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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 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Survivability of Autonomous Microgrid during Overload Events

Grid-forming sources are voltage sources that draw necessary currents to meet any load changes. A load step can cause part or all of these sources to become overloaded in a microgrid. This paper presents an overload mitigation controller that addresses the two overload issues in a microgrid by actively controlling the sources’ frequency. When part of the sources in a microgrid is overloaded, the controller autonomously transfers the extra load to other sources by rapidly reducing its frequency. The frequency difference between sources during transient results in a change of phase angle, which redistributes the power flow. When all sources in a microgrid are overloaded, each source keeps dropping the frequency. Therefore, under frequency load shedding can be used to trip the non-critical loads resulting in the survival of microgrid. The advantages of these concepts are that communications between sources are not needed during transient, and the robust voltage control is maintained. Lastly, simulation and field tests from CERTS/AEP microgrid test site verify that the control strategy is effective in both purely inverter-based microgrids and inverter & generator mixed microgrids.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Developing a PSCAD Model of the Reduced 240-Bus WECC Test System: Preprint

Fast-acting controls of inverter-based resources (IBR) introduce unprecedented dynamics to bulk power systems and island power grids, especially the high-frequency dynamics ranging from $>5$ Hz to hundreds of Hz. These oscillatory stability problems cannot be captured by the phasor domain simulations, e.g., in PSS/E, Powerworld and TSAT, due to insufficient modeling. Instead, they should be studied by electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations by using proper EMT dynamic models. This paper develops and validates the PSCAD model of the reduced 240-bus Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) test system. The PSCAD model will be released to the public, which can be used by both academia and power industry practitioners for studying the fast dynamic problems without any Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII).

240-bus WECC test system↗
DOE OSTI2015

Improvement of Algorithms for Pressure Maintenance Systems in Drum-Separators of RBMK-1000 Reactors

The main tasks and challenges for pressure regulation in the drum-separators of RBMK-1000 reactors are described. New approaches to constructing algorithms for pressure control in drum-separators by electro-hydraulic turbine control systems are discussed. Results are provided from tests of the operation of modernized pressure regulators during fast transients with reductions in reactor power.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Direct measurement of building transient and residual drift using an optical sensor system

Interstory drift (ID) is a key response parameter for buildings subjected to lateral loads and is used to define performance-based limit states, allowable deformations and damage states in a number of seismic design codes and standards. Here, an ability to rapidly and accurately measure both transient and residual ID during an earthquake would provide important observables for understanding the seismic demands and post-earthquake condition of a building. Accurate retrieval of ID from accelerometer-based instrumentation systems can be very challenging, if not impossible, as a result of instrumentation limitations and the post-processing associated with strong motion accelerometer data. This is particularly true for the case in which residual drifts occur during inelastic building response. In the study presented herein, a newly developed optical sensor system, designed specifically for directly measuring both transient and residual ID, was experimentally evaluated through shake table testing and computational simulations. The ability of the sensor to accurately measure ID is demonstrated and key operational considerations for sensor system deployment are examined through a model-based investigation.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

BISON analysis of FeCrAl and Zircaloy cladding deformation during simulated BWR cyclic dryout conditions

The BISON fuel performance analysis code has been used to study FeCrAl and Zircaloy cladding performance to better understand cladding deformation behavior in boiling water reactors during conditions caused by anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs) or by anticipated transients without scram (ATWS). BISON models of novel separate effects tests simulating ATWS events predicted mechanical responses to thermal cycling boundary conditions. Here, we assessed FeCrAl and Zircaloy deformation and burst models to determine those best suited for cyclic dryout event analysis. In addition, we compared diametral strain profiles of the post-experiment claddings to simulation results. The capability of the BISON code for modeling BWR AOO or ATWS events is promising.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mass of a weakly measured photon

Bohmian mechanics has garnered significant attention as an interpretation of quantum theory since the paradigmatic experiments which inferred the average trajectories of photons in the nonrelativistic regime. These experiments were largely motivated by Wiseman's formulation of Bohmian mechanics, which grounded these trajectories in weak measurements. Recently, Wiseman's framework was extended to the relativistic regime by expressing the velocity field of single photons in terms of weak values of the photon energy and momentum. Here, we propose an operational, weak value-based definition for the Bohmian “local mass” of relativistic single particles. For relativistic wave functions satisfying the scalar Klein-Gordon equation, this mass coincides with the effective mass defined by de Broglie in his relativistic pilot-wave theory, a quantity closely connected with the quantum potential that is responsible for Bohmian trajectory self-bending and the anomalous photoelectric effect. Here, we demonstrate the relationship between the photon trajectories and the mass in an interferometric setup.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Setup and Learning-Based AI Model for Developing Accurate PV Inverter Models

The integration of power electronics-based interfaces presents challenges due to the absence of detailed models and the high computational complexity. Generic models used in system studies lack accuracy in capturing converter dynamics. This paper proposes a data-driven approach developed from experimental setup data. This approach enhances accuracy in photovoltaic inverter modeling. We used two types of PV inverters in the experiment. The recorded experimental data undergo processing through a machine learning model. Results from the model trained through machine learning is also presented.

artificial intelligence↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evaluation of Multiple Inverter Volt-VAR Control Interactions with Realistic Grid Impedances

Integration of large numbers of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems in electric distribution circuits often requires advanced functions (e.g. volt-VAR, frequency-Watt etc.). However, significant concerns have been raised about potential for PV inverters with such controls to interact with one another in a way that could cause grid instability. The lack of standardized inverter models makes it hard to simulate such transient interactions in software. Similarly it is very hard to test these dynamic inverter interactions in the laboratory. In this paper, unique Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) techniques are presented to experimentally test for interactions of multiple PV inverters connected to multiple points-of-common-coupling (PCCs) with grid impedances between them. Sample test results are provided from simulation-only scenarios and PHIL testing. Though simulation results indicated possible harmful interactions between inverters' volt-VAR controllers; no such interactions were found in the limited hardware testing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Voltage Service Limits Smart Contract Using Distributed Ledger Technology for Electrical Utility Grid with Customer-Owned Generator

Modern electrical grids face growing stability risks from customer-owned generators, especially at points of common couplings (PCCs). Disruptive behavior from power-electronic sources can cause protective relays to isolate problematic generators, making measurement integrity critical. This article presents a distributed ledger technology (DLT) approach that uses smart contracts to evaluate PCC voltage measurements and trigger backup breaker operations. The approach is framed as a verifiable, multi-organization attestation and audit layer, not as a real-time control security mechanism. In the proposed architecture, voltage measurements from a hardware protective relay are anchored on a DLT through the Cyber Grid Guard (CGG) system for attestation by both the grid utility and customer-owned generator. A Voltage Service Limits (VSLs) smart contract evaluates the on-chain measurements against allowable phase-voltage limits derived from the ANSI C84.1 standard. The framework is validated in a hardware-relay-in-the-loop test bed under sustained-undervoltage, sustained-overvoltage, and transient line-to-line fault scenarios. The results show that the VSL smart contract can process these measurements and issue backup breaker actions consistent with the defined service-limit criteria, demonstrating the DLT potential as a verifiable audit layer at the PCC that complements primary protection.

cyber security↗
DOE OSTI2022

Considerations for Optimizing the Photometric Classification of Supernovae from the Rubin Observatory

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will increase the number of observed supernovae (SNe) by an order of magnitude; however, it is impossible to spectroscopically confirm the class for all SNe discovered. Thus, photometric classification is crucial, but its accuracy depends on the not-yet-finalized observing strategy of Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). We quantitatively analyze the impact of the LSST observing strategy on SNe classification using simulated multiband light curves from the Photometric LSST Astronomical Time-Series Classification Challenge (PLAsTiCC). First, we augment the simulated training set to be representative of the photometric redshift distribution per SNe class, the cadence of observations, and the flux uncertainty distribution of the test set. Then we build a classifier using the photometric transient classification library snmachine, based on wavelet features obtained from Gaussian process fits, yielding a similar performance to the winning PLAsTiCC entry. We study the classification performance for SNe with different properties within a single simulated observing strategy. We find that season length is important, with light curves of 150 days yielding the highest performance. Cadence also has an important impact on SNe classification; events with median inter-night gap <3.5 days yield higher classification performance. Interestingly, we find that large gaps (>10 days) in light-curve observations do not impact performance if sufficient observations are available on either side, due to the effectiveness of the Gaussian process interpolation. This analysis is the first exploration of the impact of observing strategy on photometric SN classification with LSST.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Method to determine the position-dependant metal correction factor for dose-rate equivalent laser testing of semiconductor devices

A method reconstructs the charge collection from regions beneath opaque metallization of a semiconductor device, as determined from focused laser charge collection response images, and thereby derives a dose-rate dependent correction factor for subsequent broad-area, dose-rate equivalent, laser measurements. The position- and dose-rate dependencies of the charge-collection magnitude of the device are determined empirically and can be combined with a digital reconstruction methodology to derive an accurate metal-correction factor that permits subsequent absolute dose-rate response measurements to be derived from laser measurements alone. Broad-area laser dose-rate testing can thereby be used to accurately determine the peak transient current, dose-rate response of semiconductor devices to penetrating electron, gamma- and x-ray irradiation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors

The objective of the 3-year project was to collect integral effects test (IET) data to validate the RELAP5-3D code and other thermal hydraulics codes for use in predicting the transient thermal hydraulics response of liquid salt cooled reactor systems, including integral transient response for forced and natural circulation operation. The reference system for the project is a modular, 900-MWth Pebble Bed Advanced High Temperature Reactor (PB-AHTR), a specific type of Fluoride salt-cooled High temperature Reactor (FHR). Two experimental facilities were developed for thermal-hydraulic integral effects tests (IETs) and separate effects tests (SETs). The facilities use simulant fluids for the liquid fluoride salts, with very little distortion to the heat transfer and fluid dynamics behavior. The CIET Test Bay facility was designed, built, and operated. IET data for steady state and transient natural circulation was collected. SET data for convective heat transfer in pebble beds and straight channel geometries was collected. The facility continues to be operational and will be used for future experiments, and for component development. The CIET 2 facility is larger in scope, and its construction and operation has a longer timeline than the duration of this grant. The design for the CIET 2 facility has drawn heavily on the experience and data collected on the CIET Test Bay, and it was completed in parallel with operation of the CIET Test Bay. CIET 2 will demonstrate start-up and shut-down transients and control logic, in addition to LOFC and LOHS transients, and buoyant shut down rod operation during transients. Design of the CIET 2 Facility is complete, and engineering drawings have been submitted to an external vendor for outsourced quality controlled construction. CIET 2 construction and operation continue under another NEUP grant. IET data from both CIET facilities is to be used for validation of system codes used for FHR modeling, such as RELAP5-3D. A set of numerical models were developed in parallel to the experimental work. RELAP5-3D models were developed for the salt-cooled PB-AHTR, and for the simulat fluid CIET natural circulation experimental loop. These models are to be validated by the data collected from CIET. COMSOL finite element models were used to predict the temperature and fluid flow distribution in the annular pebble bed core; they were instrumental for design of SETs, and they can be used for code-to-code comparisons with RELAP5-3D. A number of other small SETs, and numerical models were constructed, as needed, in support of this work. The experiments were designed, constructed and performed to meet CAES quality assurance requirements for test planning, implementation, and documentation; equipment calibration and documentation, procurement document control; training and personnel qualification; analysis/modeling software verification and validation; data acquisition/collection and analysis; and peer review.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Report on Design and Failure Limits of SiC/SiC and FeCrAl ATF Cladding Concepts under RIA

Pellet-cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) is a possible failure scenario during a postulated reactivity-initiated accident (RIA). This report summarizes fiscal year 2018 research activities that were undertaken to evaluate the PCMI-like hoop strain–driven mechanical response of accident tolerant fuel cladding candidates of silicon carbide fiber/silicon carbide matrix composite (SiC/SiC) and iron–chromium–aluminum (FeCrAl) tube specimens. To achieve various RIA-like conditions, the modified-burst test device developed during fiscal years 2016 and 2017 was used. A heating capability was also added to the system for high-temperature testing of FeCrAl samples.The first section of this report assesses the accuracy of the two-dimensional digital image correlation calculated strain values for tube samples. The speckle patterns are computer generated in a two-dimensional plane, and the generated images were wrapped into a cylindrical surface for the validation using digital image correlation technique on curved geometries. Subsequent sections address the failure behavior of SiC/SiC composites and long-term heat treated and as-drawn FeCrAl alloy tubes at various strain rates relevant to the postulated RIA events. In the last part, the effect of possible design parameters of failure strain and the strain rate are discussed for SiC/SiC composites and FeCrAl alloys during the PCMI phase of RIA.Future work is planned to develop and design safety tests for accident tolerant fuel cladding candidates and the advanced fuel forms with respect to their transient responses. A broader perspective on the mechanical behavior of the unirradiated and irradiated accident tolerant fuel cladding candidates will be developed using the modified-burst test and other mechanical tests.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

High-Frequency Signature-Based Fault Detection for Future MV Distribution Grids: Preprint

Increased deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and microgrids are significantly changing the operation of distribution grid. Increasing penetration of power electronics based DERs also raise several operational problems such as protection coordination issues, voltage raise, recloser synchronization, stability, and frequency control. Legacy systems are designed for unidirectional power flow. Bidirectional power flows, and varying short circuit levels are some of the major challenges in implementing these legacy protection schemes for future power grid with high penetration of power electronics based DERs. Inverter based DER’s can contribute to a maximum of 2 p.u. fault current. Interconnection standards might require even lower fault current contribution. If these protection related challenges are not addressed, it will result in limiting the penetration of DERs in distribution feeders. In this paper, the feasibility of high frequency signature generated by transients is evaluated to identify and locate faults in a distribution system. The paper will discuss the need for an accurate line modeling approach to accurately capture the high frequency signatures. These high frequency signatures are naturally occurring electromagnetic transients for events such as switching events in the network, faults events, etc. This is different than that implemented in transmission systems as the proposed approach utilizes advanced signal processing techniques to retrieve valuable information from the high frequency signatures generated during faults and does not just rely on time delay measurements between reflections of the high frequency signals. In the full paper, information of a modified IEEE distribution feeder test system to accurately model the high frequency signatures will be provided. The distribution lines will be modeled using universal line modeling (ULM) technique in an electromagnetic transients program (EMTP) modeling platform. Different test cases will be simulated and these test cases will include different fault types, multiple fault locations, capacitor bank switching, etc. The feeder system modeled for these simulations will also include power electronics based DERs. Additionally, experimental results demonstrating the high frequency signatures generated due to a transient event in a medium voltage (13.8 kV) distribution line will also be presented in the full paper. Furthermore, the analysis combined with simulation and experimental results in the full paper will help demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed protection scheme. The developed protection scheme will not just help solve problems generated by bidirectional current flow, varying short-circuit current capacity, but also help in proliferation of DERs in distribution systems.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2016

Using Falcon to develop an RIA PCMI failure criteria

This paper documents the development of failure criteria for both pressurized water reactor (PWR) and boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel rod failure due to pellet cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) during a reactivity insertion accident (RIA). This study was initiated to use cladding mechanical properties using data from separate effects tests to provide a basis to translate nuclear safety research reactor (NSRR) test data to commercial light water reactor conditions. The approach employed for the revised licensing criteria combined elements of experimental results and analytical evaluations to develop a fundamental understanding of fuel behavior during RIA events. The transient behavior of intermediate and high burnup fuel rods using well characterized RIA simulation tests was established. Cladding mechanical properties using data from separate effects tests was also developed. The Zircaloy cladding mechanical properties database of separate effects tests was used to develop the cladding integrity models. The cladding integrity models were then used in combination with the application of the Falcon fuel behavior code to translate NSRR test data to commercial light water reactor conditions. Because of the complex manner in which burnup influences fuel rod failure, it was not possible to develop a fuel rod failure threshold directly from the experimental data. An alternative approach was required that combined analytical modeling and experimental data to develop the PCMI-related contribution to the failure threshold. The analytical approach computed the radial average peak fuel enthalpy required to cause cladding failure by PCMI as a function of hydrogen content. This was accomplished by applying a critical strain energy density (CSED)-based cladding integrity model using data from total and uniform elongation tests of irradiated low-tin Zircaloy-4, ZIRLO, and Zircaloy-2 cladding materials. The CSED was developed as a function of cladding hydrogen content because hydrogen induced embrittlement is a primary effect of burnup. It was found that the failure threshold decreased with hydrogen content due to the increase in PCMI loading as a result of gap closure effects and by the decrease in cladding ductility with hydrogen accumulation. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Monolithic U-10Mo Fuel Development for U.S. High Performance Research Reactors

To support the U.S Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) mission to reduce the threat posed by the civilian use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) worldwide, the US High Performance Research Reactor (US HPRR) fuel development program is pursuing development and qualification of a new high-density monolithic U-Mo fuel to facilitate conversion of five higher power research reactors located in the U.S. (ATR, HFIR, NBSR, MIT and MURR) and one critical facility (ATR-C) from HEU to low enriched uranium (LEU). These reactors require higher uranium fuel density than is achievable with dispersion fuel systems used to convert lower power research reactors. The down selected fuel system consists of U-10Mo alloy fuel foils having a thin Zr diffusion barrier interlayer, clad in 6061 Al alloy by hot isostatic pressing. In order to support fabrication development, fuel performance evaluations, generic fuel qualification through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and eventual reactor licensing, a series of irradiation experiments and testing campaigns are being planned. The tests are designed to provide data needed for fabrication process down selection, to establish acceptable fuel performance under normal operating conditions and anticipated transients, and to demonstrate successful scale-up to prototypic reactor-specific fuel element designs. A comprehensive testing program is being executed as part of the US HPRR fuel development program to develop and qualify a new monolithic UMo fuel system to allow conversion of five high power research reactors and one critical facility within the US in support of the NNSA mission to convert research reactors worldwide from HEU to LEU fuels. A significant outcome of this program will be the qualification and eventual licensing of a new plate-type fuel system for use in research reactors through the NRC for the first time in nearly 3 decades. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development and Evaluation of Distributed Energy Resource Device Models: Electric Vehicles, Electric Water Heaters, and Commercial Refrigeration Systems

In order to validate distributed energy resource (DER) models operated with grid services in the GMLC 1.4.2 team’s February (GMLC 2019a) and July (GMLC 2019b) reports, a test and measurement program using actual DER devices was conducted by national laboratories for three devices: (1) electric vehicles (EVs), (2) water heaters, and (3) commercial refrigeration. Test procedures were developed and carried out to identify the mathematical models and their parameters that describe the operational function, characterize the physics, and obey transient response of the devices. This report focuses on the experimental results obtained to develop and verify simulations of three specific EV models. This section summarizes elements of the mathematical model and shows the necessity data collected from the EVs while charging and discharging (driving). In the course of the study, we found it necessary to make some modifications to the model to deal with observed transient behavior. Section 1.2 details the model assumptions and equations, Section 1.3 provides details of the EVs tested, Section 1.4 outlines the test procedures developed for the projects, and Section 1.5 presents the experimental results obtained for the three different EVs tested and how these results compare to the models running the same test profiles.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Status of Multiple Channel Fuel Performance Capabilities Within the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 Safety Analysis Software

SAS4A/SASSYS-1 (SAS) is a fast-running simulation tool used to perform deterministic analysis of anticipated events as well as design basis and beyond design basis accidents for advanced liquid-metal-cooled nuclear reactors. It is a critical element of safety analysis capabilities for the U.S. Department of Energy and is utilized within industry to perform the transient safety analyses required to support the licensing of Liquid Metal-cooled Fast Reactors (LMFRs). Although SAS is exceptionally fast for most transient scenarios, fuel performance calculations, along with the associated pre-transient characterization of the fuel pin, may be required for transient scenarios where fuel pin failure is hypothesized. Both the pre-transient characterization and the transient fuel performance calculation are necessary to properly quantify margins to potential fuel failure and assess the time spent potentially exceeding such margins during events. While safety analysis calculations with fuel performance models provide a more detailed characterization of the reactor during a transient, the pre-transient characterization can be time-consuming and computationally expensive. Often, large numbers of fuel pins have been exposed to similar pre-transient irradiation conditions. Similarly, the same pre-transient fuel characterization may be applicable to numerous transient conditions. This provides an opportunity to optimize the SAS computational framework such that pre-transient fuel characterization can be shared across multiple channels (fuel pins) and across multiple simulations, thus dramatically reducing overall computational costs. This report summarizes progress toward enhancing the SAS computational framework to support shared, multiple channel fuel performance characterizations intended to significantly reduce computational costs. Preliminary testing has shown that the computational time saved by using the pre-transient sharing capability is approximately equal to the time it takes to perform the pre-transient characterization.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗