The Turbopropulsion Laboratory of the Naval Postgraduate School is a large experimental complex. We work on the three main areas that comprise energy systems, namely; generation, transport, and storage. We perform research at various levels from fundamental flows, thermodynamic analyses and heat transfer investigations, to development of systems based on new or nascent technologies. Outlined below are the three topic areas but it must be borne in mind that these are often heavily integrated.

Energy Generation: We cover conventional forms of generation in the form of rotating gas-turbine component design and testing. On the renewable front we look at integration of wind and solar energy into hybrid microgrids. For secure backup energy we are investigating generation from compressed air and hydrogen.

Energy Transport: On the electrical front we are investigating hybrid microgrids using supercapacitors. For HVAC systems we have ethylene-glycol/ice thermal storage systems for cooling and forced-air/thermal-brick thermal storage for heating applications.

Energy Storage: Energy storage can take many forms and we aim to investigate the best form for a particular task or service. We are developing mixed energy storage systems using thermal, compressed air and hydrogen energy storage and ways to charge these systems using renewable energy.

References

Gannon AJ, Hobson GV, Hedges CR, Descovich GL: Investigation and Prediction of Steam-Induced Stall-Margin Reduction in Two Transonic Rotor Fans, 2014. ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering 136(11): Presented at ASME Turbo Expo 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark

Gannon AJ, Hobson GV, Shea MJ, Clay CS, T. Millsaps KT: Mems-Scale Turbomachinery Based Vacuum Roughing Pump. Journal of Turbomachinery 136(10): (Presented at ASME Turbo Expo 2013, San Antonio, TX, USA Best paper award) 2014

Gannon AJ, Hobson GV, Davis WL: Axial Transonic Rotor and Stage Behavior Near the Stability Limit. Journal of Turbomachinery 134(1): 2011, Presented at ASME Turbo Expo 2010, Glasgow, UK