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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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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

High-Frequency Signature-Based Fault Detection for Future MV Distribution Grids: Preprint

Increased deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and microgrids are significantly changing the operation of distribution grid. Increasing penetration of power electronics based DERs also raise several operational problems such as protection coordination issues, voltage raise, recloser synchronization, stability, and frequency control. Legacy systems are designed for unidirectional power flow. Bidirectional power flows, and varying short circuit levels are some of the major challenges in implementing these legacy protection schemes for future power grid with high penetration of power electronics based DERs. Inverter based DER’s can contribute to a maximum of 2 p.u. fault current. Interconnection standards might require even lower fault current contribution. If these protection related challenges are not addressed, it will result in limiting the penetration of DERs in distribution feeders. In this paper, the feasibility of high frequency signature generated by transients is evaluated to identify and locate faults in a distribution system. The paper will discuss the need for an accurate line modeling approach to accurately capture the high frequency signatures. These high frequency signatures are naturally occurring electromagnetic transients for events such as switching events in the network, faults events, etc. This is different than that implemented in transmission systems as the proposed approach utilizes advanced signal processing techniques to retrieve valuable information from the high frequency signatures generated during faults and does not just rely on time delay measurements between reflections of the high frequency signals. In the full paper, information of a modified IEEE distribution feeder test system to accurately model the high frequency signatures will be provided. The distribution lines will be modeled using universal line modeling (ULM) technique in an electromagnetic transients program (EMTP) modeling platform. Different test cases will be simulated and these test cases will include different fault types, multiple fault locations, capacitor bank switching, etc. The feeder system modeled for these simulations will also include power electronics based DERs. Additionally, experimental results demonstrating the high frequency signatures generated due to a transient event in a medium voltage (13.8 kV) distribution line will also be presented in the full paper. Furthermore, the analysis combined with simulation and experimental results in the full paper will help demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed protection scheme. The developed protection scheme will not just help solve problems generated by bidirectional current flow, varying short-circuit current capacity, but also help in proliferation of DERs in distribution systems.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Preparing Distribution Utilities for the Future - Evolving Customer Consumption in Renewable Rich Grids: A Novel Analytical Framework

The research collaboration between NREL and BYPL focuses on the challenges caused by renewable integration into the power grid at large. Since the challenges and opportunities vary depending on the point of interconnection (distribution or transmission) the research team identified two tracks for research as listed below: 1. Power procurement - This research track focuses on the challenges and opportunities caused by GW scale renewable integration at the transmission level. Specifically, this track focuses on the contribution that utility-scale renewable energy procurement provides to distribution utilities, both from energy and capacity perspectives. In this track of research, utility customers are only considered as traditional (one-directional) consumers of energy. 2. Distributed energy resources - This research track focuses on the challenges and opportunities caused by many small-scale distributed renewable resource integrations at the distribution systems. At the power distribution level, distribution utilities may face not only new solar energy technologies, but also battery energy storage and electric vehicles as well. These three technologies (solar PV, battery energy storage, and electric vehicles) combined, pose unique challenges to distribution utilities. This track focuses on assessing the net-load evolution that distribution utilities observe as these emerging technologies make their way to the grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

A method for assessing economic, environmental, and reliability tradeoffs of interregional transmission connecting ERCOT (the Texas grid) to the eastern and western grids

Reliable development of the power grid is an evolving concern for humanity due to extreme weather that frequently threatens power sector infrastructure. The state of Texas is a uniquely structured testbed for grid planners to study when looking for solutions to development, innovation, and overcoming such challenges. Because of its size and islanded structure, Texas is small enough to model, but big enough to matter. Texas is a global leader in energy production, energy consumption, and maintains an unusually diverse fuel mix. In addition, the state has experienced winter freezes, heat waves, wind storms, droughts and floods that have threatened power sector infrastructure or caused recent blackouts and calls for demand side conservation. One of the most devastating of these events was the North American winter storm, dubbed “Winter Storm Uri” by the Weather Channel, that froze the region in February 2021 and led to an extended power outage event that put the majority of Texan residents in darkness for days. While preparing to avoid such outage events in the future, various tools have been proposed to improve grid reliability, including energy efficiency, demand response, and distributed energy resources. An additional option would be to develop interregional transmission that connects the Texas grid to other national grids. To assess the merits of this idea, we developed a novel, universally-applicable and internationally-relevant framework to study how the Texas grid would evolve alongside access to various interregional ties. This method allows us to stress the synthetic grid structure and analyze how it would respond to the shock of a simulated winter storm event. Our method leverages open-source modeling tools, such as PowerGenome, pyGRETA, and GenX to synthesize unique zonal grid data, construct a consolidated network of model regions, and simulate different developmental pathways of capacity expansion and operational dispatch. We demonstrate our method with an analysis connecting the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the grid that serves most of Texas, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), the grid that serves the western half of the contiguous U.S., and the Eastern Interconnect, the grid that serves the eastern half of the contiguous U.S. Our results indicate that the cost-optimal capacity of interregional transmission connecting the ERCOT grid to other grids lies between 9–13 GW assuming baseline conditions. Building this amount of connecting capacity in one or multiple directions lowers the costs and emissions of development and operation by up to $16 billion and 257 million metric tonnes (MMT) respectively. Additionally, our results show that the interregional connections between ERCOT and other national grids reduce the amount of total load shed required through mild winter storm events. However, our results also show that there is a threshold of very extreme winter storm conditions, spanning multiple service areas, above which the connections exacerbate resource adequacy problems. Therefore, the results indicate that the connections need to be carefully planned alongside the rest of the grid infrastructure to avoid over-reliance on specific resources or technology options.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Maximizing Revenue from Electrical Energy Storage Paired with Community Solar Projects in NYISO Markets

The New York State Public Service Commission recently made significant changes to the compensation mechanisms for distributed energy resources, such as solar generation. The new mechanisms, called the Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER), alter the value proposition of potential installations. In particular, multiple time-of-generation based pricing alternatives were established, which could lead to potential benefits from pairing energy storage systems with solar installations. This paper presents the calculations to maximize revenue from a solar photovoltaic and energy storage system installation operating under the VDER pricing structures. Two systems in two different zones within the New York Independent System Operator area were modeled. The impact of AC versus DC energy storage system interconnections with solar generation resources was also explored. The results show that energy storage systems could generate significant revenue depending on the pricing alternative being targeted and the zone selected for the project.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Informing Cybersecurity Decisions With the Value-at-Risk Framework

Security at every site is critical to making hydropower a strong contributor to the country's grid, but with ongoing development and expanding capabilities, the diversity of the existing hydropower fleet makes across-the-board investment decisions difficult. The threat of cyberattacks naturally increases as the interconnection of Information Technology and Operational Technology networks broadens. Hydropower plants require custom analyses that are specific to the unique challenges and characteristics of any given facility. Facilities, however, often do not have the necessary resources for managers to make informed decisions on investments based on assessed capabilities and risks.

cybersecurity↗
DOE OSTI2021

Securing Distributed Energy Resource Integration

The penetration of distributed energy resources (DER) is growing at much higher rates than predicted 20 years ago. Far from being used only in residential settings, DER are now installed on distribution and transmission circuits. In this position, they do not have the same properties as traditional generators and are more flexible in many cases. The growing penetration and range of uses for DER motivate the need to reliably and safely integrate them into the grid. Operators must be able to rely on them not only for normal operation, but also during abnormal conditions like black starts or adverse cyber scenarios. To that end, we study the communications, device interfaces, and potential consequences of DER operation under abnormal and adversarial conditions. The weaknesses of communications networks are studied based on the industrial protocols used, and the benefits of security features are examined. The device interfaces are found to be vulnerable to attack based on the requirements in the IEEE-1547 standard for DER interconnection and interoperability, which is expected to be adopted in the next ten years. In addition to exploring the requirements of the standard, we show that these vulnerabilities and others do exist and can be used maliciously in a modern storage system DER. Consequences of these vulnerabilities range from exacerbated grid instability, to simultaneous loss of large portions of DER penetration, to physical damage to inverters or DER themselves and other sensitive equipment. We tie these outcomes to specific attacker actions in an effort to give operators a better threat intelligence view that allows them to prioritize mitigations. Finally, we discuss mitigations that could prevent many of the adversarial scenarios described. Some solutions can be added to existing infrastructure, while others may require longer term planning for grid modernization with consideration for security.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Real-Time Testbed for Studying Cyberattacks and Defense in DER-integrated Smart Inverter Systems

In this paper, we propose a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation testbed suitable for the implementation and testing of realistic cyberattacks on grid-tied smart inverter systems integrated with Distributed Energy Resources (DER) that use the Distributed Network Protocol-3 (DNP3) protocol for communications between grid components. Specifically, our testbed combines a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) NovaCor device, outfitted with GNETx2 network interface cards, a gridtied DER topology implemented via the RTDS software package RSCAD, and a custom virtual network that emulates a man in the middle attacker. The Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacker captures DNP3 traffic and falsifies telemetry data in DNP3 packets to trigger unwarranted commands from a DNP3 controller that exploit smart inverter grid support functions. We choose DNP3 and implement grid support functions according to the IEEE Std. 1547-2018 mandated for the interconnection and interoperability of DER power systems with associated power components. Furthermore, we develop a protocol payload agnostic attack detection framework that leverages the round-trip time (RTT) anomalies between DNP3 requests and responses and can detect the presence of attacks without having to analyze the payload’s contents, while balancing trade-offs between false alarm counts, missed detections, and time to detection. To facilitate further research, we publicly release benign and attack network traffic exchanged between various sensors, controllers, and actuators in our grid-tied inverter testbed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Validation of Microgrid Algorithms using At-Scale Simulation and Emulation Real-Time (ASSERT) Framework

This paper presents a novel framework for validating microgrid algorithms using a At-Scale Simulation and Emulation Real-Time (ASSERT) setup. The proposed universal microgrid validation framework was developed at Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform at National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, USA. As the number of intercommunicating devices grow in power systems, along with more integration of inverter-based resources, developing and validating microgrid operation and control algorithms is becoming complex and time-consuming task. The ASSERT framework is designed to provide a comprehensive, accurate, and efficient solution for validating microgrid algorithms. It combines at-scale simulations and real-time emulation to create a virtual environment that closely mimics the behavior of a physical microgrids which are characteristic of future smart distribution systems, such as: (1) increasing variability in the physical size of new energy technologies; (2) requiring control large numbers of interconnected devices, and (3) integrating diverse technologies that have not previously worked together. The paper describes the technical details of the ASSERT framework, its validation process, and its benefits over traditional validation methods. The framework's ability to validate the performance of various algorithms is demonstrated through a case study, which shows that it can effectively identify the weaknesses of an algorithm and optimize its performance. Overall, the ASSERT framework is a promising tool that can significantly enhance the development and validation of microgrid algorithms, leading to more reliable and efficient microgrid operation.

at-scale↗
DOE OSTI2017

Autonomous Energy Grids: Preprint

With much higher levels of distributed energy resources - variable generation, energy storage, and controllable loads just to mention a few - being deployed into power systems, the data deluge from pervasive metering of energy grids, and the shaping of multi-level ancillary-service markets, current frameworks to monitoring, controlling, and optimizing large-scale energy systems are becoming increasingly inadequate. This position paper outlines the concept of 'Autonomous Energy Grids' (AEGs) - systems that are supported by a scalable, reconfigurable, and self-organizing information and control infrastructure, can be extremely secure and resilient (self-healing), and self-optimize themselves in real-time for economic and reliable performance while systematically integrating energy in all forms. AEGs rely on scalable, self-configuring cellular building blocks that ensure that each 'cell' can self-optimize when isolated from a larger grid as well as partaking in the optimal operation of a larger grid when interconnected. To realize this vision, this paper describes the concepts and key research directions in the broad domains of optimization theory, control theory, big-data analytics, and complex system modeling that will be necessary to realize the AEG vision.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

A method to identify weak points of interconnection of renewable energy resources

The increasing penetration of renewable energy resources (RERs) is challenging power grid planning and operation in maintaining grid reliability. Potential power grid reliability and stability issues may arise when large-scale RERs are connected to a weak power grid. These issues may become more significant due to the mutual interactions among RERs that are interconnected electrically close through a power network. Weakness analysis based on grid strength assessment is useful for identifying the potential weak grid issues. However, when taking into account the impact of the interactions among RERs, the weakness analysis becomes computationally challenging. Different combinations of points of interconnections (POIs) of RERs may have different impacts on grid strength at each POI. Due to the combination nature, such weakness analysis may be time-consuming when identifying the weakest combination of POIs from a large number of potential candidates in realistic power grids. To address this concern, the impact of the power network structure on grid strength is analyzed in this paper. It is found that the impact mainly depends on the impedance ratios at POIs. The findings can be summarized as two criteria to develop a recursive method for fast identification of the weakest combination in this paper. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through case studies on the IEEE 39-bus system and a realistic power grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Grid Strength Analysis for Integrating 30 GW of Offshore Wind Generation by 2030 in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection: Preprint

Offshore wind is a key player in the transition to a decarbonized electric gird, and the United States has set ambitious goals of integrating 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. To facilitate this integration, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are conducting the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study to assess transmission solutions. To achieve the 110-GW target by 2050, meticulous planning for network expansion and resource allocation is essential; however, meeting the 2030 goals requires integrating offshore wind power with minimal system upgrades, thus necessitating a careful study of grid strength and stability. The study team developed the Grid Strength Analysis Tool (GSAT) to assess system strength under various operating conditions and contingencies, focusing on the proposed integration of 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. In this paper, we provide a summary of key features of the GSAT software and results of the grid strength analysis for integrating 30 GW of offshore wind generation by 2030 in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection.

Automated System-wide Strength Evaluation Tool (AS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Grid Strength Analysis for Integrating 30 GW of Offshore Wind Generation by 2030 in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection

Offshore wind is a key player in the transition to a decarbonized electric gird, and the United States has set ambitious goals of integrating 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. To facilitate this integration, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are conducting the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study to assess transmission solutions. To achieve the 110-GW target by 2050, meticulous planning for network expansion and resource allocation is essential; however, meeting the 2030 goals requires integrating offshore wind power with minimal system upgrades, thus necessitating a careful study of grid strength and stability. The study team developed the Automated System-wide Strength Evaluation Tool (ASSET) to assess system strength under various operating conditions and contingencies, focusing on the proposed integration of 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. In this paper, we provide a summary of key features of the ASSET software and results of the grid strength analysis for integrating 30 GW of offshore wind generation by 2030 in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection.

Automated System-wide Strength Evaluation Tool (AS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Supporting the Nation's Electric Interconnections through Integration of Water into their Long-Term Transmission Planning.

Water is a critical resource in the production of electric power. The purpose of this plan is to extend support to the nation's three electric interconnections toward integrating water issues into their long-range transmission planning. This continued support is at the request of the interconnections. The proposed program leverages prior support as well as that of other similarly focused efforts funded across the Department of Energy (DOE). The effort will utilize a project team lead by Sandia National Laboratories and supported by Argonne National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The activities recorded here are meant to provide a menu of potential projects that could be implemented as available resources permit.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Systems and methods for controlling electrical grid resources

The present invention relates to PMU-based control systems for dampening inter-area oscillations in large-scale interconnected power systems or grids to protect against a catastrophic blackout. The control systems receive phasor measurements from two or more locations on an AC transmission line and generates a power control command to a power resource on the grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Network Constraints Consideration for Grid-Edge Energy Management System

Increased deployment of distributed energy resources (DER) in distribution system is bringing need for enhanced grid intelligence, control, and flexibility. This is significant at the edge of the grid where DERs, loads or microgrids are located. Integrated DERs in a distribution system need to follow grid codes to avoid violations that results in DER disconnection. To comply with grid code requirements (e.g. IEEE 1547-2018) at the grid edge level, network constrained grid edge energy management system (GEEMS) is proposed in this paper. The objective of GEEMS is to provide economic solution for active and reactive power dispatch set-points at each interval and ensure voltage regulation to support secure interconnection of the grid edge segment to the distribution system. To evaluate the proposed GEEMS framework, four DERs are included into IEEE 13 bus system. GEEMS outperforms the existing economic dispatch-based energy management system by reducing the voltage violation.

Electric vehicle depot charging station↗
DOE OSTI2019

Widespread Loss of Communications in Grid Systems: Impacts and Response Strategies

This report explores the reliance on communication systems for bulk grid operations and considers selected options as a supplement to cyber security. The extreme scenario of a complete loss of communications for power grid operation is assessed, presenting a bounded, worst-case perspective. The paper explores grid communications failures and how a system modifications can, at an increased cost, retain a moderate level of preparedness for a loss of communications and control when used in partnership with cyber security protocols. Doing so allows the increased economic and secure operation that communication based controls affords, but also ensures a level of resilient operation if they are lost. The motivation of this paper is due to the proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) resources, and more generally, smart-grid resources within the US grid, which are requiring more and more active and wide-area controls. Though the loss of communication and control can affect nearly any grid control system, the risk of losing load at large scales requires a broad view of system interconnectivity, so it has been evaluated from a transmission perspective in this report.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Risk-informed Hierarchical Control of Behind-the-Meter DERs with AMI Data Integration (Final Technical Report)

This project addresses several key barriers to implement the next generation demand response applications and provides a clear understanding of implementing hierarchical and standalone control using AMI data. Through this program, Eaton has developed and tested a meter-as-a-controller prototype with the help of other partners--- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Pecan St Inc. (PSI), and Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC). The controller can utilize residential controllable loads such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC), electric water heater and distributed energy resources like solar PV and battery energy storage systems for off-setting the demand that is required from the grid, thus providing reliable grid-services for demand reduction or peak shaving. The controller is also capable of coordinating the resources of the premises for better management and energy efficiency while meeting the comfort bound of the premises owner as quality-of-service. The development has been demonstrated in a three virtual-home setup at system performance lab of NREL with real appliances (HVAC, electric water heater, solar PV, and battery). The technology has also been proved through laboratory and field demonstration with successful interconnectivity (e.g., end-to-end communication and data exchange) between the residential appliances and utility through the RF network at Delaware Electric Co-op (DEC) in Delaware.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cybersecurity Certification Requirements for Distributed Energy Resources: A Survey of SunSpec Alliance Standards

This survey paper explores the cybersecurity certification requirements defined by the SunSpec Alliance for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) devices, focusing on aspects such as software updates, device communications, authentication mechanisms, device security, logging, and test procedures. The SunSpec cybersecurity standards mandate support for remote and automated software updates, secure communication protocols, stringent authentication practices, and robust logging mechanisms to ensure operational integrity. Furthermore, the paper discusses the implementation of the SAE J3072 standard using the IEEE 2030.5 protocol, emphasizing the secure interactions between electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) for functionalities like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. This research also examines the SunSpec Modbus standard, which enhances the interoperability among DER system components, facilitating compliance with grid interconnection standards. This paper also analyzes the existing SunSpec Device Information Models, which standardize data exchange formats for DER systems across communication interfaces. Finally, this paper concludes with a detailed discussion of the energy storage cybersecurity specification and the blockchain cybersecurity requirements as proposed by SunSpec Alliance.

Tsikteris, Sean (ORCID:0009000524202250)↗