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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Interconnection and Interoperability Requirements of Hydrogen Assets to Enable Grid Integration

Traditionally, the inverters used for distributed energy resources (DERs) including solar, energy storage and hydrogen fuel cells are grid following assets. Grid following assets track real power and reactive power setpoints decided by either a local autonomous controller or a remote controller like a microgrid controller. In the past five years, multiple challenges have increased the need for grid forming inverters that can interface to a wide variety of energy resources. These grid forming inverters are becoming critical assets for power systems to enable the replacement of existing rotational machines and provide grid services such as grid resiliency services and black-start. Hydrogen assets (fuel cells) have the potential to successfully replace rotating machines and act as voltage and frequency master by leveraging the long-duration and seasonal energy storage capabilities of hydrogen technologies. This poster presents the progress made in budget period 1 of the proposed work. We will leverage an existing ARIES platform experimental setup to run power-hardware-in-the-loop and controller-hardware-in-the-loop experiments with grid forming fuel cell inverters to develop and document the standardization requirements.

electrolyzer↗
DOE OSTI2021

Post-extreme-event restoration using linear topological constraints and DER scheduling to enhance distribution system resilience

In this paper, a post-extreme-event restoration (PEER) algorithm is proposed to improve distribution system resilience. Linear topological constraints are proposed to ensure radial topology after N-k contingencies, possibly in multiple islands. The approach is made comprehensive by considering dispatchable distributed energy resources (DERs), non-dispatchable DERs, and demand responses, as well as on-load tap changers (OLTCs) and shunt capacitors. The goal is to minimize the accumulative expense caused by load reduction payment or penalty, as well as DER operation cost. As a result, the overall system will survive longer with higher resilience during an extreme event. To verify the effectiveness of the PEER algorithm, we proposed a resilience evaluation algorithm using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) with reduced scenarios. This is based on a probabilistic model for generating random scenarios which consider the uncertainty of line faults and solar irradiance. Combined with the proposed PEER algorithm, this reduced-scenario MCS can evaluate the expected energy not served (EENS) which is an essential index for distribution system resilience. Case studies of the IEEE 33-bus and 123-bus test systems validate the proposed algorithm in reducing EENS.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Robotics for Energy Infrastructure Construction on Earth and Beyond: Pilot Study Exploring Level 3-4 Semi-Autonomous Installation of a Reduced-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plant Prototype: Preprint

There is a growing need to build energy infrastructure at massive scale on both Earth and in space. On Earth, increasing electricity demand from applications such as AI data centers is driving rapid expansion of power systems, while in space, long-duration missions such as lunar operations require reliable and resilient energy infrastructure that can be deployed quickly. These needs outpace the capabilities of conventional construction methods. Robotic construction offers a path to faster, lower-cost, and more consistent deployment, yet most existing approaches focus on automating individual tasks rather than end-to-end assembly. The Industrialized Construction Innovation (ICI) team at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines, has been investigating robotics and automation strategies for rapid end-to-end energy infrastructure construction. This paper presents a pilot study demonstrating level 3-4 semi-autonomous, end-to-end robotic assembly of a reduced-scale photovoltaic power plant prototype under terrestrial conditions. The approach combines hardware redesign of photovoltaic components for robotic compatibility, discrete-event and physics-based robotic simulations in synthetic environments, and sim-to-real deployment to execute end-to-end robotic assembly of[NM1.1][NM1.2] tracking components, structural members, photovoltaic modules, and embedded electrical connections. The pilot identifies key limitations like tolerance management, perception and localization, end effector capability, fastening methods, and multi-physics simulation fidelity, that must be addressed to enable end-to-end robotic assembly of full-scale energy infrastructure. The study highlights how these insights inform scaling strategies for terrestrial energy infrastructure and adaptation to unstructured and extreme environments, including off-world scenarios such as robotic assembly of vertical tall lunar towers.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

AURORA-SETO_VirginiaTech_ Power & Energy Center

This is a presentation. The outline of the presentation is : Overview multiple grid resiliency projects at Siemens Corporate Technology Introduce AURORA project(AUtonomous and Resilient Operation of energy systems with RenewaAbles) Dive into physics and cyber situation awareness Discuss challenges encountered at building a more resilient distribution grid

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unified Universal Control and Coordination of Inverter-Based Resources, and Validation for a PV + Battery Hybrid Plant

As renewable energy deployment grows, hybrid power plants (HPPs) combining photovoltaic (PV) and battery systems must evolve to offer both energy and grid stability services. These systems typically include a mix of grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) inverters, presenting unique coordination and control challenges. This Department of Energy–funded project developed and validated a Unified Universal Control and Coordination (UUCC) framework for such PV + battery hybrid plants, enabling seamless and stable operation, including ultrafast black start, autonomous synchronization, and robust frequency and voltage regulation, under different grid conditions. The project significantly advanced the understanding of inverter-based resource (IBR) control by developing and validating three complementary system-level approaches for hybrid GFL/GFM operation: 1. A combined Virtual Resistance (VR)-based GFL and Virtual Oscillator Control (VOC)-based GFM method, where each inverter type is governed by a specialized control strategy. Together, these achieve stable, fast-response coordination, eliminating inrush current and enabling smooth black start and grid synchronization across a wide range of grid strengths. 2. A Deadbeat-based UUCC strategy, which uses discrete-time, switching-cycle-level control for both GFL and GFM inverters. This approach replaces traditional PI/PLL control with a control parameter-free, high-bandwidth framework that supports stable LVRT and instantaneous synchronization under all conditions. 3. A benchmark comparison with Siemens’ commercial GFM microgrid controller, which provided a fast baseline platform. The commercial approach decoupled v & f control was implemented on a commercial microgrid controller.The baseline commercial benchmark helped highlight superior transient response and black start performance offered by the deadbeat and VOC approaches. These technical contributions offer substantial improvements over conventional inverter control schemes, which often rely on slow phase-locked loop (PLL)-based synchronization, require careful control parameters tuning, and prone to unstable in weak grids with GFL inverters and in stiff grid with GFM inverters therefore challenging for hybrid GFL+GFM under all grid conditions. The deadbeat-based UUCC framework enables simpler, faster, and more robust operation of hybrid IBR systems using wide-bandgap (WBG) devices such as SiC power semiconductors. The rapid expansion of hybrid distributed energy resources (DERs), including residential and commercial PV-BESS installations such as Tesla Powerwall, PV with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability, and other integrated configurations, presents complex operational challenges for medium-voltage radial distribution feeders. These networks are subject to frequent disturbances such as faults, switching operations, rapid reclosing sequences, and feeder reconfigurations, all of which introduce dynamic stress on IBRs. In addition, planned feeder segmentation and deliberate islanding for resilience will require DERs that can autonomously perform blackstart, establish voltage and frequency references, and resynchronize with the main grid. The advanced deadbeat-based UUCC control and blackstart functionalities developed in this project directly address these requirements, enabling decentralized and autonomous operation of inverter-dominated DERs in distribution systems under a wide range of fault and reconfiguration scenarios. From a public benefit perspective, these innovations enable more reliable and cost-effective integration of renewable energy into distribution networks. The ability to autonomously black start and stabilize grids under varying grid conditions support accelerates recovery from outages and support decentralized resilient energy systems. By reducing system complexity and improving performance, this project lays critical groundwork for future inverter-dominated power grids that are clean, reliable, and accessible to all.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cyber-Resilient Automatic Generation Control for Systems of AC Microgrids

In this paper we propose a co-design of the secondary frequency regulation in systems of AC microgrids and its cyber security solutions. We term the secondary frequency regulator a Micro-Automatic Generation Control (μ AGC) for highlighting its same functionality as the AGC in bulk power systems. We identify sensory challenges and cyber threats facing the μ AGC. To address the sensory challenges, we introduce a new microgrid model by exploiting the rank-one deficiency property of microgrid dynamics. This model is used to pose an optimal μ AGC control problem that is easily implemented, because it does not require fast frequency measurements. An end-to-end cyber security solution to the False Data Injection (FDI) attack detection and mitigation is developed for the proposed μ AGC. The front-end barrier of applying off-the-shelf algorithms for cyber attack detection is removed by introducing a data-driven modeling approach. Finally, we propose an observer-based corrective control for an islanded microgrid and a collaborative mitigation scheme in systems of AC microgrids. We demonstrate a collaborative role of systems of microgrids during cyber attacks. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed cyber-resilient μ AGC is tested in a system of two networked microgrids.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Feasibility and Qualitative Risk Assessment of Fuel Cell Electric Bus Use for Emergency Backup Power for Airport Applications

Airports rely on robust backup power systems to maintain critical operations during emergencies. This paper investigates the feasibility of using hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) as emergency backup power sources, focusing on their technical specifications, operational challenges, and associated risks. Using Portland International Airport as a case study, the analysis evaluates the power output and hydrogen consumption of New Flyer’s 40’ Xcelsior Charge fuel cell buses, to provide power for key airport systems. Additionally, the paper explores the design and layout of how FCEBs can be connected to airport facilities, and addresses safety considerations, hydrogen supply logistics, and electrical compatibility. While FCEBs present significant advantages in terms of sustainability and resilience, their implementation requires careful planning, infrastructure investment, and adherence to safety standards. This research provides actionable insights for airport stakeholders seeking to transition to hydrogen-based backup power system.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Building Resilience with Distributed Wind

Distributed wind has several properties that can increase resilience of local electric systems. One of the biggest benefits distributed wind provides is the ability to provide power locally without importing fuel and in areas where solar resources are not adequate. In this way, it can be used to offset fossil fuel consumption and support local backup power needs in the case of a wider grid outage. This fact sheet provides an overview of this and other ways that distributed wind supports resilience.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Role of On-Site Generation in Carbon Emissions and Utility Bill Savings under Different Electric Grid Scenarios

Energy-efficient and sustainable technologies are necessary to lower energy and carbon footprints. Many technologies are being pursued to meet the increasing energy demand in buildings. An attractive option is efficient utilization of available energy resources, including renewables, to support current and future building energy needs while targeting grid resiliency, energy, and environmental security at an affordable cost via on-site cogeneration-based approaches. This must include energy-efficient technologies with lower greenhouse gas emissions and optimized cost, performance, and reliability. This paper presents the economic and environmental benefits associated with power technologies such as thermionics and solid oxide fuel cells. Hybrid configurations consisting of heat pumps, power systems, and renewable photovoltaics in cogeneration and trigeneration modes of operation are presented. The role of such technologies in lowering CO2 emissions while improving energy resiliency and serving the needs of underprivileged communities is discussed. The key barriers of affordability and potential solutions for large-scale implementation of these promising technologies are reviewed. Case studies demonstrating the influence of power rating, electrical efficiency, design configuration, carbon dioxide intensity of the grid, and fuel on annual greenhouse gas emissions are presented for residential and commercial buildings.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Enhancing Responsiveness and Resilience with Distributed Applications in the Grid

A number of trends are increasing the variability in electric power systems resulting in a need for new approaches in control. The increased variability is originating from distributed energy resources and an increasing demand for personalized energy choice from customers grid-edge. Electricity distribution systems continue to incorporate increasing numbers of intelligent end devices, automated switchgear, and sensing and measurement devices which are providing more visibility and control at the grid-edge. Traditional distribution system planning and operations techniques must evolve to meet the new complexity while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy. New technologies are enabling new capabilities at the grid-edge to respond to these needs. Distributed applications can deploy intelligence across the distribution grid with peer-to-peer communications and a shared data context for their local environment. These applications can cooperate with each other to respond quickly to changing grid conditions. This enables a layered coordination framework spanning the centralized Advanced Distribution Management System functions with wide area visibility to these new distributed applications running at intelligent devices and meters throughout the distribution system. This paper describes an open-architecture, open-source system approach for commercial scale integration of devices and intelligence at the grid-edge.

Ogle, James P.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Introduction to Microgrids

A microgrid is simply a typical power system that has distributed energy resources (DERs), like small diesel generators, with loads in the network. The resiliency offered by microgrids to retain service during system events makes them a suitable support for the electric grid during natural disasters. One key factor that differentiates microgrids from a typical distribution grid is its ability to disconnect itself in the event of a blackout and sustain its loads through DERs. Microgrid systems will reconnect to the main grid when the grid comes back up. The resiliency offered by microgrids to retain service during system events makes them a suitable support for the electric grid during natural disasters. This presentation discusses the typical key steps involved in microgrid planning, installation, operation in a interoperable and interconnectable fashion.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Data Integration and Visualization for Enhanced Resilience and Sustainability in Hydropower (DIVERS-H)

U.S. hydropower plants face potential threats from shrinking water supply, rising demands, and warmer stream temperatures from various causes. Power plant owners, operators, and regulators require new tools to take advantage of and interpret the diverse range of scientific data being produced by both observational methods (for example, satellite, radar, stream gauges) and computer modeling methods that evaluate and predict how earth's dynamic systems (atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and sea ice) are changing and interacting. Combining datasets such as these with AI-based analyses introduces a novel decision support system to help users anticipate and address potential impacts on power generation stations. This new technology has been named DIVERS-H for "Data Integration and Visualization for Enhanced Resilience and Sustainability in Hydropower." In Phase I, technical feasibility was established with the development and demonstration of all the new technologies that are required. Most notably, DIVERS-H will use new artificial intelligence (AI) methods to capture the complex dynamics of water availability, demand, and environmental changes. In addition, new data management software was developed, and a prototype user interface was implemented as the precursor to a full scale decision support system. With technical research complete, the project focus now shifts to development of a commercial software product to provide users with actionable insight into water availability and the risk/resilience of critical systems at their locations of interest. Although DIVER-H was originally conceived as a tool for hydroelectric power applications, the same underlying technology can be readily applied to other water-consuming systems including coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear power plants.

Chaudhary, Aashish [Kitware, Inc., Clifton Park, N↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Fast and Scalable Genetic Algorithm-Based Approach for Planning of Microgrids in Distribution Networks

As a result of climate change, extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and with increasing impact. This trend poses a significant challenge for distribution utilities and system operators to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply to critical loads in their networks; thus, the level of proactive preparation of the distribution system to be able to handle severe impacts of extreme weather events represents the system's resilience. One method that distribution system planners can use to prepare for future extreme events is to plan multiple microgrids which can use local generation as much as possible to supply critical loads. But partitioning an existing distribution system such that multiple feasible islands are planned and which are capable of supporting critical loads is still challenging for distribution systems - first, because of the size of the network graph partitioning problem and, second, because of the difficulty in properly formulating the desired attributes of such islands or microgrids. Therefore, this paper presents a genetic algorithm based approach that facilitates incorporating multiple objectives for grid partitioning by formulating two types of problems - node allocation and edge elimination - and it considers multiple topological and resilience-enhancing objectives. The performance of the proposed genetic algorithm-based approach is numerically evaluated on multiple test systems as well as on a real distribution feeder in Colorado, United States.

genetic algorithm↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cyber Resilient Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (XFACTS)

This report summarizes the activities conducted under the DOE-OE funded project DEOE0000897, Cyber Attack Resilient Flexible AC Systems – XFACTS. Hitachi Energy (HE), in collaboration with ABB Inc. (ABB), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Iowa State University (ISU), and University of Idaho (UI) pursued the development of a system of defense for Flexible Alternating current Transmission Systems against cyber-attacks (XFACTS). A FACTS substation enhanced with XFACTS defense mechanisms will be capable of mitigating cyberattacks especially those that seek to control electrical parameters like voltage or current and interrupt the power flow in AC lines. It empowers existing FACTS controllers and associated intelligent electronic devices to detect and mitigate malicious intents to depress system voltages, destabilize power flows, trip AC circuit breakers, corrupt currents, and voltages, even if the malicious commands and the measurements have correct syntax. The XFACTS functions utilize the physics of active power electronic systems, control and protection, electric power engineering principles, and state estimation to bring more in-depth cyber defense closer to the protected FACTS substation devices.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Research Needs and New Capabilities for Retail Electricity Rate Analysis

Retail electricity rates are at the center of supply- and demand-side changes in future power systems and influence system costs and DER adoption decisions, all with important implications for system reliability, resiliency, and energy affordability. Building on decades of research experience and analytical insights at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the report identifies key near-term analysis questions, enhancements to existing capabilities, and longer-term new capabilities to provide actionable insights for electricity system decision-makers, including state utility regulators, electric and gas utilities, ratepayer advocates, and DER solution providers.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Security Constrained Distributed Transaction Model for Multiple Prosumers

Massive access of renewable energy has prompted demand-side distributed resources to participate in regulation and improve flexibility of power systems. With large-scale access of massive, decentralized, and diverse distributed resources, demand-side market members have transformed from traditional “consumers” to “prosumers”. To explore the distributed transaction model of prosumers, in this paper, a multi-prosumer distributed transaction model is proposed, and the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) theory is applied to quantify potential risks caused by the stochastic characteristics inherited from renewable energy. First, a prosumer model under constraints of the distribution network including photovoltaic units, fuel cells, energy storage system, central air conditioning and flexible loads is established, and a multi-prosumer distributed transaction strategy is proposed to achieve power sharing among multiple prosumers. Second, a prosumer transaction model based on CVaR is constructed to measure risks inherited from the uncertainty of PV output within the prosumer and ensure safety of system operation in extreme PV output scenarios. Then, the alternating direction multiplier method (ADMM) is utilized to solve the constructed model efficiently. Finally, distributed transaction costs of prosumers are distributed fairly based on the generalized Nash equilibrium to maximize social benefits. Simulation results show the multi-prosumer distributed transaction mechanism established under the proposed generalized Nash equilibrium method can encourage power sharing among prosumers, increasing their own income and social benefits. Also, the CVaR can assist decision making of prosumers in weighting the risks and benefits, improving system resilience through energy management of prosumers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhancing ACPF Analysis: Integrating Newton-Raphson Method with Gradient Descent and Computational Graphs

This paper presents a new method for enhancing Alternating Current Power Flow (ACPF) analysis. The method integrates the Newton-Raphson (NR) method with Enhanced-Gradient Descent (GD) and computational graphs. The integration of renewable energy sources in power systems introduces variability and unpredictability, and this method addresses these challenges. It leverages the robustness of NR for accurate approximations and the flexibility of GD for handling variable conditions, all without requiring Jacobian matrix inversion. Furthermore, computational graphs provide a structured and visual framework that simplifies and systematizes the application of these methods. The goal of this fusion is to overcome the limitations of traditional ACPF methods and improve the resilience, adaptability, and efficiency of modern power grid analyses. We validate the effectiveness of our advanced algorithm through comprehensive testing on established IEEE benchmark systems. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that our approach not only speeds up the convergence process but also ensures consistent performance across diverse system states, representing a significant advancement in power flow computation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

BESSIE: Battery & Energy Storage Supply Chain Analysis, Mitigation Deployment, and Tools

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) and their associated power electronic interfaces are key components to delivering clean and more resilient energy, providing much-needed fast-ramping, emergency discharge, generation, and operations support to the electric grid. These services have grown to be invaluable over the past ten years and will soon be an irreplaceable element of energy delivery. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) strives to address these challenges through a strategic approach to supply chain risk assessment and mitigation for BESS and related digital energy equipment through the BESSIE project under the Center for Securing Digital Energy Technology. Recognizing that decreasing dependence on a foreign supply chain will take significant time and investment, BESSIE’s focus is strategically addressing battery supply chain risks by pairing short-term steps to operate securely through today’s risks with long-term steps to shape the supply chain over the coming years.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗