Abstract: The experiment from which benchmark specifications of "Lady Godiva" were derived consisted of nested hemispheres forming a bare sphere of highly enriched uranium (HEU). That experiment was performed in the early 1950s and the critical configuration was later (1995) evaluated and published in the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments. The benchmark eigenvalue is reported as 1.000 ± 0.001, which is representative of a high-quality benchmark experiment. Our current neutronic codes and cross section data are tailored to provide qualitative results that concur with the GODIVA I benchmark. Since 1995, additional high-fidelity HEU metal benchmark data have been evaluated and published. Calculated results from those benchmarks are consistently low. Those findings are investigated further in this paper.

This technology pathway case investigates the feasibility of using whole wet microalgae as a feedstock for conversion via hydrothermal liquefaction. Technical barriers and key research needs have been assessed in order for the hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae to be competitive with petroleum-derived gasoline-, diesel-, and jet-range hydrocarbon blendstocks.

This presentation examines trends in wind plant cost of energy over the last several decades and discusses methods and examples of projections for future cost trends. First, the presentation explores cost trends for wind energy from the 1980s, where there had been an overall downward trend in wind plant energy costs. Underlying factors that influenced these trends, including turbine technology innovation for lower wind speed sites, are explored. Next, the presentation looks at projections for the future development of wind energy costs and discusses a variety of methods for establishing these projections including the use of learning curves, qualitative assessment using expert elicitation, and engineering-based analysis. A comparison of the methods is provided to explore their relative merits. Finally, a brief introduction is provided for the U.S. Department of Energy program-wide shift towards an integrative use of qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing the potential impacts of wind plant technology innovations on reducing the wind plant cost of energy.

This document highlights the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's investments and impacts in the state of Wisconsin.

None