SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Wireless Energy Transmission”

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 OSTI2026

Science Uses Deployment Operations-Advanced Wireless: Exploring Open Radio Access Network Technologies for Energy Science

Open Radio Access Network is emerging as a solution to the increasing demand for more flexible, cost-effective, and advanced mobile network infrastructures. This evolution is driven by advancements in wireless technologies and the growing complexity of deploying and managing these networks. O-RAN represents a significant shift in wireless technology, building upon the 3rd Generation Partnership Project framework to foster openness, flexibility, and interoperability. By decoupling hardware and software components, Open Radio Access Network enables a multi-vendor ecosystem that encourages innovation and diverse solutions. Open Radio Access Network's potential extends beyond traditional wireless applications, with growing interest in its role in advancing energy systems, particularly in the context of smart grids, microgrids, and the integration of renewable energy sources. While the role of open-wireless technologies in driving energy transformation is increasingly recognized, further exploration is needed. Vendors and utilities are investigating how Open Radio Access Network technologies can optimize energy use cases and improve the performance of 5G and beyond applications. This report outlines efforts under the Science Uses Deployment Operations Advance Wireless project, a collaboration between the National Laboratory of the Rockies' Cybersecurity Research Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Department of Energy's Energy Science Network research and operations staff. The focus of this project is on due diligence, through testing and evaluation, preparing for the deployment of advanced wireless infrastructure for scientific use cases, with an emphasis on Open Radio Access Network technology, its components, integrations, and its ability to support vertical stack application across the energy sector. Additionally, the report highlights the value cases for utilities, underscoring how adopting open wireless standards can accelerate the evolution of energy systems, foster innovation, and improve the integration of critical energy technologies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2020

Opportunistic Hybrid Communications Systems for Distributed PV Coordination

A full-scale, operational implementation of the opportunistic hybrid communications systems for distributed photovoltaic (PV) coordination was successfully developed, simulated, and validated in this 3-year project. The system is considered hybrid because it uses different communications pathways from the scale of residential PV inverters to a transmission network; primary technologies harnessed include Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Network (LoWPAN), Power Line Communication (PLC), WiFi mesh, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ethernet cable, and Optical Ethernet systems. It is opportunistic in that it chooses to route messages through each of these systems based on recent data about latency and availability to ensure reliable message passing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Thermopile Energy Harvesting for Subsurface Wellbore Sensors (Final Report)

Robust in situ power harvesting underlies all efforts to enable downhole autonomous sensors for real-time and long-term monitoring of CO 2 plume movement and permeance, wellbore health, and induced seismicity. This project evaluated the potential use of downhole thermopile arrays, known as thermoelectric generators (TEGs), as power sources to charge sensors for in situ real-time, long-term data capture and transmission. Real-time downhole monitoring will enable “Big Data” techniques and machine learning, using massive amounts of continuous data from embedded sensors, to quantify short- and long-term stability and safety of enhanced oil recovery and/or commercial-scale geologic CO 2 storage. This project evaluated possible placement of the TEGs at two different wellbore locations: on the outside of the casing; or on the production tubing. TEGs convert heat flux to electrical power, and in the borehole environment, would convert heat flux into or out of the borehole into power for downhole sensors. Such heat flux would be driven by pumping of cold or hot fluids into the borehole—for instance, injecting supercritical CO 2 —creating a thermal pulse that could power the downhole sensors. Hence, wireless power generation could be accomplished with in situ TEG energy harvesting. This final report summarizes the project’s efforts that accomplished the creation of a fully operational thermopile field unit, including selection of materials, laboratory benchtop experiments and thermal-hydrologic modeling for design and optimization of the field-scale power generation test unit. Finally, the report describes the field unit that has been built and presents results of performance and survivability testing. The performance and survivability testing evaluated the following: 1) downhole power generation in response to a thermal gradient produced by pumping a heated fluid down a borehole and through the field unit; and 2) component survivability and operation at elevated temperature and pressure conditions representative of field conditions. The performance and survivability testing show that TEG arrays are viable for generating ample energy to power downhole sensors, although it is important to note that developing or connecting to sensors was beyond the scope of this project. This project’s accomplishments thus traversed from a low Technical Readiness Level (TRL) on fundamental concepts of the application and modeling to TRL-5 via testing of the fully integrated field unit for power generation in relevant environments. A fully issued United States Patent covers the wellbore power harvesting technology and applications developed by this project.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

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 OSTI2019

Low-Cost, Efficient and Durable High Temperature Wireless Sensors by Direct Write Additive Manufacturing for Application in Fossil Energy Systems

In-situ monitoring of physical parameters in fossil energy (FE) systems is challenging because of their high operating temperatures and oxidizing environments. This research aims utilize Aerosol Jet (AJ) nanoparticle printing, an advanced additive manufacturing method, to fabricate high temperature sensors for FE applications. Sensor films were fabricated by the AJ printing method with an excellent control over film microstructure and properties, in addition to creating less waste. Printing of six different materials, namely, silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloy, copper (Cu), copper-nickel (CuNi), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was carried out for their evaluation of as sensor films. The films were then characterized using impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Film microstructure was correlated with the sensor electrical and mechanical behavior at different temperatures (24-500 °C) and frequencies (0.02 - 300 kHz). This knowledge was then used to fabricate, test, and characterize strain and temperature sensors for high temperature applications. The strain sensors were shown to have a very low thermal strain up to 500 °C and a 57% higher gauge factor compared to the commercially available counterparts. This enhance performance was attributed to the inherent porosity in the sensor films that allowed the films to exhibit a metamaterial-like behavior when deformed. The AJ printed temperature sensors were shown to have the highest Seebeck coefficient amongst all the film-based temperature sensors. In addition, fundamental aspects of crystal structure and phase transformations in Ba(Fe0.7Ta0.3)O3-δ (BFTO), a high temperature sensor material, was investigated along with 3D printed antennas that can transmit sensor signals at high temperatures. Two PhD students, one from first generation college-going underrepresented minority community (URM), two postdoctoral fellows, and several masters and undergraduate students were supported by this award. This work opens up the possibility of realizing low-cost high-performance sensor devices using advanced manufacturing techniques for high temperature FE applications.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2024

7-8 GHz Point-to-Point Testing

Wireless spectrum is a limiting resource for continued economic growth in the United States. As discussed in the recent National Spectrum Strategy (NSS), wireless spectrum underpins several aspects of the U.S. economy and the demand for additional spectrum is driving the need for realizing spectrum sharing to enable continued development. At the same time, wireless spectrum is an essential foundation of critical energy infrastructure, including electric, oil, and natural gas resources. In particular, wireless point-to-point (P2P) links are the backbone of vast infrastructure networks that enable the flow of sensor and control information needed to manage critical energy sector infrastructure in the United States. These links will only become more important as the energy sector incorporates more diverse sensing and more efficient control mechanisms, which increases system complexity and data volume requiring more resilient communications. Therefore, the continued economic development of the U.S. depends on determining novel approaches to spectrum management that balance both broad access for advanced wireless technologies and resilience for critical infrastructure.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Self-Sustainable IoT-Based Remote Sensing Powered by Energy Harvesting Using Stacked Piezoelectric Transducer and Thermoelectric Generator

We propose a self-powered remote multi-sensing system for traffic sensing which is powered by the collective energy harvested from the mechanical vibration of the road caused by the passing vehicles and from the temperature gradient between the asphalt of the road and the soil underneath. A stacked piezoelectric transducer converts mechanical vibrations into electrical energy and a thermoelectric generator harvests the thermal energy from the thermal gradient. Electrical energy signals from the stacked piezoelectric transducer and the thermoelectric generators are converted into usable DC power to recharge the battery using AC-DC and DC-DC converters working simultaneously. The multi-sensing system comprises an embedded system with a microcontroller that acquires data from the sensors and sends the sensory data to an IoT transceiver which transmits the data as RF packets to an ethernet gateway. The gateway converts the RF packets into Internet Protocol (IP) packets and sends them to a remote server. Laboratory and road-testing results showed over 98% sensory data accuracy with the system functioning solely powered by the energy harvested from the alternative energy sources. The successful maximum transmission distance obtained between the IoT, and the gateway was approximately 1 mile, which is a considerable transmission distance achieved in an urban environment. Successful operation of the self-powered multi-sensing system under both laboratory and road conditions contributes considerably to the fields of energy harvesting and self-powered remote sensing systems. The energy flow chart and efficiency for the steps in the system were found to be mechanical power from vehicles to the energy harvester of 0.25%, stacked PZT transducer efficiency was found to be 37%, and for the TEGs the efficiency is 11%. AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC converters’ efficiencies were found to be 90% and 11%. The wireless communication RF transceiver efficiency was found to be 62.5%.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2020

The global energy footprint of information and communication technology electronics in connected Internet-of-Things devices

Information and communication technology (ICT) has been critical to the emergence of a new Internet-of-Things (IoT) era, as a rapidly increasing number and variety of IoT electronic devices in a wide range of end-use sectors require massive data communication in terms of volume, velocity/speed, and variety. Additionally, semiconductor technology advancements have played a key role in ICT and unlike the past ICT energy footprint analysis, which focused on the final electronic product, an attempt has been made to examine the global energy impacts for the period 2016–2025 based on the market forecasts of three major IoT IC types, i.e., sensors and actuators, connectivity, and processor ICs distributed among four major IoT device components.Total global IoT semiconductor primary energy demand is projected to increase from 2 EJ in 2016 to 35 EJ by 2025, resulting mainly from a substantial projected increase energy needed in the manufacturing of ICs, with growth in the use of sensors and energy-intensive next fab generation manufacturing. Unlike the trend in manufacturing energy, total global operational energy use is projected to decrease significantly with the development of smaller transistor size, low-power devices, and faster wireless data communication technology. Total operational energy is projected to significantly decrease from 118 TWh/year (1,2 EJ/year) to less than 1 TWh/year (0.003 EJ/year) in spite of a significantly higher anticipated growth in its market size during the 2016–2025 forecast period. Its annual share of total primary energy use is projected to reach an insignificant level of 0.01% by the end of 2025, consistent with the past limited electronic product life cycle analyses besides the analysis focus here limited to ICs in IoT devices.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Simple and Accurate Energy-Detector-Based Transient Waveform Detection for Smart Grids: Real-World Field Data Performance

Integration of distributed energy sources, advanced meshed operation, sensors, automation, and communication networks all contribute to autonomous operations and decision-making processes utilized in the grid. Therefore, smart grid systems require sophisticated supporting structures. Furthermore, rapid detection and identification of disturbances and transients are a necessary first step towards situationally aware smart grid systems. This way, high-level monitoring is achieved and the entire system kept operational. Even though smart grid systems are unavoidably sophisticated, low-complexity algorithms need to be developed for real-time sensing on the edge and online applications to alert stakeholders in the event of an anomaly. In this study, the simplest form of anomaly detection mechanism in the absence of any a priori knowledge, namely, the energy detector (also known as radiometer in the field of wireless communications and signal processing), is investigated as a triggering mechanism, which may include automated alerts and notifications for grid anomalies. In contrast to the mainstream literature, it does not rely on transform domain tools; therefore, utmost design and implementation simplicity are attained. Performance results of the proposed energy detector algorithm are validated by real power system data obtained from the DOE/EPRI National Database of power system events and the Grid Signature Library.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Communication engine for hybrid interconnect technologies

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for dynamically selecting between wired and wireless interconnects for sending packets are disclosed. A system includes at least a hybrid communication engine and a plurality of interconnects for connecting to various end-points. The communication engine dynamically discovers and utilizes the best interconnect technology available in between given end-points. The communication engine dynamically chooses the physical interconnect that is best suited at any given time to send data from one source to one or multiple destinations. This communication can be either on-chip or across nodes. The communication engine makes a decision based on a set of predetermined parameters that can be re-adjusted by the application layer, such as latency of the transmission, message data size, physical distance from source to destination, the energy cost, and the current congestion on the alternative interconnects.

Blagodurov, Sergey↗

DOE OSTI2020

Remotely powered line monitor

Improved devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods involving the use of field probes with voltage-controlled variable impedance elements and surface-launched acoustic wave devices, including surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices to measure voltage and current in current carrying conductors (CCCs) via measurement of the electric fields and magnetic fields around said CCCs are disclosed. The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods taught in the present invention include a remotely powered line-mounted measurement unit that requires no connection to electrical ground for operation, and that has no internal energy source, no energy harvesting or power conditioning circuitry, no discrete energy storage components, and no radio. The devices, apparatuses, systems, and methods taught in the present invention also provide for determining the phase (leading or lagging) of the current relative to the voltage in AC power systems, and also provide for measurement of temperature of the conductor.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Electric Vehicles at Scale (EVs@Scale) Laboratory Consortium

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electric Vehicles at Scale Lab Consortium (EVs@Scale Lab Consortium) is accelerating research to support the establishment of a secure and scalable national network of charging infrastructure. This network will be critical to support tens of millions of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs on American roads by 2030. The EVs@Scale Lab Consortium brings together national laboratories and key stakeholders to conduct infrastructure research and development (R&D) that advances innovations in, and sets unified standards for, high-power and wireless charging. The effort will also develop technologies to integrate vehicle charging with the power grid, and develop cybersecurity measures to protect drivers, vehicles, equipment, and the grid.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,POWER TRANSMISSION AND↗

DOE OSTI2020

Development of an Encoding Method on an Co-simulation Platform for Mitigating the Impact of Unreliable Communication

This report presents a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) based modeling approach for simulating impacts of unreliable communication on the performance of centralized volt-var control and for developing an encoding method to mitigate the impacts. First, an asynchronous real-time HIL simulation platform is introduced to enable multi-rate co-simulation of a distribution system with many inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs). The distribution system is modeled by milliseconds phasor-based models and the DERs are modeled by micro-seconds power electronic models. Communication connections between a centralized volt-var controller (modeled externally to the HIL testbed) and smart inverters are built by implementing Modbus links and the Long Term Evolution network. On this co-simulation platform, an enhanced, augmented Lagrangian multiplier based encoded data recovery (EALM-EDR) algorithm for mitigating the impact of unreliable communication is developed and validated. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of using the HIL-based co-simulation platform as a power grid digital twin for developing algorithms that coordinate a large number of heterogeneous control systems through wired and wireless communication links.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Subcutaneous power supply by NIR-II light

Implantable medical devices are wished to be recharged via contactless power transfer technologies without interventional operations. Superior to subcutaneous power supply by visible light or electromagnetic wave, second near-infrared (NIR-II) light is predicted to possess 60 times subcutaneous power transmission but hard to be utilized. Here we report a photo-thermal-electric converter via the combination of photothermal conversion and thermoelectric conversion. It is able to generate an output power as high as 195 mW under the coverage of excised tissues, presenting advantages of non-invasion, high output power, negligible biological damage, and deep tissue penetration. As an in vivo demonstration, the output power of a packaged converter in the abdominal cavity of a rabbit reaches 20 mW under NIR-II light irradiation through the rabbit skin with a thickness of 8.5 mm. This value is high enough to recharge an implanted high-power-consumption wireless camera and transfer video signal out of body in real-time.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

Experimental Test Bed to Enable Realistic Evaluations for Direct Transfer Trip Relaying via Private Wireless LTE Communications

Increasing penetration levels of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution systems are creating challenges in system operation. Currently, wired or proprietary wireless communications are used by advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) to detect the state of the system and control the DERs for optimal operation. Wireless communications are an alternative solution that can enable connectivity between the dispersed assets used in distribution system applications. This paper demonstrates an experimental test bed to enable the realistic evaluation of communications system characteristics for direct transfer trip (DTT) relaying of a photovoltaic inverter system using a private 900-MHz spectrum wireless LTE network. Private LTE network communications can be deployed to many remote DERs and other grid-edge devices to prevent costly infrastructure upgrades across distribution systems. In addition, this paper provides a framework for evaluating the impact of signal strength and network traffic in communications systems. The results shown develop a better understanding of the best practices for using LTE communications systems across multiple utility applications, such as protective relaying, voltage regulation, and supervisory control and data acquisition system messages.

900-MHz LTE network↗

DOE OSTI2020

Experimental Test Bed to Enable Realistic Evaluations for Direct Transfer Trip Relaying via Private Wireless LTE Communications: Preprint

900 MHz LTE network↗

DOE OSTI2020

Sensing Service Transformer Secondary Currents using Planar Magnetic Pick-up Coils

The rapid deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs) is creating stresses on utility assets in the distribution networks. The service transformer, which is the most commonly used utility asset is often not monitored, since the cost of available sensing solutions is as high as the transformer itself. This paper presents a method to use an array of printed circuit board coils to intelligently monitor North American pole top service transformers. The approach, uses a novel, self-calibrating algorithm to infer the fixed geometry of the installation, by recording data over an extended period of time. The proposed method can enable rapid installation of a non-intrusive sensor that can be used to monitor loading levels of the distribution transformer. Furthermore, these sensors can help in planning, prognostics and advanced situational awareness for utilities.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Overview of High-Power Wireless Charging Systems and Analysis of Polyphase Wireless Charging System Phase Winding and Resonant Tuning Network Connection Configurations

In spite of the high energy efficiency and environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs), adoption rates are increasing at a relatively slow pace, primarily because of EVs’ limited range and long charging durations. To reduce EV charging times to be comparable to refueling times of conventional vehicles, extreme fast charging systems are required. Such charging systems would reduce drivers’ range anxiety and enable long-distance interstate travel with EVs. Here, this substantial target in charging rates with 15–20 minutes of recharging times, requires research and development from grid to batteries with advanced charging systems. Wireless power transfer systems for EV charging applications are flexible, convenient, and highly efficient, and they allow automated charging. This paper reviews the power electronics and winding and resonant tuning network configurations for polyphase wireless power transfer systems for high-power wireless charging applications.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗