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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Resilient Hierarchical Networked Control Systems: Secure Controls for Critical Locations and at Edge

Integration of information and communication technology (ICT) offers new opportunities in improving the management and operation of critical infrastructures such as power systems as it allows connection of different sensors and control components via a communication network, leading to the so-called networked control systems (NCS). However, the use of open and pervasive ICT such as the Internet or wireless communication technologies comes at a price of making NCS vulnerable to cyber intrusions/attacks which may cause physical damage. Here, this chapter presents control algorithms to ensure resilient and safe operation of NCS under unknown cyberattacks. Specifically, a variant of dynamic watermarking strategies is presented by embedding encoding/decoding components of chaotic signals into the NCS for secure control for critical locations where the measurement/control signals are transmitted to/from the control center via a communication network. In addition, resilient cooperative control algorithms are discussed to ensure safe operation at edge of the NCS which consists of a large number of distributed controllable devices. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the proposed control strategies.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Manufacturing porous U-10Zr metallic fuels with controllable microstructure by volume control spark plasma sintering

In this paper, the volume control spark plasma sintering tool has been designed and applied to sinter porous U-10Zr metallic fuels, by which the sintered sample volume can be precisely controlled. Ethanol and NH 4 HCO 3 are used to control the powder compact or as pore formers to control the pore size and pore structure. Without pore formers, the fuel pellet displays an inhomogeneous microstructure consisting of highly porous and highly densified areas. Uneven powder stacking in the green body results in a non-uniform microstructure, and in the closed-packed area, Joule heating accelerates the neck formation and densification. The addition of ethanol reduces the friction between the powders, resulting in isolated pores formed by the stacking of powders during the sintering. By adding NH 4 HCO 3 , the pore size, and structure can be well controlled, and an interconnected pore structure can be obtained upon the decomposition of the NH 4 HCO 3 . Further, a uniform microstructure and pore distributions can be achieved through the U-10Zr fuel pellets by controlling current flow during the volume control SPS sintering. The microstructure and phase characterization of the sintered porous U-10Zr pellets show major phases of α-U and α-Zr for the sample with short dwelling. For the sample with long dwelling (30 min), the ω UZr 2 in the Zr-enriched area has been observed. The strategy of volume control SPS sintering with the assistance of pore formers could be used to fabricate porous U-10Zr metallic fuels to mimic the microstructure evolution of irradiated metallic fuels (including porosity) and could enable a possible solution for the design of new sodium-free metallic fuels for high burnup.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modeling and Control of Cascaded Bridgeless Multilevel Rectifier Under Unbalanced Load Conditions

The goal of this project is to model and control a novel unidirectional cascaded multilevel bridgeless rectifier as an active front end in medium and high voltage applications. This topology has many advantages over a conventional cascaded H-bridge rectifier, such as lower implementation cost, higher reliability, and greater flexibility with similar power quality.The steady-state mathematical model is used to develop a method for the voltage balancing of dc cells. Power factor analysis is discussed to achieve unity power factor using fully controlled hbridge cells. Power loss, efficiency, and cost comparison studies between the traditional cascaded H-Bridge converter and the proposed bridgeless converter demonstrate the advantages. A novel control strategy is proposed to achieve dc voltage balancing, fast and robust grid synchronization and power factor correction under unbalanced load conditions. Simulation and experimental results validate the models and control method.

Cascaded Bridgeless Rectifier, Power factor analys↗
DOE OSTI2021

Blockchain-Enabled Cyber-Secure Microgrid Control Using Consensus Algorithm

This paper proposes a distributed control method based on a consensus algorithm for distributed energy resources (DERs) using blockchain as a secure communication medium for cyber resilience. Each DER communicates with a local blockchain server that is maintained by the distributed ledger technology to allow for securely sharing local measurements among neighbouring assets to achieve the global control objectives, i.e., voltage and frequency regulation as well as accurate power sharing among the DERs, including collective grid-forming capability. To prove that the distributed control can retain system stability under a blockchain-induced variable communication delay, Lyapunov function-based stability analysis is carried out. This paper demonstrates the concept on an 11-bus test case developed in MATLAB Simulink, which has been modified from the IEEE 9-bus test case, to study dynamic operations of the five inverter-based DERs working with a blockchain-induced variable delay. The results validate the superior performance of the proposed control method, compared to heavily compromised operations of the other test cases without the security measure, affected by heavy communication delays and communication interruptions.

blockchains↗
DOE OSTI2021

Control and Simulation of a Grid-Forming Inverter for Hybrid PV-Battery Plants in Power System Black Start

Power system restoration is an important part of system planning. Power utilities are required to maintain black start capable generators that can energize the transmission system and provide cranking power to non-blackstart capable generators. Traditionally, hydro and diesel units are used as black start capable generators. With the increased penetration of bulk size solar farms, inverter based generation can play an important role in faster and parallel black start thus ensuring system can be brought back into service without the conventional delays that can be expected with limited black start generators. Inverter-based photovoltaic (PV) power plants have advantages that are suitable for black start. This paper proposes the modeling, control, and simulation of a grid-forming inverter-based PV-battery power plant that can be used as a black start unit. The inverter control includes both primary and secondary control loops to imitate the control of a conventional synchronous machine. The proposed approach is verified using a test system modified from the IEEE 9-bus system in the time-domain electromagnetic transient simulation tool PSCAD. The simulation results shows voltage and frequency stability during a multi-step black-start and network energization process.

Nguyen, Quan H.↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Two-Stage Current Limiting Control Strategy for Direct-Droop-Controlled Grid-Forming Inverters

This paper presents a two-stage current limiting control strategy with fault ride-through capability for the direct-droop-controlled grid-forming (GFM) inverters. The proposed approach comprises Stage 1 and Stage 2 current limiting controls. During faults, Stage 1 current limiting control instantly clamps the inverter output current magnitude to its maximum transient limit by blocking the switching pulses to the insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) with the help of a hysteresis loop control, and Stage 2 current limiting control limits the inverter output current magnitude to its steady-state limit by regulating the amplitude and frequency of the modulating waveform utilizing the active and reactive current limiting control loops. By implementing the current limiting actions in two stages, this approach can effectively limit the over-current within a few cycles after the fault occurrence and ensure synchronism to the grid after long-term fault events. The efficacy of the proposed control approach is validated through electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation results conducted on a single GFM inverter-based test system and the IEEE 39-bus test system with multiple GFM inverters in the PSCAD platform.

Mohiuddin, Sheik Mohammad↗
DOE OSTI2022

Important powertrain dynamics for developing models for control of connected and automated electrified vehicles

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) technology presents significant opportunities for energy saving in the transportation sector. CAV technology forecasts vehicle and powertrain power needs under various terrain, ambient, and traffic conditions. Integration of the CAV technology in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) provides the opportunity for optimal vehicle operation. Indeed, Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrains present high degrees of flexibility and possibility for choosing optimum powertrain modes based on the predicted traction power needs. In modeling complex CAV powertrain dynamics, the modeler needs to consider short-time scale powertrain dynamics, such as engine transients, and hysteresis of mode-switching for a multi-mode HEV. Therefore, the powertrain dynamics essential for developing powertrain controllers for a class of connected HEVs is presented. To this end, control-oriented powertrain dynamic models for a test vehicle consisting of full electric, hybrid, and conventional engine operating modes are developed. The resulting powertrain model can forecast vehicle traction torque and energy consumption for the specified prediction horizon of the test vehicle. The model considers different operating modes and associated energy penalty terms for mode switching. Thus, the vehicle controller can determine the optimum powertrain mode, torque, and speed for forecasted vehicle operation via utilizing connectivity data. The powertrain model is validated against the experimental data and shows prediction error of less than 5% for predicting vehicle energy consumption. The model is used to create energy penalty maps that can be used for CAV control, for example fuel penalty map for engine torque changes (10–40 Nm) at each engine speed. The results of model-based optimization show optimum switching delays ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 s to avoid hysteresis in mode switching.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2022

Approaches for effective negative pressure isolation space control to minimize airborne transmission of contaminants in residential homes

Controlling airborne transmission of contaminants including respired viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to protect occupants living in the same house with a contagious person. The effectiveness of interventions requiring minor efforts that create a negative pressure isolation zone (IZ) for a contagious person has yet to be systematically tested for residential homes. In this study, ASHRAE Standard 170, which offers guidance for negative pressure isolation space control in healthcare facilities, was used in developing practical and attainable recommendations for residential single-family homes. The relative effectiveness of several control strategies was evaluated through experimentally conducting 17 different test cases in a manufactured single-family house laboratory. These cases were designed based on various heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) operating scenarios, intervention measures including closing the IZ door and/or sealing over supply and return air grilles in the IZ, and utilization of bathroom exhaust or portable window fans for pressure control. Four out of 17 test cases were identified as having the potential for strong containment with adequate depressurization in the IZ. The most effective IZ depressurization was achieved through continuously operating the exhaust fan in the bathroom attached to the IZ, by installing a portable window fan that extracted air out of the IZ, and a portable room air conditioner with the AC unit exhaust duct installed in one of the IZ windows.

Construction & Building Technology↗
DOE OSTI2020

Control of hybrid boosting in highly diluted internal combustion engines

A novel hybrid system enabling both flexible supercharging and limited torque assist is studied to mitigate transient response challenges of a turbocharged spark ignition engine equipped with low pressure exhaust gas recirculation. The hybrid system, called a power split supercharger (SC), is configured with a planetary gear set that splits the supercharging power between a small low-voltage electric motor and the engine crankshaft. The air path controller relies on the coordination of four actuators on the engine side and three low-level actuators on the hybrid boosting device. A decentralized control scheme is used in this work, in which the master–slave structure of the boost pressure controller decreases the turbo-lag associated with exhaust gas recirculation, while minimizing the SC operation for fuel economy. A vector reference governor is used to prevent compressor surge during engine tip-outs. In addition, the desired intake manifold pressure is modified to provide time for evacuating the exhaust gas recirculation and avoiding misfires when transitioning to low load, while the hybrid capability of the power split SC is used to recuperate the unwanted generated power. All controllers are validated on both a mean value engine model and a high-fidelity engine model. Practical challenges of implementing the vector reference governor to the highly nonlinear engine air path with pressure pulsations originating from the engine reciprocation are discussed and some solutions are proposed.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2023

ActiveBAS: A Low-cost, Scalable Control Solution for Grid-Interactive Small and Medium Sized Commercial Buildings

This project aims to develop and enhance a low-cost, highly scalable control solution for Small and Medium-Sized Commercial Buildings (SMCB), assess the business potential at multiple sites, and perform commercialization efforts. The technology can be applied to any buildings served by multiple units, with the benefits being greatest for open-spaced buildings, such as banks, retail stores, restaurants, and factories. This project aims to develop an affordable control solution for: 1) SMCB grid responsiveness, 2) reduction of GHG by changing unit operations, 3) greater reduction in utility costs, and 4) rapid adoption in the marketplace. The proposed technology will be built on a previously developed and demonstrated MPC solution. The minimal sensor requirement and less need of control expertise are the unique feature of the algorithm that leads to low capital and maintenance costs, and short installation and implementation time. These attributes contribute to low capital and maintenance costs, as well as a short installation and implementation time. However, these advantages come with a trade-off: increased difficulties and unreliability when applying traditional modeling and MPC control approaches due to limited information. This final report describes the modeling approaches developed and tested to overcome these challenges. It begins by outlining the modeling challenge posed by minimal sensor requirements, then delves into the proposed modeling approaches, which primarily involve system identification. Finally, preliminary test results for a simulation case study are presented.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Diabetes-specific formula with standard of care improves glycemic control, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes: results from a randomized controlled trial

Background and aims Medical nutrition therapy is important for diabetes management. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a diabetes-specific formula (DSF) on glycemic control and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Participants ( n = 235) were randomized to either DSF with standard of care (SOC) (DSF group; n = 117) or SOC only (control group; n = 118). The DSF group consumed one or two DSF servings daily as meal replacement or partial meal replacement. The assessments were done at baseline, on day 45, and on day 90. Results There were significant reductions in glycated hemoglobin (−0.44% vs. –0.26%, p = 0.015, at day 45; −0.50% vs. −0.21%, p = 0.002, at day 90) and fasting blood glucose (−0.14 mmol/L vs. +0.32 mmol/L, p = 0.036, at day 90), as well as twofold greater weight loss (−1.30 kg vs. –0.61 kg, p < 0.001, at day 45; −1.74 kg vs. –0.76 kg, p < 0.001, at day 90) in the DSF group compared with the control group. The decrease in percent body fat and increase in percent fat-free mass at day 90 in the DSF group were almost twice that of the control group (1.44% vs. 0.79%, p = 0.047). In addition, the percent change in visceral adipose tissue at day 90 in the DSF group was several-fold lower than in the control group (−6.52% vs. –0.95%, p < 0.001). The DSF group also showed smaller waist and hip circumferences, and lower diastolic blood pressure than the control group (all overall p ≤ 0.045). Conclusion DSF with SOC yielded significantly greater improvements than only SOC in glycemic control, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with T2D.

Tey, Siew Ling↗
DOE OSTI2023

Virtual supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) automation controller

One or more virtual supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) controllers are provided. The virtual SCADA controller(s) may be deployed upon a detection of a failure of a physical SCADA controller. An on-site module may detect failure including a security breach which causes the physical SCADA controller to be disconnected from a network and the virtual SCADA controller(s) to take over control. The virtual SCADA controller(s) may be on-site or off-site.

Smith, Jared M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Reduced Switching Frequency Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) for DFIG

An enhanced Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) strategy with a two-step prediction horizon for a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) is the focus of this paper. The DFIG and RL filter's discrete-time model is used in the proposed control scheme for a two-step prediction horizon of rotor and filter currents for the converter's eight possible switching states. Afterward, the control algorithm selects the ideal switching state, which minimizes currents' objective function. The proposed control scheme does not require a modulation stage for internal controllers. We use Lagrange extrapolations to predict the dynamic changes in currents. The switching frequency reduction is achieved by integrating an optimization constraint in the algorithm's cost function. Furthermore, the Total Harmonic Distortion level of currents is kept below 5%, according to IEEE Std 519-14. Obtained results reveal that the switching frequency of the DFIG converters is considerably reduced without losing control; it is reduced by 13.89KHz for the Grid Side Converter (GSC) and by 1.78KHz for the Rotor Side Converter (RSC).

doubly-fed induction generator↗
DOE OSTI2021

Next-Cycle Optimal Fuel Control for Cycle-to-Cycle Variability Reduction in EGR-Diluted Combustion

In this simulation study, cycle-to-cycle fuel control was used to reduce CCV by injecting additional fuel in operating conditions with sporadic misfires and partial burns. An optimal control policy was proposed that utilizes 1) a physics-based model that tracks in-cylinder gas composition and 2) a one-step-ahead prediction of the combustion efficiency based on a kernel density estimator. The optimal solution, however, presents a tradeoff between the reduction in combustion CCV and the increase in fuel injection quantity required to stabilize the charge. Such a tradeoff can be ad- just by a single parameter embedded in the cost function.

Maldonado, BryanP. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL)↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Comparative Study of Model Predictive Control and Optimal Causal Control for Heaving Point Absorbers

Efforts by various researchers in recent years to design simple causal control laws that can be applied to WEC devices suggest that these controllers can yield similar levels of energy output as those of more complex non-causal controllers. However, most studies were established without adequately considering device and power conversion system constraints which are relevant design drivers from a cost and economic point of view. It is therefore imperative to understand the benefits of MPC compared to causal control from a performance and constraint handling perspective. In this paper, we compare linear MPC to a casual controller that incorporates constraint handling to benchmark its performance on a one DoF heaving point absorber in a range of wave conditions. Our analysis demonstrates that MPC provides significant performance advantages compared to an optimized causal controller, particularly if significant constraints on device motion and/or forces are imposed. We further demonstrate that distinct control performance regions can be established that correlate well with classical point absorber and volumetric limits of the wave energy conversion device.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Towards intelligent emergency control for large-scale power systems: Convergence of learning, physics, computing and control

Here, this paper has delved into the pressing need for intelligent emergency control in large-scale power systems, which are experiencing significant transformations and are operating closer to their limits with more uncertainties. Learning-based control methods are promising and have shown effectiveness for intelligent power system control. However, when they are applied to large-scale power systems, there are multifaceted challenges such as scalability, adaptiveness, and security posed by the complex power system landscape, which demand comprehensive solutions. The paper first proposes and instantiates a convergence framework for integrating power systems physics, machine learning, advanced computing, and grid control to realize intelligent grid control at a large scale. Our developed methods and platform based on the convergence framework have been applied to a large (more than 3000 buses) Texas power system, and tested with 56 000 scenarios. Our work achieved a 26% reduction in load shedding on average and outperformed existing rule-based control in 99.7% of the test scenarios. The results demonstrated the potential of the proposed convergence framework and DRL-based intelligent control for the future grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Performance Evaluation of Data-Enhanced Hierarchical Control for Grid Operations

This paper presents a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation to evaluate the performance of voltage regulation of Data-Enhanced Hierarchical Control (DEHC). This DEHC uses an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) for grid operations to control legacy and grid-edge devices and coordinate with distributed energy management systems (DERMS) to manage high penetrations of photovoltaics (PV) on a utility distribution system. The HIL platform provides realistic laboratory testing, including accurate modeling (legacy devices, grid-edge devices, and PV) of the real-world distribution system from a utility partner, a real controller (ADMS), software controller DERMS, hardware grid-edge devices, and standard communications protocols. The test results demonstrate functionalities of the integrated platform and the performance of voltage regulation of the coordinated control systems. Based on laboratory testing, the utility can set up the same grid-automation system to manage DERs, legacy devices, and grid-edge devices to achieve their system-level control and operation objectives (e.g., voltage regulation), thus de-risking potential issues such as instability for field deployment.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Per-Phase Control for CHB Converters with Negative-Sequence Current and DC Voltage Balancing Control

This paper presents a per-phase controller for a grid-connected Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converter featuring negative sequence current regulation and DC bus voltage balancing capabilities. Unlike conventional three-phase controllers, each phase of the CHB can be separately and controlled to regulate the DC voltage and reactive power flow. per-phase negative sequence current control strategy is incorporated into the proposed controller to ensure compliance with IEEE Standard 2800-2022, which requires the absorption of negative-sequence reactive current during grid voltage disturbances. Furthermore, a feed-forward control-based DC bus voltage balancing method is employed, which eliminates the need for the integrator commonly used in traditional approaches. The performance of the proposed controller is validated under various unbalanced grid scenarios and DC bus voltage imbalances through electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation using a three-phase, three-level grid-connected CHB–Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter testbed developed on MATLAB/Simulink. Additionally, the performance of the negative-sequence current regulation is investigated through simulation under different unbalanced grid voltage scenarios.

negative sequence current↗