Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Synthetic load generation”

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 37 records · Page 2

Sensitivity analysis of the effect of wind and wake characteristics on wind turbine loads in a small wind farm

Abstract. Wind turbines are designed using a set of simulations to determine the fatigue and ultimate loads, which are typically focused solely on unwaked wind turbine operation. These structural loads can be significantly influenced by the wind inflow conditions. Turbines experience altered inflow conditions when placed in the wake of upstream turbines, which can additionally influence the fatigue and ultimate loads. It is important to understand the impact of uncertainty on the resulting loads of both unwaked and waked turbines. The goal of this work is to assess which wind-inflow-related and wake-related parameters have the greatest influence on fatigue and ultimate loads during normal operation for turbines in a three-turbine wind farm. Twenty-eight wind inflow and wake parameters are screened using an elementary effects sensitivity analysis approach to identify the parameters that lead to the largest variation in the fatigue and ultimate loads of each turbine. This study uses the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 5 MW baseline wind turbine, simulated with OpenFAST and synthetically generated inflow based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Kaimal turbulence spectrum with the IEC exponential coherence model using the NREL tool TurbSim. The focus is on sensitivity to individual parameters, though interactions between parameters are considered, and how sensitivity differs between waked and unwaked turbines. The results of this work show that for both waked and unwaked turbines, ambient turbulence in the primary wind direction and shear are the most sensitive parameters for turbine fatigue and ultimate loads. Secondary parameters of importance for all turbines are identified as yaw misalignment, streamwise integral length, and the exponent and streamwise components of the IEC coherence model. The tertiary parameters of importance differ between waked and unwaked turbines. Tertiary effects account for up to 9.0 % of the significant events for waked turbine ultimate loads and include veer, non-streamwise components of the IEC coherence model, Reynolds stresses, wind direction, air density, and several wake calibration parameters. For fatigue loads, tertiary effects account for up to 5.4 % of the significant events and include vertical turbulence standard deviation, lateral and vertical wind integral lengths, non-streamwise components of the IEC coherence model, Reynolds stresses, wind direction, and all wake calibration parameters. This information shows the increased importance of non-streamwise wind components and wake parameters in the fatigue and ultimate load sensitivity of downstream turbines.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Grid-Supportive Loads - A New Approach to Increasing Renewable Energy in Power Systems

This paper demonstrates the potential of inverter-based loads to support grid reliability during power system transients thereby enabling reliable integration of renewable energy in power systems. Such loads are referred to in this paper as grid-supportive loads (GSLs). A new GSL model is developed that simulates the transient response capabilities that can be programmed in electronic loads. The model’s design enables it to be easily integrated in widely used commercial power system transient analysis software. Theoretical expressions are derived that explain the workings of the GSL model. The performance, numerical stability, and impact of the GSL model is validated on 9-bus and 2000-bus synthetic power system models using generator tripping and bus fault disturbances. Results on the 2000 bus system show that in the absence of frequency support from wind/solar generation resources, just 20% of loads with grid-supportive capabilities can improve frequency response by up to 2000 MW/0.1 Hz and reduce deviation in frequency at nadir by up to 60% compared to the situation when GSLs are absent. Power system reliability also improves under fault events. Here, it is further shown that GSLs can aid in integrating more renewable generation without degrading the overall transient response of the power system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Quantifying the effect of multiple load flexibility strategies on commercial building electricity demand and services via surrogate modeling

The expansion of commercial building demand response as a demand-side management resource for the electric grid necessitates new decision support resources for customers seeking to assess the benefit–risk tradeoffs of possible strategies for energy flexible building operations. To address this need, we, in this study, develop surrogate models that predict the impacts of several load flexibility strategies on commercial building electricity demand and indoor temperature, focusing on offices and retail buildings at multiple scales. The surrogate models are fit to a synthetic database generated via whole building simulations, which establish the relationships between the key operational features of a given strategy and potential changes in building demand and temperature across a variety of contexts. The surrogate models are translated to a Bayesian framework to allow straightforward communication of uncertainty and parameter updating given new evidence. We find strong predictive performance across the suite of models, underscoring the usefulness of the approach in guiding decisions about implementing load flexibility strategies under a particular set of operational and environmental conditions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

A Physics-Based Digital Twin for Wave Elevation and Seabed Moment Estimation of Offshore Monopiles: Preprint

In this work, we present a proof of concept of a physics-based digital twin for a monopile structure (with overhead inertia) subjected to wave loading. The digital twin is formulated using reduced-order models derived from first principles and combined with a Kalman filter for state estimation. The proposed framework estimates the monopile top motion, the wave elevation, and the section forces and moments along the pile using primarily acceleration measurements at the monopile top. Key innovations include the use of a hydrodynamic shape function to represent distributed wave loading in a compact and computationally efficient manner, and the introduction of a shaping filter to augment the state-space with wave kinematics. Synthetic measurement data are generated using OpenFAST and used as a reference to assess the performance of the digital twin. Results demonstrate that the wave elevation can be accurately reconstructed without direct sea-state measurements as long as the wave regime is inertia-dominated. Under the ideal tested conditions, the total hydrodynamic force and sea-bed bending moment are estimated with relative errors on the order of 1% and correlation coefficients exceeding 96%. Future work will evaluate the estimator's performance under operational uncertainties and more complex loading conditions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Enhancing power grid resilience to winter storms via generator winterization with equity considerations

Here we develop two-stage stochastic programming models for generator winterization that enhance power grid resilience while incorporating social equity. The first stage in our models captures the investment decisions for generator winterization, and the second stage captures the operation of a degraded power grid, with the objective of minimizing load shed and social inequity. To incorporate equity into our models, we propose a concept called adverse effect probability that captures the disproportionate effects of power outages on communities with varying vulnerability levels. Grid operations are modeled using DC power flow, and equity is captured through mean or maximum adverse effects experienced by communities. We apply our models to a synthetic Texas power grid, using winter storm scenarios created from the generator outage data from the 2021 Texas winter storm. Our extensive numerical experiments show that more equitable outcomes, in the sense of reducing adverse effects experienced by vulnerable communities during power outages, are achievable with no impact on total load shed through investing in winterization of generators in different locations and capacities.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Battery state-of-health diagnostics during fast cycling using physics-informed deep-learning

Rapid, in-situ Li-ion battery state-of-health (SOH) quantification is challenging. Li-ion battery aging can vary significantly with chemistry, operating conditions, cycling demands, electrode design, and operation history. As a cell ages, optimal and safe operating conditions need to be adapted to account for battery degradation by tracking critical aging modes such as loss-of-lithium-inventory (LLI), loss-of-active-material (LAM) in either electrode, and/or impedance rise. This manuscript describes a framework for identifying battery aging modes in-operando using fast-rate voltage charge/discharge responses. The framework uses a physically based Li-ion battery model to produce synthetic high-rate responses at aged states. The aging model is calibrated against experimental data from cells with different electrode loadings and cycled under a variety of fast-charging conditions (1 h, 15 min, 10 min, and 7 min charging). The synthetically generated high-rate responses at aged states are then used to train a deep-learning model to identify real cell state-of-health from fast charge/discharge battery voltage responses. The synthetically trained deep-learning model performance is validated by comparing to standard incremental capacity analysis and half-cell measurements. Finally, the framework demonstrates the benefits of using high-rate physics-based models to generate synthetic data for training deep-learning models.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Machine learning approaches for crystallographic classification from synthetic 2D X-ray diffraction data

Crystallographic structure identification is crucial for understanding material properties; however, current methodologies often depend on labor-intensive and time-consuming analyses of 2D X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. To address these limitations, this study employs synthetic 2D XRD patterns combined with deep learning (DL) techniques to enable automated and high-throughput classification of the seven crystal systems and 230 space groups. We introduce the novel Auto Diffraction Pipeline, designed to generate synthetic 2D XRD spot patterns from crystallographic information files under diverse conditions, including varying zone axes, atomic substitution, atomic depletion and mechanical loading. These conditions enhance the realism of synthetic data, mitigating the scarcity of experimental datasets and enabling the creation of large representative training sets. Convolutional neural networks were trained and validated on these synthetic datasets to classify crystallographic structures across multiple scenarios. Our results demonstrate that integrating synthetic 2D XRD patterns with DL facilitates rapid, accurate and automated crystallographic classification, promoting the wider adoption of data-driven approaches in materials science.

Shahnazari, Ayoub [Univ. of Rochester, NY (United ↗

Controlling distributed energy resources via deep reinforcement learning for load flexibility and energy efficiency

Behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DERs), including building solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and electric battery storage, are increasingly being considered as solutions to support carbon reduction goals and increase grid reliability and resiliency. However, dynamic control of these resources in concert with traditional building loads, to effect efficiency and demand flexibility, is not yet commonplace in commercial control products. Traditional rule-based control algorithms do not offer integrated closed-loop control to optimize across systems, and most often, PV and battery systems are operated for energy arbitrage and demand charge management, and not for the provision of grid services. More advanced control approaches, such as MPC control have not been widely adopted in industry because they require significant expertise to develop and deploy. Recent advances in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) offer a promising option to optimize the operation of DER systems and building loads with reduced setup effort. However, there are limited studies that evaluate the efficacy of these methods to control multiple building subsystems simultaneously. Additionally, most of the research has been conducted in simulated environments as opposed to real buildings. This paper proposes a DRL approach that uses a deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm for integrated control of HVAC and electric battery storage systems in the presence of on-site PV generation. The DRL algorithm, trained on synthetic data, was deployed in a physical test building and evaluated against a baseline that uses the current best-in-class rule-based control strategies. Performance in delivering energy efficiency, load shift, and load shed was tested using price-based signals. The results showed that the DRL-based controller can produce cost savings of up to 39.6% as compared to the baseline controller, while maintaining similar thermal comfort in the building. The project team has also integrated the simulation components developed during this work as an OpenAIGym environment and made it publicly available so that prospective DRL researchers can leverage this environment to evaluate alternate DRL algorithms.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A Hybrid Framework Combining Model-Based and Data-Driven Methods for Hierarchical Decentralized Robust Dynamic State Estimation

This paper combines model-based and data-driven methods to develop a hierarchical, decentralized, robust dynamic state estimator (DSE). A two-level hierarchy is proposed, where the lower level consists of robust, model-based, decentralized DSEs. The state estimates sent from the lower level are received at the upper level, where they are filtered by a robust data-driven DSE after a principled sparse selection. This selection allows us to shrink the dimension of the problem at the upper level and hence significantly speed up the computational time. The proposed hybrid framework does not depend on the centralized infrastructure of the control centers; thus it can be completely embedded into the wide-area measurement systems. This feature will ultimately facilitate the placement of hierarchical decentralized control schemes at the phasor data concentrator locations. Also, the network model is not necessary; thus, a topology processor is not required. Finally, there is no assumption on the dynamics of the electric loads. The proposed framework is tested on the 2,000-bus synthetic Texas system, and shown to be capable of reconstructing the dynamic states of the generators with high accuracy, and of forecasting in the advent of missing data.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Active liquid crystals powered by force-sensing DNA-motor clusters

Significance Single-molecule techniques have elucidated how isolated molecular motors generate piconewton forces with unprecedented detail. However, in diverse biological and synthetic settings, force-generating proteins collectively power nonequilibrium dynamics, including continuous large-scale rearrangements and persistent fluid flows. Characterizing motor-generated forces in these dense and dynamical environments remains a challenge. We assembled a reversible DNA-based force-sensing probe that, by an optical readout, reveals the molecular arrangements and the force loads experienced by kinesin motors. These probes provide insight into motor-generated forces that collectively power the unique dynamics of microtubule-based active nematics, a noteworthy example of an internally driven active matter system. DNA-based force probes can be extended to study forces and stresses in various synthetic systems as well as diverse cellular environments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

One‐Pot Synthesis of Xanthone by Carbonylative Suzuki Coupling Reaction

Abstract Xanthone derivatives have a dibenzo‐y‐pyrone scaffold which has gained great interest in Medicinal Chemistry due to their diverse biological activities. Usually, its synthesis requires multi‐step synthetic routes using harsh conditions and high catalyst loadings. In this communication, we report for the first time a one‐pot synthesis of the xanthone scaffold based on a carbonylative Suzuki coupling. Iodophenol and (2‐methoxyphenyl)boronic acid were coupled under carbon monoxide, generated from a carbon monoxide surrogate. An experimental data‐based model was built to guide the reaction optimization. The optimized conditions were 1 mol% of a pincer complex as palladium catalyst, 5 equivalents of K 2 CO 3 as base, and DMF:water (7 : 3) as solvent. The robustness of the synthetic method, namely in terms of the reactants scope, was also evaluated. This approach provided the xanthone scaffold in high yields and provided a deep insight into the carbonylative Suzuki couplings.

Loureiro, Daniela R. P.↗

DRDMannTurb: A Python package for scalable, data-driven synthetic turbulence

Synthetic turbulence models (STMs) are used in wind engineering to generate realistic flow fields and are employed as inputs to industrial wind simulations. Examples include prescribing inlet conditions in large eddy simulations that model loads on wind turbines and tall buildings. We are interested in STMs capable of generating fluctuations based on prescribed second-moment statistics since such models can simulate environmental conditions that closely resemble on-site observations. To this end, the widely used Mann model (see Mann, 1994, 1998) is the inspiration for DRDMannTurb. The Mann model is described by three physical parameters: a magnitude parameter influencing the global variance of the wind field and corresponding to the Kolmogorov constant multiplied by the rate of viscous dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy to the two-thirds, αϵ 2/3 , a turbulence length scale parameter L, and a nondimensional parameter Γ related to the lifetime of the eddies. A number of studies, as well as international standards (e.g., those by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)), include recommended values for these three parameters with the goal of standardizing wind simulations according to observed energy spectra. Yet, having only three parameters, the Mann model faces limitations in accurately representing the diversity of observable spectra. This Python package enables users to extend the Mann model and more accurately fit field measurements through flexible neural network models of the eddy lifetime function. Following Keith et al. (2021), we refer to this class of models as Deep Rapid Distortion (DRD) models. DRDMannTurb also includes a general module implementing an efficient method for synthetic turbulence generation based on a domain decomposition technique. This technique is also described in Keith et al. (2021).

17 WIND ENERGY↗

STOCHASTIC OPTIMAL POWER FLOW FOR REAL-TIME MANAGEMENT OF DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE GENERATION AND DEMAND RESPONSE (Final Report)

To meet the grand challenge of a sustainable energy future, there has been a surge of interest in renewable energy. Today, the uncertainty associated with renewable resources is handled by using operating reserves. The high penetration of renewable resources, however, introduces difficult-to-control dynamics and challenges for power system operation. Decision support tools are necessary at the bulk system operational level to recognize and efficiently utilize renewable resources and distributed demand response products in concert with traditional grid resources. It is envisaged that responsive load can potentially have very significant cost advantages over either spinning or non-spinning ramping reserve. Critical decisions are made during hour(s)-ahead and real-time power system operation regarding the commitment and dispatch of generators to ensure power delivery is both reliable and economic. These decisions are typically made by a security constrained optimal flow, which determines future generator commitments, dispatches, and ensures adequate reserves are available in the event of a contingency (unexpected outage) or if future system conditions deviate from forecasts. However, security has been always based on a pre-specified subset of contingency constraints whose enforcement does not guarantee security under all possible future possibilities while also giving little or no weight to the likelihood of each contingent event or the severity of its consequences. Existing tools, which are based exclusively on deterministic optimization models, do not yield optimal operational decisions to address these new challenges, in terms of both reliability and cost-effectiveness. This project has focused on developing a stochastic optimal power flow (SOPF) framework, which integrates renewable resource uncertainty, load uncertainty, distributed storage (DS), demand response (DR) products, in a holistic manner to address the uncertainty associated with ever-increasing renewable resources, along with the inclusion of distributed demand response products in future power systems. A proof-of-concept problem was created using the Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland (PJM) power system network. Synthetic wind generation was added to the system to simulate 50% wind penetration. A 1-hour test of SOPF operation indicated more than 6% operational cost savings. The project continued by adding the Midwestern Independent System Operator (MISO) as a partner, with focus shifting from SOPF to Stochastic Look-Ahead Unit Commitment (SLAC). Unlike PJM, MISO is faced with significant renewable energy resources within its footprint and is challenged with substantial uncertainty in its operations. The SLAC distinguishes itself from existing tools that operators use. At best, today’s tools solve two to three cases independently, where one or two system parameters, such as forecasted load level (e.g., a low, base, and high forecast), are varied and the resulting scenarios are analyzed independently. The stochastic-based optimization of SLAC leverages statistical information from an ensemble of potential operational scenarios and their respective likelihood. The SLAC output can be translated into valuable information to the operator such as suggested commitments, optimal scheduling and dispatch of resources, reserve requirements at both locational and zonal resolutions, ramping availability and requirements, availability of demand response including operational guidance concerning the near-term and real-time coordination between distributed energy resources, and utilization of distributed storage resources. The developed SOPF/SLAC tool, a stand-alone tool compatible with existing EMSs, will provide system operators with unprecedented visibility, flexibility and predictability to these resources and operational guidance concerning the real-time coordination between DERs and DR/DS products. The game changing and practical impact of this disruptive technology will be dramatic and will usher in a new era in the electric power industry, wherein green energy concepts are fully embraced, and electric power costs are lowered throughout the nation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Smart-DS: Synthetic Models for Advanced, Realistic Testing: Distribution Systems and Scenarios

The explosion of new ideas for distributed energy resources and advanced distribution grid algorithms faces a critical challenge: how can one effectively develop and evaluate these breakthrough technologies without an adequate set of power systems network, load, and resource data to test against? Today's open test systems, particularly for distribution systems, are tiny and incomplete; and though with enough effort, obtaining utility data under NDA can overcome scale challenges, the results can't be openly shared, preventing fair comparison. The Smart-DS project-led by NREL in partnership with MIT, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, CYME, and EDD-is working to overcome this gap by generating multiple large-scale, open, synthetic, distribution systems that are realistic but not real. These datasets go beyond a single medium voltage feeder (~1000 customers) to cover entire metropolitan areas and their surrounds with up to hundreds of feeders and millions of customers, complete with low voltage customer connections and high voltage sub-transmission. This scale allows adequate testing and analysis of not just local controls and advanced DERs, but also multiple substation interactions, optimized switching, full-scale distribution-OPF, and more. To accompany these datasets, the project is also building a rich set of scenario generation tools that can be used for distribution and transmission systems alike. This includes automated, spatially aware access to world-class, high-resolution solar, wind, and weather data: forward looking generation mixes: and highly configurable DER, load, climate, outage, control-scheme, and other scenarios. We will also highlight DiTTo, an exciting open-source, multi-way distribution dataset transformation tool for many-to-many format translation with scenario, merge/split, and many other manipulation capabilities.

DERs↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of inelastic x-ray scattering from shocked copper

By taking the spatial and temporal Fourier transforms of the coordinates of the atoms in molecular dynamics simulations conducted using an embedded-atom-method potential, we calculate the inelastic scattering of x rays from copper single crystals shocked along [001] to pressures of up to 70 GPa. Above the Hugoniot elastic limit, we find that the copious stacking faults generated at the shock front introduce strong quasi-elastic scattering (QES) that competes with the inelastic scattering signal, which remains discernible within the first Brillouin zone; for specific directions in reciprocal space outside the first zone, the QES dominates the inelastic signal overwhelmingly. The synthetic scattering spectra we generate from our Fourier transforms suggest that energy resolutions of order 10 meV would be required to distinguish inelastic from quasi-elastic scattering within the first Brillouin zone of shock-loaded copper. We further note that high-resolution inelastic scattering also affords the possibility of directly measuring particle velocities via the Doppler shift. These simulations are of relevance to future planned inelastic scattering experiments at x-ray Free Electron Laser facilities.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Harnessing photoenzymatic reactions for unnatural biosynthesis in microorganisms

Photobiocatalysis provides a powerful strategy for integrating light and biological catalysts to drive abiological transformations. However, its scalability is hindered by high enzyme loading, reliance on costly cofactors and instability under radical-generating conditions. Here we report the integration of light-driven enzymatic reactions into the cellular metabolism of Escherichia coli, bridging flavin-based photobiocatalysis with biosynthesis. Using synthetic biology strategies, we engineered microbial cells to continuously produce olefin substrates and ene-reductase while regenerating cofactors directly from glucose. By externally supplying radical precursors or introducing synthetic pathways for their in situ production, we enabled fermentation-based microbial photobiosynthesis, achieving high titres and demonstrating feasibility for scale-up in a bioreactor. This approach extends photobiocatalysis from in vitro applications to in vivo semi- and complete biosynthesis, revealing its full potential for integrating light-driven reactions into cellular metabolism.

Biocatalysis↗