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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

Analysis of Double-Output CLL Resonant Converter for All-Electric UAV Applications

This paper presents a double-output resonant converter with high-frequency isolation for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. The proposed topology is developed by using a full-bridge resonant inverter and double-output half-bridge active rectifiers. For the control system, a phase-shifted pulse width modulation (PS-PWM) method is utilized to adjusts the power flow among the output rectifiers in a wide voltage range regulation with a central control. The theoretical analysis of the converter is explored using the system model under different load conditions with constant frequency. The proposed system is validated with experimental results using 60 V input source and generating 0 - 100 V in each output at a full power of 500 W with 96% maximum efficiency in the laboratory experimental setup.

Asa, Erdem↗

Frequency Injection Based HVDC Attack-Defense Control Via Squeeze-Excitation Double CNN

Due to the independent controllability and fast power regulation capability, the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system could be a prospective technology to provide multiple ancillary services to the system besides conventional bulk power transmission. However, with the increase of False Data Injection Attacks (FDIAs) on PMU data, the HVDC system could have the wrong response once the collected data that the HVDC system relied on is attacked, thus threatening the system operating security. How to ensure the security of the PMU-based HVDC ancillary service control become an urgent issue. To mitigate the risk, this paper proposed an HVDC attack-defense control based on the FDIAs detection method. Firstly, the Squeeze-Excitation based Double Convolutional Neural Networks (SE-DCNN) is proposed to realize fast identification of the attacking frequency type based on the time and frequency domain signals. Furthermore, the duration time of FDIAs is detected by the local outlier factor. Then, utilizing the results from SE-DCNN, HVDC ancillary service control framework is reorganized and an HVDC attack defense control is proposed for suppressing the potential influence of various types of FDIAs on the HVDC system ancillary service. Different experiments results demonstrate that the proposed method has the ability to significantly mitigate the frequency deviation and oscillation under the FDIA.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Impedance Analysis and PHIL Demonstration of Reactive Power Oscillations in a Wind Power Plant Using a 4-MW Wind Turbine

This paper presents impedance-based analysis, mitigation, and power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) demonstration of reactive power oscillations in a wind power plant using a 4-MW Type III wind turbine drivetrain. Because such low-frequency oscillations result from interactions among slower control loops of wind turbines regulating phasor quantities—active and reactive power output of the wind turbine and the magnitude of voltages at the point of interconnection (POI)—a new type of admittance is defined in terms of phasor quantities for their analysis. The so-called power-domain admittance of a wind turbine is defined as the transfer function from the frequency and magnitude of voltages at the POI to the active and reactive power output of the turbine. The power-domain admittance responses of the 4-MW wind turbine are measured using a 7-MVA grid simulator to identify the source of the reactive power oscillations. Power-domain impedance analysis and PHIL experiments are performed to explain how a resonant mode manifests as turbine-to-turbine and plant-to-grid reactive power oscillations. It is discovered that weaker grids exhibiting high inductive impedance mitigate oscillations in the reactive power output of wind power plants; however, a higher grid impedance does not help in damping turbine-to-turbine reactive power oscillations. This paper presents a simple droop-based solution to eliminate both turbine-to-turbine and plant-to-grid reactive power oscillations.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

LuSEE-night power distribution system design

The Lunar Surface Electromagnetic Experiment at Night (LuSEE-Night) is a low-frequency, 0.5 to 50 MHz, radio experiment on the radio-quiet far side of the Moon. The instrument will be launched by NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services in 2026. The LuSEE-Night instrument core is composed of a radio frequency spectrometer (SPT) processing signals from four antennas, the Data Controller Board (DCB), low electromagnetic interference (EMI) Picket Fence Power Supply (PFPS), and Power Distribution Unit (PDU). The battery powers the instrument during the lunar night and stores energy harvested by the solar panel array during the lunar day. The battery charging is controlled by the Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU). The unregulated power is supplied either by the SpaceCraft (S/C) or the battery and gets distributed to the PFPS, communication radio, heaters, and deployables through the PDU. The PFPS generates all regulated low-voltage rails using switching regulation synchronized to the LuSEE-Night clock, which ensures self-generated EMI will be confined to well-defined frequency bins. Here, we discussed the unregulated power distribution system architecture and functionality. The PDU engineering and flight modules are developed and characterized to confirm compliance with LuSEE-Night requirements. At the time of writing, all power subsystem components have been integrated into the payload.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A Grid-Forming Split-Phase Three-Leg Inverter with Unbalanced Loading and Active Power Decoupling

This paper presents a split-phase three-leg inverter that regulates 180-degree phase-shifted AC voltages to support residential house loads under unbalanced loading conditions and decouples double line frequency power pulsation by utilizing the third half-bridge switching leg. The active power decoupling function is added without extra active switching components. The control feasibility and effectiveness are verified through MATLAB Simulink simulation and controller hardware-in-the-loop test.

Kim, Namwon [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000200438489)↗

Transmission-Distribution Dynamic Co-Simulation of Electric Vehicles Providing Grid Frequency Response

This paper investigates the impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) on power system frequency regulation based on an open-source transmission-and-distribution (T&D) dynamic co-simulation framework. The development of a EV dynamic model based on appropriate WECC dynamic model is introduced first, then the T&D dynamic co-simulation platform is described. The advantage of the overall platform is that DERs such as distributed photovoltaic (DPV) and EV are modeled explicitly in both transmission and distribution simulators for frequency dynamics and voltage, respectively. In the case studies, EVs frequency responses (i.e., primary and/or secondary) are simulated after the system is exposed to N-1 contingency such as a generation trip. Various EV frequency regulation participation strategies are investigated as well to study their impacts on system frequency response. The studies shows that EVs have potential capability to provide effective frequency regulation services.

electric vehicle↗

Transmission-Distribution Dynamic Co-Simulation of Electric Vehicles Providing Grid Frequency Response: Preprint

This paper investigates the impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) on power system frequency regulation based on an open-source transmission-and-distribution (T&D) dynamic co-simulation framework. The development of a EV dynamic model based on appropriate WECC dynamic model is introduced first, then the T&D dynamic co-simulation platform is described. The advantage of the overall platform is that DERs such as distributed photovoltaic (DPV) and EV are modeled explicitly in both transmission and distribution simulators for frequency dynamics and voltage, respectively. In the case studies, EVs frequency responses (i.e., primary and/or secondary) are simulated after the system is exposed to N-1 contingency such as a generation trip. Various EV frequency regulation participation strategies are investigated as well to study their impacts on system frequency response. The studies shows that EVs have potential capability to provide effective frequency regulation services.

electric vehicle↗

Analysis of High Frequency AC Link Isolated Three Port Resonant Converter for UAV Applications

A high frequency AC link isolated three port semi-bridgeless resonant converter is analyzed for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications in this study. The proposed topology is established by replacing rectifier lover diodes with synchronous switches. A phase shifted pulse width modulation (PS-PWM) technique adjusts bi-directional power flow between ports. Proposed control technique provides high efficiency by reducing switching losses with zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero current switching (ZCS) in a wide power range regulation. Compared to integrated PWM converters in a bi-directional mode, the proposed topology reduces the number of converter stages and allows centralized control at high operating frequency. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed converter at a full power of 500 W in laboratory conditions.

Asa, Erdem↗

Distributed Secondary Control of Grid-Forming Inverters and AC Microgrids: Impacts of Voltage Feedback Choices

In this paper, the operational choices in distributed secondary control are examined, and their impacts on grid-forming (GFM) inverters and grid operation are investigated. In particular, the effects of feedback voltage choices, either average voltage feedback (AVF) or terminal voltage feedback (TVF), are studied with respect to reactive power sharing, voltage regulation, and grid-forming operation during black start. The secondary control used is a subgradient-based distributed cooperative control, and it provides the voltage, angle, and frequency references to the GFM inverters and their primary tracking controls. The overall control architecture employs multi-rate sampling such that the secondary control is slower than the primary control. The operational choices and their control performance are illustrated using a four-GFM-inverter microgrid in MATLAB/SIMULINK. Furthermore, the results show the effectiveness of the secondary controller, and several conclusions are drawn on the voltage feedback signals as the design choices.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Matrix converter operation in current control mode with regulation of output voltage vector

A matrix converter system having a current control mode operation is provided. The matrix converter system includes a matrix converter that includes a plurality of switches. A unity current reference vector having an amplitude of one is determined that defines an angle and frequency of an output current vector as a function of a reference phase angle, which is a function of the output current vector and an output voltage vector representing feedback signals of a multiphase signal output to a load. The unity current reference vector is used to control the matrix converter, to cause the output current vector to be aligned with the unity current reference vector. A unity voltage reference vector having an amplitude of one is provided that defines a reference angle and frequency as a function of a zero phase angle. The output voltage vector and the unity voltage reference vector are aligned to determine the reference phase angle as an angle between the aligned output voltage vector and the output current vector.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Deep Reinforcement Learning-based Reserve Optimization in Active Distribution Systems for Tertiary Frequency Regulation

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)Orders 841 and 2222 have recommended that distributed energy resources (DERs) should participate in energy and reserve markets; therefore, a mechanism needs to be developed to facilitate DERs’ participation at the distribution level. Although the available reserve from a single distribution system may not be sufficient for tertiary frequency regulation, stacked and coordinated contributions from several distribution systems can enable them participate in tertiary frequency regulation at scale. This paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based approach for optimization of requested aggregated reserves by system operators among the clusters of DERs. The co-optimization of cost of reserve, distribution network loss, and voltage regulation of the feeders are considered while optimizing the reserves among participating DERs. The proposed framework adopts deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG), which is an algorithm based on an actor-critic method. The effectiveness of the proposed method for allocating reserves among DERs is demonstrated through case studies on a modified IEEE 34-node distribution system.

deep reinforcement learning, distributed energy re↗

Virtual Self-Excited Induction Generator-Based Grid-Forming Inverter Control for Robust Voltage Regulation Under Nonideal Loading

This paper presents a generator-inspired control methodology for grid-forming (GFM) inverters that deliberately emulates a self-excited induction generator so that the inverter can hold its voltage and frequency under difficult loading and severe terminal disturbances across wide voltage and frequency ranges. The design integrates a Lyapunov energy function-based inner loop to provide high bandwidth and strong disturbance rejection, and it complements this with a passivity-based argument that furnishes a coherent large-signal stability guarantee beyond small-signal limits. Analytical insights are developed via the Krylov-Bogoliubov-Mitropolsky averaging method, which reveals an intrinsic resistive droop characteristic; these closed-form relations both explain the observed dynamics and yield simple, decentralized tuning rules. The methodology is validated on a controller-hardware-in-the-loop platform and exercised in real time across balanced, unbalanced, and nonlinear loads, as well as during parallel operation. Across these scenarios, the inverter maintains balanced three-phase voltages, limits harmonic content, settles quickly with well-damped transients, and remains resilient when multiple units operate in parallel. The contributions are a self-excited-machine-inspired GFM controller with enhanced dynamic performance and robustness, a single stability rationale grounded in passivity, closed-form expressions that guide tuning, and comprehensive hardware-in-the-loop validations demonstrating effectiveness and superiority under challenging operating conditions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Investigation of Fe-Ni Battery/Module for Grid Service Duty Cycles

Iron–nickel (Fe-Ni) batteries are renowned for their durability and resilience against overcharging and operating temperatures. However, they encounter challenges in achieving widespread adoption for energy storage applications due to their low efficiency and the need for regular maintenance and electrolyte replacement, which adds to maintenance costs. This study evaluates and demonstrates the capabilities of Fe-Ni batteries for participating in grid energy storage applications. Stable performance was observed frequency regulation (FR) testing at 100% and 50% state of charge (SOC)s, while at 50% SOC, there was a 14% increase in efficiency compared to 100% SOC. Although 25% SOC achieved higher efficiency, limited cyclability was observed due to reaching the discharge cutoff voltage. Optimal SOC selection, battery monitoring, maintenance, and appropriate charging strategies of Fe-Ni batteries seem to be crucial for their FR applications. Fe-Ni batteries exhibit stable peak shaving (PS) results, indicating their suitability and reliability under various load conditions for PS testing. Extended cycling tests confirm their potential for long-term grid-scale energy storage, enhancing their appeal for PS and FR applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

WAMS-Based HVDC Damping Control for Cyber Attack Defense

Owing to the fast and large power regulating the capacity of the HVDC system, the wide-area measurement system (WAMS) based high voltage direct current (HVDC) system has been regarded as a prospective solution to deal with the low-frequency oscillation issue. However, due to the vulnerability of the WAMS communication, WAMS based HVDC system control can be a prime target of malicious penetrations that could lead to disastrous events. To remediate this adverse effect, an improved WAMS based HVDC damping control framework is proposed in this paper. First, a lightweight network named Attack Shuffle convolutional neural Networks (ASNet) is proposed to learn the characteristics of cyber attacks. Then, a model-free-based cyber attack defense framework is introduced to quickly identify the attack types based on the continuous wavelet transform and ASNet. Additionally, an improved control framework of the WAMS and HVDC-based wide-area power oscillation damping control (WH-PODC) is developed to provide different response control for mitigation of the impact of cyber attacks. Finally, the performance of the proposed WH-PODC control framework is evaluated with real PMU data in multiple scenarios in RTDS, where the results indicate that the response intensity can be kept under multiple types of cyber attacks while providing similar effectiveness in oscillation suppression to conventional controls.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Analysis and Control of a Three-Port Converter with High-Frequency AC Link for Hybrid Unmanned/Autonomous Aerial Vehicles

In this study, a three-port resonant converter with a high-frequency isolation link for hybrid unmanned/autonomous aerial vehicle (UAV/AAV) applications is analyzed. The rectified engine-generator set output supplies the first input ports while the other is connected to a battery energy storage system. Input ports consist of half-bridge high-frequency inverters, whereas output port utilizes a semi-bridgeless active rectifier. This rectifier is formed by replacing rectifier low-side diodes with active switching devices. A phase-shift duty-cycle control is implemented for switching signals to regulate the power share and flow between ports. The proposed control system implemented achieves zero voltage switching (ZVS), reduces switching losses, and minimum current flow optimization ensures regulation in a wide range of output power. Compared to the existing bidirectional pulse width modulation (PWM) converters, the proposed system decreases the number of power conversion stages and provides centralized control without needing communications between the ports. The proposed control technique operating in closed-loop control achieves the power flow between ports under various load conditions. Finally, theoretical analysis demonstrates the proposed converter’s viability and laboratory experimental validations at 500 W full power.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗