Advanced Reactors
PNNL conducts research and development to support the commercialization and licensing of advanced nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors. Small modular reactors and other advanced reactors are expected to reduce economic, security, technical, perceived safety, and regulatory barriers to the accelerated establishment in the U.S. of the next generation of nuclear power.
Grid Energy Storage
Redox. Vanadium. When combined with “batteries,” these highly technical words describe an equally daunting goal: development of energy storage technologies to support the nation’s power grid. Energy storage neatly balances electricity supply and demand. Renewable energy, like wind and solar, can at times exceed demand. Energy storage systems can store that excess energy until electricity production drops and the energy can be deposited back to the power grid.
Tethys Tackles Downscaling Challenge for Regional Water Withdrawals
Open-source tool helps connect high-resolution sectoral models and broader integrated human-Earth system models.
Analysis of Urban Teleconnections Reveals Wide Disparities in Potential Drinking Water Contamination
A multisectoral analysis that combines land use data with hydrological simulations reveals wide disparities in potential source water contamination.
Evaluating the Economic Impact of Water Scarcity in a Changing World
Calculating the multi-region and multisector effects of water scarcity for thousands of possible future socioeconomic, climate, and hydrologic scenarios.
Human–Earth Interactions Researchers Set Vision for 2030
To improve the study of human-Earth interactions, a 10-year vision report by the MultiSector Dynamics community of practice encourages the use of emerging human systems datasets, embedded intelligence in modeling, and workforce diversity.
Cheryn Metzger
Cheryn Metzger leads teams of researchers working in both residential and commercial buildings, focused on solutions that respond directly to end-user needs. She is the residential and commercial buildings sub-sector program manager.
Building-Grid Integration
PNNL develops new concepts and technologies that connect buildings and the power grid for a better energy future.
Aviation Biofuels
PNNL partners with industry to develop high-quality jet fuel from ethanol that helps power commercial aviation.
Algal Biofuels
PNNL is investigating growth and productivity conditions for multiple algae strains that show promise for conversion to biofuels that power transportation.