Risk analysis on the plutonium-fueled power system that supplies electricity to the Mars rover answered the “what if” nuclear safety questions for NASA.
A recent edition of the Infrastructure Resilience Research Group Journal featured an article written by PNNL researchers Rob Siefken and Jake Burns about “Design Basis Threat and the Low Threat Environment.”
As a physicist at PNNL, Jon Burnett’s work is about developing instruments to detect ultra-trace radionuclide signatures, analyze samples from around the world to look for evidence of nuclear explosions, and then interpret that information.
PNNL has published a report that sets the foundation for modeling gaps and technical challenges in optimizing hydropower operations for both energy production and water management.
PNNL researchers say that offshore wind energy can add value to the electric grid, beyond just the power it can produce, if locations and strategies are optimized.
PNNL’s longstanding grid and buildings capabilities are driving two projects that test transactive energy concepts on a grand scale and lay the groundwork for a more efficient U.S. energy system.
PNNL is one of the collaborating partners on a new grid-scale solar and energy storage installation near the PNNL campus in a project led by Energy Northwest.
A new PNNL report says the western U.S. power system can handle large-scale vehicle electrification up to 24 million vehicles through 2028, but more than that and cities could start feeling the squeeze.
Their consistency and predictability makes tidal energy attractive, not only as a source of electricity but, potentially, as a mechanism to provide reliability and resilience to regional or local power grids.