Federal Projects

Vision for Federal Projects

The region is known as a place where solutions to the critical national problems of clean abundant energy, homeland security, and environmental management are solved.

10-Year Outcomes and Goals:

Promote the future of PNNL and HAMMER.
Encourage collaboration on clean energy pilots and demonstrations.
Enhance the community small business base.
Continue support for the Hanford Reach National Monument and a B-Reactor Museum.

Key Measures of Success Over 10 Years:

PNNL and HAMMER will continue to be a growing part of the economic base of the community with specific growth targeted in the areas of homeland security, energy, and fundamental science. Under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Assurance, HAMMER will continue to grow as a national asset focused on providing national and homeland security training for personnel working in law enforcement, the military, and national energy infrastructure.
PNNL will continue to work with DOE and industry clients to explore how to use resources in the most efficient and environmentally acceptable manner possible. At the same time, PNNL will focus on bridging the gap between today's energy systems and tomorrow's hydrogen economy. PNNL researchers will concentrate on new methods for controlling and protecting the national energy grid, future generation sources that transition into the use of hydrogen, solid oxide fuels cells, and the broad and safe use of hydrogen. Energy Northwest (ENW) will work to increase the use of existing secure, affordable clean energy sources, such as wind energy, biomass, and hydrogen.
The DOE, Richland Operations Office (RL) will set aside an increasing amount of the EM cleanup dollars for small businesses with a goal of having $100 million in small business contracts in place by FY 2007.
Although not able to contribute direct funding to the Hanford Reach National Monument and the B-Reactor Museum initiative, the DOE, in concert with Three Rivers' communities, will provide appropriate support to the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service in their work toward development of a fully functional Hanford Reach National Monument and B-Reactor Museum.

Accomplishments During 2003:

Selected two clean energy projects: "Utility Level Electricity Storage" and "Demonstration of 'Energy Web' Concept"
PNNL has developed a broad-based focus on a fully integrated national energy system that seeks breakthroughs in electrical grid control and security and improved efficiency.
Work is underway in the design of a state-of-the-art prototype power station that will generate both electricity and hydrogen.
PNNL, along with the National Energy Technology Laboratory, has been managing the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance, a public-private alliance focused on making high-efficiency, low-cost solid oxide fuel cells commercially for a variety of applications.
PNNL is working on solid oxide fuel cells for auxiliary power systems and essential power systems in heavy trucks, which will increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions dramatically.
PNNL is leading the national hydrogen safety program and has made advances in the development of hydrogen production, storage, and delivery technologies. PNNL hosted the Hydrogen Production and Northwest Transportation Conference in Seattle this past summer.
PNNL completed installation of upgrades to the EMSL supercomputer.
Laboratory growth has continued in support of the Genomes to Life program.
Bio-based products are being pursued by PNNL, including work in collaboration with Archer Daniels Midland and the National Corn Growers Association where processes were developed that will reclaim greater value from the hull fiber removed from corn kernels during milling that are used for livestock feed.
WSU and PNNL have begun the design phase of a new, state-of-the-art Bio- products, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory at the WSU Tri-Cities campus to be shared by PNNL and WSU researchers. Construction should be completed by 2007.
HAMMER has begun its transition to the DOE Office of Energy Assurance in recognition of its emerging role as a training and simulation facility for Homeland and Energy Systems security. Law enforcement and military personnel from the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Agency, the National Nuclear Security Agency, the National Counterdrug Center, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Customs, and the Department of Defense are all either currently involved in training at HAMMER or are seeking funding and authorization to do so.
In the small business arena, RL has set aside the D&D of FFTF as a small business opportunity. At a contract value of approximately $500 million, the FFTF D&D represents the largest small business set aside in DOE's history. DOE also intends that the River Corridor contract contain a significant quantity of small business cleanup work scope.
In the Phase 2 expansion of its Nine Canyon Wind Project, ENW added 12 wind turbines in 2003 to the existing 37 turbines for a total of 49 in the complex. The additional 15.6 megawatts of electrical generating capacity added to that of the existing turbines brings the total capacity for this clean energy source to 63.7 megawatts.
By the end of 2003, the critical Comprehensive Conservation Plan that will provide the mission, goals, objectives, and strategies for managing the Hanford Reach National Monument was 40% complete.
The site dedication for the Hanford Reach National Monument Interpretive Center was accomplished on December 5, 2003.
The historic White Bluffs bank restoration was begun.
Congressman Hastings and Senator Cantwell introduced legislation to direct the National Park Service to study the feasibility of turning the B-Reactor into a national museum. In early December, the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service met with the National Park Service to begin exploring the concept.

Spring 2003 Workshop Update (PDF 23kb)