Green Energy Research and Development
MORE INFORMATION: GRC: Powered in Part by its Own Green Energy |
Glenn’s Research Helps Solve Earth’s Problems
In developing power and propulsion systems for spacecraft and aircraft, NASA's Glenn Research Center (GRC) has helped to solve energy problems on Earth. Starting with work during World War II to improve aircraft fuel efficiency, the Center’s researchers have employed a cross-disciplinary approach to measure pollution in the atmosphere; reduce aircraft emissions; investigate the processes that created the ozone hole; monitor harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie; develop wind and solar power; and apply clean, quiet Stirling engines to automobiles that could eventually be powered by hydrogen.
Currently GRC is working in areas critical to solar, wind, nuclear, and hydrogen power; biofuels and alternative fuels; green aviation and ground transportation; batteries, fuel cells, and flywheels for advanced energy storage; and energy distribution.
Click each button below to find out more about GRC's work in alternative “green” energy.
 |
 |
 |
 |
With technology expertise well matched to the needs of the energy industry, GRC looks for partners in all it’s endeavors in order to leverage resources and capitalize on specialties in diverse organizations.
GRC: Powered in Part by its Own Green Energy
Nearly three-fourths of carbon dioxide emissions and energy use in cities comes from commercial buildings. GRC is using several different technologies to reduce its carbon footprint.
GRC Plugs Into Solar Energy
GRC Prototype 2-kW Photovoltaic (PV) Power System
In 2006, GRC engineers designed, developed, and installed a 2-kW photovoltaic (PV) system that plugs into energy from the sun. The system was tied to GRC’s utility distribution grid and synchronized with the utility system to power a GRC facility while providing excess power to the utility system. The system provides approximately 10 W of alternating-current power per square foot of area and has generated more than 5500 kWh since its activation in July 2006. Encouraged by this success, GRC added a 12-kW PV system to the roof of its Visitor Center. Since activation in 2008, the Visitor Center system has generated more than 6000 kWh. Not only are these systems providing clean, safe, reliable, efficient, and economical solar power for GRC, but GRC researchers are gaining experience and test data from PV systems similar to those used for space exploration and are studying how solar energy varies in Cleveland, Ohio.
Read about the prototype PV system: Hybrid Power Management Program
A prototype of the grid-tie photovoltaic power system has been in successful operation for over 1 year at GRC and is serving as the basis for future expansion.
› Read the full article (Link opens new browser window)
› Read earlier article (Link opens new browser window)
Solar-Powered Ground Source Heat Pumps
GRC is pioneering the use of coupled solar energy and advanced ground source heat pump technology in five buildings to reduce energy use and emissions as part of the center's Master Plan, which began in 2008.
Solar Thermal Concentrator/Photovoltaic System Under Development at GRC
A solar collector focuses the sun’s energy onto high-temperature solar cells, which produce electricity. Water is pumped behind the solar cells to cool them. The heated water can then be used for heating a building or for other uses.
GRC Green Energy News
These news stories and articles highlight GRC’s continuing efforts in green energy development.
(Link opens new browser window |
In December 2007, GRC showed off its "green thumb" during the Global Research into Energy and Environment at the NASA (GREEN) Forum held at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. NASA Ames established the GREEN seminars to increase awareness of environmental issues for it's employees and their industry and academic colleagues. |
(Link opens new browser window |
Advanced Energy at GRC (Link opens new browser window The advanced energy field includes renewable energy sources that are important for future terrestrial and space development. New and renewable sources of energy will be critical to the energy security and independence of the nation. › Read the full story (Link opens new browser window) (Link opens new browser window |
(Link opens new browser window |
NASA Leads Team in Establishing a Renewable Hydrogen Fueling Station (Link opens new browser window GRC is leading a team of industry and university partners in demonstrating a prototype of a commercial hydrogen fueling station that uses wind and solar power to produce hydrogen from water. This initial installation will produce hydrogen from Lake Erie water to fuel a mass transit bus powered by fuel cells. › Read the full press release (Link opens new browser window) RELATED STORY:NASA-Led Project to Power Bus from Water (Link opens new browser window The February 13, 2009 issue of the Cleveland Plain Dealer published this article about GRC’s work with Regional Transit Authority, the Great Lakes Science Center, and United Technologies Corp. to power a fuel cell electric bus with hydrogen drawn from Lake Erie water. |
(Link opens new browser window |
Building on its long-time expertise in power and propulsion and its 30-year history of successful partnerships in developing alternative power systems, GRC has launched a green initiative that addresses NASA's technology needs yet reduces stress on the environment. |
(Link opens new browser window |
Energizing the Future of Aerospace (Link opens new browser window With decades of experience in designing, building, and testing power systems, GRC has developed technology breakthroughs that help expand NASA’s discoveries and revolutionize the aerospace industry. GRC has combined state-of-the-art electrical designs with complex computer-aided analyses to develop some of today’s most advanced power systems. |
 (Link opens new browser window |
Energy Collaboration Opportunities at GRC (Link opens new browser window Find out about GRC’s advanced energy research and development for production, storage, and transmission. › Download the PDF slide presentation (Link opens new browser window) |