specimens begins operation as a technical Improves methods for alcohol/water gescom if (redstocks will be evaluated under Brise Caversion to Mechane Refcom) facility at specicse 3 Walace mechane production from a PRISTEL solid waste. the Regional Biomass Programa #ich serves is DOL Mrzels tecnology transfer activities. Jesus rues all movie #ginal-specific information concerning SLUNGE BRUSCOs seurtes, teescocs conversion technologies and potential OCS D Jesuities me penstry in a form suited to their understanding of the essential accoum bereen and turbine airfoils and the wind will be gained. The perficance of wind machines under actual operating conditions and in different enviroments all be evaluated. Airfoil shapes and operating strategies which may improve the long-term performance of wind machines will also be malysed and tests will be conducted at windfarms to detersise how the location of multiple wind machines influences the performance of each individual machine. MR requests $7.7 million for Structural Dynamics research to improve the Miity of industry to accurately predict structural loads. The structural performance of commercial and the DOE MCD-2 wind machines will be carefully monitored and evaluated to determine the natural resonant frequencies of modern wind machine designs. Samples of materials commonly used for wind machine biades, such as wood/epoxy, fiberglass, and aluminum, will be tested to determine the potential durability of these materials in different operating conditions. The $1.7 million request for the Small Systems Test Center at Rocky Flats will provide testing and engineering support to industry. Analytical tools and design information developed through the Rocky Flats testing program will be provided to manufacturers, windfarm users, universities, and utilities. The Department intends to complete its portion of the MOD-5B design and evaluation process under the FY 1985 request of $4.2 million. OCEAN ENERGY SYSTEMS Ocean energy technology involves the extraction of energy from ocean waves, currents, tides, and salt or thermal gradients. The FY 1985 budget request of $3.5 million will be focused on understanding ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems for generation of electrical power. The $1.0 million request in Materials and Structures Research will center on the development of materials that can withstand the severe ocean environment. Fiberglass reinforced plastic pipe will be tested to determine its fatigue parameters. Techniques for installation of safe and secure OTEC components in the rugged ocean environment will be developed and tested. The $1.4 million for Thermodynamics Research and Analysis will support a variety of research to improve the understanding of thermal stress and fatigue, and improvements in OTEC heat exchangers to increase overall efficiency of this critical component. In Experimental Verification and Testing, $0.6 million will fund the development and experimental verification of generic computer models at the Seacoast Test Facility. The $0.5 million request for Environmental and Oceanographic Research will be used to study the impact of the extraordinary large water requirements for OTEC systems. Changes that may occur in the environment as related to the siting of OTEC systems will be evaluated within the DOE request. INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY The International Solar Energy Program serves to assist U.S. industry in conveying the technical quality of their products to potential foreign users. The FY 1985 budget request is $0.5 million. The Department of Commerce will be funded to enter into cost-sharing agreements with industry to provide for international exposure of American solar technology at foreign expositions and other trade events. Additionally, domestic seminars will be conducted to enable U.S industry to better understand international trade opportunities and the best methods for offering U.S. technology abroad. SOLAR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER DOE considers technology transfer a two-way process through which industrial priorities are considered early in the federal planning process and which provides a mechanism to transfer research results, experiences and "lessons learned" to groups and individuals within the private sector research and manufacturing communities. Thus, technology transfer is a vital link between the public and private sectors in the research and development process. The program request for FY 1985 is $6.0 million. The Departmental request of $3.2 million for Solar Technical Information and Mandated Reports will provide for continuation of the SERI technical information program and the preparation of reports mandated by law. The Department is requesting $2.2 million for the continued operation of the Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Services (CAREIRS) which provides general information to the public concerning conservation and renewable energy technologies. CAREIRS also provides referrals to appropriate organizations or publications for persons who request detailed technical information. The request of $0.4 million for Technology Transfer Assessments will be used to evaluate in cooperation with industry innovative technology transfer methods for improving information flow between the public and private sector. A variety of methods including seminars, workshops, conferences, cooperative research projects, cost-sharing, fee-paid user test facilities, and technology transfer centers will be reviewed and evaluated. A series of Seminars and Workshops will be funded with the Departmental request of $0.2 million. These forums will ensure that an open and meaningful dialogue is maintained between the DOE and the private sector. GEOTHERMAL Geothermal energy involves the direct use of the natural heat of the earth and its conversion to other useable energy forms. The FY 1985 budget request of $27.1 million will allow continuing resolution of technical barriers to the use of geothermal resources. The $3.5 million request for Geopressured Resource research will allow continued testing of Gulf Coast geopressured production wells to better quantify the potential of this resource. The Department also proposes to develop, install and evaluate a wellhead electric generator suited for operating at this type of geothermal well in cooperation with industry. The $5.5 million request for Hot Dry Rock research at Fenton Hill will provide a basis for verifying the potential of this geothermal energy extraction technique. The feasibility of constructing a multiple-fracture, large scale reservoir with a project life of at least ten years will be specifically evaluated. The Department requests $9.9 million for Hydrothermal research activities to address injection of unuseable geothermal waters, define reservoir characteristics, and conduct heat cycle research materials testing at the Geothermal Test Facility. Especially important, DOE will fund the drilling of a very deep hydrothermal well to examine the characteristics of deep hot water reservoirs to better define the potential of this form of geothermal energy. Mapping techniques will be field tested to locate natural fracture systems within hot water reservoirs to provide a better basis for defining this resource potential. The feasibility of tapping potential hydrothermal reservoirs associated with volcanic craters of the Cascade Range will also be evaluated under the Department's FY 1985 request. The $4.4 million request for Hard Rock Penetration research includes tests on new drilling bits and the development and field-testing of a prototype advanced drilling system on a cost-shared basis with industry. The $1.4 million request for Magma Energy Extraction research will include the identification of reservoirs suitable for the extraction of energy from molten rock and evaluation of materials that can operate in the harsh magma environment. In geothermal Technology Transfer, the request of $1.0 million will be used for a variety of activities including conferences, seminars, publicatons, and cooperative technology reviews to improve knowledge sharing with the geothermal research, development and industrial community. HYDROPOWER Small scale hydropower is a comparatively mature technology that uses the nation's streams and smaller waterways as an energy source to produce electrical power. The FY 1985 budget request is $0.5 million. The DOE program will focus on monitoring a number of hydropower projects funded through prior years and transferring the results of those projects to the non-federal community. GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FUND The $0.1 The Geothermal Resource Development Fund (GRDF) was established to broaden the geothermal energy technology base through guarantying risk capital for private sector development of several state-of-the-art facilities. million budget request allows for evaluation of pending loan applications, restructuring of existing guaranty agreements and monitoring outstanding loans. ENERGY STORAGE The Energy Storage Technologies (EST) program serves as the nucleus for virtually all research activities related to energy storage within the Department of Energy. The program conducts research on energy storage technologies to support the private sector development of efficient, reliable, economic, safe, and environmentally acceptable energy storage systems. 1985 budget request for the Energy Storage program is $17.1 million. The FY The $14.9 million Battery Storage activity consists of technology base research and exploratory technology development and testing. The technology base research activities encompass fundamental research with the overall objective of providing the basis for improvements in existing battery systems and the identification and development of new battery and fuel cell systems. Objectives of the exploratory technology development and testing activity include development and evaluation of high-performance, long-life, economical, and producible batteries for future mobile and stationary energy storage applications. Two aims of the technology base research are to imporve materials and components of cells and batteries and to understand selected electrochemical phenomena, including corrosion. Experience has shown that materials limitations within electrochemical systems are the principle cause for failing to meet established system-performance goals. Improved materials and |