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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 73 records · Page 4

Modeling Future Demand for EV Charging Infrastructure [Slides]

U.S. climate goals for economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 require rapid decarbonization of the light-duty vehicle fleet and plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to become the preferred technology for achieving this end. Considerable investments in public and private EV charging infrastructure will be needed to support widespread adoption, however, guidance is lacking on when, where, and what types of chargers will be needed. In this PLMA Load Management Dialogue session, researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) discuss findings from a recent quantitative assessment of the charging network requirements to support high penetrations of light-duty EVs by 2030. The study produced multiple detailed network growth trajectories at the national, state, and local levels that serve as a guidepost for future planning. In addition, an overview of NREL's publicly accessible EV infrastructure tools and data sets, designed to support planning and decision-making for EV infrastructure stakeholders, is provided.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Electric Vehicle Charging Analytics and Reporting Tool (EV-ChART): Data Format and Preparation Guidance, Version 2.0

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation maintains the Electric Vehicle Charging Analytics and Reporting Tool (EV-ChART), which provides a centralized hub for submitting electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure data directed by the Federal Highway Administration (23 CFR 680.112) EV-ChART will provide a streamlined data submission process and an integrated set of analytic tools, connect to other data sources, and empower data sharing and access across stakeholders, including the public. Any data shared publicly will be aggregated and anonymized to stay in accordance with 23 CFR 680. This EV-ChART Data Format and Preparation Guidance provides a comprehensive overview of the data reporting requirements as authorized under 23 CFR 680.112. The guidance is intended to be used alongside the EV-ChART Data Input Template, which defines the tabular data structure that these data submissions must follow.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,MATHEMATICS AND COMPUT↗

Search for photons above 10 19 eV with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

We use the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory to search for air showers initiated by photons with an energy above 10 19 eV. Photons in the zenith angle range from 30° to 60° can be identified in the overwhelming background of showers initiated by charged cosmic rays through the broader time structure of the signals induced in the water-Cherenkov detectors of the array and the steeper lateral distribution of shower particles reaching ground. Applying the search method to data collected between January 2004 and June 2020, upper limits at 95% CL are set to an E -2 diffuse flux of ultra-high energy photons above 10 19 eV, 2 × 10 19 eV and 4 × 10 19 eV amounting to 2.11 × 10 -3 , 3.12 × 10 -4 and 1.72 × 10 -4 km -2 sr -1 yr -1 , respectively. While the sensitivity of the present search around 2 × 10 19 eV approaches expectations of cosmogenic photon fluxes in the case of a pure-proton composition, it is one order of magnitude above those from more realistic mixed-composition models. The inferred limits have also implications for the search of super-heavy dark matter that are discussed and illustrated.

ultra high energy photons and neutrinos↗

Carbon trimer as a 2 eV single-photon emitter candidate in hexagonal boron nitride: A first-principles study

The generation of single-photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride around 2 eV emission is experimentally well recognized; however, the atomic nature of these emitters is unknown. In this Letter, we use first-principles calculations to demonstrate that carbon trimer substitutional defect (C 2 C N ) is a possible source of 2 eV single-photon emitter in hBN. Here, we showcase the calculations of a complete set of static and dynamical properties related to quantum defects, including exciton-defect couplings and electron-phonon interactions, from both density functional theory and many-body perturbation theory. In particular, we show that it is critical to consider both radiative and nonradiative processes when comparing with experimental lifetime for known 2 eV emitters. We find that C 2 C N has several key physical properties matching the ones of experimentally observed single-photon emitters. These include the zero-phonon line (2.13 eV), Huang-Rhys factor (1.35), photoluminescence lifetime (2.19 ns), phonon-sideband energy (180 meV), and photoluminescence spectrum. The identification of defect candidates for 2 eV emission paves the way for controllable single-photon emission generation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

MaDEVIoT: Cyberattacks on EV Charging Can Disrupt Power Grid Operation

Extensive roll-out of electric vehicles (EVs) requires large-scale deployment of high-power EV Charging Stations (EVCSs). EVCSs are connected to the internet using Internetof- Things (IoT) such as smartphones, to improve the charging experience of users and increase their profitability. This paper studies the feasibility of demand-side cyberattacks launched on power grids via such internet-connected highpower EVCSs. The attack mechanism distorts power grid frequency and voltage, and has the potential to trigger systemwide outages. The case study, based on the power grid and EV deployment plans in Manhattan, New York, illustrates potential impacts of such attacks. The results show that such attacks will become feasible in Manhattan, New York in 2030, as EV adoption increases. Furthermore, the attacks in 2030 are feasible even compromising a single company’s EVCS server in Manhattan, New York. The attacks can cause line overloads and trip over-frequency protection relays, causing system-side blackout in the power grid in Manhattan, New York. The paper informs planning authorities and power grid operators involved with the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure about potential cyberthreats to power grids via manipulating internet-connected high-power EVCSs.

Acharya, Samrat S.↗

Performance and Implementation Requirements for Residential EV Smart Charge Management Strategies

As the electrification of transportation expands, electric vehicle (EV) charging as residential loads will continue to grow. Residential EV charging has the potential to increase feeder peak loads and decrease voltage quality. As a result of this growing energy demand driven by EV, utilities may employ the use of smart charge management (SCM) controls to modify charging load profiles and mitigate these grid impacts. It is important that utilities understand both the potential benefits-as well as possible implementation challenges-before considering this technology as a solution to managing growing EV loads. In order for an SCM strategy to be an effective solution, the potential benefits must outweigh the implementation challenges. This study establishes and tests a novel framework to assess the implementation requirements of different SCM controls. It identifies a range of requirements specific to various SCM controls and implementation approaches to compare the relative challenges associated with the deployment of each. When paired with analysis on the effectiveness of the ability of each control to mitigate grid impacts from EV charging, this assessment is critical in comparing the value potential of different SCM controls.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Improving Resiliency in Planning MW-Scale Medium and Heavy Duty EV Charging Stations Considering TSCOTS Optimization

Electrification of heavy-duty (HD) vehicles marks an important milestone and technical challenge in the electric vehicle (EV) industry and the public grid. However, implementing EV charging at this scale will necessitate that traditional truck stops be updated with EV charging infrastructure that could represent 10's of MW in electricity consumption. Furthermore, as the transportation sector is represented as critical infrastructure, supporting resiliency considerations in EV charging infrastructure will be critical. This paper proposes an optimization-based approach for optimally designing a MW-scale microgrid charging network. This approach transforms conventional designed truck stops into a reliable HDEV charging stations capable of overnight slow charging and 30-minute to 1 hour fast charging. Using a mixed-integer linear program formulation blending capacity planning and reliability constraints, an optimal network configuration can be solved for a proposed EV charging station that includes photovoltaic and battery energy storage capabilities.

Ponce, Moises [University of Tennessee, Knoxville ↗

Optimal Control of Differentially Private EV Charging: A Scalable Learning Approach Under Uncertainty

Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled electric vehicles (IoEVs) enable intelligent charging coordination that accounts for grid congestion. However, increased data exchange raises privacy concerns, as charging patterns can reveal sensitive driver behavior to grid operators. Here, we propose a differentially private (DP) EV charging framework that enables coordinated control while protecting driver data with theoretical privacy guarantees. Nevertheless, integrating DP inevitably introduces uncertainty into the control strategy for EVs, which can lead to infeasible solutions. To tackle this challenge, we develop a feasible and scalable control algorithm based on constrained reinforcement learning (CRL) and convex hulls. While our framework is designed to handle the uncertainty introduced by DP, it is general and also applicable to other sources of uncertainty in EV charging, such as the stochastic nature of driver behavior and renewable variability. This ensures feasible and privacy-preserving coordination of EV charging at scale. Our method constructs convex hulls within the action space to guarantee feasibility under stochastic constraints and incorporates constraint reduction techniques to improve scalability. Case studies based on IEEE benchmark systems demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively balances feasibility under uncertainty, scalability, and privacy in large-scale EV charging control.

Engineering - Power transmission and distribution↗

EV Hosting Capacity Analysis on Distribution Grids

The increasing trend in electric vehicle (EV) adoption can cause challenges to traditional electric grid operations if utilities are not equipped with tools and methods to effectively manage these fleets. Growing EV charging loads will alter the magnitude and duration of conventional peaks in demand profiles and even significantly shift them, potentially causing operational violations in the distribution grid. This paper presents the development and results of an EV hosting capacity tool to quantify the impacts of injecting large numbers of EV charging loads and to determine the available capacity of existing distribution feeders to continue providing reliable and affordable grid operations. Tools like the hosting capacity analysis would enable utilities to better prepare for grid operations in the near future while exploring the impact and effectiveness of strategies to manage these loads, such as peak pricing and smart charging. This paper evaluates the hosting capacity of some real-world feeders to accommodate EV charging loads, including extreme fast-charging options.

distribution grid↗

LCOC (Levelized Cost of Light-Duty EV Charging Calculator)

This code was developed to calculate the levelized cost of light-duty electric vehicle (EV) charging (LCOC) for the paper "Levelized Cost of Charging Electric Vehicles in the United States" by Borlaug et al.(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2020.05.013). The calculation takes inputs from a variety of publicly available data sources (e.g., utility tariffs from the Utility Rate Database; EV charging station locations from the Alternative Fuels Data Center; energy price forecasts from the Energy Information Administration) and produces the current LCOC, considering when, where, and how light-duty EVs are recharged. In addition, the lifetime fuel cost savings (LFCS) calculation estimates the discounted fuel cost savings for a new battery EV (BEV) or plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) over a 15-year time horizon using state-level gasoline price and LCOC projections.

Borlaug, Brennan↗

EV Retail Rate Design 101

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption has increased significantly over the past several years. More than 640,000 light-duty plug-in EVs were sold in the US in 2021, which was more than twice the number sold in 2020. Driven by existing state and federal financial incentives as well as increased choice in electric models, EVs are popular among car buyers and now account for more than 1-in-10 of all light- duty vehicles sold in the US. At the state-level, total California EV sales recently passed one million, while New York, Washington, and Florida each have more than 100,000 total EVs on the road.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

EVs-at-RISC: A Secure and Resilient Interoperable SCM Control System Architecture for Electric Vehicle’s-at-Scale (Final Technical Report)

The EVs-at-RISC project was a five-year research, development, and demonstration initiative to create foundational tools for utility-scale fleet aggregation and Smart Charge Management (SCM) of Electric Vehicles (EV), Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI), and related Distributed Energy Resources (DER). Rather than seeking to develop and demonstrate highly perfected SCM algorithms and control strategies, this project instead focused on creating foundational software solutions that enable unprecedented digital interoperability across the communications technologies and vendor platforms used to manage EV , EVCI, and DER, as well as existing energy management infrastructure operated by utilities, grid operators, and aggregators. This project then extends these novel interoperability capabilities to develop and deploy powerful middleware abstractions across grid edge networks and EVCI/DER fleet aggregations incorporating modern software tools and best practices, such as CI/CD, to bring the immense capabilities of infrastructure-as-code and policy-as-code to modern grid edge network environments. This addresses the foremost systemic issues preventing realization of any net operational benefits from scaled deployment of behind-the-meter EV, EVCI, and DER assets in electric power grids and markets today. The results of this approach and project unlock massive potential for new SCM capabilities to be easily prototyped, evaluated, and deployed at-scale within the existing grid edge network infrastructure and EVCI/DER technology ecosystem. The EVs-at-RISC project achieves this by extending Open Field Message Bus (OpenFMB), a conceptual model for digital interoperability and distributed intelligence in traditional front-of-meter utility SCADA networks, validating our hypothesis that OpenFMB could be similarly used to solve systemic digital interoperability issues in behind-the-meter environments and unlock real-world utility-scale SCM capabilities without requiring any new proprietary vendor solutions or significant infrastructure reconfiguration.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Observations of 10-eV to 25-keV electrons in steady diffuse aurora from Atmosphere Explorer C and D

Electron energy spectra from 10 eV to 25 keV have been obtained from steady diffuse auroral forms at altitudes above 150 km by the Atmosphere Explorer C and D spacecraft. Overlapping coverage of the energy range was provided by the photoelectron spectrometer experiment (10-500 eV) and the low-energy electron experiment (0.2-25 keV). The spectral shape between 10 and 20 eV is independent of altitude between 150 and 270 km, has variable energy dependence between about 20 and 150 eV, and above approximately 150 eV has energy dependence determined primarily by the details of the energy spectrum of electrons incident on the atmosphere. The observed results are in satisfactory agreement with two recently published model calculations.

Peterson, W. K.↗

Mass spectrometric determination of partial and total electron impact ionization cross sections of SO2 from threshold up to 200 eV

The partial and total ionization cross section for the formation of O(+), S(+), SO(+) and SO2(+) from the impact ionization of SO2 are reported, extending the electron impact energies to 200 eV. The relative flow technique is used to determine the cross section values. The threshold potentials for the products are 23.5 eV for O(+), 16.5 eV for S(+), 16.5 eV for SO(+), and 12.5 eV for SO2(+). Good agreement with the literature is found for SO(+) and SO2(+).

Orient, O. J.↗

Enabling Seamless Integration of EV Charging Infrastructure with Weak Electric Grids

Widespread adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) for light, medium, and heavy duty (LD, MD, and HD) applications has gained significant interest. Based on ownership and user preferences, LD and local delivery MD EVs are typically connected to grid distribution networks whereas larger MD and HD EVs will be connected to distribution or even sub-transmission networks. Challenges with at-scale EVs and charging infrastructure supporting it include interoperability, distribution network upgrades, demand charges, power quality, voltage stability, etc. Based on real-world data, steady-state and dynamic assessments of LD EV adoption for weak distribution grids is presented.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Safe Deep Reinforcement Learning for Active Distribution System Model Predictive Control with EVs and DERs

The temporal and spatial mismatch between PV generation and electric vehicle (EV) charging and discharging may cause voltage violations in active distribution networks. Despite the widespread use of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in power system optimization and control, it lacks guarantees on constraint satisfaction during both training and deployment. This paper proposes a Lagrangian-based safe DRL approach for model predictive control (MPC) of active distribution systems with large-scale integration of PVs, EVs, and energy storage systems (ESSs). A Transformer-LSTM time-series model is proposed to forecast EV charging demand, which is then formulated as a constraint to ensure charging requirements are met. Using this prediction, a Lagrangian-based safe soft actor-critic (SAC) framework is developed for real-time control in a three-phase unbalanced distribution system, enforcing voltage safety constraints while optimizing the cumulative net reward. By integrating the forecasting model with multi-period constraints, the proposed framework jointly coordinates PV systems, EV charging and discharging, and ESS scheduling within the MPC horizon. Numerical experiments on a modified IEEE 123-bus system with real-world data show that, under a high PV penetration scenario, the proposed method increases the net reward by 30.74% and reduces average voltage violations from 0.0011 p.u. to 0.0002 p.u. compared with standard SAC. Compared with the optimal power flow (OPF) approach, it achieves similar voltage security while yielding lower line losses. It also maintains real-time control capability, reducing operation latency to 53.21 ms per 15-minute control interval. The proposed method remains effective under varying PV/EV penetrations and load conditions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Forecasting EV Charging Demand on the Distribution System

The U.S. transportation and electricity sectors have historically operated independently, but the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is driving their convergence. After decades of stagnant demand, utilities must prepare for rising load growth, driven in part by transportation electrification. Utilities must anticipate when and where these new loads will materialize to effectively manage EV growth and maintain grid reliability. This presentation outlines NREL's approach to developing high-resolution EV load datasets for distribution planning, with insights from the Multi-State Transportation Electrification Impact Study on EV and load forecasting, infrastructure requirements, and managed charging strategies.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A Dynamic Pricing Method to Manage the Impact of EV Charging on the Grid Using RL

This work addresses the challenge of managing electrical vehicle (EV) charging loads on distribution feeders with the increase in deployment of fast charging stations. To mitigate the adverse impacts on feeder health, a novel dynamic grid-informed pricing approach is proposed. This approach leverages reinforcement learning (RL) to determine hourly charging prices based on real-time grid conditions. A synthetic environment was developed to train the reinforcement learning agent. A model of an IEEE 34-bus distribution feeder with EV charging stations has been developed in OpenDSS utilizing Caldera for realistic EV charging profiles. Test cases demonstrate that the dynamic pricing strategy achieves higher energy delivery to the EV end user at a lower cost compared to constant pricing methods, while lowering voltage deviations and congestion. This approach offers more granular price adjustments, responding dynamically to feeder conditions and potentially improving grid stability and efficiency. The communication architecture to implement this dynamic pricing method is described. This research contributes to the development of smart grid-informed charging solutions that can reduce the cost of charging to the end user while also helping the grid.

EV charging, dynamic pricing, grid-informed chargi↗