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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

New Report Highlights LAMP's Role as a Robust and Reliable System for Wave Energy Converter Testing

Harnessing the power of waves requires more than just putting devices in the ocean - it takes tools that can refine and accelerate innovation before the first deployment. That's where NLR's largeamplitude motion platform, or LAMP, comes in. LAMP is a six-degree-of-freedom motion system designed to replicate the response of a wave energy converter (WEC) device in realistic ocean conditions. By letting researchers evaluate WEC performance in a safe, controlled lab environment before moving offshore, LAMP helps accelerate innovation while reducing risk. An NLR report, titled Initial Characterization of the NLR LargeAmplitude Motion Platform (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy26osti/93733.pdf), provides a deeper understanding of LAMP's capabilities and also lays the groundwork for future advancements in WEC testing methodologies. Researchers studied LAMP's amplitude and frequency limits across different payloads and collected data from 16 test profiles. Testing demonstrated that platform accuracy remained consistent across all payloads evaluated; researchers expect similar accuracy up to LAMP's 10,000-kilogram capacity limit. The measured position limits for single degrees of freedom experienced by WECs, including surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw, also exceeded the original manufacturer specifications, providing new insight into the true boundaries of the system.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS1993

Primary and secondary electrical space power based on advanced PEM systems

For new space ventures, power continues to be a pacing function for mission planning and experiment endurance. Although electrochemical power is a well demonstrated space power technology, current hardware limitations impact future mission viability. In order to document and augment electrochemical technology, a series of experiments for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center (NASA LeRC) are underway at the Los Alamos National Laboratory that define operational parameters on contemporary proton exchange membrane (PEM) hardware operating with hydrogen and oxygen reactants. Because of the high efficiency possible for water electrolysis, this hardware is also thought part of a secondary battery design built around stored reactants - the so-called regenerative fuel cell. An overview of stack testing at Los Alamos and of analyses related to regenerative fuel cell systems are provided in this paper. Finally, this paper describes work looking at innovative concepts that remove complexity from stack hardware with the specific intent of higher system reliability. This new concept offers the potential for unprecedented electrochemical power system energy densities.

Vanderborgh, N. E.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stability Analysis of Parallel Connected Bidirectional WPT System

This paper presents a stability analysis of parallel-connected bi-directional series-series resonant network wireless power transfer (WPT), optimized for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications. The study addresses critical stability challenges in systems integrated with diverse distributed energy resources (DERs), including photovoltaics, fuel cells, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and the AC grid. The stability of such integrated DC grid systems is paramount for ensuring reliable operation, particularly under varying power flow conditions and dynamic interactions between parallel WPT systems. The analysis included system impedance characterization, state-space modeling, and open and closed-loop stability evaluations. The results demonstrated that the integration of a robust control architecture effectively mitigates instability risks and supports scalable, efficient operation. This work underscores the converter's adaptability and its potential for large-scale deployment in wireless EV charging infrastructures and integrated DC grid systems.

Asa, Erdem [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000190884812)↗
DOE OSTI2024

The role of hydrogen as long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier for electricity sector decarbonization

With countries and economies around the globe increasingly relying on non-dispatchable variable renewable energy (VRE), the need for effective energy storage and international carriers of low-carbon energy has intensified. This study delves into hydrogen's prospective, multifaceted contribution to decarbonizing the electricity sector, with emphasis on its utilization as a scalable technology for long-duration energy storage and as an international energy carrier. Using Japan as a case study, based on its ambitious national hydrogen strategy and plans to import liquefied hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel source, we employ advanced models encompassing capacity expansion and hourly dispatch. We explore diverse policy scenarios to unravel the timing, quantity, and operational intricacies of hydrogen deployment within a power system. Our findings highlight the essential role of hydrogen in providing a reliable power supply by balancing mismatches in VRE generation and load over several weeks and months and reducing the costs of achieving a zero-emission power system. The study recommends prioritizing domestically produced hydrogen, leveraging renewables for cost reduction, and strategically employing imported hydrogen as a risk hedge against potential spikes in battery storage and renewable energy costs. Furthermore, the strategic incorporation of hydrogen mitigates system costs and enhances energy self-sufficiency, informing policy design and investment strategies aligned with the dynamic global energy landscape.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Identification of pressure points in modern power systems using transfer entropy

Power shortages disrupt daily life, economic activity, and essential services. In modern power systems, weather is an increasingly important driver of reliability: high temperatures raise demand and limit transmission capacity, and calm or cloudy periods reduce wind and solar supply. Using a data-driven analysis, this study identifies grid infrastructure whose operating patterns help predict power shortages. The results show that reliability risks often emerge from interacting stresses across generation, transmission, and demand, rather than from single bottlenecks. By clarifying how system stress propagates through the grid, this diagnostic perspective helps explain why shortages occur under specific conditions and can complement traditional planning and operational tools to support adaptive reliability strategies, targeted monitoring, and coordinated infrastructure investments.

power systems↗
DOE OSTI2025

How Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) Affect Protection Relay Elements

Inverter-based resources (IBRs) exhibit fault responses that differ significantly from those of synchronous generators, which can challenge the reliable operation of many commonly used power system protection elements. The fault response of IBRs is primarily influenced by their control algorithms and configurations, but the impact of these controls on protection relays is not yet fully understood. This presentation provides a comprehensive study of how IBR modeling and controls affect transmission line protection. Key modeling and control aspects include the DC source, inverter model, power level control, current control, and current limiting. The study reveals that certain aspects - such as the type of DC source (battery, PV, or hybrid), inverter model (average vs. switching), and power level control methods (PQ dispatch vs. Vdc-Vac control for grid-following IBRs, and droop vs. VSM for grid-forming IBRs) - do not significantly affect relay response. However, faster control loops, such as current control and current limiting, do influence the relay behavior. Additionally, the study explores the effects of other factors, including momentary cessation, operating points, fast/slow current responses, and grid strength on relay performance. Finally, the study offers recommendations for both IBR and protection engineers to improve IBR fault response and enhance the reliability of protection systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

2025 InterPACK: Thermal Management and Reliability Aspects

The presentation will provide an overview of automotive power electronics and electric machines thermal management systems that are typical for light-duty vehicles. Unique thermal and environmental aspects related to medium and heavy-duty vehicle applications will then be discussed. Finally, advanced thermal management and packaging technologies that could be evaluated and used in this project will be described.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Power Optimization of Cryogenic CO2 Deposition Capture in Deep Space

An extremely reliable cabin air revitalization system is needed for human deep space exploration missions. Deep space offers an environmental temperature close to 4 Kelvin. This low environmental temperature enables heat rejection for systems that are thermally power-intensive, i.e. CO2 cold surface deposition (CDep). The CDep system relies on phase change temperatures of air components to deposit CO2 onto a cold surface. The cold surface can be generated utilizing cryocoolers, including Stirling and Reverse Brayton, or deep space environmental temperature. This paper presents a numerical study on a power optimization of cold surface generation via a cryocooler or thermal radiator. An example system for each type is presented. However, a hybrid system would not only reduce power required to remove CO2, but also increase redundancy and reliability of the air revitalization system.

Pranav Jagtap↗
NASA NTRS1996

Fast Risetime Reverse Bias Pulse Failures in SiC PN Junction Diodes

SiC-based high temperature power devices are being developed for aerospace systems which will require high reliability. One behavior crucial to power device reliability. To date, it has necessarily been assumed to date is that the breakdown behavior of SiC pn junctions will be similar to highly reliable silicon-based pn junctions. Challenging this assumption, we report the observation of anomalous unreliable reverse breakdown behavior in moderately doped (2-3 x 10(exp 17) cm(exp -3)) small-area 4H- and 6H-SiC pn junction diodes at temperatures ranging from 298 K (25 C) to 873 K (600 C). We propose a mechanism in which carrier emission from un-ionized dopants and deep level defects leads to this unstable behavior. The fundamental instability mechanism is applicable to all wide bandgap semiconductors whose dopants are significantly un-ionized at typical device operating temperatures.

Neudeck, Philip G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Power spectrum analysis of staggered quadriphase-shift-keyed signals

Mathematical analysis of power spectrum of outputs from high-reliability communication system is used to determine system bandwidth. Analysis provides mathematical relationships of signal power spectrum at output of hard limiter for any type of baseband pulse input subjected only to output parameter constraints.

Mcwhorter, F. L.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Advanced Protection for Microgrids and DER in Secondary Networks and Meshed Distribution Systems

Although there are increasing numbers of distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids being deployed, current IEEE and utility standards generally strictly limit their interconnection inside secondary networks. Secondary networks are low-voltage meshed (non-radial) distribution systems that create redundancy in the path from the main grid source to each load. This redundancy provides a high level of immunity to disruptions in the distribution system, and thus extremely high reliability of electric power service. There are two main types of secondary networks, called grid and spot secondary networks, both of which are used worldwide. In the future, primary networks in distribution systems that might include looped or meshed distribution systems at the primary-voltage (medium-voltage) level may also become common as a means for improving distribution reliability and resilience.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Open-Source Parallel EMT Simulation Framework

As the integration level of inverter-based resources (IBRs) increases, ensuring the reliable operation of the bulk power systems requires the use of electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation tools to identify and mitigate system-wide stability risks. Conducting EMT studies for large-scale, IBR-rich grids, however, is challenging due to the inherent computational bottleneck caused by the underlying high-fidelity models and required small time steps. This paper introduces ParaEMT: an open-source, generic EMT simulation framework designed to accelerate simulations by leveraging advanced parallel computational technologies, such as high-performance computers. This paper presents a comprehensive exposition of ParaEMT, covering its modeling library, simulation strategy, framework structure, operational procedures, and auxiliary features, alongside its extensible parallel computational architecture. Notably, ParaEMT is a publicly accessible and modularized framework written in Python, thereby facilitating future development and the integration of new models and algorithms. The accuracy and efficiency of ParaEMT are demonstrated by rigorous validations via multiple case studies.

electromagnetic transient simulation↗
DOE OSTI2026

Temporal Convolutional Network Using Empirical Mode Decomposition to Detect Faults in Grid Connected Systems

Grid-connected power electronic systems require timely and reliable fault detection to prevent equipment damage and reduce downtime. This paper presents a forecasting-based anomaly detection pipeline that decomposes voltage and current measurements into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using empirical mode decomposition (EMD), then trains a causal temporal convolutional network (TCN) on normal-operation IMF data to predict short-horizon future dynamics. Deviations between forecasts and observations are summarized as reliability-weighted residual scores and thresholded per sensor using robust statistics with temporal persistence constraints to suppress false positives. To reduce runtime, EMD is performed on downsampled signals for detection, while raw-rate EMD is applied only within a short region of interest for high-frequency interpretability near detected events. Results on a simulated grid-connected converter system demonstrate that IMF-domain forecasting improves anomaly separability relative to raw-signal forecasting and provides interpretable evidence of faults across decomposition channels.

Sutton, Elizabeth [ORNL] (ORCID:0009000078885935)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Common Electric Power Transmission System Model JSON Schema Specification

The Common Electric Power Transmission System Model (CTM) is an intuitive, extensible, language-agnostic, and error-resistant specification of electric power network components parameter names and units, and relation between components, intended for use by the research community developing new computational methods for power systems operations and simulation. Power system datasets following the CTM specification can be read as dictionaries and manipulated in that form in most programming languages (e.g., Python, Julia, C++). This standard data structure in CTM makes it easy to work in multiple power systems domains (e.g., economic operation, reliability assessment, electricity markets, stability assessment, etc.) without requiring conversions between use-case-specific file formats with information loss in the process. This repository specifies CTM as a JSON Schema, provides documentation, derivate (code-generated) implementations of CTM, and example data and usage of the schema for important use cases.

Aravena Solis, Ignacio↗
NASA NTRS1973

The advantages of the high voltage solar array for electric propulsion

The high voltage solar array offers improvements in efficiency, weight, and reliability for the electric propulsion power system. Conventional power processes and problems associated with ion thruster operation using SERT 2 experience are discussed and the advantages of the HVSA concept for electric propulsion are presented. Tests conducted operating the SERT 2 thruster system in conjunction with HVSA are reported. Thruster operation was observed to be normal and in some respects improved.

Sater, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The advantages of the high voltage solar array for electric propulsion

The high voltage solar array (HVSA) offers improvements in efficiency, weight, and reliability for the electric propulsion power system. The basic HVSA technology involves designing the solar array to deliver power in the form required by the ion thruster. This paper delves into conventional power processes and problems associated with ion thruster operation using SERT II experience for examples. In this light, the advantages of the HVSA concept for electric propulsion are presented. Tests conducted operating the SERT II thruster system in conjunction with HVSA are discussed. Thruster operation was observed to be normal and in some respects improved.

Sater, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Active spacecraft potential control system selection for the Jupiter orbiter with probe mission

It is shown that the high flux of energetic plasma electrons and the reduced photoemission rate in the Jovian environment can result in the spacecraft developing a large negative potential. The effects of the electric fields produced by this charging phenomenon are discussed in terms of spacecraft integrity as well as charged particle and fields measurements. The primary area of concern is shown to be the interaction of the electric fields with the measuring devices on the spacecraft. The need for controlling the potential of the spacecraft is identified, and a system capable of active control of the spacecraft potential in the Jupiter environment is proposed. The desirability of using this system to vary the spacecraft potential relative to the ambient plasma potential is also discussed. Various charged particle release devices are identified as potential candidates for use with the spacecraft potential control system. These devices are evaluated and compared on the basis of system mass, power consumption, and system complexity and reliability.

Beattie, J. R.↗