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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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Pseudo-spectral control of a novel oscillating surge wave energy converter in regular waves for power optimization including load reduction

The aim of this study is to describe a procedure to maximize the power-to-load ratio of a novel wave energy converter (WEC) that combines an oscillating surge wave energy converter with variable structural components. The control of the power-take-off torque will be on a wave-to-wave timescale, whereas the structure will be controlled statically such that the geometry remains the same throughout the wave period. Linear hydrodynamic theory is used to calculate the upper and lower bounds for the time-averaged absorbed power and surge foundation loads while assuming that the WEC motion remains sinusoidal. Previous work using pseudo-spectral techniques to solve the optimal control problem focused solely on maximizing absorbed energy. This work extends the optimal control problem to include a measure of the surge foundation force in the optimization. The objective function includes two competing terms that force the optimizer to maximize power capture while minimizing structural loads. A penalty weight was included with the surge foundation force that allows control of the optimizer performance based on whether emphasis should be placed on power absorption or load shedding. Results from pseudo-spectral optimal control indicate that a unit reduction in time-averaged power can be accompanied by a greater reduction in surge-foundation force.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2016

Development of a nearshore oscillating surge wave energy converter with variable geometry

This paper presents an analysis of a novel wave energy converter concept that combines an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC) with control surfaces. The control surfaces allow for a variable device geometry that enables the hydrodynamic properties to be adapted with respect to structural loading, absorption range and power-take-off capability. The device geometry is adjusted on a sea state-to-sea state time scale and combined with wave-to-wave manipulation of the power take-off (PTO) to provide greater control over the capture efficiency, capacity factor, and design loads. This work begins with a sensitivity study of the hydrodynamic coefficients with respect to device width, support structure thickness, and geometry. A linear frequency domain analysis is used to evaluate device performance in terms of absorbed power, foundation loads, and PTO torque. Previous OSWEC studies included nonlinear hydrodynamics, in response a nonlinear model that includes a quadratic viscous damping torque that was linearized via the Lorentz linearization. Inclusion of the quadratic viscous torque led to construction of an optimization problem that incorporated motion and PTO constraints. Results from this study found that, when transitioning from moderate-to-large sea states the novel OSWEC was capable of reducing structural loads while providing a near constant power output.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hydrodynamics and Load Shedding Behavior of a Variable-Geometry Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter (OSWEC)

In order to improve their long-term viability, wave energy converters (WECs) need to be able to shed loads when a threshold wave condition is exceeded. As shown by Tom et al. (2016) [1], provision of adjustable flaps within the body of an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC) allows wave energy to pass through the device. A control system may then be able to open and close the flaps when waves approaching the device exceed preset thresholds. The variable-geometry OSWEC (VG-OSWEC) concept studied in this paper is a bottom-hinged, rectangular wave paddle with five flaps of elliptical cross-section embedded into the face of the paddle. System ID tests were conducted on this VG-OSWEC device at a 1:14 scale in a wave basin. Free decay tests showed that the damping was distinctly nonlinear when the flaps were fully open, and the natural frequency increased by 40% when compared with the flaps in a fully closed configuration. Tests with regular wave conditions were used to develop the response amplitude operator for the rotational motion about the hinge. These response amplitude operator results when compared with numerical simulations run using WEC-Sim/WAMIT and ANSYS AQWA, show strong agreement with the flap open and closed conditions. The regular-wave condition measurements also show that the wave excitation moment about the hinge was reduced by up to 60% when the flaps were fully open. The experiments serve to demonstrate the potential of the variable geometry design to shed loads and survive harsh ocean environments.

load shedding↗
DOE OSTI2016

Cesium vapor thermionic converter anomalies arising from negative ion emission

Compelling experimental evidence is given that a longstanding limit encountered on cesium vapor thermionic energy converter performance improvement and other anomalies arise from thermionic emission of cesium negative ions. It is shown that the energy that characterizes thermionic emission of cesium negative ions is 1.38 eV and, understandably, is not the electron affinity 0.47 eV determined for the photodetachment threshold of the cesium negative ion. The experimental evidence includes measurements of collector work functions and volt-ampere characteristics in quasi-vacuum cesium vapor thermionic diodes, along with reinterpretation of the classic Taylor-Langmuir S-curve data on electron emission in cesium vapor. The quantitative effects of negative ion emission on performance in the ignited, unignited, and quasi-vacuum modes of cesium vapor thermionic converter operation are estimated.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Isolated Wired and Wireless Battery Charger with Integrated Boost Converter for PEV Applications

Integrated charger topologies that have been researched so far are with the dc-dc converters and the charging functionality usually have no isolation in the system. Isolation is an important feature that is required for user interface systems that have grid connections and therefore is a major limitation that needs to be addressed along with the integrated functionality. This study features a unique way of combining the wired and wireless charging functionalities with vehicle side boost converter integration and maintaining the isolation to provide the best solution to the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) users. The new performance of the proposed architecture is presented for wired and wireless charging options at different power levels.

boost converter↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Fast-Response High-Accuracy Overvoltage Protection Circuit for Soft-Switching Current-Source Converters

Although voltage-source converters (VSCs) have been a focus of research for decades and are widely applied in numerous applications, they face great challenges in short-circuit failures, high dv/dt and electromagnetic interference (EMI), especially using wide bandgap devices. Instead, current-source converters (CSCs) are attracting increasing attention in recent years owing to their friendliness to short-circuit faults, improved EMI, etc. For CSCs, overvoltage is the most catastrophic failure since the semiconductor devices can hardly withstand an overvoltage for a short pulse. In this paper, a fast-response high-accuracy overvoltage protection (OVP) circuit is proposed to protect CSCs from overvoltage damage. It also features a small form factor, good noise-immunity, friendly retrofit capability, and no need for active switches. In this paper, the operating principle and design guideline of the proposed OVP circuit is introduced. Its effectiveness is validated in soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T) at 500 V. In experiments, the voltage detection error of less than 5% and a propagation delay of fewer than 400 ns have been achieved.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Operation and Control of a Back to Back Modular Multilevel Converter System for Grid Forming Application with Advanced Grid Support Functionalities

The main focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of using modular multilevel converter based back-to-back system for grid forming applications. A decentralized hierarchical control architecture with a modified local controller based on nonlinear techniques for grid forming application have been investigated. Grid functionalities based on IEEE 1547-2018 for grid forming converters have been utilized. The local controllers ensure distortion free balanced sinusoidal output voltage on the grid forming side with unbalanced or nonlinear loading condition. The grid following side ensures unity power factor currents under unbalanced grid voltage condition. The dc bus voltage control ensures oscillation free voltage under balanced conditions and control of the average voltage under unbalanced condition. Efficacy of the overall system is verified by modeling the system in MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS domain and the most important case studies are presented.

advanced grid support functionalities↗
DOE OSTI2025

Modified Andronov-Hopf Oscillator-Based Grid-Forming Converter with Emulated Virtual Cable for Enhanced Power Sharing Performance

Nonlinear oscillator-based grid-forming converters offer superior dynamic and steady-state performance, making them an attractive solution for interconnecting renewable resources. This paper proposes a novel modified Andronov-Hopf oscillator to enhance the operating spectrum and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. An inner loop controller based on the Lyapunov energy function is implemented to achieve robust stability and performance, while a virtual cable emulation strategy enables seamless parallel operation. Comprehensive modeling and simulation studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed system, demonstrating its capabilities in addressing diverse operating scenarios, including grid faults, renewable energy fluctuations, and parallel operation. The proposed solution exhibits fast transient response, robust stability, and flexible operation, making it a valuable contribution to the field of renewable energy integration. The results of this study can be used to inform the design and implementation of next-generation grid-forming converters, enabling a more sustainable and reliable energy future. Additionally, the proposed system's ability to operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes makes it an ideal candidate for remote and off-grid renewable energy applications. The proposed solution's scalability and modularity also make it suitable for large-scale renewable energy integration. The proposed system is verified through MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS simulations, demonstrating its effectiveness in ensuring robust and efficient operation.

Andronov-Hopf Oscillator (AHO)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Power Converter Topologies for Electrolyzer Applications to Enable Electric Grid Services

Hydrogen electrolyzers, with their operational flexibility, can be configured as smart dynamic loads which can provide grid services and facilitate the integration of more renewable energy sources into the electrical grid. However, to enable this ability, the electrolyzer system should be able to control both active and reactive power in coordination with the low-level controller of the electrolyzer via the power electronics system interface between the utility grid and electrolyzer. This paper discusses power converter topologies and the control scheme of this power electronics interface for electrolyzer applications to enable electricity grid services. For the sake of unity, in this paper, we consider the power converter system interfacing the utility grid at the line-to-line root mean square (RMS) value of 480 VAC-60 Hz and supplying to the 3500 A-750 kW PEM electrolyzer stack.

electrolyzer↗
DOE OSTI2025

Describing Function Analysis of Transformer Magnetizing Inductance for Direct Power Control of Back-to-Back Modular Multilevel Converters with Advanced Grid Support

This paper provides a detailed investigation into the application of describing function-based analysis for assessing transformer magnetizing inductance and its impact on system performance. The focus is on a back-to-back modular multilevel converter architecture, designed to interconnect systems operating at different frequencies. The study explores the implementation of a Direct Power Control strategy, examining its effects on transformer magnetizing inductance saturation and offering effective mitigation techniques. Furthermore, the integration of advanced grid support functionalities is highlighted, demonstrating how these enhancements bolster the converter's ability to improve grid stability and power quality, positioning it as a robust solution for modern power systems. The proposed approach is validated through extensive computer simulations based MAT LAB/Simulink domain, supported by significant case study results, confirming its practical effectiveness.

back-to-back modular multilevel converters (B2B- M↗
DOE OSTI2025

Virtual Cable Impedance based Load Sharing in a Microgrid for Parallel Connected Grid Forming Converters

This paper presents a novel approach to power sharing between direct connected grid-forming converters, utilizing virtual cable impedance and droop-based outer loop control. To enhance stability, resistive droop is implemented, while virtual cable impedance with non-zero resistive and inductive components ensures improved power sharing. The inner loop controller employs a Lyapunov energy function to achieve superior dynamic performance. The proposed control architecture is validated through comprehensive modeling and real-time processor-in-the-loop simulations, demonstrating its robustness and efficiency under various operating conditions. The results highlight the potential of this control strategy to improve the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy systems. Additionally, a comparative analysis with traditional methods underscores the advantages of the proposed approach in terms of stability and performance. The proposed control architecture offers a scalable and flexible solution for grid-forming converters, enabling seamless integration of renewable energy sources. Its robustness and adaptability make it an attractive solution for real-world applications. Furthermore, the approach can be extended to other power electronic systems, enhancing overall system performance and efficiency. By providing a reliable and efficient control strategy, this paper contributes to the advancement of renewable energy systems and their adoption in the energy sector. The proposed control strategy has far-reaching implications for the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, enabling a more sustainable and efficient energy future. The overall system is modeled in MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS software domain.

grid forming converters (GFM)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Integration Study of Converter-Interfaced Combined Heat and Power Plants

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, as a proven technology, provide numerous benefits to the plant owner by saving electricity bill, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and improving electricity service reliability. However, their integration into the distribution grid faces many barriers including the complexity of grid code requirements and the lack of technical expertise in commercial and small industrial plants to interface with the utility and accelerate the interconnection process. To solve these issues, this study proposes a converter-interfaced solution for CHP integration. Simulations including various fault scenarios and load flow under different grid conditions are carried out to compare technical performances of the proposed solution with directly-coupled CHP. Results show that the generator size of converter-interfaced CHP can be reduced by approximately 25% and it also provides advantageous features such as reduced stress level under fault conditions and a better dynamic stability margin. In addition, a power factor controller is designed and reactive power from CHP is dispatched in such a way that the CHP plant is compliant with power factor requirements from utilities under all operating conditions.

Converter, Combined heat and power, Distributed en↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Generalized Precharging Strategy for Soft Startup Process of the Modular Multilevel Converter-Based HVDC Systems

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) has become one of the most promising converter technologies for medium/high-power applications, specifically for highvoltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. One of the technical challenges associated with the operation and control of the MMC-based system is to precharge the submodule (SM) capacitors to their nominal voltage during the startup process. In this paper, considering various SM circuits, a generalized precharging strategy is proposed for the MMC-based systems, which can implement soft stratup from dc or ac side. Furthermore, the proposed precharging strategy can be applicabe for various SM circuits and MMC configurations. The proposed startup strategy does not require extra measurements and/or auxiliary power supplies. The charging current is controlled by adjusting the changing rate of the number of blocked and bypassed SM capacitors. Based on the proposed startup strategy, the startup processes of MMC/MMC-HVDC systems based on various SM circuits are analyzed and a generalized startup procedure for various MMC-HVDC systems is proposed. In addition, the uncontrollable steady-state SM capacitor voltages of various MMC-based systems are analyzed and determined, potentially useful in SM design. Our performance of the proposed strategy for various MMC-HVDC systems is evaluated based on time-domain simulation studies in the PSCAD/EMTDC software environment and experimental results based on a scaled-down prototype.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Generic Multivector Model Predictive Control With Symmetric Pulse Pattern for Hybrid Multilevel Converters

This article presents a generic multivector model predictive control (MV-MPC) method that has the potential to be applied to all hybrid multilevel converters (HMCs). It first locates the reference voltage vector in the 120° oblique coordinate to select the three adjacent voltage vectors to be applied over one control cycle. Then, the current tracking is guaranteed through duty cycle optimization and dc capacitor voltages are balanced by evaluating possible switching sequences that belong to the voltage vectors with optimal duty cycles. At last, the optimal switching sequence with a symmetric five- or seven-segment pulse pattern is generated using an external modulator. Here, the proposed generic MV-MPC can significantly improve the quality of the output current, while achieving a constant equivalent switching frequency at the same time. Experimental studies on an all silicon carbide HMC prototype, i.e., an active neutral point clamped converter with cascaded H-bridge, are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed MV-MPC strategy.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Model-Based Dead Time Optimization for Voltage-Source Converters Utilizing Silicon Carbide Semiconductors

Dead time significantly affects the reliability, power quality, and efficiency of voltage-source converters. For silicon carbide (SiC) devices, considering the high sensitivity of turn-off time to the operating conditions (> 5× difference between light load and full load) and characteristics of inductive loads (> 2× difference between motor load and inductor), as well as large additional energy loss induced by the freewheeling diode conduction during the superfluous dead time (~15% of the switching loss), then the traditional fixed dead time setting becomes inappropriate. This paper introduces an approach to adaptively regulate the dead time considering the current operating condition and load characteristics via synthesizing online monitored turn-off switching parameters in the microcontroller with an embedded preset optimization model. Here, based on a buck converter built with 1200-V SiC MOSFETs, the experimental results show that the proposed method is able to ensure reliability and reduce power loss by 12% at full load and 18.2% at light load (8% of the full load in this case study).

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Laminated Permanent Magnets Enable Compact Magnetic Components in Current-Source Converters

Magnetic components have become one of the primary barriers to high power density converters, especially to current-source converters (CSCs). In CSCs, the inductors/transformers have a predominantly dc flux to store energy, which can be offset by standard permanent magnets (PMs). However, eddy currents in standard PMs induce significant losses and thermal stress for medium-frequency applications. This article proposes using laminated PMs to offset the dc flux while reducing eddy currents, leading to significant reductions in the size, cost, and losses of inductors/transformers. Furthermore, the laminated PMs’ optimal location, orientation, and distribution are investigated to generalize this approach for maximum benefits. Here, three-dimensional finite-element analysis simulation and hardware experiments are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in a medium-frequency transformer (MFT) for CSCs. Compared with standard PMs, the proposed use of laminated PMs reduces aggregate core-plus-PM losses by 85% in experiments, and thus, relaxes the MFT thermal design. Finally, the proposed approach is experimentally validated in a 40 kVA flyback-type MFT for a soft-switching solid-state transformer. Compared to the traditional design without any PMs, the proposed design increases the saturation current by 46% while inducing only 5% more losses, leading to significant savings in magnetics cost and size.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2022

A PCB-Embedded 1.2 kV SiC MOSFET Half-Bridge Package for a 22 kW AC–DC Converter

This article presents the design and analysis of a double-side-cooled printed circuit board (PCB) embedded silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET half-bridge package with low loop inductances and an integrated gate driver. The 1.2 kV SiC MOSFET dies used in the half-bridge package are embedded in the PCB using AT&S's patented technique. The dies are cooled and electrically connected to traces in the PCB through copper-filled microvias. The design methodology accounts for both electrical and thermal performance, limiting the power-loop inductance to 2.3 nH and the maximum package temperature to less than the 175 °C limit. The integration of the gate drive circuitry allows for a high power density and 2.2 nH gate-loop inductances. At 0.12 K/W, the measured junction-to-case thermal resistance with double-sided cooling is 57% lower than that of a TO-247 package. Under similar operating conditions, the PCB-embedded half-bridge package also achieves a 5.6 times lower voltage overshoot and a 0.5% higher peak efficiency than a TO-247-based half-bridge. This article reports the first demonstration of PCB-embedded 1.2 kV SiC MOSFET packages in buck, boost, and ac–dc converters. Furthermore, the prototype three-phase ac–dc converter for an electric vehicle on-board charger is composed of six PCB-embedded half-bridge packages and achieves an efficiency of 98.2% and a power density of 182 W/in 3 .

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hardware Design of Medium Voltage SiC-Based Modular Multilevel Converters for Grid-Tied Applications

This paper presents a design of a 10 kV silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET based modular multilevel converter (MMC). The MMC functions as the interconnection between a 24 kV dc bus and a 13. SkV distribution grid. This paper focuses on the hardware design of the MMC and its submodules. The gate driver, auxiliary power supply and bus bur in submodules are major components that need to meet high dv/dt immunity and high insulation voltage requirements. The gate driver achieves over 200 kV/us common mode transient immunity (CMTI). Its associated auxiliary power supply is based on an on-board transformer with over 30 kV insulation capability and 1.4 pF barrier capacitance. The busbar achieves less than 11 kV/cm electric field in the air to avoid partial discharges. Validation tests of the MMC submodule were performed by double pulse tests at 5 kV and buck converter tests at3 kV, 52A (peak). Reliable operations were achieved in validation tests.

auxiliary power supply↗