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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Dynamical System Scaling of a Thermocline Thermal Storage System in the Thermal Energy Distribution System (TEDS) Facility

The purpose of this study was to develop a process to convert input signals from one facility into another by reflecting geometric and environmental settings. The Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory (DETAIL) is one facility in development that aims to emulate the daily interactions among power production industry systems and be capable of receiving real-time data from those systems as inputs. To convert signals and ensure that the temporal sequences and magnitudes reflect the laboratory settings, the ability to scale and project data is essential. To demonstrate this ability, Dynamical System Scaling (a methodology that enables systems to scale and project or extrapolate datasets to desired environments while conserving the observed transient behavior based on first principles) was applied to DETAIL’s thermocline thermal storage system in the Thermal Energy Distribution System. The thermocline system was successfully scaled and a test case was conducted to generate a doubly accelerated energy charge and discharge in reference to past experimental data from the facility. The accelerated data were determined as able to conserve the amount of energy stored and the associated test boundary conditions were charge line maximum temperature, charge line velocity, and thermocline maximum temperature at 354 °C, 0.458 m/s, and 418 °C, respectively. The research results represented a case that required signals to be accelerated without altering the stored energy.

Yoshiura, Ramon (ORCID:0000000319781313)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modeling Needs for Power Semiconductor Devices and Power Electronics Systems: Preprint

As energy systems move towards wide-spread electrification, penetration of power semiconductor devices and power electronics continues to grow at a rapid pace. This paper attempts to review the state of the art in power semiconductor modeling and the existing state of modeling in general when in it comes to design of devices and systems. The modeling needs for semiconductor devices vary depending on the end goal, and the level of abstraction needed towards model formulation also changes with the size and complexity of system to be designed. Finally, key aspects of thermal design and modeling for power electronics are also discussed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluation of low-exergy heating and cooling systems and topology optimization for deep energy savings at the urban district level

District energy systems have the potential to achieve deep energy savings by leveraging the density and diversity of loads in urban districts. However, planning and adoption of district thermal energy systems is hindered by the analytical burden and high infrastructure costs. It is hypothesized that network topology optimization would enable wider adoption of advanced (ambient temperature) district thermal energy systems, resulting in energy savings. In this study, energy modeling is used to compare the energy performance of “conventional” and “advanced” district thermal energy systems at the urban district level, and a partial exhaustive search is used to evaluate a heuristic for the topology optimization problem. For the prototypical district considered, advanced district thermal energy systems mated with low-exergy building heating and cooling systems achieved a source energy use intensity that was 49% lower than that of conventional systems. The minimal spanning tree heuristic was demonstrated to be effective for the network topology optimization problem in the context of a prototypical district, and contributes to mitigating the problem’s computational complexity. The work presented in this paper demonstrates the potential of advanced district thermal energy systems to achieve deep energy savings, and advances to addressing barriers to their adoption through topology optimization.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2021

Secondary Use-Plug-and-Play Energy Storage System Composed of Multiple Energy Storage Technologies

Low-cost, grid-connectable energy storage technologies represent a significant challenge for the electric grid of the future. Energy storage technologies are in rapid development with targets to reduce the storage medium cost. However, a significant cost to deployment also comes in the integration. This paper presents the development of a plug-and-play system for supporting secondary use multiple battery systems into a single grid connectable unit. Results of the system design are demonstrated in a controller hardware in the loop (CHIL) platform. Simulations of two energy storage systems operating in parallel and dispatched optimally are presented.

Starke, Michael↗
DOE OSTI2022

High temperature thermochemical energy storage system

A thermochemical energy storage system and method of storing thermal energy are described. The energy storing system described herein comprises a reactor comprising: a) a reactor with a CO 2 sorbent including MgO; and b) a supercritical CO 2 source with supercritical CO 2 and H 2 O, wherein the supercritical CO 2 source is in fluid communication with the reactor and the CO 2 sorbent including MgO to allow flow of the supercritical CO 2 and H 2 O between the supercritical CO 2 source and the reactor, thereby allowing contact of CO 2 with the CO 2 sorbent comprising MgO.

Muto, Andrew Jerome↗
DOE OSTI2021

Impact Analysis of Data Integrity Attacks on FACTS-based Wide-Area Voltage Control System

Energy management system (EMS) consists of several wide-area control applications that serve as a backbone for security, stability, and reliability of the power system. Wide-area voltage control system (WAVCS), one of the critical wide-area applications, operates in coordination with local Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices to provide voltage security and optimal management of active and reactive power resources. Since the WAVCS relies on wide-area communication and data sharing devices, possible cybersecurity vulnerabilities have to be addressed to ensure the closed-loop operation of WAVCS. In this paper, we present a methodology for performing an impact analysis of cyber-attacks in WAVCS cybersecurity. In particular, different types of data integrity attacks, such as malicious tripping, fault replay, and signal altering attacks, are considered, and detailed impact analysis is conducted in a testbed environment using the Kundur's four machine two-area system. For performing an impact analysis, the transient voltage stability of the sensitive bus voltage is studied, followed by the quantitative assessment and severity ranking using the voltage profile index. Our experimental evaluation reveals that the data integrity attacks on control signals exhibit a higher attack severity than on the measurement signals. Further, the severity of these attacks varies with nature (static or dynamic), location, and types of attacks.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Considerations for Fire Service Response to Residential Battery Energy Storage System Incidents

Renewable energy sources (e.g., rooftop photovoltaics, wind turbines) are capable of addressing our grid-level energy challenges by reducing environmental impacts, increasing resiliency, and increasing the supply of input energy. However, renewable energy sources alone are not a complete solution. The generation of power from major renewable energy sources fluctuates with the weather, creating significant challenges in matching electrical power generation to electrical power consumption. The value of renewable power generation sources is multiplied when paired with battery energy storage systems (ESS), which can store excess power generated from renewable energy sources when it is not consumed and deliver that power later when demand exceeds base power generation. Residential ESS units are frequently installed to support renewable energy initiatives by storing energy from intermittent sources such as photovoltaic panels. Residential ESS units also offer an alternative to gas-powered generators or other backup power means. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common residential ESS technology due to their affordability and energy density. Though lithium-ion systems come with benefits, there is also a risk of thermal runaway within this technology which can result in flammable gas release, fire, and explosion. As the installations of these products increase, the frequency of response to fire incidents involving these products will increase. In response to this new and evolving hazard, UL Solutions (ULS) and UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) have partnered with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to conduct a series of large-scale tests sponsored by the US Department of Energy to characterize the challenges for fire fighters responding to fires involving residential energy storage systems. The project focuses on developing size-up and tactical considerations to support the fire service in navigating the evolving modern fireground.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

JUST-R metrics for considering energy justice in early-stage energy research

We report achieving sustainable decarbonization of the energy sector requires implementing and improving energy technologies while simultaneously managing sources of social inequity in the energy system. Centering energy justice, which has "the goal of achieving equity in both the social and economic participation in the energy system, while also remediating social, economic, and health burdens on those historically harmed by the energy system," in the transition to clean energy has become an increasingly urgent priority for social scientists, policymakers, and community activists alike. However, late-stage consideration of social impacts of energy technologies may result in identifying inequities only after substantial time, money, and effort have been expended on research and development (R&D). This issue is exemplified by concerns over environmental and human health impacts related to cobalt in lithium-ion batteries, which has spurred research into alternatives only after decades of R&D and the establishment of supply chains, infrastructure, and markets for cobalt-containing chemistries. Other examples include issues with land use and resource consumption related to first-generation biofuel feedstocks as well as occupational hazards and pollution associated with photovoltaics manufacturing. In all these cases, subsequent R&D to improve technologies or processes cannot undo the effects already experienced. Incorporating energy justice from the earliest stage of R&D will enable more just technology implementation, but integrating justice considerations into early-stage research is a challenge due to a lack of tools to assess and manage them. To fill this gap, we center early-stage research to develop the Justice Underpinning Science and Technology Research (JUST-R) metrics framework - energy justice metrics specifically targeted at early-stage researchers to assess their work on an immediate timescale. By applying these metrics to a case study focused on materials for next-generation photovoltaics, we highlight potential benefits and barriers to implementing this framework in early-stage research and discuss necessary institutional and individual actions needed for researchers to effectively leverage the tool to incorporate justice-focused criteria into R&D decision making.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Lignin-derived electrochemical energy materials and systems

Electrochemical energy storage systems such as supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries and fuel cells have been proven the most effective technologies for energy conversion, storage, and management at different scales. Although a large number of electrochemical energy technologies have been developed in the past and they will continue to be optimized in terms of cost, lifetime, and performance, there is a substantial growing demand for advanced electrochemical energy systems. To deploy these advanced systems, the electrode and electrolyte materials with higher performance, longer life, and lower cost, must be developed. Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer after cellulose, a byproduct from emerging cellulosic biorefineries, and a waste product from pulp and paper industries. Numerous researches have successfully demonstrated that lignin from different sources can be used as precursors or feedstocks for preparing high-performance electrochemical energy materials and components such as electrodes, electrolytes, membrane separators, and additives. Moreover, techno-economic analyses indicate that it is possible to prepare cost-effective carbons from lignin at engineering scales, compared to current carbon products. These facts suggest that scalable conversion of lignin into high-value energy materials will offer a promising pathway to not only promote the utilization and valorization of lignin but also boost the development of the advanced electrochemical energy systems. This review presents state of the arts of renewable energy materials derived from various lignin and their applications in electrochemical energy systems with emphasis on supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries, and fuel cells. Meanwhile, this article also aims to carve out the critical barriers for lignin-derived high-performance materials for energy applications, intending to identify viable approaches for synthesis of sustainable new energy materials.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS): An Open-Access Model for the North American Electricity System

The Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model is NREL’s flagship capacity expansion planning tool for the electric power sector in North America. Originally developed in 2001, ReEDS has been used primarily by NREL researchers to conduct high-profile analysis of the potential evolution of the electricity system. In September 2019, the core model is being released for public use. In this presentation, we provide an overview of the model architecture, key model features, data sources, lessons learned, and sample model results for the North American electric power system.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Real-time Implementation of Grid Code Compliant Grid Edge Energy Management System

Integrated distributed energy resources (DER) in a distribution system need to follow grid codes to avoid violations that result in DER/circuit segment disconnection. To comply with grid code requirements at the grid edge level, network constrained grid edge energy management system (EMS) can be deployed. The objective of grid edge EMS is to provide economic solution for active and reactive power DER setpoints at each dispatch interval and ensure voltage regulation to support secure interconnection of the grid edge segment to the distribution system with multiple inverter based DER units. In this work, real-time simulation of grid code compliant grid edge EMS is deployed in a realistic feeder circuit segment. For real-time simulation, communication between the grid edge EMS and DERs is done exploiting IEC 61850-7-420. It enables interoperability among different DERs and grid edge EMS. No prior art has deployed IEC 61850-7-420 GOOSE communication protocol for grid edge EMS. Conversion of IEC 61850 GOOSE messages to Modbus communication protocol is also performed to communicate with grid edge EMS in commodity-off the shelf embedded boards in this work. The real-time simulation in OPAL-RT real-time digital simulator shows the out-performance of grid edge EMS by reducing the voltage violation in the distribution circuit.

Energy management system↗
DOE OSTI2020

Provision of Grid Services by PV Plants with Integrated Battery Energy Storage System: Preprint

Battery energy storage systems (BESS), due to their tremendous range of uses and configurations, may assist PV integration in any number of ways by increasing power system flexibility. In this paper we describe results of a research project conducted by NREL and First Solar for developing controls and demonstrating many use cases for PV-BESS systems including (1) matching generation to loads through time shifting, reducing PV curtailment,; (2) promoting higher levels of PV penetrations by balancing the grid through ancillary services; (3) use of PV-BESS systems to provide wide-area stability services in the form of oscillations damping controls; and (r) use of gird forming BESS for enabling black start and islanded applications for PV-BESS systems. In the paper we will also describe the unique multi-MW test and validation platform developed at NREL for conducting research on fielded utility-scale PV-BESS systems. The platform consists of First Solar 0.43 MW PV power plant, NREL’s 1MW/1MW BESS, 2MW PV power supplies and 7MVA power electronic grid simulator interfaced with industrial plant controllers and power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) capability.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Medium-Duty Delivery Truck Integrated Bidirectional Wireless Power Transfer System With Grid and Stationary Energy Storage System Connectivity

Electric vehicles (EVs) can provide power to the grid or buildings similar to distributed energy resources (DER) for energy balancing applications or optimizing the operation of the microgrids in harmony with the other DER assets. This article presents the operating modes of a bidirectional wireless power transfer (WPT) system designed for a medium-duty package delivery vehicle. The WPT system designed for this study can transfer 20 kW of power across 11 in of air gap using custom-designed double-D (DD) couplers with LCC–LCC tuning networks. The proposed system utilizes a 480-V three-phase grid connection, a plug-in hybrid delivery truck with bidirectional WPT, and a stationary energy storage system (SESS) that can be connected to the primary-side dc link. Due to the differences in primary and secondary dc bus voltages, and considering the voltage of the SESS, asymmetric voltage gains were used in the system. Sensitivity analyses of this system with respect to these voltage levels are presented. Five different operating modes of the grid, SESS, and the EV battery are investigated with experimental results. Control algorithms are described for grid-to-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operating modes. A bidirectional WPT system is operated with a power factor of 0.99 on the grid side in every operating mode. The EV battery was charged with 20.3 kW with an overall efficiency of 93.02% in the G2V operating mode. Finally, in the V2G operating mode, the WPT system provided 12.82 kW of power back to the grid with an overall efficiency of 89.08%.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Battery Energy Storage Systems Report

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a critical component of grid reliability and resilience today, providing rapid response capabilities while enabling grid modernization and capacity expansion across the United States. As utilities, communities, and customers prepare to deploy significant BESS capacity over the next several years, the United States has an opportunity to build security into battery system design and deployments. This report provides a framework for assessing the current dominance of foreign-manufactured components in the supply chains for BESS, inverter-based resources, and transformers. It offers high-impact, actionable solutions to service partners, industry, and government to address supply chain risks for currently installed, in design, and future deployments.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Framework for Externally Exposed Energy Delivery Systems

Securing the energy delivery system (EDS) from complex, nonlinear, and evolving cyber threats requires a complex set of changing and interwoven classes of technologies, policies, relationships, and personnel. One key area in this technological milieu is assessment methodologies to compare information, gathered by a variety of means, about networked devices with publicly known possible threat information about said devices. This information is used to generate risk-based characterizations that allow for the adjudication and proper corresponding management action chains to be assigned.

Gourisetti, Sri Nikhil G.↗