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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

AI-Based Optimal Design and Controls Can Greatly Reduce Carbon Emissions and Enhance Resilience in Residential Communities in Cold Climates

Net-zero energy residential communities are crucial for achieving decarbonization goals, but the high-penetration photovoltaic (PV) in those communities is posing challenges to the distribution grid. Traditional design and operation of net-zero communities rely on rule-of-thumb methods and may not work in complex scenarios. Artificial intelligence and machine learning methods can optimally size PV for net-zero energy, identify user preferences and usage patterns, and fully unlock the potential of distributed energy resources to address distribution grid issues.

artificial intelligence↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design of Resilient Electric Distribution Systems for Remote Communities: Surgical Load Management using Smart Meters

This paper describes a systematic process of designing resilient electric distribution systems and microgrids using smart meters for surgical load management (SLM) as part of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). The work focuses on selection approach, integration, and interoperability aspects for AMI in microgrids. SLM is proposed as a granular control methodology for serving selective critical loads across different distribution feeders in the system during extreme events. The surgical load shedding as well as load pick-up provides a robust approach for maximizing critical load served in a resource-constrained electric distribution system or a microgrid. We present the case of a 20 MW islanded microgrid in Cordova, AK, USA, which is the demonstration site for field validation of resilience enhancement technologies for the DOE-funded Grid Modernization project RADIANCE. Cordova microgrid is an islanded distribution grid that provides an environment to prove the approach, and the techniques may also be applicable to other regional distribution systems.

microgrids↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design of Resilient Electric Distribution Systems for Remote Communities: Surgical Load Management Using Smart Meters: Preprint

This paper describes a systematic process of designing resilient electric distribution systems and microgrids using smart meters for surgical load management (SLM) as part of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). The work focuses on selection approach, integration, and interoperability aspects for AMI in microgrids. SLM is proposed as a granular control methodology for serving selective critical loads across different distribution feeders in the system during extreme events. The surgical load shedding as well as load pick-up provides a robust approach for maximizing critical load served in a resource-constrained electric distribution system or a microgrid. We present the case of a 20 MW islanded microgrid in Cordova, AK, USA, which is the demonstration site for field validation of resilience enhancement technologies for the DOE-funded Grid Modernization project RADIANCE. Cordova microgrid is an islanded distribution grid that provides an environment to prove the approach, and the techniques may also be applicable to other regional distribution systems.

microgrids↗
DOE OSTI2021

Final Technical Report-WestSmart EV: Western Smart Plug-in Electric Vehicle Community Partnership

The WestSmartEV (WSEV) project has accelerated adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) throughout the PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power’s (RMP) service territory in the intermountain west by developing a large-scale, sustainable PEV charging infrastructure network with coordinated PEV adoption programs. The project objectives have strategically deployed 79 DC fast charging to create two primary electric interstate highway corridors along I-15 and I-80; incentivized installation of Level 2 AC chargers at workplace locations; incentivized the purchase of PEVs; provided all electric solutions for first-mile and last-mile trips, including electrified mobility service; provided centralized data collection, analysis, modeling, and tool development to inform investment and policy decisions; and developed education outreach materials and conducted workshops across the WSEV region.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Innovating the next generation of commercial smart building software

Nearly 30% of commercial building energy use is wasted due to equipment faults and HVAC controls problems. The result is increased emissions, compromised comfort and productivity, and less reliable coordination of building power needs with a clean grid. The energy impact alone represents $17 billion in potential savings. Today’s smart building software provides a robust solution to address these operational deficiencies. Energy management and information systems (EMIS) are saving up to 9% on average, with two-year paybacks. They are being incorporated into energy management processes, commissioning services, and utility programs. As effective as they are, two barriers prevent even deeper benefits; limited personnel to fix problems once they are identified, and the expense and time to manually implement changes in control systems. In partnership with the research community, the EMIS industry is developing new capabilities to overcome these barriers. Moving beyond siloed products for either fault detection and diagnostics, or optimal control, these new capabilities empower users to not only automatically identify faults, but also to push corrective action, and control improvements to their buildings. In this paper, several areas for enhancements are documented: ‘one-time’ correction of faults such as setpoints, schedules, and economizer lockouts; short-term active testing for automated proportional integral derivative (PID) loop tuning and functional testing; and continuous supervisory control for demand flexibility and year-round efficiency. Results are presented from a pair of partner implementations out of a dozen providers integrating these enhancements into their products, including field tests from across the country, and insights into operator acceptance and integration into operations and maintenance practices.

Casillas, Armando↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data Analysis Approach for Large Data Volumes in a Connected Community

Recent advancements within smart neighborhoods where utilities are enabling automatic control of appliances such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and water heater (WH) systems are providing new opportunities to minimize energy costs through reduced peak load. This requires systematic collection, storage, management, and in-memory processing of large volumes of streaming data for fast performance. In this paper, we propose a multi-tier layered IoT software framework that enables effective descriptive and predictive data analysis for understanding live operation of the neighborhood, fault identification, and future opportunities for further optimization of load curves. We then demonstrate how we achieve live situational awareness of the connected neighborhood through a suite of visualization components. Finally, we discuss a few analytic dashboards that address questions such as peak load reductions obtained due to optimization, customer preference for automatic control of appliances (do they override the automatic control of HVAC?, etc.). 1 1 This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The Department of Energy will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).

Chinthavali, Supriya↗
DOE OSTI2020

Deep Reinforcement Learning in Buildings: Implicit Assumptions and their Impact

As deep reinforcement learning (DRL) continues to gain interest in the smart building research community, there is a transition from simulation-based evaluations to deploying DRL control strategies in actual buildings. While the efficacy of a solution could depend on a particular implementation, there are common obstacles that developers have to overcome to deliver an effective controller. Additionally, a deployment in a physical building can invalidate some of the assumptions made during the controller development. Assumptions on the sensor placement or on the equipment behavior can quickly come undone. This paper presents some of the significant assumptions made during the development of DRL based controllers that could affect their operations in a physical building. Furthermore, a preliminary evaluation revealed that controllers developed with some of these assumptions can incur twice the expected costs when they are deployed in a building.

Prakash, Anand Krishnan↗
NASA NTRS1995

Advancing MEMS Technology Usage through the MUMPS (Multi-User MEMS Processes) Program

In order to help provide access to advanced micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technologies and lower the barriers for both industry and academia, the Microelectronic Center of North Carolina (MCNC) and ARPA have developed a program which provides users with access to both MEMS processes and advanced electronic integration techniques. The four distinct aspects of this program, the multi-user MEMS processes (MUMP's), the consolidated micro-mechanical element library, smart MEMS, and the MEMS technology network are described in this paper. MUMP's is an ARPA-supported program created to provide inexpensive access to MEMS technology in a multi-user environment. It is both a proof-of-concept and educational tool that aids in the development of MEMS in the domestic community. MUMP's technologies currently include a 3-layer poly-silicon surface micromachining process and LIGA (lithography, electroforming, and injection molding) processes that provide reasonable design flexibility within set guidelines. The consolidated micromechanical element library (CaMEL) is a library of active and passive MEMS structures that can be downloaded by the MEMS community via the internet. Smart MEMS is the development of advanced electronics integration techniques for MEMS through the application of flip chip technology. The MEMS technology network (TechNet) is a menu of standard substrates and MEMS fabrication processes that can be purchased and combined to create unique process flows. TechNet provides the MEMS community greater flexibility and enhanced technology accessibility.

Koester, D. A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design and dispatch optimization of packaged ice storage systems within a connected community

The traditional implementation of cool thermal energy storage (CTES) must be reimagined within the context of a dynamic grid and smart buildings operating as connected communities. As most buildings do not operate central chillers or connect to district cooling loops, this necessitates a broader use of packaged CTES. Our objective is to begin answering the question of how such packaged CTES should be implemented within a connected community. We do so by presenting a simulation–optimization workflow employing building energy modeling software and a mixed-integer linear program to design and dispatch a packaged CTES technology to achieve minimum total annual cost. We demonstrate this methodology on a seven-building case study using current utility rates and find that total annual cooling energy costs can be reduced by 17.8% compared to baseline, after accounting for the cost of storage. We perform three parametric sensitivity studies to evaluate modeling assumptions and obtain the prioritization of storage procurement as a function of annualized life-cycle cost of storage. We find that a community optimization approach provides significantly different results than individual building optimizations and provides greater savings compared to baseline.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

2022 roadmap on 3D printing for energy

The energy transition is one of the main challenges of our society and therefore a major driver for the scientific community. To ensure a smart transition to a sustainable future energy scenario different technologies such as energy harvesting using solar cells or windmills and chemical storage in batteries, super-capacitors or hydrogen have to be developed and ultimately deployed. New fabrication approaches based on additive manufacturing and the digitalization of the industrial processes increase the potential to achieve highly efficient and smart technologies required to increase the competitiveness of clean energy technologies against fossil fuels. In this frame, the present roadmap highlights the tremendous potential of 3D printing as a new route to fully automate the manufacturing of energy devices designed as digital files. Additionally, this article gives numerous guidelines to maximize the performance and efficiency of the next generation of 3D printed devices for the energy transition while reducing the waste of critical raw materials. In particular, the paper is focused on the current status, present challenges and the expected and required advances of 3D printing for the fabrication of the most relevant energy technologies such as fuel cells and electrolysers, batteries, solar cells, super-capacitors, thermoelectric generators, chemical reactors and turbomachinery.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1999

Active Control of Flow Separation Over an Airfoil

Designing an aircraft without conventional control surfaces is of interest to aerospace community. In this direction, smart actuator devices such as synthetic jets have been proposed to provide aircraft maneuverability instead of control surfaces. In this article, a numerical study is performed to investigate the effects of unsteady suction and blowing on airfoils. The unsteady suction and blowing is introduced at the leading edge of the airfoil in the form of tangential jet. Numerical solutions are obtained using Reynolds-Averaged viscous compressible Navier-Stokes equations. Unsteady suction and blowing is investigated as a means of separation control to obtain lift on airfoils. The effect of blowing coefficients on lift and drag is investigated. The numerical simulations are compared with experiments from the Tel-Aviv University (TAU). These results indicate that unsteady suction and blowing can be used as a means of separation control to generate lift on airfoils.

Ravindran, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Model-Based, Multiscale Self-Tuning Controller Developed for Active Combustion Control

New challenges concerning system health-monitoring and life-extending robust controls for the Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Project, as well as other advanced engine and power system concepts at NASA and elsewhere, have renewed the control community s interest in smart, model-based methods. In particular, these challenges have further motivated efforts at the NASA Glenn Research Center to exploit the versatility and superiority of the dynamic features extraction of multiscale analysis for controls--such as with "wavelets" and "wavelet filter-banks.' The accomplishments reported herein pertain to the active suppression of combustion instabilities in liquid-fuel combustors via fuel modulation. The fundamentals and initial success of this innovation were reported for a unique demonstration of active combustion control (a research collaboration of NASA Glenn with Pratt & Whitney and the United Technologies Research Center, UTRC). This demonstration, conducted in 2002 at UTRC on the NASA single nozzle rig (SNR) combustor, was the first known suppression of high-frequency instability with a liquid-fueled combustor. The SNR is based on a high-powered military engine combustor that exhibited well-known instabilities.

Le, Dzu K.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Establishing Hazardous Gas Launch Commit Criteria for the Space Shuttle External Tank Intertank Compartment

Until recently, the simultaneous detection and evaluation of multiple Space Transportation System (STS) element compartments for propellant leakage was not possible during the External Tank (ET) pre-pressurization (pre-press) phase of propellant loading; late in the loading sequence (T-3 min to T-0). There exist launch commit criteria (LCCS) designed to protect against leaks resulting in flammable mixtures in the intertank during the functional life of the ET; start of propellant loading through ET-Orbiter separation. However thus far, leak protection had relied on the premise that if a propellant supply system leak were to exist, it would be a leak of fixed area present at the start of propellant loading (dumb leak mode) and such a leak could be detected earlier in the loading sequence than the pre-press phase. No measures had ever been implemented which would protect against leaks potentially developing late in the loading sequence (smart leak mode), The STS community had baselined this situation as an accepted risk their decision supported by exhaustive hardware acceptance criteria and a history of many successful launches. With the recent development of improvements to the hazardous gas detection system (HGDS), an opportunity arose to monitor the intertank compartment for hazardous gas concentrations beyond the T-3 minute mark. In this timeframe the propellant supply system is pressurized for flight and protection was sought against potential leaks generated by this pressurization process. The challenge at hand was to develop LCCs in this timeframe that were not too conservative to unnecessarily prohibit a launch, yet not too liberal to endanger crew safety and mission success. Since essentially no measurement history existed in this timeframe, the LCCs would have to rely on analysis alone. At NASA's direction, Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems (LMMSS) developed requirements that would protect against a smart leak during pre-press. A smart leak protection strategy is noteworthy from an STS main propulsion system (NWS) community perspective. This paper presents the resultant requirements as well as the technical and program issues involved with establishing hazardous gas LCCs for the ET intertank compartment.

Baran, Adam J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Smart and Flexible Microgrid with a Low-cost Scalable Open-source Controller (Final Report)

This report contains information regarding the activities carried out in the project "A Smart and Flexible Microgrid with a Low-cost Scalable Open-source Controller. The project aims at developing a community-based flexible microgrid (FMG) with smart grid features, including multiple utility feeders and dynamic boundaries that utilize intelligent switches and ultra-high-speed communication links already in a smart grid. The project also aims at developing a corresponding controller for such an FMG with low cost and high scalability. With distributed renewable energy resources (DERs) and the intelligent microgrid controller, the FMG will achieve aggressive emission reduction, increased energy use efficiency, and reliability improvement goals. The FMG and its controller design will be scalable for different geographic areas, load sizes, distributed generation source number and types, and even multiple MGs within a distribution electric power system. In order to achieve these project objectives, three main development tasks were carried out: FMG design, FMG controller development, and FMG controller testing. The fourth task was technology to market.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

2021–2022 Can Do Colorado E-Bike Full-Scale Pilot Program Study

In 2021–2022, the Colorado Energy Office conducted a full-scale pilot program study on e-bike usage as part of the Can Do Colorado initiative, providing e-bikes to low-income participants across the state. A [2020 mini pilot program study](https://www.nlr.gov/transportation/secure-transportation-data/tsdc-2020-can-do-colorado-e-bike-pilot-program.html) informed the full-scale study. Both studies used pedal-assist e-bikes, which feature an electric motor and battery to help power the bike. The motor amplifies the power behind each pedal stroke, augmenting the energy you put into the bike. #### Data Collection Agency The Colorado Energy Office conducted the study in partnership with local organizations in Adams and Broomfield counties (Smart Commute Metro North), Boulder (Community Cycles), Durango (Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency), Fort Collins (City of Fort Collins), Pueblo (Pueblo County), and Vail (Town of Vail). #### Survey Methodology Program participants received an e-bike and accessories at no cost and manually submitted travel data and feedback via the CanBikeCO smartphone app. Developed in partnership with NLR, the app used a customized version of the open-source [NLR OpenPATH platform](https://www.nlr.gov/transportation/openpath.html). #### Survey Records and Data Survey records include 170 participants. The six datasets contain up to 18 months of partially automated travel diaries, combining sensed and surveyed travel behavior data—patterns of multimodal, end-to-end, individual human mobility—as well as demographic information from participants. The number of e-bike trips and e-bike miles traveled per location are 1,560 and 4,179 for Adams and Broomfield counties; 8,481 and 27,000 for Boulder; 2,815 and 6,307 for Durango; 3,483 and 7,080 for Fort Collins; 4,022 and 14,887 for Pueblo, and 1,206 and 3,3361 for Vail.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Toward Urban Water Security: Broadening the Use of Machine Learning Methods for Mitigating Urban Water Hazards

Due to the complex interactions of human activity and the hydrological cycle, achieving urban water security requires comprehensive planning processes that address urban water hazards using a holistic approach. However, the effective implementation of such an approach requires the collection and curation of large amounts of disparate data, and reliable methods for modeling processes that may be co-evolutionary yet traditionally represented in non-integrable ways. In recent decades, many hydrological studies have utilized advanced machine learning and information technologies to approximate and predict physical processes, yet none have synthesized these methods into a comprehensive urban water security plan. In this paper, we review ways in which advanced machine learning techniques have been applied to specific aspects of the hydrological cycle and discuss their potential applications for addressing challenges in mitigating multiple water hazards over urban areas. We also describe a vision that integrates these machine learning applications into a comprehensive watershed-to-community planning workflow for smart-cities management of urban water resources.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2004

NASA's Aeronautics Vision

Six long-term technology focus areas are: 1. Environmentally Friendly, Clean Burning Engines. Focus: Develop innovative technologies to enable intelligent turbine engines that significantly reduce harmful emissions while maintaining high performance and increasing reliability. 2. New Aircraft Energy Sources and Management. Focus: Discover new energy sources and intelligent management techniques directed towards zero emissions and enable new vehicle concepts for public mobility and new science missions. 3. Quiet Aircraft for Community Friendly Service. Focus: Develop and integrate noise reduction technology to enable unrestricted air transportation service to all communities. 4. Aerodynamic Performance for Fuel Efficiency. Focus: Improve aerodynamic efficiency,structures and materials technologies, and design tools and methodologies to reduce fuel burn and minimize environmental impact and enable new vehicle concepts and capabilities for public mobility and new science missions. 5. Aircraft Weight Reduction and Community Access. Focus: Develop ultralight smart materials and structures, aerodynamic concepts, and lightweight subsystems to increase vehicle efficiency, leading to high altitude long endurance vehicles, planetary aircraft, advanced vertical and short takeoff and landing vehicles and beyond. 6. Smart Aircraft and Autonomous Control. Focus: Enable aircraft to fly with reduced or no human intervention, to optimize flight over multiple regimes, and to provide maintenance on demand towards the goal of a feeling, seeing, sensing, sentient air vehicle.

Tenney, Darrel R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Smart technologies enable homes to be efficient and interactive with the grid

Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers compare two different approaches to test how advanced, energy-efficient building technologies such as smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and advanced heat pump HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) can be optimized within a home and connected at a neighborhood-scale load to a community microgrid in the Alabama Power Smart Neighborhood located in Hoover. Working with Southern Company and Alabama Power, ORNL researchers are pioneering that future where smart homes and smart neighborhoods can benefit both homeowners and utilities, by reducing energy consumption by 44% and peak demand by 34%.This project is one of two neighborhoods in the U.S Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Connected Neighborhood project, supported by Building Technologies Office , where ORNL researchers leverages DOE investment in micro-grids and responsive, flexible building loads research to improve grid reliability – a goal of DOE’s Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) Initiative. Researchers control the neighborhood and microgrid to enable utilities achieve their desired load and cost profiles while ensuring the comfort of homeowners in the Smart Neighborhood. This transactive control approach maximizes the utilization of technical resources of the microgrid and controllable loads, while reducing costs for both the homeowners and Alabama Power. These tests partially seek to determine a more precise range of tolerance with respect to occupant comfort as researchers work to facilitate customer acceptance and perception of new building technologies that enable energy savings.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗