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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 OSTI2025

Practical Implementation of GPU-based Computing at the Grid Edge for Resilience Scenarios

This paper presents a practical implementation of GPU-accelerated computing at the grid edge to enhance power system resilience through next-generation smart meters. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems rely predominantly on centralized processing architectures, which limit real-time response capabilities during grid disturbances. This work proposes the integration of GPU-enabled computational platforms directly within smart meter to enable local execution support for power system analytics, fault detection algorithms, and optimization routines. The proposed framework uses the Julia programming language to leverage highperformance parallel computing capabilities while maintaining code portability and development efficiency. We use two experimental scenarios to benchmark the computational feasibility of this approach: sparse linear system solutions representative of power flow analyses, and multi-stage production cost simulations incorporating unit commitment and economic dispatch operations. Results demonstrate that computationally intensive power system algorithms, such as those supporting resilience scenario calculations, can be effectively executed at the distribution edge using commercially available embedded GPU hardware. Keywords—GPU acceleration, edge computing, smart meters, grid resilience, AMI, resilience.

De Souza, Reubun [School of Electrical Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2018

Frequency Response Assessment and Enhancement of the U.S. Power Grids towards Extra-High Photovoltaic Generation Penetrations – an Industry Perspective

Nonsynchronous generations such as photovoltaics (PVs) are expected to undermine bulk power systems (BPSs)' frequency response at high penetration levels. Though the underlying mechanism has been relatively well understood, the accurate assessment and effective enhancement of the U.S. interconnections, frequency response under extra-high PV penetration conditions remains an issue. In this paper, the industry-provided full-detail interconnection models were further validated by synchrophasor frequency measurements and realistically-projected PV geographic distribution information were used to develop extra-high PV penetration scenarios and dynamic models for the three main U.S. interconnections, including Eastern Interconnection (EI), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Up to 65% instantaneous PV and 15% wind penetration were simulated and the frequency response change trend of each U.S. interconnection due to the increasing PV penetration level were examined. Most importantly, the practical solutions to address the declining frequency response were discussed. This paper will provide valuable guidance for policy makers, utility operators and academic researchers not only in the U.S. but also other countries in the world.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

EMP-Resilient Electric Grid Transformer Analysis

The response of a high - voltage (HV) transformer to fast rise time voltages, such as that from a electromagnetic pulse (EMP) can result in interruption of power distribution and possibly system failure. To help identify these potential occurrences, it is necessary to develop a transformer model that not only captures the input/output response of the transformer but also the internal behavior. The model constructed should cover the frequency band of interest while capturing the internal physical and electrical characteristics. This broad-band, high-fidelity model would enable the prediction of unwanted effects through simulation. A proposed modeling scheme for a HV transformer is described in Part 1 of this report. Part 2 of this report details assessments of internal voltage and electrical field holdoff testing of transformer insulation dielectric breakdown, including comparison of low frequency (DC/60 Hz) holdoff to rise times characteristic of lightning (1 s) and EMP E1 transients (10 - 30 ns). This initial project is a path toward establishing electrical grid transformer failure criteria for EMP voltage transients. We developed modeling methods and measured breakdown electrical field statistical distributions for direct current, 60 Hz, lightning and EMP characteristic voltage rise times. Methods of nanosecond-scale capacitive discharge unit high voltage source development, suggestions for derating of 60 Hz insulation maximum electrical fields for EMP nanosecond pulse voltage withstand rating, and potential methods for increasing transformer resilience to such fast rise time pulses are described.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Advanced Grid Support Functionality Testing for Florida Power and Light

This report describes the results of laboratory testing of advanced photovoltaic (PV) inverter testing undertaken by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on behalf of the Florida Power and Light Company (FPL). FPL recently commissioned a 1.1 MW-AC PV installation on a solar carport at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. In addition to providing a source of clean energy production, the site serves as a live test bed with 36 different PV inverters from eight different manufacturers. Each inverter type has varied support for advanced grid support functions (GSFs) that are becoming increasingly commonplace, and are being required through revised interconnection standards such as UL1741, IEEE1547, and California (CA) Rule 21. FPL is interested in evaluating the trade-offs between different GSFs, their compliance to emerging standards, and their effects on efficiency and reliability. NREL has provided a controlled laboratory environment to undertake such a study. This work covered nine different classes of tests to compare inverter capabilities and performance for four different inverters that were selected by FPL. The test inverters were all three-phase models rated between 24-36 kW, and containing multiple PV input power point trackers. Advanced grid support functions were tested for functional behavior, and included fixed power factor operation, voltage-ride through, frequency ride-through, volt-var control, and frequency-Watt control. Response to abnormal grid conditions with GSFs enabled was studied through anti-islanding, fault, and load rejection overvoltage tests. Finally, efficiency was evaluated across a range of operating conditions that included power factor, output power, and input voltage variations. Test procedures were derived from requirements of a draft revision of UL741, CA Rule 21, and/or previous studies at NREL. This reports summarizes the results of each test case, providing a comparative performance analysis between the four test inverters. Inverters were mostly able to meet the requirements of their stated GSF capabilities, with deviations from expected results discussed throughout the report. There were mixed results across the range of abnormal tests, and results were often dependent on the capability of each test inverter to deploy the GSFs of interest. Detailed test data has been provided to FPL to support future decision making with respect to inverter selection and GSF deployment in the field.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Demonstration of a fault impact reduction control module for wind turbines

Abstract. Traditionally, wind turbines in distributed applications make control decisions as isolated systems. They generally provide maximum power output during operation and manage internal faults with little consideration of the rest of the power system. Although fault detection and tolerance schemes are widely researched and implemented, controls to ameliorate such faults are uncommon in research and industry. The rapid shutdown of a wind turbine in a large transmission-connected wind plant will have a minimal impact on a large power system, but in a microgrid or isolated grid context the abrupt loss of a single wind turbine may cause grid instability and high stress on the system. This paper demonstrates a fault impact reduction control (FIRC) module for a wind turbine, which implements wider warning thresholds around fault thresholds. When the turbine crosses a warning threshold, the controller sends its predicted action to the grid controller, which facilitates the grid operator’s response to a potential wind turbine fault and then takes appropriate action to ameliorate the fault. Various test cases demonstrate the controller action under a variety of faults, and various scenarios demonstrate the grid benefit of an FIRC in both microgrid- and grid-connected contexts. The FIRC maximizes wind turbine generation and eases generation transition under a variety of fault scenarios. The FIRC module is easy to integrate with most existing controllers, just requiring derate capability, and can be easily modified to include the various warnings and thresholds that the user desires. This analysis is mainly performed in a MATLAB-Simulink-based research wind turbine model and is also implemented in the existing LabVIEW-based controller of the same research turbine at NREL.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Load Control for Frequency Response - A Literature Review

As electricity grids employ greater fractions of renewable energy, which introduce additional variability and uncertainty in the net load, balancing electrical load and generation becomes more challenging. This paper reviews the literature documenting physical simulations and real systems that employ load control (LC) for frequency response and other grid services, which balance net load on the grid and prevent unwanted frequency excursions. Apart from academic and simulation studies, few sources exist on large-scale laboratory hardware testing or actual real-world systems that employ LC for frequency response, and we review them here. Four types of systems that we consider are: 1) Laboratory-based LC experiments, 2) Isolated microgrids that employ LC, 3) Larger grids that employ LC and 4) vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, using electric vehicles (EVs). In general, these systems have successfully used LC to meet their objectives, which are often keeping grid frequency within a required band. However, LC struggled to balance grid frequency in an isolated system powered by a single wind turbine, and V2G technology requires refinement in communication and control to provide optimal regulation that adheres to industry standards. As LC grows in the energy industry, we have three main recommendations: 1) encouraging system operators who use LC to publish system characteristics and lessons learned; 2) transitioning more LC theoretical/simulated systems to physical experiments, and physical experiments to real-world pilot systems; 3) demonstrating load control to support isolated, high-wind-contribution systems.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Solving Unit Commitment Problems with Demand Responsive Loads

This work focuses on using variations of the Frank-Wolfe (FW) algorithm for solving unit commitment problems with high volumes of demand responsive loads on the power grid. We present a formulation of the unit commitment problem with demand responsive loads. We then show through reformulation and relaxations of the problem that variations of the Frank-Wolfe algorithm can be used to determine the time series decisions for the demand responsive loads. We show through computational experiments on the IEEE Reliability Test System that the timeseries of demand responsive load decisions obtained through our approach are near optimal and describe how large-scale parallel implementations of our approach can be highly computationally efficient.

demand response↗
DOE OSTI2024

Review of data-driven models for quantifying load shed by non-residential buildings in the United States

Shifting and shedding power demand in buildings can be cost-effective techniques for grids to function reliably and for end users to earn compensation. Grid operators reimburse customers in proportion to the quantity of load shed. Simple data-driven methods are used to quantify this shed, which is the difference between a measured load during the event and modeled "baseline" that would have occurred in absence of the event. These methods have evolved over the years and in many cases have been integrated with building physics, to make them a hybrid between physics based and empirical models. However, there is no comprehensive analysis that provides guidance to building operators, grid operators and researchers in selecting appropriate models based on their specific needs and available data. Here, this work aims to fill this gap by critically assessing the performance of baseline models put forward from the year 2000 through 2023. The literature reviewed includes reports generated by grid operators, reports from national laboratories and academic journal articles. The work outlines modeling features like the inputs, training period, estimation method, adjustments to fine tune the predictions and metrics to evaluate the performance. A comprehensive list of 50 models has been provided. For each model, the study explores the applicability of the model to weather sensitive buildings, variability in the building profile, timing of the event, and whether the building reduces energy consumption before an event. The work identifies the situations in which a particular model works and draws lessons based on evidence of performance. Finally, recommendations to aid in model selection are given.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Distribution Grid Management in the Presence of Distributed Energy Resources

The global concerns over climate change, government policies, and incentives in support of distributed energy resources (DERs) are accelerating the growth of DERs in distribution networks. The growth in DER penetration levels can create various issues such as over/under voltages, reverse power flows, overloading, and protection miscoordination. State-of-the-art grid automation solutions such as advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) and distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) can leverage the DERs to improve distribution grid operations. The ADMS offers advanced grid management functions such as Volt-VAR optimization (VVO), fault management, and outage management to the distribution operator to improve situational awareness and optimize network operations. The DERMS solutions aggregate the small-scale BTM DERs to provide grid services including demand response, voltage regulation, and situational awareness. In this presentation, distribution grid management approaches in the presence of DERs using ADMS and DERMS will be discussed.

ADMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Poster: Responsible Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Electric Grid Operations

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the utility transmission and distribution (T&D) sector is revolutionizing traditional grid management practices. As utilities encounter complexities from evolving consumer behaviors and energy integration, AI becomes a critical solution for enhancing grid monitoring, fault detection, and operational optimization. However, increased reliance on interconnected technologies introduces significant cybersecurity risks, regulatory compliance challenges, and human factors concerns. This study proposes a strategic, responsible and consequence-driven approach to AI implementation, examining the dual nature of AI adoption by highlighting its transformative benefits for utilities and associated risks. It provides utilities with a framework for evaluating AI integration, enabling them to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities to achieve greater reliability, efficiency, and resilience in an increasingly complex energy landscape.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2016

Method advancements for fuel assessments during seismic and LOCA events

The evaluation of fuel assembly structural responses of light-water reactors to seismic and LOCA excitations has received increased attention in the last five years. Real seismic events such as those that affected the Fukushima Daiichi and North Anna plants in 2011 have caused the industry to more closely examine our preparedness for seismic events. Furthermore, the review of design certifications for new plants has raised questions about the methods used to evaluate these events and is leading to revised guidance from regulators (e.g. US NRC Information Notice 2012-09). As a result, the industry is seeing fuel structural design margins based on current methods begin to erode for seismic and LOCA events. This paper will review points for consideration as the industry responds to these changes. To begin, it is worthwhile for the industry to understand the history and the critical thought behind the current methods such that improved criteria and methods can be formulated. This review identifies three known areas of weakness in the current framework for this methodology. First, a broader understanding of spacer grid behavior is needed. Spacer grid behavior in response to impact loads is of paramount importance, but the industry needs to re-frame our characterization of this behavior in order to focus on the actual critical safety function of this component. Secondly, despite guidance from the Standard Review Plan, the effects of irradiation, on spacer grid characteristics, in particular, must be considered. Thirdly, the area of fluid-structure-interaction may be the greatest frontier to conquer in this methodology and may provide our best possibility to recover eroded margins. However, fluid-structure-interactions must be cautiously evaluated and applied with conservatism. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Novel Control Strategy for Multiple Run-of-the-River Hydro Power Plants to Provide Grid Ancillary Services

Electricity generated by Hydropower Plants (HPPs) contributes a considerable portion of bulk electricity generation and delivers it with a low carbon footprint. In fact, HPP electricity generation provides the largest share from renewable energy resources, which includes solar and wind energy. The increasing penetration of wind and solar penetration leads to a lowered inertia in the grid and hence poses stability challenges. In recent years, breakthrough in energy storage technologies have demonstrated the economic and technical feasibility of extensive deployments in power grids. Multiple ROR HPPs if integrated with scalable, multi time-step energy storage so that the total output can be controlled. Although, the size of a single energy storage is far smaller than that of a typical reservoir, cohesively managing multiple sets of energy storage distributed in different locations is proposed. The ratings of storages and multiple ROR HPPs approximately equals the rating of a large, conventional HPP. The challenges associated with the system architecture and operation are described. Energy storage technologies such as supercapacitors, flywheels, batteries etc. can function as a dispatchable synthetic reservoir with a scalable size of energy storage will be integrated. Supercapacitors, flywheels, and battery are chosen to provide fast, medium, and slow responses to support grid requirements. Various dynamic and transient power grid conditions are simulated and performances of integrated ROR HPPs with energy storage is provided. The end goal of this research is to investigate the inertial equivalence of a large, conventional HPP with a unique set of multiple ROR HPPs and optimally rated energy storage systems.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Fuel Cell Backup Power System for Grid Service and Microgrid in Telecommunication Applications

This paper presents the feasibility and economics of using fuel cell backup power systems in telecommunication cell towers to provide grid services (e.g., ancillary services, demand response (DR)) as well as power for cell towers during emergency conditions. This study evaluates the strategic integration of clean, efficient, and reliable fuel cell systems with the grid for improved economic benefits. The backup systems can potentially enhance capabilities through information exchange with the power grid, which adds value for grid services that depend on location and time. The economic analysis focused on the potential revenue for distributed telecommunications fuel cell backup units to provide value-added power supply. This paper includes case studies on current fuel cell backup power locations and regional grid service programs. The grid service benefits and system configurations for different operation modes provide opportunities for expanding backup fuel cell applications responsive to grid needs. The objective of this work is primarily on how fuel cells can become a significant part of the telecom backup power fleet to reduce system costs, environmental impact, and dependence on fossil fuels, while ensuring continuity of indispensable service for mobile users. The study identifies different fuel cell applications and nano/microgrid approaches for an extensive network of fuel cells as distributed energy resources. The possibilities of various application scenarios extend to fuel cell technologies and microgrids for reliable power supply.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Dynamic Capabilities of an Energy Storage-Embedded DFIG System

Power electronic-based wind turbine generators (WTGs) are capable of providing inertial response to the grid by releasing kinetic energy from the turbine blade; thus, as conventional power plants are retired, the reduction of online inertia can be compensated by designing frequency controls for the WTGs. Deployment of energy storage technology for renewable generations has been increased to have the renewables centralized with a system operator as an independent power supply by making up for their nature of generation. In addition, the cost of energy storage has dropped over time and global research activities on energy storage have been funded by private industries and governments. This paper investigates the opportunity of deploying an energy storage on a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WTG to respond to the system frequency, and then explores dynamic capabilities of the energy storage-embedded DFIG to boost its contribution while the frequency response is being provided by the power system's online inertia; thus, enabling an effective delivery of ancillary services to the system. To do this, the dynamic models of DFIG and energy storage are combined and simulated under the different operating conditions of a DFIG, such as subsynchronous, synchronous, and supersynchronous operations, using the PSCAD.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2002

Scale Dependence of Statistics of Spatially Averaged Rain Rate Seen in TOGA COARE Comparison with Predictions from a Stochastic Model

A characteristic feature of rainfall statistics is that they in general depend on the space and time scales over which rain data are averaged. As a part of an earlier effort to determine the sampling error of satellite rain averages, a space-time model of rainfall statistics was developed to describe the statistics of gridded rain observed in GATE. The model allows one to compute the second moment statistics of space- and time-averaged rain rate which can be fitted to satellite or rain gauge data to determine the four model parameters appearing in the precipitation spectrum - an overall strength parameter, a characteristic length separating the long and short wavelength regimes and a characteristic relaxation time for decay of the autocorrelation of the instantaneous local rain rate and a certain 'fractal' power law exponent. For area-averaged instantaneous rain rate, this exponent governs the power law dependence of these statistics on the averaging length scale $L$ predicted by the model in the limit of small $L$. In particular, the variance of rain rate averaged over an $L \times L$ area exhibits a power law singularity as $L \rightarrow 0$. In the present work the model is used to investigate how the statistics of area-averaged rain rate over the tropical Western Pacific measured with ship borne radar during TOGA COARE (Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean Atmospheric Response Experiment) and gridded on a 2 km grid depends on the size of the spatial averaging scale. Good agreement is found between the data and predictions from the model over a wide range of averaging length scales.

Kundu, Prasun K.↗
DOE OSTI2016

On the Path to SunShot - Emerging Issues and Challenges in Integrating High Levels of Solar into the Electrical Generation and Transmission System

Increasing the use of grid-flexibility options (improved grid management, demand response, and energy storage) could enable 25% or higher penetration of PV at low costs (see Denholm et al. 2016). Considering the large-scale integration of solar into electric-power systems complicates the calculation of the value of solar. In fact a comprehensive examination reveals that the value of solar technologies—or any other power-system technology or operating strategy—can only be understood in the context of the generation system as a whole. This is well illustrated by analysis of curtailment at high PV penetrations within the bulk power and transmission systems. As the deployment of PV increases, it is possible that during some sunny midday periods due to limited flexibility of conventional generators, system operators would need to reduce (curtail) PV output in order to maintain the crucial balance between electric supply and demand. As a result, PV’s value and cost competitiveness would degrade. For example, for utility-scale PV with a baseline SunShot LCOE of 6¢/kWh, increasing the annual energy demand met by solar energy from 10% to 20% would increase the marginal LCOE of PV from 6¢/kWh to almost 11¢/kWh in a California grid system with limited flexibility. However, this loss of value could be stemmed by increasing system flexibility via enhanced control of variable-generation resources, added energy storage, and the ability to motivate more electricity consumers to shift consumption to lower-demand periods. The combination of these measures would minimize solar curtailment and keep PV cost-competitive at penetrations at least as high as 25%. Efficient deployment of the grid-flexibility options needed to maintain solar’s value will require various innovations, from the development of communication, control, and energy storage technologies to the implementation of new market rules and operating procedures.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗