Praveen Cheekatamarla

Oak Ridge National Laboratory | ORNL · Energy and Transportation Science Division

Worldwide use of high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants for space conditioning and food storage results in significant equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is further exacerbated in developed countries by the current transition from hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants to HFC refrigerants. Under t...

Residential homes and light commercial buildings usually require substantial heat and electricity simultaneously. A combined heat and power system enables more efficient and environmentally friendly energy usage than that achieved when heat and electricity are produced in separate processes. However, due to financial and space constraints, resident...

This chapter explores the concept of effective carbon footprint as a metric for evaluating the environmental impact of different heating technologies. It examines the factors that influence the carbon footprint of heating technologies, including energy efficiency, fuel type, and operational characteristics. The chapter also discusses the methodolog...

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the various energy sources that drive the world's energy systems, along with an analysis of their carbon intensity. It examines the major sources of primary energy, including fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass), and nuclear energy...

This chapter explores various pathways to achieve decarbonization in the energy sector. It considers a range of scenarios that involve transitioning to low-carbon electricity generation sources, such as renewables and nuclear, as well as reducing carbon emissions from fuel consumption through electrification and alternative fuels. The chapter analy...

This chapter provides a detailed overview of the methodological framework and key assumptions underpinning the analysis. It outlines the approach taken to estimate key parameters such as energy consumption, carbon emissions, and cost implications associated with different energy scenarios. The chapter also discusses the data sources, modeling techn...

This chapter investigates the environmental impact of various heating technologies used in industrial processes. The chapter examines key factors influencing the carbon footprint of industrial heating, such as energy efficiency, fuel type, and temperature ranges. By comparing the effective carbon footprints of different industrial heating technolog...

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of various methods used for heat generation and transfer in residential and commercial applications. It explores the principles, advantages, and limitations of common thermal technologies such as combustion, electric heating, and renewable energy systems. The chapter also discusses emerging technologie...

The evolution of the energy landscape has been a dynamic process shaped by a complex interplay of technological, economic, and environmental factors. Historically, societies have relied heavily on fossil fuels for their energy needs, but concerns over climate change and energy security have driven a shift towards cleaner, renewable sources of energ...

Globally, cooling thermal loads are continuously increasing. The demand for air conditioning systems is one of the most critical blind spots in the ongoing energy transition. Space cooling demand accounts for nearly 20% of the total electricity used in buildings around the world today. Rising space cooling energy demand is also straining the electr...

This perspective article delves into the critical role of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier in the context of the ongoing global energy transition. Hydrogen, with its potential to decarbonize various sectors, has emerged as a key player in achieving decarbonization and energy sustainability goals. This article provides an overview of the cur...

It is evident from extreme weather patterns that climate change is impacting the whole world [...]

This work investigates the energy efficiency and carbon reduction potential of self-powered residential building heating equipment using a thermodynamic modeling approach. An integrated thermophotovoltaic power module and residential scale furnace system (40,000 Btu/h) were modeled and studied in detail to assess the influence of different design c...

Electrical energy storage systems offer a wide range of options to efficiently manage our power supply infrastructure. Energy and environmental security via renewable resources and energy storage devices will also play a critical role in addressing the supply-demand challenges. A novel energy efficient storage system based on near isothermal compre...

Energy-efficient and sustainable technologies are necessary to lower energy and carbon footprints. Many technologies are being pursued to meet the increasing energy demand in buildings. An attractive option is efficient utilization of available energy resources, including renewables, to support current and future building energy needs while targeti...

Buildings consume one-third of the total final energy produced on the globe and are responsible for almost 40 percent of total carbon dioxide generation annually. The latest carbon dioxide burden of buildings approached 10 Gigatons in the year 2019. Energy-efficient building technologies are necessary to address the climate change induced by greenh...

Residential and commercial buildings are responsible for over 30% of global final energy consumption and accounts for ~40% of annual direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficient and sustainable technologies are necessary to not only lower the energy footprint but also lower the environmental burden. Many proven and emerging techno...

The purpose of this special issue to: (1) highlight the energy, economic, and environmental benefits of cogeneration and polygeneration technologies suitable for residential and commercial buildings; (2) Identify the key desired attributes for a broadscale adoption of such technologies; (3) Modeling and experimental validation of building scale cog...

A self-powered furnace is defined as one that imports no electricity: a power cycle integrated into the furnace generates all the electrical power needed, and the heat rejected by the power cycle contributes to space heating. This paper presents criteria for selection of suitable power generation technology for such a furnace. A weighting system wa...

Utilization of Natural gas and Hydrogen to support current and future building energy needs to offset the total electric demand while improving the grid resiliency and energy efficiency was investigated. Demand side energy management will play an important role in efficiently managing the available energy resources. Performance assessment of differ...

Concurrent production of electrical and thermal energy from a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) device is an attractive tool to address the growing energy needs of the planet. Micro CHP (µCHP) systems can reduce a building’s primary energy consumption, reduce carbon footprint, and enhance resiliency. Modeling of the µCHP helps understand the system fro...