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At least 523 records · Page 29

Demonstrating Advanced Nuclear Energy Solutions for Net Zero

Background/Objectives. The aggressive goals being set by nation states, communities, and private industry for decarbonization of grid electricity, industrial heat sources, and transportation around the world are imperative to mitigating the devastating effects that we are seeing from climate change. Although many of these goals focus on accomplishments by 2035 or 2050, the decisions that we make today won’t just impact the landscape of energy systems for the next 20 or 30 years—they will shape the world’s environment for centuries to come. That means that we can’t just focus on technologies that will get us to 2050, but technologies that will withstand our energy demands over that long-ranging future. Success will require us to utilize all of the clean energy resources that we have available to meet demands for electricity, heat, and steam, and we will need energy carriers such as hydrogen that do not emit additional greenhouse gases at the point of use. Nuclear energy, ranging from technologies in service today to advanced, higher temperature and modular systems that will be in service this decade, will provide a robust complement to renewable energy resources that operate variably. Researchers across the U.S. Department of Energy laboratory complex are working to advance multiple aspects of these clean energy solutions, with many focusing on integrated energy system solutions that leverage all available clean energy assets to meet wide-ranging energy demands. Approach/Activities. Nuclear energy is a proven, zero-emission option during operation that can provide consistent, dispatchable power to meet electricity demands while also providing high-quality heat that can meet energy demands beyond the electricity sector. Energy system design should seek to maximize these assets. As a dispatchable energy source with a small land utilization footprint, nuclear energy can be collocated with renewable resources, and the smaller systems that will be deployed this decade (ranging from a few megawatts to hundreds of megawatts) can be installed right where that energy is needed. Integrated nuclear and renewable systems will enhance power grid reliability and resilience, and they will help stabilize the grid through their increasingly flexible operation. Licensing, installation, and broad adoption of these advanced nuclear energy systems are expected to progress significantly in the 2020s, but this may be longer than desired by some stakeholders wishing to implement impactful clean energy decisions today. However, one must recall that nuclear energy systems will operate for 80 or more years, as is being demonstrated by current fleet nuclear systems. The nuclear community is extremely thorough in reviewing these systems with regard to safety and security; these efforts ensure that the deployed systems will continue to provide reliable, resilient energy over that operational lifetime. That investment of time up front will ensure that we can support energy demands over the centuries to come. While advanced nuclear technologies move through this process, communities and private industry may choose to install renewable generation systems that can later be coupled to the complementary nuclear systems as they become available—thus moving closer to the net zero goals in the near term. Choosing technologies and deployment configurations that allow small modular nuclear powerhouses to be added to these “energy parks” as they become available will ensure that advanced technologies can be readily adopted to support growing demands for clean energy. Results/Lessons Learned. The primary focus of integrated energy systems (IES) research is to assess the technical and economic potential of novel multi-input, multioutput solutions that are expected to enhance energy system flexibility, reliability, and resilience as we pursue a clean energy transition. Various energy applications and product streams beyond electricity are being evaluated, ranging from generation of potable water to production of hydrogen, fertilizers, synthetic fuels, and various chemicals. In early FY23 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) will commission thermal energy generation systems that emulate nuclear fission energy input using electric heating and will allow for integrated system testing with thermal energy storage, hydrogen production via high temperature electrolysis (HTE), and power systems hardware to demonstrate operation of a clean energy park within a microgrid or larger grid infrastructure, supporting up to 450 kW of heat input via electric heating and demonstrating operation of HTE systems at the multi-hundred kW scale. This presentation will highlight the wide array of RD&D being conducted at INL and partner laboratories to develop and deploy nuclear and renewable-based IES that will be key to achieving our net zero goals, including both computational and experimental demonstrations. By working with key collaborators in industry, analytical st

08 HYDROGEN↗

Power System Recovery Coordinated with (Non-)Black-Start Generators

Power restoration is an urgent task after a black-out, and recovery efficiency is critical when quantifying system resilience. Multiple elements should be considered to restore the power system quickly and safely. This paper proposes a recovery model to solve a direct-current optimal power flow (DCOPF) based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). Since most of the generators cannot start independently, the interaction between black-start (BS) and non-black-start (NBS) generators must be modeled appropriately. The energization status of the NBS is coordinated with the recovery status of transmission lines, and both of them are modeled as binary variables. Also, only after an NBS unit receives the cranking power through connected transmission lines, will it be allowed to participate in the following system dispatch. The amount of cranking power is estimated as a fixed proportion to the maximum generation capacity. The proposed model is validated on several test systems, as well as a 1393-bus representation system of the Puerto Rican electric power grid. Test results demonstrate how the recovery of NBS units and damaged transmission lines can be optimized, resulting in an efficient and well-coordinated recovery procedure.

Zhao, Meng↗

Investigation of Correlation between Field Performance and Indoor Acceleration Measurements of Potential Induced Degradation (PID) for c-Si PV Modules

The correlation between outdoor field testing and indoor chamber measurement for potential-induced degradation in crystalline silicon PV modules is unclear. The motivation of this work is to build up a direct comparison and investigate the correlation between indoor and outdoor performance. First of all, four PID indoor tests were defined from basic to premium, based on the difficulty of the test. Six groups of modules were designed and fabricated in Trina Solar, with different grades of PID resistance from weak to strong. The outdoor field test systems were built in three different climates: tropical, subtropical, and semi-arid climates in Singapore, Changzhou (China) and Golden (CO, USA) respectively, in a collaborative testing campaign involving Trina, SERIS and NREL. The system in Golden has been on-sun for more than 13 months where <4% power loss which includes PID and other reliability losses was detected and power loss of <2% is shown for all six groups of modules after 21 weeks in the field in the subtropical climate in Changzhou. However, PID of 23% was observed after 18 weeks in Singapore for the most PID-susceptible module, while the other PID module types showed degradation of only less than 5%.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

The path to clean energy: direct coupling of nuclear and renewable technologies for thermal and electrical applications

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes the need to transform the energy infrastructure of the U.S. and elsewhere to systems that can significantly reduce environmental impacts in an efficient and economically viable manner while utilizing both clean energy generation sources and hydrocarbon resources. Thus, DOE is supporting research and development that could lead to more efficient utilization of clean nuclear and renewable energy generation sources. A concept being advanced by the DOE Offices of Nuclear Energy (NE) and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is tighter coupling of nuclear and renewable energy sources in a manner that better optimizes energy use for the combined electricity, industrial manufacturing, and the transportation sectors. This integration concept has been referred to as a “hybrid system” that is capable of providing energy (thermal or electrical) where it is needed, when it is needed. For the purposes of this work, the hybrid system would integrate two or more energy resources to generate two or more products, one of which must be an energy commodity, such as electricity or transportation fuel. This definition requires coupling of subsystems ‘‘behind’’ the electrical transmission bus, where energy flows are dynamically apportioned as necessary to meet demand and the system has a single connection to the grid that provides dispatchable electricity as required while capital intensive generation assets operate at full capacity. Development of integrated energy systems for an “energy park” must carefully consider the intended location and the associated regional resources, traditional industrial processes, energy delivery infrastructure, and markets to identify viable region-specific system configurations. This paper will provide an overview of the current status of regional hybrid energy system design, development and application of dynamic analysis tools to assess technical and economic performance, and roadmap development to identify and prioritize component, subsystem and system testing that will lead to prototype demonstration.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Impacts of Integrating Topology Reconfiguration and Vehicle-to-Grid Technologies on Distribution System Operation

Autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs) provide unique opportunities to cope with the uncertainties of distributed energy generation in distribution networks. But the effects are limited by both inherent radial topology and the behaviors of decentralized AEVs. As such, we investigate the potential benefits of dynamic distribution network reconfiguration (DDNR), taking into account AEVs' spatial-temporal availability and their charging demand. We propose a mixed integer programming model to optimally coordinate the charging/discharging of AEVs with DDNR, while satisfying AEVs' original travel plan. Numerical studies based on a test system overlaying the IEEE 33-node test feeder and Sioux Falls transportation network show that DDNR and AEV complement each other, which improves the operation of the distribution system. We also conduct sensitivity analyses on inputs including renewable fluctuation and AEVs penetration level.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Electrochemical Characterization of Molten Salt Chemistry During Atmospheric Ingressions

This report describes the salt chemistry and sedimentation studies that were completed in FY23 as part of the Pyrochemical Fuel Cycles – ANL project. The primary objective of these activities was to employ electrochemical methods in order to quantify and gain insights into the reaction mechanisms associated with the interaction of O2 and moisture impurities with the molten chloride salts used for the pyrochemical processing of nuclear materials. If not monitored and controlled, the ingression of these atmospheric impurities can lead to changes in the salt redox conditions and initiate the formation of oxide particles, potentially resulting in operational and safeguards challenges. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying the formation of oxide particles, we can effectively monitor the conditions of the salt and design systems to mitigate the influence of atmospheric O2 and H2O. To achieve these goals, we designed a test system that allowed for precisely controlled gas ingressions into the molten salt vessel. This system included on-line monitoring provided by electrochemical probes that enable near real-time measurements of the salt conditions throughout the course of the experiment. Using this system, we systematically varied experimental conditions, including O2/Ar flow rates and O2 concentrations, to comprehensively understand their impact on solid particle formation. We also used a particle size and shape analyzer to characterize the particles that were generated. Tests in FY23 concentrated on the formation of CeO2 particles, but we also prepared a separate apparatus targeting UO2 particles for use in FY24. We additionally conducted extensive modeling activities in support of this work. This included multiphysics simulations of the gas ingressions along with the development of a machine learning workflow to enable accelerated molecular dynamics modeling of the molten salt chemistry of LiCl-KCl-UCl3. The combination of experimental and modeling tools has allowed us to begin to get a more complete understanding of the reactions that occur when atmospheric ingressions occur in pyroprocessing systems.

Guo, Jicheng↗

A new method for polychromatic X-ray μLaue diffraction on a Cu pillar using an energy-dispersive pn-junction charge-coupled device

μLaue diffraction with a polychromatic X-ray beam can be used to measure strain fields and crystal orientations of micro crystals. The hydrostatic strain tensor can be obtained once the energy profile of the reflections is measured. However, this remains a challenge both on the time scale and reproducibility of the beam position on the sample. In this review, we present a new approach to obtain the spatial and energy profiles of Laue spots by using a pn-junction charge-coupled device, an energy-dispersive area detector providing 3D resolution of incident X-rays. The morphology and energetic structure of various Bragg peaks from a single crystalline Cu micro-cantilever used as a test system were simultaneously acquired. The method facilitates the determination of the Laue spots’ energy spectra without filtering the white X-ray beam. The synchrotron experiment was performed at the BM32 beamline of ESRF using polychromatic X-rays in the energy range between 5 and 25 keV and a beam size of 0.5 μm × 0.5 μm. The feasibility test on the well known system demonstrates the capabilities of the approach and introduces the “3D detector method” as a promising tool for material investigations to separate bending and strain for technical materials.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Development of cone-wedge-ring-expansion test to evaluate the tensile HOOP properties of nuclear fuel cladding

Here, we report the development of a cone wedge ring expansion test method to determine the tensile hoop properties of irradiated nuclear fuel cladding in a hot cell. A closed-form solution was developed to explicitly relate the hoop stress σ θ to the axial piston loading using the scale factor χ and the shear stress correction factor α, where the χ and α factors are used to convert the applied piston load and the radial dilatation of the ring into the tensile hoop stress-strain curve. The applicability of this new test method was demonstrated by successfully evaluating ring specimens of Zr-4 alloy to failure. The ring specimens deformed uniformly in the axial and circumferential directions until onset of necking. The χ and α factors were successfully determined by using a finite-element stress analysis that benchmarked with applied test load and total work to account for frictional forces and the associated energies dissipation between the different sliding components of the testing system. The tensile hoop strength values obtained using the proposed cone-wedge-ring-expansion test method were 10% higher than values obtained from the tensile evaluation of the cladding material along the axial direction. In conclusion, the variability in results was found to be within the range reported in the literature.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

CoDCon Project (Final Report)

The co-decontamination (CoDCon) project was established in FY 2016 with the objectives of (a) evaluating the uncertainty in the uranium (U)/plutonium (Pu) ratio in a mixed U/Pu product from a tributyl phosphate (TBP)–based solvent extraction flowsheet, and (b) developing and demonstrating on-line optical spectroscopy for real-time monitoring of key components (e.g., Pu, U, and HNO 3 concentrations) in the process solutions. We were interested in assessing the accuracy and precision to which a specific uranium-to-plutonium (U/Pu) ratio can be achieved, which for the purposes of this project was set at a U/Pu mass ratio of 7/3. The uncertainty associated with achieving this specific target U/Pu ratio was investigated during five flowsheet tests using laboratory-scale solvent extraction equipment. In addition, optical spectroscopic techniques were incorporated into the CoDCon solvent extraction testing system, allowing real time monitoring of all input and output process streams. Two CoDCon flowsheet tests were performed in FY 2018 using a simple dissolved fuel simulant containing only U (~1 M) and Pu (~15 mM) in nitric acid (HNO 3 ; ~3 M). In FY 2019, two additional flowsheet tests were performed. For the first of these (CoDCon Run 3), the dissolved fuel simulant was similar to that used in the first two tests, with the inclusion of 1 mM neptunium (Np). The second test conducted in FY 2019 (CoDCon Run 4) used a more representative dissolved fuel simulant, including addition of non-radioactive fission product elements. A fifth CoDCon flowsheet test (CoDCon Run 5) was conducted in FY 2020, with the following additional objectives: (1) routing of the technetium (Tc) in the simulated dissolved fuel solution to the solvent extraction raffinate, and (2) routing of the Np in the simulated dissolved fuel solution to the U/Pu product. All tests used a bank of sixteen 2 cm centrifugal contactors. The tests involved first loading the solvent (30 vol% TBP dissolved in n-dodecane) with U and Pu (and Np, for Run 5), then the Pu (and Np) was stripped from the loaded solvent with a U(IV) solution (~50 mM) and the flowsheet conditions were adjusted such that some U partitioned into the Pu-containing product stream. The amount of U accompanying the Pu was monitored in real time using optical spectroscopic techniques coupled with chemometric modeling. Based on the real-time spectroscopic measurement of the U/Pu ratio, adjustments were made to the flowrate of the fresh TBP solvent phase used to scrub U from the aqueous Pu-containing product. This proved to be a very effective way to control the U/Pu mass ratio in the product. This report presents the results of the CoDCon Run 5 test. The flowsheet tested in Run 5 was substantially different than that run in the prior tests, especially the solvent loading section of the flowsheet. Two key changes were made. First, based on the objective to extract all the Np and route it with the U/Pu product, pentavalent vanadium [V(V)] was added to the feed and scrub solutions. The purpose of the V(V) was to convert all the Np to the +6 oxidation state, which is extractable by TBP. Second, a high acid (8 M HNO 3 ) scrub was added to the flowsheet to scrub the Tc from the solvent. This was followed by a low acid scrub (0.05 M HNO 3 ) to reduce the residual HNO 3 concentration in the solvent prior to the Pu stripping step. The output from the low acid scrub was collected separately, rather than routing towards the raffinate. The modifications to the solvent loading part of the flowsheet were only partially successful. The treatment with V(V) was effective at converting the Np to Np(VI). Only 1.3% of the Np remained in the raffinate solution. However, ~40% of the Np stripped out of the solvent in the low acid scrub step; nearly 20% of the Pu also was stripped from the solvent during the low acid scrub. For further development, either modifications to the flowsheet, or concentration and recycle of the low acid stream into the

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

CoDCon Project: FY 2019 Status Report

The co-decontamination (CoDCon) project was established in FY 2016 with the objectives of (a) evaluating the uncertainty in the uranium (U)/plutonium (Pu) ratio in a mixed U/Pu product from a tributyl phosphate (TBP)–based solvent extraction flowsheet and (b) developing and demonstrating on-line optical spectroscopy for real-time monitoring of key components (e.g., Pu, U, and HNO 3 concentrations) in the process solutions. We are interested in establishing the accuracy and precision to which a specific uranium-to-plutonium (U/Pu) ratio can be achieved, which for the purposes of this project is set at a U/Pu mass ratio of 7/3. The uncertainty associated with achieving this specific target U/Pu ratio is being established through multiple flowsheet tests using laboratory-scale solvent extraction equipment. In addition, optical spectroscopic techniques have been incorporated into the CoDCon solvent extraction testing system, allowing real time monitoring of all input and output process streams. Two CoDCon flowsheet tests were successfully performed in FY 2018. In FY 2019, two additional flowsheet tests were performed. For the first of these (CoDCon Run 3), the dissolved fuel simulant was similar to that used in the first two tests, with the inclusion of 1 mM neptunium (Np). The second test conducted in FY 2019 (CoDCon Run 4) used a more representative dissolved fuel simulant, including addition of non-radioactive fission product elements. All tests used a bank of sixteen 2 cm centrifugal contactors. The tests involved first loading the solvent (30 vol% TBP dissolved in n-dodecane) with U and Pu, then the Pu was stripped from the loaded solvent with a U(IV) solution (~50 mM) and the flowsheet conditions were adjusted such that some U partitioned into the Pu-containing product stream. The amount of U accompanying the Pu was monitored in real time using optical spectroscopic techniques coupled with chemometric modeling. Based on the real-time spectroscopic measurement of the U/Pu ratio, adjustments were made to the flowrate of the fresh TBP solvent phase used to scrub U from the aqueous Pu-containing product. This proved to be a very effective way to control the U/Pu mass ratio in the product.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Organic Iodine Capture from Vessel Off-gas

The Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain Program Material Recovery and Waste Form Development (MRWFD) Campaign Off-gas Sigma Team has performed research and development on iodine control and iodine waste forms for the past several years. This research and development has included iodine adsorption tests using a laboratory-scale test system containing multiple-segmented fixed beds of iodine adsorbents. Iodine capture performance has been tested using non-radioactive synthetic gas mixtures blended from air, nitrogen, NO, NO2, water, and the target iodine compounds diatomic iodine (I2), representing likely inorganic iodides, and methyl iodide (iodomethane, CH3I) and 1-iodobutane (butyl iodide) a surrogates for potential organic iodides, that could exist in dissolver off-gas (DOG) and vessel off-gas (VOG) streams from used nuclear fuel aqueous reprocessing.

12 - MGMT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTE↗

LANSCE Wire Scanner System Prototype: Switchyard Test

On November 19, 2011, the beam diagnostics team of Los Alamos National Laboratory's LANSCE accelerator facility conducted a test of a prototype wire scanner system for future deployment within the accelerator's switchyard area. The primary focus of this test was to demonstrate the wire scanner control system's ability to extend its functionality beyond acquiring lower energy linac beam profile measurements to acquiring data in the switchyard. This study summarizes the features and performance characteristics of the electronic and mechanical implementation of this system with details focusing on the test results.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Evaluation of Carbon Dioxide Capture From Existing Coal Fired Plants by Hybrid Sorption Using Solid Sorbents

A novel hybrid solid sorbent technology for CO₂ capture and separation from coal combustion-derived flue gas was evaluated. The technology – Capture of CO₂ by Hybrid Sorption (CACHYS™) – is a solid sorbent technology based on the following ideas: 1) reduction of energy for sorbent regeneration, 2) utilization of novel process chemistry, 3) contactor conditions that minimize sorbent-CO₂ heat of reaction and promote fast CO₂ capture, and 4) low-cost method of heat management. This report provides key information developed during the course of the project that includes sorbent performance, energy for sorbent regeneration, physical properties of the sorbent, the integration of process components, sizing of equipment, and overall capital and operational cost of the integrated CACHYS™ system. Seven sorbent formulations were prepared and evaluated at the lab-scale for energy requirements and CO₂ capture performance. Sorbent heat of regeneration ranged from 30-80 kJ/mol CO₂ and was found to be dependent on process conditions. Two sorbent formulations (designated HCK-4 & HCK-7) were down-selected for additional fixed-bed testing. Additional testing involved subjecting the sorbents to 100 continuous cycles in the fixed-bed reactor to determine performance as a function of time. The working capacity achieved for HCK-4 sorbent ranged from 5.5-8.0 g CO₂/100 g sorbent, while the HCK-7 typically ranged from 8.0-10.0 g CO₂/100 g sorbent. Overall, there was no deterioration in capacity with continuous cycling for either sorbent. The CACHYS™ bench-scale testing system designed and fabricated under this award consists of a dual circulating fluidized-bed adsorber and a moving-bed regenerator. The system takes a flue gas slipstream from the University of North Dakota’s coal-fired steam plant. Prior to being sent to the adsorber, the flue gas is scrubbed to remove SO₂ and particulate. During parametric testing of the adsorber, CO₂ capture achieved using the 2-bed configuration with recirculation in both beds was 65-70% with a high flue gas CO₂ loading (~7%) and up to 85% with a low flue gas CO₂ loading (~4%). A sorbent regenerator system consisting of a pre-heater, desorber, and cooler is used to heat the CO₂-rich sorbent with direct and indirect steam producing a nearly 100% pure stream of CO₂. Parametric testing of the regenerator system demonstrated the impact of process conditions on both desorption rate and the heat of regeneration. Clear evidence of the use of specific process conditions that lower the overall energy of desorption was identified. This observation validates measurements made at the laboratory-scale. Several longer-term continuous tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the sorbent/process as a function of time. Using a 2-bed configuration, sustained capture efficiency of 40-60% with a high flue gas CO₂ loading (~8%) and 70-80% with a low flue gas CO₂ loading (~4%) were achieved. However, sorbent working capacity was found to be considerably lower than laboratory-scale measurements. The low working capacity is attributed to insufficient sorbent/gas contact time in the adsorber. Sorbent properties that had a significant impact on CO₂ capture performance were identified. The results show that controlling these sorbent properties substantially improves CO₂ capture performance, with preliminary estimates indicating that relative improvement of ~30% is possible. Testing culminated with an operationally trouble-free test of 15 hours with sustainable performance. Overall, several practical strategies to increase performance of the sorbent and process were identified. The initial technical and economic assessment of the CACHYS™ process estimated the cost of CO2 capture was $36.19/ton with a 48.6% increase in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the 550 MWe net plant. Using additional data gathered over the course of the project, and with revised technical and economic assumptions, the estimated cost of CO₂ capture with the CACHYS™ process is $39/ton (only includes the cost of the CO2 capture system) with an increase in LCOE of 55.9%. Overall, CACHYS™ represents a significant improvement over the benchmark MEA system, and has demonstrated progress towards achieving DOE’s goals for CO₂ capture technologies.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

A Cyber Threat Mitigation Approach For Wide Area Control of SVCs using Stability Monitoring

We propose a stability monitoring approach for the mitigation of cyber threats directed at the wide area control (WAC) system used for coordinated control of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) used for power oscillation damping (POD) of active power flow on inter-area tie lines. The approach involves monitoring the modes of the active power oscillation on an inter-area tie line using the Matrix Pencil (MP) method. We use the stability characteristics of the observed modes as a proxy for the presence of destabilizing cyber threats. We monitor the system modes to determine whether any destabilizing modes appear after the WAC system engages to control the POD. If the WAC signal exacerbates the POD performance, the FACTS falls back to POD using local measurements. The proposed approach does not require an expansive system-wide view of the network. We simulate replay, control integrity, and timing attacks for a test system and present results that demonstrate the performance of the SM approach for mitigation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A Localized Cyber Threat Mitigation Approach For Wide Area Control of FACTS

We propose a localized oscillation amplitude monitoring (OAM) method for the mitigation of cyber threats directed at the wide area control (WAC) system used to coordinate control of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) for power oscillation damping (POD) of active power flow on inter-area tie lines. The method involves monitoring the inter-area tie line active power oscillation amplitude over a sliding window. We use system instability - inferred from oscillation amplitudes growing instead of damping - as evidence of an indication of a malfunction in the WAC of FACTS, possibly indicative of a cyber attack. Monitoring the presence of such a growth allows us to determine whether any destabilizing behaviors appear after the WAC system engages to control the POD. If the WAC signal increases the oscillation amplitude over time, thereby diminishing the POD performance, the FACTS falls back to POD using local measurements. The proposed method does not require an expansive system-wide view of the network. We simulate replay, control integrity, and timing attacks for a test system and present results that demonstrate the performance of the OAM method for mitigation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Stability of Transactive Energy Market-Based Power Distribution System Under Data Integrity Attack

Future smart power distribution system with multiple active consumers and aggregators exchanging real-time electricity pricing and electricity consumption information over a communication network is prone to cyberattack. The goal of this paper is to understand the impact of attacks on pricing/load signals on the physical grid within a transactive energy market framework. First, this paper models the interaction between real-time electricity price and total energy demand in the form of a discrete time nonlinear autonomous dynamical system. Second, equilibrium electricity price and energy demand associated with this coupled dynamical system is derived and conditions for bounded input bounded output (BIBO) stability are identified. Third, a BIBO stable algorithm to design real-time electricity pricing scheme from a techno-economic perspective is developed. Finally, the impact of various levels of false data injection (FDI) attack on price of electricity, demand, and distribution system voltage is investigated. The proposed model is analyzed using simulations on the IEEE 69-bus test system and the impact of FDI attack on both electricity price/demand and distribution grid voltage is quantified. In conclusion, this paper shows that impact of FDI attack on electricity prices is more severe than an attack on electricity demand.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Quantifying the Economic and Grid Reliability Impacts of Improved Wind Power Forecasting

Wind power forecasting is an important tool in power system operations to address variability and uncertainty. Accurately doing so is important to reducing the occurrence and length of curtailment, enhancing market efficiency, and improving the operational reliability of the bulk power system. This research quantifies the value of wind power forecasting improvements in the IEEE 118-bus test system as modified to emulate the generation mixes of Midcontinent, California, and New England independent system operator balancing authority areas. To measure the economic value, a commercially available production cost modeling tool was used to simulate the multi-timescale unit commitment (UC) and economic dispatch process for calculating the cost savings and curtailment reductions. To measure the reliability improvements, an in-house tool, FESTIV, was used to calculate the system's area control error and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Control Performance Standard 2. The approach allowed scientific reproducibility of results and cross-validation of the tools. A total of 270 scenarios were evaluated to accommodate the variation of three factors: generation mix, wind penetration level, and wind fore-casting improvements. The modified IEEE 118-bus systems utilized 1 year of data at multiple timescales, including the day-ahead UC, 4-hour-ahead UC, and 5-min real-time dispatch. The value of improved wind power forecasting was found to be strongly tied to the conventional generation mix, existence of energy storage devices, and the penetration level of wind energy. The simulation results demonstrate that wind power forecasting brings clear benefits to power system operations.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Smart Infrared Inspection System Field Operational Test (Final Report)

The Smart InfraRed Inspection System (SIRIS) is a tool designed to assist inspectors in determining which vehicles passing through the SIRIS system are in need of further inspection by measuring the thermal data from the wheel components. As a vehicle enters the system, infrared cameras on the road measure temperatures of the brakes, tires, and wheel bearings on both wheel ends of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in motion. This thermal data is then presented to enforcement personal inside of the inspection station on a user friendly interface. Vehicles that are suspected to have a violation are automatically alerted to the enforcement staff. The main goal of the SIRIS field operational test (FOT) was to collect data to evaluate the performance of the prototype system and determine the viability of such a system being used for commercial motor vehicle enforcement. From March 2010 to September 2010, ORNL facilitated the SIRIS FOT at the Greene County Inspection Station (IS) in Greeneville, Tennessee. During the course of the FOT, 413 CMVs were given a North American Standard (NAS) Level-1 inspection. Of those 413 CMVs, 384 were subjected to a SIRIS screening. A total of 36 (9.38%) of the vehicles were flagged by SIRIS as having one or more thermal issues; with brakes issues making up 33 (91.67%) of those. Of the 36 vehicles flagged as having thermal issues, 31 (86.11%) were found to have a violation and 30 (83.33%) of those vehicles were placed out-of-service (OOS). Overall the enforcement personnel who have used SIRIS for screening purposes have had positive feedback on the potential of SIRIS. With improvements in detection algorithms and stability, the system will be beneficial to the CMV enforcement community and increase overall trooper productivity by accurately identifying a higher percentage of CMVs to be placed OOS with minimal error. No future evaluation of SIRIS has been deemed necessary and specifications for a production system will soon be drafted.

brake system↗