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CNS tour creates lasting memories for interns and faculty
Interns and faculty from the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) visited NPPD’s Cooper Nuclear Station (CNS) on July 9 to learn about safe, reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy and how the station has generated it for over fifty years.
The site tour started with a presentation led by Nuclear Engineer Supervisor Eric Wilke that included the background and history of CNS, how a boiling water reactor generates nuclear power, and the value of existing nuclear power plants and the growing interest in advanced nuclear options. After the presentation, Wilke, Design Engineer Jacob Patrick, and Design Electrical Engineer Steven Thiem escorted the NCESR team to the Protected Area, where they received an interactive demonstration in the Control Room Simulator. While in the Training Building, the tour leaders explained the control rod and fuel bundle mock-up displays and showed the group the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation. Additional tour stops included the reactor building’s refuel floor, control room corridor, turbine building, emergency diesel generator and switchyard. The tour concluded with lunch and a question-and-answer session.
In 2024, CNS celebrated fifty years of commercial operation. In those fifty years, CNS generated approximately 275 million MWhs of carbon-free electricity, eliminating emissions of approximately 275 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
In June 1968, NPPD (known as Consumers Public Power District at the time) received permission to begin construction of CNS, using more than 90,000 cubic yards of concrete and 10,000 tons of steel. The plant started commercial operation on July 1, 1974, and its General Electric BWR/4 reactor can generate a nominal 800-MWhs of electricity.
CNS received a license renewal from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in November 2010, extending the operating license to January 2034. NPPD’s board of directors authorized management to pursue a subsequent license renewal that, if approved by the NRC, would extend the operating license to January 2054. Since its inception, CNS has achieved many notable accomplishments. In 1998, it was the first plant in the U.S. to load nuclear fuel containing uranium provided under the Megatons to Megawatts Program. That program, in which uranium removed from nuclear weapons of the former Soviet Union was turned into low-enriched uranium and then into fuel, helped make the world safer and powered Nebraska’s economy.
2023/2024 Energy Research Grants (Cycle 17)
Biohydrogen systems for electricity and transportation
Principal Investigator (PI): Paul Blum, School of Biological Sciences
Co-PI: Nicole Buan, Biochemistry
PI Webpage: https://biosci.unl.edu/paul-blum
Abstract: 20-805-Paul-Blum-Abstract
Reducing energy to produce corn ethanol by optimizing fermenter operation and off gases treatment
Principal Investigator (PI): Bruce Dvorak, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Co-PI: Yaşar Demirel, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
PI Webpage: https://engineering.unl.edu/civil/bruce-dvorak/
Abstract: 20-806-Bruce-Dvorak-Abstract
Co-application of biochar and biosolids for carbon sequestration and sustainable soil management in urban-agricultural landscapes
Principal Investigator (PI): Michael Kaiser, Agronomy & Horticulture
Co-PI: Arindam Malakar, School of Natural Resources/Water Center
Co-PI: Katja Koehler-Cole, Nebraska Extension
PI Webpage: https://agronomy.unl.edu/kaiser
Abstract: 20-801-Michael-Kaiser-Abstract
Smart Grid cybersecurity enhancement using smart authentication and intelligent threat detection
Principal Investigator (PI): Byrav Ramamurthy, School of Computing
Co-PI: Nirnimesh Ghose, School of Computing
PI Webpage: http://cse.unl.edu/~byrav/
Abstract: 20-804-Byrav-Ramamurthy-Abstract
Photocatalytic Corrosive Nanostructured Electrode to Split Water
Principal Investigator (PI): Ravi Saraf, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Co-PI: Yanan (Laura) Wang, Electrical and Computer Engineering
PI Webpage: https://engineering.unl.edu/chme/ravi-saraf/
Abstract: 20-803-Ravi-Saraf-Abstract
Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Magnets for Power Systems ((AM)2PS)
Principal Investigator (PI): Jeff Shield, Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Co-PI: Qilin Guo, Mechanical & Materials Engineering
PI Webpage: https://engineering.unl.edu/mme/jeffrey-shield/
Abstract: 20-802-Jeff-Shield-Abstract
NCESR releases RFP for Cycle 17 preproposals
The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research is seeking innovative energy sciences research and collaboration ideas from University of Nebraska faculty. The Request for Proposals was released March 21, 2022. This is the seventeenth annual cycle in which UNL faculty can compete in this internal competition for energy research grants These grants are considered seed funding to help UNL faculty develop energy-related research capacity and improve their competitiveness for external funding. In addition, the RFP has a special short term support program in hydrogen technology. This is a short cycle project lasting up to three (3) months. to support university researchers collaborating to develop the best concept of university support for a Nebraska Hydrogen Hub as described in the Federal Infrastructure Bill (H.R. 3684) – Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (Sec. 40314). The NCESR award will be made based on the preproposal document only, and with a limited maximum budget allowed of $30,000 due to the expected federal RFP during summer 2022. Funding for this opportunity is made possible through an investment in energy sciences research by the Nebraska Public Power District. Preproposals are due May 16, 2022 by 1:00 p.m. Full proposals will be by invitation. Applications for internal funding must be submitted via the Internal Competitions module in NuRamp (https://nuramp.nebraska.edu). Sign in to NuRamp using your institutional credentials. Click on IC Application. Then from the drop down, select Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) – Cycle 17 Preproposal Submission.
NCESR call for instrumentation proposals
The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research has released its Request for Instrumentation Proposals (RFP). NCESR has available $150,000 to be expensed toward the purchase of one or more pieces of equipment to support energy science research at UNL. Researchers are invited to submit proposals for any increment up to this amount; any costs above $150,000 are the responsibility of the proposal research team. NCESR seeks innovative laboratory instrumentation proposals that will facilitate energy science research. All areas of energy science research will be considered. Proposed instrumentation requests must show that the instrumentation obtained will be maintained and made accessible by all faculty, researchers and students at UNL. Proposals demonstrating a higher number of users and potential users will be scored higher in the evaluation process. Evaluation of the proposal will also include the extent to which the equipment is unique or can provide unique capabilities. Instrumentation here refers to either a single piece of equipment or a system comprised of multiple integrated components. Proposals are due April 29, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. CDT
Wini Waters participates in Slam
Winifred (Wini) Waters, a graduate student from the lab of Dr. Alexander Sinitskii in the Department of Chemistry and a researcher on an Energy Center project, participated in the inaugural Student Research Days Slam. This event, sponsored by the Office of Research and Economic Development in partnership with Graduate Studies, was held on April 13, 2022 in the Walter Wick Alumni Center. Five finalists were chosen to present at the Slam. Each Slam participant gave an 8-minute talk on the topic of “What skill or ability have you developed through your research experience or creative activity that you think would make the world better if everyone had it?” Congratulations to Wini for giving an excellent presentation. She received $100 for being a finalist in the competition. First place received $500.
(more…)New Program Coordinator at NCESR
Brenda Coufal is the new Program Coordinator with the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research. In this role, she will provide business and program support, including overseeing financial management, marketing and outreach, and providing support for grants development and coordination of research groups. Brenda came to the Energy Center from the State of Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). She worked in Public Health with DHHS for over 22 years. Brenda has many years of experience overseeing the financial management of public health programs and grants, marketing, and outreach. During that time, she was the Program Manager with the Nebraska Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Program. Brenda enjoys building relationships and collaborating with internal and external partners. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, which includes attending sporting events, “Go Huskers!” and traveling as time allows. Brenda grew up on a farm west of Ansley, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Brenda and her husband live in Lincoln and have two adult children and two grandsons.
NCESR announces summer internship for 2022
The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) is taking applications for the summer undergraduate internship in energy sciences research. The Darrell J. Nelson Summer Undergraduate Internship in Energy Sciences Research is being offered for the eighth time in the amount up to $5,000 per recipient for the summer of 2022.
For additional information about the 2022 application requirements, click here.
http://ncesr.unl.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2022-NCESR-Summer-Internship-Info-Sheet.pdf. The application form is in DocuSign. Click on the following link, type in your e-mail address and password and then you will see the application form.
To learn more about previous summer undergraduate internship projects, go to http://ncesr.unl.edu/?page_id=9451Edit This
NCESR releases RFP for Cycle 16 preproposals
The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research is seeking innovative energy sciences research and collaboration ideas from University of Nebraska faculty. The Request for Proposals was released April 1, 2021. This is the sixteenth annual cycle in which UNL faculty can compete in this internal competition for energy research grants These grants are considered seed funding to help UNL faculty develop energy-related research capacity and improve their competitiveness for external funding. In addition, the RFP gives guidelines for a Special XPrize competition. If interested in this competition, please read the guidelines carefully as they are different than the regular Cycle funding opportunities. Funding for this opportunity is made possible through an investment in energy sciences research by the Nebraska Public Power District. Preproposals are due May 15, 2021 by 1:00 p.m. Full proposals will be by invitation. Use https://go.unl.edu/i78w to submit your preproposal.
NCESR selects summer interns for 2021
Four undergraduate students were selected as recipients of the Darrell J. Nelson Summer Undergraduate Internship in Energy Sciences Research for the Summer of 2021. The four recipients and their supervising faculty members are Noah Berkenwald (David Berkowitz, Department of Chemistry; Alisson Ntwali (F. John Hay, Biological Systems Engineering); Jeannette Uzamukunda (Zhenghong Tang, Community and Regional Planning Program); and Pranav Palli (Chi Zhang, School of Biological Sciences). The internship is named after Mr. Darrell J. Nelson, who served 41 years on the Custer County Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power (NPPD) Boards. In 2005, Mr. Nelson proposed a partnership between NPPD and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for engaging in energy sciences research. The following year, the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) was created with NPPD’s support. At the end of the paid internship, each student will prepare a summary report that describes their experience and will prepare a poster to describe the accomplishments or results of their work experience in energy sciences research.
Yasar Demirel authors book on Energy
Demirel, Energy: Production, Conversion, Storage, Conservation, and Coupling. 3nd Ed., Springer, London 2021 (650 pages). https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-030-56164-2
In line with the goals of Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, this third edition may contribute toward research on energy sciences in energy production, conversion, storage, conservation, and coupling. It discusses energy production mainly using closed and open cycles of heat engines, energy conversion with an emphasis on the ways to improve the energy conversion efficiency. It also discusses the energy storage by various means, as well as the energy conservation and recovery. It introduces energy coupling with examples from biological systems. it focuses on sustainability and life cycle analyses in energy systems to emphasize the implications of the use of energy on the environment, society, and economy. It also discusses ‘renewable energy’ and ‘energy economics and management with the latest projections. It should be freely downloadable using UNL campus computers and the solution manual is available for the instructors.