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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Commercial Building Energy Code Field Study: Data Collection Methodology and Protocol

In support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Buildings Energy Code Field Study, this data collection methodology and protocol provides guidance on all aspects of undertaking a compliance study, from development of a sampling plan to recruitment to code requirements and compliance checks for each energy code measure specified to be collected. The protocol also includes a data collection form that captures all key information needed for analysis of commercial energy code compliance. This methodology was developed by the Institute for Market Transformation in coordination with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program with the objective of assisting states, jurisdictions, utilities and others as they seek to measure and demonstrate compliance rates with energy codes in commercial buildings, as well as to target areas for improvement through increased energy code compliance and broader energy-efficiency programs. It is also intended to facilitate a consistent and replicable approach to research studies of this type and establish a transparent data set representing baseline construction practices across the U.S.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Commercial Building Energy Code Field Study: Data Collection Methodology and Protocol

In support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Buildings Energy Code Field Study, this data collection methodology and protocol provides guidance on all aspects of undertaking a compliance study, from development of a sampling plan to recruitment to code requirements and compliance checks for each energy code measure specified to be collected. The protocol also includes a data collection form that captures all key information needed for analysis of commercial energy code compliance. This methodology was developed by the Institute for Market Transformation in coordination with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program with the objective of assisting states, jurisdictions, utilities and others as they seek to measure and demonstrate compliance rates with energy codes in commercial buildings, as well as to target areas for improvement through increased energy code compliance and broader energy-efficiency programs. It is also intended to facilitate a consistent and replicable approach to research studies of this type and establish a transparent data set representing baseline construction practices across the U.S.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Commercial Building Energy Code Field Study (Final Report)

What is the dollar value of increasing compliance with the energy code? Ultimately, this is the question that policy makers, funders, and program implementers care about. With this in mind, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed a new methodology capable of determining how much energy cost savings could potentially be gained through better compliance with the code (Rosenberg et al. 2016). On March 2, 2016 DOE issued Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number DE-FOA-0001532, requesting proposals to develop and test a methodology for identifying the commercial energy code requirements that can provide the maximum cost-effective energy and cost savings through increased compliance. Awarded to the Institute for Market Transformation, this report summarizes the development and testing of a commercial code compliance methodology, including a summary of results, statistical analysis of sample, and best practices for others implementing a commercial energy code compliance field study.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Modular Multi-family Construction: A Field Study of Energy Code Compliance and Performance through Offsite Prefabrication

Prefabrication in a controlled, factory setting may improve the energy code compliance and energy performance of modular buildings compared to traditional site-built buildings. To test this premise, the work detailed in this DOE-funded commercial field study (EE0009082) compares the energy code compliance of 25 modular and 30 site-built multifamily buildings under construction in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Seattle representing climate zones 3B, 3C, 4A and 4C respectively. This dataset includes full data on 20 modular and site-built buildings and partial data on 35 modular and site-built buildings that had started prior to or were completed after the 18-month data collection period. This study also compares the post-occupancy energy performance or energy use intensity (EUI) of an additional 23 modular multifamily buildings and 128 site-built multifamily buildings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Alternative SIAR models for infectious diseases and applications in the study of non-compliance

In this paper, we use modified versions of the SIAR model for epidemics to propose two ways of understanding and quantifying the effect of non-compliance to non-pharmaceutical intervention measures on the spread of an infectious disease. The SIAR model distinguishes between symptomatic infected (I) and asymptomatic infected (A) populations. One modification, which is simpler, assumes a known proportion of the population does not comply with government mandates such as quarantining and social-distancing. In a more sophisticated approach, the modified model treats non-compliant behavior as a social contagion. We theoretically explore different scenarios such as the occurrence of multiple waves of infections. Local and asymptotic analyses for both models are also provided.

Mathematics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pennsylvania and Delaware Energy Code Field Studies (Final Technical Report (FTR)

Led by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) in partnership with Performance Systems Development (PSD), the project aimed to conduct energy code compliance field studies for single-family residential buildings in Pennsylvania and Delaware, as well as multifamily and commercial buildings in Pennsylvania. Using U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved methodologies, trained field teams conducted on-site observations and testing to document compliance with key energy efficiency measures, including building envelope insulation, air sealing, duct leakage, windows, and mechanical systems. Data from these studies would then be analyzed to identify construction trends and compliance gaps. The goals included published baseline data for each study, and a training roadmap tailored to each state’s needs. This roadmap would have guided outreach and training for builders, code officials, and other stakeholders on the specific code requirements that offered the greatest opportunity for improvement.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Integral and Separate Effects Test Facilities To Support Water Cooled Small Modular Reactors: A Review

This study reviews previous experimental facilities and test programs relevant to water-cooled reactor system design and analysis to meet regulatory compliances. This study aims to find the best solution for designing the required experiments, obtaining necessary test data, and verifying the developed computer code/models to support the new reactor design and development while minimizing cost and time while leveraging experiences from previous facilities to minimize. Nuclear reactor licensing requires supportive design, analysis, and experimental results to ensure the safety of the full-scale prototype reactor in regular operation, as well as during postulated accident scenarios. These reactor design analyses are generally performed using system codes and other associated simulation tools that require assessment, verification and validation using an appropriate experimental dataset. Experimental facilities used for reactor system safety analysis and system code assessments are categorized into integral effects test (IET) and separate effects test (SET) facilities. Further, these IET and SET experiments and studies use geometrically scaled systems to reproduce the prototype system behavior at a reasonable cost, albeit with some scaling-related distortions. The design challenge of these model facilities is to identify and minimize scaling distortions while reproducing the most important operational phenomena in steady-state operation and in postulated accident scenarios. Lessons learned from previous experimental facilities, models, and correlations can support the development of new multipurpose, scaled, hybrid, integrated, and modular experimental facilities for advanced light water-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs). Successful operation of these facilities can significantly reduce upfront reactor development and demonstration costs and time to deployment.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

PDPTW-DB: MILP-Based Offline Route Planning for PDPTW with Driver Breaks

The Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows (PDPTW) involves optimizing routes for vehicles to meet pickup and delivery requests within specific time constraints, a challenge commonly faced in logistics and transportation. Microtransit, a flexible and demand-responsive service using smaller vehicles within defined zones, can be effectively modeled as a PDPTW. Yet, the need for driver breaks—a key human constraint—is frequently overlooked in PDPTW solutions, despite being necessary for regulatory compliance. This study presents a novel mixed-integer linear programming formulation for the Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows and Driver Breaks (PDPTW-DB). To the best of our knowledge this formulation is the first to consider mandatory periodic driver breaks within optimized Microtransit routes. The proposed model incorporates regulatory compliant break scheduling directly within the vehicle routing optimization framework. By considering driver break requirements as an integral component of the optimization process, rather than as a post-processing step, the model enables the generation of routes that respect hours of service regulations while minimizing operational costs. This integrated approach facilitates the generation of schedules that are operationally efficient and prioritize driver welfare through driver breaks. We work with a public transit agency from the southern USA, and highlight the specific nuances of driver break optimization, and present a Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows formulation for optimizing Microtransit operations and scheduling driver breaks. We validate our approach using real-world data from the transit agency. Our results validate our formulation in producing cost-effective, and regulation-compliant solutions.

Applied Computing, Transportation↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nuclear Security Governance in India: Institutions, Instruments, and Culture (2019)

There is an emerging consciousness in India of the importance of nuclear security and safety. Motivated by a combination of rapid growth in its civil nuclear sector, heightened scrutiny of recent nuclear accidents around the world, and the deteriorating regional security environment, India has pushed to adopt measures to strengthen and enhance its nuclear security and safety governance structures. India recognizes that the various recent global nuclear security initiatives are in its own best interest and has been an enthusiastic participant in the Nuclear Security Summit process. Today, India demonstrates a greater willingness to showcase its nuclear security arrangements before the public and has undertaken many institutional, legal, and operational reforms to maintain international regime compliance. This study takes a comprehensive look at India's approach to nuclear security and critically examines the physical security measures the country has put in place. Particular focus is placed on the evolution and strengths, as well as weaknesses, of the country's nuclear security institutions, instruments, practices, and culture. Given that the strengthening of India's nuclear security governance is an ongoing endeavor, the paper also puts forward a number of policy recommendations.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Review of the Evaluation of Building Energy Code Compliance in the United States

Building energy codes are essential tools for achieving energy efficiency in buildings. However, the full energy savings potential of these codes can only be realized if buildings are constructed in compliance with them. Therefore, evaluating building energy code compliance is crucial in bridging the gap between the energy efficiency requirements set by energy codes and the actualized energy savings achieved. An energy code compliance evaluation serves as a mechanism to assess construction practices, evaluate the effectiveness of code enforcement, identify gaps in compliance, and guide strategies for improvement through training and education. Conducting code compliance evaluation activities involves field studies that require careful design and significant resources. Historically, more emphasis has been placed on developing and adopting building energy codes, while efforts to evaluate compliance have been relatively limited and lacking consistent approaches. The passage of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which mandated that states create plans for achieving 90% compliance within eight years, stimulated the need for an energy code compliance evaluation. As a result, federal, state, and local governments, and utilities have invested in the development of methodologies and tools for code compliance evaluation studies. This paper reviews the code compliance evaluation studies conducted in the United States over the past three decades. It describes and compares the methodologies and metrics used to assess building energy code compliance, summarizes the general elements and steps involved in the evaluation process, and discusses common issues in these studies. Over time, code compliance evaluation methodologies have evolved from isolated development within individual states, regions, and utilities, to widely accepted protocols applicable across different states and local jurisdictions. There has been a transition in compliance metrics, shifting from historical compliance rates to energy-consumption-oriented approaches.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimentation in Exploring Photovoltaic Inverter Dynamics Under Different Irradiance Levels Through a Data-Driven Approach

As conventional direct connections of synchronous generators are being phased out, inverter-based resources (IBRs) with grid support functions are increasingly being integrated into power systems. This transition requires the development of accurate dynamic models for IBRs to predict how power systems will adapt to varying levels of IBRs penetration, establish grid code requirements, and ensure compliance. Here, this study introduces an active probing signal-based data-driven modeling technique to accurately derive the dynamics model of a smart photovoltaic inverter operating in Volt-Watt and Freq-Watt modes, in compliance with the IEEE 1547–2018 standard. The paper focuses on investigating how the dynamics of the PV inverter model respond to fluctuations in solar irradiance, utilizing real-time digital simulator experimentation. The experimental analysis demonstrates that the amplitude of dynamics fluctuates with changes in irradiance across both operational modes and confirms the active power’s dependence on irradiance levels. Furthermore, the nature of inverter dynamics varies distinctly between the different modes of activation. Critically, our findings indicate that dynamic models require DC-gain adjustments to accommodate contrasting irradiance levels, highlighting a negative gradient linear relationship between the DC-gain of each model and the irradiance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Developing IEEE Std 2800-Compliant Algorithms for Transmission-Connected Inverter-Based Resources

This study addresses the compliance of Inverter-based Resources (IBRs) with IEEE Standard 2800, a leading standard that defines interconnection and interoperability requirements for IBRs integrated into transmission systems. Focusing on abnormal grid scenarios, the research evaluates the specific demands on IBRs, proposing a controller development framework for abnormal grid conditions. This framework caters to maintaining ride-through operation in line with IEEE Std 2800, alongside managing currents during voltage ride-through scenarios. The effectiveness of this proposed controller framework is rigorously validated through case studies, employing a MATLAB/Simulink model of an IBR to test its performance under diverse grid fault conditions, ensuring the IBRs' alignment with standard requirements and their robust performance in enhancing grid reliability.

grid↗
DOE OSTI2024

Developing IEEE Std 2800-Compliant Algorithms for Transmission-Connected Inverter-Based Resources

This study addresses the compliance of Inverter-based Resources (IBRs) with IEEE Standard 2800, a leading standard that defines interconnection and interoperability requirements for IBRs integrated into transmission systems. Focusing on abnormal grid scenarios, the research evaluates the specific demands on IBRs, proposing a controller development framework for abnormal grid conditions. This framework caters to maintaining ride-through operation in line with IEEE Std 2800, alongside managing currents during voltage ride-through scenarios. The effectiveness of this proposed controller frame-work is rigorously validated through case studies, employing a MATLAB/Simulink model of an IBR to test its performance under diverse grid fault conditions, ensuring the IBRs' alignment with standard requirements and their robust performance in enhancing grid reliability.

IEEE Std 2800↗
DOE OSTI2024

Developing IEEE Std 2800-Compliant Algorithms for Transmission-Connected Inverter-Based Resources: Preprint

This study addresses the compliance of Inverter-based Resources (IBRs) with the IEEE Std 2800, a leading standard that defines interconnection and interoperability requirements for IBRs integrated into transmission systems. Focusing on abnormal grid scenarios, the research evaluates the specific demands on IBRs, proposing a comprehensive controller development framework. This framework caters to maintaining ride-trhough operation or implementing strategic disconnections in line with IEEE Std 2800, alongside managing currents during voltage ride-through scenarios. The effectiveness of this proposed controller framework is rigorously validated through case studies, employing a MATLAB/Simulink model of an IBR to test its performance under diverse grid fault conditions, ensuring the IBRs' alignment with standard requirements and their robust performance in enhancing grid reliability.

IEEE Std 2800↗
DOE OSTI2022

A FAIR-compliant parts catalogue for genome engineering and expression control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The synthetic biology toolkit for baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, includes extensive genome engineering toolkits and parts repositories. However, with the increasing complexity of engineering tasks and versatile applications of this model eukaryote, there is a continued interest to expand and diversify the rational engineering capabilities in this chassis by FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reproducible) compliance. In this study, we designed and characterised 41 synthetic guide RNA sequences to expand the CRISPR-based genome engineering capabilities for easy and efficient replacement of genomically encoded elements. Moreover, we characterize in high temporal resolution 20 native promoters and 18 terminators using fluorescein and LUDOX CL-X as references for GFP expression and OD600 measurements, respectively. Additionally, all data and reported analysis is provided in a publicly accessible jupyter notebook providing a tool for researchers with low-coding skills to further explore the generated data as well as a template for researchers to write their own scripts. We expect the data, parts, and databases associated with this study to support a FAIR-compliant resource for further advancing the engineering of yeasts.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cold-Sprayed NMC622 Composite as a Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The growing demand for high-energy, low-cost lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to power electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates advances in both materials and manufacturing processes. Conventional cathode fabrication methods, such as slurry casting and drying, are energy-intensive and pose challenges for scalability and environmental compliance. In this study, we propose cold-spray (CS) deposition as a solvent-free approach for fabricating LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC622) composite cathodes. Powder blends of NMC622, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and carbon black (CB) are directly deposited onto stainless steel and Inconel substrates under varied gas temperatures, pressures (and thus velocities), and standoff distances. The effects of temperature on the deposit morphology, coating density, and volume are systematically investigated. Computational fluid dynamics simulations reveal that increasing the gas temperature enhances the particle velocity, narrows the spray angle, and reduces the mass concentration radially at the nozzle outlet. CS deposition results in a dense cathode microstructure, accompanied by fracture in polycrystalline NMC622 particles. X-ray diffraction analysis further verifies that there are no phase changes during the deposition process. The electrochemical performance of the cold-sprayed cathodes reveals an initial capacity of approximately 96 mAh g –1 for single-crystal NMC622 and 167 mAh g –1 for polycrystalline NMC622. While these values are modest compared to state-of-the-art slurry-cast cathodes, which typically exhibit 180–200 mAh g –1 under optimized conditions. The results demonstrate a competitive performance given the solvent-free nature of the CS process and compare favorably with tape-cast samples made from identical feedstock. In conclusion, he CS process enables the formation of dense, binder-integrated cathode coatings without the need for solvent processing, offering a promising pathway for scalable, energy-efficient dry electrode manufacturing of next-generation LIBs.

Batteries↗
DOE OSTI2021

Search for Infrasound Signals in InSight Data Using Coupled Pressure/Ground Deformation Methods

The unprecedented quality and sampling rate of seismometer and pressure sensors of the InSight Mars mission allow us to investigate infrasound through its pressure and ground deformation signals. This study focuses on compliance effects induced by acoustic waves propagating almost horizontally close to the surface. The compliance of acoustic waves is first estimated using the compliance estimates from pressure perturbations moving at wind speed. Then, a marker of compliance events is used to detect events of ground deformation induced by pressure variations, in three frequency bands from 0.4 to 3.2 Hz, from InSight sol 180 to 690. Additional selection criteria are imposed on the detected events to focus on acoustic waves and to remove various noise sources (e.g., wind effects or seismometer artifacts). After an automated selection, the visual inspection of the records allows us to validate two infrasound candidates that cannot be related to pressure perturbations moving at wind speed nor to known noise sources. For our highest quality infrasound candidate, the relation between this event and a convective vortex occuring 10 s later is tested. The azimuth of the vortex position at the time of infrasound detection is not consistent with the arrival azimuth of the suspected infrasound inferred from the polarization of seismometer records, thus the link between these two phenomena cannot be demonstrated. Further investigations would require a better understanding of wind-related noise impacting InSight sensors and of the effects of lateral variations of subsurface mechanical properties on the ground deformations induced by atmospheric pressure variations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Towards Development of a Conceptual Model for Mercury in Bear Creek, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (FY23 Update)

Mercury concentrations in fish in Bear Creek are elevated and comparable to concentrations seen in fish in East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) on the Oak Ridge Reservation, even though aqueous inorganic mercury concentrations are orders of magnitude lower in Bear Creek than in EFPC. Acknowledging that the relationship between aqueous and fish tissue mercury concentrations is not linear, and that methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations are likely more related to fish tissue concentrations than aqueous total mercury (Hg T ) concentrations, MeHg production is not easily predicted or controlled. In Bear Creek, where aqueous Hg T concentrations are low, factors other than mercury loading drive the transformation of mercury to MeHg and subsequent trophic transfer to fish. Initial development of a waste disposal facility (Environmental Management Disposal Facility; EMDF) in Bear Creek Valley has begun, and operation of the EMDF has the potential to increase mercury inputs to Bear Creek. Consequently, understanding the factors contributing to elevated MeHg concentrations in water and fish in Bear Creek has increased relevance and importance. This report summarizes data from recent and historical compliance and investigatory studies with an eye toward building a conceptual model to understand the processes affecting mercury transport and transformation in the Bear Creek watershed, as well as to highlight key knowledge gaps in our understanding of these processes that warrant further investigation. The conceptual model will provide a strong technical basis for prioritizing and optimizing potential mitigation actions or best management practices to minimize potential negative effects of the EMDF related to mercury in Bear Creek.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗