Results for “power outage” — Page 19

DOE OSTI2020

EVALUATING FACILITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RESILIENCE OPPORTUNITIES WITH FEDS AND MCOR

Energy resilience has become increasingly important for critical building infrastructure, in response to concerns over potential disruptions to the electrical grid from threats both natural and man-made. Energy efficiency can provide a valuable resource for reducing critical loads and therefore lowering the cost of supplying alternative power. This paper highlights two tools that are well-suited for analyzing building energy efficiency and resilience opportunities and presents a case study for their combined application. The Facility Energy Decision System (FEDS) and Microgrid Component Optimization for Resilience (MCOR) tools can be used together to simulate building systems, identify energy efficiency measures, and evaluate resilience options for powering a site during an outage.

FEDS, MCOR, Energy Efficiency, Resilience, Simulat↗

DOE OSTI2020

Hierarchical Distribution System Adaptive Restoration with Diverse Distributed Energy Resources

Distributed energy resources (DERs) can be utilized as alternative power sources for fast service recovery in cases of distribution system outages. However, the diverse characteristics and stochastic nature of DERs impose challenges on the optimal operation of di-verse resources during the restoration phase. Here, we introduce a hierarchical structure to coordinate distribution system entities and propose an adaptive restoration strategy to sustain a reliable power supply to outage loads in an unbalanced distribution system utilizing DERs. An efficient system reconfiguration model is developed to guarantee the radiality of restoration islands. The flexibility of DERs is evaluated by a novel method that focuses on the cumulative energy consumption, the superiority of which is also proven. Model predictive control (MPC) is adopted to enable the adjustment of system topology and DER operation strategies based on up-to-date data. The performance of the proposed restoration model is validated on a modified IEEE 123-bus test system. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed novel flexibility assessment and the MPC-based adaptive restoration strategy are verified through comparative studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2025

Advance Distribution Management System (ADMS)

This presentation explores the transition from traditional distribution management systems to Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) as a foundation for smart grid development. It highlights the key benefits of ADMS, including enhanced reliability, improved operational efficiency, and increased situational awareness. The presentation also addresses common implementation challenges such as system integration, data management, and organizational readiness. It concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the evolving role of ADMS and essential takeaways for utilities and stakeholders.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Hydrogen Energy Storage System at Borrego Springs Towards an H2 Enabled 100 Renewable Microgrid

San Diego Gas & Electric's Borrego Springs Microgrid is one of the largest microgrids in the USA, serving 2500 residential customers, 300 commercial and industrial customers, and has a peak demand of approximately 14 MW. This microgrid is located at the end of a long transmission line, and is subjected to extreme weather events like storms, wildfires, and flooding, which frequently cause grid outages. The microgrid currently relies on 3.65 MW of diesel-powered generators to provide grid-forming services during these outages, which results in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions. However, the microgrid has access to approximately 37 MW of installed solar generation and struggles with overgeneration and curtailment. 1.5 MW/4.5 MWh of grid-scale batteries have been installed to capture some the overgeneration and provide resiliency, but a longer-duration low-greenhouse gas emission energy storage solution is needed. In our project, the team will evaluate in the lab and demonstrate in the field a grid-forming fuel cell inverter that can provide grid-forming services while utilizing hydrogen's energy storage scalability. We will first utilize NREL's Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization (REopt) platform to perform analyses on future microgrid scenarios that use hydrogen assets to reduce or eliminate the need for diesel backup generators. We will then evaluate the grid-forming inverter through power hardware-in-the-loop and controller hardware-in-the-loop experiments at ARIES, and de-risk the field deployment and operation of hydrogen assets in the microgrid setting. Finally, this project will demonstrate the operation of the fuel cell inverter and updated microgrid controller by operating in grid-forming mode in the Borrego Springs microgrid.

Borrego Springs↗

DOE OSTI2024

Hydrogen Energy Storage System at Borrego Springs Towards an H2 Enabled 100% Renewable Microgrid

San Diego Gas & Electric's Borrego Springs Microgrid is one of the largest microgrids in the USA, serving 2500 residential customers, 300 commercial and industrial customers, and has a peak demand of approximately 14 MW. This microgrid is located at the end of a long transmission line, and is subjected to extreme weather events like storms, wildfires, and flooding, which frequently cause grid outages. The microgrid currently relies on 3.65 MW of diesel-powered generators to provide grid-forming services during these outages, which results in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions. However, the microgrid has access to approximately 37 MW of installed solar generation and struggles with overgeneration and curtailment. 1.5 MW/4.5 MWh of grid-scale batteries have been installed to capture some the overgeneration and provide resiliency, but a longer-duration low-greenhouse gas emission energy storage solution is needed. In our project, the team will evaluate in the lab and demonstrate in the field a grid-forming fuel cell inverter that can provide grid-forming services while utilizing hydrogen's energy storage scalability. We will first utilize NREL's Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization (REopt) platform to perform analyses on future microgrid scenarios that use hydrogen assets to reduce or eliminate the need for diesel backup generators. We will then evaluate the grid-forming inverter through power hardware-in-the-loop and controller hardware-in-the-loop experiments at ARIES, and de-risk the field deployment and operation of hydrogen assets in the microgrid setting. Finally, this project will demonstrate the operation of the fuel cell inverter and updated microgrid controller by operating in grid-forming mode in the Borrego Springs microgrid.

blackstart with fuel cells↗

DOE OSTI2026

Feedback and Oscillations: Constructing Feedback Systems for Root Cause Analysis of Oscillations in Power Grids

Dynamic phenomena linked to inverter-based resources (IBRs) have gained global attention. Several IBR-induced dynamics have caused bulk power system-connected wind or solar power plants to trip, and some have even led to widespread outages. In addition, many oscillations have been observed involving IBR power plants. In 2023, the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) IBR Subsynchronous Oscillations (SSO) task force published a journal article, “Real-World Subsynchronous Oscillation Events in Power Grids With High Penetrations of Inverter-Based Resources,” in which 19 IBR oscillation events were examined for their causation. Earlier in 2020, another PES task force article, “Definition and Classification of Power System Stability-Revisited & Extended,” authored by prominent academics, introduced converter-driven stability as a new category of stability. The international power grid industry community also took action by publishing the CIGRE Green Book, Power System Dynamic Modelling and Analysis in Evolving Networks (led by Babak Badrzadeh and Zia Emin) in 2024. In August 2024, the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG) released a practical guide led by Nick Miller, “Diagnosis and Mitigation of Observed Oscillations in IBR-Dominant Power System: A Practical Guide.” The goal of the guide is to assist practicing engineers in making initial judgments and conducting detailed analyses about oscillations. Finally, when addressing the classification of stability and oscillations, the guide emphasizes a causality-based taxonomy for grouping, such as voltage control-induced oscillations, synchronization-induced oscillations, and frequency or active power control-induced oscillations.

Fan, Lingling [Univ. of South Florida, Tampa, FL (↗

DOE OSTI2020

Will Solar Panels Help When the Power Goes Out? Planning for PV Resilience

PV systems, like all energy systems, must chart a difficult course in order to improve resilience. They need to simultaneously withstand extreme conditions that cause grid power disruptions, be configured in a way that allows electricity to be delivered to meet the PV user's needs, and overcome disruptions arising from solar resource intermittency. Certain considerations reveal themselves as key to a PV system's resilience benefits. Choice of hardware is critical, as is site selection for the PV array. Voluminous evidence in a hurricane context demonstrates that durable hardware, properly maintained and sited, leads to PV systems surviving extreme weather with their functionality intact. Structurally weak or poorly maintained PV equipment, on the other hand, has demonstrated failures during extreme weather events. PV system stakeholders should ensure that best practices are followed for hardware procurement and siting. It is also important to understand that PV systems are not one-size-fits-all. While incorporating islanding capabilities and energy storage into the system's electrical topology will typically enhance resilience, the user's needs will determine the optimally resilient conformation of any given system. These factors - appropriate hardware, siting, maintenance, and system design - are the primary drivers of PV resilience. PV systems possess high potential for resilient energy generation due to their distributed, abundant, and free fuel supply, but the technology itself does not inherently lead to resilient outcomes. Realizing PV's potential for resilience requires consideration of these determinative factors.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

A Novel Bi-directional AC/DC - DC/AC Wireless Power Transfer System for Grid Support Applications

The severity of the economic impact caused by grid outages has been the driving factor for creating innovative solutions that increases interest for the deployment of distributed energy resources to reduce the impact of grid outages. This paper presents a novel topology for providing export power applications. Proposed topology can be used for grid (primary)-side of bi-directional wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, mobile energy storage systems (ESSs), and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The proposed concept here achieves energy transfer between sources by using a hybrid frequency bi-directional ac/dc converter without an additional front-end converter stage compared to the conventional systems. Due to inherent merit of the proposed bi-directional ac/dc converter, ac input with 60 Hz grid frequency can be directly transferred through the wireless coils and can be directly converted to the dc. Results demonstrate the performance and the functionality of the single-phase bi-directional system with the input / output of 110 V ac,rms and 200 V dc at 1 kW power. Full paper will demonstrate the converter operation at 10 kW power level with additional features and control aspects.

Asa, Erdem↗

DOE OSTI2024

Improved Evaluation of Large Network Matrices for Linear Power Flow Within Optimization Problems: Preprint

This work discusses methods for evaluating the Power Transfer Distribution Factor (PTDF) and Line Outage Distribution Factor (LODF) matrices by employing sparse linear algebra for large-scale computing applications. These matrices are critical in many power systems applications, such as the Unit Commitment Problem (UC), pre- and post-contingency power flow analysis, and transmission expansion. These matrices are typically dense, which means they require a significant amount of time and memory to be computed for large networks. However, by analyzing the structure of the matrices and their computation method, it is possible to use reduced memory methods based on sparse matrix operations. This paper shows that sparse linear algebra algorithms are faster and require less memory and time than traditional dense approaches. Additionally, we explore the effect of matrix sparsification by eliminating trailing digits on power flow calculations.

ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Improved Evaluation of Large Network Matrices for Linear Power Flow Within Optimization Problems

This work presents methods for evaluating the Power Transfer Distribution Factor (PTDF) and Line Outage Distribution Factor (LODF) matrices by employing sparse linear algebra for large-scale computing applications. These matrices play a critical role in many power system applications, such as the Unit Commitment Problem (UC), pre- and post-contingency power flow analysis, and transmission expansion. These matrices are typically dense, which means they require a significant amount of time and memory to be computed for large networks. However, by analyzing the structure of the matrices and their computation method, it is possible to use reduced memory methods based on sparse matrix operations. This paper shows that sparse linear algebra algorithms are faster and require less memory and time than traditional dense approaches. Additionally, we explore the effect of matrix sparsification by eliminating trailing digits on power flow calculations.

large scale↗

DOE OSTI2020

20-kW Bi-directional Wireless Power Transfer System with Energy Storage System Connectivity

The severity of the economic impact caused by grid outages has been the driving factor for creating innovative solutions that increases interest for the deployment of distributed energy resources to reduce the impact of grid outages. This study presents a novel way of providing export power using bi-directional wireless power transfer (WPT) systems for ac grid side power and mobile energy storage systems (ESSs) connectivity. The proposed concept here interfaces the EV batteries to the AC grid and also can redirect the power from the stationary ESS to grid, to EV batteries, or both simultaneously; providing the capabilities of an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). Results demonstrate the performance and the functionality of the system with overall efficiencies 93% to 97%, depending on the operating mode.

Onar, Omer↗

DOE OSTI2022

Mitigation of Alkali Induced Aerosols

Barr, in partnership with the University of North Dakota, Microbeam Technologies Inc., Envergex LLC, and MLJ Consulting, worked to develop a transformational technology that controls the formation of alkali aerosols found in coal ash. This technology mitigates ash deposition by injecting sorbents into the boiler and capturing volatile species responsible for boiler fouling, the primary cause for boiler outages. In this session, we’ll explore the science behind this technology and see some real-world results of its implementation.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2022

Update on Mitigation of Aerosol Impacts on Ash Deposition and Emission from Coal Combustion

Barr, in partnership with the University of North Dakota, Microbeam Technologies Inc., Envergex LLC, and MLJ Consulting, worked to develop a transformational technology that controls the formation of alkali aerosols found in coal ash. This technology mitigates ash deposition by injecting sorbents into the boiler and capturing volatile species responsible for boiler fouling, the primary cause for boiler outages. In this session, we’ll explore the science behind this technology and see some real-world results of its implementation.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

DOE OSTI2021

Impact of Emergency Diesel Generator Reliability on Microgrids and Building-Tied Systems

Microgrids are an emerging alternative as an energy backup system for critical electric loads and have improved performance compared to the traditional architecture where a single emergency diesel generator is tied to an individual building. Both architectures are dependent on the reliability of their individual generators and a quantitative and realistic comparison of the overall system reliability of the two architectures is lacking. Using recently published work on emergency diesel generator finite reliability, a quantitative methodology is presented to compare the reliability of a microgrid architecture based on centralized emergency diesel generators to the traditional approach of generators tied to individual buildings. Three system reliability performance metrics are calculated as a function of outage duration: (1) probability to meet 100% of the critical load; (2) expected fraction of lost load; and (3) probability to meet the highest priority critical loads. It is shown that stand-alone building-tied emergency diesel generators systems, even when two emergency diesel generators are used per building, cannot provide the reliability required to sustain critical loads for a grid outage lasting multiple days. Due to their network configuration and ability to share load, diesel generator-based microgrid configurations are estimated to have = 93% probability of powering all buildings for a 2-week outage there the individual building-tied emergency diesel generator architecture has a =20% probability. Microgrids do present other susceptibilities that are site specific and should be considered including vulnerabilities associated with the on-campus distribution system and cybersecurity.

backup power↗

DOE OSTI2021

Final Scientific Technical Report for "Microgrid RD&D and Testing of PIDC and PWD Systems"

Alstom Grid Inc’s (ALSTOM Grid) Research Design and Development (RD&D) project, “Microgrid RD&D and Testing for PIDC and PWD” was conducted in partnership with Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) in its role as owner’s representative and manager of a vibrant commercial and industrial community, involving critical loads in one of the nation’s largest unregulated, non-military electric distribution systems. PIDC needed to develop solutions to address the planned considerable growth in Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Combined Heat Plan (CHP), Renewables, Distributed Generation (DG), Demand Response (DR) and Storage. In supporting the corporate objective, PIDC needed a new class of control systems for achieving enhanced energy resilience of their critical infrastructure operation during adverse conditions together with carbon emission reduction and optimization of the overall system operation economics through system energy efficiency during normal and emergency operating conditions. Additionally, PIDC anticipated the need to support a new class of commercial agreements with tenants, such as those for Urban Outfitters, for guaranteed one hundred percent (100%) grid resilience and electric power supply in case of utility outage conditions. The project was designed to address the challenges for the commercial & industrial (C&I) communities. But more importantly, the project included development of scalable and replicable solutions intended to target a multitude of the nation’s electric distribution communities. The project researched and developed a fully comprehensive prototype consisting of microgrid operation and control functions including islanding, synchronization and reconnection, protection, voltage, frequency, and power quality management, dispatch, and system resiliency. The project provided the foundation required to significantly enhance the overall national objectives set by the DOE for energy resilience, emission reduction and system energy efficiency improvement, including protection of critical infrastructure and public resources.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Black start demonstrations of small hydropower plants with energy storage

The U.S. has at least 500 municipal, electric co-operative, and publicly owned utilities with hydropower plants. These are mostly grid-connected to support the national grid. However, due to small size (at most 10 MW) and low ramping capacity, many of these hydropower plants lack the capability to form local grids to provide backup power to critical loads (during grid outage) and rural areas. Energy storage, such as Li-Ion batteries or ultracapacitors, can be used to enable these capabilities. Because this technology is relatively new, proof-of-concept demonstrations are needed to de-risk the approach before it can be deployed at scale. Two field demonstrations have been performed to validate this approach, namely, a 375 kVA / 1.24 kWh ultracapacitor with Idaho Falls Power’s 3.6 MW Old Lower (OL), 8.9 MW Lower Bulb (LB), and 8.9 MW City Bulb (CB) hydropower plants; and a 250 kVA / 320 kWh Li-Ion battery with Fall River Electric Cooperative’s 5.5 MW Felt hydropower plant. The Idaho Falls Power demonstration showed the resilience benefits of hybridization, and the Fall River Electric demonstration showed what the minimal requirements are to retrofit a hydropower plant for black start. These demonstrations are funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office HydroWIRES Initiative.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1997

Fuel Cell Power Plant Initiative: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell/Logistics Fuel Processor 27 kWe Power System Demonstration for ARPA - Volume 1

This report describes the successful testing of a 27 kWe Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) generator fueled by natural gas and/or a fuel gas produced by a brassboard logistics fuel preprocessor (LFP). The test period began on May 24, 1995 and ended on February 26, 1996 with the successful completion of all program requirements and objectives. During this time period, this power system produced 118.2 MWh of electric power. No degradation of the generator's performance was measured after 5582 accumulated hours of operation on these fuels: local natural gas - 3261 hours, jet fuel reformate gas - 766 hours, and diesel fuel reformate gas - 1555 hours. This SOFC generator was thermally cycled from full operating temperature to room temperature and back to operating temperature six times, because of failures of support system components and the occasional loss of test site power, without measurable cell degradation. Numerous outages of the LFP did not interrupt the generator's operation because the fuel control system quickly switched to local natural gas when an alarm indicated that the LFP reformate fuel supply had been interrupted. The report presents the measured electrical performance of the generator on all three fuel types and notes the small differences due to fuel type. Operational difficulties due to component failures are well documented even though they did not affect the overall excellent performance of this SOFC power generator. The final two appendices describe in detail the LFP design and the operating history of the tested brassboard LFP.

Veyo, S.E.↗

DOE OSTI2022

REopt for Resilient Buildings: Leveraging Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resources for Resilience Solutions

Community resilience hubs are locally identified and community-serving facilities that provide residents year-round access to support resources. During extreme weather, they can reduce the burden on emergency response teams by supplying power before, during, and after grid outages through onsite energy systems. This presentation analyzes how NREL's REopt tool can leverage energy efficiency, distributed generation, and storage resources to ensure critical community facilities are online when they are needed most. We showcase the tool's capabilities and application through a case study that focuses on achieving resilience for critical facilities in Manatee County.

better buildings↗