smart appliances, programmable communicating thermostats, and home energy management components. The homes were also equipped with energy storage, solar PV systems, and a number of energy efficiency measures (EEMs). The team used one block of homes to evaluate strategies and technologies for achieving ZNE. A home achieves ZNE when it produces at least as much renewable energy as the amount of energy it consumes annually. The project also assessed the impact of device-specific demand response (DR), as well as load management capabilities involving energy storage devices and plug-in electric vehicle charging equipment. In addition, the ISGD project sought to better understand the impact of ZNE homes on the electric grid. ISGD’s SENet enabled end-to-end interoperability between multiple vendors’ systems and devices, while also providing a level of cybersecurity that is essential to smart grid development and adoption across the nation. The ISGD project includes a series of sub-projects grouped into four logical technology domains: Smart Energy Customer Solutions, Next-Generation Distribution System, Interoperability and Cybersecurity, and Workforce of the Future. Section 2.3 provides a more detailed overview of these domains.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2017

Time-varying value of electric energy efficiency

Electric energy efficiency resources save energy and may reduce peak demand. Historically, quantification of energy efficiency benefits has largely focused on the economic value of energy savings during the first year and lifetime of the installed measures. Due in part to the lack of publicly available research on end-use load shapes (i.e., the hourly or seasonal timing of electricity savings) and energy savings shapes, consideration of the impact of energy efficiency on peak demand reduction (i.e., capacity savings) has been more limited. End-use load research and the hourly valuation of efficiency savings are used for a variety of electricity planning functions, including load forecasting, demand-side management and evaluation, capacity and demand response planning, long-term resource planning, renewable energy integration, assessing potential grid modernization investments, establishing rates and pricing, and customer service. This study reviews existing literature on the time-varying value of energy efficiency savings, provides examples in four geographically diverse locations of how consideration of the time-varying value of efficiency savings impacts the calculation of power system benefits, and identifies future research needs to enhance the consideration of the time-varying value of energy efficiency in cost-effectiveness screening analysis. Findings from this study include: -The time-varying value of individual energy efficiency measures varies across the locations studied because of the physical and operational characteristics of the individual utility system (e.g., summer or winter peaking, load factor, reserve margin) as well as the time periods during which savings from measures occur. -Across the four locations studied, some of the largest capacity benefits from energy efficiency are derived from the deferral of transmission and distribution system infrastructure upgrades. However, the deferred cost of such upgrades also exhibited the greatest range in value of all the components of avoided costs across the locations studied. -Of the five energy efficiency measures studied, those targeting residential air conditioning in summer-peaking electric systems have the most significant added value when the total time-varying value is considered. -The increased use of rooftop solar systems, storage, and demand response, and the addition of electric vehicles and other major new electricity-consuming end uses are anticipated to significantly alter the load shape of many utility systems in the future. Data used to estimate the impact of energy efficiency measures on electric system peak demands will need to be updated periodically to accurately reflect the value of savings as system load shapes change. -Publicly available components of electric system costs avoided through energy efficiency are not uniform across states and utilities. Inclusion or exclusion of these components and differences in their value affect estimates of the time-varying value of energy efficiency. -Publicly available data on end-use load and energy savings shapes are limited, are concentrated regionally, and should be expanded.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2017

Statistical Analysis of Solar PV Power Frequency Spectrum for Optimal Employment of Building Loads

In this paper, a statistical analysis of the frequency spectrum of solar photovoltaic (PV) power output is conducted. This analysis quantifies the frequency content that can be used for purposes such as developing optimal employment of building loads and distributed energy resources. One year of solar PV power output data was collected and analyzed using one-second resolution to find ideal bounds and levels for the different frequency components. The annual, seasonal, and monthly statistics of the PV frequency content are computed and illustrated in boxplot format. To examine the compatibility of building loads for PV consumption, a spectral analysis of building loads such as Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) units and water heaters was performed. This defined the bandwidth over which these devices can operate. Results show that nearly all of the PV output (about 98%) is contained within frequencies lower than 1 mHz (equivalent to ~15 min), which is compatible for consumption with local building loads such as HVAC units and water heaters. Medium frequencies in the range of ~15 min to ~1 min are likely to be suitable for consumption by fan equipment of variable air volume HVAC systems that have time constants in the range of few seconds to few minutes. This study indicates that most of the PV generation can be consumed by building loads with the help of proper control strategies, thereby reducing impact on the grid and the size of storage systems.

boxplot↗

DOE OSTI2022

Modelling of edge plasma dynamics with active wall boundary conditions

A self-consistent 2D model is presented for transport in boundary plasma and plasma-facing material walls. Plasma dynamics in the domain is represented by a 2D collisional plasma fluid model in the edge-plasma code UEDGE, and transport of hydrogen and heat in the wall is represented by a system of reaction–diffusion equations in the 1D wall code FACE. To account for variation of parameters along the wall, in the coupled model multiple instances of the FACE code run in parallel. Here, the coupled model provides a tool for investigating a range of dynamic plasma–material interactions phenomena in 2D. For demonstration of its capability, one application of particular interest is the role of active wall in tokamak strike point sweeping proposed for mitigation of divertor heat loads. In the present study, the coupled calculations are applied to investigation of the impact of heat and hydrogen transport in the material wall on the divertor plasma and target heat load during sweeping of the target strike point for parameters of a high-power tokamak.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1971

Bioresearch Module Design Definition and Space Shuttle Vehicle Integration Study. Volume 1: Basic Report

Preliminary designs of the Bioexplorer spacecraft, developed in an earlier study program, are analyzed and updated to conform to a new specification which includes use of both the Scout and the space shuttle vehicle for launch. The updated spacecraft is referred to as bioresearch module. It is capable of supporting a variety of small biological experiments in near-earth and highly elliptical earth orbits. The baseline spacecraft design is compatible with the Scout launch vehicle. Inboard profile drawings, weight statements, interface drawings, and spacecraft parts and aerospace ground equipment lists are provided to document the design. The baseline design was analyzed to determine the design and cost impact of a set of optional features. These include reduced experiment power and thermal load, addition of an experiment television monitor, and replacement of VHF with S-band communications. The impact of these options on power required, weight change and cost is defined.

Lang, A. L., Jr.↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Dynamic Pricing Method to Manage the Impact of EV Charging on the Grid Using RL

This work addresses the challenge of managing electrical vehicle (EV) charging loads on distribution feeders with the increase in deployment of fast charging stations. To mitigate the adverse impacts on feeder health, a novel dynamic grid-informed pricing approach is proposed. This approach leverages reinforcement learning (RL) to determine hourly charging prices based on real-time grid conditions. A synthetic environment was developed to train the reinforcement learning agent. A model of an IEEE 34-bus distribution feeder with EV charging stations has been developed in OpenDSS utilizing Caldera for realistic EV charging profiles. Test cases demonstrate that the dynamic pricing strategy achieves higher energy delivery to the EV end user at a lower cost compared to constant pricing methods, while lowering voltage deviations and congestion. This approach offers more granular price adjustments, responding dynamically to feeder conditions and potentially improving grid stability and efficiency. The communication architecture to implement this dynamic pricing method is described. This research contributes to the development of smart grid-informed charging solutions that can reduce the cost of charging to the end user while also helping the grid.

EV charging, dynamic pricing, grid-informed chargi↗

DOE OSTI2025

A dynamic pricing method to manage the impact of EV charging on the grid using RL

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

NASA NTRS2012

Performance Evaluation of Pressure Transducers for Water Impacts

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is being designed for water landings. In order to benchmark the ability of engineering tools to predict water landing loads, test programs are underway for scale model and full-scale water impacts. These test programs are predicated on the reliable measurement of impact pressure histories. Tests have been performed with a variety of pressure transducers from various manufacturers. Both piezoelectric and piezoresistive devices have been tested. Effects such as thermal shock, pinching of the transducer head, and flushness of the transducer mounting have been studied. Data acquisition issues such as sampling rate and anti-aliasing filtering also have been studied. The response of pressure transducers have been compared side-by-side on an impulse test rig and on a 20-inch diameter hemisphere dropped into a pool of water. The results have identified a range of viable configurations for pressure measurement dependent on the objectives of the test program.

Vassilakos, Gregory J.↗

DOE OSTI2019

Pathways for practical high-energy long-cycling lithium metal batteries

Lithium (Li)-ion batteries play a critical role in modern day technologies, but their specific energy (Wh kg-1) and energy density (Wh L-1) are approaching the maximum practically achievable values based on existing manufacturing processes with the conventional cathode and anode materials. Developing the next generation rechargeable batteries with a specific energy higher than 300 Wh kg-1, up to 500 Wh kg-1, is a significant challenge. This paper discusses the pathways to build the next generation 500 Wh kg-1 rechargeable Li battery based on Li metal anode and a high nickel-content lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide (high-Ni NMC) cathode. The fundamental requirements and practical technical approaches will be explored to hopefully address this grand challenge. In particular, we discuss the detailed cell level requirements and parameters to achieve high energy density, as well as the significant scientific challenges and potential solutions, including but not limited to enable the direct utilization of Li metal anode with high efficiency and long-term cycling stability, dendrite-free Li metal deposition, high utilization of the cathode materials with high mass loading and reasonable electrode thickness along with minimum parasitic weight in the cathode side. The cell level understanding and validation of the materials properties for high performance and control of interfacial reactions across the whole cell will be explored. New concepts in emerging multifunctional materials and electrolytes/additives and their implications will also be discussed.

lithium metal anode, lithium nickel manganese coba↗

DOE OSTI2018

Automatic Modeling of VVER-1000 Power Maneuvers

A special version of the IR code is described. The purpose of this code is to generate recommendations for the reactor operator when operating in a maneuvering regime, automate boron regulation, and study the maneuvering characteristics of VVER-1000 fuel loads. The results of modeling of operation in a daily load schedule are presented for the example of a stationary run of VVER-TOI. The impact of variation of the parameters of power maneuvers (run, operating time a reduced power, loading rate) on the boron regulation parameters is analyzed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Assessing the life-cycle environmental impacts of the wood pallet sector in the United States

Wood pallets play a critical role in the movement and storage of goods worldwide. They are an important component in the complex global supply chain and used by almost every industry. It is therefore important to assess the environmental implications of the wood pallet supply chain and identify optimization strategies that can be implemented. In this paper, primary 2018 annual production data collected from U.S. pallet manufacturers were used to develop the first industry-average life-cycle inventory (LCI). A new functional unit was proposed to perform a more refined and accurate environmental life-cycle assessment of the wood pallet supply chain. Using the LCI data developed, a cradle-to-grave industry-average life-cycle impact assessment was performed. This novel approach quantifies environmental impacts of a generic multi-use pallet, including repair and remanufacturing. The total global warming impact was 10.4 kg CO 2 e per 45.4 t of pallet loads of product delivered using wood pallets. The manufacturing stage contributed the most, about 35%, followed by the raw material supply stage. About 41% of total primary energy consumption was from renewable sources, with most sourced from biomass. Fossil fuels comprised about 52% of the total (225 MJ per functional unit) primary energy consumption. Total environmental impact was significantly affected by two main parameters: reference service life and load-bearing capacity. Pallet repair was also found to be an important component of the wood pallet supply chain, which has a low environmental footprint compared with the overall impact of a pallet and enables mitigation of overall impact by extending the reference service life. Finally, at end-of-life, common industry practices demonstrated substantial potential environmental benefits that can minimize overall environmental impact.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

Field Testing of Nano-PCM Enhanced Building Envelope Components

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building Technologies Program s goal of developing high-performance, energy efficient buildings will require more cost-effective, durable, energy efficient building envelopes. Forty-eight percent of the residential end-use energy consumption is spent on space heating and air conditioning. Reducing envelope-generated heating and cooling loads through application of phase change material (PCM)-enhanced envelope components can facilitate maximizing the energy efficiency of buildings. Field-testing of prototype envelope components is an important step in estimating their energy benefits. An innovative phase change material (nano-PCM) was developed with PCM encapsulated with expanded graphite (interconnected) nanosheets, which is highly conducive for enhanced thermal storage and energy distribution, and is shape-stable for convenient incorporation into lightweight building components. During 2012, two test walls with cellulose cavity insulation and prototype PCM-enhanced interior wallboards were installed in a natural exposure test (NET) facility at Charleston, SC. The first test wall was divided into four sections, which were separated by wood studs and thin layers of foam insulation. Two sections contained nano-PCM-enhanced wallboards: one was a three-layer structure, in which nano-PCM was sandwiched between two gypsum boards, and the other one had PCM dispersed homogeneously throughout graphite nanosheets-enhanced gypsum board. The second test wall also contained two sections with interior PCM wallboards; one contained nano-PCM dispersed homogeneously in gypsum and the other was gypsum board containing a commercial microencapsulated PCM (MEPCM) for comparison. Each test wall contained a section covered with gypsum board on the interior side, which served as control or a baseline for evaluation of the PCM wallboards. The walls were instrumented with arrays of thermocouples and heat flux transducers. Further, numerical modeling of the walls containing the nano-PCM wallboards were performed to determine their actual impact on wall-generated heating and cooling loads. The models were first validated using field data, and then used to perform annual simulations using Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather data. This article presents the measured performance and numerical analysis to evaluate the energy-saving potential of the nano-PCM-enhanced building components.

nano-PCM↗

DOE OSTI2018

Influence of soil-structure interaction on performance of a super tall building using a new eddy-current tuned mass damper

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) can be used as vibration control devices to improve the vibration performance of high-rise buildings. The Shanghai Tower (SHT) is a 632-m high landmark building in China, featuring a new eddy-current TMD. Special protective mechanisms have been adopted to prevent excessively large amplitude of the TMD under extreme wind or earthquake loading scenarios. This paper presents a methodology for simulating behavior of the new eddy-current TMD that features displacement-dependent damping behavior. The TMD model was built into the SHT finite element model to perform frequency analysis and detailed response analyses under wind and earthquake loads. Furthermore, soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects on wind and seismic load responses of the SHT model were investigated, as SSI has a significant impact on the vibration performance of high-rise buildings. It was found that SSI has more significant effects on acceleration response for wind loads with a short return period than for wind loads with a long return period. Some of the acceleration responses with SSI effects exceed design limits of human comfort for wind loads with shorter return periods. As to the seismic analyses, it was found that SSI slightly reduces the displacement amplitude, the damping force, and the impact force of the TMD.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1984

Impact dynamics research on composite transport structures

The experimental and analytical efforts being undertaken to investigate the response of composite and aluminum structures under crash loading conditions were reviewed. A Boeing 720 airplane was used in the controlled-impact demonstration test. Energy absorption of composite materials, the tearing of fuselage skin panels, the friction and abrasion behavior of composite skins, and the crushing behavior and dynamic response of composite beams were among the topics addressed.

Carden, H. D.↗