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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 793 records · Page 44

Resilient buildings for fire-adapted landscapes: EE and flexible loads integrated with solar and storage microgrids

Energy efficiency (EE) and flexible loads can be part of a resilient buildings packagewhen they are combined with solar and storage in a clean energy microgrid to reduce the carbonfootprint of buildings and enable resilience to extreme events. Recent large wildfires and an emerging understanding of the fire-adapted landscapes in the American West underscore the urgency of work towards scaling and commercializing these systems. For example, a recent power shutoff in Northern California (October 9-12, 2019) resulted in 738k customers disconnected at the peak of the outage and is emblematic of challenges to come. Our paper reports on insights from a clean energy microgrid deployment pilot that integrates a 50 kWAC PV array, a 109 kW / 174 kWh battery system, switchgear to safely isolate from the regional power system, and communicating controllers for HVAC and refrigeration. The project will be commissioned in May 2020 and is sited at a critical infrastructure site in rural Northern California – in this case a gasoline station with convenience store. Our experience and results shed light on capabilities of integrated microgrids to provide value to customers during blue sky conditions and resilience during black sky days with high fire risk, and what opportunities and barriers exist for scaling these integrated microgrid systems in the near term. We use a simulation model to estimate how EE and flexibility can extend the run time of solar and storage, improving the reliability of power at critical sites.

Alstone, Peter↗

FY 2021 Isolated Grids and Grid-Connected Turbine Reference Systems; Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL)

For individuals, businesses, and communities focused on building resilient electrical grid infrastructure, wind energy can provide an affordable, accessible, and compatible distributed energy resource option that also enhances the capabilities of local grid operations. The Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL) project is a multi-year distributed wind research effort, driven through a partnership between four Department of Energy National Laboratories and industry to develop and improve the planning, design, and operation of wind-centered microgrids to complement solar, energy storage, and other distributed energy resources for grid-tied and isolated operation (U.S. Department of Energy, 2021). This report documents the application of methods developed through the initial three years of the MIRACL project to two real-world distributed wind reference systems. Specifically, the methods demonstrated in this report include 1) a market valuation framework to comprehensively value the services distributed wind can provide and 2) a resilience framework that enables stakeholders to characterize distribution system resilience and compare grid investment decisions from a resilience perspective. Additional methods mentioned in this report include distributed hybrid system design methods for grid resilience, advanced control co-simulation platforms, and power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) models. Preliminary results from these additional methods are presented in this report and will be demonstrated and/or applied to the reference systems in the coming year. The purpose of applying these methods to reference systems is to drive technology transfer of the theories, methodologies, and technologies developed under the MIRACL project and increase the number of referenceable case studies available to stakeholders interested in additional value-added capabilities of wind systems beyond bulk energy supply (i.e. kilowatt-hours).

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Release a public version of HERON (HERON 2.0) with improved algorithms for the treatment of energy storage

Integrated energy systems (IESs) are essential for decarbonizing electricity and industrial sectors and fully exploiting these systems requires sophisticated planning, scheduling, and dispatching tools to maximize their socio-economic benefits. The Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON) is a generic software plugin for the Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) to perform stochastic technoeconomic analysis of IES with economic drivers. This report summarizes the updates made to HERON 2.0. Particularly, we demonstrate one of the added features, Function-based Control Mechanics, by comparing a price-based dispatch strategy with the original perfect foresight baselines. Our case studies successfully demonstrate that the model is capable to incorporate artificial control algorithm into the dispatch of IES components. In addition, our results from the price-based strategy indicate that the control strategies of IES components are key to the economic and temporal performance of our model; therefore, more sophisticated dispatch strategies are required to improve the model performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Electrical Systems of Pumped Storage Hydropower Plants: Electrical Generation, Machines, Power Electronics, and Power Systems

Adjustable-speed (AS) pumped storage hydropower (PSH) technology has the potential to become a large, consistent contributor to grid stability enabling higher penetrations of wind and solar energy on the future U.S. power system. AS-PSH has high-value characteristics, such as fast response to provide ancillary services to the grid, because it is a power converter interface with the grid (like battery storage), but at the same time it has the energy content large enough to supply both short-term (seconds-to-minutes) and long-term (minutes-to-hours) of energy needs, like more conventional power plants. However, designs must be optimized to lower the capital expenditure (CapEx) and to provide a high-quality grid interface capability (e.g. power quality, ancillary service provider, fault-tolerant or fault ride-through capability), which is a primary factor in the acceptance of AS-PSH into a utility’s generation mix. This CapEx will be greatly affected by the cost savings associated with the civil structure, turbine design, power electronics, control systems, or unique generator designs. A holistic design must be considered to get a full picture of the benefits of the technology proposed. The AS-PSH can be controlled to reduce the impact of transient disturbance on a power system and at the same time can be controlled to minimized subsequent component fatigue and potential oscillation modes within the plant, with the overall impact in reducing the operational expenditures (OpEx).Generating clean power to meet standards such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 519 and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 1000-3-2 will be a continuing challenge. For many technology developers, however, improved AS-PSH technologies will become a key component of generator-storage systems of the future given the prospects of increased performance and decreasing costs, and the ever-increasing penetration of renewables (e.g wind power and solar power).

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

In situ electrochemical scanning/transmission electron microscopy of electrode–electrolyte interfaces

Insights into the dynamics of electrochemical processes are critically needed to improve our fundamental understanding of electron, charge, and mass transfer mechanisms and reaction kinetics that influence a broad range of applications, from the functionality of electrical energy-storage and conversion devices (e.g., batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors), to materials degradation issues (e.g., corrosion and oxidation), and materials synthesis (e.g., electrodeposition). To unravel these processes, in situ electrochemical scanning/transmission electron microscopy (ec-S/TEM) was developed to permit detailed site-specific characterization of evolving electrochemical processes that occur at electrode–electrolyte interfaces in their native electrolyte environment, in real time and at high-spatial resolution. This approach utilizes “closed-form” microfabricated electrochemical cells that couple the capability for quantitative electrochemical measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and diffraction. Here, we review the state-of-the-art instrumentation for in situ ec-S/TEM and how this approach has resulted in new observations of electrochemical processes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

NASICON Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 Enables Quasi-Two-Stage Na + and Zn 2+ Intercalation for Multivalent Zinc Batteries

Identifying positive electrode materials capable of reversible multivalent electrochemistry in electrolytes containing divalent ions such as Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , and Zn 2+ at high operating potentials remains an ongoing challenge in “beyond lithium-ion” research. In this paper, we explore the Zn 2+ charge-storage mechanism of a vanadium-based Na + superionic conductor (NASICON), Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 . By using X-ray synchrotron techniques to unravel potential-dependent structure–property relationships, we ascribe the reversible electrochemical behavior of Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 to a quasi-two-stage intercalation process that involves both Na+ and Zn 2+ . Initial charging of Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 leads to a Na + -extracted phase corresponding to Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , whereas subsequent discharge results predominantly in Na + intercalation followed by Zn 2+ intercalation. Operando X-ray diffraction of Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 was used to study the phase changes associated with the first charge/discharge process, and ex situ measurements were used to precisely link the changes in the crystal structure to a quasi-two-stage intercalation of Na + and Zn 2+ . The corresponding changes in the V-oxidation state, V-O coordination, and the presence of Zn 2+ were confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results of this work present a comprehensive understanding of the charge-storage properties for a well-established NASICON structure that confers both the high capacity (~100 mA h g -1 ) and high potential (1.35 and 1.1 V vs Zn/Zn 2+ ).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Salts as Additives: A Route to Improve Performance and Stability of n-Type Organic Electrochemical Transistors

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in various applications at the interface with biological systems. However, their widespread use is hampered by the scarcity of electron-conducting (n-type) backbones and the poor performance and stability of the existing n-OECTs. Here, we introduce organic salts as a solution additive to improve the transduction capability, shelf life, and operational stability of n-OECTs. We demonstrate that the salt-cast devices present a 10-fold increase in transconductance and achieve at least one year-long stability, while the pristine devices degrade within four months of storage. The salt-added films show improved backbone planarity and greater charge delocalization, leading to higher electronic charge carrier mobility. These films show a distinctly porous morphology where the interconnectivity is affected by the salt type, responsible for OECT speed. The salt-based films display limited changes in morphology and show lower water uptake upon electrochemical doping, a possible reason for the improved device cycling stability. Our work provides a new and easy route to improve n-type OECT performance and stability, which can be adapted for other electrochemical devices with n-type films operating at the aqueous electrolyte interface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Defect-free-induced Na + disordering in electrode materials

For reaching high-performance of electrode materials, it is generally believed that understanding the structure evolution and heterogeneous alignment effect is the key. Presently, a very simple and universally applicable self-healing method is investigated to prepare defect-free Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) that reach their theoretical capacity as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). For direct imaging of the local structure and the dynamic process at the atomic scale, we deliver a fast ion-conductive nickel-based PBA that enables rapid Na + extraction/insertion within 3 minutes and a capacity retention of nearly 100% over 4000 cycles. This guest-ion disordered and quasi-zero-strain nonequilibrium solid–solution reaction mechanism provides an effective guarantee for realizing long-cycle life and high-rate capability electrode materials that operate via reversible two-phase transition reaction. Unconventional materials and mechanisms that enable reversible insertion/extraction of ions in low-cost metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) within minutes have implications for fast-charging devices, grid-scale energy storage applications, material discovery, and tailored modification.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Resilient Operation of Power Distribution Systems Using MPC-Based Critical Service Restoration

Power distribution systems are more prone to disruptions and cause most power system outages. We propose a service restoration technique to recover the system service (electricity delivery) following an extreme event-triggered substation outage. The proposed technique considers the problem of controlling distributed energy resources (DERs) of a distribution system with the objective of achieving maximum load pick up while satisfying network flow and voltage constraints. The problem is formulated as a model predictive control (MPC), where a linearized optimal power flow (OPF) model is employed to describe the network. The formulation is augmented with a ramping (up) reserve product for the DERs to ensure an upward monotonic load restoration as time evolves. We perform simulations considering the IEEE 13-bus test feeder integrated with wind, solar, microturbine, and energy storage devices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the devised technique in restoring the system loads monotonically, without shedding previously restored loads. We also show the benefit of co-optimization of power and reserve products for DERs on service restoration. In addition, the capability of the technique in regulating nodal voltages and reducing renewable power curtailment is demonstrated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Active sampling of volatile chemicals for non-invasive classification of chicken eggs by sex early in incubation

According to industry estimates, approximately 7 billion day-old male chicks are disposed of annually worldwide because they are not of use to the layer industry. A practical process to identify the sex of the egg early in incubation without penetrating the egg would improve animal welfare, reduce food waste and mitigate environmental impact. We implemented a moderate vacuum pressure system through commercial egg-handling suction cups to collect volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Three separate experiments were set up to determine optimal conditions to collect eggs VOCs to discriminate male from female embryos. Optimal extraction time (2 min), storage conditions (short period of incubation during egg storage (SPIDES) at days 8–10 of incubation), and sampling temperature (37.5°C) were determined. Our VOC-based method could correctly differentiate male from female embryos with more than 80% accuracy. These specifications are compatible with the design of specialized automation equipment capable of high-throughput, in-ovo sexing based on chemical sensor microchips.

Borras, Eva↗

Hosting Capacity Improvement Method Using MV–MV Solid-State-Transformer

As a large number of distributed generations are connected to the distribution system, research on the hosting capacity is actively being conducted. In particular, various methods, such as smart inverter functionality, co-located energy storage systems (ESS), and the use of on-load tap changers (OLTC), have been proposed to improve the hosting capacity. In this paper, a method to improve the hosting capacity by utilizing a solid-state transformer (SST) and its unique control capability is proposed. Lastly, the proposed method is verified in the distribution system of the Republic of Korea using the OpenDSS program.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Resilient Operation of Power Distribution Systems Using MPC-Based Critical Service Restoration: Preprint

Power distribution systems are more prone to disruptions and cause most power system outages. We propose a service restoration technique to recover the system service (electricity delivery) following an extreme event-triggered substation outage. The proposed technique considers the problem of controlling distributed energy resources (DERs) of a distribution system with the objective of achieving maximum load pick up while satisfying network flow and voltage constraints. The problem is formulated as a model predictive control (MPC), where a linearized optimal power flow (OPF) model is employed to describe the network. The formulation is augmented with a ramping (up) reserve product for the DERs to ensure an upward monotonic load restoration as time evolves. We perform simulations considering the IEEE 13-bus test feeder integrated with wind, solar, microturbine, and energy storage devices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the devised technique in restoring the system loads monotonically, without shedding previously restored loads. We also show the benefit of co-optimization of power and reserve products for DERs on service restoration. In addition, the capability of the technique in regulating nodal voltages and reducing renewable power curtailment is demonstrated.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Resilient Operation of Power Distribution Systems Using MPC-Based Critical Service Restoration

Power distribution systems are more prone to disruptions and cause most power system outages. We propose a service restoration technique to recover the system service (electricity delivery) following an extreme event-triggered substation outage. The proposed technique considers the problem of controlling distributed energy resources (DERs) of a distribution system with the objective of achieving maximum load pick up while satisfying network flow and voltage constraints. The problem is formulated as a model predictive control (MPC), where a linearized optimal power flow (OPF) model is employed to describe the network. The formulation is augmented with a ramping (up) reserve product for the DERs to ensure an upward monotonic load restoration as time evolves. We perform simulations considering the IEEE 13-bus test feeder integrated with wind, solar, microturbine, and energy storage devices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the devised technique in restoring the system loads monotonically, without shedding previously restored loads. We also show the benefit of co-optimization of power and reserve products for DERs on service restoration. In addition, the capability of the technique in regulating nodal voltages and reducing renewable power curtailment is demonstrated.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Performance analysis of hybrid power configurations: Impact on primary energy intensity, carbon dioxide emissions, and life cycle costs

In this work, utilization of Natural gas and Hydrogen to support current and future building energy needs to offset the total electric demand while improving the grid resiliency and energy efficiency was investigated. Demand side energy management will play an important role in efficiently managing the available energy resources. Performance assessment of different power generation and energy management configurations is presented in this paper. Development of solutions in addressing grid resiliency by providing the ability to design suitable configurations for meeting individual building energy needs is discussed. Primary movers (PM) such as internal combustion engines (ICE) and fuel cells (FC) along with small scale auxiliary renewable energy source such as photovoltaics (PV) were considered. Key attributes of total carbon foot-print, life cycle costs including capital and operational expenditure, electric grid offset or peak shaving capability, thermal energy availability and its further potential to offset total electric demand, and primary energy intensity are analyzed and discussed in detail.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Understanding effects of conductive additives in lithium-sulfur batteries

Since 2009, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been attracting much research interest, ascribed to their high energy density and cost-effectiveness. However, their S cathodes are harassed by the poor conductivity, shuttling of lithium polysulfides (LPSs), and large volume change. In improving conductivity of S cathodes, carbon materials are widely used as conductive additives. However, there still lacks a comparative study on their geometric and structural effects in Li-S batteries. To this end, a systematic investigation is conducted on two different typical conductive additives, carbon black (CB) 1 and nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (N-GNS) 2 . This work reveals that, compared to the zero-dimensional (0D) CB nanoparticles, the two-dimensional (2D) N-GNS is structurally less defective and has a larger surface area. Furthermore, as a result, the 2D structure of the N-GNS helps achieve higher capacity retention but inhibits Li-ion transportation. In comparison, the 0D structure of the CB facilitates the transportation of Li-ions with a higher initial capacity but exposed to a severer shuttling behavior of LPSs. It is also found that a combination of the CB and N-GNS enables better performance of Li-S batteries, in terms of sustainable capacity, Coulombic efficiency, and rate capability. This study is inspiring for designing better S cathodes for Li-S batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Spatial Progression of Polysulfide Reactivity with Lithium Nitrate in Li–Sulfur Batteries

LiNO 3 is a commonly used electrolyte additive in Li-S batteries, but the intricacies of its stabilizing effect on these batteries are not well-understood due to the complex chemical nature of Li-S electrolytes. This complexity often hampers clear characterization and interpretation of data. In this study, we explore the reactivity of LiNO 3 in Li-S batteries through in operando sulfur K-edge spectroscopy. To remove ambiguities, a sulfur-free electrolyte with LiNO 3 as the sole salt is used. This allows a precise elucidation of the reaction mechanism between LiNO 3 and polysulfides. Here, we observe that the reaction is chemical in nature and progresses spatially, influenced by the polysulfide concentration gradient across the electrolyte. Polysulfides are electrochemically generated in situ on the cathode side, leading to high local concentration. As a result, they cannot be fully oxidized by LiNO 3 and forms sulfites initially which are gradually further oxidized into sulfonates and sulfates. Conversely, polysulfides on the anode side have lower local concentration as they are not generated in situ but diffused from the cathode side. Their reaction with LiNO 3 leads to highly oxidized species like sulfonates and sulfates. These reaction products are not reduced during electrochemically cycling, suggesting their capabilities of passivating the electrodes and contributing to the cycle stabilities of Li-S batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

An in situ formed inorganic conductive network enables high stability and rate capability of single-crystalline nickel-rich cathodes

Single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes are promising for the next generation of high-energy-density Li-ion batteries due to their better capacity retention than their polycrystalline counterparts. However, there is still much room for improving the electrochemical performances when considering their surface degradation and severe kinetic hindrance during cycling. Herein, we report a strategy to construct an in situ formed robust Li-conductive Li 3 PO 4 layer on the surface of cathode particles. This Li-conductive layer significantly increases the Li-ion diffusion coefficients and suppresses detrimental surface phase transformation. In situ XRD reveals that the improved kinetics alleviate the local stress at high voltage. The as-prepared single-crystalline LiNi 0.83 Co 0.12 Mn 0.05 O 2 delivers good durability (96.8% after 100 cycles at 1C) and excellent rate capability (177.08 mA h g -1 at 5C). Here, this work provides a facile and efficient strategy to improve the cycling performance and boost the rate capability of single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Dynamic Modeling of Full Converter Adjustable-speed Pumped Storage Hydropower (FC AS-PSH)

Full converter adjustable-speed pumped storage hydropower (FC AS-PSH) technology, as one of advanced-PSH technology, is developed from wind turbine technology. By making the synchronous machine connect to the grid through a full-size converter, FC AS-PSH has a wider adjustment range of speed and a better reactive power control capability compared with a doubly-fed asynchronous generator AS-PSH technology. When it plays as an energy backup in the power system, FC AS-PSH can provide a much faster response than conventional-PSH (C-PSH) which makes this technology provide better ancillary service for a high renewable penetrated system. In this paper, the dynamic modeling of FC AS-PSH is fully studied. We develop a detailed model of this technology in the IEEE 14-bus system based on GE Positive Sequence Load Flow (PSLF) platform. Especially, the first governor model is developed based on the Engineer’s Program Control Language (EPCL) user-defined model in this platform. All operation modes are validated and studied under a system contingency. Besides, comparison cases between FC AS-PSH and C-PSH are studied to show advantages providing from FC AS-PSH when it works with renewable energy.

50 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Water (EE-4↗