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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Advanced Modeling Fast Simulation Algorithms for Alternate Arm Converters

There is increasing interest in alternate arm converter (AAC) due to the fault-tolerant characteristics it could offer in high-voltage direct current (HVdc) systems. The simulation of AACs is important to assist with the design of hardware, control systems, and planning of power system expansions. However, simulation of AAC-HVdc using existing software takes a long time due to the presence of a large number of states and non-linear devices. An ultra-fast single-or multi-CPU simulation algorithm to simulate the AAC-HVdc system based on state-space models and using hybrid discretization algorithm with a relaxation technique that reduces the imposed computational burden is presented in this paper. The developed algorithm is validated with respect to reference PSCAD/EMTDC model.

Debnath, Suman↗
DOE OSTI2022

Internal Model-Based Active Damping Strategy for a Back-to-Back Modular Multilevel Converter System for Advanced Grid Support: Preprint

The proposed work focuses on the possibility of achieving the reduction in the size of the interfacing filter for the grid connection for a back-to-back modular multilevel converter system with the use of third order LCL filters. To achieve the same attenuation, it is possible to reduce the size of the interfacing filters by the usage of third order filters. However, this kind of filtering comes with the limitation of having sustained oscillations due to lack of damping especially during transient changes. Therefore, in this work, a methodology has been proposed based on the principle of internal model to cater for this unwanted oscillations. The third order system is modeled inside the microcontroller with the damping enabled. The error between the output from the model and the actual are compared and the error is utilized to accomplish the active damping strategy. The proposed architecture is verified via computer simulations based on MATLAB/Simulink domain and various case study results along with their discussion is presented in this paper.

dq control↗
DOE OSTI2021

Integration of Storage in the DC Link of a Full Converter-Based Distributed Wind Turbine

Energy storage is known to support the dispatchability of variable renewable resources. In this paper, we model a battery energy storage system (BESS) integrated with the DC link of a Type IV full converter-based wind turbine and the necessary controls to achieve efficient dispatch. To support the validation of control methodologies, we build a detailed model of a Type IV research wind turbine at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Controls Advanced Research Turbine (CART 3), and we integrated a lithium-ion BESS model in grid-following mode into the model. The simulation results illustrate the sizing and control of the DC link-integrated BESS for a given variable wind resource and varying dispatch strategies (i.e., under constant, uncertain, and ramping wind scenarios). The integrated storage can smooth variabilities in distributed wind output, hedge against uncertainties, provide the ramping capability, as well as support stability under voltage and frequency transients. All of these have been illustrated in MATLAB/Simulink.

DC-link voltage↗
DOE OSTI2016

Application of the Most Likely Extreme Response Method for Wave Energy Converters: Preprint

Extreme loads are often a key cost driver for wave energy converters (WECs). As an alternative to exhaustive Monte Carlo or long-term simulations, the most likely extreme response (MLER) method allows mid- and high-fidelity simulations to be used more efficiently in evaluating WEC response to events at the edges of the design envelope, and is therefore applicable to system design analysis. The study discussed in this paper applies the MLER method to investigate the maximum heave, pitch, and surge force of a point absorber WEC. Most likely extreme waves were obtained from a set of wave statistics data based on spectral analysis and the response amplitude operators (RAOs) of the floating body; the RAOs were computed from a simple radiation-and-diffraction-theory-based numerical model. A weakly nonlinear numerical method and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method were then applied to compute the short-term response to the MLER wave. Effects of nonlinear wave and floating body interaction on the WEC under the anticipated 100-year waves were examined by comparing the results from the linearly superimposed RAOs, the weakly nonlinear model, and CFD simulations. Overall, the MLER method was successfully applied. In particular, when coupled to a high-fidelity CFD analysis, the nonlinear fluid dynamics can be readily captured.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2016

Coupled Mooring Analyses for the WEC-Sim Wave Energy Converter Design Tool: Preprint

A wave-energy-converter-specific time-domain modeling method (WEC-Sim) was coupled with a lumped-mass-based mooring model (MoorDyn) to improve its mooring dynamics modeling capability. This paper presents a verification and validation study on the coupled numerical method. First, a coupled model was built to simulate a 1/25 model scale floating power system connected to a traditional three-point catenary mooring with an angle of 120 between the lines. The body response and the tension force on the mooring lines at the fairlead in decay tests and under regular and irregular waves were examined. To validate and verify the coupled numerical method, the simulation results were compared to the measurements from a wave tank test and a commercial code (OrcaFlex). Second, a coupled model was built to simulate a two-body point absorber system with a chain-connected catenary system. The influence of the mooring connection on the point absorber was investigated. Overall, the study showed that the coupling of WEC-Sim and the MoorDyn model works reasonably well for simulating a floating system with practical mooring designs and predicting the corresponding dynamic loads on the mooring lines. Further analyses on improving coupling efficiency and the feasibility of applying the numerical method to simulate WEC systems with more complex mooring configuration are still needed.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS1972

Computer controlled performance mapping of thermionic converters: effect of collector, guard-ring potential imbalances on the observed collector current-density, voltage characteristics and limited range performance map of an etched-rhenium, niobium planar converter

The effect of collector, guard-ring potential imbalance on the observed collector-current-density J, collector-to-emitter voltage V characteristic was evaluated in a planar, fixed-space, guard-ringed thermionic converter. The J,V characteristic was swept in a period of 15 msec by a variable load. A computerized data acquisition system recorded test parameters. The results indicate minimal distortion of the J,V curve in the power output quadrant for the nominal guard-ring circuit configuration. Considerable distortion, along with a lowering of the ignited-mode striking voltage, was observed for the configuration with the emitter shorted to the guard ring. A limited-range performance map of an etched-rhenium, niobium, planar converter was obtained by using an improved computer program for the data acquisition system.

Manista, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Parametric study of minimum converter loss in an energy-storage dc-to-dc converter

Through a combination of analytical and numerical minimization procedures, a converter design that results in the minimum total converter loss (including core loss, winding loss, capacitor and energy-storage-reactor loss, and various losses in the semiconductor switches) is obtained. Because the initial phase involves analytical minimization, the computation time required by the subsequent phase of numerical minimization is considerably reduced in this combination approach. The effects of various loss parameters on the optimum values of the design variables are also examined.

Wong, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Stability of Large Direct-Current Power Systems That Use Switching Converters and the Application of Switching Converters to the International Space Station

As direct-current space power systems continue to grow in size, switching power converters are playing an ever larger role in power conditioning and control. When a large direct-current system that uses power converters of this type is being designed, special attention must be placed on the electrical stability of the system and of the individual loads on the system. The impedance specification approach for system stability was accomplished as a result of cooperative work of the International Space Station program team, which consists of the NASA Lewis Research Center, the Boeing Company, and Rocketdyne Division/Rockwell International. In addition, major contributions were provided by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University working under a grant to NASA Lewis.

Manners, Bruce A.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Integrated Solar Power Converters: Wafer-Level Sub-Module Integrated DC/DC Converter

Solar ADEPT Project: CU-Boulder is developing advanced power conversion components that can be integrated into individual solar panels to improve energy yields. The solar energy that is absorbed and collected by a solar panel is converted into useable energy for the grid through an electronic component called an inverter. Many large, conventional solar energy systems use one, central inverter to convert energy. CU-Boulder is integrating smaller, microinverters into individual solar panels to improve the efficiency of energy collection. The University’s microinverters rely on electrical components that direct energy at high speeds and ensure that minimal energy is lost during the conversion process—improving the overall efficiency of the power conversion process. CU-Boulder is designing its power conversion devices for use on any type of solar panel.

ARPA-E↗
DOE OSTI2014

Performance of Mismatched PV Systems With Submodule Integrated Converters

Mismatch power losses in photovoltaic (PV) systems can be reduced by the use of distributed power electronics at the module or submodule level. This paper presents an experimentally validated numerical model that can be used to predict power production with distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) down to the cell level. The model allows the investigations of different DMPPT architectures, as well as the impact of conversion efficiencies and power constraints. Results are presented for annual simulations of three representative partial shading scenarios and two scenarios where mismatches are due to aging over a period of 25 years. It is shown that DMPPT solutions that are based on submodule integrated converters offer 6.9-11.1% improvements in annual energy yield relative to a baseline centralized MPPT scenario.

Olalla, C↗
DOE OSTI2021

Wave Energy Converter SIMulator (WEC-SIM) Support for an Adaptive Wave Energy Converter by Ocean Motion Technologies

Scripts from project git repo + tutorial slide deck generated for the TEAMER RFTS 1 collaborative project between Ocean Motion Technologies, Inc. and Sandia National Laboratories + National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The project simulates an adaptive wave energy converter through CAD, FEA, and analysis code. All materials in this submission are considered proprietary subject to terms and conditions detailed in the CRADA Agreement.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2020

Comparison of Numerical Methods for Modeling the Wave Field Effects Generated by Individual Wave Energy Converters and Multiple Converter Wave Farms

This numerical study compares the wave field generated by the spectral wave action balance code, SNL-SWAN, to the linear-wave boundary-element method (BEM) code, WAMIT. The objective of this study is to assess the performance of SNL-SWAN for modeling wave field effects produced by individual wave energy converters (WECs) and wave farms comprising multiple WECs by comparing results from SNL-SWAN with those produced by the BEM code WAMIT. BEM codes better model the physics of wave-body interactions and thus simulate a more accurate near-field wave field than spectral codes. In SNL-SWAN, the wave field’s energy extraction is modeled parametrically based on the WEC’s power curve. The comparison between SNL-SWAN and WAMIT is made over a range of incident wave conditions, including short-, medium-, and long-wavelength waves with various amounts of directional spreading, and for three WEC archetypes: a point absorber (PA), a pitching flap (PF) terminator, and a hinged raft (HR) attenuator. Individual WECs and wave farms of five WECs in various configuration were studied with qualitative comparisons made of wave height and spectra at specific locations, and quantitative comparisons of the wave fields over circular arcs around the WECs as a function of radial distance. Results from this numerical study demonstrate that in the near-field, the difference between SNL-SWAN and WAMIT is relatively large (between 20% and 50%), but in the far-field from the array the differences are minimal (between 1% and 5%). The resultant wave field generated by the two different numerical approaches is highly dependent on parameters such as: directional wave spreading, wave reflection or scattering, and the WEC’s power curve.

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