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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 721 records · Page 40

Cyber Physical Grid-Interactive Distributed Energy Resources Control for VPP Dispatch and Regulation

This paper presents a cyber-physical algorithm for grid-interactive Distributed Energy Resource (DER) control to enable two features of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) dispatch and grid voltage regulation, considering the communication and security impacts. We first formulate the DER dispatch problem as a real-time, iterative, and grid-interactive DER control problem. Thereafter, we consider a probabilistic traffic model to characterize packet delays and loss in a communication network, and study how the delays enter the process of information exchange among the grid measurement units, local DER controllers and the grid control center that coordinately execute this dispatch algorithm. Finally, a strategy combining delay threshold and modified message update rules is proposed to immune the asynchrony resulting from the communications network traffic and it avoids possible numerical instabilities and sensitivities of the tracking and regulation capabilities of this DER control algorithm. By implementing the proposed cyber-physical algorithm on the modified IEEE 37-node system, our preliminary results exhibit that the uncertainties of the underlying communications infrastructure must be considered for the VPP tracking and regulation capabilities of any DER in a generic Cyber-Physical System (CPS), because the delayed voltage measurements in the uplink/bi-link cases result in the off-track in VPP dispatch and jittery in voltage regulation.

cyber-physical algorithm↗

Feedback on the Electric Emergency Incident and Disturbance Report, OE-417

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) mandates requirements for reporting electric emergencies and disruptions in the United States. Specific electric power industry organizations (such as balancing authorities, reliability coordinators, some generating entities, and electric utilities) report this information through the OE-417 Electric Emergency Incident and Disturbance Report via Form OE-417. Entities are required to submit Form OE-417 when at least one of the qualifying 26 criteria is met pursuant to Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-275). Entities are required to report, within 6 hours of the incident, loss of electric service to 50,000 customers or more for 1 hour or longer. The deadline for submitting Form OE-417 depends on the nature of the incident. An updated Form OE-417 Schedule 1 and all of Schedule 2 are both due within 72 hours of the incident to provide complete disruption information. Additionally, a Final Report must be filed within 72 hours of the incident, unless an interim update has been provided. If the incident meets specific criteria, the form must be filed within one hour, six hours, or by the later of 24 hours after the recognition of the incident or by the end of the next business day.1 The ability of DOE to respond quickly to energy emergencies that could affect the nation’s infrastructure and help alleviate or prevent further disruptions depends on the industry’s prompt and complete submission of information. This report summarizes current issues with Form OE-417 and the reporting process and presents recommendations for improvements.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

The self-annealing of irradiation induced defects in magnetite Fe 3 O 4 : Revealing reversible irradiation-induced disorder transformation through in situ TEM

This work reports heavy ion-irradiation effects in polycrystalline Fe 3 O 4 . For this matter, Fe/Fe 3 O 4 heterostructures were irradiated in situ in a transmission electron microscopy with 1 MeV Kr ions at 50 K. Evidence of cubic to monoclinic transformation (a.k.a Verwey transition) was recorded in some magnetite grains upon cooling the sample (around 90 K); however, most of the oxide grains retain their cubic spinel structure. Irradiation effects were analyzed in the cubic phase up to a maximum dose of 38 dpa without the sign of amorphization. The extinction of first-order reflections was recorded at doses below 1 dpa, indicating the formation of a new (metastable) phase with half of the lattice parameters compared to the unirradiated Fe 3 O 4 crystal. The formation of the new crystalline phase, which also presents a high resistance to amorphization, is related to the disordering of the cation lattice and the high mobility of the cation interstitials. The metastable phase readily recovers around 225 K during the natural warming of the sample from 50 K to room temperature.

Atom irradiation effects↗

Soft-Switching Solid-State Transformer With Reduced Conduction Loss

Solid-state transformers (SSTs) are a promising solution photovoltaic (PV), wind, traction, data center, battery energy storage system (BESS), and fast charging electric vehicle (EV) applications. The traditional SSTs are typically three-stage, i.e., hard-switching cascaded multilevel rectifiers and inverters with dual active bridge (DAB) converters, which leads to bulky passives, low efficiency, and high electromagnetic interference (EMI). This article proposes a new soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T). The S4T has full-range zero-voltage switching (ZVS), electrolytic capacitor-less dc link, and controlled dv/dt, which reduces EMI. The S4T comprises two reverse-blocking current-source inverter (CSI) bridges, auxiliary branches for ZVS, and transformer magnetizing inductor as a reduced dc link with 60% ripple. Compared with the prior S4T, an effective change on the leakage inductance diode is made to reduce the number of the devices on the main power path by 20% for significant conduction loss saving and retain the same functionality of damping the resonance between the leakage and resonant capacitors and recycling trapped leakage energy. The conduction loss saving is crucial, being the dominating loss mechanism in SSTs. Importantly, the proposed single-stage SST not only holds the potential for high power density and high efficiency but also has full functionality, e.g., multiport dc loads integration, voltage regulation, and reactive power compensation, unlike the traditional single-stage matrix SST. The S4T can achieve single-stage isolated bidirectional dc–dc, ac–dc, dc–ac, or ac–ac conversion. It can also be configured input-series output-parallel (ISOP) in a modular way for medium-voltage (MV) grids. Hence, the S4T is a promising candidate for the SST. The full functionality, e.g., voltage buck–boost, multiport, etc., and the universality of the S4T for the dc–dc, dc–ac, and ac–ac conversion are verified through the simulations and experiments of two-port and three-port MV prototypes based on 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs in dc–dc, dc–ac, and ac–ac modes at 2 kV.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A tri-level distribution locational marginal price-based demand response framework

Here, in this paper, we propose a tri-level, nested, two-stage price-based demand response (PBDR) framework that considers distribution locational marginal price (DLMP) as DR enabler between load-serving entities (LSE), demand response providers (DRPs), and customers in the day-ahead distribution market. It enables LSE and customer interactions by using multiple DRPs, positioned in-between, and independently optimizes their objectives. The problem is formulated using linear power flow with approximated power losses and its application in DLMP as DR pricing. The tri-level problem is solved using a nested reformulation & decomposition (R&D) method and tested on the real Indian-108 bus distribution system under various dynamic pricings. Further, the temporal–spatial variations in DLMPs are assessed using fairness criteria. Numerical analyses demonstrate that DLMP applications can effectively improve economic efficiency, and transparency in DR programs valuation with a favorable fairness margin. The results show that DLMP as DR pricing signal induces (0-2) % variation in DLMP for DR participation up to 10 %. Further, it gives over 90 % fairness over temporal–spatial variation for all the customers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Optimal Control Strategy With Efficiency and Reliability Improvement for Offshore DC Microgrids

Offshore microgrids, due to their remote location and lack of external energy support, face significant challenges in wide-range load operation and maintenance. Consequently, efficiency and reliability are critical concerns for converters in offshore dc microgrids. This article presents an optimal control strategy aimed at enhancing both efficiency and reliability. A normalized nonlinear relationship between power loss and thermal stress of a paralleled converter is first established. Based on this, a dual-objective optimization function with an active weight function as well as a system overall performance index is established. The active weight function dynamically adjusts the control priority based on converter efficiency and switching device thermal stress. Then, the optimal power-sharing strategy is derived by the Lagrange multiplier method with the proposed optimal function. Additionally, to accommodate a wide load range, an optimal selection strategy for operating converter combinations is proposed, requiring only low-bandwidth communication. Experiment verification is given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy can improve the overall performance of offshore microgrids by optimizing efficiency and reliability.

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Tapless Voltage Regulating Transformer. Final Report

Voltage regulation is a common practice in power grid operation. The conventional voltage regulation methods have been facing ever increasing challenges as the penetration of renewable generations deepens in the grid. The intermittent nature of the renewable sources may result in sudden rise or drop of power generation, possibly breaking the generation-load balance. A lack of adequate voltage control not only affects the power quality but is detrimental to the system operation with the potential for large economic losses. Most conventional voltage regulation devices rely on mechanical tap changers to impose the regulation in a step-wise manner. Although sufficient for normal operations, the mechanical tap changers can be easily worn out in the challenging situations created by renewables. In this project, a novel technology called tapless voltage regulating transformer (TAREX) was proposed and investigated. It has the potential to excel at addressing the new voltage regulation challenges and replace the conventional regulating transformers. TAREX is based on the concept of the saturable-core reactor (SCR). The voltage of a TAREX can be smoothly and continuously regulated in a reasonable range by using a low rating power electronics based controller. It uses control of the transformer core magnetization to regulate the voltage on the windings, and thus eliminates the mechanical tap changer. This project is to prove the principle of TAREX, understand the voltage regulation mechanism, and preliminarily understand its impacts on the power systems through modeling, prototyping, and testing.

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SiC-Based 5-kV Universal Modular Soft-Switching Solid-State Transformer (M-S4T) for Medium-Voltage DC Microgrids and Distribution Grids

Medium-voltage DC (MVDC) grids are attractive for electric aircraft and ship power systems, battery energy storage system (BESS), fast charging electric vehicle (EV), etc. Such EV or BESS applications need isolated bidirectional MVDC to LVDC or LVAC converters. However, the existing Si-based solutions cannot fulfill the requirements of a high-efficiency and robust converter for MVDC grids. This paper presents a 5 kV SiC-based universal modular solid-state transformer (SST). This universal current-source SST can interface either a LVAC or LVDC grid with a MVDC grid in single-stage power conversion, while the conventional dual active bridge (DAB) converter needs an additional inverter. The proposed SST module using 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs and diodes is bidirectional and can serve as a building block in series or parallel for higher-voltage higher-power systems. The topology of each module is based on the soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T) with reduced conduction loss, which features reduced EMI through controlled dv/dt, and high efficiency with full-range ZVS for main devices and ZCS for auxiliary devices. Operation principle of the modular S4T (M-S4T), capacitor voltage balancing control between the cascaded modules, design of components including a medium-voltage (MV) medium-frequency transformer (MFT) to realize a 50 kVA 5 kV DC to 600 V DC or 480 V AC M-S4T are presented. Importantly, the MV MFT prototype achieves very low leakage inductance (0.13%) and 15 kV insulation with coaxial cables and nanocrystalline cores. Here, the proposed universal modular SST is compared against the DAB solution and verified with DC-DC and DC-AC simulation and 4 kV experimental results. Significantly, the MV experimental results of a modular DC transformer with each module at MVDC are rarely covered in the literature and reported for the first time.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Physics-Informed Graph Neural Networks for Collaborative Dynamic Reconfiguration and Voltage Regulation in Unbalanced Distribution Systems

Network reconfiguration has long been employed as a strategic approach to minimize power distribution system losses and effectively regulate voltage levels. Tap-changing voltage regulators are also critical for controlling bus voltages, especially in accommodating the increasing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) with intermittent outputs. This paper introduces novel methodologies to address the challenges of dynamic reconfiguration and optimal tap setting in unbalanced three-phase distribution systems. We propose an approximated mixed-integer quadratically constrained program (MIQCP) to model dynamic reconfiguration, along with a pioneering formulation for voltage regulator (VR) tap-setting based on Special Ordered Set type 1 (SOS1). To mitigate computational complexity, we propose a physics-informed spatial-temporal graph convolutional network (STGCN) with an integrated link classifier. The proposed approach enables efficient solution generation by fixing specific variables in the MIQCP instance and solving the simplified sub-MIP using an MIP solver. Numerical studies demonstrate the superior prediction accuracy of our STGCN model compared to baseline neural network models, resulting in reduced DER curtailment and voltage deviation with shorter computation time.

dynamic reconfiguration↗

Innovative Pathways to Net Zero Emissions: Subnational Strategies for Distributed Solar Deployment to Improve Grid Quality and Reduce Energy Costs in Argentina

Through Net Zero World, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the National Energy Secretariat of Argentina, La Pampa's Energy and Mining Secretariat, Pampetrol, and the Administracion Provincial de Energia de La Pampa (APELP) conducted an integrated analysis of the power system of the La Pampa province in Argentina. The study assessed the impact that solar and battery energy storage systems could have on the region grid's reliability and electricity costs, providing insights into long-term decarbonization strategies across Argentina. The analysis demonstrated that these systems are expected not only to help with decarbonization efforts but also to bolster grid resiliency, reduce line losses, and improve voltage regulation while lowering electricity costs. The paper offers a replicable framework for similar studies across other Argentine provinces, which could inform a national grid reliability plan and promote regional coordination. Such coordination will play a key role in supporting a nationwide clean energy transition as Argentina increases its share of renewable energy. By coordinating subnational energy plans with national strategies, Argentina can secure a resilient clean energy future, leveraging the substantial renewable resources available across its provinces.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Evaluation of Optimal Net Load Management in Microgrids Using Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation

This paper presents the performance evaluation of a net load management (NLM) engine that balances load and generation in an isolated community to power a critical facility after a grid interruption event (e.g., the loss of a large generation unit). This NLM engine is particularly important for microgrid systems because it provides a high-speed, cost-optimal control solution to coordinate grid-forming inverters and to dispatch grid-following inverters and deferrable loads in microgrid systems to enhance grid resilience and reliability. The NLM algorithm cost-optimally dispatches the grid-following inverters and deferrable loads based on the demanded power and load priorities, and the grid-forming inverters use droop control to form system voltages and share active and reactive power. A controller-hardware-in-the-loop platform is developed to evaluate the control performance of the NLM algorithm with two sequential contingency events of lost generation units. The experimental results indicate that the NLM engine can maintain system stability, achieve the targeted system voltage and frequency, and balance load and generation to serve the critical facility with improved system resilience and reliability.

grid-following inverter↗

Evaluation of Optimal Net Load Management in Microgrids Using Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation

This presentation discusses the performance evaluation of a net load management (NLM) engine that balances load and generation in an isolated community to power a critical facility after a grid interruption event (e.g., the loss of a large generation unit). This NLM engine is particularly important for microgrid systems because it provides a high-speed, cost-optimal control solution to coordinate grid-forming inverters and to dispatch grid-following inverters and deferrable loads in microgrid systems to enhance grid resilience and reliability. The NLM algorithm cost-optimally dispatches the grid-following inverters and deferrable loads based on the demanded power and load priorities, and the grid-forming inverters use droop control to form system voltages and share active and reactive power. A controller-hardware-in-the-loop platform is developed to evaluate the control performance of the NLM algorithm with two sequential contingency events of lost generation units. The experimental results indicate that the NLM engine can maintain system stability, achieve the targeted system voltage and frequency, and balance load and generation to serve the critical facility with improved system resilience and reliability.

droop control↗

Online Monitoring of Medium Voltage Cable Systems with Spread Spectrum Time Domain and Frequency Domain Reflectometry

In-service failures of wave energy convertor (WEC) cable systems can have a significant cost and power availability impact. Close parallel research 2019 data showed > 1B£ and 9 Terra-Watt-Hours associated with global off-shore wind (OSW) cable failures (Strang-Moran 2020). OSW is a closely related technology but currently is significantly cheaper than WEC technology. For wave energy to compete, the problem of reliable cable transmission must be mitigated. This project develops isolation technology to allow online high frequency reflectometry testing of medium voltage cables (1 to 10 kV and higher) without arcing or damage to the test instrument. Online spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) testing has been established for low voltage cable systems in the aircraft and rail industry and the ability to detect and locate cable flaws of interest is well understood. Extending reflectometry testing to medium voltage systems could enable detection of cable damage before failures occur thereby allowing repair and replacement of damaged cable segments to be scheduled and managed. The seedling project succeeded to pass and receive high frequency SSTDR signals onto a cable up to 1 kV using a parallel trace isolation circuit board that can be connected onto the test cable. The approach used a novel circuit design for which an invention disclosure has been filed. A proposed sapling project would extend the technology toward the higher operating voltages used by WEC systems, thereby enabling online SSTDR cable monitoring. The goal of the seedling project was to extend the capability of the ARENA cable/motor test bed to address medium voltages and to develop a high pass filter isolation architecture to protect the reflectometry instrument from the low frequency (DC – 60 Hz) line voltage while allowing the high frequency diagnostic signal to pass to and from the test instrument to the live line. Initial efforts focused on passive LCR filter circuits to reduce 60 Hz levels below 10 volts from a 10 kV line while allowing the MHz high frequency chirps to pass onto the cables and for mV signals to be detected. We discovered that the parasitic loss behavior of real high voltage components precluded this approach from working. An alternate approach was adapted for the electric field to couple between two parallel traces on a printed circuit board much like a radio-frequency coupler. The challenge here was and is to have the parallel traces close enough to each other to effectively pass the high frequency chirp onto the live line and receive any reflected signal from any encountered impedance change along the cable. This reflected signal will be in the mV range. The traces however must be far enough apart to not allow arcing on the board. A design with 3 mm spacing was determined to allow the high frequency signal to pass onto the live line and receive the mV signal back into the instrument while reducing the 60 Hz voltage amplitude by >80 dB (more than a factor of 10,000) without allowing arcing from across the parallel traces. This was confirmed by simulation and test.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Structural and Valence State Modification of Cobalt in CoPt Nanocatalysts in Redox Conditions

Platinum is the primary catalyst for many chemical reactions in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. However, platinum is both expensive and rare. Therefore, it is advantageous to combine Pt with another metal to reduce cost while also enhancing stability. To that end, Pt is often combined with Co to form Co-Pt nanocrystals. However, dynamical restructuring effects that occur during reaction in Co-Pt ensembles can impact catalytic properties. In this study, model Co 2 Pt 3 nanoparticles supported on carbon were characterized during a redox cycle with two in situ approaches, namely X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using a multimodal microreactor. The sample was exposed to temperatures up to 500 °C under H 2 , and then to O 2 at 300 °C. Irreversible segregation of Co in the Co-Pt particles was seen during redox cycling and substantial changes of the oxidation state of Co were observed. After the H 2 treatment, a fraction of Co could not be fully reduced and incorporated into a mixed Co-Pt phase. Re-oxidation of the sample increased Co segregation, and the segregated material had a different valence state than in the fresh, oxidized sample. Furthermore, this in situ study describes dynamical restructuring effects in CoPt nano-catalysts at the atomic scale that are crucial to understand to improve the design of catalysts used in major chemical processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Real-Time Detection and Localization of Line Trip Event Via Relative Phase Angles

Line trip events widely exist in power systems. They can result in power outages and a huge economic loss if not promptly detected and localized. To provide a fast and precise solution, this paper presents a Complete Coverage of Voltage Measurement (CCVM)-based line trip event detection algorithm and a Relative Phase Angle (RPA)-based line trip event localization algorithm. First, frequency and relative phase angle features during a line trip event are calculated. Then, the CCVM-based algorithm is proposed from both frequency and rate of change of frequency estimation algorithm aspects. Additionally, the RPA-based algorithm is presented, and two cases are studied to demonstrate the uniqueness of the proposed algorithm. Various experiments are conducted, where the simulation results demonstrate that the proposed CCVM-based algorithm can detect a line trip event as short as 2.07 ms. In addition, the RPA-based algorithm has 1.26 times higher localization accuracy compared with the frequency magnitude-based and phase angle-based algorithms. In conclusion, the experiment results on the examples from two interconnected power systems in the U.S. verified the performance of the proposed algorithms in wide-area power systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Real-Time Lifetime Prediction of Semiconductor Devices Using Hardware-in-the-Loop

This paper presents a unique approach to enable real-time lifespan prediction of semiconductor power modules using a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) system. By integrating the module's overall loss characteristics-specifically switching and conduction losses-with a thermoelectric model of the thermal management system, this research demonstrates that the model can dynamically estimates the junction temperature profile of the semiconductor devices in response to a changing torque demand profile for the motor drive system. This capability enables continuous monitoring of the module's operational time and cumulative stress induced on the devices to compute accumulated remaining lifetime or time-to-failure (TTF). This study provides an architectural framework for the HIL system with high-fidelity component models of multiple physical domains, allowing simulation of dynamic behaviors of a closely-coupled motor drive system. The advanced real-time computation and measurement functionalities of the HIL system allow for both dynamic lifetime calculations based on simulated data and aggregate lifetime predictions utilizing historical data. Moreover, this paper details an algorithm that not only computes cumulative damage but also synthesizes these data into a comprehensive aggregated lifetime metric. This methodology can enhance the maintenance scheduling strategies and operational reliability of semiconductor devices in critical applications, ultimately extending their service life while optimizing performance.

hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)↗

Strength distributions of laminated FeNi-based metal amorphous nanocomposite ribbons

Metal Amorphous Nanocomposite (MANC) materials offer low losses at high magnetic switching frequency, enabling high power density motors with increased rotational speed. While MANCs have high strength, they are brittle. The use of motor components such as a rotor consisting of brittle material presents a reliability concern. Here, a promising MANC alloy is subjected to tensile tests and failure is observed with high-speed photography. A method is developed to prepare tensile specimens of laminated MANC and epoxy layers, simulating the stacking of an epoxy-impregnated tape-wound core. Tensile tests are conducted for single layer ribbon and for five- and ten-layer stacks of laminated material with thin layers of thermosetting epoxy. Failure distributions are shown to have increasing Weibull modulus with increasing layer count. The composite MANC material system is modeled using chain-of-bundles models. Using a k-failure model, we show that single ribbon strength distribution data can be used to predict well the failure distribution of laminated stacks. The agreement occurs when the assumed ineffective length, over which load is recovered in a failed layer, is comparable to the observed interlaminar separation length.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A Secondary Control Framework for Microgrid Interoperability With Vendor-Agnostic Grid-Forming Units: Design, Implementation, and Demonstration via Large-Scale Hardware Setup

The reliable operation of islanded microgrids increasingly depends on secondary controls that restore voltage and frequency to nominal values and ensure accurate active and reactive power sharing. Centralized secondary control architectures achieve high accuracy through global coordination at the cost of single-point failures and limited scalability compared with decentralized/distributed approaches. But a critical gap remains in addressing the interoperability and vendor-agnostic operation of secondary controls in real-world microgrids where heterogeneous diesel generator(s) and grid-forming (GFM) inverter(s) from multiple manufacturers always coexist. Practical and vendor-agnostic interoperability guidelines for the secondary control architecture of microgrids with multiple GFM units have not yet been developed; therefore, this paper proposes an interoperable and vendor-agnostic secondary control framework that operates seamlessly across GFM units from different vendors without relying on proprietary controls and protocols, hardware, or lock-ins. The framework leverages existing communication infrastructures (e.g., Modbus TCP/IP) to enable cost-effective deployment while addressing practical challenges, such as packet loss and quantization errors. Mitigation strategies-including data averaging, situational event-triggered control, and finite-iteration execution-are introduced to enhance reliability under real-world conditions. A generalized modeling and design framework is also presented, supported by robustness analysis to demonstrate independence from vendor-specific implementations. The proposed framework is validated through a large-scale hardware demonstration using a 3-$\phi$, 480-V, 60-Hz, 713-kVA laboratory hardware microgrid involving a heterogeneous diesel generator and multiple GFM inverters, showcasing its effectiveness in achieving stable voltage and frequency restoration and accurate power sharing under practical constraints. The results highlight the framework's potential as a scalable and practical solution for next-generation microgrids requiring openness, standard framework, and interoperability.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗