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DOE OSTI2025

Optimization-Based Dynamic Voltage Support of Microgrids Using Energy Storage Systems

A microgrid network is characterized by a high R/X ratio, making the voltage more sensitive to active power changes compared to bulk power systems, where the voltage is regulated primarily by reactive power. Due to its sensitivity, voltage control approaches for microgrids should also consider the active power input coupling, making it very different from conventional power systems. Additionally, as the energy costs associated with active and reactive powers are different and the operational conditions of microgrids connected to active distribution systems vary over time, the ideal controller to provide voltage support must be flexible enough to handle these technical and operational constraints. This paper proposes a model predictive control approach to provide dynamic voltage support using energy storage systems. This approach uses a simplified predictive model of the system to solve the model predictive control problem. By proper selection of model predictive control weighting parameters, the quality of service provided can be adjusted to achieve the desired performance. A simulation study in MATLAB/Simulink validates the proposed approach for the Cordova, Alaska microgrid. Results show that the performance of the voltage support can be adjusted depending on the choice of weight and constraints of the controller.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Multiagent-Based Dynamic Voltage Support of Power Converters During Fault Ride-Through

Reference point of applicability (RPA) is a predefined point in a distribution network that performance requirements shall apply. As RPA is not directly controlled by a dedicated distributed energy resource (DER), it requires an aggregate response of multiple DERs over a complex meshed network. Here, this article presents a multiagent-based distributed dynamic voltage support (DDVS) method for coordinated aggregate response of multiple DER units to support RPA voltage profile during and after fault ride-through. DDVS implements a multiagent-based leader target tracking scheme with velocity matching and flock centering features to avoid uncoordinated current injections of cooperative DERs. The DDVS is an event-based approach based on RPA requirements. Two-dimensional voltage support objective is handled: 1) coordinated positive sequence current injection for voltage magnitude boosting and 2) coordinated negative sequence current injection for unbalance voltage mitigation. The results demonstrate that the proposed DDVS algorithm addresses emerging coordinated DVS requirement of DERs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2015

Sizing SiC Storage Inverters for Fast Grid Frequency Support

As wind and solar displace synchronous generators whose inertia stabilizes the AC grid frequency on fast time scales, it has been proposed to use energy storage systems (ESSs) to mitigate frequency transient events. Such events require a rapid surge of power from the ESS, but they occur only rarely. The high temperature tolerance of SiC MOSFETs and diodes presents an opportunity for innovative ESS inverter designs. Herein we investigate a SiC ESS inverter design such that the SiC device ratings are obeyed during mild frequency events but are exceeded during rare, major events, for a potentially more economical inverter design. In support of this proposal we present: 1. An analysis of four years of grid frequency events in the U.S. Western Interconnection. 2. A switch-level ESS inverter simulation using SiC devices with detailed loss estimates. 3. Thermal analysis of the SiC power modules during a worst-case frequency event, showing that the modules can likely withstand the brief overcurrent. This analysis supports the conclusion that it may be advantageous for economical designs (acknowledging the increased risks) to undersize the SiC switches when designing inverters to perform active power control for grid frequency support. Such a strategy may result in SiC-based designs being more competitive with less costly silicon IGBT-based designs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Characteristics of Oxygen Electrode Supported Reversible Solid Oxide Cells

Oxygen-electrode-supported solid oxide cells (OESCs) have potential advantages over fuel-electrode-supported cells, including reduced fuel-electrode concentration polarization, better oxygen electrode current collection, and flexibility in the fuel electrode choice. However, there are serious drawbacks including the difficulty of co- firing the oxygen electrode and electrolyte, and oxygen electrode concentration polarization. This paper explores the characteristics of OESCs with La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 3-δ -Zr 0.92 Y 0.16 O 2-δ (LSM-YSZ) electrode-support enhanced by SrTi 0.3 Fe 0.6 Co 0.1 O 3-δ (STFC) infiltration, thin YSZ electrolyte, and SrTi 0.3 Fe 0.7 O 3-δ (STF) fuel electrodes. Here, the STFC infiltration increases fuel cell maximum power density by > 1.5 times and electrolysis current density (at 1.3 V) by > 2 times. Cell performance in pure oxygen is compared to that in air, exploring a possible reversible solid oxide cell system configuration where oxygen produced during electrolysis is stored and subsequently used during fuel cell operation. The fuel cell maximum power density is increased from 0.88 W cm -2 in air to 1.37 W cm -2 in oxygen, with limiting current increased from 1.7 to >5.6 A cm -2 ; the electrolysis performance is essentially unchanged, probably because the electrode air becomes enriched with oxygen during electrolysis.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2023

ECAR-6584 MARVEL Reactor Support Frame Analysis

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is developing a small microreactor to produce electrical power utilizing a small nuclear core and Stirling engines for power output under the Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) program. The MARVEL Reactor will be installed in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility. Walsh Engineering Services, PC (WES) has contracted with the INL to support the completion of the final design. There are six main systems in the MARVEL, one of which is the MARVEL Reactor System (MRS). The MRS contains a subsystem – the Reactor Support Frame (RSF) – that supports and orients nearly all the MRS and the RSF will be bolted to the TREAT Facility. The subject of this Engineering Calculations and Analysis Report (ECAR) is the frame weldment (see Figure 1), which is the only item that is contained in the RSF subsystem and will be called herein “RSF”.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2021

ECAR-6585 MARVEL Core Support Structure Analysis: Project #33526

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is developing a small microreactor to produce electrical power utilizing a small nuclear core and stirling engines for power output under the Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) program. The MARVEL Reactor (Figure 1) will be installed in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility. Walsh Engineering Services, PC (WES) has contracted with the INL to detail the final design. There are six main systems in the MARVEL, one of which is the Fuel and Core System (FCS). The FCS contains a subsystem–the Core Support Structures Subsystem (CSS)–that supports and orients each of the 36 nuclear fuel pins in the MARVEL Reactor System. The FCS (apart from the fixed Beryllium Oxide radial reflectors) is shown in light green and is depicted in more detail in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The main subject of this analysis is the lower grid plate, which is the principal item in the CSS which supports the fuel, see Figure 3. Additionally, the upper grid plate thermal expansion of the upper grid plate is presented in Appendix A.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Failure Mechanisms of Hollow Fiber Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes

Hollow fiber supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) were tested using the bubble point method to investigate potential failure modes, including the maximum transmembrane pressure before loss of the ionic liquid from the support. Porous hollow fiber supports were fabricated with different pore morphologies using Matrimid® and Torlon® as the polymeric material and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidalzolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C6mim][Tf2N]) as the ionic liquid (IL) component. Hollow fiber SILMs were tested for their maximum pressure before failure, with pressure applied either from the bore side or shell side. It was found that the membranes exhibited one or more of three different modes of failure when pressurized: liquid loss (occurring at the bubble point), rupture, and collapse.

rupture↗

DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Analytical Development & Support WBS 2.5.1.101

The objective of the Analytical Development and Support (ADS) Project is to produce and maintain the critical analytical methods and tools that enable evaluation of emerging biofuels R&D at NREL and in the broader biofuels research community. Our project is divided into two tasks: one task to develop novel analytical techniques and improve existing methods and one task to maintain existing analytical capabilities at NREL and provide outreach to the wider community. The ADS Project is world-recognized for our Laboratory Analytical Procedures (LAPS) which provide detailed procedures for compositional analysis of biomass and have been adopted as the de facto standards within the biofuels community largely due to the transparency of the methods and the high reputation of NREL's research. Our dialog with stakeholders allows us to provide robust, precise, accurate, and publicly available analytical procedures for better valuation of scientific tools such as our recent accomplishment in developing a cellulose assay to support the EPA and industry in calculation of converted cellulose during starch ethanol production. We continue to develop analytical capabilities to support BETO's directives to research cost advantaged fuels such as animal wastes and novel bioproducts like 2,3-Butane-diol.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Influence of Mo- and Ga-Supported HZSM-5 Co-Catalyst Configuration in Microwave-Assisted Methane and Ethane Dehydroaromatization

Microwave (MW)-assisted dehydroaromatization (DHA) using an Mo-supported HZSM-5 catalyst (Mo/HZSM-5) enhances the value of natural gas resources by converting stranded or underutilized natural gas into value-added chemicals in modular microwave reactor systems. This approach offers the potential to generate economic value. However, natural gas mixtures often contain multiple components, including ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8), which complicate the reaction pathways. Ga-supported HZSM-5 (Ga/HZSM-5) catalysts are generally inactive toward CH4 but exhibit higher activity toward C2H6 and C3H8. Therefore, investigating the combination of Mo/HZSM-5 and Ga/HZSM-5 in various catalyst bed configurations is essential. This study explores different co-catalyst bed configurations and CH4/C2H6 feed compositions to determine the most effective way for enhanced natural gas conversion and benzene production.

cocatalyst bed configuration↗

DOE OSTI2025

Constructing Highly Durable Fuel Cell Catalysts Through Integrating Graphitic Shell‐Protected Composite Carbon Support with Gaseous Co Deposition‐Driven PtCo Intermetallics

Metal dissolution, nanoparticle agglomeration, and carbon support corrosion cause significant performance degradation of current PtCo catalysts under acidic and oxidative oxygen reduction reaction. Here, in this study, an integrated strategy is presented to design high-performance Pt 3 Co intermetallic catalysts by regulating gaseous Co deposition-driven diffusion into Pt nanoparticles supported on a composite carbon. The composite carbon is derived from ZIF-8/polyaniline, consisting of a high-surface-area (HSC) core and a protective graphitic shell (GS), which is employed to design 40 wt.% Pt/HSC@GS catalyst. The corresponding membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) can maintain 1.09 A cm −2 at 0.7 V (20. 7% loss) after 10 000 cycles (1.0–1.5 V for carbon stability) and 1.15 A cm −2 (16.1% loss) after 150 000 cycles (0.60–0.95 V for catalyst stability). A ordered Pt 3 Co intermetallic is synthesized via a gaseous Co-deposition process, which yields a homogeneous Co-rich layer onto the Pt nanoparticles on the composite support, thereby facilitating Co diffusion into Pt crystal during subsequent ordering annealing to form the ordered intermetallic structure. This gaseous deposition leads to a thin carbon layer on PtCo nanoparticles, inhibiting particle growth during the annealing and mitigating Co dissolution under dynamic electrochemical conditions. The PtCo catalyst achieves impressive MEA performance and long-term durability (1.45 A cm −2 at 0.7 V after 120 000 cycles) under heavy-duty conditions.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Novel Fast Cure Silicone Inks for Single-Step, Support-Free 3D Printing of Tall, Overhanging, and High Aspect Ratio Structures

Silicone elastomers have a broad variety of applications, such as soft robotics, biomedical devices, and structural metamaterials. The extrusion-based method known as direct ink write (DIW) has enabled the production of additively manufactured silicone structures. However, this method is limited to manufacturing mostly planar or pseudo-3D structures. Due to the low self-supporting capabilities of extruded strands for traditional silicone-based “inks,” obtaining tall or overhanging structures, or structures comprised by thin walls is not feasible. Here, in this study, a novel Fast Cure silicone-based ink is demonstrated that enables manufacturing of complex 3D structures. The Fast Cure ink is a two-part mixture and silicone structures are produced by inline mixing and coextrusion of a part containing a catalyst (part A) and a part containing a crosslinker (part B). By the virtue of crosslinking, the extruded strands rapidly rigidize, increasing their self-supportive capacity. Hence, structures can be obtained with superior shape retention and previously unobtainable parts are realized that are tall, with aspect ratios higher than 3, and have overhanging features, achieving inclination angles smaller than 35° with respect to the printing plane. These minimal sag parts are achieved without requiring extra curing or mechanisms, support structures, or suspension baths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Oxide‐Supported IrNiO x Core–Shell Particles as Efficient, Cost‐Effective, and Stable Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

Abstract Active and highly stable oxide‐supported IrNiO x core–shell catalysts for electrochemical water splitting are presented. IrNi x @IrO x nanoparticles supported on high‐surface‐area mesoporous antimony‐doped tin oxide (IrNiO x /Meso‐ATO) were synthesized from bimetallic IrNi x precursor alloys (PA‐IrNi x /Meso‐ATO) using electrochemical Ni leaching and concomitant Ir oxidation. Special emphasis was placed on Ni/NiO surface segregation under thermal treatment of the PA‐IrNi x /Meso‐ATO as well as on the surface chemical state of the particle/oxide support interface. Combining a wide array of characterization methods, we uncovered the detrimental effect of segregated NiO phases on the water splitting activity of core–shell particles. The core–shell IrNiO x /Meso‐ATO catalyst displayed high water‐splitting activity and unprecedented stability in acidic electrolyte providing substantial progress in the development of PEM electrolyzer anode catalysts with drastically reduced Ir loading and significantly enhanced durability.

Nong, Hong Nhan↗

DOE OSTI2019

Enhancing Activity and Reducing Cost for Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2 by Supporting Palladium on Metal Carbides

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) with renewable electricity is a potentially sustainable method to reduce CO 2 emissions. Palladium supported on cost-effective transition-metal carbides (TMCs) are studied to reduce the Pd usage and tune the activity and selectivity of the CO 2 RR to produce synthesis gas, using a combined approach of studying thin films and practical powder catalysts, in situ characterization, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Notably, Pd/TaC exhibits higher CO 2 RR activity, stability and CO Faradaic efficiency than those of commercial Pd/C while significantly reducing the Pd loading. In situ measurements confirm the transformation of Pd into hydride (PdH) under the CO 2 RR environment. DFT calculations reveal that the TMC substrates modify the binding energies of key intermediates on supported PdH. As a result, this work suggests the prospect of using TMCs as low-cost and stable substrates to support and modify Pd for enhanced CO 2 RR activity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2015

Oxide‐Supported IrNiO x Core–Shell Particles as Efficient, Cost‐Effective, and Stable Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

Nong, Hong Nhan↗

DOE OSTI2019

Enhancing Activity and Reducing Cost for Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2 by Supporting Palladium on Metal Carbides

Abstract Electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) with renewable electricity is a potentially sustainable method to reduce CO 2 emissions. Palladium supported on cost‐effective transition‐metal carbides (TMCs) are studied to reduce the Pd usage and tune the activity and selectivity of the CO 2 RR to produce synthesis gas, using a combined approach of studying thin films and practical powder catalysts, in situ characterization, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Notably, Pd/TaC exhibits higher CO 2 RR activity, stability and CO Faradaic efficiency than those of commercial Pd/C while significantly reducing the Pd loading. In situ measurements confirm the transformation of Pd into hydride (PdH) under the CO 2 RR environment. DFT calculations reveal that the TMC substrates modify the binding energies of key intermediates on supported PdH. This work suggests the prospect of using TMCs as low‐cost and stable substrates to support and modify Pd for enhanced CO 2 RR activity.

Wang, Jiajun↗

DOE OSTI2017

Boron Nitride-supported Sub-nanometer Pd 6 Clusters for Formic Acid Decomposition: A DFT Study

A periodic, self-consistent planewave DFT study was carried out to explore the potential use of Pd 6 clusters supported on a boron nitride sheet as a catalyst for the selective decomposition of formic acid (HCOOH) to CO 2 and H 2 . The competition between formate (HCOO) and carboxyl (COOH) paths on catalytic sites, with different proximities to the support, was studied. Based on energetics alone, the reaction may mainly follow the HCOO route. Slightly lower activation energies were found at the lateral sites of the cluster as compared to top face sites. This is particularly true for the bidentate to monodentate HCOO conversion. Through comparison of results with similar studies on HCOOH decomposition on extended Pd surfaces, it was demonstrated that the existence of undercoordinated sites in the sub-nanometer cluster could play a key role in preferentially stabilizing HCOO over COOH, which is a common CO precursor in this reaction. A hydrogen spillover mechanism was also investigated; migration toward the boron nitride support is not favorable, at least in the early stages of the reaction. However, hydrogen diffusion on the cluster has low barriers compared to those involved in formic acid decomposition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2017

Stabilizing a Vanadium Oxide Catalyst by Supporting on a Metal-Organic Framework

NU-1000 is a robust and highly porous Zr-based metal–organic framework (Zr-MOFs) that has been confirmed to be an excellent catalyst support because of its well-defined crystal structure, protonic grafting sites on its nodes, and thermal stability, all of which advantageously offer the possibility to study the nature of the catalytic reactive sites. In this report, we introduce a vanadium-oxide catalyst supported on NU-1000 synthesized by solvothermal deposition in MOFs (SIM), namely, V-NU-1000. The catalytic activity of V-NU-1000 was investigated by studying the oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol under an O 2 atmosphere; this catalyst showed higher conversion and higher selectivity than vanadium-oxide supported on high-surface-area zirconia (V-ZrO 2 ). The stability of V-NU-1000 was confirmed by recyclability and leaching tests, in which recycled V-NU-1000 had catalytic ability comparable to that of the fresh catalyst, and no loss in the metal loading was found in recollected V-NU-1000.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2019

Alkene Hydrosilylation on Oxide-Supported Pt-Ligand Single–Site Catalysts

Heterogeneous single-site catalysts (SSCs), widely regarded as promising next-generation catalysts, blend the easy recovery of traditional heterogeneous catalysts with desired features of homogeneous catalysts: high fraction of active sites and uniform metal centers. We previously reported the synthesis of Pt-ligand SSCs through a novel metal-ligand self-assembly method on MgO, CeO 2 , and Al 2 O 3 . Here, we present their applications in the industrially-relevant alkene hydrosilylation reaction, with 95 % yield achieved under mild conditions. As expected, they exhibit better metal utilization efficiency than traditional heterogeneous Pt catalysts. The comparison with commercial catalysts (Karstedt and Speier) reveals several advantages of these SSCs: higher selectivity, less colloidal Pt formation, less alkene isomerization/hydrogenation, and better tolerance towards functional groups in substrates. Despite some leaching, our catalysts exhibit satisfactory recyclability and the single-site structure remains intact on oxide supports after reaction. Pt single-sites were proved to be the main active sites rather than colloidal Pt formed during the reaction. An induction period is observed in which Pt sites are activated by Cl detachment and replacement by reactant alkenes. The most active species likely involves temporary detachment of Pt from ligand or support. Catalytic performance of Pt SSCs is sensitive to the ligand and support choices, enabling fine tuning of Pt sites. This work highlights the application of heterogeneous SSCs created by the novel metal-ligand self-assembly strategy in an industrially-relevant reaction. It also offers a potential catalyst for future industrial hydrosilylation applications with several improvements over current commercial catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗