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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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DOE OSTI2024

Evolutionary Game Dynamics between Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrid Operator: Balancing Act for Power Factor Improvement

This article investigates the intricate dynamics between Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the Microgrid Operator (MGO) within a microgrid interconnected with the main grid. Employing an evolutionary game framework, the study scrutinizes the strategic evolution of DERs’ decision-making processes in their interactions with the MGO. Modeled as an evolutionary game, these interactions encapsulate the strategies adopted by DERs, resulting in stable equilibrium strategies over time. Motivated by direct benefits linked to increased active power production, DERs strive to sell all available power, while the MGO focuses on optimizing the microgrid’s overall performance. The study assesses the microgrid’s performance in terms of its power factor, emphasizing the strategic balance DERs must achieve in their active power generation to avoid penalization. This penalization results in decreased individual utility for DERs due to the overall power factor decrease resulting from their prioritization of active power generation. Additionally, the diminished overall power factor implies a decrease in MGO utility. The individual utility of each DER is further influenced by the strategies adopted by other DERs, impacting the penalization factor. Leveraging a modified IEEE 13-node distribution microgrid consisting of three DERs, the study presents case studies encompassing both cooperative and non-cooperative evolutionary game scenarios. These case studies illuminate the intricacies of interactions and the resulting equilibrium outcomes.

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DOE OSTI2022

Unleash Values From Grid-Edge Flexibility: An Overview, Experience, and Vision for Leveraging Grid-Edge Distributed Energy Resources to Improve Grid Operations

The power system landscape is presently undergoing a dramatic change with the rapid integration of numerous distributed energy resources (DERs) at the grid edge. Broadly, we consider grid-edge DERs as any electricity source, storage, and demand response program connected to the medium-to-low-voltage distribution system.

distributed energy resource↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cyber Physical Grid-Interactive Distributed Energy Resources Control for VPP Dispatch and Regulation

This paper presents a cyber-physical algorithm for grid-interactive Distributed Energy Resource (DER) control to enable two features of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) dispatch and grid voltage regulation, considering the communication and security impacts. We first formulate the DER dispatch problem as a real-time, iterative, and grid-interactive DER control problem. Thereafter, we consider a probabilistic traffic model to characterize packet delays and loss in a communication network, and study how the delays enter the process of information exchange among the grid measurement units, local DER controllers and the grid control center that coordinately execute this dispatch algorithm. Finally, a strategy combining delay threshold and modified message update rules is proposed to immune the asynchrony resulting from the communications network traffic and it avoids possible numerical instabilities and sensitivities of the tracking and regulation capabilities of this DER control algorithm. By implementing the proposed cyber-physical algorithm on the modified IEEE 37-node system, our preliminary results exhibit that the uncertainties of the underlying communications infrastructure must be considered for the VPP tracking and regulation capabilities of any DER in a generic Cyber-Physical System (CPS), because the delayed voltage measurements in the uplink/bi-link cases result in the off-track in VPP dispatch and jittery in voltage regulation.

cyber-physical algorithm↗
DOE OSTI2023

Distributed Energy Resource Visual Emulator: Phase 1

To help federal energy managers assess, monitor, and manage cybersecurity while achieving decarbonization, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Distributed Energy Resource Cybersecurity Framework (DER-CF) offers a comprehensive, web-based assessment tool focusing on cyber governance or policies, technical management, and physical security. The DER-CF currently presents users with a series of pertinent cybersecurity questions, which are used to generate a site-specific report and recommendations. This paper outlines a technical approach to integrate the DER-CF with another key asset—NREL's Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) Cyber Range—to visualize cybersecurity resilience and compliance and to enhance the usability and accessibility of the DER-CF. The result is a new tool called the Distributed Energy Resource Visual Emulator (DER-VE). Its development will include regular conversations with stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of these efforts, refine the visualization capability, and ensure its value to our partners. Phase 0 of the integration project was concluded in 2021. Phase 1, completed in 2022, has two components: The first is developing a working visualization of system compliance using the DER-CF, and the second is planning the design of a server application that takes input data from the DER-CF and creates a personal emulated environment of the user's system or a selected reference architect. Major components that were addressed in this phase are the DER-CF output, compliance visualization, data model, and compliance server design.

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DOE OSTI2024

Antigua and Barbuda Distributed Energy Resources Deployment Guidelines

This document is designed to provide comprehensive considerations, best practices and guidance for deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in Antigua and Barbuda. The document provides lists of various technology selection guidance including technical specifications, requirements and applicable key standards and code associated with key DERs and balance of plant equipment. The document also presents the key microgrid design considerations to integrate the DERs to achieve the economic, decarbonization and resiliency goals. Taking into account sensitive grid for such islands, for grid readiness and screening the potential DER interconnection, general approach is highlighted along with the potential technical interconnection requirements. Furthermore, this document shows the key stakeholders involved in such DER integration and/or microgrid project and how key responsible project team can be qualified. Finally, this document refers to key information about warranties and consumer rights and maintenance of the systems.

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DOE OSTI2020

Evolution of Distributed Energy Resource Grid Interconnection Standards for Integrating Emerging Storage Technologies

Grid interconnection standards facilitate safe and reliable grid integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). Evolution of a standard for DERs is expected to capture and accommodate widely different characteristics of DER and minimize unique grid integration challenges. This makes development of a uniform grid interconnection standard for all types of DERs a challenging and an ever-evolving consideration. This paper presents a detailed timeline of evolution, from the early 2000s to 2018, of DER interconnection standards and the research that informed their development. This is followed by a review of the research topics being considered in the grid integration of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) which are expected to have the most significant growth amongst all DER types. These help in highlighting the need for a new standard to accommodate the unique characteristics of ESSs, and where the existing DER interconnection standard frameworks may be leveraged.

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DOE OSTI2025

Real-Time Dispatcher for a Distributed Energy Resource Power Plant to Provide Grid Services [SWR-25-17]

This software dispatches the aggregated power of a distributed energy resource (DER) plant located on an electrical distribution network. It is designed to provide the following services to the grid in real-time: (i) voltage support of the distribution network, (ii) virtual power plant at the substation with power factor support, and (iii) operating reserves for automatic generator control for the transmission system. This dispatcher integrates with the local power plant controller and utilizes the battery energy storage system (BESS) to smooth the volatile net power output from the DERs. It can also integrate with a day-ahead scheduler to strategically charge and discharge.

Comden, Joshua [National Renewable Energy Laborato↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Distributed Trust Model Simulator for Energy Grid of Things Distributed Energy Resource Management System

The evolution of networks into more distributed, self-reliant nodes has mitigated single-point failures that plagued traditional centralized networks. Applied to power grids, distributed systems can increase the integrity and availability of grid services while also offering a power management solution. However, while distributed networks provide scalability, security, and sustainability compared to centralized networks, their distributed nature makes them harder for anomaly detection and prevention. Incorporating a Distributed Trust Model (DTM) System into an Energy Grid of Things Distributed Energy Resource Management System (EGOT DERMS) allows grid participants to be characterized and their communication to be analyzed for possible attacks. A Trust Model simulator is needed to evaluate and improve the DTM System.Trustworthiness is calculated using a Trust Model. While many trust models exist, most only consider 2-3 matrices to evaluate trust. The TM proposed in this thesis uses a Metric Vector of Trust (MVoT) monitoring 17 parameters when assessing trust. Moreover, unlike standard trust models, the proposed trust model establishes a method to test the trust between various actors within the network and probe the trust model itself. Using a Trust Model Simulator, MVoT calaculations, initial values, and parameters are fine-tuned to achieve high-confidence message classifications and minimize false positives. The DTM System and Trust Mode Simulation Suite allow for distributed trust evaluation with a real-time classification of EGOT DERMS actors, providing additional security for distributed systems.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Model-Free Dynamic Voltage Control of Distributed Energy Resource (DER)-Based Microgrids

In this paper, we present a new control technique for sustaining dynamic voltage stability by effective reactive power control and coordination of distributed energy resources (DERs) in microgrids. The proposed control technique is based on model-free control (MFC), which has shown successful operation and improved performance in different domains and applications. This paper presents its first use in the voltage stability of a microgrid setting employing multiple synchronous generator (SG)-based and power electronic (PE)-based DERs. MFC is a computationally efficient, data-driven control technique that does not require modelling of the different components and disturbances in the power system. It is utilized as an online controller to achieve the dynamic voltage stability of a microgrid system under different disturbances and fault conditions. A 21-bus microgrid system fed by multiple DERs is considered as a case study and the overall dynamic voltage stability is investigated using time-domain dynamic simulations. Numerical results show that the proposed MFC provides improvements on the dynamic load bus voltage profiles and requires less computational time as compared to the traditional enhanced microgrid voltage stabilizer (EMGVS) scheme. Due to its simplicity and low computational requirement, MFC can be easily implemented in resource-constrained computing devices such as smart inverters.

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DOE OSTI2021

Programmable intrusion detection for distributed energy resources in cyber–physical networked microgrids

We present a programmable intrusion detection method is presented to identify the malicious attacks to distributed energy resources (DERs) in the cyber-physical networked microgrids. The proposed method injects small programmable signals into the system and uses the response to identify abnormal conditions. Because of the low or even zero inertia induced by integrations of DER power-electronic-interfaces, microgrids have very limited resilience capability; and thus, being sensitive to attacks. One microgrid's malfunction caused by attacks can easily propagate to its neighboring systems when several microgrids are connected, leading to catastrophic electricity supply failures. Through the presented method, malicious intrusions can be effectively detected, located, and defended for securing microgrids. Theoretical derivations are provided to define the programmable detection rules. The detection rule is easy and flexible to update, making it difficult for attack actors to gain the knowledge of the detection rules, in order to avoid being detected. Numerical results on a cyber-physical networked microgrids system show that the proposed method is effective and efficient in precisely locating intrusion attacks to the microgrids system.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of an Interactive Valuation Model for Distributed Energy Resource Value

The Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism (OSCT) seeks to address perceived challenges and barriers to the deployment of distributed energy generation resources (DERs), including solar and other technologies, in the state of Oklahoma. The Scope of Work (SOW) outlines follow-on tasks related to the previous CRADA # CRD-18-762. The first task will finalize the Interactive Valuation Model Requirements Document, the final draft of which was provided in June 2018. The second task includes the building, validation, and finalization of the interactive valuation model for expressing distributed energy resource value based on user inputs to be completed by June 30, 2019. Training for how to prepare the data inputs and use the model will also be provided. To address perceived challenges and barriers to the deployment of distributed energy generation resources (DERs), including solar and other technologies, in the state of Oklahoma, the work under this CRADA will: 1) finalize the draft Interactive Valuation Model Requirements Document delivered in June 2018; 2) finish building and validating the interactive valuation model for expressing DER value based on user inputs, and 3) provide training for use of this model.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Hardware-in-the-loop Testing of Network Protectors for Low-Voltage Networks with Distributed Energy Resources

In this report, we developed and validated a network protector relay digital twin model and interfaced a commonly used network protector relay hardware with our real-time simulation system. Hardware-in-the-loop protection studies are performed to assess the impact of distributed energy resources (DER) and benchmark a rate-of-change-based mitigation strategy. Simulation results suggest that the network protector reverse trip and auto-reclose functions are negatively impacted by the high distributed energy resource penetration. To accommodate DER backfeed while remaining secure and reliable for faults on primary feeders, we recommend options for a rate-of-change-based blocking scheme and a protection setting change. Finally, future mitigation ideas and standard revisions are discussed.

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DOE OSTI2021

Fast Grid Frequency Support from Distributed Energy Resources

This report describes research related to electric power system frequency support from inverter-coupled distributed energy resources (DERs). This research was initiated under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) and also contains work funded through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Hawaiian Electric. The purpose of this report is to summarize the findings of simulations, hardware testing, power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulation, and analysis examining the effects of DER frequency support on the Oahu power system. This report also includes recommendations for consideration in the use of DER grid frequency support functionality, and related topics. Note that a previous GMLC Technical Report from this project also provided specific recommendations for the activation of one specific grid frequency support function, frequency-watt control, for overfrequency events in Hawaii. Those recommendations included recommended frequency-watt control settings, which have since been approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on October 20, 2017, for system-wide activation. This report builds on the previous report by considering not only overfrequency events but also underfrequency events, and by considering distributed energy storage systems in addition to photovoltaic (PV) systems.

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DOE OSTI2020

Perturbation-Based Diagnosis of False Data Injection Attack Using Distributed Energy Resources

Modern smart grid relies on various sensor measurements for its operational control. In a successful false data injection attack, the attacker manipulates the measurements from the grid sensors such that undetected errors are introduced into the estimates of the system parameters leading to catastrophic situations. This paper proposes a novel perturbation based false data injection attack detection mechanism that utilizes inverter based distributed energy resources (DERs) to create low magnitude perturbation signal in the distribution system voltage that is inconsequential to the normal grid operation. Two voltage sensitivity analysis based algorithms are designed to identify the optimal set of DERs that can create the voltage perturbation signal of desired magnitude. An analytical method of voltage sensitivity analysis is used to compute the magnitude of voltage perturbation signal at each node in a computationally efficient manner. Then, a detection mechanism is developed that checks for the presence of the perturbation sequence in each sensor measurement. A sensor measurement is deemed authentic if the voltage perturbation signal is present in the data. In case of sensor malfunction or cyber-attack, the perturbation signal will not be present in the measurement data. Performance of the proposed attack detection mechanism is validated via simulation of the IEEE 69 bus test system.

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DOE OSTI2023

AI-based Detection and Defense Against Cyberattacks in Distributed Energy Resources

This study will provide comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution tools for network security, malware prevention, and sensor data anomaly detection for distributed energy resource (DER) research, development, and demonstration. DER technologies are energy systems (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems) that are often connected to the internet and thus vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity should be of primary concern for DERs, which is why we propose an integrated multi-layer cyber-defense system for DERs. This system encompasses risk assessments, network security, malware prevention, and detection of anomalies in the sensor data. Implementation of a comprehensive risk assessment with an overview of the model architecture should be the primary step, and should include the potential impact of experiencing, at a given time, one or more cyberattacks on the system. The second step is to ensure that the network security includes firewalls, intrusion detection, and malware prevention. The third step is to provide solution tools that enable sensor data anomaly detection for DERs. By incorporating these considerations into DER research, development, and demonstration, organizations can help ensure the safety and security of their systems and protect against potential cyberattacks.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Controlling distributed energy resources via deep reinforcement learning for load flexibility and energy efficiency

Behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DERs), including building solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and electric battery storage, are increasingly being considered as solutions to support carbon reduction goals and increase grid reliability and resiliency. However, dynamic control of these resources in concert with traditional building loads, to effect efficiency and demand flexibility, is not yet commonplace in commercial control products. Traditional rule-based control algorithms do not offer integrated closed-loop control to optimize across systems, and most often, PV and battery systems are operated for energy arbitrage and demand charge management, and not for the provision of grid services. More advanced control approaches, such as MPC control have not been widely adopted in industry because they require significant expertise to develop and deploy. Recent advances in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) offer a promising option to optimize the operation of DER systems and building loads with reduced setup effort. However, there are limited studies that evaluate the efficacy of these methods to control multiple building subsystems simultaneously. Additionally, most of the research has been conducted in simulated environments as opposed to real buildings. This paper proposes a DRL approach that uses a deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm for integrated control of HVAC and electric battery storage systems in the presence of on-site PV generation. The DRL algorithm, trained on synthetic data, was deployed in a physical test building and evaluated against a baseline that uses the current best-in-class rule-based control strategies. Performance in delivering energy efficiency, load shift, and load shed was tested using price-based signals. The results showed that the DRL-based controller can produce cost savings of up to 39.6% as compared to the baseline controller, while maintaining similar thermal comfort in the building. The project team has also integrated the simulation components developed during this work as an OpenAIGym environment and made it publicly available so that prospective DRL researchers can leverage this environment to evaluate alternate DRL algorithms.

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DOE OSTI2019

Recommended Functionalities for Improving Cybersecurity of Distributed Energy Resources: Preprint

The legacy electric grid is transitioning into a 'present' modern grid due to increasing penetration of intermittent renewable generation at the distribution side, also known as distributed energy resources (DERs). Monitoring and control of such DERs requires extensive data-exchange and bidirectional communication networks. This bidirectional communication paves the way to cyber vulnerabilities and risks for new kinds of cyber-attacks that may have destructive impacts on power system operations. Since IEEE Std. 1547-2018 does not discuss cybersecurity measures for DERs, cybersecurity controls should be developed for securing DER systems at all three levels: device level, communications level, and applications level. This paper discusses the current industry's best practices related to DER cybersecurity and proposes recommended functionalities for improving the cybersecurity posture of DERs. These practical recommended functionalities have been discussed and verified with the industry through a DER cybersecurity working group and are meant to improve the device level security of DERs.

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