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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.

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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Architectural Approaches for Integrating ADMS and DERMS: Challenges, Comparisons, and Real-World Use Cases

The electrical distribution landscape is rapidly transforming due to the proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage systems, combined heat and power units, and electric vehicles, introducing variability and uncontrollability that traditional grid operators are ill-equipped to manage. This transformation is further accelerated by advancements in Information and Communication Technology infrastructure that connects control centers with end devices, demanding automation and a deeper understanding of new technologies by utility personnel. Advanced grid control techniques using system-level optimization, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning at the enterprise level and distributed level are evolving to address these issues. There is also an opportunity to utilize the enormous data created by these new DER technologies in the grid. Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) are critical in addressing these challenges by automating grid operations and enhancing reliability. Given the relatively recent development of ADMS and DERMS, and the still relatively low level of ADMS and DERMS deployment in the industry, there is a notable deficiency in the comprehensive understanding of the challenges and benefits associated with these new technologies, especially with their complementary natures and integration architectures. This paper aims to bridge the knowledge gap in ADMS and DERMS integration, presenting three distinct integration architectures currently available, and discussing the challenges and benefits of each architecture to guide utilities, industry professionals, and researchers in optimizing grid management and decision-making processes for a resilient and efficient energy future.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1986

Solar wind parameters and magnetospheric coupling studies

This paper presents distributions, means, and standard deviations of the fluxes of solar wind protons, momentum, and energy as observed near earth during the solar quiet and active years 1976 and 1979. Distributions of ratios of energies (Alfven Mach number, plasma beta) and distributions of interplanetary magnetic field orientations are also given. Finally, the uncertainties associated with the use of the libration point orbiting ISEE-3 spacecraft as a solar wind monitor are discussed.

King, Joseph H.↗
DOE OSTI2022

High-Resolution Wind Resource Data Set of the Greater Puerto Rico Region

In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy and six national laboratories launched the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy Study (PR100). PR100 aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of possible pathways for Puerto Rico's energy future, with a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050. As a part of the renewable energy potential assessment in this project, we developed 20 years (2001-2020) of data using a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model for onshore and offshore wind resource assessment for the Puerto Rico. The research steps in developing the long-term wind resource data sets based on the NWP model were: 1. Model wind resource based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. 2. Develop WRF model configurations for Puerto Rico. 3. Test WRF with 11 different physics parameterizations for planetary boundary layer (PBL). 4. Assess WRF output from the different PBL schemes against observations. 5. Select a final model configuration which can produce the modeled wind speed with sufficient accuracy. 6. Produce 20 years wind resource data sets for Puerto Rico region. In the first stage of our framework for developing wind resource data, we developed a WRF model configuration using two nested domains (9 km and 3 km) to cover Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and downscale the ERA5 reanalysis data (0.25 degrees x 0.25 degrees; hourly interval) to a 3-km domain. For the second stage, we implemented one-year simulations focused on using 11 different PBL physics parameterizations to find a combination of WRF physics parameterizations that could provide accurately modeled wind speed for Puerto Rico. We also analyzed the sensitivity of the modeled wind speed to PBL schemes for onshore and offshore locations. The WRF output resulting from the 11 WRF experiments using different PBL parameterizations were evaluated against observations obtained from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) as well as at hub height for a location for which measurements were available. A final model setup selected through the validation with observational data was used to produce 20 years of data with 3-km spatial and 5-minute temporal resolution. The WRF model output was post-processed to include wind profiles and basic atmospheric variables in a format that can be easily used for downstream modeling. The 20 years of wind resource data will be made available through NREL and support the estimation of wind energy development costs for the PR100 study.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

2021 Prototype Design Development Awardee: Accelerate Wind, Inc.

In the United States, rooftop photovoltaic systems can be installed on most commercial buildings. However, even if all available rooftop space is used, solar energy cannot satisfy the building's total energy demand. With many building owners trying to move toward net-zero-carbon-emission energy generation, these customers often have no way to achieve this goal on-site. Rooftop wind energy technology could be an option, but most rooftop wind turbines are not economically viable because they do not produce meaningful amounts of energy and are not likely to pay for themselves within their lifetime. Some rooftop wind turbine companies have attempted to exploit the fact that wind naturally speeds up at the edge of a roof; but, so far, these solutions have also struggled to produce significant energy because only a small portion of that wind can be captured so close to the edge of the roof.

CIP↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Integrated Energy Systems: Advanced Nuclear Plants with Thermal Storage for Dynamic and Flexible Operation in Diverse Markets

Energy supply, distribution, and demand are continuously evolving in accordance with the integration of new power generation sources. In the United States, there is a progressive shift toward incorporating fluctuating energy sources such as wind and solar into the energy mix, alongside the distributed generation. Simultaneously, we are seeing a revolution in consumer technologies such as electric vehicles, energy devices for both residential and commercial use, and industrial processes—all contributing to a fundamental change in energy consumption dynamics. These scenarios have led to huge demand for enhanced flexibility from nuclear power plants (NPPs), requiring them to operate with unprecedented adaptability. Furthermore, advanced NPPs (A-NPPs) could potentially apply to scenarios in which power generation flexibility is prioritized over its current and conventional baseload generation capacity for traditional demand patterns. The present work covers several configurations for coupling nuclear energy production with thermal energy storage (TES). Previous work evaluated systems entailing a simple nuclear-TES configuration that used steam as a heat source for the TES of three different advanced reactors (ARs), but its heat diversion ratio (HDR) for charging was limited. The present work proposes a new configuration that features full decoupling of the nuclear reactor and the power cycle, using reactor coolant (i.e., gas) as a heat source for the TES and offering a theoretically unlimited HDR. This configuration is, however, more complex, as both high- and low-temperature TES (HT-TES and LT-TES) systems are required in order to cover the extended temperature range. Although this configuration imposes certain limitations on the discharge system configuration, it also presents the opportunity to design a more efficient system. For this case in particular, a steam reheat cycle is advantageous. Conventional TES systems take advantage of nominal efficiency when discharging, whereas the reheat cycle in the fully decoupled TES system affords a significant efficiency increase over conventional cases. Material selection, component/equipment sizing, and costing analyses were performed, followed by economic dispatch and size optimization. Dynamic models were developed for the decoupled system in order to generate insights into aspects of off design operation (e.g., drops in cycle efficiency), and these models enable exploration of potential mitigation strategies for addressing such drops. The models also highlight the need to design fail-safes that ensure continuous operational stability and minimize the impact of power ramping on the reactor parameters.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

2021 Component Innovation Awardee: Siva Powers America

Siva Powers America earned a Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) Component Innovation award that will enable the company to evolve its 250/50 wind turbine design, discontinue its existing 13.4-meter wind turbine blades, and develop new 14.4-meter blades. These longer blades, which have additional extenders at the hub, will increase the rotor diameter to 35 meters, allowing for improved energy production at sites with lower wind resources. A collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) includes a redesign, build, and on-site structural test for the new prototype blades. This will ultimately allow Siva Powers America to pursue recertification of the SIVA 250/50 to meet international standards.

CIP↗
DOE OSTI2023

Complementarity of Renewable Energy-Based Hybrid Systems

Increased attention has focused on scenarios of rapid and deep decarbonization of the U.S. electricity supply, with least-cost solutions typically involving significant expansion of renewable energy, energy storage, and transmission assets. Strategies that enable the integration of renewable energy projects while minimizing transmission expansion could be especially valuable in the future. It is within this context that the concept of hybrid power plants (or hybrid energy systems) has gained prominence. One specific example is the FlexPower concept, which seeks to demonstrate how coupling variable renewable energy (VRE) and energy storage technologies can result in renewable-based hybrid power plants that provide full dispatchability and a full range of reliability and resiliency services, similar to or better than fuel-based power plants.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1994

Effects of spacecraft potential on three-dimensional electron measurements in the solar wind

Using the three-dimensional, low-energy electron spectrometer aboard the Ulysses spacecraft, we have measured the gyrotropicity of electron distributions in the solar wind. In order to make these observations, we have developed a new technique for correcting spacecraft charging effects in three-dimensional, low-energy particle measurements. Comparisons of ion and electron number and current densities, and the alignment of electron temperature anisotropies with the local magnetic field, are presented as evidence of the improvement in the accuracy of the electron moments resulting from the spacecraft charging corrections. The implications of our charging correction technique go beyond simple scalar corrections to the Ulysses measurements. We discuss the effects of our charging correction upon the measurements of temporal and radial gradients in a plasma environment and for two-dimensionally obtained low-energy particle data.

Scime, Earl E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Resilience Application: MIRACL Advisory Board Meeting 2022

The resilience web application was developed to automate the planning process developed in the INL Resilience Framework for Electric Energy Delivery Systems. In this presentation, a description of the architecture, functionality, and use of the web application is shown.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coordinated Wind Power Plant and Battery Control for Active Power Services

This article considers joint active power control of wind turbines and battery storage to follow a plant-level power reference signal. The joint control dynamically curtails the energy from a subset of the wind turbines and stores or withdraws energy from the battery to meet the power reference setpoint while accounting for wind plant aerodynamic interactions, such as wake losses. As a use case, we study the performance of the controller in maintaining a constant power output over hourly periods. A wind plant operating in this way would rely much less on other grid resources to meet its contractual agreements, thereby improving grid reliability, especially in grids with high penetration of wind and solar generation. We compare the operation of the wind plant under joint active power control to standard power-maximizing control with battery support. We present an analysis of the performance of the control system architecture. To study the impact of the battery size on performance, we simulate a 50-MW wind plant supported by batteries ranging from 8 to 64?MWh. We then evaluate the over and undergeneration penalties incurred by the plant during the simulation period.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Examination of the Extreme Cold Weather Event Affecting the Power System in Texas - February 2021 [Slides]

This presentation examines the extreme cold weather event that affected the power system in Texas in February 2021. The Texas load-shedding events were caused by a combination of record-high demand and cold weather issues that reduced the output from all types of generation. While some wind turbines were shutting down due to cold temperatures and icing and a lack of cold-weather packages, hourly wind output was accurately predicted. Extreme weather events historically drive grid reliability. Additional examination of more extreme events is needed to understand their impacts on the power system. As a national lab, NREL has the capabilities and facilities to help the industry address these types of challenges. NREL also has significant simulation and analysis capabilities (such as NAERM) that can help understand the impacts of extreme events. NREL also developed the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) Research Platform, which enables evaluation of technologies that smooth grid operations during events like this.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Literature Review and Gaps Analysis

In support of the national goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office has published an Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Literature Review and Gaps Analysis. Transmission constraints— including both land-based transmission interconnections and offshore transmission—are expected to be one of the central challenges to meeting offshore wind deployment goals. Given current trends in offshore wind development, available technology, and state-level procurement goals, most of the first 30 GW of offshore wind are anticipated to be developed along the East Coast. This report summarizes current publicly available transmission analyses along the Atlantic Coast, as well as gaps in existing analyses. Improving understanding of offshore wind transmission options, establishing coordination and aligning processes among states and regions, and quantifying the long-term impacts of offshore wind transmission options will catalyze offshore wind energy’s growth and ensure adequate transmission and a reliable grid.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Review on Protection Challenges on 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. Utilities, university researchers, research institutes, and relay manufacturers have performed studies to investigate different aspects of high IBR penetration. Almost all studies support 1) creating international and national standards to regulate the IBRs, 2) revising engineering tools to address shortcomings, and 3) adjusting the protective relay settings to resolve protection problems. This paper summarizes the studies and research conducted in recent years to quantify the impact of IBR penetration on transmission line protection and to identify potential solutions to improve the dependability and reliability of grid protection systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Utility Perspective on Protection Challenges with High Penetration of IBRs

Utilities have seen rapid increase in Solar, Wind, and Battery Energy Storage Resources that interconnect to their electric system through Inverters. Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) have fault current characteristics that are unlike the fault current response of traditional rotating-machine-based generators, which is well known and repeatable. IBR’s non-traditional fault current behavior is due to the IBR control scheme, which is configured to provide a clean AC output but also protect the inverter’s sensitive power electronics devices from damage, one source of which is overcurrent. This results in low fault current magnitude, low or no negative sequence current injection, the variability of sequence component currents, the variability of voltage with respect to current angles, and the lack of inertia. The control scheme also results in a fault current response that can vary between manufactures and between models of the same manufacturer. High penetration of IBRs can adversely affect the protection schemes applied in areas with high penetration of IBRs. With the proliferation of IBRs, utilities are finding out that conventional protection schemes are not adequately equipped to protect the electric systems. This is mainly because the existing protection elements and practices have been designed based on the fault current response of conventional rotating machines. In several cases, the available literature does not provide any clear solution for the issues when the protection scheme does not operate properly near IBRs. This report / presentation identifies various protection challenges due to IBRs that industry is facing, from the utility perspective. Instead of facing on one issue, this report looks broadly on all the challenges that system protection has experienced with high penetration of IBRs. Based on the IBR response from various utilities during real fault events and gathering perspective from different utility SMEs via questionnaire, the report summarizes on gathered data and internal experiences.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Integrating Offshore Wind Into Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) for the Philippines [Slides]

The Philippines is aiming to jumpstart a domestic offshore wind industry and has incorporated offshore wind into several planning efforts. In parallel, the Philippines has also been a leader in incorporating renewable energy zones (REZs) into their power sector development and transmission plans. The objective of this study, conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in partnership with the Philippines Department of Energy (PDOE), is to incorporate offshore wind resources into the Philippines' already established competitive renewable energy zones (CREZs) to support national transmission planning, thereby merging these two previously disparate workstreams and implementing a key recommendation from the World Bank's offshore wind roadmap for the Philippines.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Laser Disdrometer / Raw Data

The Parsivel2 Laser Disdrometers provide accurate measurements of precipitation, hail and snow. They also provide droplet size distributions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Laser Disdrometer / Raw Data

The Parsivel2 Laser Disdrometers provide accurate measurements of precipitation, hail and snow. They also provide droplet size distributions.

17 WIND ENERGY↗