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At least 217 records · Page 12

Power Coupling Alternatives for the NEP Thermionic Power System

Three output power coupling methods which can eliminate the high temperature insulator from the Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) power system are described and estimates of their effects on the NEP system masses and cooling requirements are presented. Nominal 400 kWe power systems using push-pull and flux reset inductive output coupling are shown to have specific masses of 22.2 kg/kWe and 18.8 kg/kWe, respectively. Series connected heat pipe systems, which use the heat pipe-to-heat pipe resistance to isolate converters on adjacent heat pipes, are shown to have specific masses 0.5 to 1.4 kg/kWe lower than the NEP baseline system. Increasing the number and temperature of the heat pipes in the system without changing the electric output reduces the calculated system specific mass only slightly, whereas increasing the output power significantly reduces the specific mass. Estimates of cooling requirements indicate that 11-45 sq m of power conditioning radiator are needed. A possible location for the power conditioning radiator may be in the present location of the kapton sputter shield.

Manda, M. L.↗

Probabilistic Density Function Method for Stochastic ODEs of Power Systems with Uncertain Power Input

Wind and solar power generators are commonly described by a system of stochastic ordinary differential equations (SODEs) where random input parameters represent uncertainty in wind and solar energy. The existing methods for SODEs are mostly limited to delta-correlated random parameters (white noise). Here we use the Probability Density Function (PDF) method for deriving a closed-form deterministic partial differential equation (PDE) for the joint probability density function of the SODEs describing a power generator with time-correlated power input. The resulting PDE is solved numerically. A good agreement with Monte Carlo Simulations shows accuracy of the PDF method.

PDF method, stochastic differential equations, pow↗

Measurement-based Power System Dynamic Model Reductions

Interconnected power systems have experienced a significant increase in its size and complexity, due to continuous topology and operating condition changes. It is computationally burdensome to represent entire system models in detail to conduct power system analysis. In the large-scale power system dynamic simulations, the models in the study area need to be retained in detail while the external area can be reduced without compromising accuracy, which can preserve the full system dynamic properties. This paper develops measurement-based continuous-time dynamic equivalents for power systems in order to both improve the model accuracy of the reduced system and increase the speed of dynamic simulation. Our method is based on a set of measurements at the boundary nodes between the study area and external area. Case studies demonstrate that the measurement-based model can capture the full system behavior sufficiently, and improve computational efficiency.Interconnected power systems experienced a significant increase in size and complexity. It is computationally burdensome to represent the entire system in detail to conduct power system analysis. Therefore, the model of the study system must be retained in detail while the external system can be reduced using system reduction techniques. This paper proposes a measurement-based dynamic equivalent in order to increase both model accuracy and simulation speed. The proposed method uses a set of measurements at the boundary nodes between the study area and external area for model parameter identification. Case studies demonstrate that the measurement-based technique can capture the main system behaviors accurately and improve computational efficiency.

Xue, Yaosuo↗

Guest Editorial: Control interactions in power electronic converter dominated power systems

The modern power systems have undergone significant transformations at the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization levels due to the remarkable advancements in power electronic converter technology. Power electronic converters are now prevalent in various applications, including wind turbine converters, photovoltaic inverters, flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) and high-voltage DC (HVDC) converters, distributed generators, microgrids, and electric vehicles. The widespread adoption of power electronic converters has revolutionized the power system by providing fast and flexible controllability. However, their unique characteristics, such as fast response, multi-time scale dynamics, reconfigurable control, and varying sizes and capacities, have introduced new stability challenges, fundamentally altering the dynamics of modern power systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Maturation of Dynamic Power Convertors for Radioisotope Power Systems

Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (DRPS) are being developed by NASA’s Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for space science and exploration missions. A development effort is currently underway to mature dynamic power convertors for infusion into a potential future flight generator. This convertor maturation effort was formulated by the RPS Program at NASA Headquarters based on successful maturation models and utilizes expertise from agency’s technology and mission centers to support requirements development and technology assessments. The effort is being executed by Glenn Research Center’s (GRC) DRPS Project and the Thermal Energy Conversion Branch. The Dynamic Power Convertor (DPC) contracts consist of three phases to enable design, fabrication, and independent assessment of prototypes after delivery to the government. The contracts are intended to gather data on candidate dynamic conversion technologies to fill knowledge gaps, support assessments of dynamic conversion technologies, and elicit generator requirements. The 110-watt Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG-110) and Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) flight development projects provided Stirling convertor demonstration units and engineering models to verify and validate convertors against performance specifications and mission requirements. These units utilize temperature resistant materials and non-contacting bearings to demonstrate wear-free, long-life operation. This maturation effort builds on past lessons-learned and new requirements focused on demonstrating convertor robustness to critical environments meant to stress key aspects of each convertor within the margins of the design. This effort seeks to realize the full potential of dynamic power conversion technologies for NASA’s space science and exploration missions.

Wilson, Scott↗

The ATS-6 power system - An optimized design for maximum power source utilization

The modified power system design adopted for the ATS-6 satellite is described. This design featured a shunt-boost configuration to provide direct power from the solar array to the loads for maximum efficiency. In addition, shunt power dissipators were used, not only as a means of power system regulation, but also for thermal control. A brief description of the spacecraft and of the initial series regulator power system design (which was unable to meet mission requirements) precede the discussion. The shunt boost system provides excellent utilization of array power with an 8 to 10% increase in efficiency over the original configuration; good array-battery static and dynamic load sharing; excellent flexibility in accommodating mission requirements; and low electromagnetic interference.

Lavigna, T. A.↗

Performance of Energy Storage with Nuclear and Renewable Power Systems

Nuclear power represents a traditional baseload power component to the grid, while renewables output variable amounts of power at unpredictable times. Nuclear and renewable energy integration (NREI) systems have previously been explored as valuable additions to the existing power grid. Energy storage systems can allow power plants to store energy mechanically using pumped hydro or compressed air, thermally using liquid salt or steam accumulators, or chemically with batteries. The addition of energy storage to NREI systems can allow for the discharge of electricity to adjust to demands placed on the grid. The allocation of energy to adjust to grid demand is explored through a historical 8,760-hour analysis including nuclear, wind, and solar NREI systems with energy storage. The operation of storage systems is compared through simulations of different storage and discharge parameters based off the maximum daily grid demands, and hourly electricity prices. The overall profitability of storage systems is determined by comparing simulation results for the overall net revenue increases exceeding storage efficiency losses. Several NREI systems have increased the value of electricity for both solar PV and wind energy, in combination with nuclear power. Optimization of these systems is developed using MATLAB code and the simulations of the most profitable results are explored.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Analysis and Test of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power System for Space Power Applications

An effort is underway to develop a prototype Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell breadboard system for fuhlre space applications. This prototype will be used to develop a comprehensive design basis for a space-rated PEM fuel cell powerplant. The prototype system includes reactant pressure regulators, ejector-based reactant pumps, a 4-kW fuel cell stack and cooling system, and a passive, membranebased oxygen / water separator. A computer model is being developed concurrently to analytically predict fluid flow in the oxidant reactant system. Fuel cells have historically played an important role in human-rated spacecraft. The Gemini and Apollo spacecraft used fuel cells for vehicle electrical power. The Space Shuttle currently uses three Alkaline Fuel Cell Powerplants (AFCP) to generate all of the vehicle's 15-20kW electrical power. Engineers at the Johnson Space Center have leveraged off the development effort ongoing in the commercial arena to develop PEM fuel cel ls for terrestrial uses. The prototype design originated from efforts to develop a PEM fuel cell replacement for the current Space Shuttle AFCP' s. In order to improve on the life and an already excellent hi storical record of reliability and safety, three subsystems were focused on. These were the fuel cell stack itself, the reactant circulation devices, and reactant / product water separator. PEM fuel cell stack performance is already demonstrating the potential for greater than four times the useful life of the current Shuttle's AFCP. Reactant pumping for product water removal has historically been accomplished with mechanical pumps. Ejectors offer an effective means of reactant pumping as well as the potential for weight reduction, control simplification, and long life. Centrifugal water separation is used on the current AFCP. A passive, membrane-based water separator offers compatibility with the micro-gravity environment of space, and the potential for control simplification, elimination of moving parts in an oxygen environment, and long life. The prototype system has been assembled from components that have previously been tested and evaluated at the component level. Preliminary data obtained from tests performed with the prototype system, as well as other published data, has been used to validate the analytical component models. These components have been incorporated into an integrated oxidant fluid system model. Results obtained from both the performance tests and the analytical model are presented.

Vasquez, Arturo↗

A Study of the Impact of Reduced Inertia in Power Systems

Inertia in power systems plays an important role in maintaining the stability and reliability of the system by counteracting changes in frequency. However, the traditional sources of synchronous generation are being displaced by renewable resources, which often have no inherent inertia. This paper investigates the impact of reduced system inertia on several aspects of the dynamic stability of power systems, such as angular stability, primary frequency response, and oscillatory modes. This study is performed on a large-scale 2000 bus synthetic Texas model by selectively replacing synchronous generators with inverter-based generation resources. This paper also compares the analysis results obtained by the above-mentioned inertia-reduction approach of renewable integration with another approach in which the inertia constant of all synchronous generators is decreased. This paper demonstrates that only reducing the inertia of all synchronous generators in a system does not provide an accurate analysis of the challenges associated with the reduced system inertia caused by renewable integration.

System Inertia, Angular stability, System Inertial↗

Power HIL Evaluation of Inverter Controls for 100% Inverter-Based Bulk Power Systems

NREL's Power Electronic Grid Interface (PEGI) Workshop, held October 13, 2020, focused on the research challenges of operating power systems with ever-higher levels of inverter-based generation and power-electronic-based load. This presentation discusses a power hardware-in-the-loop evaluation of inverter controls for 100% inverter-based bulk power systems.

grid integration↗

Study of the generator/motor operation of induction machines in a high frequency link space power system

Static power conversion systems have traditionally utilized dc current or voltage source links for converting power from one ac or dc form to another since it readily achieves the temporary energy storage required to decouple the input from the output. Such links, however, result in bulky dc capacitors and/or inductors and lead to relatively high losses in the converters due to stresses on the semiconductor switches. The feasibility of utilizing a high frequency sinusoidal voltage link to accomplish the energy storage and decoupling function is examined. In particular, a type of resonant six pulse bridge interface converter is proposed which utilizes zero voltage switching principles to minimize switching losses and uses an easy to implement technique for pulse density modulation to control the amplitude, frequency, and the waveshape of the synthesized low frequency voltage or current. Adaptation of the proposed topology for power conversion to single-phase ac and dc voltage or current outputs is shown to be straight forward. The feasibility of the proposed power circuit and control technique for both active and passive loads are verified by means of simulation and experiment.

Lipo, Thomas A.↗

Assessment of the Time a Power System Remains in the Power Deficit Zone as a Function of the Scale Factor for Wind-Power Plants

The scale factor for the use of power plants of a certain type refers to the fraction of their use in the overall energy balance of the system. Energy production by wind power plants depends directly on the wind conditions in a particular location and is stochastic in character. Increasing the fraction of these installations in the overall balance of a system also requires an increase in the power reserve capacity. Here the time a power system remains in the power deficit zone is estimated as a function of the fraction of wind power plants in the system structure. Two approaches to the placement of wind power units within a power system are compared– individual components and a system of a set of components. It is concluded that even within a small power system, combining geographically distributed components with favorable and unfavorable wind conditions into a system can have a positive effect on all the components within certain ranges of the scale factor.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Automated management of power systems

APSM (Automated Power System Management) is a technology readiness program underway to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate various techniques involved in power system monitoring, as well as computational and control functions. The demonstration breadboard consists of the Viking Orbiter '75 power subassembly breadboard modified to incorporate dedicated microprocessors and digital interface circuits, as well as test support equipment for both spacecraft and ground computer simulation, fault simulation, and data acquisition.

Imamura, M. S.↗

Flight performance of the Voyager electrical power system

The Voyager power subsystem is described, and its flight performance to date is discussed. Special attention is given to the performance of the primary power source radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), to the autonomous operation features of the power system, and to the load management strategy developed to maintain an adequate power margin during application of transient loads and as normal degradation reduces RTG capability. It is found that the flight performance of the power system has been without significant problems to date and that RTG performance has exceeded mission requirements.

Packard, L. A.↗

A Solar-assisted Voltage Optimization Method for Transmission Solar Network Power System

This paper proposes a new formulation and solution algorithm that uses transmission level solar inverters to address the security-constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) problem. The goal is to stabilize voltage fluctuations in transmission networks in base case and contingency scenarios, by using bulk solar power plant with a minimal number of post-contingency corrections. To achieve this goal, a two-stage volt/var optimization method is proposed to first correct all voltage violations with the volt-var alternating current optimal power flow (ACOPF) algorithm for a base case. Then a linearized SCOPF volt-var control algorithm is proposed to identify the corrective actions for all potential voltage violations in all contingency scenarios. The proposed method was tested and validated on a modified IEEE 118-bus system with solar photovoltaic (PV) data.

Photovoltaic, Volt/Var Control↗