Department Of Energy Resources Research Articles

Lamet formulas applicability in the conditions of specialized repair enterprises of the agriculture-industrial complex

The basis of automotive equipment used in agricultural enterprises are tractors, cars and self-propelled combines. They are equipped with internal combustion engines, the design feature of which is the presence of replaceable, so-called “wet” cylinder liners. Nevertheless, engines with an integral cylinder block design have also found applications at the enterprises of the agriculture-industrial complex. It is important to develop a mathematical model that allows calculating the force of pressing the sleeve into the block, while designing the technological process of cylinder block linings for such engines. Regarding this, the Department of energy resources and technical services in Vologda State Dairy Academy Named after N. V. Vereshchagin conducted an experiment, which is based on force measurement for press fitting the sleeve into the engine block and comparison of the measurement results with the results of theoretical calculations according to Lamet formulas. Relying on the results of the experiment, the method (Lamet formula) is deemed to be applicable to determine the force of pressing the sleeve into the engine cylinder block with optimal tension, which is valid for thick-walled cylinders.

An Introduction to the E3SM Special Collection: Goals, Science Drivers, Development, and Analysis

AbstractSupported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) project aims to optimize the use of DOE resources to address the grand challenge of actionable predictions of Earth system variability and change. This requires sustained advancement to (1) integrate model development with leading‐edge computational advances toward ultra‐high‐resolution modeling; (2) represent the coupled human‐Earth system to address energy sector vulnerability to variability and change; and (3) address uncertainty in model simulations and projections. Scientific development of the E3SM modeling system is driven by the simulation requirements in three overarching science areas centering on understanding the Earth's water cycle, biogeochemistry, and cryosphere systems and their future changes. This paper serves as an introduction to the E3SM special collection, which includes 50 papers published in several AGU journals. It provides an overview of the E3SM project, including its goals and science drivers. It also provides a brief history of the development of E3SM version 1 and highlights some key findings from papers included in the special collection.

Ensuring technical competency for management of research-focused organizations

Does a national research-focused organization need a technically competent leader? This study provides preliminary answers to that question using a natural experiment underway at the Department of Energy (DOE): a leader with significant high-level management experience superior to that of his predecessors, but no relevant technical experience was appointed to run the vast scientific research operation. The following hypothesis is proposed: A major risk of allowing technically-unqualified leadership is that an amateur can be more easily manipulated by special interests against the best interests of the nation. The hypothesis is tested by technically analyzing three case studies on proposals from the Secretary of Energy. The results show 1) requests for budget cuts undermining DOE's mission, 2) requests for redundant studies wasting DOE resources, and 3) counter-productive recommendations derived from a misrepresentation of the studies' results, which indicate technical competence is important for DOE leadership. These preliminary results indicate technical competency is important for leaders running organizations that oversee research. Finally, a potential policy safe guard to the risks of extreme technical incompetence is provided, which can be applied to either independent- or politically-appointed bureaucrats.

System Dynamics Modeling of the Massachusetts SREC Market

As states across the country struggle to increase local development of renewable energy, policymakers are turning to innovative program designs to meet their renewable electricity targets. Massachusetts recently adopted a unique, auction-based price support mechanism for the solar portion of its renewable portfolio standard. During the program development process, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) used system dynamics to simulate potential solar renewable energy certificate market conditions under the proposed regulations. The modeling exercise resulted in several program design changes that will lead to a more stable certificate market. System dynamics can be a useful tool for developing and improving sustainability programs.