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At least 325 records · Page 18

Unsteady Flow Field in a Multistage Axial Flow Compressor

The flow field in a multistage compressor is three-dimensional, unsteady, and turbulent with substantial viscous effects. Some of the specific phenomena that has eluded designers include the effects of rotor-stator and rotor-rotor interactions and the physics of mixing of velocity, pressure, temperature and velocity fields. An attempt was made, to resolve experimentally, the unsteady pressure and temperature fields downstream of the second stator of a multistage axial flow compressor which will provide information on rotor-stator interaction effects and the nature of the unsteadiness in an embedded stator of a three stage axial flow compressor. Detailed area traverse measurements using pneumatic five hole probe, thermocouple probe, semi-conductor total pressure probe (Kulite) and an aspirating probe downstream of the second stator were conducted at the peak efficiency operating condition. The unsteady data was then reduced through an ensemble averaging technique which splits the signal into deterministic and unresolved components. Auto and cross correlation techniques were used to correlate the deterministic total temperature and velocity components (acquired using a slanted hot-film probe at the same measurement locations) and the gradients, distributions and relative weights of each of the terms of the average passage equation were then determined. Based on these measurements it was observed that the stator wakes, hub leakage flow region, casing endwall suction surface corner region, and the casing endwall region away from the blade surfaces were the regions of highest losses in total pressure, lowest efficiency and highest levels of unresolved unsteadiness. The deterministic unsteadiness was found to be high in the hub and casing endwall regions as well as on the pressure side of the stator wake. The spectral distribution of hot-wire and kulite voltages shows that at least eight harmonics of all three rotor blade passing frequencies are present at this measurement location. In addition to the basic three rotor blade passing frequencies (R1, R2 and R3) and their harmonics, various difference frequencies such as (2R1 -R2) and (2R3-R2) and their harmonics are also observed. These difference frequencies are due to viscous and potential interactions between rotors 1, 2 and 3 which are sensed by both the total pressure and aspirating probes at this location. Significant changes occur to the stator exit flow features with passage of the rotor upstream of the stator. Because of higher convection speeds of the rotor wake on the suction surface of the downstream stator than on the pressure side, the chopped rotor wake was found to be arriving at different times on either side of the stator wake. As the rotor passes across the stator.

Suryavamshi, N.↗

Functional requirements for an intelligent RPC

An intelligent remote power controller (RPC) based on microcomputer technology can implement advanced functions for the accurate and secure detection of all types of faults on a spaceborne electrical distribution system. The intelligent RPC will implement conventional protection functions such as overcurrent, under-voltage, and ground fault protection. Advanced functions for the detection of soft faults, which cannot presently be detected, can also be implemented. Adaptive overcurrent protection changes overcurrent settings based on connected load. Incipient and high-impedance fault detection provides early detection of arcing conditions to prevent fires, and to clear and reconfigure circuits before soft faults progress to a hard-fault condition. Power electronics techniques can be used to implement fault current limiting to prevent voltage dips during hard faults. It is concluded that these techniques will enhance the overall safety and reliability of the distribution system.

Aucoin, B. M.↗

Power Grid Reliability Estimation via Adaptive Importance Sampling

Electricity production currently generates approximately 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in the USA. Thus, increasing the amount of renewable energy is a key step to carbon neutrality. However, integrating a large amount of fluctuating renewable generation is a significant challenge for power grid operating and planning. Grid reliability, i.e., an ability to meet operational constraints under power fluctuations, is probably the most important of them. In this letter, we propose computationally efficient and accurate methods to estimate the probability of line overflow, i.e., reliability constraints violation, under a known distribution of renewable energy generation. To this end, we investigate an importance sampling approach, a flexible extension of Monte-Carlo methods, which adaptively changes the sampling distribution to generate more samples near the reliability boundary. The approach allows to estimate overload probability in real-time based only on a few dozens of random samples, compared to thousands required by the plain Monte-Carlo. Our study focuses on high voltage direct current power transmission grids with linear reliability constraints on power injections and line currents. Herein, we propose a novel theoretically justified physics-informed adaptive importance sampling algorithm and compare its performance to state-of-the-art methods on multiple IEEE power grid test cases.

power system faults↗

Synthetic, Realistic Transmission and Distribution Co-Simulation for Voltage Control Benchmarking: Preprint

As distributed energy resources play an increasing role in generation and grid services, control and market paradigms will need to be tested with models that incorporate transmission and distribution systems. The test systems will need to be realistic and accessible for researchers to form conclusions about realistic behaviors and maintain comparability and repeatability of results. These test systems also must have high resolution models of sufficient size for realistic distribution and transmission interaction. This paper demonstrates the tightly coupled co-simulation of realistic synthetic distribution and transmission models for the Austin metropolitan area and how this framework can be used to analyze resultant behaviors from distributed resources and their controls. The comparison of a distribution system run with fixed feed-in voltage is compared to the closely tied distribution-transmission co-simulation. It is determined that even without advanced voltage controls, the feed-in voltage response of the transmission system shows a lower level of voltage excursions. Therefore, control methods for voltage stability should be benchmarked on realistic transmission and distribution co-simulations for more accurate assessment of voltage profiles.

27 ARPA - Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy↗

Complex defect chemistry of hydrothermally-synthesized Nb-substituted β$'$-LiVOPO 4

Lithium vanadyl phosphate (LiVOPO 4 ) is a next-generation multielectron battery cathode that can intercalate up to two Li-ions per V-ion through the redox couples of V 4+ /V 3+ and V 5+ /V 4+ . However, its rate capacity is undermined by the sluggish Li-ion diffusion in the high-voltage region (4 V for V 5+ /V 4+ redox). Nb substitution was used to expand the crystal lattice to facilitate Li-ion diffusion. Here, in this work, Nb substitution was achieved via hydrothermal synthesis, which resulted in a new, lower symmetry β'-LiVOPO 4 phase with preferential Nb occupation of one of the two V sites. This phase presents complex defect chemistries, including cation vacancies and hydrogen interstitials, characterized by a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The Nb-substituted samples demonstrated improved capacity retention and rate capabilities in the high-voltage region, albeit an enlarged voltage hysteresis related to a partial V 4+ /V 3+ redox reaction, as evidenced by ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and pair distribution function analysis. This work highlights the importance of understanding the complex defect chemistry and its consequence on electrochemistry in polyanionic intercalation compounds.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Correlating Electronic Structure and Device Physics with Mixing Region Morphology in High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells

The donor/acceptor interaction in non-fullerene organic photovoltaics leads to the mixing domain that dictates the morphology and electronic structure of the blended thin film. Initiative effort is paid to understand how these domain properties affect the device performances on high-efficiency PM6:Y6 blends. Different fullerenes acceptors are used to manipulate the feature of mixing domain. It is seen that a tight packing in the mixing region is critical, which could effectively enhance the hole transfer and lead to the enlarged and narrow electron density of state (DOS). As a result, short-circuit current (J SC ) and fill factor (FF) are improved. The distribution of DOS and energy levels strongly influences open-circuit voltage (V OC ). The raised filling state of electron Fermi level is seen to be key in determining device V OC . Energy disorder is found to be a key factor to energy loss, which is highly correlated with the intermolecular distance in the mixing region. A 17.53% efficiency is obtained for optimized ternary devices, which is the highest value for similar systems. The current results indicate that a delicate optimization of the mixing domain property is an effective route to improve the V OC , J SC , and FF simultaneously, which provides new guidelines for morphology control toward high-performance organic solar cells.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Automating a spacecraft electrical power system using expert systems

Since Skylab, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has recognized the need for large electrical power systems (EPS's) in upcoming Spacecraft. The operation of the spacecraft depends on the EPS. Therefore, it must be efficient, safe, and reliable. In 1978, as a consequence of having to supply a large number of EPS personnel to monitor and control Skylab, the Electrical power Branch of MSFC began the autonomously managed power system (AMPS) project. This project resulted in the assembly of a 25-kW high-voltage dc test facility and provided the means of getting man out of the loop as much as possible. AMPS includes several embedded controllers which allow a significant level of autonomous operation. More recently, the Electrical Division at MSFC has developed the space station module power management and distribution (SSM/PMAD) breadboard to investigate managing and distributing power in the Space Station Freedom habitation and laboratory modules. Again, the requirement for a high level of autonomy for the efficient operation over the lifetime of the station and for the benefits of enhanced safety has been demonstrated. This paper describes the two breadboards and the hierarchical approach to automation which was developed through these projects.

Lollar, L. F.↗

Test results of modified electrical charged particle generator for application to fog dispersal

Modifications to a charged particle generator for use in fog dispersal applications were made and additional testing carried out. The modified nozzle, however, did not work as planned, and reported results are the unmodified nozzle. The addition of a positive displacement pump to supply the liquid water was highly successful. Measurements of the generator output current were made with a cylindrical collector system as well as with the needle probe used in previous studies. Measurements with the cylindrical collector and the needle probe showed identical agreement within the variability of the experiment. A high-voltage prove was purchased, and measurements of the corona voltage as well as the voltage variation in the charged particle jet were made. Electric fields in the vertical direction on the order of 1,000,000 v/m were measured. The voltage distribution along the centerline of the jet was compared with the numerical solutions of the Poisson equation and showed very good agreement. Velocity measurements using a pitot tube were made. The resulting measurements were compared with theoretical and other reported experimental results. The measured data showed the appropriate trends and agreed well with reported results. Based on the measured current-to-mass ratio from the charged particle generator, a calculation of the average droplet size was made. Droplet sizes were estimated to range between 0.8 and 0.4 microns. Using measured data, an analysis of the height to which the droplet can be dispersed by the charged particle generator was made. Although the mathematical model is highly simplified, the results indicated that particles would achieve heights on the order of 80 m.

Frost, W.↗

Energy Resilient Recovery in Puerto Rico: Hurricane Maria Recovery Support

This report covers microgrids as a special application of distributed energy resources (DERs) in Puerto Rico. This is one of a series of reports describing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) multi-laboratory efforts undertaken. To ensure the sustainable, long-term recovery of Puerto Rico's electric power grid from hurricanes Maria and Irma and to build capacity to manage future potential natural disasters in the most secure and resilient way, DOE convened experts from multiple national laboratories to develop a comprehensive set of data, models, analytic tools, and studies, considering inputs from a wide variety of stakeholder groups, to support technically sound recommendations for Puerto Rico's energy investment decisions. In Phase 1 of the multi-laboratory effort to support Puerto Rico's recovery, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provided the utility company Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) recommendations for a new framework of interconnection standards to accelerate the integration of utility-scale, transmission-connected, renewable electrical generation and energy storage that ensure cross-technology compatibility and enable high deployment levels without compromising grid reliability, safety, or security (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/73848.pdf). In Phase 2, NREL published a report focused on the interconnection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to the electric distribution system in Puerto Rico (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/77127.pdf). This report familiarized the reader with Puerto Rico's distribution infrastructure and operational practices and procedures that are relevant to DER interconnection. The report also provided considerations for streamlining the interconnection process given the expected increase in deployments resulting from Puerto Rico's renewable portfolio standard goal of 100% renewables by 2050. Accordingly, the report identifies considerations and concerns associated with the increase in intermittent generation, strategies for DER interconnection best practices, and the potential use of the latest technological solutions identified in the latest revision of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1547-2018 interconnection standard. Additionally, the report identified ways to improve the physical resiliency of installed DERs. This task describes how distributed energy systems may participate in and contribute to improving the resiliency of Puerto Rico's energy infrastructure in the future. This report presents an analysis of the Puerto Rico grid to illustrate the possible different microgrid and minigrid scenarios. The capability to form sustained microgrids and minigrids has the potential to provide a high level of resiliency during disturbances on the grid. DERs, on the other hand, have the capability to aid in the microgrid operation by providing grid support as well as grid-forming functionality. Other tasks in Phase 3 include voltage regulation in distribution networks using DERs and transmission-and-distribution co-simulation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Estimating Spatial Distribution Impacts of Rooftops Solar PV on Dynamic Hosting Capacity Evaluation for a Real Distribution Feeder

This paper models the sensitivity of dynamic hosting capacity analysis to the spatial distribution of distributed PV scenarios, random, close and far from substation deployments, at various penetration levels on a real distribution feeder, in a quasi-static time series (QSTS) power flow simulation using high resolution time-aware metrics. These spatial distribution scenarios were chosen to capture a wide range of potential operation impacts of these deployments using a set of thermaland voltage-based metrics such as instantaneous violations and moving averages for both thermal and voltage constraints. This study uses actual load and PV data up-scaled from 1-hour time step to 1-minute resolution to fully characterize the interaction between the daily changes in load and PV output, and their impacts on distribution system operations.

distribution system↗

Rapid QSTS Simulations for High-Resolution Comprehensive Assessment of Distributed PV

The rapid increase in penetration of distributed energy resources on the electric power distribution system has created a need for more comprehensive interconnection modeling and impact analysis. Unlike conventional scenario-based studies, quasi-static time-series (QSTS) simulations can realistically model time-dependent voltage controllers and the diversity of potential impacts that can occur at different times of year. However, to accurately model a distribution system with all its controllable devices, a yearlong simulation at 1-second resolution is often required, which could take conventional computers a computational time of 10 to 120 hours when an actual unbalanced distribution feeder is modeled. This computational burden is a clear limitation to the adoption of QSTS simulations in interconnection studies and for determining optimal control solutions for utility operations. The solutions we developed include accurate and computationally efficient QSTS methods that could be implemented in existing open-source and commercial software used by utilities and the development of methods to create high-resolution proxy data sets. This project demonstrated multiple pathways for speeding up the QSTS computation using new and innovative methods for advanced time-series analysis, faster power flow solvers, parallel processing of power flow solutions and circuit reduction. The target performance level for this project was achieved with year-long high-resolution time series solutions run in less than 5 minutes within an acceptable error.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Optical techniques to feed and control GaAs MMIC modules for phased array antenna applications

A complex signal distribution system is required to feed and control GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) for phased array antenna applications above 20 GHz. Each MMIC module will require one or more RF lines, one or more bias voltage lines, and digital lines to provide a minimum of 10 bits of combined phase and gain control information. In a closely spaced array, the routing of these multiple lines presents difficult topology problems as well as a high probability of signal interference. To overcome GaAs MMIC phased array signal distribution problems optical fibers interconnected to monolithically integrated optical components with GaAs MMIC array elements are proposed as a solution. System architecture considerations using optical fibers are described. The analog and digital optical links to respectively feed and control MMIC elements are analyzed. It is concluded that a fiber optic network will reduce weight and complexity, and increase reliability and performance, but higher power will be required.

Bhasin, K. B.↗

Optical techniques to feed and control GaAs MMIC modules for phased array antenna applications

A complex signal distribution system is required to feed and control GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) for phased array antenna applications above 20 GHz. Each MMIC module will require one or more RF lines, one or more bias voltage lines, and digital lines to provide a minimum of 10 bits of combined phase and gain control information. In a closely spaced array, the routing of these multiple lines presents difficult topology problems as well as a high probability of signal interference. To overcome GaAs MMIC phased array signal distribution problems optical fibers interconnected to monolithically integrated optical components with GaAs MMIC array elements are proposed as a solution. System architecture considerations using optical fibers are described. The analog and digital optical links to respectively feed and control MMIC elements are analyzed. It is concluded that a fiber optic network will reduce weight and complexity, and increase reliability and performance, but higher power will be required.

Bhasin, K. B.↗

Modular Hybrid Solid State Transformer (H-SST) for Next Generation Flexible and Adaptable Large Power Transformer (LPT) (Final Technical Report)

A 500 kVA HSST, the world first of such system, has been successfully developed. The HSST has the capability to regulate the power flow of the transmission or distribution power lines, or provide voltage regulation. The HSST design is modular therefore it has the ability to be connected in series of parallel to form a large power transformer with smart controllability. The project has enabled a high TRL level prototype be demonstrated at University of Texas at Austin which can lead to additional commercialization and demonstration opportunities. A large number of students were trained under this program that will benefit the power grid industry. A number of publications are published at well known international conferences and journals, further accomplish the mission of knowledge development and dissemination.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A Two-Step Restoration Scheme with DER Controllability for Resilient Distribution Systems

Modern distribution systems have increasing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). A large number of distribution system DERs are interfaced through a power electronic converter. During grid contingency scenarios these resources have been traditionally disconnected, without any fault ride-through capabilities. However, with new regulations and better technology, it is feasible for these resources to contribute to the grid's restoration after an adverse event and hence enhancing resilience. In distribution systems, system restoration is an important problem, especially in face of high-impact low-frequency events. This paper proposes a two-step restoration scheme for the power system restoration process by leveraging additional degrees of freedom in DERs for mitigating voltage problems. Simulation studies are performed on the IEEE-123 node feeder system to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for various cases.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

An Information Theoretic Approach to Identify Dominant Voltage Influencers for Unbalanced Distribution Systems

Smart distribution grid with multiple renewable energy sources can experience random voltage fluctuations due to variable generation, which may result in voltage violations. Traditional voltage control algorithms are inadequate to handle fast voltage variations. Therefore, new dynamic control methods are being developed that can significantly benefit from the knowledge of dominant voltage influencer (DVI) nodes. DVI nodes for a particular node of interest refer to nodes that have a relatively high impact on the voltage fluctuations at that node. Conventional power flow-based algorithms to identify DVI nodes are computationally complex, which limits their use in real-time applications. This paper proposes a novel information theoretic voltage influencing score (VIS) that quantifies the voltage influencing capacity of nodes with DERs/active loads in a three phase unbalanced distribution system. VIS is then employed to rank the nodes and identify the DVI set. VIS is derived analytically in a computationally efficient manner and its efficacy to identify DVI nodes is validated using the IEEE 37-node test system. It is shown through experiments that KL divergence and Bhattacharyya distance are effective indicators of DVI nodes with an identifying accuracy of more than 90%. Additionally, the computation burden is also reduced by an order of 5, thus providing the foundation for efficient voltage control.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Electric field distribution in a non-self-sustained RF discharge with ionization generated by Ns discharge pulses

Abstract Electric field in a capacitively coupled, non-self-sustained RF discharge nitrogen plasma with external ionization generated by high-voltage ns pulses has been measured by ps Electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH). The measurements are made both in the bulk of the plasma and in the sheaths, using the absolute calibration by the Laplacian field between two plane electrodes. The results are compared with the kinetic modeling calculations. The RF electric field in the sheaths is significantly higher compared to that in the plasma, due to the displacement of the electrons by the drift oscillations and the resultant plasma self-shielding. However, the kinetic modeling predictions indicate that the electron impact ionization in the sheaths is largely ineffective, due to the low electron density. The reduction of the electric field in the plasma by the self-shielding in the sheaths is moderate, such that the energy is coupled to the plasma by the below-breakdown RF field. The peak RF field in the plasma is in the range of 15–25 Td, indicating the efficient vibrational excitation of N 2 by electron impact. The modeling predictions suggest that the targeted vibrational excitation of molecular species in a non-self-sustained RF discharge with external ionization is scalable to high pressures, electron densities, and discharge powers. The present approach can be extended to the vibrational excitation of other molecular species where the vibrational relaxation is relatively slow, such as CO, CO 2 , and H 2 .

Physics↗

Radiation damage in silicon NIP solar cells

The performance parameters of n(+) p p(+) silicon solar cells of varying thicknesses with boron doped p base resistivities of 1250 and 84 ohm centimeters were determined. High injection theory was used to analyze the experimental data. Results from an analysis of open circuit voltages show a much greater contribution to V(oc) from the back junction than is the case for the lower resistivity in common use. The base minority carrier distribution is seen to be significant in determining the contribution of V(B), the base contribution to V(oc). Although V(B) is small, its value increases with increasing radiation fluence. In this connection it is noted that, with illumination from the p(+) side, the sign of V(B) becomes positive, and V(B) itself becomes an additive term to V(oc). Diffusion lengths determined under high injection conditions are significantly greater than those obtained under low injection, while damage coefficients under low injection are higher than those obtained under high injection conditions.

Weinberg, I.↗