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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Smart Charging of Fleet and Personal Electric Vehicles through Joint Vehicle-to-Grid Optimization

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) strategies offer advantages over unmanaged charging (V0G) by enhancing grid stability, reducing fleet operation costs, and supporting integration of variable generation resources. This research develops a day-ahead optimization framework linked with agent-based simulations to evaluate coordinated V2G participation by fleet and personal EVs under 5 energy-pricing settings in Austin, Texas. Three scenarios (V0G, fleet-only V2G, and joint-V2G) are examined, considering real-time price and grid profiles, health-damage costs, and operational constraints for both fleet and personal EVs. Results show how V2G scenarios shift fleet EV charging to mid-day while enabling strategic battery-discharge during evening peaks, mitigating grid stress and lowering EV energy costs. V2G delivers close to 80% energy-cost savings for a 2000-EV fleet in Austin on grid-stressed days, with 55% lower charging pollutant outputs. Joint-V2G amplifies system-level benefits by complementing fleet discharge, but smart-charging equipment costs can offset those benefits.

Electric vehicle↗
DOE OSTI2026

Performance Characterization of InCharge™ ICE-66 V2X Bidirectional DC Fast Charger

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology extends the role of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle’s (PHEV) and Battery Electric Vehicle’s (BEV) batteries beyond transportation by enabling bidirectional power transfer between the vehicle's onboard energy storage and the utility grid. Modern battery-powered vehicles are equipped with high-capacity battery packs that remain stationary and underutilized for the majority of their operational life. A vehicle used for daily commuting may be parked and connected to charging infrastructure for 18–20 hours per day, representing a significant untapped energy resource. When considered at scale, the aggregated storage capacity of a modest fleet of 10–15 vehicles within a single parking facility can reach the MWh range, sufficient to partially offset peak demand for a mid-size commercial building or contribute meaningful ancillary services to the local grid. The ability to charge during off-peak periods when electricity prices are low and discharge during peak demand when prices are high positions EV batteries as distributed energy arbitrage assets, with the potential to offset vehicle ownership and charging costs. Beyond energy arbitrage, V2G-capable assets can provide ancillary grid services through active and reactive power injections. Active power supports grid frequency regulation, while reactive power supports local voltage regulation. Together, these capabilities establish V2G as a technically promising and economically relevant pathway toward greater integration of battery-powered vehicles into the broader energy system.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Hybrid Fuel Cell and Battery Storage Power Management for Grid-Interactive EV Charging Station

With the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources in grid-interactive Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, the role of energy storage systems has become critical. While large energy storage systems have mitigated the intermittency of renewable energy, integrating multi-source energy management with prioritized charging can further enhance the reliability of charging stations (CS). This paper presents a decentralized energy management (DEM) approach combining battery energy storage (BES) and fuel cell (FC) systems using a rule-based line resistance correction droop (LRCD) control technique. The proposed droop control dynamically adjusts the gain to balance the state-of-charge (SoC) of the BES, enhancing power support longevity and improving battery life under varying capacity conditions by reducing current stress. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges of using fuel cells in linear regions to optimize efficiency and manage various charging scenarios. The CS integrates unity power factor grid interaction, and power support for auxiliary loads, maintaining harmonic distortion within 5% during grid islanding. The approach evaluates DC bus voltage regulation under various scenarios of PV array power fluctuations and dynamic load variations, in both grid-connected and standalone operations. In conclusion, the proposed control strategy is validated on a laboratory prototype through various dynamic load variation and grid islanding scenarios.

Khalid, Mohd [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Integration Platform (eCHIP): Site Energy Management System Platform Development

A site energy management system is a critical component of future high-power EV charging hubs. It monitors and supervises all inter-hub operations, coordinates grid interactions, and implements energy management strategies and load-sharing controls at various levels and time scales. This report provides a comprehensive high-level overview and guidelines on the essential elements of such energy management systems. These elements primarily focus on the core functions, architecture, and monitoring aspects of site energy management. The core functions define the grid services and operational objectives that a charging hub is expected to provide and achieve. The architectural section investigates the coordination between hub assets, different control schemes, and their potential benefits and drawbacks. Lastly, the report discusses the needs, types, and functionalities of a monitoring and visualization system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1975

Aerodynamic results of a separation effects test conducted in the AEDC 40 by 40 inch tunnel A facility on the Rockwell International launch configuration 3 (model-OTS) integrated vehicle (IA13), volume 1

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted from July 5 through July 17, 1973, on a 0.01 scale model. The AEDC captive trajectory system was utilized in conjunction with the tunnel primary sector to obtain grid-type data for external tank abort from the orbiter, and for nominal separation of one solid rocket booster from the orbiter-tank combination. Booster separation was investigated with and without separation motors plume simulation. The plumes were generated by eight M sub j = 2.15 nozzles using a 1500 psia cold air supply. Free stream data were obtained for all models (orbiter, tank, orbiter-tank, and right-hand booster) to provide baselines for evaluation of proximity effects.

Campbell, J. H., II↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Aerodynamic Design Optimization for Natural Laminar Flow Airfoils

Natural laminar flow technology is a passive laminar flow control (LFC) strategy that seeks to delay the onset of boundary-layer transition (BLT) through shape optimization to reduce the drag of the aerodynamic vehicle. Adjoint-based design optimization for LFC is proposed in an integrated multidisciplinary framework, which includes the computational fluid dynamics (CFD), geometry and grid deformation, and linear stability analysis (LSA) for transition prediction. In particular, the BLT location is predicted using the dual N-factor method that is based on a linear stability theory (LST) eigenvalue problem. The dual N-factor criterion accounts for the amplification of planar Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) and stationary crossflow (CF) boundary-layer instabilities to predict the transition location in three-dimensional boundary-layer flows. The adjoint-based shape optimization procedure is based on an iteratively coupled CFD and LSA methodology to converge the transition location and flow solutions, as well as to calculate the sensitivities of the aerodynamic metrics of interest with respect to the flow and shape design parameters. The RAE 2822 airfoil at 0 and 30 degrees yaw angles, an angle of attack of 0.72 degrees, and subsonic conditions (M∞ = 0.19, Rec = 5.6 × 106 ) are used as baseline configurations for design optimization. The angle of attack and the vertical displacement of free-form-deformation control points are used as design variables to reduce the drag coefficient while reaching a specified lift coefficient. The optimized unswept airfoil designs achieve a 30% drag reduction accompanied by a downstream shift of the transition locations over both suction and pressure sides of the airfoil. The initial design iterations for the swept case also show a favorable trend in the drag reduction with transition delay over both sides.

Transition↗
DOE OSTI2025

CHARGE-MAP: An integrated framework to study the multicriteria EV charging infrastructure expansion problem

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years has necessitated the development of effective charging infrastructures. However, charging infrastructure expansion is a multifaceted problem that requires careful consideration of the existing infrastructure, spatiotemporal distribution of charging demands, power-grid capacity, and budget constraints. Here, to approach this complex problem, we present CHARGE-MAP, a data-driven simulation-optimization framework, focused on ensuring meaningful charging experience for individual EV owners. CHARGE-MAP integrates three modules: an agent-based simulation module that estimates spatiotemporal distribution of charging demands by modeling EV adopter mobility and charging behavior; an optimization module that determines optimal new charging station/charger locations and capacities, while minimizing expected detour distances and wait-times with a limited number of new stations; and a power module that determines how to connect the stations to the power grid while maintaining its stability. Using the state of Virginia (consisting of 95 counties and 38 independent cities) as a case study, our results show that CHARGE-MAP can meet the demand of ~198,600 predicted EVs with 1,305 new public charging stations and 2,164 new chargers. It reduces average detour distances for charging by 66% and wait-times at stations by 72% compared to the existing infrastructure. Furthermore, transformer capacity requirement analysis reveals that only 1.8% of residential transformers require upgrades, while over 80% of commercial charging locations can be supported with modest transformer infrastructure (25 to 50 kVA). This indicates that targeted investments can facilitate cost-effective EV integration. Consequently, CHARGE-MAP provides policymakers and urban planners with crucial data-driven insights for effective EV charging infrastructure expansion. Sign up for PNAS alerts.

charging infrastructure↗
NASA NTRS2020

Unstructured Grid Development for the Space Launch System Liftoff and Transition Lineloads Computational Analysis

Production of aerodynamic lineloads databases for the Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle at Liftoff and Transition (LOT) conditions has required the development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) workflow capable of producing high-quality solutions for this unique phase of flight. Aerodynamic considerations included a wide range of flow angles (from 0°up to 90°total angle of attack), resulting leeside separation, and interaction effects between the three bodies of the integrated SLS vehicle, as well as the nearby launch tower. Computational mesh development for similar problems at the NASA Langley Research Center (such as for the Constellation/Ares launch vehicles) has primarily relied on in-house tools such as VGRID/POSTGRID, with grids designed for NASA-developed and maintained flow solvers such as USM3D and FUN3D. The workflow for such problems has evolved over the development of the various SLS configurations to incorporate new tools such as the Heldenpatch/Heldenmesh grid generator (Helden Aerospace) and CREATE-AV Kestrel (US Department of Defense) flow solver. This paper describes efforts to benchmark a grid generation approach for LOT problems using Heldenpatch/Heldenmesh and Kestrel, verified against prior best practices from VGRID/POSTGRID. Parameters studied include surface grid density, first-layer viscous cell height, and volume grid growth rate parameters. Resulting solutions are compared based on total force and moment values, sectional line loads, and surface pressures, all validated against existing wind tunnel aerodynamic databases where available for the SLS Block 1B Cargo configuration.

Space launch systems↗
NASA NTRS1975

Location of vehicles using AM station broadcasting signals

Imaginary hyperbolic grid patterns formed by three local AM broadcasting stations were utilized in study. Each hyperbola is defined by constant phase difference between arbitrary signals integrally related to those coming from two stations. When three stations are used, grid is formed covering area with intersecting hyperbolas.

Hansen, G. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Research on Streamlines and Aerodynamic Heating for Unstructured Grids on High-Speed Vehicles

Engineering codes are needed which can calculate convective heating rates accurately and expeditiously on the surfaces of high-speed vehicles. One code which has proven to meet these needs is the Langley Approximate Three-Dimensional Convective Heating (LATCH) code. It uses the axisymmetric analogue in an integral boundary-layer method to calculate laminar and turbulent heating rates along inviscid surface streamlines. It requires the solution of the inviscid flow field to provide the surface properties needed to calculate the streamlines and streamline metrics. The LATCH code has been used with inviscid codes which calculated the flow field on structured grids, Several more recent inviscid codes calculate flow field properties on unstructured grids. The present research develops a method to calculate inviscid surface streamlines, the streamline metrics, and heating rates using the properties calculated from inviscid flow fields on unstructured grids. Mr. Chris Riley, prior to his departure from NASA LaRC, developed a preliminary code in the C language, called "UNLATCH", to accomplish these goals. No publication was made on his research. The present research extends and improves on the code developed by Riley. Particular attention is devoted to the stagnation region, and the method is intended for programming in the FORTRAN 90 language.

DeJarnette, Fred R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Scale-Resolving Simulations of a Supersonic Retro-Propulsion Concept For Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing

Supersonic retro-propulsion (SRP) is a deceleration technology that could enable largerpayloads and potentially humans to be brought from space to the surface of Mars safely.Accurate and reliable CFD predictions are needed to help design future Mars entry, descent,and landing (EDL) vehicles due to the cost and limitations of wind tunnel tests. TypicalCFD approaches struggle at points along the Mars EDL trajectory with high enough altitude(low enough ambient pressure) that the SRP motor plumes are over-expanded. This workdemonstrates how high-order scale-resolving simulations on Cartesian AMR grids can provideaccurate and reliable time-averaged aerodynamic loads on the vehicle for this challengingflow regime. Greater than second order convergence in the time-averaged integrated axialforce𝐶𝐴is obtained across the three finest mesh resolutions simulated, and the estimateduncertainty is smaller than the unsteady standard deviation – demonstrating the accuracy andreliability of the method. Although costly, this approach can yield higher confidence in𝐶𝐴thanpreviously obtained in a reasonable turnaround time and is within reach for a few points in thetrajectory (i.e. Mach 2.4, 2.52, and 2.78). Further computational performance and numericalmethods improvements are needed to reduce the cost enough to bring this method into the EDLengineering design cycle.

S&M↗
DOE OSTI2025

EV Charging Infrastructure Energization: An Overview of Approaches for Simplifying Processes and Accelerating Timelines to Processing EV Charging Load Service Requests

The United States has seen significant growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, leading to increased demand for EV charging infrastructure and electricity. Growth in electricity demand from EV charging, coupled with growth in other sectors like data centers and electrification of other sectors, is impacting electricity infrastructure and load service request processes after two decades of relatively flat electricity demand. While most electric vehicle charging occurs at home, enroute and depot charging for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, both using high-powered EV charging, are critical to meet electric vehicle operational needs. Over the past decade, EV charging infrastructure site developers, site hosts, and electric distribution utilities have navigated the process to integrate chargers onto the electric grid. Site developers and site hosts have expressed distress that the integration process for high-powered EV charging projects does not meet the needs of the EV market for timeliness or cost. High-powered charging stations typically require a load service request or an agreement with the local utility to connect to the grid. The process of energizing a new high-powered charging site can be complex and time consuming, often taking up to 2 years. This timeline is the result of current utility energization processes having been designed for construction projects that take longer to build (i.e., buildings). The specific challenges stem from various factors, including compartmentalization in application processes, the integration of EV charging process approvals with other distributed energy resources (DERs), and the need to ensure grid reliability. The energization process needs to evolve to meet the growing demand for high-powered EV charging. This white paper compiles information gathered through various conversations with key stakeholders, including utilities, utility regulators, EV charging operators, site developers, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) as well as through an extensive literature review. This document identifies the challenges and provides potential solutions to streamline the process of connecting EV charging infrastructure to the power grid in the United States, serving as a starting point for future conversations around these solutions.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS2016

Helicopter Non-Unique Trim Strategies for Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) Noise Reduction

An acoustics parametric analysis of the effect of fuselage drag and pitching moment on the Blade-Vortex Interaction (BVI) noise radiated by a medium lift helicopter (S-70UH-60) in a descending flight condition was conducted. The comprehensive analysis CAMRAD II was used for the calculation of vehicle trim, wake geometry and integrated air loads on the blade. The acoustics prediction code PSU-WOPWOP was used for calculating acoustic pressure signatures for a hemispherical grid centered at the hub. This paper revisits the concept of the X-force controller for BVI noise reduction, and investigates its effectiveness on an S-70 helicopter. The analysis showed that further BVI noise reductions were achievable by controlling the fuselage pitching moment. Reductions in excess of 6 dB of the peak BVI noise radiated towards the ground were demonstrated by compounding the effect of airframe drag and pitching moment simultaneously.

Noise Reduction↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spectral Analysis of Integrated Pressures on Patches with Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements

The technique of Pressure-Sensitive Paint (PSP) is commonly used in the aerospace industry to measure surface pressures on the model of launch vehicles and airplanes in the wind tunnel test. Recent research has demonstrated that Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint (uPSP) can be an essential tool for the assessment of the unsteady, aerodynamic phenomena. The work described in this paper is a part of NASA’s development of a new state-of-the-art uPSP capability in production wind tunnels. This paper describes the spectral analysis of integrated pressures on patches of the scale model of the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 cargo vehicle with the uPSP measurements, which were collected in the Ascent Transient Aerodynamics Test (ATAT) with the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel 11-by-11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel in September 2019 at NASA Ames Research Center. The patches are defined with x station values, indicating the position along length of the SLS vehicle, and azimuth angles of the scale model. For each patch, the polygons are determined from the surface cells of the grid of the model, clipped with the edges of the patch, and each of the polygons is divided into triangles. The integrated pressure of the patch is determined as the ratio of the sum of the forces on the triangles over the sum of the areas of the triangles. For each run of the test, the Cross Power Spectral Density (CPSD) and magnitude squared coherence are computed from the time series of the integrated pressures on the patches. The pressure integration is coded in C++ and the spectral analysis is coded in MATLAB. The results were generated with the execution of the compiled C++ and MATLAB codes in parallel on the NASA Pleiades supercomputer. The results of pressure integration and spectral analysis are presented in this paper, and the data consistency of the test is also demonstrated. Funding for this research was provided by the NASA Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities Project.

Pressure-Sensitive Paint↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spectral Analysis of Integrated Pressures on Patches with Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements

This paper describes the spectral analysis of integrated pressures on patches of the scale model of the Space Launch System Block 1 cargo vehicle with the Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint measurements, which were collected in the ascent transient aerodynamics test with the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel 11-by-11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel in September 2019 at NASA Ames Research Center. The patches are defined with x station values, indicating the position along length of the vehicle, and azimuth angles of the scale model. For each patch, the polygons are determined from the surface cells of the grid of the model, clipped with the edges of the patch, and each of the polygons is divided into triangles. The integrated pressure of the patch is determined as the ratio of the sum of the forces on the triangles over the sum of the areas of the triangles. For each run of the test, the cross power spectral density and magnitude squared coherence are computed from the time series of the integrated pressures on the patches. The results of pressure integration and spectral analysis are presented, and the data consistency of the test is demonstrated. The work described in this paper is a part of NASA’s development of a new state-of-the-art uPSP capability in production wind tunnels. Funding for this research was provided by the NASA Aeroscience Evaluation and Test Capabilities Project.

Pressure-Sensitive Paint↗
NASA NTRS2006

AEROELASTIC SIMULATION TOOL FOR INFLATABLE BALLUTE AEROCAPTURE

A multidisciplinary analysis tool is under development for predicting the impact of aeroelastic effects on the functionality of inflatable ballute aeroassist vehicles in both the continuum and rarefied flow regimes. High-fidelity modules for continuum and rarefied aerodynamics, structural dynamics, heat transfer, and computational grid deformation are coupled in an integrated multi-physics, multi-disciplinary computing environment. This flexible and extensible approach allows the integration of state-of-the-art, stand-alone NASA and industry leading continuum and rarefied flow solvers and structural analysis codes into a computing environment in which the modules can run concurrently with synchronized data transfer. Coupled fluid-structure continuum flow demonstrations were conducted on a clamped ballute configuration. The feasibility of implementing a DSMC flow solver in the simulation framework was demonstrated, and loosely coupled rarefied flow aeroelastic demonstrations were performed. A NASA and industry technology survey identified CFD, DSMC and structural analysis codes capable of modeling non-linear shape and material response of thin-film inflated aeroshells. The simulation technology will find direct and immediate applications with NASA and industry in ongoing aerocapture technology development programs.

Liever, P. A.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Combined Effects of Electric Vehicle Charging and Rooftop Solar Integration on Voltage Imbalance in Residential Distribution Networks

Residential electric vehicle (EV) chargers, as single phase loads, contribute to unbalanced voltage drops across phases, while rooftop solar systems, as single phase generators, can exacerbate voltage imbalance by causing unbalanced voltage increases. This paper investigates combined effects of residential EV charging and rooftop solar generation on voltage imbalance in residential distribution grids. The study examines these simultaneous impacts using the IEEE 8500-node test system, enhanced with a secondary network to realistically model the EV chargers and rooftop solar integration. To account for the variability and uncertainty in the EV charging loads and solar generation, a Monte Carlo approach is employed to capture and quantify the simultaneous impact of the EV charging and rooftop solar integration. In this approach, multiple influencing factors are considered, including state-of-charge (SOC), maximum charging power levels, and geographic distribution of chargers. The results provide practical insights for utilities and stakeholders, offering expectations for planning and operating strategies that effectively manage the increasing adoption of EVs and solar power while maintaining grid reliability.

Choi, Jongchan [ORNL] (ORCID:000000025952455X)↗