Fission, fusion, fossil, and biomass: Which does ORNL recommend? All of them. At the same time we're researching those energy-production technologies, we're finding--and sharing--ways to save energy in the home, office, and factory. Among them: convection heat-loss reduction in attics, gas-fired heat pumps for cold climates, and toughened ceramics for diesel-engine valves. During half a century in energy R&D, we've learned that variety offers the best insurance.
Encompassing both production and end-use technologies, ORNL's energy research and development program is one of the premier enterprises of its kind in the world. Its strong applied focus is underpinned by fundamental investigations in the basic energy sciences and by the integration of many diverse technical skills.
Energy-production R&D is one of ORNL's oldest programs, dating back to the mid 1940s. Today, fission reactor R&D emphasizes nuclear safety work for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and development of advanced gas-cooled reactors in cooperation with industry. Fusion energy R&D is a major component of DOE's Magnetic Fusion Program and involves collaboration with other research institutions, both nationally and internationally. Biomass energy R&D includes both conversion to end-use fuels and energy crops, with ORNL serving as technical manager for national program on energy crop development. Fossil energy R&D includes materials research, coal combustion and bioprocessing.
End-use technologies cover a wide range of applications for buildings, industries, and transportation. An important component of the buildings R&D program, which includes both thermal envelopes and equipment, is the Building Technology Center, a user facility for testing elements of buildings and equipment. Contributions include advanced air conditioning and refrigeration systems and testing of insulation and roof systems. Industrial energy efficiency R&D includes advanced materials for heat exchangers and other industrial applications, advanced bio-processing concepts, industrial gas turbines, and alternative chemical feedstocks. Transportation R&D involves materials, propulsion technologies, alternative fuels, transportation data, and policy analysis. The High Temperature Materials Laboratory, another user facility, houses several laboratories to support DOE's Office of Transportation Technologies and other DOE materials research programs.
All ORNL work on energy research and development is moving technologies from the laboratory to the commercial sector. As a result, industry is involved in almost every energy technology program. In addition to such major federal clients as DOE, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, customers include members of the nuclear power, automotive, biochemical, electric utility, refrigeration, and building industries.
