Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “energy management and control”

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.

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

At least 19 records

Energy Management Control Systems: Tools for Energy Savings and Environmental Protection

The change in the price of energy has encouraged the increase of energy efficiency. This report will discuss a tool to promote energy efficiency in intelligent buildings, energy management control systems (EMCS). In addition to the online control of energy production, supply, and consumption, the function of the EMCS is to support short- and long-term planning of the system operation as well as to collect, store, and regularly evaluate operation data. The strategies behind planning and implementing the EMCS as well as the manipulating the resulting data are discussed in this report.

Zsebik, Albin↗

Hybrid-Electric Aero-Propulsion Controls Testbed Results

NASA is supporting the development of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) technology due to its potential to reduce aircraft fuel burn, emissions, and noise as well as improving safety and performance. One focus of this research is the electrification of conventional turbomachinery propulsion systems, which offers ways to improve the performance and operability of turbine-engine powered aircraft through the addition of electro-mechanical systems. These hybrid-electric turbine engines provide additional actuation and energy management control opportunities for improving stability and transient response behavior. This paper summarizes the results of a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test performed at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) during the summer of 2022. The test demonstrates the feasibility and performance of an advanced energy management control strategy by integrating a simulated turbofan engine with scaled electro-mechanical hardware. A full-scale real-time reference model of a geared turbofan was run alongside a scaled electro-mechanical system representing the electrified turbofan components operating at a megawatt-scale power level. The model was interfaced with the hardware through a novel closed-loop control and scaling algorithm that emulated the dynamic speed and torque response of the turbofan shafts. The control strategy was implemented on the electrical machines connected to the emulated turbomachinery shafts. The results from the testbed are compared against simulations that predict the testbed and geared turbofan model operation. The energy management control strategy successfully changed the operating point of the engine model and improved its stability during throttle transients. These results also demonstrate the success of the novel closed loop control and scaling approach for emulating turbomachinery and elevate the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the energy management control strategy.

Aeronautics↗

Hybrid-Electric Aero-Propulsion Controls Testbed Results

NASA is supporting the development of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) technology due to its potential to reduce aircraft fuel burn, emissions, and noise as well as improving safety and performance. One focus of this research is the electrification of conventional turbomachinery propulsion systems, which offers ways to improve the performance and operability of turbine-engine powered aircraft through the addition of electro-mechanical systems. These hybrid-electric turbine engines provide additional actuation and energy management control opportunities for improving stability and transient response behavior. This paper summarizes the results of a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test performed at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) during the summer of 2022. The test demonstrates the feasibility and performance of an advanced energy management control strategy by integrating a simulated turbofan engine with scaled electro-mechanical hardware. A full-scale real-time reference model of a geared turbofan was run alongside a scaled electro-mechanical system representing the electrified turbofan components operating at a megawatt-scale power level. The model was interfaced with the hardware through a novel closed-loop control and scaling algorithm that emulated the dynamic speed and torque response of the turbofan shafts. The control strategy was implemented on the electrical machines connected to the emulated turbomachinery shafts. The results from the testbed are compared against simulations that predict the testbed and geared turbofan model operation. The energy management control strategy successfully changed the operating point of the engine model and improved its stability during throttle transients. These results also demonstrate the success of the novel closed loop control and scaling approach for emulating turbomachinery and elevate the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the energy management control strategy.

Aeronautics↗

Hybrid-Electric Aero-Propulsion Controls Testbed Results with Energy Storage

Electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) research is a priority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for its potential to increase propulsion system efficiency, performance, and operability at the subsystem and vehicle levels while decreasing emissions. These EAP systems demand more advanced control algorithms due to increased complexity. NASA has developed a reconfigurable, hardware-in-the-loop rig to verify control algorithm performance using a sub-scale electro-mechanical system. A novel capability of this rig is the ability to test full scale EAP control algorithms on a sub-scale representation of the electro-mechanical system without turbomachinery/rotors. A novel feature is the use of a physical energy storage device within the electro-mechanical system. A dual spool, parallel hybrid-electric turbofan architecture and energy management control system is tested with the goal of verifying the ability to obtain turbomachinery model operability benefits while controlling sub-scale electro-mechanical hardware. Pre-test predictions of the turbofan model, control, and rig performance were obtained through simulation using a software model of the rig. Theoretical results showing the true performance of the turbofan model were obtained through a software simulation using full-scale mechanical shaft models. The paper compares theoretical, predicted, and actual test results from the turbofan model, energy management control and rig perspectives. The results show that the presence of sub-scale electro-mechanical hardware did not inhibit the energy management algorithm from achieving turbomachinery operability benefits.

hybrid↗

Hybrid-Electric Aero-Propulsion Controls Testbed Results with Energy Storage

Electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) research is a priority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for its potential to increase propulsion system efficiency, performance, and operability at the subsystem and vehicle levels while decreasing emissions. These EAP systems demand more advanced control algorithms due to increased complexity. NASA has developed a reconfigurable, hardware-in-the-loop rig to verify control algorithm performance using a sub-scale electro-mechanical system. A novel capability of this rig is the ability to test full scale EAP control algorithms on a sub-scale representation of the electro-mechanical system without turbomachinery/rotors. A novel feature is the use of a physical energy storage device within the electro-mechanical system. A dual spool, parallel hybrid-electric turbofan architecture and energy management control system is tested with the goal of verifying the ability to obtain turbomachinery model operability benefits while controlling sub-scale electro-mechanical hardware. Pre-test predictions of the turbofan model, control, and rig performance were obtained through simulation using a software model of the rig. Theoretical results showing the true performance of the turbofan model were obtained through a software simulation using full-scale mechanical shaft models. The paper compares theoretical, predicted, and actual test results from the turbofan model, energy management control and rig perspectives. The results show that the presence of sub-scale electro-mechanical hardware did not inhibit the energy management algorithm from achieving turbomachinery operability benefits.

hybrid↗

Retrofitting Laboratory Fume Hoods With Face Velocity Monitors at NASA Lewis Research Center

Extensive use and reliance on laboratory fume hoods exist at LeRC for the control of chemical hazards (nearly 175 fume hoods). Flow-measuring devices are necessary to continually monitor hood performance. The flow-measuring device should he tied into an energy management control system to detect problems at a central location without relying on the users to convey information of a problem. Compatibility concerns and limitations should always be considered when choosing the most effective flow-measuring device for a particular situation. Good practice on initial hood design and placement will provide a system for which a flow-measuring device may be used to its full potential and effectiveness.

Wagner, Ingrid E.↗

Installation package for integrated programmable electronic controller and hydronic subsystem - solar heating and cooling

A description is given of the Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual and information on the power panel and programmable microprocessor, a hydronic solar pump system and a hydronic heating hot water pumping system. These systems are integrated into various configurations for usages in solar energy management, control and monitoring, lighting control, data logging and other solar related applications.

Source record↗

The potential impact of new power system technology on the design of a manned space station

Larger, more complex spacecraft of the future such as a manned Space Station will require electric power systems of 100 kW and more, orders of magnitude greater than the present state of the art. Power systems at this level will have a significant impact on the spacecraft design. Historically, long-lived spacecraft have relied on silicon solar cell arrays, a nickel-cadmium storage battery and operation at 28 V dc. These technologies lead to large array areas and heavy batteries for a Space Station application. This, in turn, presents orbit altitude maintenance, attitude control, energy management and launch weight and volume constraints. Size (area) and weight of such a power system can be reduced if new higher efficiency conversion and lighter weight storage technologies are used. Several promising technology options including concentrator solar photovoltaic arrays, solar thermal dynamic and ultimately nuclear dynamic systems to reduce area are discussed. Also, higher energy storage systems such as nickel-hydrogen and the regenerative fuel cell (RFC) and higher voltage power distribution which add system flexibility, simplicity and reduce weight are examined. Emphasis is placed on the attributes and development status of emerging technologies that are sufficiently developed so that they could be available for flight use in the early to mid 1990's.

Fordyce, J. S.↗

The potential impact of new power system technology on the design of a manned Space Station

Larger, more complex spacecraft of the future such as a manned Space Station will require electric power systems of 100 kW and more, orders of magnitude greater than the present state of the art. Power systems at this level will have a significant impact on the spacecraft design. Historically, long-lived spacecraft have relied on silicon solar cell arrays, a nickel-cadmium storage battery and operation at 28 V dc. These technologies lead to large array areas and heavy batteries for a Space Station application. This, in turn, presents orbit altitude maintenance, attitude control, energy management and launch weight and volume constraints. Size (area) and weight of such a power system can be reduced if new higher efficiency conversion and lighter weight storage technologies are used. Several promising technology options including concentrator solar photovoltaic arrays, solar thermal dynamic and ultimately nuclear dynamic systems to reduce area are discussed. Also, higher energy storage systems such as nickel-hydrogen and the regenerative fuel cell (RFC) and higher voltage power distribution which add system flexibility, simplicity and reduce weight are examined. Emphasis placed on the attributes and development status of emerging technologies that are sufficiently developed so that they could be available for flight use in the early to mid 1990's.

Fordyce, J. S.↗

Study on the application of NASA energy management techniques for control of a terrestrial solar water heating system

This paper addresses the potential for enhanced solar system performance through sophisticated control of the collector loop flow rate. Computer simulations utilizing the TRNSYS solar energy program were performed to study the relative effect on system performance of eight specific control algorithms. Six of these control algorithms are of the proportional type: two are concave exponentials, two are simple linear functions, and two are convex exponentials. These six functions are typical of what might be expected from future, more advanced, controllers. The other two algorithms are of the on/off type and are thus typical of existing control devices. Results of extensive computer simulations utilizing actual weather data indicate that proportional control does not significantly improve system performance. However, it is shown that thermal stratification in the liquid storage tank may significantly improve performance.

Swanson, T. D.↗

Model Predictive Control Strategies for Turbine Electrified Energy Management

The increasing electrification of aircraft propulsion systems is leading to new control architectures being developed to address integration between electric machines and gas-based turbine engines. For hybrid-electric propulsion systems, current conceptual architectures often couple electric machines with the shafts of gas turbine engines and introduce energy storage. Leveraging the electrical power system of hybridized engines, Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) is a recent control approach that improves transient operability in an effort to enable more efficient and lighter weight turbomachinery. This study seeks to expand TEEM’s application beyond traditional proportional-integral (PI) control by presenting linear model predictive control (MPC) schemes to execute the TEEM concept. Through constraint selection and cost function design, transient operability goals for TEEM are considered with no external logic or saturation. Unique to the designs are the use of a washout filter, which simplifies transient detection and motor activation logic. The proposed architectures are implemented with both centralized MPC and distributed MPC approaches, and comparisons are drawn to a benchmark PI controller simulated on a nonlinear turbofan engine model at one ground condition and one cruise condition. Performance is evaluated using compressor maps, stall margin performance, and two novel metrics: transient stack usage and transient excursion integral. Results reveal the linear MPC scheme performs comparably to the baseline controller and can be implemented in at least two distinct configurations with potential for further modifications, thus establishing the groundwork for future investigations.

Model Predictive Control↗

Model Predictive Control Strategies for Turbine Electrified Energy Management

The increasing electrification of aircraft propulsion systems is leading to new control architectures being developed to address integration between electric machines and gas-based turbine engines. For hybrid-electric propulsion systems, current conceptual architectures often couple electric machines with the shafts of gas turbine engines and introduce energy storage. Leveraging the electrical power system of hybridized engines, Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) is a recent control approach that improves transient operability in an effort to enable more efficient and lighter weight turbomachinery. This study seeks to expand TEEM’s application beyond traditional proportional integral (PI) control by presenting linear model predictive control (MPC) schemes to execute the TEEM concept. Through constraint selection and cost function design, transient operability goals for TEEM are considered with no external logic or saturation. Unique to the designs are the use of a washout filter, which simplifies transient detection and motor activation logic. The proposed architectures are implemented with both centralized MPC and distributed MPC approaches, and comparisons are drawn to a benchmark PI controller simulated on a nonlinear turbofan engine model at one ground condition and one cruise condition. Performance is evaluated using compressor maps, stall margin performance, and two novel metrics: transient stack usage and transient excursion integral. Results reveal the linear MPC scheme performs comparably to the baseline controller and can be implemented in at least two distinct configurations with potential for further modifications, thus establishing the groundwork for future investigations.

Model Predictive Control↗

Model Predictive Control Strategies for Turbine Electrified Energy Management

The increasing electrification of aircraft propulsion systems is leading to new control architectures being developed to address integration between electric machines and gas-based turbine engines. For hybrid-electric propulsion systems, current conceptual architectures often couple electric machines with the shafts of gas turbine engines and introduce energy storage. Leveraging the electrical power system of hybridized engines, Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) is a recent control approach that improves transient operability in an effort to enable more efficient and lighter weight turbomachinery. This study seeks to expand TEEM’s application beyond traditional proportional-integral (PI) control by presenting linear model predictive control (MPC) schemes to execute the TEEM concept. Through constraint selection and cost function design, transient operability goals for TEEM are considered with no external logic or saturation. Unique to the designs are the use of a washout filter, which simplifies transient detection and motor activation logic. The proposed architectures are implemented with both centralized MPC and distributed MPC approaches, and comparisons are drawn to a benchmark PI controller simulated on a nonlinear turbofan engine model at one ground condition and one cruise condition. Performance is evaluated using compressor maps, stall margin performance, and two novel metrics: transient stack usage and transient excursion integral. Results reveal the linear MPC scheme performs comparably to the baseline controller and can be implemented in at least two distinct configurations with potential for further modifications, thus establishing the groundwork for future investigations.

Model Predictive Control↗

Turbine Electrified Energy Management with Model Predictive Control

Affordability, sustainability, and efficiency are primary motivators driving the future of NASA aeronautics research. These factors are realized, in part, through the development and implementation of new technologies and strategies enabling efficient, affordable, and safe hybrid-electric aircraft. Research supporting electrified aircraft propulsion control systems exemplifies such new methodologies, offering varied opportunities to integrate electric machines with gas-based turbine engines. For hybrid-electric propulsion systems, current conceptual architectures seek to introduce energy storage and exploit electrical power system components to assist gas-based system components. Capitalizing on the electric machines in hybridized engines, Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) is a control approach that enhances transient operability to improve overall propulsion and vehicle efficiency by injecting or extracting power from engine shafts. Traditionally implemented with proportional-integral (PI) control, this study expands the application of TEEM by presenting model predictive control (MPC) schemes to execute the TEEM concept. Via cost function design and constraint selection, the transient operability goals for TEEM are considered in the controller designs. The proposed MPCs are simulated on a nonlinear turbofan engine model at two environmental conditions, with comparisons drawn to a baseline PI. Performance is evaluated using compressor maps and two TEEM-specific metrics: transient stack usage and transient excursion integral. Simulation results reveal the developed schemes perform comparably to the benchmark controller and can be implemented in two distinct configurations. Potential modifications for future investigations include cost function measures that optimize energy use, additional performance effectiveness measures, and battery storage capabilities.

Elyse D. Hill↗

Investigation of energy management strategies for photovoltaic systems - A predictive control algorithm

The present investigation is concerned with the formulation of energy management strategies for stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems, taking into account a basic control algorithm for a possible predictive, (and adaptive) controller. The control system controls the flow of energy in the system according to the amount of energy available, and predicts the appropriate control set-points based on the energy (insolation) available by using an appropriate system model. Aspects of adaptation to the conditions of the system are also considered. Attention is given to a statistical analysis technique, the analysis inputs, the analysis procedure, and details regarding the basic control algorithm.

Cull, R. C.↗