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At least 73 records · Page 4

Climate impacts on hydropower and consequences for global electricity supply investment needs

Recent progress in global scale hydrological and dam modeling has allowed for the study of climate change impacts on global hydropower production. Here we explore the possible consequences of these impacts for the electricity supply sector. Regional hydropower projections are developed for two emissions scenarios by forcing a coupled global hydrological and dam model with downscaled, bias-corrected climate realizations derived from sixteen general circulation models. Consequent impacts on power sector composition and associated emissions and investment costs are explored using the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM). Changes in hydropower generation resulting from climate change can shift power demands onto and away from carbon intensive technologies, resulting in significant impacts on power sector CO2 emissions for certain world regions—primarily those located in Latin America, as well as Canada and parts of Europe. Reduced impacts of climate change on hydropower production under a low emissions scenario coincide with increased costs of marginal power generating capacity—meaning impacts on power sector investment costs are similar for high and low emissions scenarios. Individual countries where impacts on investment costs imply significant risks or opportunities are identified.

Turner, Sean W. D. (ORCID:0000000344009800)↗

Big Box Retail Grocery Store and Electric Vehicle Station Load Profiles

This dataset includes yearlong, one-minute resolution time series profiles for the big box retail grocery stores stores simulated in Phoenix, Houston, Denver, and Minneapolis, as well as electric vehicle charging time series profiles for the various ports, charging levels, and station utilizations produced for the study "Impact of electric vehicle charging on the power demand of retail buildings", published in 2021 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adapen.2021.100062). Please cite as: Gilleran, M., Bonnema, E., Woods, J. et al. Impact of electric vehicle charging on the power demand of retail buildings. Advances in Applied Energy 4, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adapen.2021.100062

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Summary Report of the INL-JISEA Workshop on Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems

Hybrid energy systems utilize two or more energy resources as inputs to two or more physically coupled subsystems to produce one or more energy commodities as outputs. Nuclear hybrid energy systems can be used to provide load-following electrical power to match diurnal to seasonal-scale changes in power demand or to compensate for the variability of renewable wind or solar generation. To maintain economical, full rate operation of the nuclear reactor, its thermal energy available when power demand is low could be diverted into making synthetic vehicle fuels of various types. The Institute for Nuclear Energy Science and Technology (INEST) and the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis (JISEA) co-sponsored an international workshop to identify research topics important in advancing the potential use of hybrid systems with a specific focus on nuclear-renewable hybrid systems. The workshop included presentations ranging from energy challenges and research and development (R&D) directions being pursued by nations to multiple options for hybrid systems. Those options include one that is being commercialized to other opportunities and analysis results quantifying them. The workshop also involved two breakout sessions - one focused on thermal energy management issues especially at unit-operation scale and the second focused on system operations issues including system controls, regulatory issues, technical and economic analysis, and market challenges. A discussion involving the full group focused on more general issues such as societal involvement and participation. Key criteria for selecting hybrid energy system projects and metrics for comparing them were also identified by the full group. The workshop's findings are being used initially by INEST to define topics for a research preproposal solicitation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Distribution Market-Clearing and Pricing Considering Coordination of DSOs and ISO: An EPEC Approach

Distribution-level electricity market provides a platform for trading energy and grid services from large-amount of small-scale distributed energy resources (DERs) located on distribution grids. The behavior of the DERs in the distribution electricity market may ultimately impact the market-clearing and locational marginal prices (LMPs) in the wholesale market. This paper proposes a bi-level optimization model for distribution market clearing and distribution locational marginal pricing (DLMP) considering the interactions between distribution and transmission wholesale markets. In the proposed model, the upper-level model represents the distribution system operator (DSO) market-clearing and the lower-level model represents the wholesale market-clearing by the independent system operator (ISO). The LMP at the substation will impact the DER dispatch and power demands of the DSO as well as the DLMP. In turn, the power demands of the DSO will further impact the ISO market and its LMPs. The equilibrium problem with equilibrium constraints (EPEC) approach is applied to find the equilibria of multiple DSOs and the ISO. The EPEC problem is transformed into a single-level mixed-integer convex problem in order to allow for efficient solving. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed model and solution method are demonstrated through case studies.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Overview of Energy Storage Technologies for Space Applications

This presentations gives an overview of the energy storage technologies that are being used in space applications. Energy storage systems have been used in 99% of the robotic and human space missions launched since 1960. Energy storage is used in space missions to provide primary electrical power to launch vehicles, crew exploration vehicles, planetary probes, and astronaut equipment; store electrical energy in solar powered orbital and surface missions and provide electrical energy during eclipse periods; and, to meet peak power demands in nuclear powered rovers, landers, and planetary orbiters. The power source service life (discharge hours) dictates the choice of energy storage technology (capacitors, primary batteries, rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, regenerative fuel cells, flywheels). NASA is planning a number of robotic and human space exploration missions for the exploration of space. These missions will require energy storage devices with mass and volume efficiency, long life capability, an the ability to operate safely in extreme environments. Advanced energy storage technologies continue to be developed to meet future space mission needs.

fuel cells↗

Analysis of Different Methods for Computing Source Energy in the Context of Zero Energy Buildings

Building energy consumption can only be measured at the site or at the point of utility interconnection with a building. Often, to evaluate the total energy impact, this site-based energy consumption is translated into source energy, that is, the energy at the point of fuel extraction. Consistent with this approach, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) definition of zero energy buildings uses source energy as the metric to account for energy losses from the extraction, transformation, and delivery of energy. Other organizations, as well, use source energy to characterize the energy impacts. Four methods of making the conversion from site energy to source energy were investigated in the context of the DOE definition of zero energy buildings. These methods were evaluated based on three guiding principles--improve energy efficiency, reduce and stabilize power demand, and use power from nonrenewable energy sources as efficiently as possible. This study examines relative trends between strategies as they are implemented on very low-energy buildings to achieve zero energy. A typical office building was modeled and variations to this model performed. The photovoltaic output that was required to create a zero energy building was calculated. Trends were examined with these variations to study the impacts of the calculation method on the building's ability to achieve zero energy status. The paper will highlight the different methods and give conclusions on the advantages and disadvantages of the methods studied.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Accessory Hybridization for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks

Manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty engines and transmissions continually try to improve the efficiency of their components; however, it is becoming more difficult and costly to improve those technologies, and a new approach is needed to find efficiency gains in other vehicle systems. For example, most ancillary loads on the engines in medium- and heavy-duty trucks, both at idle and under driving conditions, are generated by accessories that are designed to address worst-case scenarios or to meet the minimum requirements at one operating point. Improvements to those systems would improve overall powertrain efficiency. The objectives of this cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Cummins Inc. (CRADA No. NFE-13-04402) are (1) to analytically verify novel accessory electrification /hybridization approaches for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and (2) to experimentally validate prototype hardware utilizing the ORNL Vehicle Systems Integration Laboratory and the Cummins T112 test vehicle. Hybrid powertrains can provide significant reductions in fuel consumption, criteria pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions. They provide these benefits by meeting vehicle power requirements in more flexible and optimal ways than a conventional powertrain (e.g., capture and use of braking energy, optimization of engine and component operation). Realizing the full potential of hybridization requires management of all vehicle power demands, including accessory loads. One of the major petroleum-reduction opportunities of hybridization is to shut the engine down when power demand is low. However, accessory loads, such as power steering, braking, climate control, and other electric auxiliaries, must still be managed when the engine is off.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Climate impacts on hydropower in Colombia: A multi-model assessment of power sector adaptation pathways

There is uncertainty as to how climate change will affect hydropower generation in different regions of the world. In drying regions, impaired hydropower production could result in significant changes to the power sector implying new plants to be installed to make up for lost hydropower generation. In this article we apply two partial equilibrium models (TIAM-ECN and GCAM) and two general equilibrium models (Phoenix and MEG4C) to identify possible pathways of power sector adaptation for Colombia under climate change scenarios that reflect altered water inflow to hydropower reservoirs. Each model is run for two emissions policy scenarios and for a dry and moderate climate projection. Planned hydropower expansion for Colombia is insufficient to meet increased power demands as the country's economy grows; the contribution of hydropower to Colombia's power supply drops from ~65% currently to 30 - 50 % by 2050 depending on energy model and scenario. Climate change reduces this by a further 5 - 10 % under the dry climate projection. Climate-driven losses in hydropower will be compensated by an expansion of alternative technologies, which vary significantly across models. When climate policy is implemented, three distinct pathways emerge: expanding the electricity production from solar and wind energy (TIAM-ECN); reducing overall power demand hence exploiting savings and efficiencies (Phoenix and MEG4C); and expanding the use of fossil resources—primarily natural gas— complemented with carbon dioxide capture and storage (GCAM).

Arango, Santiago↗

Peak load reduction and load shaping in HVAC and refrigeration systems in commercial buildings by using a novel lightweight dynamic priority-based control strategy

Reducing peak power demand in a building can reduce electricity expenses for the building owner and contribute to the efficiency and reliability of the electrical power grid. For the building owner, reduced expenses come from the reduction or elimination of peak power charges on electricity bills. For the power system operator, reducing peak power demand leads to a more predictable load profile and reduces stress on the electric grid system. Herein we present a computationally inexpensive, dynamic, and retrofit-deployable control strategy to effect peak load reduction and load shaping. The effectiveness of the control strategy is examined in a simulation with 80 air-conditioning units and 40 refrigeration units. The results show that a peak demand reduction of 60 kW can be achieved relative to peak demand in a typical set point–based approach. The proposed strategy was deployed in a gymnasium building with four rooftop HVAC units, where it showed over 15% peak demand (kW) reduction savings while maintaining or lowering energy consumption (in kilowatt-hours) relative to the set point–based thermostat controls.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A novel system for ammonia-based sustainable energy and agriculture: Concept and design optimization

Here this work presents a new vision for sustainable energy supply and agriculture: an ammonia-based sustainable energy agriculture (ABSEA) system. This intensified system uses renewables to produce ammonia both as fertilizer and as fuel for tractors and grain drying, to meet local electrical power demand and to provide predictable, consistent power export to the grid. The conceptual design of this system exploits synergies between ammonia production and energy supply to allow for economic viability, specifically time-varying chemical production as well as the potential of ammonia and hydrogen as energy storage media. A framework for combined optimization of the ABSEA design and its inherently time-varying operating schedule is proposed with a view on further improving economic competitiveness. A case study which considers the use of wind turbines to meet ammonia fertilizer and fuel demands of 40,300 kg/year and an annual hourly average power demand of 985 kW demonstrates the promise of the ABSEA system and the associated design-scheduling optimization framework. The annual net present cost is approximately $\$$75,000, which corresponds to an emissions reduction cost of $\$$17.60/tonCO2. The ABSEA optimal design uses both hydrogen and ammonia, but not a battery, for energy storage, illustrating their efficacy in this synergistic application.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

An Approach to Autonomous Control for Space Nuclear Power Systems

Under Project Prometheus, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) investigated deep space missions that would utilize space nuclear power systems (SNPSs) to provide energy for propulsion and spacecraft power. The initial study involved the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO), which was proposed to conduct in-depth studies of three Jovian moons. Current radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) and solar power systems cannot meet expected mission power demands, which include propulsion, scientific instrument packages, and communications. Historically, RTGs have provided long-lived, highly reliable, low-power-level systems. Solar power systems can provide much greater levels of power, but power density levels decrease dramatically at {approx} 1.5 astronomical units (AU) and beyond. Alternatively, an SNPS can supply high-sustained power for space applications that is both reliable and mass efficient. Terrestrial nuclear reactors employ varying degrees of human control and decision-making for operations and benefit from periodic human interaction for maintenance. In contrast, the control system of an SNPS must be able to provide continuous operatio for the mission duration with limited immediate human interaction and no opportunity for hardware maintenance or sensor calibration. In effect, the SNPS control system must be able to independently operate the power plant while maintaining power production even when subject to off-normal events and component failure. This capability is critical because it will not be possible to rely upon continuous, immediate human interaction for control due to communications delays and periods of planetary occlusion. In addition, uncertainties, rare events, and component degradation combine with the aforementioned inaccessibility and unattended operation to pose unique challenges that an SNPS control system must accommodate. Autonomous control is needed to address these challenges and optimize the reactor control design.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Recharge Demand Mitigation for Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage at Off-peak Hours

The utilization of integrated heat pump thermal energy storage (HP-TES) systems for space conditioning applications can reduce electrical power demand and achieve utility savings resulting from peak shaving and load shifting. However, issues arise when the energy required to recharge the TES exceeds the shifted energy demand, especially in extreme climates where high-temperature lifts between the outdoor air conditions and phase-change materials (PCMs) during recharging may occur. In this work, a single room-temperature (22°C) PCM-TES is integrated into a single-speed heat pump system using a secondary hydronic loop where the TES is recharged using the outdoor unit during off-peak hours. Three recharge strategies were investigated as potential pathways to reduce recharging power demand: (i) considering different heat source/sink temperatures, (ii) using a variable-speed compressor, and (iii) using a variable-speed pump. Simulations were conducted using Modelica for HP-TES recharging at different heat source/sink temperatures from -30 – 20℃ in heating mode and 0 – 30℃ in cooling mode. Results show that the most effective recharge demand reduction strategy is an HP-TES system using a single-speed compressor with a variable-speed pump for the hydronic loop run at preferable heat source/sink temperatures when the temperature lifts were reduced. Utilizing a variable-speed compressor for the HP-TES system reduced recharge time in extreme cases at the cost of additional compressor power input. The findings motivate potential control strategies that minimize recharge energy and maximize peak energy savings, hence reducing overall operating costs and annual energy consumption for HP-TES systems for space conditioning applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Pneumatically Actuated Miniature Peristaltic Vacuum Pumps

Pneumatically actuated miniature peristaltic vacuum pumps have been proposed for incorporation into advanced miniature versions of scientific instruments that depend on vacuum for proper operation. These pumps are expected to be capable of reaching vacuum-side pressures in the torr to millitorr range (from .133 down to .0.13 Pa). Vacuum pumps that operate in this range are often denoted roughing pumps. In comparison with previously available roughing pumps, these pumps are expected to be an order of magnitude less massive and less power-hungry. In addition, they would be extremely robust, and would operate with little or no maintenance and without need for oil or other lubricants. Portable mass spectrometers are typical examples of instruments that could incorporate the proposed pumps. In addition, the proposed pumps could be used as roughing pumps in general laboratory applications in which low pumping rates could be tolerated. The proposed pumps could be designed and fabricated in conventionally machined and micromachined versions. A typical micromachined version (see figure) would include a rigid glass, metal, or plastic substrate and two layers of silicone rubber. The bottom silicone layer would contain shallow pump channels covered by silicone arches that could be pushed down pneumatically to block the channels. The bottom silicone layer would be covered with a thin layer of material with very low gas permeability, and would be bonded to the substrate everywhere except in the channel areas. The top silicone layer would be attached to the bottom silicone layer and would contain pneumatic- actuation channels that would lie crosswise to the pump channels. This version is said to be micromachined because the two silicone layers containing the channels would be fabricated by casting silicone rubber on micromachined silicon molds. The pneumatic-actuation channels would be alternately connected to a compressed gas and (depending on pump design) either to atmospheric pressure or to a partial vacuum source. The design would be such that the higher pneumatic pressure would be sufficient to push the silicone arches down onto the substrates, blocking the channels. Thus, by connecting pneumatic- actuation channels to the two pneumatic sources in spatial and temporal alternation, waves of opening and closing, equivalent to peristalsis, could be made to move along the pump channels. A pump according to this concept could be manufactured inexpensively. Pneumatic sources (compressors and partial vacuum sources) similar those needed for actuation are commercially available; they typically have masses of .100 g and power demands of the order of several W. In a design-optimization effort, it should be possible to reduce masses and power demands below even these low levels and to integrate pneumatic sources along with the proposed pumps into miniature units with overall dimensions of no more than a few centimeters per side.

Feldman, Sabrina↗

Design analysis of levitation facility for space processing applications

Containerless processing facilities for the space laboratory and space shuttle are defined. Materials process examples representative of the most severe requirements for the facility in terms of electrical power, radio frequency equipment, and the use of an auxiliary electron beam heater were used to discuss matters having the greatest effect upon the space shuttle pallet payload interfaces and envelopes. Improved weight, volume, and efficiency estimates for the RF generating equipment were derived. Results are particularly significant because of the reduced requirements for heat rejection from electrical equipment, one of the principal envelope problems for shuttle pallet payloads. It is shown that although experiments on containerless melting of high temperature refractory materials make it desirable to consider the highest peak powers which can be made available on the pallet, total energy requirements are kept relatively low by the very fast processing times typical of containerless experiments and allows consideration of heat rejection capabilities lower than peak power demand if energy storage in system heat capacitances is considered. Batteries are considered to avoid a requirement for fuel cells capable of furnishing this brief peak power demand.

Frost, R. T.↗

AVESTAR Center for Operational Excellence of Electricity Generation Plants

To address industry challenges in attaining operational excellence for electricity generation plants, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has launched a world-class facility for Advanced Virtual Energy Simulation Training and Research (AVESTARTM). This presentation will highlight the AVESTARTM Center simulators, facilities, and comprehensive training, education, and research programs focused on the operation and control of high-efficiency, near-zero-emission electricity generation plants. The AVESTAR Center brings together state-of-the-art, real-time, high-fidelity dynamic simulators with full-scope operator training systems (OTSs) and 3D virtual immersive training systems (ITSs) into an integrated energy plant and control room environment. AVESTAR’s initial offering combines--for the first time--a “gasification with CO2 capture” process simulator with a “combined-cycle” power simulator together in a single OTS/ITS solution for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. IGCC systems are an attractive technology option for power generation, especially when capturing and storing CO2 is necessary to satisfy emission targets. The AVESTAR training program offers a variety of courses that merge classroom learning, simulator-based OTS learning in a control-room operations environment, and immersive learning in the interactive 3D virtual plant environment or ITS. All of the courses introduce trainees to base-load plant operation, control, startups, and shutdowns. Advanced courses require participants to become familiar with coordinated control, fuel switching, power-demand load shedding, and load following, as well as to problem solve equipment and process malfunctions. Designed to ensure work force development, training is offered for control room and plant field operators, as well as engineers and managers. Such comprehensive simulator-based instruction allows for realistic training without compromising worker, equipment, and environmental safety. It also better prepares operators and engineers to manage the plant closer to economic constraints while minimizing or avoiding the impact of any potentially harmful, wasteful, or inefficient events. The AVESTAR Center is also used to augment graduate and undergraduate engineering education in the areas of process simulation, dynamics, control, and safety. Students and researchers gain hands-on simulator-based training experience and learn how the commercial-scale power plants respond dynamically to changes in manipulated inputs, such as coal feed flow rate and power demand. Students also analyze how the regulatory control system impacts power plant performance and stability. In addition, students practice start-up, shutdown, and malfunction scenarios. The 3D virtual ITSs are used for plant familiarization, walk-through, equipment animations, and safety scenarios. To further leverage the AVESTAR facilities and simulators, NETL and its university partners are pursuing an innovative and collaborative R&D program. In the area of process control, AVESTAR researchers are developing enhanced strategies for regulatory control and coordinated plant-wide control, including gasifier and gas turbine lead, as well as advanced process control using model predictive control (MPC) techniques. Other AVESTAR R&D focus areas include high-fidelity equipment modeling using partial differential equations, dynamic reduced order modeling, optimal sensor placement, 3D virtual plant simulation, and modern grid. NETL and its partners plan to continue building the AVESTAR portfolio of dynamic simulators, immersive training systems, and advanced research capabilities to satisfy industry’s growing need for training and experience with the operation and control of clean energy plants. Future dynamic simulators under development include natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) and supercritical pulverized coal (SCPC) plants with post-combustion CO2 capture. These dynamic simulators are targeted for use in establishing a Virtual Carbon Capture Center (VCCC), similar in concept to the DOE’s National Carbon Capture Center for slipstream testing. The VCCC will enable developers of CO2 capture technologies to integrate, test, and optimize the operation of their dynamic capture models within the context of baseline power plant dynamic models. The objective is to provide hands-on, simulator-based “learn-by-operating” test platforms to accelerate the scale-up and deployment of CO2 capture technologies. Future AVESTAR plans also include pursuing R&D on the dynamics, operation, and control of integrated electricity generation and storage systems for the modern grid era. Special emphasis will be given to combining load-following energy plants with renewable and distributed generating supplies and fast-ramping energy storage systems to provide near constant baseload power.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Optimal Sizing of Energy Storage and Photovoltaic Power Systems for Demand Charge Mitigation (Poster)

Commercial facility utility bills are often a strong function of demand charges -- a fee proportional to peak power demand rather than total energy consumed. In some instances, demand charges can constitute more than 50% of a commercial customer's monthly electricity cost. While installation of behind-the-meter solar power generation decreases energy costs, its variability makes it likely to leave the peak load -- and thereby demand charges -- unaffected. This then makes demand charges an even larger fraction of remaining electricity costs. Adding controllable behind-the-meter energy storage can more predictably affect building peak demand, thus reducing electricity costs. Due to the high cost of energy storage technology, the size and operation of an energy storage system providing demand charge management (DCM) service must be optimized to yield a positive return on investment (ROI). The peak demand reduction achievable with an energy storage system depends heavily on a facility's load profile, so the optimal configuration will be specific to both the customer and the amount of installed solar power capacity. We explore the sensitivity of DCM value to the power and energy levels of installed solar power and energy storage systems. An optimal peak load reduction control algorithm for energy storage systems will be introduced and applied to historic solar power data and meter load data from multiple facilities for a broad range of energy storage system configurations. For each scenario, the peak load reduction and electricity cost savings will be computed. From this, we will identify a favorable energy storage system configuration that maximizes ROI.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Automated power-following control for nuclear thermal propulsion startup and shutdown using MOOSE-based applications

This paper describes an investigation of various automated control strategies applied to a full-core multiphysics Griffin/Bison/RELAP-7 model of a prototypical nuclear thermal propulsion system. In all cases, control is achieved by actuating control drums based on the demanded power and predicted quantities from the numerical model. One key finding is that hybrid proportional integral derivative controllers – a novel type of controller that uses both power and reactivity predicted signals – can demonstrate a level of performance rivaling that of period-generated control. The former requires parameter tuning, while the latter mostly necessitates providing reactivity coefficients and temperature rates of change, which could be very challenging to accurately measure in real-time. In addition, decay heat plays an important role in determining cooling requirements during cooldown phases. A decay heat model, accounting for burn time and throttling, was derived, and is incorporated within the model to simulate the steady-state and shutdown phases and satisfyingly follow the power demand. However, temperature overshoots and non-constant specific impulse during throttling will necessitate further improvements.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗