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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 73 records · Page 4

Grid-Ready Flexible Transformers for Resilient Transmission Networks

Today’s transmission networks extend for hundreds of kilometers, transferring significant amounts of electrical energy. For every country, there are sort of “back- bone” lines, where a massive failure of transformers would create serious challenges to sustain a reliable energy supply. Natural phenomena and human driven actions could be triggers of such catastrophic events. For large utilities, or groups of utilities, it would be highly convenient to count with “flexible transformers”, which could be used as replacements for different voltage levels and with impedance adjustable to match optimum local requirements of impacted substations. Currently applied “emergency transformers” are fixed-impedance devices. In this contribution, a new concept of flexible, “future-grid ready” type of power transformers, specially devised for transmission networks is explained. This transformer has adjustable impedance features, which could be on-line operated. The concept has been proven to be functional and stable in the factory lab and in the field, by means of a prototype autotransformer of of 100 MVA, 165/69 Kv.

impedance of transformers↗

Resistive Fine Tuning of Resonant Circuit

Simple fixed-inductance/fixed-capacitance tank circuit modified for fine adjustment of resonant frequency by addition of small inductance with potentiometer across it. Additional winding built into full winding as integral part or added externally. Technique provides quick way of tuning reactance out of power-transformer circuit to maximize power transfer or to adjust frequency of oscillator. Applications include rotary transformers, servo amplifiers, and analog computer modules.

Mclyman, C. W.↗

2024.03.13 Bushing Subcommittee presentation on Transformer Bushing Seismic Resilience: Design, Hazard, & Prevention Analysis [Slides]

Presents results from power grid simulations on synthetic grids that estimate the impact from power transformer failures due to earthquakes. In the best-case scenario, there is an 82.9% likelihood of load loss greater or equal to 51 MW. Methodologies are described as well as path forward to improving transformer resilience and, consequently, the resilience of the bulk power grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Direct current ballast circuit for metal halide lamp

A direct current ballast circuit for a two electrode metal halide lamp is described. Said direct current ballast circuit includes a low voltage DC input and a high frequency power amplifier and power transformer for developing a high voltage output. The output voltage is rectified by diodes and filtered by inductor and capacitor to provide a regulated DC output through commutating diodes to one terminal of the lamp at the output terminal. A feedback path from the output of the filter capacitor through the bias resistor to power the high frequency circuit which includes the power amplifier and the power transformer for sustaining circuit operations during low voltage transients on the input DC supply is described. A current sensor connected to the output of the lamp through terminal for stabilizing lamp current following breakdown of the lamp is described.

Lutus, P.↗

Internal electrostatic discharge hazard risk assessment to the Galileo orbiter

A worst case assessment was performed on the Command Data System (CDS) multilayer printed circuit board and an output power transformer module in the power subsystem. An estimate of the Jovian environment during the 35 hour orbit insertion was supplied by JPL and used as an input to calculate the electron transport into the Galileo components. A radiation shielding analysis computer code, CHARGE, calculated the electron transport deposition trapped in the anticipated sensitive areas of the multilayer board and transformer module. Based on these trapped charge calculations electric fields were calculated between the identified isolated areas and the spacecraft ground. The results of the assessment of electrostatic discharge (DSD) in the CDS multilayer printed circuit board indicate that the probability of ESD in the FR4 is low. The probability of ESD in the components attached to the multilayer board, however, is uncertain based on a lack of prior experimental data.

Schmidt, R. E.↗

Collective Summary of sCO2 Materials Development (Supercritical Transformational Electric Power Generation (STEP) Level 2 Milestone Report) (Parts I - II)

Polymers such as PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene or Teflon), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber, FKM fluoroelastomer (Viton), Nylon 11, Nitrile butadiene (NBR) rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) and perfluoroelastomers (FF_202) are commonly employed in super critical CO 2 (sCO2) energy conversion systems. O-rings and gaskets made from these polymers face stringent performance conditions such as elevated temperatures, high pressures, pollutants, and corrosive humid environments. In FY 2019, we conducted experiments at high temperatures (100°C and 120°C) under isobaric conditions (20 MPa). Findings showed that elevated temperatures accelerated degradation of polymers in sCO2, and that certain polymer microstructures are more susceptible to degradation over others. In FY 2020, the focus was to understand the effect of sCO2 on polymers at low (10 MPa) and high pressures (40 MPa) under isothermal conditions (100°C). It was clear that the same selectivity was observed in these experiments wherein certain polymeric functionalities showed more propensity to failure over others. Fast diffusion, supported by higher pressures and long exposure times (1000 hours) at the test temperature, caused increased damage in sCO2 environments to even the most robust polymers. We also looked at polymers under compression in sCO2 at 100°C and 20 MPa pressure to imitate actual sealing performance required of these materials in sCO2 systems. Compression worsened the physical damage that resulted from chemical attack of the polymers under these test conditions. In FY 2021, the effect of cycling temperature (from 50°C to 150°C to 50°C) for polymers under a steady sCO2 pressure of 20 MPa was studied. The aim was to understand the influence of cycling temperatures of sCO2 for typical polymers under isobaric (20 MPa) conditions. Thermoplastic polymers (Nylon, and PTFE) and elastomers (EPDM, Viton, Buna N, Neoprene, FF202, and HNBR) were subjected to 20 MPa sCO2 pressure for 50 cycles and 100 cycles in separate experiments. Samples were extracted for ex-situ characterization at 50 cycles and upon the completion of 100 cycles. Each cycle constituted of 175 minutes of cycling from 50°C to 150°C. The polymer samples were examined for physical and chemical changes by Dynamic Mechanical and Thermal Analysis (DMTA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and compression set. Density and mass changes immediately after removal from test were measured for degree of swell comparisons. Optical microscopy techniques and micro computer tomography (micro CT) images were collected on select specimens. Evaluations conducted showed that exposures to super-critical CO2 environments resulted in combinations of physical and/or chemical changes. For each polymer, the dominance of cycling temperatures under sCO2 pressures, were evaluated. Attempts were made to qualitatively link the permanent sCO2 effects to polymer micro- structure, free volume, backbone substitutions, presence of polar groups, and degree of crystallinity differences. This study has established that soft polymeric materials are conducive to failure in sCO2 through mechanisms of failure that are dependent on polymer microstructure and chemistry. Polar pendant groups, large atom substitutions on the backbone are some of the factors that are influential structural factors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Energy Storage in South Asia: Understanding the Role of Grid-Connected Energy Storage in South Asia’s Power Sector Transformation

During the last decade, the cost of energy storage technologies, primarily lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS), has declined rapidly and is projected to decline further over the next decade. This study provides a first-of-its-kind assessment of cost-effective opportunities for grid-scale energy storage deployment in South Asia both in the near term and the long term, including a detailed analysis of energy storage drivers, potential barriers, and the role of energy storage in system operations. We conduct scenarios-based capacity expansion modeling to assess when, where and how much energy storage can be cost-effectively deployed in India through 2050. The analysis relies on state-of-the-art modeling approaches to uncover and compare the value streams of battery storage with different durations as well as pumped storage hydropower. We also run hourly simulations of system operations in 2030 and 2050 to understand how energy storage will be utilized by system operators to help integrate RE and reduce operating costs. For Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, we use operational simulations to explore how increasing deployment of energy storage can help optimize the use of domestic resources and cross-border electricity trade.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Assessment of the Electrical Substation-Grid Testbed with Inside/Outside Devices and Distributed Ledger Technology

The electrical substation-grid testbed was created to integrate the GOOSE and/or DNP (Distributed Network Protocol) messages with time synchronized sources and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The objective was to study the impact of faults and cyber-events at an electrical substation with inside (protective relays) and outside (power meters) substation devices. The electrical substation-grid testbed was based on the design of a 34.5/ 12.47 kV electrical substation (sectionalized bus configuration) with two power transformers, connected to radial power lines and load feeders. The electrical substation-grid testbed was installed at 252 lab space (Advanced Power System Protection), Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center (GRID-C), Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This testbed was created for Task 5, DarkNet project. The electrical substation-grid testbed was created to simulate fault and/or cyber events that could potentially result in damage to the electrical infrastructure. In addition, tests were run that are usually not allowed to be performed in an operational electrical power grid, because these test scenarios could trip breakers and/or generate fault situations that could potentially damage equipment. The number of tests performed in the electrical substation-grid testbed were executed in a better way than in a real electrical substation and/or power grid, because multiple tests could be run in a short period of time, and complex permits, and safety/ schedule restrictions like in a real electrical substation environment were not needed. The electrical substation-grid testbed was created using real measurement, communication, and protection devices that are used by electrical utilities, to have same conditions that we could observe in a real power grid or electrical substation. The electrical substation-grid testbed was based on using a real time simulator and expansion box with amplifiers that were wired to electrical substation-grid devices. This hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) was provided by protective relays, power meters, ethernet switches, remote terminal units, synchronized timing network clock, DLT devices, workstations, and servers. This report includes the design, installation, and assessment of the electrical substation-grid testbed that was similar to an operational electrical substation, integrating the power system protection, communication, and control systems. The results for the electrical substation-grid testbed were based on:• verifying the analog signals for protective relays and power meters, • observing the synchronized time source frame at devices, • authenticating the GOOSE (IEC 61850) and DNP messages from power meters and protective relays, and • verifying the trip conditions of protective relays at fault tests with the power system fault event detection, using DLT devices. For future work, the electrical substation-grid testbed with protective relays and power meters, using DLT and synchronized time source from DarkNet, will be used to study the impact of cyber-events at inside and outside substation devices. Advanced algorithms for detecting cyber-events produced by non-desired protective relay settings will be studied, to improve the detection and reliability of protection, control, and communication systems at power grids.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Introduction to Grid Forming Inverters: A Key to Transforming our Power Grid [Slides]

A grid-forming (GFM) inverter-based resource (IBR) controls maintain an internal voltage phasor that is constant or nearly constant in the sub-transient to transient time frame. This definition means that the GFM IBR will nearly immediately respond to changes in the external system and attempt to maintain IBR control during challenging network conditions to maintain grid stability. In GFM IBR, the voltage phasor is controlled to maintain synchronism with other devices in the grid while regulating the active and reactive power appropriately to support the grid. This contrasts with conventional GFL IBR controls wherein immediately after a disturbance (0-5 cycles), within the normal operating range of voltage, the output current phasor magnitude and angle remain unchanged, and the current phasor begins changing only within the transient time frame (tens of cycles) to strictly control the active and reactive power being injected into the network. This presentation gives an introduction to GFM IBR and presents the current state of the art in this area.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Electronically controlled motor drive system has ultra-high reliability and long lifetime

Direct drive electromechanical system is composed of brushless dc torque motor, offset-tooth magnetic sensor that derives position and rate information directly from output shaft, and rotary power transformer that transfers electrical power from external source to proper load. System has high servo loop stiffness and minimum power consumption.

Veillette, L. J.↗

Catalyzing Disruptive Mobility Opportunities Through Transformational Aviation Power

Lightweight, efficient power production has been a pacing technology for aviation. Advances in airborne electric propulsion technology have enabled new aviation concepts in markets that previously were not dominated by aviation systems, largely because electric propulsion allows for efficient, integrated propulsion/aerodynamic/control solutions that were previously not practical with combustion-based power architectures. These new markets include automated package delivery, urban air mobility, and short-haul transportation. As these markets evolve, the impact of using electricity for airborne propulsion on an expanding mission set, as well as the sheer amount of energy consumed, will begin to challenge the energy harvesting and distribution paradigm as it exists today. Left unaddressed, these challenges could stymie the evolution of these new markets and mobility options. This paper identifies some of the potential systemic issues associated with the expanded use of electric propulsion and explores the requirements associated with alternate aviation power architectures. The recommended path includes the development of a new hybrid-electric aviation power architecture that can be used in conjunction with a portfolio of evolving battery-electric and combustion-based systems.

Borer, Nicholas K.↗

Road Map for the Development of Commercial Maritime Applications of Advanced Nuclear Technology

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is making significant investments in advanced nuclear reactor development and demonstration programs such as the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). The innovations in advanced nuclear reactor technologies (defined in Section 1.4.1), including concepts of microreactors and small modular reactors (SMRs), have opened the door to a wide range of applications beyond land-based power stations providing electricity to the grid. Applications for transportation and industrial operations could offer reliable carbon-free energy to achieve decarbonization goals by supporting energy-intensive activities such as alternative fuel production, water desalinization, and local power supply. The DOE recognizes the transformational power of these technologies and is investing in foundational research and development as well as reactor demonstration projects. However, unique and significant challenges exist in each application domain to bring projects into reality beyond just the underlying reactor technology maturation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

On the Investigation of Phase Fault Classification in Power Grid Signals: A Case Study for Support Vector Machines, Decision Tree and Random Forest

In monitoring the power grid, an ability to differentiate between fault types is essential to ensuring electrical safety. Accordingly, this study introduces a fault detection and classification method by considering different machine learning (ML) and feature extraction (FE) methods combinations. Specifically, the proposed method is established in two classification layers; the first layer determines the fault, and the second layer distinguishes the type of fault. Based on the proposed system model, this study seeks to determine the influential data attributes in a power grid signal using FE methods, including fast Fourier transform, power spectral density (PSD), auto-correlation, and wavelet transform (WT). A cross-comparison of the effectiveness of the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), and Random Forest (RF) is also performed to accomplish the classification layers of the proposed method. The designed algorithm is analyzed under the various combinations of FE and ML methods, and outcomes are presented by considering the trade-off between computational complexity and prediction accuracy. The results reveal that the RF-based ML algorithm shows the most accurate classification performance with PSD, and the most time-saving of the models is the DT WT. Also, SVM emerges superior on a subsequent test of the simulated models on real-world signals.

Galbraith, Kelli↗

A Generation-Storage Coordination Dispatch Strategy for Power System Based on Causal Reinforcement Learning

In the backdrop of global energy transformation, power systems integrating high proportions of renewable energy sources are facing unprecedented challenges in operational stability and dispatch efficiency. To address these challenges, this study introduces a generation-storage coordination real-time dispatch strategy based on Causal Power System Dynamic Reinforcement Learning (CPSDRL). Diverging from traditional reinforcement learning approaches, CPSDRL innovatively incorporates causal inference within the state prediction model - the crux of model-based reinforcement learning - thereby establishing the Power Causal Dynamic Model (PCDM). Assisted by the prior knowledge of power systems, the model significantly enhances prediction accuracy and reliability through a two-stage training process. Utilizing PCDM, this study further applies a direct policy search algorithm to optimize the real-time dispatch strategy. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method improves the stability of generation-storage coordination real-time dispatch and exhibits competitive advantages in sample efficiency and computational speed, compared to traditional model-based and model-free reinforcement learning algorithms. This method is expected to enhance the practicality and adaptability of causal reinforcement learning techniques in power system scheduling and control.

causal reinforcement learning↗