SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Reference Model Project”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 37 records · Page 2

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2023

Design and Modeling of an Open-Source Baseline Floating Marine Turbine: Preprint

Marine energy resources such as river, tidal, and ocean currents can provide abundant, predictable, and clean power to both densely populated and remote communities globally. However, marine turbine technologies are still in an early stage of development. Recently, features have been added to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's open-source wind turbine modeling tool OpenFAST to support the simulation of axial-flow marine turbines. These new features enable marine energy developers to predict the performance and safety of their turbines and allow researchers and students to advance the field through the exploration of novel designs. Developing and demonstrating the new capabilities of OpenFAST for marine turbines requires a baseline design that can be used as an example and test case. There are limited open-source turbine models suitable for this purpose. One existing baseline design is the Reference Model 1 (RM1), a fixed-bottom, dual-rotor marine turbine that was published in 2014 as part of the Department of Energy's Water Power Reference Model Project. To test and demonstrate OpenFAST's ability to model floating marine turbines, several modifications were made to the RM1. A floating platform and mooring system were designed to support a single RM1 rotor in a wide range of possible current and wave conditions. The system and model are intended to be a stable reference case and starting point for research efforts. The platform features all cylindrical members and familiar design elements from the offshore wind industry; the mooring system uses simple catenary chains. While not optimized for the lowest platform cost, the design is understandable and robust and can serve as a baseline for floating marine turbine technologies. This is a useful starting point for studies to explore new technologies or design methodologies. Additionally, the floating RM1 design enables cross-collaboration among industry, academia, and national lab researchers and serves as an educational platform for newcomers to marine energy. This short paper presents the specifications of the turbine, including its floating support structure and mooring system. The rationale behind the selection of certain design parameters is described. To enable adoption of this baseline case for research and educational efforts, an OpenFAST model of the full system has been made publicly available at https://github.com/OpenFAST/r-test/tree/main/glue-codes/openfast/MHK_RM1_Floating.

floating↗

DOE OSTI2017

Heat deposition analysis for the High Flux Isotope Reactor’s HEU and LEU core models

The High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is an 85 MW th pressurized light-water-cooled and -moderated flux-trap type research reactor. The reactor is used to conduct numerous experiments, advancing various scientific and engineering disciplines. As part of an ongoing program sponsored by the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Material Management and Minimization, studies are being performed to assess the feasibility of converting the reactor’s highly enriched uranium fuel to low-enriched uranium fuel. To support this conversion project, reference models with representative experiment target loading and explicit fuel plate representation were developed and benchmarked for both fuels to (1) allow for consistent comparison between designs for both fuel types and (2) assess the potential impact of low-enriched uranium conversion. These high-fidelity models were used to conduct heat deposition analyses at the beginning and end of the reactor cycle and are presented herein. This article (1) discusses the High Flux Isotope Reactor models developed to facilitate detailed heat deposition analyses of the reactor’s highly enriched and low-enriched uranium cores, (2) examines the computational approach for performing heat deposition analysis, which includes a discussion on the methodology for calculating the amount of energy released per fission, heating rates, power and volumetric heating rates, and (3) provides results calculated throughout various regions of the highly enriched and low-enriched uranium core at the beginning and end of the reactor cycle. These are the first detailed high-fidelity heat deposition analyses for the High Flux Isotope Reactor’s highly enriched and low-enriched core models with explicit fuel plate representation. Lastly, these analyses are used to compare heat distributions obtained for both fuel designs at the beginning and end of the reactor cycle, and they are essential for enabling comprehensive thermal hydraulics and safety analyses that require detailed estimates of the heat source within all of the reactor’s fuel element regions.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Oscillating water column structural model

An oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter is a structure with an opening to the ocean below the free surface, i.e. a structure with a moonpool. Two structural models for a non-axisymmetric terminator design OWC, the Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB) are discussed in this report. The results of this structural model design study are intended to inform experiments and modeling underway in support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated Reference Model Project (RMP). A detailed design developed by Re Vision Consulting used stiffeners and girders to stabilize the structure against the hydrostatic loads experienced by a BBDB device. Additional support plates were added to this structure to account for loads arising from the mooring line attachment points. A simplified structure was designed in a modular fashion. This simplified design allows easy alterations to the buoyancy chambers and uncomplicated analysis of resulting changes in buoyancy.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NASA NTRS1991

Model reference adaptive control of robots

This project presents the results of controlling two types of robots using new Command Generator Tracker (CGT) based Direct Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) algorithms. Two mathematical models were used to represent a single-link, flexible joint arm and a Unimation PUMA 560 arm; and these were then controlled in simulation using different MRAC algorithms. Special attention was given to the performance of the algorithms in the presence of sudden changes in the robot load. Previously used CGT based MRAC algorithms had several problems. The original algorithm that was developed guaranteed asymptotic stability only for almost strictly positive real (ASPR) plants. This condition is very restrictive, since most systems do not satisfy this assumption. Further developments to the algorithm led to an expansion of the number of plants that could be controlled, however, a steady state error was introduced in the response. These problems led to the introduction of some modifications to the algorithms so that they would be able to control a wider class of plants and at the same time would asymptotically track the reference model. This project presents the development of two algorithms that achieve the desired results and simulates the control of the two robots mentioned before. The results of the simulations are satisfactory and show that the problems stated above have been corrected in the new algorithms. In addition, the responses obtained show that the adaptively controlled processes are resistant to sudden changes in the load.

Steinvorth, Rodrigo↗

DOE OSTI2015

Experimental Wave Tank Test for Reference Model 3 Floating-Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter Project

The U.S. Department of Energy established a reference model project to benchmark a set of marine and hydrokinetic technologies including current (tidal, open-ocean, and river) turbines and wave energy converters. The objectives of the project were to first evaluate the status of these technologies and their readiness for commercial applications. Second, to evaluate the potential cost of energy and identify cost-reduction pathways and areas where additional research could be best applied to accelerate technology development to market readiness.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2025

From TPL assessment to design optimization: Wave energy converter control co-design applied to the RM3

The Reference Model (RM) project developed six marine energy converter concepts using a sequential design methodology, which, while widely adopted in the industry, often overlooks interactions between system components, resulting in suboptimal designs. One such example is the Reference Model 3 (RM3), a two-body point absorber wave energy converter (WEC). An assessment using the Technology Performance Level (TPL) revealed that RM3’s low power-to-cost ratio, partly due to expensive steel construction, limits its techno-economic performance. Here, this study aims to redesign RM3 by reducing its scale and employing control co-design to integrate WEC and Power Take-Off (PTO) dynamics, constraints, and cost considerations within an optimization framework. We demonstrate the limitations of RM3’s current PTO design and explore the benefits of scaling down to enhance techno-economic viability by lowering material costs. Using WecOptTool, we conduct a parameter sweep over gear ratios and spring stiffnesses for various Commercial Off-The-Shelf generators in irregular wave conditions. Our findings emphasize the importance of aligning PTO components with WEC dynamics, showing that control co-design and strategic scaling can improve RM3’s power-to-cost ratio. This study presents a transferable example of applied control co-design for other WECs, supporting early-stage developers in their design decisions.

Off the shelf components↗

NASA NTRS2016

Regime-Based Evaluation of Cloudiness in CMIP5 Models

The concept of Cloud Regimes (CRs) is used to develop a framework for evaluating the cloudiness of 12 fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models. Reference CRs come from existing global International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) weather states. The evaluation is made possible by the implementation in several CMIP5 models of the ISCCP simulator generating for each gridcell daily joint histograms of cloud optical thickness and cloud top pressure. Model performance is assessed with several metrics such as CR global cloud fraction (CF), CR relative frequency of occurrence (RFO), their product (long-term average total cloud amount [TCA]), cross-correlations of CR RFO maps, and a metric of resemblance between model and ISCCP CRs. In terms of CR global RFO, arguably the most fundamental metric, the models perform unsatisfactorily overall, except for CRs representing thick storm clouds. Because model CR CF is internally constrained by our method, RFO discrepancies yield also substantial TCA errors. Our findings support previous studies showing that CMIP5 models underestimate cloudiness. The multi-model mean performs well in matching observed RFO maps for many CRs, but is not the best for this or other metrics. When overall performance across all CRs is assessed, some models, despite their shortcomings, apparently outperform Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud observations evaluated against ISCCP as if they were another model output. Lastly, cloud simulation performance is contrasted with each model's equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) in order to gain insight on whether good cloud simulation pairs with particular values of this parameter.

cloud climatology↗

DOE OSTI2022

On Projection of Safe Operation for Grid-Following Inverters - Grid Parameter Estimation

This work investigates the projection of safe operation for grid-following inverters using a reference model. This work applies recursive-least square and model reference adaptive estimation techniques to estimate the unknown grid parameters. The estimated grid parameters are used in a dynamic reference model to project the safe operation of the inverter. This work also demonstrates that the controller nonlinearity and parameter variations can cause unsafe operations, such as unexpected instability at low power levels, namely hidden mode of instability. This instability issue in the nominal operating range may occur for given control parameters in a weak-grid condition. The dynamic reference model for PQ-controlled inverters is applied to analyze this instability issue using the estimated grid parameters. Both adaptive identification techniques can estimate the unknown parameters accurately, and the dynamic reference model can safeguard inverters from an unsafe operation, i.e., hidden instability, by examining the incoming new power setpoints before engaging them to the local controller. The findings are experimentally verified using a small-scale two-level 208 V, 5 kVA inverter feeding a 12 kW NHR 9410 power grid emulator.

Hossen, Tareq↗

DOE OSTI2025

SLIA Reference Architecture Models

The SLIA Reference Architecture Models project, sponsored by the DOE CESER Energy CyberSense Program (Oct 2024–Sep 2025), advanced LLNL’s PySCES simulation tool to better support CyTRICS Prioritization and Initial Risk Assessment (PIRA) reference architectures. Key achievements include enhancements to the PySCES transmission substation facility model, expanded asset coverage, and enhancements to the PySCES code base. Software improvements reduced code complexity, migrated PySCES to Python version 3.11, introduced an object-oriented design, and added a schema database for easier updates and validation. New features support device criticality assessments and a more precise parametric simulation mode. Remaining gaps include model validation, workflow limitations, Monte Carlo convergence issues, full device criticality metric implementation, model fidelity, and general software improvements. Continued development is recommended to address these gaps and fully align PySCES with CyTRICS PIRA requirements.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2014

Reference Model 6 Cost Breakdown (RM6: Oscillating Water Column)

Contains the Reference Model 6 (RM6) spreadsheets with the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations for a single RM6 device and multiple unit arrays. These spreadsheets are contained within an XLSX file and a spreadsheet editor such as Microsoft Excel is needed to open the file. This data was generated upon completion of the project on September 30, 2014. The Reference Model Project (RMP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was a partnered effort to develop open-source MHK point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark MHK technology performance and costs, and an open-source methodology for design and analysis of MHK technologies, including models for estimating their capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy. The point designs also served as open-source test articles for university researchers and commercial technology developers. The RMP project team, led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), included a partnership between DOE, three national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, and Re Vision Consulting. Reference Model 6 (RM6) is a Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB), which is a type of oscillating water column wave energy converter. First proposed by Masuda, the BBDB design is a floating Oscillating Water Column (OWC) device that consists of an air chamber, an L-shaped duct, bow and stern buoyancy modules, and a power take-off (PTO) composed of a Wells air turbine and a generator. This L- shaped device opens to the ocean downstream from the wave propagation direction. Power is produced by the motion of the wave, which causes the ambient pressure in the air chamber to vary thereby forcing air to flow through the Wells turbine. The reference wave energy resource for RM6 was developed from site information collected near Eureka, in Humboldt County, California.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2014

Reference Model 5 Cost Breakdown (RM5: Oscillating Surge Flap)

Contains the Reference Model 5 (RM5) spreadsheets with the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations for a single RM5 device and multiple unit arrays. These spreadsheets are contained within an XLSX file and a spreadsheet editor such as Microsoft Excel is needed to open the file. This data was generated upon completion of the project on September 30, 2014. The Reference Model Project (RMP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was a partnered effort to develop open-source MHK point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark MHK technology performance and costs, and an open-source methodology for design and analysis of MHK technologies, including models for estimating their capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy. The point designs also served as open-source test articles for university researchers and commercial technology developers. The RMP project team, led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), included a partnership between DOE, three national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, and Re Vision Consulting. Reference Model 5 (RM5) is a type of floating, oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC) that utilizes the surge motion of waves to generate electrical power. The reference wave energy resource for RM5 was measurement data from a National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoy near Eureka, in Humboldt County, California. The flap was designed to rotate against the supporting frame to convert wave energy into electrical power from the relative rotational motion induced by incoming waves. The RM5 design is rated at 360 kilowatts (kW), uses a flap of 25 m in width and 19 m in height (16 m in draft), and the distance from the top of the water surface piercing flap to the mean water surface (freeboard) is 1.5 m. The flap is connected to a shaft with a 3-m diameter that rotates against the supporting frame. The supporting frame is assumed to have an outer diameter of 2 m, and the total length of the device structure is 45 m. The RM5 OSWEC was designed for deep-water deployment, at depths between 50 m and 100 m, and was tension-moored to the seabed.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2014

Reference Model 4 Cost Breakdown (RM4: Ocean Current Turbine)

Contains the Reference Model 4 (RM4) spreadsheets with the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations for a single RM4 device and multiple unit arrays. These spreadsheets are contained within an XLSX file and a spreadsheet editor such as Microsoft Excel is needed to open the file. This data was generated upon completion of the project on September 30, 2014. The Reference Model Project (RMP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was a partnered effort to develop open-source MHK point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark MHK technology performance and costs, and an open-source methodology for design and analysis of MHK technologies, including models for estimating their capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy. The point designs also served as open-source test articles for university researchers and commercial technology developers. The RMP project team, led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), included a partnership between DOE, three national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, and Re Vision Consulting. Reference Model 4 (RM4) is a flying-wing ocean current turbine concept intended for deployment in the Gulf Stream off the southeast coast of Florida. The RM4 device has four rotors, with a rotorless center nacelle housing the power electronics, attached on a straight wing 120 m long. The device is designed to be submerged ~50 m below the surface and is moored to the seabed. The RM4 uses buoyancy within the wing and the five nacelles to maintain its position in the water column. Each rotor has a diameter of 33 m and has a 1-MW power rating, yielding a total device rated power of 4 MW. The rotors on the left and right side of the wing rotate in opposite directions in order to balance the torque applied to the device. The rotorless center nacelle housing the power electronics serves to condition the power generated by the rotors before it is delivered to the grid.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2014

Reference Model 3 Cost Breakdown (RM3: Wave Point Absorber)

Contains the Reference Model 3 (RM3) spreadsheets with the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations for a single RM3 device and multiple unit arrays. These spreadsheets are contained within an XLSX file and a spreadsheet editor such as Microsoft Excel is needed to open the file. This data was generated upon completion of the project on September 30, 2014. The Reference Model Project (RMP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was a partnered effort to develop open-source MHK point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark MHK technology performance and costs, and an open-source methodology for design and analysis of MHK technologies, including models for estimating their capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy. The point designs also served as open-source test articles for university researchers and commercial technology developers. The RMP project team, led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), included a partnership between DOE, three national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, and Re Vision Consulting. Reference Model 3 (RM3) is a wave point absorber, also referred to as a wave power buoy, that was designed for a reference site located off the shore of Eureka in Humboldt County, California. The design of the device consists of a surface float that translates (oscillates) with wave motion relative to a vertical column spar buoy, which connects to a subsurface reaction plate. This two-body point absorber converts wave energy into electrical power predominately from the devices heave oscillation induced by incident waves; the float is designed to oscillate up and down the vertical shaft up to 4 m. The bottom of the reaction plate is about 35 m below the water surface. The device is targeted for deployment in water depths of 40 m to 100 m. The point absorber is also connected to a mooring system to keep the floating device in position.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2014

Reference Model 2 Cost Breakdown (RM2: River Current Turbine)

Contains the Reference Model 2 (RM2) spreadsheets with the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations for a single RM2 device and multiple unit arrays. These spreadsheets are contained within an XLSX file and a spreadsheet editor such as Microsoft Excel is needed to open the file. This data was generated upon completion of the project on September 30, 2014. The Reference Model Project (RMP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was a partnered effort to develop open-source MHK point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark MHK technology performance and costs, and an open-source methodology for design and analysis of MHK technologies, including models for estimating their capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy. The point designs also served as open-source test articles for university researchers and commercial technology developers. The RMP project team, led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), included a partnership between DOE, three national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, and Re Vision Consulting. Reference Model 2 (RM2) is a variable speed dual-rotor cross-flow river turbine that is deployed at the water?s surface. It was designed for deployment at a reference site modeled after a reach in the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The rotors are anchored to a two-pontoon vessel platform. Surface deployment of the turbine minimizes the handling requirements during deployment and recovery and reduces overall costs for all O&M activities, including allowing for easy access to the power conversion chain (PCC). The design (two rotors per platform) also reduces the environmental footprint and associated environmental compliance costs.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2014

Reference Model 1 Cost Breakdown (RM1: Tidal Current Turbine)

Contains the Reference Model 1 (RM1) spreadsheets with the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations for a single RM1 device and multiple unit arrays. These spreadsheets are contained within an XLSX file and a spreadsheet editor such as Microsoft Excel is needed to open the file. This data was generated upon completion of the project on September 30, 2014. The Reference Model Project (RMP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), was a partnered effort to develop open-source MHK point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark MHK technology performance and costs, and an open-source methodology for design and analysis of MHK technologies, including models for estimating their capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy. The point designs also served as open-source test articles for university researchers and commercial technology developers. The RMP project team, led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), included a partnership between DOE, three national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Applied Research Laboratory of Penn State University, and Re Vision Consulting. Reference Model 1 (RM1) is a dual variable-speed variable-pitch (VSVP) axial-flow tidal turbine device, designed for the Tacoma Narrows tidal current energy resource site in Puget Sound, Washington. RM1 comprises a monopile foundation and a crossarm assembly to mount the two rotors. The cross-arm assembly is nearly neutrally buoyant so the attached rotors can be recovered and redeployed with a minimal amount of lifting crane capacity; therefore, the design minimizes the handling requirements during deployment and recovery, which reduces overall cost in all O&M activities including access to the power conversion chain (PCC).

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

NASA NTRS2020

Projection-Based Inter-Agent Collision Avoidance in Dual Agent Systems

Inter-agent collisions can occur in otherwise dynamically-stable (i.e., Lyapunov stable) dual-agent leaderfollower systems. These inter-agent collisions between the leader and the follower happen during the transient phase of the system’s evolution, although the steady-state behavior of the system is asymptotically/exponentially stable. Therefore, to avoid such inter-agent collisions, it is essential to control the relative error trajectory between the leader and the follower during the transient phase of the system’s evolution. In this paper, we introduce a novel projection operator based modelreference control architecture that can mitigate impending inter-agent collisions by modifying the transient dynamics of relative trajectories. This controller augments the follower’s baseline controller and consists of two essential components: a collision-free reference model based on the projection operator and a model reference tracking controller to guide the follower to follow the reference-model. This paper defines the concept of transient-instability in leader-follower systems, introduces collision mitigation controller architecture, and presents an illustrative example demonstrating its effectiveness.

Bayard, David S.↗

NASA NTRS2018

New Efforts to Update NASA's Global Reference Atmospheric Models (GRAM)

NASA is at the forefront of planetary exploration. The inability to test planetary spacecraft in the flight environment prior to a mission requires engineers to rely on ground-based testing and models of the vehicle and expected environments. One of the most widely used engineering models of the atmosphere for many NASA projects is the Global Reference Atmospheric Model (GRAM) developed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Over the past decade GRAM upgrades and maintenance have depended on inconsistent and waning project-specific support. Recently, the NASA Science Mission Directorate agreed to provide funding support in Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 to upgrade the GRAMs. This poster summarizes the objectives, tasks and milestones of this effort.

Justh, Hilary↗

NASA NTRS2018

New Efforts to Update NASA's Global Reference Atmospheric Models (GRAM)

Dwyer Cianciolo, Alicia↗