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Results for “synchronization stability”

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
NASA NTRS1973

Synthesis of a correcting filter with phase stabilization of the angular velocity of a synchronous motor by the feedback system method

The operating characteristics of a synchronous electric motor are discussed. A system of phase stabilization of the instantaneous angular velocity of rotation of a synchronous-reaction motor is diagrammed. A mathematical model is developed to show the parameters which affect the operation of the motor. The selection of a correcting filter to use with the motor in order to reduce the reaction of the system to interference is explained.

Kazlauskas, K. A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Angle Droop Design for Grid-Forming Inverters Considering Impacts of Virtual Impedance Control

Grid-forming inverters (GFMs) based on active power-frequency droop control and reactive power-voltage droop control have been developed in recent years, which can generate voltage and frequency references for islanded power systems or microgrids to improve system-wide synchronization and power-sharing capability. It is known that the control delays in GFMs may cause system harmonic instability. To eliminate this issue, virtual impedance techniques are normally adopted. This paper gives a comprehensive examination of the impacts of virtual impedance control block Z v in GFMs on system stability. It is revealed that although Z v is effective in eliminating system harmonic stability, it may ruin system synchronization stability as a side effect. To compensate for the negative impacts caused by Z v , an active power-angle control block is added into the conventional droop control. Design criteria are also proposed accordingly to ensure system stability over the entire frequency range. Simulations and experimental testing are conducted to validate the analysis and the proposed design guidelines. It can be concluded that the Z v control-caused grid-synchronization instability issues can be eliminated with an appropriate active power-angle droop design.

Kong, Le↗
DOE OSTI2020

Decentralized Control of Cascaded H-Bridge Inverters for Medium-Voltage Grid Integration: Preprint

This paper introduces a fully decentralized control strategy that allows for individualized active and reactive power control of H-bridge inverters connected in series. After formulating a model of the system power flows, we outline a communications-free approach where each inverter can act on independent commands. Inverter-level feedback is accomplished locally via a measurement of current flowing through the stack. A key feature is the lack of any centralized control routines or phase-locked loop. In this framework, the reactive power control loops achieve voltage synchronization among the converters and the grid, and the active power control loops modulate the terminal voltage amplitudes that influence power delivery. Furthermore, pole placement via state feedback is used to ensure stability of voltage synchronization while also enabling tracking of bidirectional power commands. Simulations are presented to validate the proposed approach.

communication-free modular converter control↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stability Analysis of Power Systems with High Penetration of State-of-the-Art Inverter Technologies

With the increasing level of inverter-based resources (IBRs) in modern power systems, this paper presents a small-signal stability analysis for power systems comprising synchronous generators (SGs) and IBRs. Four types of inverter controls are considered: two grid-following (GFL) controls, with or without grid support functions; droop-based grid-forming (GFM) controls; and virtual oscillator control-based GFM. We also analyze the impact of STATCOM and synchronous condensers on system stability to assess their role in the energy mix transition. With the small-signal dynamic behavior of the major technologies modeled, this paper provides stringent stability assessments using the IEEE 39-bus benchmark system modified to simulate future power systems. The exhaustive test cases allow for (a) assessing the impacts of different types and controls of generation and supplementary grid assets, as well as system inertia and line impedance on grid stability, and (b) elucidating pathways for the stabilization of IBR-dominated power systems. The analysis also indicates that future power systems can be stabilized with only a fraction of the total generation as voltage sources without SGs or significant system inertia if they are well distributed. This study provides insights into future power system operations with a high level of IBRs that can also be used for planning and operation studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2018

Self-Stabilizing Distributed Symmetric-Fault Tolerant Synchronization Protocol

A network system includes at least one node configured to exchange messages through a set of communication links. Each node includes a synchronizer, a set of monitors in communication with the synchronizer, a physical oscillator and a state timer clock and a local timer clock, each clock being driven by the physical oscillator and having a variable clock value that locally tracks passage of clock time for the node. The network system is configured to execute a synchronization process when a specified condition occurs. Upon receiving a Sync message, each of the nodes is configured to store an incoming Sync message, increment a local timer clock value, or ignore the Sync message based on a local timer clock value associated with an incoming Sync message.

Malekpour, Mahyar R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hierarchical Power Flow Control in Smart Grids: Enhancing Rotor Angle and Frequency Stability with Demand-Side Flexibility

Large-scale integration of renewables in power systems gives rise to new challenges for keeping synchronization and frequency stability in volatile and uncertain power flow states. To ensure the safety of operation, the system must maintain adequate disturbance rejection capability at the time scales of both rotor angle and system frequency dynamics. This calls for flexibility to be exploited on both the generation and demand sides, compensating volatility and ensuring stability at the two separate time scales. This article proposes a hierarchical power flow control architecture that involves both transmission and distribution networks as well as individual buildings to enhance both small-signal rotor angle stability and frequency stability of the transmission network. The proposed architecture consists of a transmission-level optimizer enhancing system damping ratios, a distribution-level controller following transmission commands and providing frequency support, and a building-level scheduler accounting for quality of service and following the distribution-level targets. Furthermore, we validate the feasibility and performance of the whole control architecture through real-time hardware-in-loop tests involving real-world transmission and distribution network models along with real devices at the Stone Edge Farm Microgrid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Small-Signal Stability Analysis of Low-Inertia Power Grids with Inverter-Based Resources and Synchronous Condensers: Preprint

With the potential environmental impacts of conventional fossil fuels and the technology advances of grid interactive power electronics, inverter-based resources (IBRs) are playing a crucial role in modern power grids. However, due to the lack of physical inertia, IBRs are vulnerable to system disturbances. Further, conventional grid-following (GFL) inverters cannot actively establish the frequency and voltage, which could not be a appropriate solution for 100% inverter-based power grids. Grid-forming (GFM) control, as an emerging inverter control function, has drawn great attention in recent years, while it is still under development and pre-mature for large-scale field deployment. A potential solution for gradually transitioning into a 100% inverter-based power grid is to combine both IBRs and synchronous machines into a mixed generation portfolio. More importantly, synchronous machines can be operated as synchronous condensers (SCs) until they are retired. It is also worth mentioning that the stability analysis is of great importance to ensure the smooth transition from existing power grids to 100% inverter-based system, which is the main focus of this work with detailed modeling and modal analysis.

100% renewable↗
NASA NTRS1984

Vibration characteristics of the HPOTP (High-Pressure Oxygen Turbopump) of the SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine)

Attention is given to rotor dynamic problems that have been encountered and eliminated in the course of Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) development, as well as continuing, subsynchronous problems which are being encountered in the development of a 109-percent power level engine. The basic model for the SSME's High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump (HPOTP) encompasses a structural dynamic model for the rotor and housing, and component models for the liquid and gas seals, turbine clearance excitation forces, and impeller diffuser forces. Linear model results are used to examine the synchronous response and stability characteristics of the HPOTP, with attention to bearing load and stability problems associated with the second critical speed. Differences between linear and nonlinear model results are discussed and explained in terms of simple models. Simulation results indicate that while synchronous bearing loads can be reduced, subsynchronous motion is not eliminated by seal modifications.

Childs, D. W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Picosecond Clock Synchronization Across A 7-Node Metropolitan Scale Quantum Network

Quantum networking protocols relying on interference and precise time-of-flight measurements require high precision clock synchronization. This study describes the design, implementation, and characterization of two optical time transfer methods in a metropolitan-scale quantum networking research testbed. The first technique called active electronic stabilization (ELSTAB), was able to achieve sub-picosecond time deviation (TDEV) at integration times between 1 s and 105s over multiple different fiber lengths of both underground and aerial deployed fiber. The second technique, White Rabbit-Precision Time Protocol (WR-PTP), was able to achieve 10-picosecond TDEV’s over similar fiber lengths at comparable integration times. Environmental fluctuations affected the stability of clock synchronization over deployed fiber. These fluctuations resulted in path delay gradients, chromatic dispersion, polarization drift, and optical power variations. The results from this study will inform future work in the development of compensation methods essential for enabling experimental research in developing practical quantum networking protocols.

synchronization↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Barrier-Certificated Reinforcement Learning Approach for Enhancing Power System Transient Stability

Increasing integration of renewable resources brings more flexibility and poses new challenges to modern power systems, leading to highly nonlinear and complex dynamics. Here, this paper aims to provide a general solution framework to traditional control problems, such as frequency control and voltage control, which attempt to maintain the stability of either synchronous generators-governed or inverter-governed systems when subjected to a disturbance and simultaneously guarantee operational constraints, providing a complete complement to existing works on control design. Building on reinforcement learning (RL) and control barrier functions, the framework includes two subsystems, i.e., a model-free controller and a barrier-certification system, which discover RL-based control actions and sequentially filter them using a barrier certificate to satisfy operational constraints. Calculating a barrier function is generally challenging for a complex power system. This is addressed by representing the barrier function using neural networks (NNs) and data-based approaches. An adaptive method is introduced to certify the neural barrier function that perseveres barrier conditions, which is more compatible with online implementation. The proposed framework synthesizes a stabilizing controller that satisfies predefined safety regions. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated via several comparative case studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Critical Clearing Time for Droop-Controlled Grid-Forming Inverters With Circular Current Limiting and Virtual Impedance Current Limiting

The critical clearing time is a crucial parameter for assessing the large-signal stability of grid-forming (GFM) inverters. Variations in current limiters can significantly impact an inverter's transient behavior during large disturbances. Here, this letter introduces a method based on the power-angle relationship to evaluate the fault recovery of a droop-controlled GFM inverter under a three-phase bolted fault scenario, considering both the circular current limiter and the virtual impedance method. High-fidelity simulations validate the accuracy of the proposed formulas in estimating the critical clearing time of the GFM inverter.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Pulsar’s Application in Energy Systems: Review of Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

To accelerate progress toward the realization of advanced energy systems, this review explores the potential of pulsar technology to create a more stable, economical, and environmentally friendly energy infrastructure. Pulsars, with their precise and reliable timing characteristics, have emerged as a promising tool for enhancing energy systems. This review begins by examining the development history of pulsar technology, shedding light on its evolution and the milestones achieved. It then provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of research, highlighting recent advancements and breakthroughs in this field. It also explores transformative pulsar applications in energy systems, including improved grid stability, advanced energy synchronization, and efficient energy storage management. However, implementing pulsar-related technologies presents significant technical, economic, and operational challenges. This review examines these hurdles and proposes strategies to overcome them, emphasizing the need for innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supportive policies to fully integrate pulsar technologies into sustainable energy systems.

application↗
NASA NTRS1972

Time and frequency requirement for the earth and ocean physics applications program

The application of time and frequency standards to the Earth and Ocean Physics Applications Program (EOPAP) is discussed. The goals and experiments of the EOPAP are described. Methods for obtaining frequency stability and time synchronization are analyzed. The orbits, trajectories, and characteristics of the satellites used in the program are reported.

Vonbun, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Control of wind turbine generators connected to power systems

A unique simulation model based on a Mode-O wind turbine is developed for simulating both speed and power control. An analytical representation for a wind turbine that employs blade pitch angle feedback control is presented, and a mathematical model is formulated. For Mode-O serving as a practical case study, results of a computer simulation of the model as applied to the problems of synchronization and dynamic stability are provided. It is shown that the speed and output of a wind turbine can be satisfactorily controlled within reasonable limits by employing the existing blade pitch control system under specified conditions. For power control, an additional excitation control is required so that the terminal voltage, output power factor, and armature current can be held within narrow limits. As a result, the variation of torque angle is limited even if speed control is not implemented simultaneously with power control. Design features of the ERDA/NASA 100-kW Mode-O wind turbine are included.

Hwang, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Vibration characteristics of the HPOTP (High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump) of the SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine)

A review is presented of various rotordynamic problems which have been encountered and eliminated in developing the current flight engines, and continuing subsynchronous problems which are being encountered in developing a 109% power level engine. The basic model for the High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump (HPOTP) of the SSME including the structural dynamic model for the rotor and housing and component models for the liquid and gas seals, turbine-clearance excitation forces, and impeller-diffuser forces are discussed. Results from a linear model are used to examine the synchronous response and stability characteristics of the HPOTP, examining bearing load and stability problems associated with the second critical speed. Various seal modifications are examined and shown to have favorable consequences with respect to bearing reactions and stability.

Childs, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

TechSAT attitude control

TechSAT is an academic program of the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Emphasizing new engineering solutions, it will be a low-cost, sun-synchronized, 3-axis stabilized, nadir-pointing 50-kg microsat, and will be launched by Arianne as a piggyback payload. The satellite is actually a gyrostat, based on a momentum wheel, a static horizon sensor, three magnetotorquers and a 3-axis magnetometer, all especially designed for TechSAT, with total power consumption of under 3 W. The satellite is designed to be released with unknown attitude and with zero stored momentum. The wheel is accelerated to its biased momentum and the body is slowly controlled to become stabilized, using algorithms that utilize magnetometer data only, to an accuracy of 5 deg, which is considered as coarse cruise. Next, fine cruise uses the static horizon sensor, and a final accuracy of 0.1 deg is achieved.

Shachar, M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Grid Forming Control Tuning for a Hybrid Inverter-Based Resource Power Plant

A hybrid inverter-based resource (IBR) power plant consists of grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming inverter-based resources (GFM-IBR) connected in parallel. Here, this research focuses on how to design and tune GFM's control parameters to ensure stable operation of the hybrid power plant for weak and strong grid conditions. We consider two design cases: one where the GFL-IBR does not provide frequency support, and one where it does. It is found that the GFM's power-frequency synchronizing system can lose stability when the power-frequency droop constant is large and/or the grid is strong. Additionally, if the GFL has its frequency support enabled, oscillation stability worsens. To explain the mechanism of the interactions, we construct a feedback system for the synchronizing loop, which consists of the GFM's power-frequency droop control that generates the GFM's synchronizing angle, the GFL's phase-locked loop that measures the voltage phase angle, the GFL's frequency-power control that generates its power order, and the rest of the system. The feedback system is effective in illustrating the potential stability risks. Successful design ensures that the hybrid power plant can operate smoothly and ride through grid disturbances.

feedback systems↗