Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “grid resiliency”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Designing Resilience for Advanced Energy Systems

Advancements in energy technologies are making the grid more powerful, more efficient, and cleaner. As these promising innovations flourish across our communities, it is essential that our nation's infrastructure also becomes more resilient. Natural disasters, cyberattacks, user error, and a changing climate all present risks that could have devastating consequences. Individual emergencies are unique, but holistic planning and proactive measures can harden the grid and help anticipate and respond to any number of threats. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is at the forefront of this transition, establishing a vision for resilient energy systems today, and in the future.

energy disruption↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cyber–physical vulnerability and resiliency analysis for DER integration: A review, challenges and research needs

High penetration of renewable and sustainable Distributed Energy Resources (DER) into the traditional distribution system requires a well-coordinated control strategy for the improvement of system-wide reliability and resiliency. Implementation of such a holistic control architecture requires a flexible, near real-time, and bi-directional communication framework for facilitating the participation of various agents in a multi-vendor heterogeneous smart grid. While the sustainability of energy generation is ensured, this exposes the smart grid to extrinsic cyber threats, and appropriate defense mechanism(s) must be deployed to guarantee continued reliability and resiliency of the power grid. Further, the comprehensive literature review presented in this paper discusses the latest trends in the DER control schemes with fast communication requirements and their accompanying cyber–physical vulnerabilities. These control schemes are compared and contrasted for various traits. A three-level DER system architecture has been depicted, facilitating the deployment of these control schemes. The current developments of standard communication protocols, key security mechanisms, and best practices along major standards and guidelines are explored. The impacts of different attack types with miscellaneous DER functions based on various control schemes and associated mitigation solutions are also provided. Finally, challenges and future research directions for limiting cyber-power susceptibility to enhance resiliency are summarized. The work presented here will help us enabling a cyber-resilient and sustainable smart electric grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Providencia Island White Papers: Potential for Increasing the Physical Resilience of Distributed Energy Resources

Using technologies such as solar photovoltaics (PV) to provide power to a site during a large-scale grid outage can be an effective solution for enhancing resilience, if designed appropriately. This paper discusses storm-hardening strategies including wind-loading standards, secure racking systems, balance of electrical systems and pre-storm preparations.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Wildfire Risk Evaluation Framework for Grid Operations and Planning

The United States (US) environmental protection agency's (EPA's) climate change indicators for wildfires show a long-term trend of increased annual wildfire activity, larger wildfire size, and more variable dynamics in wildfire behavior. This has caused more frequent preemptive public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events in the regions with recognized high wildfire risk. These preemptive power shutoffs attempt to prevent the ignition of a wildfire but it nonetheless renders the transmission line non-operational, which often sheds load of downstream communities. As wildfires and PSPS events become more frequent, it is crucial to find the communities most at risk of load shedding. To that end, this paper proposes the wildfire risk evaluation of the system (WiRES) framework, which is a performance-based framework that translates extreme weather-related and PSPS event probabilities into a cumulative probability of a non-operational transmission line. This study also provides a geospatial visualization tool that breaks down the entire western electrical coordinating council (WECC) region into 50 km grid cells which can be used to 1) filter out transmission lines with higher than a threshold outage probability, and 2) graphically discover the affected regions and their biophysical and socioeconomic metrics. %such as the social vulnerability index, population density, gross domestic product, etc. Lastly, an impact assessment study is conducted which connects the results of the proposed framework to python and powerworld-based contingency analysis to highlight the applicability of the framework.

Wildfire, Resilience, Extreme Events, Grid Reslien↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optimal Network Reconfiguration and Scheduling With Hardware-in-the-Loop Validation for Improved Microgrid Resilience

With the increased occurrence of various major extreme weather events, power outages and prompt power system restorations have recently drawn more attention to the resilience and recovery of power systems. From the perspective of a more resilient power delivery at the distribution grid, system restoration using network topology reconfiguration together with optimal scheduling of distributed energy resources are adopted in this paper. The proposed optimization model aims at minimizing the total load shedding cost and other operational costs, in which linearized topological constraints borrowed from graph theory and linearized DistFlow models are respectively used to maintain the radial network topology and power flow balance after system contingencies. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed strategy, a real-world case study of a networked three-microgrid system in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, is used with the consideration of different independent/interconnected microgrid scenarios, contingencies, and fairness settings. Furthermore, hardware-in-the-loop testing is conducted for the same three-microgrid network, where the closely matched results with the simulated ones have validated the effectiveness of the proposed restoration strategy, which is now ready to move one step forward towards field deployment. Finally, to test the proposed restoration strategy in a larger networked system, the modified IEEE-33 bus test distribution system is considered, and the results show a more resilient power delivery for critical loads under three and four line outages.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Integrating Resilience Planning in Distribution System Planning

Electric utilities, regulators, and stakeholders face increasing risks of severe storms, freezes, floods, and heat waves damaging grid infrastructure and causing power outages—and increasing risks of utility equipment igniting wildfires. At the same time, customer electricity rates have risen substantially in recent years, due in part to replacing aging infrastructure and improving resilience to natural hazards and physical threats. To address these challenges, utilities are beginning to move beyond traditional, siloed planning processes to balance resilience with other fundamental grid objectives such as affordability, reliability, safety, and serving new loads. This study presents a framework for states and utilities that want to advance integration of resilience and distribution planning processes to improve planning efficiency, better prioritize cost-effective grid expenditures, and balance planning objectives. The framework includes 7 key integration points between these planning processes: -Strategy process -Data -Threat assessments -Solution identification and prioritization -Optimization opportunities -Consideration of other grid needs -Metrics Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reviewed utility distribution system plans and interviewed subject matter experts to identify emerging practices for each of the 7 integration points. This report presents these practices, which can be used as a guide toward more holistic planning and cohesive investment strategies. It also includes 3 case studies to provide practical examples of how utilities apply such integrated planning processes: two pole hardening programs and one microgrid planning effort. The report concludes by identifying opportunities for future research.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Kickstart Your Federal Microgrid Resiliency Project: Financing Opportunities and Best Practices

Recent high-impact events such as hurricanes and wildfires have resulted in the loss of utility grid power to federal sites, highlighting the need for energy system resilience. To sustain critical functions, site loads may need to operate during an electric grid outage or at least have power restored quickly after the event. A microgrid can provide reliable backup power to critical loads when electric utility power is interrupted, and may also provide value during normal operations.

DER↗
DOE OSTI2021

Primary Frequency Control Using Motor Drives for Short Term Grid Disturbances

Industrial motor systems make up a quarter of all electric sales in the United States. Variable speed drives (VSDs) can provide energy efficiency savings to the customer by regulating motor speed based on specific and varying needs. In addition to the benefits provided to the customer, VSDs can provide support to the grid through ancillary services. The Center for Ultra-Wide-Area Resilient Electric Energy Transmission Networks (CURENT) developed a power electronics converter-based grid emulator to allow testing of various power system architectures and demonstration of key technologies in monitoring, control, actuation, and visualization. This paper proposes using an active front-end VSD's connected motor load to provide frequency regulation to a large scale power grid. Each part of the emulator is described including motor and power electronics model and control. The proposed frequency regulation is implemented in VSDs and modeled in both a transmission system in EMTDC/PSCAD and verified on CURENT's hardware testbed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Review of Visualization Methods for Cyber-Physical Security: Smart Grid Case Study

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected as they attempt to meet the demands of evolving society. As a result, monitoring and maintaining them becomes a more complex and demanding task for control system operators and cyber defenders. While the literature on visualization techniques in the context of cybersecurity is extensive, the same cannot be said for studies on visualization for the security of cyber-physical systems. This paper aims to fill that gap by: 1) defining the main features of a visualizations workflow for security visualizations in cyber-physical systems. The workflow includes the acquisition of cyber and physical data, processing of data, selection, and configuration of both visualization tools and end-user interactions. 2) Providing an overview of cyber-physical security visualization systems, with a focus on smart grids as a case study. Finally, we use the perspectives gained from this analysis to provide insights and directions for future research and design of cyber-physical visualization techniques.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design and Stability Analysis of Control System in Multiport Autonomous Reconfigurable Solar Power Plants (MARS)

The Multiport Autonomous Reconfigurable Solar Power Plant (MARS) is an integrated photovoltaic (PV) power generation and energy storage system (ESS), that is designed to connect to both alternating current (AC) transmission grids and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links. It is a three-phase plant consisting of numerous components with a complex hardware and hierarchical control architecture. This paper presents an approach to decouple the multivariable system of MARS using a recursive reduced-order and boundary layer system methodology. This approach enables efficient computation of the control parameters for the Ll, L2, and L3 controllers. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, cyclic tests in accordance with pre-defined performance criteria using controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (cHIL) experiments are conducted. The results demonstrate that the MARS system operates consistently under steady-state conditions. Furthermore, the dynamic response of the MARS system to various grid events is analyzed, underlining the resilience of MARS in presence of faults or loss of generation within the connected WECC system.

Xia, Qian↗
DOE OSTI2021

Design, Integration and Synthesis Platform to Advance Tightly Coupled Hybrid Energy Systems (DISPATCHES) v0.1.0

The DISPATCHES software will enable the design and optimization of Integrated Energy Systems (IES). The platform will support hybridizing existing generation facilities (such as nuclear and coal plants) as well as greenfield hybrid designs that incorporate advanced technologies (such as Advanced Modular Reactors and Coal FIRST), and it will enable the consideration of multiple technology options with different time constants. The design of the IES will be optimized for operation within the bulk power system via energy market signals (day ahead, real-time, and ancillary services) obtained from a production cost model. The goal of DISPATCHES is to identify flexible, dynamic designs that are responsive to grid market signals resulting in highly efficient, cost effective tightly coupled hybrid energy systems that can act as a "black box" to the grid to provide increased flexibility and resiliency.

Gunter, Daniel↗
DOE OSTI2022

Avista’s Shared Energy Economy Model Pilot: A Techno-economic Assessment

As part of the second round of the Washington Clean Energy Fund, Avista Corp received a $3.5 million matching grant in support of a shared energy economy project to test the integration of energy assets–from rooftop solar and battery storage to building energy management systems–that can be shared and used for multiple purposes. The goal of this project is to demonstrate how both the customer and the utility can benefit from this shared energy economy model and demonstrate that the electric grid can become more reliable, efficient, resilient, and flexible. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was engaged by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Washington State Department of Commerce to work with Avista in assessing the benefits of the shared energy economy model. This report documents the techno-economic assessment of the shared energy economy model, including the definition of use cases and applications, collection and preparation of data and input parameters, development of modeling and optimization methods, and case studies and analysis results.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Antigua and Barbuda Distributed Energy Resources Deployment Guidelines

This document is designed to provide comprehensive considerations, best practices and guidance for deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in Antigua and Barbuda. The document provides lists of various technology selection guidance including technical specifications, requirements and applicable key standards and code associated with key DERs and balance of plant equipment. The document also presents the key microgrid design considerations to integrate the DERs to achieve the economic, decarbonization and resiliency goals. Taking into account sensitive grid for such islands, for grid readiness and screening the potential DER interconnection, general approach is highlighted along with the potential technical interconnection requirements. Furthermore, this document shows the key stakeholders involved in such DER integration and/or microgrid project and how key responsible project team can be qualified. Finally, this document refers to key information about warranties and consumer rights and maintenance of the systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Transmission Interconnection Roadmap: Transforming Bulk Transmission Interconnection by 2035

The U.S. electricity system is amid a rapidly occurring and widespread energy transition. Regional, Tribal, state, and customer demand for new energy resources, combined with favorable policies, is driving a rapid rise of interconnection requests. Interconnection processes will need to evolve to handle this larger number of requests today and into the future, as policy and economic drivers continue to motivate significant resource development. This roadmap identifies and organizes nearer- and longer-term solutions to enable transmission interconnection processes to meet this expected demand, and it is intended for a diverse audience of stakeholders participating within transmission interconnection processes. The roadmap is a result of the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program launched by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in June 2022 to convene stakeholders and address interconnection challenges. The roadmap is organized into four primary goal areas, each important to the overall i2X mission to enable a simpler, faster, and fairer interconnection of clean energy resources while enhancing the reliability, resiliency, and security of our electric grid. The first goal aims to improve interconnection data transparency, to aid interconnection customers’ ability to screen and site potential projects, better enable third-party modeling, facilitate more process automation, enhance competition while ensuring equitable outcomes, and enable benchmarking, tracking, and auditing of interconnection processes and reforms. The second goal covers solutions to improve queue management practices, affected system studies, fair processes, and workforce development. The third goal incorporates solutions that aim to improve cost allocation, reduce costs to electricity consumers, enhance the coordination between transmission planning and the interconnection process, and optimize the rightsizing of transmission investment through improvements in interconnection studies. The fourth and final goal aims to reduce the performance issues not identified during interconnection studies by updating technical requirements within interconnection studies, models, and tools while also improving industry interconnection standards.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pumped Storage Hydropower Resource and Deployment Potential

There is growing interest in deploying new pumped storage hydropower (PSH) to meet grid needs for flexibility, reliability, and resiliency. This presentation describes how NLR resource assessment, cost modeling, and capacity expansion modeling are used to identify technical and economic PSH deployment potential and support industry decision-making on PSH investments. NLR's open data and tools demonstrate the vast technical potential of PSH on the order of 80 TW, and modeling shows economic PSH deployment under an attractive cost-value proposition.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Analysis of Grid-Forming Inverter Controls for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrid Integration

Autonomous grid-forming (GFM) inverter testbeds with scalable platforms have attracted interest recently. In this study, a self-synchronized universal droop controller (SUDC) was adopted, tested, and scaled in a small network and a test feeder using a real-time simulation tool to operate microgrids without synchronous generators. We presented a novel GFM inverter control adoption to better understand the dynamic behavior of the inverters and their scalability, which can impact the distribution system (DS). This paper provides a steady-state and transient analysis of the GFM power inverter controller via simulation to better understand voltage and frequency stabilization and ensure that the critical electric loads are not affected during a prolonged power outage. The controllers of the GFM inverter are simulated in HYPERSIM to examine voltage and frequency fluctuations. This analysis includes assessing the black start capability for photovoltaic microgrids, both grid-connected and islanded, during transient fault conditions. The high photovoltaic PV penetration levels open exciting opportunities and challenges for the DS. The GFM inverter control demonstrated appropriate response times for synchronization, connection, and disconnection to the grid. The DS has become more resilient and independent of fossil fuels by increasing the penetration of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs).

Ward, Laura (ORCID:0000000345501581)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Smart Inverters, Dumb Risk: Taking Control of IBR Security in the Digital Age

This presentation addresses the security challenges posed by Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) in the modern energy landscape. The presentation highlights the vulnerabilities and risks associated with IBRs, including the potential for cyber-attacks, the impact of insecure defaults, and the systemic risks posed by supply chain dependencies. Key topics covered include: 1) The increasing digital transformation in energy systems and the associated security risks. 2) Specific vulnerabilities in IBRs, including weak passwords, hardcoded credentials, and insecure web application interfaces. 3) The implications of persistent connectivity and the strategic risks posed by foreign-manufactured components. 4) The role of regulatory frameworks, such as NERC CIP, in addressing these challenges and the limitations of current oversight. 5) Practical solutions for mitigating risks, including secure design practices, vendor risk assessments, and the importance of strong passwords and role-based access control. The presentation underscores the necessity of a comprehensive, system-of-systems approach to securing IBRs, emphasizing the need for collaboration across various stakeholders, including operators, developers, and regulators, to ensure the resilience and security of the energy grid.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Navy Ratchets Up Resilience Through Agency/Utility Collaboration

Fact sheet describes how the Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Mississippi Power Company (MPC) have integrated a 15-acre solar photovoltaic (PV) array, battery storage, and backup generation with an innovative microgrid to ensure mission readiness at NCBC while increasing renewable energy generation on the grid in MPC's service area. The NCBC/MPC resilience effort will allow the base to more effectively deploy disaster recovery activities in the event of a grid outage.

battery storage↗