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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 883 records · Page 49
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Grid Erosion Modeling of the NEXT Ion Thruster Optics

Results from several different computational studies of the NEXT ion thruster optics are presented. A study of the effect of beam voltage on accelerator grid aperture wall erosion shows a non-monotonic, complex behavior. Comparison to experimental performance data indicates improvements in simulation of the accelerator grid current, as well as very good agreement with other quantities. Also examined is the effect of ion optics choice on the thruster life, showing that TAG optics provide better margin against electron backstreaming than NSTAR optics. The model is used to predict the change in performance with increasing accelerator grid voltage, showing that although the current collected on the accel grid downstream face increases, the erosion rate decreases. A study is presented for varying doubly-ionized Xenon current fraction. The results show that performance data is not extremely sensitive to the current fraction.

Ernhoff, Jerold W.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Simulation of an Isolated Tiltrotor in Hover with an Unstructured Overset-Grid RANS Solver

An unstructured overset-grid Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver, FUN3D, is used to simulate an isolated tiltrotor in hover. An overview of the computational method is presented as well as the details of the overset-grid systems. Steady-state computations within a noninertial reference frame define the performance trends of the rotor across a range of the experimental collective settings. Results are presented to show the effects of off-body grid refinement and blade grid refinement. The computed performance and blade loading trends show good agreement with experimental results and previously published structured overset-grid computations. Off-body flow features indicate a significant improvement in the resolution of the first perpendicular blade vortex interaction with background grid refinement across the collective range. Considering experimental data uncertainty and effects of transition, the prediction of figure of merit on the baseline and refined grid is reasonable at the higher collective range- within 3 percent of the measured values. At the lower collective settings, the computed figure of merit is approximately 6 percent lower than the experimental data. A comparison of steady and unsteady results show that with temporal refinement, the dynamic results closely match the steady-state noninertial results which gives confidence in the accuracy of the dynamic overset-grid approach.

Lee-Rausch, Elizabeth M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Navier-Stokes Simulation Of Turbine Rotor/Stator Interaction

Patched-grid method used to effect three-dimensional Navier-Stokes numerical simulation of flow interacting with both rotor and stator in turbine. Involves use of two or more grids or sets of grids to solve finite-difference versions of Navier-Stokes or other equations of fluid flow. Ability to perform such calculations contributes to understanding of complicated turbomachinery flows and to consequent improvements in designs of turbomachinery.

Rai, Man Mohan↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Simulation Algorithm for Evaluation of Photovoltaic (PV) Generation Systems

Use of inverter-based resources facilitating renewable energy resources such as photovoltaic (PV) generation is increasing rapidly with decreasing costs and reduced emissions associated. To accommodate such rapid growth of inverter-based resources like PV systems, electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation models of both PV systems and grids are required to analyze the interaction of PVs in the grid (like the post-event analysis). In addition, the EMT simulation would help with the planning of future power grid with a large number of PVs as well as other inverter-based distributed generation systems. In this paper, the EMT simulation models of PV systems and grids are developed based on the differential algebraic equations (DAEs) representing their EMT dynamics. Furthermore, advanced simulation algorithms including numerical stiffness-based hybrid discretization, DAE clustering and aggregation, multi-order integration, and matrix splitting approaches are applied to accelerate the EMT simulation. The proposed algorithm was applied to 125 PV inverters within 52-bus medium-voltage (MV) distribution grid.

Choi, Jongchan↗
NASA NTRS1998

Effects of Satellite Sampling Configurations on Derived Gridded Fields

Various configurations of a scanning satellite instrument are simulated by sampling realistic fields of nitrous oxide. Synoptic grids are computed from the resulting simulated orbital data and compared to the original sampled data fields. Results are compared with those obtained by flying a simulated satellite over low-resolution fields and fields that are static in time. Although increasing the number of instrument scan positions does provide more information along an orbital swath, using more than three to five scan positions does not significantly increase the accuracy of global synoptic grids using the gridding techniques described here.

Lait, Leslie R.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Strong field ionization rates simulated with time-dependent configuration interaction and an absorbing potential

Ionization rates of molecules have been modeled with time-dependent configuration interaction simulations using atom centered basis sets and a complex absorbing potential. The simulations agree with accurate grid-based calculations for the ionization of hydrogen atom as a function of field strength and for charge resonance enhanced ionization of H{sub 2}{sup +} as the bond is elongated. Unlike grid-based methods, the present approach can be applied to simulate electron dynamics and ionization in multi-electron polyatomic molecules. Calculations on HCl{sup +} and HCO{sup +} demonstrate that these systems also show charge resonance enhanced ionization as the bonds are stretched.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Convection–Kelvin Wave Coupling in a Global Convection-Permitting Model

A convectively coupled equatorial Kelvin wave (CCKW) was observed over the equatorial Indian Ocean in early November 2011 during the DYNAMO field campaign. This study examines the structure of the CCKW event using two simulations made using the MPAS model: one with 3-km grid spacing without convective parameterization and another with a 15-km grid and parameterized convection. Both simulations qualitatively capture the observed structure of the CCKW, including its vertical tilt and progression of cloud/precipitation structures. The two simulations, however, differ substantially in the amplitude of the CCKW-associated precipitation. While the 3-km run realistically captures the observed modulation of precipitation by the CCKW, the 15-km simulation severely underestimates its magnitude. To understand the difference between the two MPAS simulations regarding wave–convection coupling within the CCKW, the relationship of precipitation with convective inhibition, saturation fraction, and surface turbulent fluxes is investigated. Results show that the 15-km simulation underestimates the magnitude of the CCKW precipitation peak in association with its unrealistically linear relationship between moisture and precipitation. Precipitation, both in observations and the 3-km run, is predominantly controlled by saturation fraction and this relationship is exponential. In contrast, the parameterized convection in the 15-km run is overly sensitive to convective inhibition and not sensitive enough to environmental moisture. The implications of these results on CCKW theories are discussed.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

ECP ALCC Quarterly Report (Oct-Dec 2017)

The scientific goal of ExaWind Exascale Computing Project (ECP) is to advance our fundamental understanding of the flow physics governing whole wind plant performance, including wake formation, complex terrain impacts, and turbine-turbine-interaction effects. Current methods for modeling wind plant performance fall short due to insufficient model fidelity and inadequate treatment of key phenomena, combined with a lack of computational power necessary to address the wide range of relevant length scales associated with wind plants. Thus, our ten-year exascale challenge is the predictive simulation of a wind plant composed of O(100) multi-MW wind turbines sited within a 100 km2 area with complex terrain, involving simulations with O(100) billion grid points. The project plan builds progressively from predictive petascale simulations of a single turbine, where the detailed blade geometry is resolved, meshes rotate and deform with blade motions, and atmospheric turbulence is realistically modeled, to a multi turbine array in complex terrain. The ALCC allocation will be used continually throughout the allocation period. In the first half of the allocation period, small (e.g., for testing Kokkos algorithms) and medium (e.g., 10K cores for highly resolved ABL simulations) sized jobs will be typical. In the second half of the allocation period, we will also have a number of large submittals for our resolved-turbine simulations. A challenge in the latter period is that small time step sizes will require long wall-clock times for statistically meaningful solutions. As such, we expect our allocation-hour burn rate to increase as we move through the allocation period.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Flexible AI Models for Grid Resilience

The rapid growth in size and complexity of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models has led to increased energy demands, posing a threat to the reliability of the existing power grid. This project addresses the challenge of highly intermittent and energy-intensive inference workloads by (1) developing fidelity-adaptive neural networks capable of dynamic response to grid conditions and (2) integrating these networks with power flow simulations to assess their impact on power grid reliability. We will explore both top-down and bottom-up approaches to create hierarchies of submodels that provide a controlled trade-off between power draw and prediction accuracy. The top-down method utilizes NN pruning to reduce a flagship model into progressively smaller, energy-efficient variants. The bottom-up approach employs geometrically principled weight setting strategies to construct depth-efficient models from the ground up. A real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform will be developed to simulate a scaled AC power grid, integrating live AI workload power draw and enabling dynamic model switching in response to grid feedback. This work will provide a novel framework for evaluating the impact of flexible AI/ML workloads on grid performance and establish new methodologies for energy-aware computing in data centers. The outcomes will demonstrate that adaptive AI/ML can play a critical role in improving grid stability while advancing NREL's leadership in energy-efficient computing research.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

CyDER – an FMI-based co-simulation platform for distributed energy resources

The increased integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) is bringing a number of challenges to the power grid. These include reverse power flows in distribution systems and potentially transmission systems and grid stability. So far, specialized tools have been developed to capture some of the impact of DERs at the distribution level. However, distribution system operators lack visibility into the overall system conditions. Furthermore, the impact of increasing DERs is not limited to the distribution level but also influences the transmission grid. To support the planning and operation of the grid, we developed a co-simulation platform called CyDER (A Cyber Physical Co-simulation Platform for Distributed Energy Resources in Smart Grids) that integrates various domain-specific simulation tools. CyDER is based on the functional mock-up interface standard. This paper gives an overview of CyDER and demonstrates its use based on two applications.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Three-Dimensional Grid Visualization for Planning Activities: A Dubai Case Study

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), in collaboration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Infra-X, has undertaken the Energy Visualization Analysis Project. The aim of this project is to enhance analytical and 3D visualization capabilities for distribution network planning and renewable energy integration. As modern grid continues to evolve with large-scale solar PV deployment and emerging distributed energy resources (DERs), the ability to effectively analyze, visualize, and communicate complex grid behaviors has become increasingly critical. The project focuses on developing empirical use cases based on real distribution feeder data and engineering workflows, ensuring the outcomes are directly aligned with operational environment. Through time-series power flow simulations and nodal hosting capacity analysis, the study quantifies the impacts of high PV penetration on voltage and thermal limits within representative 11 kV feeders. These analyses identify specific nodes and conditions where DER integration challenges arise. Furthermore, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) optimization algorithm was applied to determine the optimal size and placement of storage systems that can mitigate network constraints and enhance hosting capacity. The comparative results between base-case and BESS-augmented scenarios clearly demonstrate improvements in network stability and load management efficiency. In parallel, the NLR team developed an immersive 3D visualization framework, enabling interactive exploration of grid simulations using commodity head-mounted display (HMD) systems. This framework transforms conventional 2D simulation data into spatially intuitive visual environments - allowing engineers to analyze feeder conditions, PV hosting potential, and BESS effects in real time. This report represents the first foundational phase in establishing a visualization-driven analytical ecosystem. It provides a methodological foundation for data integration, visualization architecture, and simulation-based decision support, paving the way for large-scale adoption of immersive visualization across DEWA's Smart Grid Initiative, R&D activities, and future network resilience studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2014

Introducing FNCS: Framework for Network Co-Simulation

This video provides a basic overview of the PNNL Future Power Grid Initiative-developed Framework for Network Co-Simulation (FNCS). It discusses the increasing amounts of data coming from the power grid, and the need for a tool like FNCS that brings together data, transmission and distribution simulators. Included is a description of the FNCS architecture, and the advantages this new open source tool can bring to grid research and development efforts.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Incentive-Based Control and Coordination of Distributed Energy Resources

Higher penetration of renewable generation will increase the demand for adequate (and cost-effective) controllable resources on the grid that can mitigate and contain contingencies locally before they cause a network-wide collapse. This report details a scalable hierarchical control strategy for coordinating a vast number of heterogeneous distributed energy resources (DERs) in order to provide three ancillary grid services: frequency response, regulation, and ramping reserve. The control architecture consists of 1) a Distribution Reliability Coordinator (DRC), which allocates resource responses based on their declared flexibility, 2) aggregator controllers, which control a collection of DERs, and finally, 3) DER controllers at the individual devices. Test results are provided showing scalable performance on thousands of simulated residential DERs (air conditioners and water heaters) as well as results of a hardware-in-the-loop demonstration of commercial HVAC and microgrid equipment providing real responses in coordination with a grid simulation. Technology commercialization barriers and strategy is also discussed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

GridSTAGE (aka PowerDrone)

Simulation tool for electrical grid security. It is possible to select from pre-loaded power system topologies, enable different grid controls (like AGC, power system stabilizer), add faults, tweak different parameters, add pre-modeled attack scenarios, and run batch simulations to generate data needed for research.

Nandanoori, Sai Pushpak↗
NASA NTRS2017

Cause and Cure - Deterioration in Accuracy of CFD Simulations With Use of High-Aspect-Ratio Triangular Tetrahedral Grids

Traditionally high-aspect ratio triangular/tetrahedral meshes are avoided by CFD re-searchers in the vicinity of a solid wall, as it is known to reduce the accuracy of gradient computations in those regions and also cause numerical instability. Although for certain complex geometries, the use of high-aspect ratio triangular/tetrahedral elements in the vicinity of a solid wall can be replaced by quadrilateral/prismatic elements, ability to use triangular/tetrahedral elements in such regions without any degradation in accuracy can be beneficial from a mesh generation point of view. The benefits also carry over to numerical frameworks such as the space-time conservation element and solution element (CESE), where triangular/tetrahedral elements are the mandatory building blocks. With the requirement of the CESE method in mind, a rigorous mathematical framework that clearly identities the reason behind the difficulties in use of such high-aspect ratio triangular/tetrahedral elements is presented here. As will be shown, it turns out that the degree of accuracy deterioration of gradient computation involving a triangular element is hinged on the value of its shape factor Gamma def = sq sin Alpha1 + sq sin Alpha2 + sq sin Alpha3, where Alpha1; Alpha2 and Alpha3 are the internal angles of the element. In fact, it is shown that the degree of accuracy deterioration increases monotonically as the value of Gamma decreases monotonically from its maximal value 9/4 (attained by an equilateral triangle only) to a value much less than 1 (associated with a highly obtuse triangle). By taking advantage of the fact that a high-aspect ratio triangle is not necessarily highly obtuse, and in fact it can have a shape factor whose value is close to the maximal value 9/4, a potential solution to avoid accuracy deterioration of gradient computation associated with a high-aspect ratio triangular grid is given. Also a brief discussion on the extension of the current mathematical framework to the tetrahedral-grid case along with some of the practical results of this extension is also provided. Furthermore, through the use of numerical simulations of practical viscous problems involving high-Reynolds number flows, the effectiveness of the gradient evaluation procedures within the CESE framework (that have their basis on the analysis presented here) to produce accurate and stable results on such high-aspect ratio meshes is also showcased.

CESE Method↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating the resilience benefits of marine energy in microgrids

Marine energy resources could promote clean energy and resilience of coastal and island microgrids, and thus, these applications are a key future market for marine energy development. To demonstrate these benefits, this paper illustrates how inclusion of wave resources into energy resilience solutions can improve overall grid efficiency and sustainability, as well as maintain electricity supply during grid outages. The paper describes a case study evaluation of the potential to add wave energy to the Moloka’i grid as Hawaii strives to meet a 100% clean energy target. The Microgrid Component Optimization for Resilience tool is used to simulate operation in off- grid conditions and size different combinations of wave, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, storage, and fuel resources required to meet resilience objectives. This research in- vestigates how including wave resources in a microgrid contributes to reducing biofuel generation, producing a zero-greenhouse gas emission profile, and avoiding the over-sizing of PV and battery systems to accommodate periods of unavailability or high demand. Insight from this paper supports the value proposition of wave resources for future markets and informs the relationship between marine generators and microgrids or isolated grids.

Newman, Sarah F.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Sandia's Current Energy Conversion module for Flexible-Mesh Delft3D flow solver v. 1.0

The DOE has funded Sandia National Labs (SNL) to develop an open-source modeling tool to guide the design and layout of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) arrays to maximize power production while minimizing environmental effects. This modeling framework simulates flows through and around a MHK arrays while quantifying environmental responses. As an augmented version of the Dutch company, Deltares’s, environmental hydrodynamics code, Delft3D, SNL-Delft3D-CEC-FM includes a new module that simulates energy conversion (momentum withdrawal) by MHK current energy conversion devices with commensurate changes in the turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate. SNL-Delft3D-CEC-FM modified the Delft3D flexible mesh flow solver, DFlowFM. The Following is a description of Deltares’s open-source code Delft3D from which Delft3D-CEC is built upon. “Delft3D is a world leading 3D modeling suite to investigate hydrodynamics, sediment transport and morphology and water quality for fluvial, estuarine and coastal environments. As per 1 January 2011, the Delft3D flow (FLOW), morphology (MOR) and waves (WAVE) modules are available in open source. The software is used and has proven his capabilities on many places around the world, like the Netherlands, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Venice, etc. The software is continuously improved and developed with innovating advanced modelling techniques as consequence of the research work of our institute and to stay world leading. The FLOW module is the heart of Delft3D and is a multi-dimensional (2D or 3D) hydrodynamic (and transport) simulation program which calculates non-steady flow and transport phenomena resulting from tidal and meteorological forcing on a curvilinear, boundary fitted grid or spherical coordinates. In 3D simulations, the vertical grid is defined following the so-called sigma coordinate approach or Z-layer approach. The MOR module computes sediment transport (both suspended and bed total load) and morphological changes for an arbitrary number of cohesive and non-cohesive fractions. Both currents and waves act as driving forces and a wide variety of transport formulae have been incorporated. For the suspended load this module connects to the 2D or 3D advection-diffusion solver of the FLOW module; density effects may be taken into account. An essential feature of the MOR module is the dynamic feedback with the FLOW and WAVE modules, which allow the flows and waves to adjust themselves to the local bathymetry and allows for simulations on any time scale from days (storm impact) to centuries (system dynamics). It can keep track of the bed composition to build up a stratigraphic record. The MOR module may be extended to include extensive features to simulate dredging and dumping scenarios. For over 30 years Deltares has been in the forefront of these types of combined morphological simulation techniques.”

Chartand, Chris↗
DOE OSTI2017

Transactive Energy Simulation Platform

Transactive Energy Simulation Platform (TESP) combines existing domain simulators in the electric power grid, buildings, and communication systems, with new transactive agents, growth models and evaluation scripts. The existing domain simulators include GridLAB-D for the distribution grid and single-family residential buildings, MATPOWER for transmission and bulk generation, EnergyPlus for large buildings and ns-3 for communication systems. More are planned for subsequent versions of TESP. The new elements are: TEAgents - simulate market participants and transactive systems for market clearing. Some of this functionality was extracted from GridLAB-D and implemented in Python for customization by PNNL and others. Growth Model - a means for simulating system changes over a multiyear period, including both normal load growth and specific investment decisions. Customizable in Python code. Evaluation Script - a means of evaluating different transactive systems through customizable post-processing in Python code. TESP will run on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.

McDermott, Tom↗