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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Optoelectronic polymer memristors with dynamic control for power-efficient in-sensor edge computing

Abstract As the demand for edge platforms in artificial intelligence increases, including mobile devices and security applications, the surge in data influx into edge devices often triggers interference and suboptimal decision-making. There is a pressing need for solutions emphasizing low power consumption and cost-effectiveness. In-sensor computing systems employing memristors face challenges in optimizing energy efficiency and streamlining manufacturing due to the necessity for multiple physical processing components. Here, we introduce low-power organic optoelectronic memristors with synergistic optical and mV-level electrical tunable operation for a dynamic “control-on-demand” architecture. Integrating signal sensing, featuring, and processing within the same memristors enables the realization of each in-sensor analogue reservoir computing module, and minimizes circuit integration complexity. The system achieves 97.15% fingerprint recognition accuracy while maintaining a minimal reservoir size and ultra-low energy consumption. Furthermore, we leverage wafer-scale solution techniques and flexible substrates for optimal memristor fabrication. By centralizing core functionalities on the same in-sensor platform, we propose a resilient and adaptable framework for energy-efficient and economical edge computing.

Optics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Synchronous Wind: Evaluating the Grid Impact of Inverterless Grid-Forming Wind Power Plants

Grid-forming (GFM) control of Type-3 and Type-4 wind turbine generators has attracted substantial attention in power systems research; however, the limited over-current capability of power electronics converters continues to deteriorate the grid strength of the evolving power systems. This paper develops the generic model of synchronous wind power generators, also known as Type-5 wind turbines, for power system integration studies. The Type-5 wind turbine interfaces with the electric grid through a synchronous generator; hence, its operation and consequent grid impacts are similar to a conventional power plant. Based on the developed model, a Type-5 wind power plant is integrated into the IEEE 14-bus test bed to evaluate its control and operation with a bulk power system. Finally, the stability properties of Type-5 wind turbine generators are compared with Type-3 wind turbines in GFM control mode through impedance characterization.

grid strength↗
DOE OSTI2021

Power-to-Gas Systems for Active Load Management at EV Charging Sites with High DER Penetration

Intermittent renewable systems and increasing electric vehicle (EV) penetrations increase load intermittency—and will require expensive distribution system infrastructure upgrades. Power-to-gas (P2G) systems are highly controllable loads that can be modulated to regulate the net load behind the meter. In this work, we present an active load management approach using P2G systems to regulate the net load for an EV charging station with high penetrations of renewable generation. The system also validates the feasibility of the proposed approach using a 750-kW electrolyzer operated with the distribution system in a real-time power-hardware-in-the-loop test. Finally, we evaluate the impact of the size of the P2G system on its ability to regulate the net load.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,POWER TRANSMISSION AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Industrialized and Robotic Construction Advances in Terrestrial Construction and Opportunities in Space Construction

Advanced Building Construction (ABC) methods such as industrialized prefabrication and robotically controlled additive deposition are becoming promising technologies to support rapid construction of buildings at volume and scale. However, apart from the structural shell of the building, optimal integration of other systems – mechanical, electrical, plumbing, thermal, power generation, storage and distribution, is key to enabling functional buildings. Leveraging ABC methods to integrate such systems in the buildings requires the building design to be optimized for constructability constraints imposed by the industrialized and robotically controlled production setups entailing such ABC methods. The Industrialized Construction Innovation (ICI) team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been focusing on research and development of such ABC technologies and processes that can lead to production of buildings which are resilient to extreme climatic conditions at reduced cost and time. There is a potential synergy between such advancements in terrestrial construction, which can be leveraged for the benefit of space (orbital and extra-terrestrial) construction. Similarly, advances in space construction can lend itself to accelerated adoption of robotic construction methods in terrestrial construction. This presentation will give an overview of selective research efforts of the ICI team at NREL, along with a vision for potential collaborations with agencies like NASA.

3D printing↗
DOE OSTI2020

Analyzing the Effects of Cyberattacks on Distribution System State Estimation: Preprint

Key components of power systems—such as energy management systems, automatic generation control, and state estimation—are under serious vulnerability from cyber attacks. Cyber threats in electric grids have increased significantly because of the increased interconnectivity of supervisory control and data acquisition systems and public network infrastructure. As the penetration level of distributed energy resources increases, it is imperative to employ system-monitoring techniques such as state estimation for the reliable operation of distribution systems. Recently, multiple methods have been developed that exploit the low rank property of distribution system state matrix and are robust to bad data, such as matrix completion. This paper analyzes the impact of various realistic cyber attack scenarios on matrix completion. Realistic cyber attack scenarios are converted into data corruption models that are used in an extensive simulation of a custom IEEE 123-bus system.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fabrication of neutron absorbing metal hydride entrained ceramic matrix shield composites

With significant improvement in High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), several projects are adopting HTS technology for fusion power systems. Compact HTS tokamaks offer potential advantages including lower plant costs, enhanced plasma control, and ultimately lower cost of electricity. However, as compact reactors have a reduced radial build to accommodate shielding, HTS degradation due to radiation damage or heating is a significant and potentially design limiting issue. Shielding must mitigate threats to the superconducting coils: neutron cascade damage, heat deposition and potentially organic insulator damage due x-rays. Unfortunately, there are currently no hi-performance shielding materials to enable the potential performance enhancement offered by HTS. In this work, we present a manufacturing method to fabricate a new class of composite shields that are high performance, high operating temperature, and simultaneously neutron absorbing and neutron moderating. The composite design consists of an entrained metal-hydride phase within a radiation stable MgO ceramic host matrix. We discuss the fabrication, characterization, and thermophysical performance data for a series of down-selected composite materials inspired by future fusion core designs and their operational performance metrics. To our knowledge these materials represent the first ceramic composite shield materials containing significant metal hydrides.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

System and methods for deploying payloads

Embodiments of the present invention include systems for launching primary or secondary payloads or actuating other launch vehicle or payload or instrumentation devices. The system includes an adapter assembly and at least one sequencer mounted to the adapter assembly. The sequencer includes: controller boards, each of the controller boards having a controller for controlling deployment of the payloads and data files; output ports coupled to the controller boards and configured to transmit signals from the controller boards to dispensers therethrough, deployment mechanisms containing the payloads, the adapter assembly having channels for accommodating the dispensers; and a detector coupled to the controller boards and adapted to detect an external signal and, in response to the external signal, to send an initiation signal to the controller boards. The system also includes at least one power supply coupled to the sequencer and adapted to provide an electrical power to the sequencer.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Synchronized electric meter having an atomic clock

Smart electric meters configured to perform fast, time-synchronized electrical energy measurements at the consumer-level are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a smart electric meter includes circuitry configured to measure an electrical value at a location of an end user in a power system. The smart electric meter can further include an atomic clock configured to output a timing signal, and a controller configured to receive (a) the measured electrical value from the circuitry and (b) the timing signal from the atomic clock. The controller can further (a) process the electrical value to generate meter data and (b) generate a time tag based on the timing signal. Then, the controller can associate the time tag with the meter data to generate time-tagged meter data.

Min, Liang↗
DOE OSTI2022

Charging Infrastructure Technologies: Development of a Multiport, >1 MW Charging System for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles

Development of a Multiport, >1 MW Charging System for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles project will develop research tools for a framework to design, optimize, and demonstrate key components of a multi-port 1+ MW medium-voltage connected charging system. The objectives of this effort are to develop strategies and technologies for multi-port 1+ MW grid-connected stations to recharge MD/HD electric vehicles at fast-charging travel plazas or at fleet depots; through industry engagement, charging station utilization and load analysis, grid impacts and interconnection analysis, detailed power electronics component design and controller demonstration, site and battery charge control design and controller demonstration; and charging connector design.

1+MW charging↗
DOE OSTI2021

Resilient Operation of Power Distribution Systems Using MPC-Based Critical Service Restoration

Power distribution systems are more prone to disruptions and cause most power system outages. We propose a service restoration technique to recover the system service (electricity delivery) following an extreme event-triggered substation outage. The proposed technique considers the problem of controlling distributed energy resources (DERs) of a distribution system with the objective of achieving maximum load pick up while satisfying network flow and voltage constraints. The problem is formulated as a model predictive control (MPC), where a linearized optimal power flow (OPF) model is employed to describe the network. The formulation is augmented with a ramping (up) reserve product for the DERs to ensure an upward monotonic load restoration as time evolves. We perform simulations considering the IEEE 13-bus test feeder integrated with wind, solar, microturbine, and energy storage devices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the devised technique in restoring the system loads monotonically, without shedding previously restored loads. We also show the benefit of co-optimization of power and reserve products for DERs on service restoration. In addition, the capability of the technique in regulating nodal voltages and reducing renewable power curtailment is demonstrated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Resilient Operation of Power Distribution Systems Using MPC-Based Critical Service Restoration: Preprint

Power distribution systems are more prone to disruptions and cause most power system outages. We propose a service restoration technique to recover the system service (electricity delivery) following an extreme event-triggered substation outage. The proposed technique considers the problem of controlling distributed energy resources (DERs) of a distribution system with the objective of achieving maximum load pick up while satisfying network flow and voltage constraints. The problem is formulated as a model predictive control (MPC), where a linearized optimal power flow (OPF) model is employed to describe the network. The formulation is augmented with a ramping (up) reserve product for the DERs to ensure an upward monotonic load restoration as time evolves. We perform simulations considering the IEEE 13-bus test feeder integrated with wind, solar, microturbine, and energy storage devices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the devised technique in restoring the system loads monotonically, without shedding previously restored loads. We also show the benefit of co-optimization of power and reserve products for DERs on service restoration. In addition, the capability of the technique in regulating nodal voltages and reducing renewable power curtailment is demonstrated.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Resilient Operation of Power Distribution Systems Using MPC-Based Critical Service Restoration

Power distribution systems are more prone to disruptions and cause most power system outages. We propose a service restoration technique to recover the system service (electricity delivery) following an extreme event-triggered substation outage. The proposed technique considers the problem of controlling distributed energy resources (DERs) of a distribution system with the objective of achieving maximum load pick up while satisfying network flow and voltage constraints. The problem is formulated as a model predictive control (MPC), where a linearized optimal power flow (OPF) model is employed to describe the network. The formulation is augmented with a ramping (up) reserve product for the DERs to ensure an upward monotonic load restoration as time evolves. We perform simulations considering the IEEE 13-bus test feeder integrated with wind, solar, microturbine, and energy storage devices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the devised technique in restoring the system loads monotonically, without shedding previously restored loads. We also show the benefit of co-optimization of power and reserve products for DERs on service restoration. In addition, the capability of the technique in regulating nodal voltages and reducing renewable power curtailment is demonstrated.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modelling and control coordination scheme of a wind‐to‐hydrogen set for future renewable‐based power systems

New challenges regarding system stability and efficiency arise when power systems operate with a high penetration level of inverter‐based renewable sources (IBRSs) and few synchronous generators. Since IBRSs have been on the rise, to secure the stable operation of future power systems, IBRSs will be required to support systems without having to rely on remaining synchronous generators. Also, to efficiently manage the uncertainty of renewable production, power‐to‐gas technology can provide the required flexibility. This study proposes modelling and a control coordination scheme (CCS) of a wind‐to‐hydrogen (W2H) set to optimise electricity production from a variable‐speed wind turbine generator (WTG) while helping balance between supply and demand in a system. To achieve this, a grid‐forming (GFM) inverter‐based WTG is modelled and a set of electrolyser and fuel cell is integrated at the DC circuit of a GFM‐WTG to be coordinated. Furthermore, the CCS offers an opportunity to reduce the investment cost for deploying a W2H set by utilising the control capabilities of a WTG and reducing the need for an additional device. The performance of the proposed W2H set with the CCS was verified considering the variations in system load and wind speed by using Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD)/ElectroMagnetic Transients including Direct Current (EMTDC).

Kim, Jinho↗
DOE OSTI2024

AOI [1] Advanced Manufacturing of Ceramic Anchors with Embedded Sensors for Process and Health Monitoring of Coal Boilers

Researchers at West Virginia University (WVU) developed methods to fabricate and test ceramic anchors with an embedded sensor technology for monitoring the health and processing conditions within pulverized coal (PC) and fluidized-bed combustion (FBC) boiler systems. The technology included the development of advanced manufacturing processes for 2D/3D printing electroceramic (conductive ceramic) sensor designs within the ceramic anchor microstructure during the manufacturing process. This advanced manufacturing process would allow for the precise control of local microstructure and composition in order to engineer layer-by-layer any protective and electrically active materials within the refractory anchor. This 3D printing technology would permit the rapid and controlled design of the refractory microstructure and embedded sensor design throughout the volume of the ceramic anchor. The work also included a method to interconnect the sensors to boiler shell through the anchor clamp, where the sensor signals will be processed by low-power electronics and transmitted wirelessly to a central processing hub. The end-goal of the program was to produce a ceramic anchor sensor system which would be ready for implementation within a coal boiler, and/or other similar refractory liner systems (such as that in the glass and metal manufacturing areas). The project objectives were to: 1) Define the chemical and microstructural stability, in addition to the electrical properties, of oxide and non-oxide ceramic composites to be embedded within the ceramic anchor compositions that may operate up to 1400ºC; 2) Develop and implement the 2D/3D printing technology to pattern and control the microstructure of the ceramic anchor and embedded sensor circuits; 3) Develop an interconnect technology which will permit easy installation of the ceramic anchors and signal collection at the boiler shell; 4) Develop low power analog electronics and wireless communication hardware to efficiently collect the sensor signal at each processing unit and transmit data to a central hub for data analysis; 5) Demonstrate the smart ceramic anchor system for temperature and liner fracture within a high-temperature processing unit, such as a boiler furnace or glass melting furnace floor/wall liner.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Guest Editorial Special Section on Advanced Medium-Voltage Power Electronics for Grid Interactive Applications

Medium-voltage power electronics (MVPE) plays essential roles in power grid modernization and links the MV distribution grid with low-voltage consumers and prosumers. Various MVPE devices, such as solid-state transformers or circuit breakers, inverter-based resources, power flow controllers, etc., bring the benefits of voltage conversion and power regulation in small footprint, power quality and efficiency improvements, and enhancements of grid controllability, flexibility, stability, and resilience. The MVPE also makes it possible for sustainable energy systems, such as solar/wind farms and energy storage generating facilities, to directly access to MV grids without multistage conversions. With their intrinsic intelligence and communications, MVPE enables many new smart grid functions and applications, e.g., dc interconnections and electric vehicle charging, which were not envisioned by traditional power grids otherwise. In addition, the integration of physical power processing units with cyber components forms a cyber-physical system, which is essential for long-term sustainability, development, and environmental preservation. Nonetheless, technical challenges on MVPE device reliability, scalable and efficient converter topologies, control stability, large-scale modeling and simulation, to name a few, need to be addressed and advanced to the next level. In conclusion, this Special Section on Advanced MV Power Electronics for Grid Interactive Applications in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics (TPEL) provides an insight on some of the recent advances in MVPE and emerging challenges and potential solutions.

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↗