Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Power system protection”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Development of an Unmanned Mobile Current Turbine Platform: Preprint

The design and development of a prototype unmanned mobile floating platform, equipped with a custom low-flow marine current turbine for autonomously seeking and harnessing tidal/coastal currents is described. The platform is an unmanned surface vehicle in the form of a catamaran with two electric outboard motors and capabilities for autonomous navigation. An undershot water wheel, aided by a custom flow concentrator, has been selected as the basic design for the marine current turbine, which is mounted on the stern of the unmanned surface vehicle platform. The concept of operation is that the platform would navigate to a designated marine current resource, autonomously anchor at the location, align itself in the current and deploy the current turbine using a custom cable-lift deployment mechanism. As the turbine harnesses the local current, an onboard power-take-off device converts the harnessed mechanical energy to electricity which is stored in onboard batteries. Considerations of deployment in tidal and coastal waters required obtaining the necessary environmental permits for conducting in-water testing; developing required mitigation measures in protecting local wildlife and their habitats; and identifying potential in-water test sites and surveying them for their suitability in terms of the current resource, bottom type, water depth, and local boat traffic. The design and development of the turbine and the results of initial in-water testing are discussed. The potential for scaling up the system for extended capacity is presented.

ENGINEERING,TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2020

Advanced Power Systems Measurements: A Literature Review

In 2020, a literature survey was performed as part of a project aimed at producing guidance for the Department of Energy in the form of a Roadmap. The topic of the Roadmap was measurement. That was viewed as being generally underrepresented in consideration of sensing and measurement or instrumentation and measurement. Sensing is just the beginning of a process, and the instrument is just the container for the process. Measurement, the experimental process, has acquired a considerable body of theory over the last few decades, theory that is not widely taught and disseminated. The results of the survey can be said broadly to reflect that lack of appreciation. Specifically, the review found that there is support for the development of a more “capable” PMU. New algorithms and new documentary standards will be needed. Some of the findings are: (1) Point-on-wave technology adds new capability to the existing suite of measurements, and could allow for improved operation and protection (2) Power quality analysis has historically been concerned with assessment of how non-sinusoidal the delivered voltage shows promise in signature recognition, a departure from the modeling that has historically characterized power system measurements. (3) The PMU is assed as being a remarkable measurement system, but its performance is held back by the lack of understanding of the measurement theory underpinning its operation. (4) The PMU is being considered for application in the distribution system. There is a danger that it will be seen only in the light of the successful PMU implementation in transmission, and the two have different requirements. These various expansions of measurements will no doubt benefit from a better appreciation of the theoretical aspects of measurement. In this, and other, regards, our survey of the literature has identified gaps as well as possibilities.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

IP Protection in TinyML

Tiny machine learning (TinyML) is an essential component of emerging smart microcontrollers (MCUs). How- ever, the protection of the intellectual property (IP) of the model is an increasing concern due to the lack of desktop/server-grade resources on these power-constrained devices. In this paper, we propose STML, a system and algorithm co-design to Secure IP of TinyML on MCUs with ARM TrustZone. Our design jointly optimizes memory utilization and latency while ensuring the security and accuracy of emerging models. We implemented a prototype and benchmarked with 7 models, demonstrating STML reduces 40% of model protection runtime overhead on average.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Intelligent, grid-friendly, modular extreme fast charging system with solid-state DC protection

The development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric transportation. However, implementing such infrastructure is a complex task that requires consideration of factors such as space limitations, adherence to industry standards, grid capacity, and other technical and policy issues. This project seeks to create a framework for the efficient design of compact medium voltage (MV) extreme fast charging (XFC) stations for EVs. The station design involves the use of a solid-state transformer (SST) that connects to the MV distribution network, delivering power to a shared DC bus. This innovative approach eliminates the need for a step-down transformer to provide low-voltage service by connecting directly to the MV distribution network. Eliminating the low-frequency transformer not only reduces the system footprint and losses but also eliminates inrush currents during grid black-start. Additionally, placing power electronics directly on the distribution system allows for high-bandwidth filtering and power factor correction. The inclusion of a shared DC bus enables multiple charging dispensers and DC storage/generation units to connect, forming a DC microgrid. This setup facilitates power sharing with minimal conversion stages. The project showcases a DC distribution network protected by intelligent solid-state (SS) DC circuit breakers (DCCB) capable of isolating the smallest section of the faulted circuit much faster than existing mechanical solutions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

1. Physical Security Engineering by Design for Nuclear Facilities; 2. Nuclear Power Plant Site Security Management – A Security Strategy; 3. The UAE Women in Nuclear Energy Security

1. Security by design, or SeBD, is a comprehensive approach that integrates the physical protection system of a nuclear plant into every stage of its existence. This includes planning, designing, constructing, commissioning, and operating the facility, using a combination of analytical, physical, technological, and procedural measures. Essentially, SeBD involves intentionally applying and incorporating security into all aspects of design and operation throughout the entire lifecycle of a facility. By implementing this methodology throughout various phases such as program development, process implementation, staff training and procedures management in conjunction with plant equipment, facilities can be optimized to minimize security risks without compromising functional design requirements. This ultimately improves the overall security posture of the site and reduces the need for costly modifications or additional security resources post-design. 2. A site security strategy is a living document that is revised on a periodic or event-driven basis, ensuring that site security operations and corresponding procedures provide long-term, effective protection for the entire nuclear power plant (NPP) site. A site security strategy aims to mitigate threats across the entire NPP site via in-depth defense approaches and mutual support; therefore, if a layer is omitted or altered, then the effect across all layers must be re-evaluated. Therefore, the aim of the site security strategy is to provide an appropriate, scalable security regime that deters, denies, delays, and detects incidents and, equally importantly, reassures legitimate users and the regulator that due diligence and regulatory compliance have been achieved, ensuring that the site is safe and secure. Robust access control for vehicles and pedestrians is at the heart of the strategy. Vehicle and pedestrian searching and screening are seen as the strongest mitigation methods against vehicle- and pedestrian-borne attacks. The security strategy must also be supported through comprehensive staff training and the development of robust processes, procedures, and planning. If all these measures are to be effective, then training must be implemented during each phase of construction, partial operation/commissioning, and full operation. No single element of site security is completely isolated from the influence of other elements. Ideally, consideration of all key elements will result in a security strategy that is integrated and proportional to the threat and that does not over specify individual security solutions through the application of isolated measures but rather applies a holistic, all-encompassing approach. 3. When women enter the labor force, numerous positive outcomes emerge, including increased GDP, educational gains, and decreased maternal mortality. Despite these benefits, women's employment rates and equality vary significantly worldwide as does support for women in the workforce. This paper will explore the multifaceted benefits of women's employment, the factors influencing labor force participation rates, and the urgency to achieve gender equality as outlined in the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will then examine the emerging presence of women in the traditionally male-dominated nuclear field, specifically within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a testament to their resilience and determination to break social norms and advance gender equality.

Zineddin, Dr. Z.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Background Information on the Protection Requirements in IEEE Std 1547-2018

As the DER penetration level has risen significantly in recent times, parameter settings and configuration of installed DERs are having direct impact on local electric distribution utilities as well as bulk power systems during normal and abnormal grid conditions. On the other hand, all grid-connected DERs in the United States of America must conform to the interconnection requirements prescribed in the IEEE Std 1547-2018. Because of these reasons, it is crucial to understand the expected DER performance during abnormal grid conditions considering the requirements of the IEEE Std 1547-2018. The aim of this document is twofold: (1) to summarize requirements in IEEE Std 1547-2018 having direct implications in distribution network protection, and (2) to provide the reader with knowledge and information that will be required for users to apply the requirements specified. Since the focus of this document is on distribution network protection in the presence of DERs, it is assumed that the readers have basic understanding of distribution network protection as well as working principles of DERs. This document starts with a brief introduction on protection systems for distribution network followed by a discussion on the impact of DER on the protection systems. Current practices to provide network protection in the presence of DER is briefly discussed. The document then explores the DER performance requirements in IEEE Std. 1547-2018; especially on those related to distribution network protection. Section 6.1 in IEEE Std. 1547-2018 provides an overview of capabilities and control requirements for DER under abnormal operating conditions. This section also introduces abnormal operating performance categories I, II, III. The DER response to various types of faults and grid conditions such as short-circuit faults and open phase conditions are discussed in section 6.2 in the standard while requirements for coordination with the Area EPS reclosing scheme are provided in section 6.3. Section 6.4 in the IEEE Std 1547-2018 specifies requirements for mandatory voltage tripping and ride-through requirements during low and high voltage disturbances and section 6.5 specifies similar requirements for low and high frequency disturbances. IEEE Std. 1547 requires that the conformance of the DERs to IEEE Std 1547-2018 requirements should be verified in accordance with IEEE Std. 1547. 1. There are several parameters and settings of DERs that need to be properly selected for reliable operation during abnormal grid condition while applying the requirements of IEEE Std 1547-2018. Key decisions for proper selections of parameter and settings are: 1. Determination of required DER abnormal operating performance category, 2. Determination of DER response (shall trip) to abnormal voltages and 3. Determination of DER response (shall trip) to abnormal frequency.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

OT Operational Anomaly Detection (OAD) T&D + DER

The growth of utility-scale renewable energy resources, distributed energy resources (DER), and transportation electrification has increased uncertainty and cybersecurity risks in power grids. The Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture model which is widely adopted by the utility industry is now insufficient to protect the power grid against cyber-attacks. There is a need to identify what cybersecurity model is effective on Energy Management System (EMS), Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), and DER Management System (DERMS) to address the fundamental cybersecurity challenges in the age of increasing renewable energy and DER share as well as consumer participation in the electric energy industry. The next generation of cybersecurity model for OT network should be able to detect inside attackers, mitigate the cybersecurity risks arising from the new grid participants including DER aggregators, electric vehicle owners, and behind-the-meter consumers outside the utility company, and develop the strategy to trust consumer measurement data. This panel will discuss the challenges and pathways for the development of an ensemble cybersecurity model based on predictive state estimation to detect cybersecurity anomalies in OT network including EMS, ADMS, and DERMS.

cybersecurity↗
DOE OSTI2020

Secondary Networks and Protection: Implications for DER and Microgrid Interconnection

Secondary networks are used to supply power to loads that require very high reliability and are in use around the world, particularly in dense urban downtown areas. The protection of secondary network systems poses unique challenges. The addition of distributed energy resources (DERs) to secondary networks can compound these challenges, and deployment of microgrids on secondary networks will create a new set of challenges and opportunities. This report discusses secondary networks and their protection, the challenges associated with interconnecting DERs to a secondary network, issues expected to be associated with creating microgrids on secondary networks, standards that deal with these challenges and issues, and suggestions for research and development foci that would yield new means for addressing these challenges.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Feedback Control Strategy for Transient Stability Application

Power systems are subjected to a wide range of disturbances during daily operations. Severe disturbances, such as a loss of a large generator, a three-phase bolted fault on a generator bus, or a loss of a transmission line, can lead to the loss of synchronism of a generator or group of generators. The ability of a power system to maintain synchronism during the few seconds after being subjected to a severe disturbance is known as transient stability. Most of the modern methods of controlling transient stability involve special protection schemes or remedial action schemes. These special protection schemes sense predetermined system conditions and take corrective actions, such as generator tripping or generation re-dispatch, in real time to maintain transient stability. Another method is the use of a real-time feedback control system to modulate the output of an actuator in response to a signal. This paper provides a fundamental evaluation of the use of feedback control strategies to improve transient stability in a power system. An optimal feedback control strategy that modulates the real power injected and absorbed by distributed energy-storage devices is proposed. Its performance is evaluated on a four-machine power system and on a 34-machine reduced-order model of the Western North American Power System. The result shows that the feedback control strategy can increase the critical fault clearing time by 60%, thereby improving the transient stability of the power system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Emergency Radiation Dose Rate Monitoring During Prolonged Armed Conflict

The 2022 Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has introduced unprecedented challenges for the nuclear power generation and radiological safety communities, including occupation and disturbance of highly-contaminated areas, occupation of a nuclear power plant, and strikes near and within boundaries of nuclear sites. The war has necessitated the implementation of a supplementary dose rate sensor network to provide resilient measurement data for public protection and leadership awareness. This paper discusses the implementation of such a system, the factors determining what equipment is best suited for the purpose, and practical factors regarding deployment of the system and data management. The crucial factors for operating a supplementary dose rate sensing network are backup power and communications options for dose rate sensors to make the network resilient to the effects of military operations. The most important implementation factor is to plan for extended operations beyond those typically considered for emergency response given the unpredictable nature of warfare.

resilience↗
DOE OSTI2026

Integral Nuclear Data and Benchmarking Needs for Fusion Energy Systems

Fusion energy systems are currently being designed and optimized using radiation transport codes. To deal with the unique environment inside a fusion-based system, many of these designs incorporate novel materials able to withstand the high radiation fields, ensure adequate cooling and thermal protection, and produce tritium. Validation plays a vital role in building trust in the predictive power of these models and computational methods. Validation of a code consists of modeling documented real-world experiments and comparing the code-predicted response to the measured response. Adequate validation requires measured responses from real-world experiments, also known as integral data, that mimic the system being designed, including materials, impinging radiation, and temperature, among other variables. The most trusted integral data are experimental responses that have been through a rigorous benchmarking process that develops a recommended computational model and evaluates all experimental uncertainties. Finally, there are a few research groups around the world that have been producing integral data for fusion applications, but a substantial investment is needed to address the unique validation needs of the fusion community.

Fusion↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hardware-in-the-loop Testing of Signal Temporal Logic Frequency Control in a Microgrid

This paper presents a hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and lessons learned for a signal temporal logic (STL) frequency control in a microgrid setting. In contrast to most, if not all, traditional control mechanisms, the STL control allows for including temporal constraints in the control formulation to handle sophisticated specifications from grid codes and protection relays. This feature provides richer descriptions of control specifications to address both magnitude and time simultaneously, hence a valuable tool for power system operation and control. An ultra-low voltage (24V) HITL microgrid platform consisting of two type-3 wind turbine generators and one diesel generator is used to test the proposed STL frequency control. In experimental case studies, we demonstrate that the HITL frequency responses closely match the simulated ones and strictly satisfy the designed STL control specifications.

Ferrari Maglia, Max↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluating software defined networking solutions to reduce the digital attack surface of nuclear security systems

Most nuclear security systems used today were not designed for today’s threat environment. Systems that were intended to be stand alone are now interconnected. Devices that have a single purpose are built on multi-purpose platforms and communication protocols that, while effective, have no ability to authenticate authorized versus unauthorized commands. These attributes provide an attacker significant ability to affect the system, pivot throughout the interconnected networks, and remain undetected if he/she is able to compromise a single node. Software defined networking (SDN) has been used for years by information technology (IT) cloud service providers to quickly provision or remove servers or other systems to meet changing demand. The same concept has recently been applied to operational technology (OT) systems to enable very fast failover on critical systems that have stringent and deterministic (<5ms) transmit/receive times. By carefully engineering the communication flows through a network using preplanned routes and specific pathways it is possible to achieve deterministic and extremely reliable message delivery even when components fail. This engineering approach to network design has added security benefits including securing the networking control plane, eliminating network scanning and mapping, inhibiting ARP spoofing and host masquerading, eliminating unauthorized network pivoting and enabling greater situational awareness on the network. SDN in OT environments is new but early testing in electrical power and other critical infrastructure has shown it to be a very powerful tool for building reliable networks and reducing the digital attack surface of the network. The authors tested a software defined network switch on a simple physical protection system with components commonly found in nuclear security systems and found improved mitigations to denial of service attacks, lateral movement and network reconnaissance. The paper details the tests and their results.

Cyber security, Nuclear security, software defined↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of the first version of the new RFPI system dedicated to PIP-II project accelerator

The Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) control system is one of the most critical superconducting linac infrastructures responsible for the parameters of the beam acceleration. The LLRF system mainly focuses on the electromagnetic field parameters inside the cavity. While it incorporates fast feedback algorithms to optimize energy transfer to the passing particle beam it does not follow other cryomodule or cavity parameter changes. The Radio Frequency Protection Interlock (RFPI) system closely monitors various factors (like cryomodule vacuum, beamline vacuum, field emission probe current level, temperature, RF signal leakage, etc). Its simple but reliable logic has to provide an instant decision about the LLRF system or high-power amplifier output signal blocking in case of safety region excitation. This contribution presents a new version of the RFPI system which logic is implemented in the FPGA chip. The initial work on the prototype of the new system design resulted in the PoC (Proof of Concept) device. The PoC offers the possibility of various protection logic configurations, input signals parameters evaluation, and modularity aspects verification. The structure and test results from the device evaluation are summarized and discussed in this contribution.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Optimized Highly Efficient SSCB Using Organic Substrate Packaging for Electric Vehicle Applications

Solid State Circuit Breakers (SSCBs) are an attractive protection solution for their arcless current interruption and fast actuation speeds over mechanical breakers. This paper proposes a Bidirectional SSCB (BSSCB) with a thermally defined and digitally controlled current time profile for fault protection in EV and other low-voltage DC systems. The paper proposes an organic packaging approach utilizing flex circuitry to develop a reliable, cost-effective power module for BSSCBs. The paper studies transient heat transfer in the power modules using finite element analysis (FEA). An RC themal ladder network is extracted to define a fusing curve. To demonstrate and verify the design, a 1kV/50 A SiC MOSFET BSSCB prototype is fabricated and tested, having a power density of 60 W/cm3 and 4x reduction in form factor over presently researched breakers. Also, given are results for 750 V/150 A operation showing interruption in 2.4 μs.

organic power packaging↗
DOE OSTI2023

Improving EV Charging Resilience under a Device Fault Condition

This paper presents a multi-layer control framework that can improve resilience of an electric vehicle (EV) charging system when a device fault occurs in an EV charger power converter. The multi-layer framework built in a hierarchical structure allows fast protection and device fault ride through (DFRT), active status monitoring, and control optimization to improve the charging resilience. The feasibility and the effectiveness of the DFRT response and the control optimization are verified through controller hardware-in-the-loop demonstration.

Kim, Namwon↗