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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 703 records · Page 39

Nucleation in Synoptically Forced Cirrostratus

Formation and evolution of cirrostratus in response to weak, uniform and constant synoptic forcing is simulated using a one-dimensional numerical model with explicit microphysics, in which the particle size distribution in each grid box is fully resolved. A series of tests of the model response to nucleation modes (homogeneous-freezing-only/heterogeneous nucleation) and heterogeneous nucleation parameters are performed. In the case studied here, nucleation is first activated in the prescribed moist layer. A continuous cloud-top nucleation zone with a depth depending on the vertical humidity gradient and one of the nucleation parameters is developed afterward. For the heterogeneous nucleation cases, intermittent nucleation zones in the mid-upper portion of the cloud form where the relative humidity is on the rise, because existent ice crystals do not uptake excess water vapor efficiently, and ice nuclei (IN) are available. Vertical resolution as fine as 1 m is required for realistic simulation of the homogeneous-freezing-only scenario, while the model resolution requirement is more relaxed in the cases where heterogeneous nucleation dominates. Bulk microphysical and optical properties are evaluated and compared. Ice particle number flux divergence, which is due to the vertical gradient of the gravity-induced particle sedimentation, is constantly and rapidly changing the local ice number concentration, even in the nucleation zone. When the depth of the nucleation zone is shallow, particle number concentration decreases rapidly as ice particles grow and sediment away from the nucleation zone. When the depth of the nucleation zone is large, a region of high ice number concentration can be sustained. The depth of nucleation zone is an important parameter to be considered in parametric treatments of ice cloud generation.

Lin, R.-F.↗

Valuing Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resources in the Built Environment: Preprint

Traditionally, analytical frameworks that underpin building energy policy have focused on the need to reduce annual energy consumption by assessing the cost and efficiency performance of energy-consuming technologies. Investments in distributed energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaics have generally been evaluated independently, but also on a cost and performance basis. However, buildings are rapidly evolving to incorporate technologies that not just consume energy, but also generate, store, and control energy loads. Concurrently, the electric grid is becoming more dynamic and variable due to the increased proportion electricity production from variable renewable sources. To that end, building energy policy analytical frameworks should be updated to include the interactions between energy efficiency and DERs as well as potential value streams for the grid and building owner that technologies or packages of technologies might offer. As buildings with DERs and controllable loads are able to provide grid services or optimize operations based on electricity rates and grid conditions, the temporal and spatial nature of these technologies should also be incorporated into design decisions. To explore these questions further, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will use a series of building and electric grid models to simulate the design and operation of a neighborhood of buildings under various electricity rates, grid conditions, and potential compensation scenarios. Scenarios of time-sensitive values for future grid services will also be constructed for use in the analysis. New metrics that can be used in building energy policies will also be explored to capture the responsiveness or flexibility of high efficiency buildings with DERs under various electric grid conditions and future scenarios.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Valuing Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resources in the Built Environment

Traditionally, analytical frameworks that underpin building energy policy have focused on the need to reduce annual energy consumption by assessing the cost and efficiency performance of energy-consuming technologies. Investments in distributed energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaics have generally been evaluated independently, but also on a cost and performance basis. However, buildings are rapidly evolving to incorporate technologies that not just consume energy, but also generate, store, and control energy loads. Concurrently, the electric grid is becoming more dynamic and variable due to the increased proportion electricity production from variable renewable sources. To that end, building energy policy analytical frameworks should be updated to include the interactions between energy efficiency and DERs as well as potential value streams for the grid and building owner that technologies or packages of technologies might offer. As buildings with DERs and controllable loads are able to provide grid services or optimize operations based on electricity rates and grid conditions, the temporal and spatial nature of these technologies should also be incorporated into design decisions. To explore these questions further, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will use a series of building and electric grid models to simulate the design and operation of a neighborhood of buildings under various electricity rates, grid conditions, and potential compensation scenarios. Scenarios of time-sensitive values for future grid services will also be constructed for use in the analysis. New metrics that can be used in building energy policies will also be explored to capture the responsiveness or flexibility of high efficiency buildings with DERs under various electric grid conditions and future scenarios.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Field Demonstration of Automated Demand Response for Both Winter and Summer Events in Large Buildings in the Pacific Northwest

There are growing strains on the electric grid as cooling peaks grow and equipment ages. Increased penetration of renewables on the grid is also straining electricity supply systems and the need for flexible demand is growing. This paper summarizes results of a series of field test of automated demand response systems in large buildings in the Pacific Northwest. The objective of the research was two fold. One objective was to evaluate the use demand response automation technologies. A second objective was to evaluate control strategies that could change the electric load shape in both winter and summer conditions. Winter conditions focused on cold winter mornings, a time when the electric grid is often stressed. The summer test evaluated DR strategies in the afternoon. We found that we could automate both winter and summer control strategies with the open automated demand response communication standard. The buildings were able to provide significant demand response in both winter and summer events.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Assembling Multiple Models Within the RAVEN Framework

RAVEN (Risk Analysis Virtual Environment) is an INL-developed software tool that can be used to identify and increase the safety margin in complex systems. As a generic software framework, RAVEN is designed to perform parametric and probabilistic analysis based on the response of complex system codes. RAVEN is capable of investigating the system response as well as the input space using Monte Carlo, Grid, or Latin Hyper Cube sampling schemes, but its strength is focused toward system feature discovery, such as limit surfaces, separating regions of the input space leading to system failure, using dynamic supervised learning techniques. RAVEN is currently able to construct multi-targets Reduced Order Models (ROMs), which are aimed to represent the response of a system (in a fixed configuration) for multiple Figures of Merits (FOMs) and time-dependent ROMs. These capabilities represent the initial steps for a larger implementation about the interaction of multiple models. In fact, in several cases, multiple models need to interface with each other since the initial conditions of one are dependent on the outcomes of another. To better understand the problem that here is solved, it is useful to consider a simple example: The following problem is considered: a weather forecast simulation code 'a' is used to compute the external (i.e. ambient) temperature in a certain location. A second model 'b' is inquired to compute the average temperature in a room having as boundary condition, among several others, the external ambient temperature. The response of the model 'b' depends on the outcome of the model 'a'. The reported example is only aimed to illustrate the reason why the creation of a framework to make interact different models is a key development for the advancement of RAVEN as a comprehensive calculation flow driver. Before reporting how the ensemble-models have been implemented, it is necessary to briefly describe the representative Model 'entities' that are available in RAVEN.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Fast Primary Frequency Response Using Coordinated DER and Flexible Loads: Framework and Residential-Scale Demonstration: Preprint

Methods for supporting grid frequency stabilization using widespread flexible load and DER are becoming essential as the portion of synchronous generation decreases. This article develops a framework for providing fast primary frequency response that leverages deferrable loads and DER coordinated using high-speed measurements in real time to ensure that local objectives are met. The framework is demonstrated in a residential-scale experiment with four household appliances and an inverter. The effectiveness of an example load management algorithm is demonstrated using three underfrequency anomaly test cases. The experimental data corroborates that in all cases, the entire coordinated response, from detection and measurement of a frequency anomaly to completed coordinated net-load response, is completed within 143 ms (about 8.5 cycles).

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Carbon emission responsive building control: A case study with an all-electric residential community in a cold climate

In the United States, buildings account for 35% of total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, making them important contributors to decarbonization. Carbon intensities in the power grid are time-varying and can fluctuate significantly within hours, so shifting building loads in response to the carbon intensities can reduce a building’s operational carbon emissions. This paper presents a rule-based carbon responsive control framework that controls the setpoints of thermostatically controlled loads responding to the grid’s carbon emission signals in real time. Based on this framework, four controllers are proposed with different combinations of carbon accounting methods and control rules. To evaluate their performance, we performed simulation studies using models of a 27-home, all-electric, net zero energy residential community located in Basalt, Colorado, United States. The carbon intensity data of four future years from the Cambium data set are adopted to account for the evolving resource mix in the power grid. Various performance metrics, including energy consumption, carbon emission, energy cost, and thermal discomfort, were used to evaluate the performance of the controllers. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted to determine how the control thresholds and intervals affect the controllers’ performance. Simulation results indicate that the carbon responsive controllers can reduce the homes’ annual carbon emissions by 6.0% to 20.5%. However, the energy consumption increased by 0.9% to 6.7%, except in one scenario where it decreased by 2.2%. Compared to the baseline, the change in energy cost was between –2.9% and 3.4%, and thermal discomfort was also maintained within an acceptable range. The little impact on energy cost and thermal discomfort indicates there are no potential roadblocks for customer acceptance when rolling out the controllers in utility programs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Integrating a Microgrid Controller with a Local OpenADR Server

When military microgrids isolate themselves from the main electrical grid, they must locally balance electricity supply and demand. Since local generation may be limited, the current strategy is to shed all but the most critical loads by tripping smart circuit breakers, which must then be reset manually (e.g., ESTCP project EW-201350). This strategy is typically applied at the building level, meaning that entire buildings housing mission critical activities must be excluded from any load management, while those considered non-critical may lose service entirely. The remotely controlled switchgear needed to manage load in this way is very expensive ($\$30,000$-$\$50,000$ per building). While effective at shedding load, this strategy disrupts installation operation and risks damaging equipment during both disconnection and re-energization. With the goals of lowering costs, protecting equipment, and enhancing the agility of DoD microgrids, this report demonstrates the use of cybersecure automated demand response (ADR) technology to manage microgrid loads during grid-independent (a.k.a. "islanded") operation. This automated approach achieves load shedding and shifting through communication signals sent to equipment controllers rather than by cutting off the flow of electricity within the microgrid itself. Because it operates only on the base network, with no connection to external entities, this strategy avoids the main cybersecurity concern raised by past applications of ADR on military bases.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Detailed Characterization of CZT Detector Response for Improved Coded-Aperture Imaging Performance

Gamma-ray imaging is a powerful method for locating and quantifying sources of radiation. The coded-aperture technique demonstrates superior angular resolution in comparison to other methods (e.g., Compton reconstruction). In this method, a mask constructed of highly attenuating material encodes the scene as a shadow pattern on a position-sensitive detector; this pattern can then be used to recreate the origin(s) of incident radiation. This is typically done through convolution of the mask and shadow patterns. Iterative methods which attempt to reconstruct the observed shadow pattern using a weighted combination of simulated patterns may also be employed. In either case, errors in event position reconstruction due to detector imperfections alter the shadow pattern and will therefore degrade system performance and may introduce imaging artifacts. These effects can be mitigated with a detailed understanding of such errors – allowing for the generation of representative simulations that include the errors and/or correction of raw imager data to remove the errors. We present a calibration process for a commercially available cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) gamma imager which provides a comprehensive characterization of the spatial and energy dependence of event reconstruction. By illuminating a mask featuring a regular grid of pinholes with a calibration source, the localized response of the detector can be measured with fine granularity. These local responses are combined to generate a full detector response map which can be used to distort simulations in a manner that is representative of the observed detector data. Details of the calibration procedure and an assessment of the impact of its end products on the performance of iterative imaging methods will be presented.

Ziock, Klaus-Peter↗

Development of an Energy Services Interface for the EGoT

The Energy Services Interface (ESI) is a set of rules that ensure private, secure, and trustworthy information exchange between Grid Service Providers (GSPs) and utility customers. Large-scale adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) will be necessary for GSPs to dispatch effective grid services, and to stimulate technological innovations in DER and DERMS (DER Management Systems) technologies, as well as novel grid service programs. The ESI promotes these objectives by advancing a set of rules and interoperability requirements that define bi-directional, service-oriented, logical interfaces between GSPs and customers’ DERs, with expectations for privacy, security, and trust. The ESI rules and interoperability requirements establish boundaries between customers and GSPs that delineate the functions and responsibilities that must be implemented by the developers of Energy Grid of Things (EGoT) ecosystem products. These rules impose constraints on the implementation of a DERMS. The ESI interoperability requirements are based on the Interoperability Maturity Model (IMM), developed by the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium. By emphasizing private, secure, and trustworthy information exchange, and by mandating a service-oriented and interoperable architecture, the ESI promotes the development of an EGoT ecosystem that motivates customer participation and technological innovation. Interoperability will encourage innovation by reducing barriers to entry and increasing confidence of stakeholders. Customers will be willing to participate in DER service programs that establish trust and emphasize customer choice. Large-scale customer participation ensures GSPs have ample DER resources to provide grid services that have significant impact on grid reliability and reduce electricity cost for consumers. This in turn signals economic opportunities that encourage innovation, resulting in the development of a robust EGoT ecosystem.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Photometry, Centroid and Point-spread Function Measurements in the LSST Camera Focal Plane Using Artificial Stars

Abstract The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s LSST Camera (LSSTCam) pixel response has been characterized using laboratory measurements with a grid of artificial stars. We quantify the contributions to photometry, centroid, point-spread function size, and shape measurement errors due to small anomalies in the LSSTCam CCDs. The main sources of those anomalies are quantum efficiency variations and pixel area variations induced by the amplifier segmentation boundaries and “tree-rings”—circular variations in silicon doping concentration. This laboratory study using artificial stars projected on the sensors shows overall small effects. The residual effects on point-spread function (PSF) size and shape are below 0.1%, meeting the ten-year LSST survey science requirements. However, the CCD mid-line presents distortions that can have a moderate impact on PSF measurements. This feature can be avoided by masking the affected regions. Effects of tree-rings are observed on centroids and PSFs of the artificial stars and the nature of the effect is confirmed by a study of the flat-field response. Nevertheless, further studies of the full-focal plane with stellar data should more completely probe variations and might reveal new features, e.g., wavelength-dependent effects. The results of this study can be used as a guide for the on-sky operation of LSSTCam.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Advanced Distributed Wind Turbine Controls Series: Part 3-Wind Energy in Grid-Connected Deployments – Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL)

In recent years the technical ability and requirement for distributed wind turbines to provide grid support services beyond maximum energy production has increased. Ancillary services leveraged through advance controls of a wind turbine support grid reliability and resilience. One ancillary service that is significant to a grid-connected wind turbine deployment is fault ride through (FRT) in response to the voltage and frequency events in the power system. As part of the Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL) this paper demonstrates, through desktop simulations, the wind turbine's FRT capabilities to support stable grid operation. We establish that the wind turbine models exceed FRT performance requirements stipulated in IEEE 1547-2018, regarding interconnection and interoperability of distributed energy resources. Utilizing a standalone CART2 (600 kW) wind turbine connected to the NREL's Flatirons Campus grid, we study voltage and frequency FRT utilizing various test cases. One of the test cases under study is a Category III voltage fault defined in IEEE 1547-2018 and derived from CA Rule 21. Some distributed wind turbines were unable to connect to the grid following the Rule 21 enforcement in California. Even if this is not a general requirement elsewhere, the grid codes might evolve in this direction. This study illustrates how a distributed wind turbine can provide some of these FRT services and enable a pathway toward a higher contribution of renewable energy in a distribution grid.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Evaluating Transactive Controls of Integrated Transmission and Distribution Systems using the Framework for Network Co-Simulation

With an ever-evolving power grid, concerns regarding how to maintain system stability, efficiency, and reliability remain constant because of increasing uncertainties and decreasing rotating inertia. To alleviate some of these concerns, demand response represents a viable solution and is virtually an untapped resource in the current power grid. This work describes a hierarchical control framework that allows coordination between distributed energy resources and demand response. This control framework is composed of two control layers: a coordination layer that ensures aggregations of resources are coordinated to achieve system objectives and a device layer that controls individual resources to assure the predetermined power profile is tracked in real time. Large-scale simulations are executed to study the hierarchical control, requiring advancements in simulation capabilities. Technical advancements necessary to investigate and answer control interaction questions, including the Framework for Network Co-Simulation platform and Arion modeling capability, are detailed. Insights into the interdependencies of controls across a complex system and how they must be tuned, as well as validation of the effectiveness of the proposed control framework, are yielded using a large-scale integrated transmission system model coupled with multiple distribution systems.

demand response↗

eGridGPT: Trustworthy AI in the Control Room

This report outlines the synergy between human decision making and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), where GenAI supports power system operators by analyzing procedures, suggesting actions, simulating scenarios with physics-based digital twins, and recommending optimal decisions. This report is the first research effort to apply large language models (LLMs), a type of GenAI, in the power grid control room. The authors describe the Electric Grid Generative Pretrained Transformer (eGridGPT), an LLM that virtually assists system operators. Developed with cybersecurity and regulatory requirements in mind, eGridGPT represents an opportunity to responsibly evolve control room technologies to meet the needs of a rapidly changing grid. As an innovative concept, eGridGPT seeks to spearhead productive discussions about the advanced technologies in the control room of the future amid the transition to clean energy.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Cybersecurity Enhancement in Digital Substations: Hidden Markov Model-Based Smart Cyber Switching and Threat Response

The rising incidence of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure and power grids poses significant threats to the stability and reliability of electrical substations, with potentially devastating consequences such as extended blackouts. This paper introduces an advanced cybersecurity framework aimed at safeguarding IEC 61850-based substations through the integration of software-defined networking (SDN) and digital twin (DT) technologies. The proposed DT-based framework employs smart cyber switching (SCS) for proactive threat mitigation and concurrent intelligent electronic device (CIED) for swift system restoration, thereby maintaining continuous operational integrity and robust cybersecurity defenses. Central to this framework is the adaptive port controller (APC), which enables dynamic port management to adapt to evolving threats, and an intrusion detection system (IDS) designed to detect and neutralize malicious attacks on IEC 61850-based sampled value (SV) and generic object-oriented substation event (GOOSE) messages within the substation’s communication network. Further, novel predictive intrusion detection and response (PIDR) algorithm is implemented on a digital substation (DS) to predict the best route to be taken by the attacker. The efficacy of these comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks is validated through rigorous simulations and a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbed, showcasing the system’s ability to sustain substation operations amidst cyber-attacks.

Digital substation↗

Aerostructural Vortical Flow Interactions with Applications to F/A-18 and F-117 Tail Buffet

The buffet response of the flexible twin-tail configuration of the F/A-18 and a generic F-111 aircraft are computationally simulated and experimentally validated. The problem is a multidisciplinary one which requires the sequential solution of three sets of equations on a multi-block grid structure. The first set is the unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes equations. The second set is the aeroelastic equations for bending and torsional twin-tail responses. The third set is the grid-displacement equations which are used to update the grid coordinates due to the tail deflections. The computational models consist of a 76 deg. swept back, sharp edged delta wing of aspect ratio of one and a swept-back F/A-18 or F-117 twin-tail. The configuration is pitched at 30 deg. angle-of-attack. The problem is solved for the initial flow conditions with the twin tails kept rigid. Next, the aeroelastic equations of the tails are turned on along with the grid-displacement equations to solve for the bending and torsional tails responses due to the unsteady loads produced by the vortex breakdown flow of the leading-edge vortex cores of the delta wing. Several spanwise locations of the twin tails are investigated. The computational results are validated using several existing experimental data.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

A techno-economic assessment framework for hydrogen energy storage toward multiple energy delivery pathways and grid services

Hydrogen energy storage (HES) transforms and stores electric energy from the grid into hydrogen, and supplements other energy storage and demand response resources in addressing challenges in renewable-intensive power systems. Understanding how to optimally utilize an HES system to maximize its economic benefits from stacked value streams is highly important to its development and deployment. Here, in this paper, we present a techno-economic assessment framework for an HES system considering three common energy delivery pathways and multiple grid and end-user services. Models are developed to capture the operational capability, flexibility, and constraints associated with hydrogen production, compression, storage, and utilization as well as different grid services in an economic assessment. To define the technically achievable benefits, an optimal dispatch formulation is proposed to maximize the economic benefits over a representative year with an hourly time step considering the trade-offs among different value streams. Representative case studies are designed and carried out to show how system configuration, energy delivery pathways, and grid services may affect economic benefits. It was found that value streams from bundling grid services account for up to 76% of the total benefits and are critical for an HES project to be financially viable.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗