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At least 199 records · Page 11

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DOE OSTI2024

Voltage Optimization

Voltage optimization refers to a volt-var optimization technique which was originally designed to minimize energy consumption and improve end-use efficiency on the distribution system. This reduces source voltage at a substation, which lowers generation demand, reduces system losses, and improves system stability. This has been the conventional implementation of voltage optimization: focusing on regulation of voltages throughout the distribution system via coordinated adjustments of load tap changers, line-voltage regulators, switched shunt compensation, and the targeted placement of new shunt compensation. These methods have received increased focus following a growth in distributed-energy resources (DERs) interconnecting at the distribution level, given their developing capability to participate in voltage regulation. This is paired with the intermittency challenges they pose, load imbalances, and voltage fluctuations. Voltage optimization has long been an area of extensive research within the distribution system, with various strategies and philosophies demonstrating a range of effects. The conventional focus on the distribution system owes to the typical operation of transmission systems, which assumes firm local resources and flows strictly from generation resources to loads. The strategies employed in distribution have also been optimized for this typically radial configuration and operation of the distribution system.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

A Comprehensive Strategy for Grid Forming Control in DC Coupled Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Inverters

This paper presents an integrated DC-DC and DCAC grid-forming control strategy for DC-coupled photovoltaic (PV) plus battery energy storage systems, considering the effect of DC link voltage variations caused by direct PV connections. A power reference algorithm determines power distribution between the PV and battery to the grid while observing device power ratings to prevent the over-rating of components and keep the battery's state of charge within an acceptable range. The simulated utility-scale model in MATLAB/Simulink illustrates its ability against extreme phase angle variation contingencies in the grid while controlled through grid-forming control with a fast dynamic on DC link voltage. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control in integrating PV plus battery configurations with grid forming control and maintaining reliable grid operation under severe grid disturbances.

battery, boost, control, energy storage, grid form↗

DOE OSTI2024

A review on protection challenges of Transmission Lines connected to Inverter Based Resources

The increased penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) connected to transmission grids is challenging how traditional electric power systems operate. Such systems were originally designed based on the dominant presence of synchronous generators. Some main challenges include the increased concerns about system stability due to the reduced system inertia caused by IBRs and the reduced protection reliability caused by the non-deterministic fault current response of IBRs. The protection relays’ algorithms have been designed and validated based on well-known fault current characteristics of synchronous generations, while the short-circuit responses of IBRs heavily depend on their vendor-specific control schemes, which are mainly set to protect inverter semiconductor switches and DC components. The magnitude of short current that IBRs contribute is typically between 1.1–1.5 times the rated current that may behave unstably and incoherently with the voltages. The control scheme of the IBRs also controls the active (P) and reactive (Q) support during system voltage sag and swell conditions. These characteristics challenge not only protective relay schemes but also existing short-circuit software tools to correctly model IBRs for fault studies and protection coordination analyses.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

A Review on Protection Challenges of Transmission Lines Connected to Inverter-Based Resources

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Integrated Multi-Fidelity Model and Co-Simulation Platform for Distribution System Transient and Dynamic Analysis—DistribuDyn

As inverter-based, distributed energy resources (DERs) and variable loads continue to proliferate across distribution systems, it is increasingly important to understand their impacts on system stability and reliability. However, most commercially available simulation tools for distribution planning primarily focus on steady-state and quasi-steady state analysis, offering limited capabilities to study transient and dynamic behaviors.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Building the next high voltage dc photogun polarized source for the ILC at JLab

During the ILC Global Design Effort (2007) two 200 kV high voltage photoguns based on an inverted insulator geometry were developed in 2010 and successfully tested at Jefferson Lab (JLab). One of the photoguns has been operated at 130 kV in the CEBAF accelerator for the JLab nuclear physics program. The inverted insulator replaces the electrode support structure, consequently significantly less metal prone to field emission is biased and surfaces contributing to the vacuum load are significantly reduced. Implementing a biased anode, and using a larger laser spot size has made this the state of the art polarized beam source with ~200 C charge lifetime from SSL GaAs photocathodes. However, operating at the design 200 kV voltage has been hindered by field emission at ~190 kV. To reliably operate without field emission requires lengthy conditioning applying 50-100 kV beyond the voltage needed for beam operations, without breakdown or damage to the insulator. Over the past decade, JLab has developed two photoguns with a larger version of the commercial inverted insulators used in the ILC design. One photogun operated at 300 kV for magnetized beam studies, and the concept has been implemented in the BNL polarized photogun. The second photogun has recently been installed in CEBAF to operate at 200 kV field emission free. Higher voltage photoguns help the ILC and CLIC achieve higher bunch charge (2013 TDR), and additionally provide margin for operating with shorter laser pulse length and/or smaller laser spot size (better emittance at higher peak current). Such photogun designs need to reach ~400 kV without breakdown or insulator damage to operate field emission free at > 300 kV. This also allows for direct injection into a SRF booster. JLab submitted a proposal to HEP for developing in partnership with industry an inverted geometry insulator to fit commercial 400 kV cables. This contribution describes JLab experience developing and testing high voltage photoguns, and what is needed to sufficiently condition for voltage levels higher than beam operational voltage.

Hernandez-Garcia, Carlos↗

DOE OSTI2026

How Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) Affect Protection Relay Elements

This presentation starts with the details of IEEE 2800-2022 requirements of IBR for balanced and unbalanced faults. Then, it shows how to design a droop based GFM control to be IEEE 2800-2022 compliant. An performance evaluation is carried out to see if three OEM GFM inverters 2800-2022 compliant or not. And finally we show how IEEE 2800-2022 complaint and non-compliant GFM inverter will impact the transmission line protection elements, such as directional element and FID. Finally, recommendations are made if the GFM is not IEEE 2800-2022 compliant to disable the protection elements that rely on reliable and regulated negative sequence current.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Inverter Design with High Short-Circuit Fault Current Contribution to Enable Legacy Overcurrent Protection for Islanded Microgrids

The resiliency offered by a microgrid may be lost if the microgrid is not properly protected during short-circuit faults inside its boundaries. Many studies conclude that protecting microgrids in islanded mode is very challenging due to the limited short-circuit capability of distributed energy resources (DERs). The limited short-circuit capability of DERs typically inhibits the use of reliable and affordable overcurrent protective devices in microgrids. Although extensive research on microgrid protection is available in the literature, to date this research has not led to a cost-effective, commercially available relay that effectively tackles the challenges of microgrid protection. This work proposes hardware modifications to enhance the current contribution of an energy storage inverter with the objective of enabling the use of legacy overcurrent protection for islanded microgrids. This paper demonstrates through experimental results that few modifications are required in the inverter to significantly enhance its current contribution. In this study, a three-phase energy storage inverter was modified to provide three times its rated current during three-phase faults, which proved sufficient current for enough time to enable fuse-relay, and relay-to-relay coordination. The proposed modifications effectively increase the current contribution of the inverter, which is a promising advancement to allow the adoption of overcurrent protective devices for protecting microgrids.

Ferrari Maglia, Max↗

DOE OSTI2023

An Overview of Inverter-based Resource Interconnection Standards

For the past century, electric power systems have primarily been bulk power systems consisting of generation, transmission, and distribution networks. Now the rapid expansion of distributed renewable power sources (RESs) and the shift from large, conventional synchronous machine resources to smaller-sized resources with diverse generation characteristics become the most significant change in modern power systems. With the increasing penetration of RESs, which are inverter-based resources (IBRs), it is important to develop interconnection standards that define performance and capability criteria for these IBRs. This is necessary to ensure the stable and reliable operation of power systems. This report summarizes the standards for IBRs interconnection in North America.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Study of the Protection Improvements for a Weak Grid Area With High Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs)

This project designs enhanced protection scheme for the real-world weak grid area with a high penetration of IBRs. As the existing protection schemes are originally designed for traditional synchronous machines, we first evaluate if the protection scheme will continue to operate reliably in systems with high levels of IBRs. Hardware relays are tested using a controller-hardware-in-the-loop setup. PSCAD electromagnetic transient simulation with IBR original equipment manufacturer black-box models is used to perform fault studies and generate COMTRADE data, which are replayed by a real-time digital simulator (RTDS) to feed input to the hardware relays. Three scenarios are analyzed: normal operation, an N-1 contingency, and an IBR-only scenario. The evaluation results reveal the following: 1) the protection scheme remains reliable under normal conditions and N-1 contingencies and 2) in IBR-only scenarios, differential protection (87L) continues to operate reliably, whereas local protection elements, such as distance and directional elements, fail because of the lack of regulated negative sequence current contributed by IBRs. Enhanced protection is designed to address the challenge of lack of negative sequence current from IBRs, including increased restraining factors a2 and k2 to block 32Q or using V instead QV ORDER for ground faults, enhanced mho distance element with voltage and phase angle supervision for L-L faults. The efficacy of enhanced protection logic is validated and proven to work reliably. Additionally, IEEE Std. 2800-2022 negative sequence current compliant GFL and GFM IBRs from another vendor are tested and proven to work reliably without need for enhanced logic. Therefore, this work provides valuable decision-making for utilities facing protection system challenges due to IBRs, either designing enhanced protection scheme or requesting their IBRs being IEEE Std. 2800-2022 compliant to produce regulated negative sequence current for protection relay to make correct decision.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Digital Assurance for Grid Reliability in the Era of Large Load Growth

The rapid expansion of large electric loads is reshaping the operational and regulatory landscape of the U.S. electric grid. These facilities are reaching new scales of expansion, now exceeding a gigawatt per site, and their highly sensitive, digitally driven behaviors introduce new reliability risks. Recent grid events, including large load losses following routine transmission disturbances, highlight the consequences of limited ride-through capability, inconsistent protection settings, inadequate modeling, and lack of behind-the-meter visibility. Parallels to earlier integration challenges of new grid technologies suggest that the grid’s existing processes, standards, and interconnection frameworks are no longer adequate for emerging large loads. This brief synthesizes lessons from the evolution of inverter-based resource regulation and applies them to large-load integration. It identifies critical gaps in modeling accuracy, interconnection processes, performance standards, and compliance mechanisms. Technical recommendations emphasize advanced monitoring, improved modeling, coordinated communication protocols, modernized substations, and structured behind-the-meter control schemes. Collectively, these measures provide a roadmap to maintain bulk power system reliability while enabling the continued growth of large, electrified digital infrastructure.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Modeling Distributed Energy Resources for Analyzing Distribution Systems with High Renewable Penetration: Preprint

Increasing levels of inverter-based distributed energy resources (IBDERs) impact the legacy overcurrent distribution protection systems. The fault current injections of IBDERs are limited to between 1-2 p.u. of the rated current. The combination of the limited fault current and varying system load makes it increasingly difficult to reliably set the overcurrent protection. To address this challenge, researchers are proposing adaptive overcurrent protection mechanisms that can adapt to changing system conditions. Accurate modeling of IBDERs is required to develop reliable protection schemes. This paper presents a photovoltaics-based IBDER model in OpenDSS for adaptive overcurrent protection. The paper presents the validation of the proposed IBDER model against a detailed model in electromagnetic transient programs. Protection analysis of the Electric Power Research Institute J1 feeder with the proposed IBDER model is also presented.

adaptive↗

DOE OSTI2024

Data-driven Modeling for Grid Edge IBRs: A Digital Twin Perspective of User-Defined Models

Recent events in Odessa have brought attention to the challenges associated with the interaction between Inverter- Based Resources (IBRs) and the transmission and distribution system. The NERC event diagnosis report has highlighted sev- eral issues, emphasizing the need for continuous performance monitoring of these IBRs by system operators. Key areas of concern include the mismatch of control and protection perfor- mance of IBRs between the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-provided models and field measurements. The inability to replicate the realistic response can result in incorrect reliability and resilience studies. In this paper, we developed an approach on how to emulate the behavior of an IBR using measurement data obtained for system operators to utilize in real-time and long- term planning. Two experiments are conducted in the phasor domain and electromagnetic transients (EMT) domain to emulate the behavior for grid forming and grid following inverters under various operating conditions and the effectiveness of the proposed model is demonstrated in terms of accuracy and ease of utilizing user-defined models (UDMs)

Mahapatra, Kaveri [BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)]↗

DOE OSTI2021

Impedance Methods for Analyzing Stability Impacts of Inverter-Based Resources: Stability Analysis Tools for Modern Power Systems

Power systems around the world are undergoing a major transformation because of the increasing shares of renewable energy, growing deployment of energy storage systems, proliferation of distributed energy resources, electrification of other sectors, and so on. In the United States, wind and solar provided almost 10% of electricity in 2019. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, in its 2020 Annual Energy Outlook, forecasted that the share of electricity from renewables will reach 38% by 2050, of which more than 80% will come from wind and solar. Wind and solar, along with battery energy storage systems, interface with the grid using power electronic inverters; hence, they are collectively referred to as inverter-based resources (IBRs). The increasing annual share of electricity from IBRs in a power system means that during more times of the year, the system will operate at a much higher concentration of IBRs. Figure 1 presents the hourly share of wind and solar generation in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) system in Texas in 2019. While the annual wind share was at 20%, the instantaneous percentage share was much higher. Moments of high shares of IBRs (>50%) will continue to grow as more IBRs will be deployed in a power system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Coordinated Integration of Renewable Generation and Small Modular Reactors in Puerto Rico – an Initial Study

With a growing interest and awareness to support clean and sustainable sources of energy, several countries have ambitious plans to significantly increase the penetration of renewable energy in the grid. However, the sources of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, are highly intermittent and therefore can pose additional challenges to maintain reliable system operations; one such challenge being flexibility requirement. This paper addresses the concerns of increasing flexibility needs with high renewable penetration, and also study the coordinated integration of nuclear small modular reactor and inverter-based renewable generation sources in a system to achieve high levels of carbon-free and sustainable energy. In this paper, balancing reserve and short-term flexibility requirements were considered for the analysis purpose. Also, methodology was developed to calculate metrics for calculating short-term flexibility requirements in the time-scale of hours. Small modular reactors are considered as potential sources of generation flexibility to complement renewables.

Agrawal, Urmila↗

DOE OSTI2020

Co-Optimization of Boost Converter Reliability and Volumetric Power Density [Brief]

Optimized designs were achieved using a genetic algorithm to evaluate multi-objective trade space, including Mean-Time-Between-Failure (MTBF) and volumetric power density. This work provides a foundational platform that can be used to optimize additional power converters, such as an inverter for the EV traction drive system as well as trade-offs in thermal management due to the use of different device substrate materials.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Enabling Power System Transformation Globally: A System Operator Research Agenda for Bulk Power System Issues

The primary objective of a power system is to safely provide reliable energy services to society at an affordable cost. In many countries, this objective has been supplemented by another: meeting the energy demand with sustainable resources, which has culminated in the energy transition to low-carbon and zero-carbon energy systems. This transition, occurring rapidly around the world, is characterized by the increasing penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE), inverter-based resources (IBRs), and distributed energy resources (DERs).

costs↗

DOE OSTI2022

Real-Time Hardware-in-The-Loop Implementation of Protection and Self-Healing of Microgrids

The design of a reliable protection scheme for microgrids often requires communication between protective devices and microgrid controllers. The authors have developed such a communication assisted scalable protection scheme with a self healing feature to protect a microgrid with 100% Inverter Based Resources (IBRs). The communication assisted scheme must be validated in real time with cyber physical co-simulation for successful demonstration. In this regard, the paper presents a co-simulation platform between a simulated power system model using RTDS and physical protective devices. The primary protection of the scheme is programmed in SEL 421-7 relay and backup protection is programmed in MATLAB on a generic computer acting as a microgrid controller. The IEC 61850 models are used to communicate between SEL-421-7 relay and RTDS, whereas TCP/IP communication connects the microgrid controller to RTDS. The paper’s focus is to demonstrate the co- simulation platform with communication links established using both protocols and validate the proposed scheme in real-time on the IEEE 123 node distribution feeder. The paper explains the configuration of the IEC 61850 and TCP/IP communications as the interface requires proper hardware and software setup. Furthermore, the real time performance indicates the Hardware In the Loop (HIL) framework as a competent testing environment for the developed protection scheme for microgrids.

42 ENGINEERING↗