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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
NASA NTRS2022

Environmental Justice Needs Assessment for Disasters: Assessing the Landscape and Capacity of Organizations & Communities Working Towards Environmental Justice with Potential to Use NASA Earth Observations to Support Equitable Disaster Management and Risk Reduction

Natural disasters pose an increasing risk to communities worldwide. Marginalized populations, in particular, experience compounding vulnerabilities that contribute to unequal burdens of natural hazards as a result of systemic inequality stemming from historical disenfranchisement, disinvestment, and discriminatory policies such as racial redlining. This project connected with community organizations working at the intersection of environmental justice (EJ) and natural disaster management throughout the United States, to assess how NASA DEVELOP can leverage geospatial science to advance EJ efforts. Our team conducted a landscape analysis, which included a literature review, annotated bibliography, and identification of organizations working in EJ and disasters. We engaged EJ organizations in discussions to understand their current resources, challenges, and geospatial needs to inform how DEVELOP and NASA Applied Sciences can support their EJ and disaster work. Findings were compiled in a synthesis report and visualized in an ArcGIS StoryMap to showcase the work of EJ organizations, provide geospatial resources for them to explore, and provide examples of how remote sensing can be utilized in EJ and disasters work. The knowledge gained and end products created support the integration of EJ in future DEVELOP projects, and the expanded use of Earth observations by communities in support of a more just tomorrow.

Julianne Liu↗
DOE OSTI2025

Effective Knowledge Dissemination for LMI Solar: The Roles of Community Organizations and State Governments

This report provides a detailed summary of a three-year effort by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) on “Effective Knowledge Dissemination for LMI Solar: The Roles of Community Organizations and State Governments.” The core approach of this project was to work with state energy agencies (SEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to improve their ability to share the knowledge and information that is needed for solar to be developed efficiently, equitably, and cost-effectively in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Comparison of metagenomes from fermentation of various agroindustrial residues suggests a common model of community organization

The liquid residue resulting from various agroindustrial processes is both rich in organic material and an attractive source to produce a variety of chemicals. Using microbial communities to produce chemicals from these liquid residues is an active area of research, but it is unclear how to deploy microbial communities to produce specific products from the different agroindustrial residues. To address this, we fed anaerobic bioreactors one of several agroindustrial residues (carbohydrate-rich lignocellulosic fermentation conversion residue, xylose, dairy manure hydrolysate, ultra-filtered milk permeate, and thin stillage from a starch bioethanol plant) and inoculated them with a microbial community from an acid-phase digester operated at the wastewater treatment plant in Madison, WI, United States. The bioreactors were monitored over a period of months and sampled to assess microbial community composition and extracellular fermentation products. We obtained metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) from the microbial communities in each bioreactor and performed comparative genomic analyses to identify common microorganisms, as well as any community members that were unique to each reactor. Collectively, we obtained a dataset of 217 non-redundant MAGs from these bioreactors. This metagenome assembled genome dataset was used to evaluate whether a specific microbial ecology model in which medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are simultaneously produced from intermediate products (e.g., lactic acid) and carbohydrates could be applicable to all fermentation systems, regardless of the feedstock. MAGs were classified using a multiclass classification machine learning algorithm into three groups, organisms fermenting the carbohydrates to intermediate products, organisms utilizing the intermediate products to produce MCFAs, and organisms producing MCFAs directly from carbohydrates. This analysis revealed common biological functions among the microbial communities in different bioreactors, and although different microorganisms were enriched depending on the agroindustrial residue tested, the results supported the conclusion that the microbial ecology model tested was appropriate to explain the MCFA production potential from all agricultural residues.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Safer Foundation Solar Demands Skill Collaborative

The milestones and accomplishments achieved in Safer’s Solar Demands Skill Training program required a collective effort of stakeholders. The ability to achieve the desired results and impact lives of the population we serve works best when collaborating with community stakeholders such as community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, community activists, local law enforcement, community residents, employers, and elected and appointed officials. We are working harder than ever to place clients in-demand careers and high-growth industry sectors. Our employer engagement with high growth sectors continues to increase, we have been able to deepen our relationships in this space by providing in demand stackable credential training. Launched our initiative in the green job space by partnering with organizations like ComEd, the Department of Energy, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and manufacturers that helped to train clients in the green jobs and renewable energy space. By the end of the year, we will have completed our tenth cohort of photovoltaic solar installation training. The training has been used as a foundation for solar panel installers to acquire new skills in in the green jobs career pathways, such as sales and customer service. It has also served as a pipeline to union-level trade positions through the skills participants obtained through partnership engagement. Safer Foundation's policy and advocacy team plays a major role in expanding opportunities for people with records to over one hundred occupations, including the trades. This reform has allowed many to secure living wage employment, reducing the high recidivism rate within Illinois. Safer continues to build our social enterprise with Reconstructive Technology Partners (RTP). RTP is introducing people with records to the construction trades such as solar, carpentry and electrical through residential remodeling of homes on smaller construction projects. Understanding the need to have a greater community presence, outreach was extended to a boots on the ground model, including, but not limited to door-to-door engagement, DE-EE0008571 Safer Foundation Page 4 of 29 local radio broadcasting and print ads in local newspapers. We continue to seek innovative ways to increase Safer Foundations' presence in the renewable energy space. Outreach efforts gave us an opportunity to share critical reentry information and opportunities about our PV installer program. Giving us reach with local and national audiences alike. We launched a systematic approach to improving client data and client tracking through an evidence-based practices initiative. That implemented an agency wide cross-functional data management system. The system supported our goal of reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations to improve operational processes, program delivery, information sharing, and more. Played a significant part in the success of the solar program. Finally, economists around the nation agree that there is a significant labor shortage. The shortage directly threatens our ability to sustain our economic growth; if employers do not have access to the workers they need, it can lead to a shutdown in the economic recovery. The demand for Safer Foundation services is more important and impactful than ever. We will continue to build upon our 50 years of experience to address the challenges ahead and serve more people in a better way. We are confident we will accomplish beautiful things that benefit everyone involved because together, we are powerful.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

The geographies, typologies, and trends of community-based organizations for solar energy in the United States

Community-based organizations (CBOs)1 play an important role in developing solar energy in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. This article shares the perspectives of CBO leaders in LMI communities, identifies and addresses solar information gaps, and provides recommendations State Energy Agencies and other government leaders can use to better involve CBOs in solar program initiatives. Using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with CBOs from across the United States (US) we develop typologies of CBO structure and function, and determine the primary motivations, challenges, opportunities, and communication barriers CBOs face. We explore the correlation between key typologies such as tenure, staff capacity, population served, organizational structure, and region with the organizational activities performed by solar-related CBOs. CBOs operate in disparate regional political and economic ecologies. Our findings suggest strategies for states to support their engagement in solar-related endeavors, particularly with respect to the dissemination of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Solar for All. Developing policies that encourage CBOs to enter the solar training and installation domains, alongside targeted grants and capacity-building initiatives can help maximize community benefits. Furthermore, states can additionally contribute to the positive trajectory and collaboration between state agencies and CBOs in advancing solar energy adoption by fostering a supportive environment.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Are You Philanthropy-Ready? How to Work with Foundations on Mission-Aligned Community Solar

Community solar is emerging as a popular way to deliver a range of economic and social benefits that go beyond clean energy. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has set a goal for America to deploy enough community solar projects to power the equivalent of five million households by 2025 and create $1 billion in energy bill savings. To reach the goal, DOE has created the Community Power Accelerator, as part of the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP). The Accelerator is an online ecosystem bringing together developers, lenders, foundations, community organizations, and other stakeholders to support the deployment of mission-aligned community solar. The Accelerator is especially focused on projects that deliver "meaningful benefits" to customers and communities, including: access by low- to moderate-income households; greater bill savings; resilience and grid benefits; community ownership; and local workforce development. Many philanthropic organizations are looking at community solar as a way to capture these benefits in their grant-making and investment programs, while also reducing pollution and promoting environmental justice. To help community-based organizations (CBOs), non-profit organizations, and mission-aligned developers seeking philanthropic support, Berkeley Lab and the National Renewable Energy Lab prepared Are You Philanthropy-Ready? How to Work with Foundations on Mission-Aligned Community Solar. The guide provides an overview of how foundations work, gives tips on what they seek in a fundable project, and provides guidance on crafting effective proposals. In short, this guide aims to help the fund-seeker become philanthropy-ready.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Climate warming enhances biodiversity and stability of grassland soil phosphorus-cycling microbial communities

Abstract Climate warming poses significant challenges to global phosphorus sustainability, an essential component of Earth biogeochemistry cycling and water-food-energy nexus. Despite the crucial role of polyphosphate-accumulating organism as key functional microbial agents in phosphorus cycling, the impacts of global climate warming on polyphosphate accumulating organism communities remain largely enigmatic. This study investigates the effects of climate warming on the taxonomic, network, and functional profiles of soil bacterial polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, leveraging fluorescence-activated cell sorting and single-cell Raman spectroscopy. Climate warming enhances both taxonomic and functional biodiversity of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms via biotic interactions and environmental filtering, with observed functionality-biodiversity relationships supporting the functional redundancy theory. Furthermore, polyphosphate-accumulating organism network complexity and stability rise under warming with strengthened positive relationships, supporting stress gradient hypothesis and the belief that complexity begets stability. Finally, polyphosphate-accumulating organisms are significantly correlated to key ecosystem functioning in carbon and phosphorus cycling under warming. Our study suggests that preserving polyphosphate-accumulating organism communities is crucial for maintaining soil ecosystem functioning and sustainable phosphorus management in a warming world and opens avenues for predicting the responses of other functional microbial groups to climate change, beneficially or maliciously.

Environmental Sciences & Ecology↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Energy Topics for Hill District Community Leaders [Slides]

Through Communities LEAP, a community coalition focused on the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh is working with a technical assistance provider network led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The coalition includes community organizations, nonprofits, the city government, and the utility. Technical assistance provides analysis and information to support Hill District stakeholders in their goals to create informed residential energy efficiency and renewable energy transition strategies that improve housing conditions and lower energy bills, incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies into existing, community-driven development efforts, and generate quality local jobs. The Advanced Energy Topics resource is intended to support Hill District community leaders with strategic planning on energy-related topics. The topics included are intended to serve as a technical reference for community leaders to help inform decision-making around energy. The Advanced Energy Topics resource was informed by engagement through the Communities LEAP pilot program with three Hill District Registered Community Organizations: the Hill District Collaborative, the Hill District Consensus Group, and the Hill Community Development Corporation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1972

Community response to aircraft noise.

Organized community resistance to any plan of airport development has become so intense that noise exposure is a primary consideration in plans for new airports, runway extensions, and the introduction of new types of aircraft. Approaches for evaluating the amount of aircraft noise and the annoyance produced by it are discussed. The sociometric studies considered show that fear of crash is the strongest single variable.

Whitten, R. P.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Reactive iron, not fungal community, drives organic carbon oxidation potential in floodplain soils

Wetlands host ∼20% of terrestrial organic carbon and serve as a major sink for atmospheric carbon. Anoxic soils and sediments accrue soil organic carbon (SOC) partly by hampering the activity of extracellular oxidative enzymes that break down phenolic polymers. Upon aeration, fungal-driven oxidative enzymatic depolymerization and microbial respiration of released monomers ensue. Redox-active metals can simultaneously catalyze abiotic nonspecific oxidation of SOC, notable examples including Mn(III) or Fe(II) through Fenton-like, hydrogen peroxide-catalyzed oxidative radical production. However, the extent of reactive metal contributions to biotic and abiotic SOC degradation is not understood in the context of natural environments with diverse redox chemistry. We tested the relative contributions of fungi, Mn(III) and Fe(II) to phenolic substrate (L-DOPA) oxidation in floodplain soils representing a range of transient redox conditions driven by permanent vs. periodic flooding. Phenol oxidative potential was highest in permanently flooded soils with fewer fungal taxa known for observed (per)oxidase activity and instead correlated with HCl-extractable Fe(II), Fe(total) and Fe(II)/Fe(total), suggesting a specific role of Fe(II). Fe(II) additions enhanced phenol oxidative potential in sterilized and non-sterilized soils in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, indicating abiotic Fe-mediated radical chemistry could significantly enhance wetland SOC oxidative depolymerization throughout redox-active floodplain soils. Fungal community composition did not correlate to phenol oxidative potential overall and only more oxic soils adjacent to the river with diverse fungal communities showed declining oxidative potential after sterilization. Mn(III) addition did not significantly enhance phenol oxidative potential across all soils, although it appeared to drive fungal-mediated oxidative potential in the most aerated floodplain soils. Understanding how metals mediate SOC depolymerization as abiotic oxidants or microbially-harnessed enzyme cofactors and substrates in soils under variable hydrologic controls will improve our ability to represent depolymerization in terrestrial carbon models in wetland and other frequently saturated soils.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) Handbook: CHIRP Program Document 2026

The Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP) handbook outlines a comprehensive framework designed to advance space cybersecurity education, workforce development, recruitment efforts for United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of the Airforce, and foster students’ professional growth. It provides an overview of CHIRP's objectives and strategic focus, establishing the foundation for participant engagement through a network of collaborations with academic institutions, contracted industry partners, training and certification organizations, federal agencies, and community organizations. It states a clear participation strategy for SSC and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for program execution and successful support for student transition to a career in space cybersecurity.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2026

Lahaina Energy Partnership: Technical Assistance Task Updates and Discussion Part 2

The Lahaina Energy Partnership (LEP) is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to support energy planning and rebuilding efforts in Hawaii's historic town of Lahaina on Maui as the community recovers from a devastating fire on August 8, 2023, with technical assistance provided by the National Laboratory of the Rockies. NLR has partnered with Hawaii-based community organizations to engage with Lahaina the community on energy priorities and inform the technical assistance scope. This virtual workshop presentation is the second in a two-part series to provide progress updates and request community input to guide next steps. Workshop 1 on November 18 focused on hydropower resource potential, building energy modeling, and workforce development. Workshop 2 on December 11 (this presentation) will focus on microgrids, electric grid hardening, policy and regulation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Lahaina Energy Partnership: Technical Assistance Task Updates and Discussion Part 1 [Slides]

The Lahaina Energy Partnership (LEP) is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to support energy planning and rebuilding efforts in Hawaii's historic town of Lahaina on Maui as the community recovers from a devastating fire on August 8, 2023, with technical assistance provided by the National Laboratory of the Rockies. NLR has partnered with Hawaii-based community organizations to engage with Lahaina the community on energy priorities and inform the technical assistance scope. This virtual workshop presentation is the first in a two-part series to provide progress updates and request community input to guide next steps. Workshop 1 on November 18 (this presentation) will focus on Hydropower resource potential, building energy modeling, workforce development. Workshop 2 on December 11 (presentation forthcoming) will focus on microgrids, electric grid hardening, policy and regulation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2003

Aerospace Workforce Development: The Nebraska Proposal; and Native View Connections: A Multi-Consortium Workforce Development Proposal

The NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium (NSGC) continues to recognize the necessity of increasing the quantity and quality of highly skilled graduates and faculty involved with NASA. Through NASA Workforce Development funds awarded in 2002, NSGC spearheaded customer- focused workforce training and higher education, industry and community partnerships that are significantly impacting the state s workforce in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competencies. NSGC proposes to build upon these accomplishments to meet the steadily increasing demand for STEM skills and to safeguard minority representation in these disciplines. A wide range of workforce development activities target NASA s need to establish stronger connections among higher education, industry, and community organizations. Participation in the National Student Satellite Program (NSSP), Community Internship Program, and Nebraska Science and Technology Recruitment Fair will extend the pipeline of employees benefiting NASA as well as Nebraska. The diversity component of this proposal catapults from the exceptional reputation NSGC has built by delivering geospatial science experiences to Nebraska s Native Americans. For 6 years, NSGC has fostered and sustained partnerships with the 2 tribal colleges and 4 reservation school districts in Nebraska to foster aeronautics education and outreach. This program, the Nebraska Native American Outreach Program (NNAOP), has grown to incorporate more than educational institutions and is now a partnership among tribal community leaders, academia, tribal schools, and industry. The content focus has broadened from aeronautics in the school systems to aerospace technology and earth science applications in tribal community decision-making and workforce training on the reservations. To date, participants include faculty and staff at 4 Nebraska tribal schools, 2 tribal colleges, approximately 1,000 Native American youth, and over 1,200 community members. This Native American Initiative of the NSGC addresses Nebraska workforce development and serves as a model to others. Following a structured evaluation process, NSGC proposes to sustain delivery of the training funded by NASA in 2002 to tribal entities through partnerships linking academic programs and industry leaders.

Bowen, Brent D.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Cali Urban Development II: Investigating the Impacts of Land Use Change on Urban Heat and Social Vulnerability in Cali, Colombia

The surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect is an environmental phenomenon resulting in cities with higher temperatures than rural areas due to increased pavement and decreased cooling from vegetation. The city of Santiago de Cali in Colombia faces SUHI challenges exacerbated by land use change. The Cali municipal government agency, Departamento Administrativo de Gestión del Medio Ambiente, and the community organization Fundacion Dinamizadores Ambientales partnered with NASA DEVELOP to evaluate communities in Cali most vulnerable to urban heat. This project illustrated the utility of using NASA Earth observations to evaluate the relationship between land use, temperature, and social factors in Cali, Colombia between 2013 and 2023. The team used Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), and Landsat 9 OLI-2/TIRS-2 to generate land surface temperature (LST) maps in Google Earth Engine through NASA DEVELOP’s Urban Heat Exposure Assessment Tempe 2.0 tool. Cloud cover limited the project feasibility, but it improved with Landsat 9 data. In ArcGIS Pro, the team found that LST was significantly higher in urban areas than in wetlands or forests. Using R Studio, the team ran a principal component analysis and found that health care and green space access were negatively correlated, and Afro-Colombian ethnicity was positively correlated with LST. With knowledge of the most impacted and vulnerable regions, the partner organizations can prioritize establishing healthcare facilities and green spaces in those areas to reduce the impacts of urban heat.

vegetation loss↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Investigating the Impacts of Land Use Change on Urban Heat and Vulnerability in Cali, Columbia

The urban heat island effect (UHI) is an environmental phenomenon where cities experience higher temperatures than rural areas due to increased pavement and decreased cooling from vegetation. Approximately 76% of people in Colombia live in urban areas, and the city of Santiago de Cali is facing UHI challenges exacerbated by land use change. Wetlands and forests formerly surrounded the city but were replaced by development and agriculture. The Colombian municipal government agency Departamento Administrativo de Gestión del Medio Ambiente and the community organization Fundacion Dinamizadores Ambientales partnered with NASA DEVELOP to evaluate communities in Cali most vulnerable to urban heat. This project illustrated the utility of using NASA Earth observations to evaluate the relationship between land use, temperature, and social factors in Cali, Colombia between 2013 and 2023. The team used Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), and Landsat 9 OLI-2/TIRS-2 to generate land surface temperature (LST), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and albedo maps in Google Earth Engine. Heavy cloud cover limited the accuracy of the LST but incorporating up to three satellites for a median image reduced potential errors. Through further analysis in ArcGIS Pro, the team classified land use change using a deep learning model and found that LST was significantly higher in urban areas than in wetlands or forests. Using R studio, the team ran a principal component analysis to determine which social factors had the strongest correlation with LST. The team found that health care and green space access were negatively correlated, and Afro-Colombian ethnicity was positively correlated with LST. With awareness of the most impacted and vulnerable regions, the partner organizations can work to prioritize green space establishment in those areas to reduce the impacts of urban heat. Addressing the urban heat island effect will reduce environmental justice concerns within the city and improve overall health, air, and water quality for those who live there.

Brenna Bruffey↗
DOE OSTI2023

Collaborating with Utilities to Meet Underserved Community Needs: A Guide to Equitable Commercial Solar and Solar + Storage Deployment

Communities of color and low-income populations dedicate a disproportionate amount of their income to pay for energy. They also experience more frequent and prolonged service disruptions, impacting community health and safety. When designed correctly, commercial solar + storage installations have the potential to ameliorate these issues. However, utility programs created to support such installations are frequently underutilized because communities often lack the time and resources needed to access them. Further, historically, few utilities have had the motivation and incentives or experience to account for this barrier. RMI provided process support to Solar Energy Innovation Network teams, and described their experiences in accessing these clean energy resources to support historically underserved communities in our latest report. The report also outlines the roles of key stakeholders (e.g., utilities, building owners, and community organizations) in supporting program delivery and recommended practices to collaborate to meet community needs. The report focuses on commercial solar and solar + storage resources, including solar + storage microgrids. These technologies can offer benefits to communities who do not own their own properties. When designed to act as a "resilience hub," they can also support communities in times of electricity disruption. The report includes a step-by-step guide to collaborating with utilities to implement programs for historically underserved customers. Utilities can support these projects with financing assistance, modernized rate designs, and, in the deployment phase, technical assistance for system design and interconnection.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗