DRI’S ENERGY RELATED PROJECTS

Alan W. Gertler, DRI

Outline

Areas of expertise/rationale

Clean Technologies and Renewable Energy Center (CTREC)

Examples of our research activities

Focal Areas Biomass/Biofuels Wind, Solar, and Geothermal Resource Assessment and

Identification Technology Development and Assessment Alternative Fuels Energy Conservation Education/Workforce Development

Natural extension of DRI’s fundamental research in atmospheric, hydrologic, and earth and ecosystem sciences Key approach to mitigating current environmental issues Addresses the benefits and limitations of renewable energy

systems Considers the impact of RE impacts on the environment

CTREC: Clean Technology and Renewable Energy Center

Provides an organizational umbrella under which all of DRI’s renewable energy research, education, and outreach activities are conducted.

Facilitates interdisciplinary research across DRI’s three divisions and through collaborations with other organizations.

Fosters development of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research teams Explore emerging areas in renewable energy Development and application of clean technologies

Serves as a neutral forum to scientifically assess renewable energy and clean technology initiatives.

Research Examples

Preparation of Renewable Solid Fuels by Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) (1)

Objectives: Convert biomass into

bio-coal (green-coal) Enable handling of non-

homogeneous biomass feedstocks.

Increase the energy density of all feedstocks.

Improve storage stability and logistics of delivery.

Joint research with GTI & UNR

Selected HTC Results (2)

Key findings: Woody feedstocks can be

converted to hydrochar having energy content equivalent to low-grade coal.

Herbaceous feedstocks are more difficult to upgrade.

Hydrochar products can be pelletized for convenient storage and transport.

Material can be used directly for co-firing with coal.

Algal-Based Fuels (1)

Objectives included: Develop new analytical methods to

provide rapid, direct characterization of triglycerides in algal samples.

Create a culture collection of indigenous microalgae.

Investigate important parameters (light, temperature, nutrients, etc.) affecting algal growth rates and compositions.

Investigate improved production methodologies for biodiesel from algal feedstocks.

Joint research with UNR

Algal-Based Fuels (2)

Key findings: Algal lipid contents increased under

limited nutrient conditions. An indigenous microalgae culture

collection was established. Algal species were shown to grow

successfully using wastewater centrate as the nutrient source.

Developed catalysts to promote synthesis of biodiesel fuel.

Using LCA, the direct use of algae as a fuel for co-firing was determined to be feasible.

Thermophilic Cellulolytic Microbes (1)

Objectives: Developing a method

for production of “second-generation” biofuels.

Isolation and characterization of cellulolytic thermophiles from Great Basin hotsprings.

Characterization of thermostable cellulases genes.

Great Boiling Spring, NV

Bio-prospectors

Joint research with UNLV

Thermophilic Cellulolytic Microbes (2)

Key findings: Isolated pure cultures

for conversion of feedstock.

Cultures were able to differentially degrade of feedstocks depending on temperature.

Observed microbial population shifts dependent on feedstock and temperature.

Geothermal Resource Assessment (1)

Objectives: Resource evaluation

Shallow temperature survey Seismic data collection and

analysis Structural analysis

Drilling Two wells ~ 1,300 m to basement Borehole geophysics

Well testing, analysis, and modeling Well testing Geochemical sampling Three-dimensional geologic

framework model Three-dimensional reservoir model

Joint research with UNR

Geothermal Resource Assessment (2)

Key findings Reservoir has high

permeability Connected to faults

associated with the tufa tower

Modeled geological structure

Developed assessment of energy production potential

Relationships Between Regional Heat Flow and Isostatic

Rebound (1)

The spatial pattern of rebound anomalies appears to correlate with the locations of several active geothermal areas.

Objective: Determine if there is a causative relationship between high heat flow and positive rebound anomalies.

Relationships Between Regional Heat Flow and Isostatic Rebound

(2)

Key findings: There is a close

correspondence between some of the high potential areas and positive rebound anomalies.

The areas of highest potential in the Great Basin are larger than have previously been mapped.

Wind Resource Assessment and Forecasting (1)

Nevada’s wind resource is highly spatially variable

Objectives: Improve wind power

density maps at different elevations

Develop methodology for long and short term forecasting to efficiently manage the resource 80m tower near Tonopah

Wind Resource Assessment and Forecasting (2)

Key findings: 20% improvement of wind

maps at 50m Improved wind power density

forecasts High resolution wind forecast

model for western NV Collaborations:

Private sector (multiple) Education and training

(TMCC & UNR)

High – resolution weather forecasting – NV and western U.S.

Effect of Solar Fields onWind and Dust (1)

Dust abatement is a significant issue.

Objectives: Compare wind

characteristics on unmodified landscape to wind characteristics between solar array rows and elements.

Develop strategies to reduce dust generation.

Collaborating with SEMPRA.

Joint research with UNLV

Effect of Solar Fields onWind and Dust (2)

Key outcomes: The surface between

solar panels does not see the “same” wind as unobstructed landscape.

Results will directly impact cost of operating solar facility by providing a more realistic estimate of true dust control needs.

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DRI’s Renewable Energy Experimental Facility (REEF)(1)

Objectives: Grow DRI’s capabilities and

expertise in areas of RE research, development, demonstration, and deployment.

Provide “test-bed” for integrating and evaluating performance of renewable energy components.

Promote collaboration with private sector developers of RE systems.

Provide large space for “pilot-scale” experimental work.

REEF Selected Results (2)

Key results: REEF House has capability of

operating “off-grid”. Power demands of REEF house are

satisfied primarily by solar PV. When available, excess renewable

power is stored in the form of H2

Performance of different solar thermal systems being evaluated/compared.

Complete HVAC needs of REEF house are being met by solar thermal systems.

REEF Workshop is being used to conduct larger-scale biomass work

New and Alternative Fuels (1)

Objectives Evaluate feasibility

of using hydrogen as a transportation fuel.

Assess impact on vehicle performance and emissions.

New and Alternative Fuels (2)

Key findings; Able to use existing

vehicle technology with minimal modification.

Increased performance

Reduced CO2, NOx, and CO emissions.

Increased HC emissions.

Energy Audits (1)

Objectives: Develop capabilities to

perform reliable energy audits.

Promote energy education and outreach activities by involvement of students and the public.

Explore the possibility of establishing a business enterprise at DRI.

Energy Audits (2)

Key results: Standard methods have

been developed to conduct and document residential energy audits.

Methods have been extended to conduct energy audits of small rural businesses.

Capability for residential and commercial audits.

Technology Spinoffs (1)

Biologics are expensive to produce and are inefficient under bioreactor and bio-industrial conditions.

Developed a computational and laboratory screening platform to increase significantly the efficiency of re-engineering biologics under user-specified reaction conditions.

Designing a more efficient, low pH stable cellulase.

A synthetic biology company born from DRI / University of Delaware

Research

Technology Spinoffs (2)

Created energy management software that determines how energy is used throughout a building.

Operates using only one circuit.

SBIR2 funding.

GreenPower Sponsored by NV Energy and

the Robert S. and Dorothy J. Keyser Foundation.

K-12 statewide program with 104 schools currently participating

Supports educators in teaching students about renewable energy, conservation, and sustainability

Educators also receive a variety of professional development options.

Workforce Development

Online Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Joint effort led by UNR Designed for practicing

engineers, business staff or managers, government regulators, and others impacted by renewable energy policies and practices

12-credit online certificate Courses are multi-

disciplinary