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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Review of Literature and Utility Commission Proceedings Relevant to Integrated System Planning: Annotated Bibliography Prepared to Support the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

In 2024 the Washington State Legislature passed the Decarbonization Act for Large Combination Utilities (Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1589 – the Act). The Act requires a large combination electric and gas utility to conduct integrated system planning supporting electrification and gas system decarbonization, including a reduction in the gas rate base. The utility is required to submit the first integrated system plan (ISP) by January 1, 2027. The requirements are to be developed and adopted by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) by July 1, 2025. In October 2024 Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) began providing technical assistance to the UTC to support the ISP rulemaking. PNNL and LBNL have prepared this annotated bibliography of research and reports, and state examples of coordinated gas and electric planning, future of gas, and future of heat proceedings in other U.S. States and one Canadian Province. The items described here have been selected by the authors for their potential relevance to the UTC’s integrated system planning rule discussions.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utility Microgrid Controller Test Plan

The functional requirements of many microgrid controllers (MGCs) are expanding and evolving to meet growing utility and community needs. At a high level, the utility microgrid controller serves resilience and reliability use cases by coordinating transitions between grid-connected and islanded states and by managing the system during island operations. This includes control scenarios that require the microgrid controller to use flexible microgrid boundaries, maintain energy balance, coordinate with peer systems, and manage grid-forming (GFM) and grid-following (GFL) DER. In order to evaluate these functional enhancements, microgrid controller test plans must also be developed to ensure that the implemented controllers provide adequate performance. This report provides MGC test plans for both island operation and transition functions. The functions covered in this first edition report include feeder level energy management, island constraint management, secondary voltage and frequency control, black start, and synchronized reconnection. These test cases can be applied to utility-managed microgrid controllers that exclusively manage utility-owned equipment; the tests also apply to third-party managed microgrid controllers that coordinate with utility- and customer-owned equipment. The report can also be used by technology developers and project developers in industry to evaluate control strategies and performance characteristics for community microgrid controllers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2000

Expected Utility Distributions for Flexible, Contingent Execution

This paper presents a method for using expected utility distributions in the execution of flexible, contingent plans. A utility distribution maps the possible start times of an action to the expected utility of the plan suffix starting with that action. The contingent plan encodes a tree of possible courses of action and includes flexible temporal constraints and resource constraints. When execution reaches a branch point, the eligible option with the highest expected utility at that point in time is selected. The utility distributions make this selection sensitive to the runtime context, yet still efficient. Our approach uses predictions of action duration uncertainty as well as expectations of resource usage and availability to determine when an action can execute and with what probability. Execution windows and probabilities inevitably change as execution proceeds, but such changes do not invalidate the cached utility distributions, thus, dynamic updating of utility information is minimized.

Bresina, John L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Payload crew utilization for spacelab missions

Planned payload crew utilization on Spacelab mission are analyzed to establish trends and guidelines. The study included missions that have flow to date as well as those in planning. Available data were analyzed on the basis of four major timeline iterations that occur during mission design. Data were categorized and assessed by crewmember, flight day, and mission. Based on the results of this analysis, it was recommended that for the Requirements Review and Preliminary Design Review iterations the maximum utilization per shift should be 75 percent for the Payload Specialist (PS) and 65 percent for the Mission Specialist (MS); and for the basic and final iterations, the maximum utilization shift should be 85 percent for the PS and 75 percent for the MS. Additional recommendations include limiting the amount of activity during the first two shifts whenever possible and establishing a common set of guidelines for the calculations of crew utilization.

Ibrahim, K. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Power Effects on High Lift, Stability and Control Characteristics of the TCA Model Tested in the LaRC 14 x 22 Ft Wind Tunnel

The TCA-2 wind-tunnel test was the second in a series of planned tests utilizing the 5% Technology Concept Airplane (TCA) model. Each of the tests was planned to utilize the unique capabilities of the NASA Langley 14'x22' and the NASA Ames 12' test facilities, in order to assess specific aspects of the high lift and stability and control characteristics of the TCA configuration. However, shortly after the completion of the TCA-1 test, an early projection of the Technology Configuration (TC) identified the need for several significant changes to the baseline TCA configuration. These changes were necessary in order to meet more stringent noise certification levels, as well as, to provide a means to control dynamic structural modes. The projected changes included a change to the outboard wing (increased aspect ratio and lower sweep) and a reconfiguration of the longitudinal control surfaces to include a medium size canard and a reduced horizontal tail. The impact of these proposed changes did not affect the TCA-2 test, because it was specifically planned to address power effects on the empennage and a smaller horizontal tail was in the plan to be tested. However, the focus of future tests was reevaluated and the emphasis was shifted away from assessment of TCA specific configurations to a more general assessment of configurations that encompass the projected design space for the TC.

Glessner, Paul T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Risk-controlled Expansion Planning with Distributed Resources (REPAIR) v1.0

The Risk-controlled Expansion Planning with Distributed Resources (REPAIR) is an innovative tool to support decisions around utility grid planning to prevent and mitigate the impact of outages caused by routine equipment failures (reliability) or by extreme events (resilience), such as storms, earthquakes or wildfires that long term interruption of service. REPAIR is a risk-based optimization and decision-making model allowing informed and transparent "cost vs risk" decisions regarding infrastructural planning of electric utilities. The model considers long-term resilience and reliability planning strategies that rely on traditional infrastructure upgrade (e.g. circuit hardening, reinforcement, new substations, etc.) or new investment alternatives, such as DERs.

Heleno, Miguel [Lawrence Berkeley National Laborat↗
DOE OSTI2026

Generative large language models for predictive maintenance planning

Maintenance planning and the generation of necessary components for tasks can prove time-consuming and complex. Automating the creation of recurring or similar tasks by leveraging previous planning packages and data, while uncovering insights to automate planning package generation, presents an opportunity to conserve valuable time and resources. This work aims to harness the textual and probabilistic capabilities of large language models (LLMs) to automate the generation of planning packages. Utilizing diverse data sources ranging from raw data to handwritten text, both singular and collaborative LLMs are trained and tested. Results demonstrate their capability to generate essential planning package components, effectively replicating the statistical patterns in the data. This demonstrates the use of these tools inside a digital asset for automated planning. This work outlines a methodology for constructing datasets, a training suite, and evaluation methods for LLM-based textual and conversational planning tools utilized in an asset digital twin. Results indicate that the fine-tuned models generate estimated planning information within the statistical ranges observed in real maintenance data. The models achieve high accuracy (>90%) in document question-answering and instruction generation tasks. Furthermore, the conversational retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) assistant system achieves 100% document retrieval accuracy, while conversational information capture exceeds 98% across the majority of work-package assistant modules.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2016

On the Path to SunShot. Utility Regulatory and Business Model Reforms for Addressing the Financial Impacts of Distributed Solar on Utilities

Net-energy metering (NEM) has helped drive the rapid growth of distributed PV (DPV) but has raised concerns about electricity cost shifts, utility financial losses, and inefficient resource allocation. These concerns have motivated real and proposed reforms to utility regulatory and business models. This report explores the challenges and opportunities associated with such reforms in the context of the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative. Most of the reforms to date address NEM concerns by reducing the benefits provided to DPV customers and thus constraining DPV deployment. Eliminating NEM nationwide, by compensating exports of PV electricity at wholesale rather than retail rates, could cut cumulative DPV deployment by 20% in 2050 compared with a continuation of current policies. This would slow the PV cost reductions that arise from larger scale and market certainty. It could also thwart achievement of the SunShot deployment goals even if the initiative's cost targets are achieved. This undesirable prospect is stimulating the development of alternative reform strategies that address concerns about distributed PV compensation without inordinately harming PV economics and growth. These alternatives fall into the categories of facilitating higher-value DPV deployment, broadening customer access to solar, and aligning utility profits and earnings with DPV. Specific strategies include utility ownership and financing of DPV, community solar, distribution network operators, services-driven utilities, performance-based incentives, enhanced utility system planning, pricing structures that incentivize high-value DPV configurations, and decoupling and other ratemaking reforms that reduce regulatory lag. These approaches represent near- and long-term solutions for preserving the legacy of the SunShot Initiative.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Exploring New Models for Utility Distributed Energy Resource Planning and Integration: SMUD and Con Edison

As a result of the rapid growth of renewable energy in the United States, the U.S. electric grid is undergoing a monumental shift away from its historical status quo. These changes are occurring at both the centralized and local levels and have been driven by a number of different factors, including large declines in renewable energy costs, federal and state incentives and mandates, and advances in the underlying technology. Higher levels of variable-generation renewable energy, however, may require new and increasingly complex methods for utilities to operate and maintain the grid while also attempting to limit the costly build-out of supporting grid infrastructure.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantifying the Financial Impacts of Electric Vehicles on Utility Ratepayers and Shareholders [Slides]

Widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption is critical for meeting economy-wide decarbonization goals and, as a result, states are considering enabling policies and rate designs to accelerate EV deployment. EVs can provide possible financial upside to electric utilities and ratepayers in several ways. For example, from the utility perspective, EVs could drive increased electricity sales and new earnings opportunities through increased capital investments. From the ratepayer perspective, increased electric loads from EVs could reduce average all-in retail rates. The degree to which there are net benefits or costs to shareholders and/or ratepayers depends on how EVs are integrated and managed through enabling grid investments and charging strategies. Using Berkeley Lab’s Financial Impacts of Distributed Energy Resources (FINDER) model that mimics the electric utility investment planning and ratemaking processes, we estimate the utility earnings and customer rate impacts of EVs using a bookend approach of “managed” (i.e., best case) and “mismanaged” (i.e., worst case) charging strategies for a generic summer-peaking, investor-owned, and vertically integrated utility. The analysis also examines the sensitivity of results to different assumptions of EV deployment characteristics, EV impacts on retail electricity sales, incremental distribution system costs, EV charging location, and utility EV enablement costs (i.e., utility costs to invest in EV charging, controls, and communication to deliver and administer EV programs). The results are intended to inform EV policies and deployment strategies that maximize utility system benefits and minimize ratepayer costs.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS1992

Technology planning for long range utilization of Space Station Freedom

A system is described with specific examples for identifying and selecting advanced technologies for use with the Space Station Freedom (SSF) that positively impact capabilities and costs. Emerging advanced technologies should be compared with SSF technological needs and selected according to an optimal combination of readiness, development risks/costs, performance requirements, and crew safety. The selected technologies should be planned to the extent that the technology continues advancing to the point of readiness in a manner consistent with the objectives and timeframe of the SSF program. An SSF Advanced Studies component is described that worked to advance critical emergent technologies including advanced heat rejection, closed air-loops, high-efficiency space-power systems, and advanced power storage. The efforts can lead to the identification of crucial parameters such as performance degradation, lifetime, growth, and area that are relevant to the SSF overall objectives.

Ahlf, P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Strategic planning for the International Space Station

The concept for utilization and operations planning for the International Space Station Freedom was developed in a NASA Space Station Operations Task Force in 1986. Since that time the concept has been further refined to definitize the process and products required to integrate the needs of the international user community with the operational capabilities of the Station in its evolving configuration. The keystone to the process is the development of individual plans by the partners, with the parameters and formats common to the degree that electronic communications techniques can be effectively utilized, while maintaining the proper level and location of configuration control. The integration, evaluation, and verification of the integrated plan, called the Consolidated Operations and Utilization Plan (COUP), is being tested in a multilateral environment to prove out the parameters, interfaces, and process details necessary to produce the first COUP for Space Station in 1991. This paper will describe the concept, process, and the status of the multilateral test case.

Griner, Carolyn S.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electric Distribution System Planning with DERs - High-level Assessment of Tools and Methods

This document addresses analytical tools and methods to support electric distribution system planning with distributed energy resources (DERs) and grid modernization, drawing on leading-edge research and examples from around the United States. In this report, tools include computer models and software, as well as other analytical aids and practices that support distribution system planning. At its core, distribution system planning is about supporting investment decisions. Enhanced and integrated distribution system planning allows utilities to move from a passive reactive role to smart proactive planning with respect to DERs. Distribution system planning can increase transparency around utility distribution system investments before they are brought to the regulatory body for cost recovery, can support deferring traditional infrastructure investments, and can provide information and incentives to customers and third parties about where DERs can help the grid. A growing number of states are beginning to consider a comprehensive distribution system planning process that addresses the costs and benefits of DERs, reflects more choices coming from the customer/third-party domains, is integrated with resource and transmission planning, and incorporates planning scenarios that reflect the dynamic and changing nature of the electricity system

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Control and Simulation of a Grid-Forming Inverter for Hybrid PV-Battery Plants in Power System Black Start

Power system restoration is an important part of system planning. Power utilities are required to maintain black start capable generators that can energize the transmission system and provide cranking power to non-blackstart capable generators. Traditionally, hydro and diesel units are used as black start capable generators. With the increased penetration of bulk size solar farms, inverter based generation can play an important role in faster and parallel black start thus ensuring system can be brought back into service without the conventional delays that can be expected with limited black start generators. Inverter-based photovoltaic (PV) power plants have advantages that are suitable for black start. This paper proposes the modeling, control, and simulation of a grid-forming inverter-based PV-battery power plant that can be used as a black start unit. The inverter control includes both primary and secondary control loops to imitate the control of a conventional synchronous machine. The proposed approach is verified using a test system modified from the IEEE 9-bus system in the time-domain electromagnetic transient simulation tool PSCAD. The simulation results shows voltage and frequency stability during a multi-step black-start and network energization process.

Nguyen, Quan H.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Cosmogenic production of 39 Ar and 37 Ar in argon

We have experimentally determined the production rate of 39 Ar and 37 Ar from cosmic ray neutron interactions in argon at sea level. Understanding these production rates is important for argon-based dark matter experiments that plan to utilize argon extracted from deep underground because it is imperative to know what the ingrowth of 39 Ar will be during the production, transport, and storage of the underground argon. These measurements also allow for the prediction of 39 Ar and 37 Ar concentrations in the atmosphere which can be used to determine the presence of other sources of these isotopes. Through controlled irradiation with a neutron beam that mimics the cosmic ray neutron spectrum, followed by direct counting of 39 Ar and 37 Ar decays with sensitive ultralow background proportional counters, we determined that the production rate from cosmic ray neutrons at sea level is expected to be (759 ± 128) atoms / (k Ar day) for 39 Ar, and (51.0 ± 7.4) atoms / (kg Ar day) for 37 Ar . We also performed a survey of the alternate production mechanisms based on the state of knowledge of the associated cross sections to obtain a total sea-level cosmic ray production rate of (1048 ± 133) atoms / (kg Ar day) for 39 Ar, (56.7 ± 7.5) atoms / (kg Ar day) for 37 Ar in underground argon, and (92 ± 13) atoms / (kg Ar day) for 37 Ar in atmospheric argon.

20 ≤ A ≤ 3839 ≤ A ≤ 58↗
NASA NTRS1982

Planning satellite communication services and spectrum-orbit utilization

The relationship between approaches to planning satellite communication services and spectrum-orbit utilization is considered, with emphasis on the fixed-satellite and the broadcasting-satellite services. It is noted that there are several possible approaches to planning space services, differing principally in the rigidity with which technical parameters are prescribed, in the time for which a plan remains in force, and in the procedures adopted for implementation and modifications. With some planning approaches, spectrum-orbit utilization is fixed at the time the plan is made. Others provide for greater flexibility by making it possible to postpone some decisions on technical parameters. In addition, the two political questions of what is equitable access and how it can be guaranteed in practice play an important role.

Sawitz, P. H.↗