SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Power System Electronics”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2025

Advancing Dynamic Modeling of Grid-Connected PV Inverter Using Bi-LSTM-Based AI Model

Power electronic converters (PECs) are widely used in modern power systems to facilitate the interconnection between various AC or DC sources and loads. Because of the extensive integration, the power system has grown into a more dynamic system in which the dynamics of the PECs must be adequately modeled. The paper presents a new bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) method for evaluating grid-connected inverter-based resources (IBR) dynamics. The method is tested using real hardware data from a grid -connected commercial inverter in laboratory experiments. Results show the Bi-LSTM model accurately reproduces the detailed IBR model's dynamics, even when the internal structure is unknown and parameters are unknown, preventing the disclosure of the manufacturer's confidential data.

Subedi, Sunil [ORNL] (ORCID:000000034069090X)↗

DOE OSTI2025

MLSPICE: Machine Learning based SPICE Modeling Platform for Power Magnetics

Electrical power converters are critical to a wide range of applications ranging from renewable integration to transportation electrification, and can be a key factor determining the size, weight, and efficiency of energy conversion systems. Magnetic components are typically the largest and least efficient components in power electronics. While there have been major strides in the modeling and analysis of power semiconductor devices and circuit simulations, the necessary advances in the design of power magnetics have lagged. In this project, we have transformed the modeling and design of power magnetics with machine learning enabled methods and catalyze simultaneous disruptive improvements for ML-based power electronics design tools. A fully automated open-source machine learning based magnetics modeling platform – the MagNet project - with innovations in full stack have been developed to greatly accelerate the design process and provide new insights to magnetic material and geometry design. The ARPA-E funded MagNet platform contains three major building blocks: 1) a ML-Integrated Data Acquisition System (MIDAS): a highly automated data acquisition testbed which is capable of measuring a large number of magnetic cores with a wide range of electrical circuit excitations; 2) a ML-integrated Core Loss Model (MICLM): a machine-learning trained modeling method for modeling the core loss and saturation effects of magnetic materials for arbitrary excitation waveforms; 3) ML-guided Magnetics SPICE Simulation Tool (PMSPICE): a fully integrated CAD tool which can simulate the magnetics in SPICE. It can help the designers to quickly model the linear and non-linear characteristics of magnetic components and evaluate their behavior in SPICE simulations. The developed MagNet system has fully demonstrated the proposed performance target and has been open sourced to the entire power electronics community to advance the modeling and design of power magnetics from many different angles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Digital Filter Design for Point-on-Wave Sensors: Highlighting Frequency Response Limitations and Enhancing Grid Simulation Accuracy

Data is proving to be the backbone of today's and, more importantly, tomorrow's grid. As the system changes and introduces fast-acting devices like power electronics, overall observability tends to decrease from the utility point-of-view. This can be mitigated by adding more high-fidelity sensors onto the grid, although this incurs a cost. These sensors are never ideal, and each have unique frequency responses that may influence the data produced. This may, in turn, impact the protection and control of the power grid. This paper presents a methodology of representing these point-on-wave sensors digitally by estimating digital-filter representations of them, thereby introducing means of improving the sensor models used in electromagnetic-transient (EMT) simulations. This may help with identifying potential high-frequency, sensor-induced distortions, and system resonance compensation. Three commercial-grade medium-voltage point-on-wave sensors are utilized in a lab environment to obtain experimental frequency responses with a frequency sweep, and it is shown that both Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) and Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter representations may approximate these responses with varying degrees of accuracy, though each has their own strengths and weaknesses. It is found that, in general, FIR estimation better approximates these sensors than IIR estimation does.

Wilson, Aaron [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000327331697)↗

DOE OSTI2026

NREL Overview of Grid-Tied Power Electronics

This presentation focuses on the power electronics related research efforts carried out by researchers at the Power Systems Engineering Center at NREL.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2025

Electric Drive Technologies Research: ELT223 Component Modeling, Co-Optimization, and Trade-Space Evaluation Annual Report

This project is intended to support the development of new traction drive systems that meet the targets of 100 kW/L for power electronics and 50 kW/L for electric machines with reliable operation to 300,000 miles. To meet these goals, new designs must be identified that make use of state-of-the-art and next-generation electronic materials and design methods. Designs must exploit synergies between components, for example converters designed for high-frequency switching using wide band gap (WBG) devices and ceramic capacitors. This project included: (1) a survey of available technologies; (2) investigating new technologies, that for example, reduce volume of thermal management or magnetic components; (3) the development of computer aided design tools that consider the converter volume, reliability, and electrical performance; (4) exercising the design software to evaluate performance gaps and predict the impact of certain technologies and design approaches, i.e. GaN semiconductors, ceramic capacitors, ceramic thermal management components, and select topologies; (5) building and testing hardware prototypes to validate models and concepts. The design tools enable co-optimization of the power module and passive elements and provide some design guidance. At the end of the project, new advanced computing methods, such as machine learning approaches, were considered.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Asynchronous Grid Connections Providing Fast-Frequency Response: System Integration Study

This paper presents an integration study for the recent power electronic-based fast-frequency response technology, "asynchronous grid connection" which operates as an aggregator for behind-the-meter resources and distributed generators. Both technical feasibility and techno-economic viability studies are presented. The fast-frequency response characteristics, validated against Power Hardware-in-the-Loop experiments, are integrated into an IEEE 9- bus system in DigSilent PowerFactory for system-level dynamic analysis. It demonstrates that droop-based control enhancements to local distributed generators allow their aggregation to provide grid-supporting functionalities and participate in the ancillary service markets. To this end, a long-term simulation embedding the system within the ancillary service market framework of PJM has been performed. The fast-frequency response regulation is subsequently used to calculate the potential revenue and project the results on a 15-year investment horizon. Finally, the techno-economic analysis provides recommendations for enhancements to access the full potential of distributed generators on a technical and regulatory level.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Creating a Universal PV Plug and Socket Standard

Photovoltaic connectors are designed to be quick and easy to install. Current connector qualification standards, such as UL 6703 and IEC 62852, are only intended to evaluate connectors from the same manufacturer and were recently changed to explicitly proscribe the mating of connectors from different manufacturers. Unfortunately, the industry has chosen to design connectors that will commonly connect together with those from other manufacturers. This is done to simplify installation avoiding the situations such as when the connectors on a microinverter, or other module level power electronics, do not match the connectors on the modules in the system. This rampant violation of electrical codes worldwide indicates that there is a strong desire and need to develop a universal connector standard. Here we present the initial approach and philosophy behind the formation of an IEC subgroup under TC82 WG2 looking at this problem. We intend to develop a standard where the materials and geometry of construction are specified to ensure compatibility and the design is intended to be of the highest quality. We expect that this connector will be more costly but especially in rooftop installations where power electronics requires matching components from several manufacturers, that this may still result in a net cost savings. These connectors must be of the highest quality because we wouldn’t want to develop a connector that precluded the manufacturing of a higher quality product, and because these will most commonly be used on rooftop installations where safety is more of a concern. Additionally, because we do not know which brands of connectors will be used together, we cannot simply rely on test results to ensure safety but must create a design that is as inherently safe as possible.

connectors↗

DOE OSTI2024

Directly Fused Porphyrin‐Tetracyanopentacenequinone Conjugates: Role of the Cross‐Conjugated, Powerful Electron Acceptor in Promoting Highly Efficient Charge Separation

Tetracyanopentacenequinone, a powerful electron acceptor, is fused directly to the porphyrin π-system to create a new class of donor-acceptor conjugates. Owing to the direct fusion and electron-deficient property of tetracyanopentacenequinone, strong intramolecular charge transfer both in the ground and excited states was witnessed. As a control, porphyrin fused with pentacenequinone was also investigated. Upon complete spectral and electrochemical characterization, the excited state properties were initially probed by time-dependent DFT studies, and the occurrence of electron transfer from different excited states was established. Free-energy calculations revealed higher exothermic electron transfer (>600 mV) than the control pentacenequinone-porphyrin systems. Pump-probe studies covering broad spatial and temporal regions revealed efficient excited state charge separation. This was unlike the control pentacenequinone-porphyrin system, where slow charge separation was witnessed only in the case of the zinc derivatives but not the free-base ones, followed by the populating of the triplet excited state. The lifetimes of the charge-separated states ranged between 30–500 ps depending on the solvent and metal ion in the porphyrin cavity. Nanosecond transient absorption studies established the charge recombination path to populate the triplet state of porphyrin or directly to the ground state as a function of solvent polarity and the nature of the conjugate. Furthermore, the significance of cross-conjugated tetracyanopentacenequinone fused directly to the porphyrin π system in promoting highly exothermic and efficient charge separation, irrespective of its cross conjugation, is borne out from this study.

Cross conjugation↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Method for Estimation and Suppression of Quasi-Periodic Noise

Electromagnetic interference, particularly from sources such as light fixtures and power supplies, negatively affects the function and performance of electronic systems. This noise, often quasi-periodic in nature, contains harmonic structure that can be used for noise estimation and suppression. This work proposes a novel method for tracking and filtering such noise signals that reduces the comb filter bandwidth required for noise estimation and suppression by tracking the instantaneous frequency of the fundamental component.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2025

Impact assessment of geomagnetic induced current neutral blocking devices with power electronics sources on distance relay for 230 kV transmission lines

Electrical grids increased the integration of power electronics sources onto transmission lines. In addition, recent reports show a significant rise in geomagnetic storms occurring in 2024. These geomagnetic storms can affect transmission lines by inducing electrical currents within them, potentially causing power outages due to overloaded power transformers. Geomagnetic induced current neutral blocking devices (GIC-NBDs) are capacitors on the ground of wye power transformers, to avoid damage caused by geomagnetic storms. The integration of distance relays and transmission lines with power electronics sources and GIC-NBDs needs to be studied to observe if GIC-NBDs and power electronics sources could adversely affect operation of the electrical grid. In this analysis, the effect of 2 MW power electronics sources and GIC-NBDs on distance relays is assessed for different 230 kV transmission line lengths in radial and nonradial power systems. The simulations measured the apparent impedances, with different electrical faults. Results for a typical 2,650 μF GIC-NBD application were presented on impedance plots, and the distance relay model operations were assessed. In conclusion, the tests for radial and nonradial power systems showed the behavior of the distance elements and source impedance ratios, assessing the effect of power electronics sources and GIC-NBDs on 230 kV transmission lines.

Distance relays↗

DOE OSTI2025

Speed Variation Based Power Regulation Concept for Dynamic Wireless Charging

On-road wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs) in-motion could potentially reduce range anxiety or battery size with wide-spread deployment. The planning and implementation of such systems are greatly complicated due to their susceptibility to load variation inherent to traffic flow. Here, this paper proposes a method for derisking the potential for traffic slowdowns by compensating for reduced vehicle speed and investigates how implementation may affect system performance. A load modeling case study is presented at 200kW for a mile of high-speed roadway employing speed-based power regulation with results indicating average power usage and maximum car hosting capability can be reduced by 20% and increased by 30% respectively. An 85kHz power electronics model is developed based on designs and prototypes for an 11kW, 190m airgap static system and a 200kW dynamic wireless track. The simulation is validated in the 11kW experimental prototype and modified for 200kW operation to compare with simulated performance. Sensitivity studies are performed in MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate how parameters influence system performance and confirm the capability to reduce output power and maintain efficiency at 11 and 200kW. The static 11kW experimental system operates at 93.6% efficiency and multiple options exist to reduce power while maintaining efficiency greater than 90%. The capability to dynamically modify power output from WPT coils, in an experimentally validated simulation, enables techniques to significantly mitigate load variability due to reductions in vehicle speed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2027

Design and Integration of High Precision Superconducting Magnet Power Supply Systems

This paper reviews the design and integration approach being taken to power more than 400 superconducting magnets in Electron Ion Collider (EIC) by power supplies ranging from 20V to 400V and 100A to 18kA. A major challenge is to integrate existing legacy power supplies with new high current systems and maximize performance and reduce costs. Successful implementation requires coordinated integration of power convertors, current regulation, quench protection, energy extraction, machine protection, controls and existing accelerator infrastructure.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Gate control of electron correlations towards Mott field effect transistors (MottFET)

The modulation of channel conductance in field-effect transistors (FETs) via metal-insulator-semiconductor structures has revolutionized information processing and storage. However, the limitations of silicon-based FETs in electrical switching have driven the search for new materials capable of overcoming these constraints. Electrostatic gating of competing electronic phases in a Mott material near its metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) offers the prospects of substantial modulation of the conducting electrons and electrical resistivity through small changes in band filling. While electrostatic control of the MIT has been previously reported, the advancement of Mott materials toward novel Mott-based transistors, MottFETs requires the realization of their unique physical properties in a solid-state device. In this study, we present gate control of electron correlation using a solid-state device utilizing the oxide Mott system La 1-x Sr x VO 3 as a correlated FET channel. We report on a gate resistance response that cannot be explained in a purely electrostatic framework. This behavior suggests an enhancement in effective mass and a reduction in effective carrier density as the system approaches its insulating state, consistent with theoretical predictions for Mott systems, suggesting at least 100× charge gain originating from the correlated behavior. These preliminary results pave the way toward the development of highly efficient, low-power electronic devices that could surpass the performance bottlenecks of conventional FETs by leveraging the electronic phase transitions of correlated electron systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2024

Navigating the Use of Direct Current in Residential Settings: Merits and Obstacles

This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of the role of Direct Current (DC) power systems in residential settings, focusing on their safety, efficiency, and environmental advantages. It recognizes the significant contribution of the residential sector to global carbon dioxide emissions and explores how DC power systems can help mitigate these effects. The paper traces the historical evolution of DC power, its resurgence with renewable energy technologies, and the advancements in power electronics that facilitate its integration. Emphasizing the efficiency and safety benefits, especially in low-voltage applications, the paper highlights the seamless integration of DC systems with inherently DC-generating renewable sources like solar PV and wind. The review discusses the critical role of converter technologies in the transition to DC power and examines the compatibility of DC systems with energy storage solutions, underscoring their potential for enhanced energy management. It also addresses the environmental impacts of adopting DC power, aligning with global carbon reduction efforts. The paper analyzes regional case studies, exploring practical applications and outcomes, and addresses challenges such as the need for standardization. It concludes with recommendations for stakeholders and future research directions, emphasizing the economic, technological, and environmental aspects of DC power systems. Overall, the paper presents DC power as a viable and sustainable option for residential energy conservation, contingent upon ongoing technological progress, supportive policies, and standardization.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2025

Ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in grid-connected power converters: Challenges, standards, and compliance strategies

In today's rapidly advancing world, electronic devices and systems are fundamental to a wide range of industries, including renewable energy and global telecommunications infrastructure. However, as these devices become more complex and widespread, the risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) also increases, underscoring the importance of stringent Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements for maintaining system integrity. This paper addresses the specific challenges associated with grid-connected power converters (GCPCs), which are critical in integrating renewable energy into existing power grids. It explores the complexities of EMI in the context of GCPCs, particularly given the recent emergence of tailored EMC standards for these systems. The paper also highlights the shortcomings of applying generic or unrelated standards to GCPCs, often leading to inadequate compliance and testing protocols. Through a detailed analysis of existing standards and recent advancements in product-specific EMC requirements, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, offering guidance to stakeholders on navigating the intricate EMC compliance landscape, with a focus on methodologies, testing procedures, and the evolving regulatory environment for GCPCs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

3D‐Mapping and Manipulation of Photocurrent in an Optoelectronic Diamond Device

Abstract Establishing connections between material impurities and charge transport properties in emerging electronic and quantum materials, such as wide‐bandgap semiconductors, demands new diagnostic methods tailored to these unique systems. Many such materials host optically‐active defect centers which offer a powerful in situ characterization system, but one that typically relies on the weak spin‐electric field coupling to measure electronic phenomena. In this work, charge‐state sensitive optical microscopy is combined with photoelectric detection of an array of nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers to directly image the flow of charge carriers inside a diamond optoelectronic device, in 3D and with temporal resolution. Optical control is used to change the charge state of background impurities inside the diamond on‐demand, resulting in drastically different current flow such as filamentary channels nucleating from specific, defective regions of the device. Conducting channels that control carrier flow, key steps toward optically reconfigurable, wide‐bandgap optoelectronics are then engineered using light. This work might be extended to probe other wide‐bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN) relevant to present and emerging electronic and quantum technologies.

Wood, Alexander A.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Disentangling High Harmonic Generation from Surface and Bulk States of a Topological Insulator

The discovery of topological phases has introduced a new dimension to materials science. Three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators (TIs) are a remarkable class of matter that is insulating in the bulk while hosting conductive topological surface states (TSSs) with unique charge and spin properties. High-order harmonic generation (HHG) has emerged as a powerful tool to probe condensed matter systems by providing insights into their electronic structure and dynamic behavior. Here, we investigate HHG in the prototype 3D-TI Bi$_2$Se$_3$. We demonstrate that the contributions of bulk and surface states to the harmonic emission can be controlled by tuning the thickness of thin film samples. An ultrathin (6 nm) film substantially enhances HHG from the surface states, while the bulk states dominate HHG in a thicker (50 nm) film. By applying a quasi-static terahertz perturbing field, we disentangle the bulk and surface responses and reveal the significant impact of the surface states' shift vector and Berry curvature on HHG. Our study provides effective methods for isolating the optical responses of TSSs from those of the bulk, which opens the door to resolving an ongoing debate regarding whether it is possible to reliably extract topological signatures in HHG.

Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Multiphysics Co-Optimization Design and Analysis of Double-Side Cooled Silicon Carbide-Based Power Module: Preprint

With the rapid growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), much more rigorous design targets have been set for automotive power electronics, including high power density, high reliability, and low cost. Novel power module and inverter technologies based on wide bandgap (WEG) semiconductors have been developed to meet these design targets, while providing optimal power semiconductor operating temperature and promising thermomechanical performance. Compared with conventional cooling techniques which are normally applied only on one side of power module, double-side cooling approach is now believed to be the solution to enable high power density and low thermal resistance of WEG semiconductor-based power electronics. In this work, we develop a three-phase power module that is double-sided cooled using dielectric fluid jet impingement. In each phase, four silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors are bonded to copper busbars without electrical insulation layers. A finite element analysis (FEA) model is created for thermal and thermomechanical analysis. Based on FEA modeling results, we select particular dimensions for a parametric study to optimize thermal and mechanical performance. Using a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA)-based optimization method, we have minimized the maximum junction temperature and thermal stresses within the power module. The multiphysics co-optimization approach has enabled an efficient design process of power modules with greatly reduced computational cost, as compared to conventional processes that rely on exhaustive numerical simulations and iterations.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗