Alternative Energy Emerging Fuels and Educational Programs for a

Alternative Energy, Emerging Fuels and Educational Programs for a Secure Future Federal Lab Consortium Mid-Continent and Far West Regions Annual Meeting September 10, 2008 Jeffrey Smith, Ph. D. Entrepreneurial Initiatives Division NASA Ames Research Center Established in 1939 1800 Acres Research & Technology Development - Earth Life Space Sciences Earth-Life-Space - Computer systems - Aeronautics Astrobiology and Lunar Science Institutes Science Missions Exploration Systems Small Satellites Wind Tunnels Thermal Protection Systems Innovative Collaborations 2300 Employees $600+ M Annual Budget 1 Goal: The Greenspace initiative was established to align Ames’ green activities with NASA Missions and other NASA centers by providing strategy integration and implementation support for the strategy, diverse portfolio of green projects and initiatives across Ames Focus Areas Global Monitoring and Prediction Develop novel sensing technologies and models for regional climate impact analysis and to inform policy decisions on environmental issues Green Aviation Activities to improve aircraft fuel efficiency, develop more efficient air traffic control, and pioneer new technologies to reach a carbon-neutral future of air transportation Clean Energy Develop dual use energy technologies for NASA missions that also help transition America away from greenhouse gas producing fuels Sustainable Systems Upgrade NASA infrastructure to improve stewardship of environmental resources Algal Biofuels Research for Clean Energy Applications Space-based Benefits of Algae for NASA • Air revitalization: – CO2/t /trace contaminant removal t i t l – O2 production • Food productions: human/aquaculture feed • Water treatment: silica/nutrient removal • Other products: biofuels, hydrogen, methane Benefits Here on Earth • Biofuels for transportation – Reduce dependency on foreign oil – Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions • Technology to reduce CO2 emissions 2 Biofuels Research Activities Today at NASA Ames Algae Growth and Manipulation: • Photobioreactor research and development • Microsatellites with algae in space • algae from extreme environments • algae communities research • algae characterization and strain selection Biofuels • Lipid extraction and analyses • Rosettazymes Research to improve cellulose to glucose to fuels process Systems Engineering • Analysis of requirements for complex systems • Capability to technically facilitate and integrate the development of different algal processes into a single system • Ecosystem impacts; sustainability assessments Solar Energy Research Activities Today at NASA Ames Technology Highlights • Novel electrode designs for enhancement of DC p plasma discharges for controlled nanomaterial g synthesis • Solar hydrogen generator with central photolysis core and chamber at the focus of a concentrator • Solar experiment alignment system • Embedded carbon nanotube array as high performance thermal conductors • Nanoengineered thermal materials based on carbon nanotube array composites • New deposition technique & anti reflection coating for solar cells By pushing the limits of solar energy technology for spacebased applications, NASA research also provides Earth-based benefit, helping to diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, improve our air quality, and offset greenhouse gas emissions 3 Clean Energy Partnerships at the NASA Research Park Makani Power, LLC: developer of wind energy systems Unimodal S t U i d l Systems, LLC: LLC developing SkyTran, a solarpowered high-speed personal rapid transit (PRT) system SolFocus, Inc.: development of advanced solar concentrator and solar thermal systems Bloom Energy, Inc : goal is to Energy Inc.: make clean reliable fuel cell-based energy affordable Spatial Ops. Inc.: Will provide accrediting services for the carbon trading markets 1993 - Solar Water Heater 1994 - Flexible Solar Cells 1994 - Oil Spill Cleanup 1995 - Commercial Earth Observation Human Spaceflight Pushes the Limits of Sustainable Systems 1996 - Energy Storage System creating a technology cycle with benefits back home 1997 - Automated Pollution Control 1997 - Contaminant Monitor Laser Technology Cycle ISS 1997 - Monitoring Earth's Ecosystems & Atmosphere 1997 - Tire Recycling Moon 1999 - Fuel Cells for Society 2000 - Earth Science Goes E-Commerce Spacewalk 2000 - Cleaner Landfills 2002 - Powering the Future 2002 - Shedding Life on Solar Power 2002 - Pure Water From a Pure Genius 2003 - Putting Fuel Cells to the Test 2003 - Solar-Powered Refrigeration 2004 - Water Treatment Systems 2004 - Home Heating/Cooling Efficiency g g y 2005 - Hydrogen Sensors Boost Hybrids 2005 - Harnessing the Power of the Sun Technology 2005 - Restoring Contaminated Grounds Recycle 2005 - Utilizing Waste Energy 2006 - Validating Remote Ocean Imaging 2006 - Plastic Film Creates Solar Energy Mars 2006 - PRP: Cleaning Up Oil Spills 2007 - Map, Monitor, Manage Earth Resources 2007 - Sensor Network Provides Environmental Data 4 Sustainable Systems: Exploration Life Support Developing systems that minimize/eliminate waste and maximize self-sufficiency – Air Revitalization › Regenerable, low power CO2 capture, separation, compression and storage systems › Air contaminant removal systems – Water Recovery › Extremely low power, regenerative wastewater-topotable water processing systems › Contingency water purification – portable, no power required – Waste Recovery › Waste minimization and safening › Conversion to valuable products (e.g., H2O, CO2, H2, fuels, nutrients/soil, building materials, activated charcoal) Sustainable Systems: Efficient Use of Resources • Systems Engineering for Sustainability – Systems Analyses/Trade Studies › Management of complex, large-scale systems – On-Line Project Information System (OPIS) › Collects/disseminates critical project and technology data required for integration of complex systems • Future Environmental Life Support – Green Synergies – CO2 conversion/sequestration technologies – Advanced technologies for complete H2O recycle Lo s t A /L A ir CO 2 E VA P res. Reg. F ood Spent H2O CO 2 O2 O 2 / N 2 P ressure Regulator O 2/N2 AIR . O2 / N2 Storage FOO D . H 2O Grey W ater C O 2 R e m o val A /L Air S ave Pum p EMU D rin k H 2O O 2/N 2 Food Preparation Food & W ater Heat F oo d E M U C o o lin g H 2 O Food Storage Dry Crops E M U S o lid W a ste – Closing materials/food production loops – Biofuels produced from algae and lignocellulose – Systems engineering for sustainable Earth systems H 2O EVA SUPPORT O2 F oo d W a ste CO 2 Food W as te / Trash Crew Cabin Crop Dryer H 2O HUMAN ACCO MMODATIONS Detergent Grey W ater H 2O ? MCA A ir 4BMS Air THERMAL . AAA TCS W orking F luid Loops Heat Air E d ib le B io m a s s H E PA TC CS ( Cat. Ox.) Laundry Clothing H2 O Grey W ater H 2O Hygiene A ir H 2O FDS CO2 Heat A ir To TCS Fluid Loops Urine Feces F eces Fecal Storage Grey W ater Cond. T ank H 2O Cond. HX Urinal Urine Commode Hum an W aste Inedible B iom ass Cond. HX C ond. T an k H 2O Incinerator Exhaus t O2 W W Tank G rey W ater RO B rine RO G rey W ater N utrient Solution T ank Salt / A cid Hydroponic Solution CO2 O2 To TCS F luid Loops CO 2 Ash Heat Dry Biom as s MCV H 2O H 2O PCW QM H 2O Plant Chamber H 2O H 2O O 2 from Cabin O2 Sc rubber Cond. HX H 2O A ir Air W a s te D ry er C om p ac tor C on d . T ank Solid W aste Storage W ASTE H 2O Potable H 2O P roduct Tank APCOS H 2O S o lid W a ste D ry B iom a s s W ATER . BIOMASS. O2 To TCS Fluid Loops 5 Ames Green Building Designed for a Sustainable Future Exceed LEEDS Silver with plan for LEEDS Gold or even LEEDS Platinum Create a highly flexible, collaborative and supportive work environment with community spaces, operational flexibility, daylight & views, fresh air, user control, healthy materials Reduce energy demand through natural ventilation, daylighting in connection, intelligent control systems connected to the building monitoring system and use of renewable energy resources on-site and off-site Reduce, reclaim and re-use water with high performance fixtures, gray water capture systems, rainwater capture systems, on-site black water treatment, connections to local non-potable sources and intelligent landscape design Provide a sustainable landscape with native and drought tolerant plant palette, drip irrigation tied to building gray water and rainwater harvesting systems and include water cleansing zones designed as features in the landscape Ames Green Building: Sustainability Goals 6 Environmental Management for Sustainability • Bioremediation analysis: identification of the mix of microorganisms and substrates that will reduce the remaining levels of solvents and other chemicals for proactive risk g policy ( y (14CFR mitigation consistent with NASA environmental p 1216.1). • Air Sparge Curtain to mitigate ground water spread of trichloroethylene soil and groundwater contamination source. NASA Environmental Compliance and Restoration funding for the Air Sparge Curtain will help sustain and eventually improve groundwater quality. • Plant Conservation Alliance to promote native plants and discourage invasive weed species. Meeting Executive Order 13423 goals to reduce pesticide, herbicide fertilizer water fuel pesticide herbicide, fertilizer, water, use, and employee exposure. Demonstration garden met USEPA National Performance Track 2006-2009 goal. • South Bay Salt Marsh Restoration Project: negotiating for acquisition of the Northern Channel for Center storm water management, Compliments Corps of Engineers Shoreline Study and provides consideration of flood control to benefit Ames. Water reclamation and Conservation • Ames total potable water use 300 M gal/yr • Irrigation use 100 M gal/yr • Wastewater discharge 200 M gal/yr • Project initiated to use reclaimed water for landscape irrigation in Ames Ames’ northeast sector • Wind Tunnel and Arcjet Cooling towers use ~ 5 M gal • E.O. 13423 sets new baseline and goals for water conservation Ames water treatment plant 7 Summary of Ames’ Greenspace Strengths • Environmentally committed community, culture, history, workforce, work-groups (GREEN Team, 510nm Team, Greenspace) • L Local private capital investments over past year clean-tech deals were $1B in Silicon l i i li Valley. State investments in green technology were $1.8B • Focal areas aligned with NASA missions and Ames unique capabilities – Global Monitoring and Prediction – Green Aviation – Clean Energy – Sustainable Systems • Strong Ames achievements in renewable energy and sustainability R&D – Algae and cellulosic biofuels research for Earth and space application – Solar energy research for space systems and to help reach energy independence here at home – Spacecraft regenerative life support provides basis for sustainability and recycling applications. – 1800 acre Moffett Field site provides opportunities for new environmental management methods • Ames strengths in innovation via multidisciplinary and multiorganizational integration particularly relevant to ‘green’ solutions 8