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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Development and application of a standardized flow measurement uncertainty analysis framework to various low-head short-converging intake types across the United States federal hydropower fleet

Turbine discharges at low-head short converging intakes are difficult to measure accurately. The proximity of the measurement section to the intake entrance admits large uncertainties related to asymmetry of the velocity profile, swirl, and turbulence. Existing turbine performance codes [10, 24] do not address this special case and published literature is largely silent on rigorous evaluation of uncertainties associated with this measurement context. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Committee investigated the use of Acoustic transit time (ATT), Acoustic scintillation (AS), and Current meter (CM) in a short converging intake at the Kootenay Canal Generating Station in 2009. Based on their findings, a standardized uncertainty analysis (UA) framework for velocity-area method (specifically for CM measurements) is presented in this paper given the fact that CM is still the most fundamental and common type of measurement system. Typical sources of systematic and random errors associated with CM measurements are investigated, and the major sources of uncertainties associated with turbulence and velocity fluctuations, numerical velocity integration technique (bi-cubic spline), and the number and placement of current meters are being considered for an evaluation. Since the velocity measurements in a short converging intake are associated with complex nonlinear and time varying uncertainties (e.g., Reynolds stress in fluid dynamics), simply applying the law of propagation of uncertainty is known to overestimate the measurement variance while the Monte Carlo method does not. Therefore, a pseudo-Monte Carlo simulation method (random flow generation technique [8]) which was initially developed for the purpose of establishing upstream or initial conditions in the Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) and the Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) is used to statistically determine uncertainties associated with turbulence and velocity fluctuations. This technique is then combined with a bi-cubic spline interpolation method which converts point velocities into a continuous velocity distribution over the measurement domain. Subsequently the number and placement of current meters are simulated to investigate the accuracy of the estimated flow rates using the numerical velocity-area integration method outlined in ISO 3354 [12]. The authors herein consider that statistics on generated flow rates processed with bi-cubic interpolation and sensor simulations are the combined uncertainties which already accounted for the effects of all those three uncertainty sources. A preliminary analysis based on the current meter data obtained through an upgrade acceptance test of a single unit located in a mainstem plant has been presented.

Smith, Brennan T↗
DOE OSTI2018

Autonomous sensor fish to support advanced hydropower development

An improved sensor fish with robust design and enhanced measurement capabilities. This sensor fish contains sensors for acceleration, rotation, magnetic field intensity, pressure, and temperature. A low-power microcontroller collects data from the sensors and stores up to 5 minutes of data on a non-volatile flash memory. A rechargeable battery supplies power to the sensor fish. A recovery system helps locating sensor fish. The package, when ready for use is nearly neutrally buoyant and thus mimics the behavior of an actual fish.

Deng, Daniel Z.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Investigate the Performance and Cost Benefits of Using a Magnetically Geared Generator (MGG) for a Hydropower Generator

The operating principles of MGs have been explained in section 1. In section 3, the ideal MG design will be discussed with a pole pair combination of 11-71-60. The parameter sweeping analysis has been conducted. In section 4, another design with extended magnets is discussed. The flux concentration topology will be discussed in section 5. In order to reduce the simulation time, especially when doing the loss analysis in 3-D, a new pole pair combination (12-78-66) has been chosen so that the MG can be simulated in a 1/6 model which is present in section 6. In section 7, a MG with extra radial flux will be introduced and the performance will be evaluated. The deflection and loss are also discussed. In section 8, the stage 2 MG will be discussed which uses a similar topology as stage 1 MG. The mechanical deflection of the rods and the efficiency will be calculated. In section 9, the stator will be added inside the stage 2 MG. The fractional winding distribution will be designed. The cost and scaling analysis are discussed in section 10 and section 11, respectively.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Modeling & Analysis of a Small Hydropower Plant and Battery Energy Storage System Connected as a Microgrid

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is a utility with headquarters in Bellevue, WA that provides electric and gas service to customers in many regions of western Washington State. PSE is undertaking the implementation of a battery energy storage system pilot project in Glacier, WA, a small town located in the North Cascade Mountains near Mt. Baker Ski Area. Glacier experiences power outages that are both somewhat frequent and lengthy (roughly 2.8 outages per year with a duration of 7.5 hours average). The primary cause of the outages is faults on a long 55 kV transmission line that serves the town of Glacier from the Kendall substation. This approximately 10-mile long line is shown in the upper left of Figure 1 below. The Kendall-Glacier transmission line extends through an area of heavy forest with few reasonable options for increasing the line’s reliability. The substation in Glacier (also shown on figure below) serves over 1000 customers that are mostly residential but includes over 50 small businesses. The town has approximately 250 year-round residents, and a peak in visitors during the winter ski season when storms are also more likely to cause power outages. Figure 1: Proposed Microgrid in Glacier, WA Given the reliability challenges in Glacier, PSE is assessing the feasibility of a 2MW/4.4MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) that would allow for improved reliability. The BESS would also allow for the ability to investigate other applications for utility-scale energy 5 storage. This energy storage system is being considered for operation in “planned islanding” and “microgrid” mode. “Planned islanding” indicates use of the BESS to provide power to part or potentially all of the load in the town of Glacier during an outage. “Microgrid” indicates utilization (during an outage) of the BESS in parallel with Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant, a small (nameplate 1.5 MW/2000 HP) hydro power plant less than 10 miles from the town of Glacier. Nooksack is a run-of river small hydro generation plant with a gross head of 226 ft. The site has a 5-foot diameter penstock which enters the powerhouse and goes into a pelton turbine with six runners on one shaft. It was originally constructed by Stone & Webster in 1906, which makes it the second oldest operating power generation facility in Western Washington. It was placed on the National Register of Historic places in December of 1988. The plant operated until 1997 when a fire destroyed the generator. The project continued operations in 2003 after the replacement of the generator and other updates.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

PUMP-STORAGE HYDROPOWER DESIGN IN A WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY WITH AN AERATING RUNNER, ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED MATERIAL ANALYSIS, AND TESTING OF HYDROKINETIC TURBINE RUNNER.

The feasibility and design of a novel pumped storage system in a wastewater treatment facility is investigated. Analysis covers the added benefit of aeration, costs, and specifications. For the given sub-megawatt system, off-the-shelf runner designs are not available. This research builds on an existing pump-turbine research and design through a combination of introducing aeration into the operating processes, analysis of large format metal additive manufacturing, and testing and validation of a hydrokinetic turbine runner that uses the same response surface optimization methodology as the discussed pump-turbine design. Two concepts are generated and proposed along with a baseline scenario. Two potential site locations are provided with relevant information The Stickney Wastewater Reclamation Plant and The Navy Wastewater Treatment Plant, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu Hawaii. Results show that aeration is the primary benefit of such a system. The system is capable of meeting the required dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in wastewater treatment. The system produces volume averaged DO levels between 1.2 and 1.4 mg/l. The system is shown to be a scalable open-loop system that can be sized for application. Area requirements of the system are acceptable due to the use of a single pedestal elevated tank The implementation timeline and nuances of this system are largely unknown. In attempt to reduce costs, advanced manufacturing methods are investigated. Investigation into advanced methods showed that mechanical properties of additive manufactured metals using a GMAW system produce equal results to wrought materials and have the potential to produce custom wear properties.

additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2021

Autonomous sensor fish to support advanced hydropower development

An improved sensor fish with robust design and enhanced measurement capabilities. This sensor fish contains sensors for acceleration, rotation, magnetic field intensity, pressure, and temperature. A low-power microcontroller collects data from the sensors and stores up to 5 minutes of data on a non-volatile flash memory. A rechargeable battery supplies power to the sensor fish. A recovery system helps locating sensor fish. The package, when ready for use is nearly neutrally buoyant and thus mimics the behavior of an actual fish.

Deng, Z. Daniel↗
DOE OSTI2021

Developing a digital twin for hydropower systems - an open platform framework

The definition of digital twin in Wikipedia says “A digital twin is a virtual representation that serves as the real-time digital counterpart of a physical object or process.” Indeed, the digital twin (DT) concept was initially introduced at the start of the 21st century with intent to create a digital model to reflect physical systems and derive insight from the model to make the decision on system operation. DT is also a promising enabling technology for realising smart manufacturing and industry 4.0. In general, DTs consist of three main parts: physical product, virtual product, and connected data that link physical and virtual product via various data communication schemes.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating Future US Hydropower Opportunities

Uncertainties, and a lack of confidence regarding issues, such as water availability/storage capacities and operational constraints, can be major obstacles in assessing the range of future opportunities for existing dams, which are certainly substantial. The authors discuss specific challenges facing current infrastructure and water resource data analysis that can inhibit large-scale evaluation of potential hydro development at existing dams. Recent advances in data and tools that may address these challenges are introduced.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗