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At least 829 records · Page 46

Demand-Side Grid Model (dsgrid) Data from the Electrification Futures Project (EFS)

This data set contains the full-resolution and state-level data described in the linked technical report (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy18osti/71492.pdf). It can be accessed with the NREL-dsgrid-legacy-efs-api, available on GitHub at https://github.com/dsgrid/dsgrid-legacy-efs-api and through PyPI (pip install NREL-dsgrid-legacy-efs-api). The data format is HDF5. The API is written in Python. This initial dsgrid data set, whose description was originally published in 2018, covers electricity demand in the contiguous United States (CONUS) for the historical year of 2012. It is a proof-of-concept demonstrating the feasibility of reconciling bottom-up demand modeling results with top-down information about electricity demand to create a more detailed description than is possible with either type of data source on its own. The result is demand data that is more highly resolved along geographic, temporal, sectoral, and end-use dimensions as may be helpful for conducting electricity sector-wide "what-if" analysis of, e.g., energy efficiency, electrification, and/or demand flexibility. Although we conducted bottom-up versus top-down validation, the final residuals were significant, especially at higher geographic and temporal resolution. Please see the Executive Summary and/or Section 3 of the report to obtain an understanding of the data set limitations before deciding whether these data are suitable for any particular use case. New dsgrid datasets are under development. Please visit https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/dsgrid.html for the latest information which is also linked in the data resources.

analysis↗

A Tool for Model-Based Generation of Scenario-driven Electric Power Load Profiles

Power consumption during all phases of spacecraft flight is of great interest to the aerospace community. As a result, significant analysis effort is exerted to understand the rates of electrical energy generation and consumption under many operational scenarios of the system. Previously, no standard tool existed for creating and maintaining a power equipment list (PEL) of spacecraft components that consume power, and no standard tool existed for generating power load profiles based on this PEL information during mission design phases. This paper presents the Scenario Power Load Analysis Tool (SPLAT) as a model-based systems engineering tool aiming to solve those problems. SPLAT is a plugin for MagicDraw (No Magic, Inc.) that aids in creating and maintaining a PEL, and also generates a power and temporal variable constraint set, in Maple language syntax, based on specified operational scenarios. The constraint set can be solved in Maple to show electric load profiles (i.e. power consumption from loads over time). SPLAT creates these load profiles from three modeled inputs: 1) a list of system components and their respective power modes, 2) a decomposition hierarchy of the system into these components, and 3) the specification of at least one scenario, which consists of temporal constraints on component power modes. In order to demonstrate how this information is represented in a system model, a notional example of a spacecraft planetary flyby is introduced. This example is also used to explain the overall functionality of SPLAT, and how this is used to generate electric power load profiles. Lastly, a cursory review of the usage of SPLAT on the Cold Atom Laboratory project is presented to show how the tool was used in an actual space hardware design application.

power load profile↗

Microstructural and micromechanical characterization of IN718 theta shaped specimens built with electron beam melting

Theta-shaped specimens were additively manufactured out of Inconel 718 powders using an electron beam melting technique, as a model complex load bearing structure. We employed two different build strategies; producing two sets of specimens. Microstructural and micro-mechanical characterizations were performed using electron back-scatter, synchrotron x-ray and in-situ neutron diffraction techniques. In particular, the cross-members of the specimens were the focus of the synchrotron x-ray and in-situ neutron diffraction measurements. The build strategies employed resulted in the formation of distinct microstructures and crystallographic textures, signifying the importance of build-parameter manipulation for microstructural optimization. Large strain anisotropy of the different lattice planes was observed during in-situ loading. Texture was concluded to have a distinct effect upon both the axial and transverse strain responses of the cross-members. In particular, the (200), (220) and (420) transverse lattice strains all showed unexpected overlapping trends in both builds. This was related to the strong {200} textures along the build/loading direction, providing agreement between the experimental and calculated results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamic analysis of fully constrained Cable-Driven Parallel Robots for automated prefabricated component installation

This paper presents a dynamic analysis and validation framework to assess a fully constrained six-anchor Cable-Driven Parallel Robot (CDPR) for automated installation of prefabricated facade components. Compared with conventional eight-anchor systems, the six-anchor configuration simplifies setup and reduces cost, but it also reduces control authority, shrinks the wrench-feasible workspace, and tightens orientation limits. Consequently, it is unclear a priori whether dynamically feasible trajectories exist to move the end effector from pickup to the facade. A constrained trajectory optimization is formulated to enforce the system dynamics, cable-tension bounds, and pose/velocity limits, and the framework is evaluated in simulation at three levels: (i) an idealized reference model, (ii) a lab-scale prototype model incorporating measured anchor misalignments and identified damping, and (iii) a full-scale three-story building model with load decomposition for structural feasibility checks. Across these scenarios, the analysis shows that optimal, constraint-satisfying trajectories exist that move the end effector from pickup to installation while maintaining a near-plumb, level orientation at the final pose. Collectively, this multi-scale dynamic analysis and validation framework supports the deployment readiness of the six-anchor CDPR and provides a prototype-based sensitivity case study of how measured anchor placement deviations affect feasibility.

CDPR↗

A review on the integration of probabilistic solar forecasting in power systems

As one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources, the integration of solar power poses great challenges to power systems due to its variable and uncertain nature. As an effective approach to promote the integration of solar power in power systems, the value of probabilistic forecasts is being increasingly recognized in the recent decade. While the current use of probabilistic forecasts in power systems is limited, enormous amount of research has been conducted to promote the adoption of probabilistic forecasts and many methods have been proposed. This paper gives a comprehensive review on how probabilistic solar forecasts are utilized in power systems to address the challenges. Potential methods to deal with uncertainties in power systems are summarized, such as probabilistic load flow models, stochastic optimization, robust optimization, and chance constraints. Additionally, specific areas where these methods can be applied are discussed and state-of-the-art studies are summarized.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Predicting Nanoparticle Suspension Viscoelasticity for Multimaterial 3D Printing of Silica–Titania Glass

A lack of predictive methodology is frequently a major bottleneck in materials development for additive manufacturing. Hence, exploration of new printable materials often relies on the serendipity of trial and error approaches, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. In this paper, we present an approach to overcome these issues by quantifying and controlling the viscoelasticity of inks for multimaterial 3D printing of silica–titania glass using direct ink writing (DIW). We formulate simple silica and silica–titania inks from a suspension of fumed silica nanoparticles in an organic solvent with a dissolved molecular titania precursor. We use a small set of experimental rheological data and estimates of interaction potentials from colloidal theory to develop a predictive tool that allows us to design and obtain compatible inks that are matched both in desired rheological properties (viscosity profiles and elastic modulus) as well as solids loading. The model incorporates silica particle volume fraction, particle size, particle size distribution, and titania precursor concentration, and captures the effects of all formulation parameters on the measured viscoelasticity in a single curve. We validate the ink formulations predicted by the model and find that the materials can be very well matched in rheological properties as desired for 3D printing. Using the DIW and heat treatment methods we have reported previously, we use these inks to print and process a fully transparent glass with spatial change in dopant composition and refractive index. Finally, we believe that this approach can be extended to other colloidal systems and allow predictive ink formulation design for desired printability in direct ink write manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Stress breaks universal aging behavior in a metallic glass

Numerous disordered materials display a monotonous slowing down in their internal dynamics with age. In the case of metallic glasses, this general behavior across different temperatures and alloys has been used to establish an empirical universal superposition principle of time, waiting time, and temperature. Here we demonstrate that the application of a mechanical stress within the elastic regime breaks this universality. Using in-situ x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) experiments, we show that strong fluctuations between slow and fast structural dynamics exist, and that these generally exhibit larger relaxation times than in the unstressed case. On average, relaxation times increase with stress magnitude, and even preloading times of several days do not exhaust the structural dynamics under load. A model Lennard-Jones glass under shear deformation replicates many of the features revealed with XPCS, indicating that local and heterogeneous microplastic events can cause the strongly non-monotonous spectrum of relaxation times.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The mechanism for acetate formation in electrochemical CO (2) reduction on Cu: selectivity with potential, pH, and nanostructuring

Nanostructured Cu catalysts have increased the selectivities and geometric activities for high value C–C coupled (C 2 ) products (ethylene, ethanol, and acetate) in the electrochemical CO (2) reduction reaction (CO (2) RR). The selectivity among the high-value C 2 products is also altered, where for instance the yield of acetate increases with alkalinity and is dependent on the catalyst morphology. The reaction mechanisms behind the selectivity towards acetate vs. other C 2 products remain controversial. In this work, we elucidate the reaction mechanism for acetate formation by using ab initio simulations, a coupled kinetic-transport model, and loading dependent experiments. We find that trends in acetate selectivity can be rationalized from variations in electrolyte pH and the local mass transport properties of the catalyst and not from changes in Cu's intrinsic activity. The selectivity mechanism originates from the transport of ketene, a stable (closed shell) intermediate, away from the catalyst surface into solution where it reacts to form acetate. While this type of mechanism has not yet been discussed in the CO (2) RR, variants of it may explain similar selectivity fluctuations observed for other stable intermediates like CO and acetaldehyde. Our proposed mechanism suggests that acetate selectivity increases with increasing pH, decreasing catalyst roughness and significantly varies with the applied potential.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Design of a reconfigurable liquid hydrogen fuel tank for use in the Genii unmanned aerial vehicle

Long endurance flight, on the order of days, is a leading flight performance characteristic for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is well suited to providing multi-day flight times with a specific energy 2.8 times that of conventional kerosene based fuels. However, no such system of LH2 storage, delivery, and use is currently available for commercial UAVs. In this paper, we develop a light weight LH2 dewar for integration and testing in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell powered, student designed and constructed, Genii UAV. The fuel tank design is general for scaling to suit various UAV platforms. A cylindrical vacuum-jacketed design with removable end caps was chosen to incorporate various fuel level gauging, pressurizing, and slosh mitigation systems. Heat and mechanical loadings were modeled to compare with experimental results. Mass performance of the fuel tank is characterized by the fraction of liquid hydrogen to full tank mass, and the insulation performance was characterized by effective thermal conductivity and boil-off rate.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Impact of deformation on the atomic structures and dynamics of a Cu-Zr metallic glass: A molecular dynamics study

Despite numerous studies on the atomic structures of Cu-Zr metallic glasses (MGs), their inherent structural ordering, e.g., medium-range order (MRO), remains difficult to describe. Specifically lacking is an understanding of how the MRO responds to deformation and the associated changes in atomic mobility. In this paper, we focus on the impact of deformation on MRO and associated effect on diffusion in a well-relaxed Cu 64.5 Zr 35.5 MG by molecular dynamics simulations. The Cu-Zr MG exhibits a larger elastic limit of 0.035 and a yield stress of 3.5 GPa. The cluster alignment method was employed to characterize the icosahedral short-range order (ISRO) and Bergman-type medium-range order (BMRO) in the models upon loading and unloading. From this analysis, we find the disruption of both ISRO and BMRO occurs as the strain reaches about 0.02, well below the elastic limit. Within the elastic limit, the total fractions of ISRO or BMRO can be fully recovered upon unloading. The diffusivity increases six to eight times in regions undergoing plastic deformation, which is due to the dramatic disruption of the ISRO and BMRO. As a result, by mapping the spatial distributions of the mobile atoms, we demonstrate the increase in atomic mobility is due to the extended regions of disrupted ISRO and more importantly BMRO.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Factorization Machine Learning for Disaggregation of Transmission Load Profiles with High Penetration of Behind-the-Meter Solar

The ever-growing high penetration of ubiquitously distributed energy resources, especially behind-the-meter solar (BTM) generations, has significant impacts on nodal load (i.e., net injection) profiles and consequently caused imperative operational challenges to system operators such as regional transmission organizations (RTOs). Illustrated by real-world nodal data and examples at PJM Interconnection, this paper first discusses the application and necessity of effectively extracting daily nodal load profiles in a non-intrusive manner. More importantly, a novel bi-level architecture, including Factorization Machines (FM) learning procedure has been proposed to effectively disaggregate not only one node but every node in an RTO service territory. Specifically, FM leaning is adopted to capture the interconnections between related features to better utilize the correlation between buses in the same region and between a single bus and the zonal load. The proposed bi-level technique is numerically validated using real-world, minute-level, normalized, and anonymized nodal data at PJM service territory.

behind the meter solar, load disaggregation, load ↗

Quantifying Transmission Fault Voltage Influence and its Potential Impact on Distributed Energy Resources

With increasing shares of distributed energy resources (DERs) on the electric grid, the power system is transitioning from having fewer large generators with relatively simple dynamics to many small generators with aggregate responses to system disturbances that are difficult to predict. In particular, voltage fluctuations might cause large losses of generation via DER operation/interconnection compliance. To understand orchestral DER dynamics, a first step is to determine the influence of a disturbance on the overall bulk power system. This work introduces metrics that allow for the classification and comparison of a variety of system faults with respect to their influences on voltage profiles. These metrics are applied to standardized fault simulations on the Western Interconnection Paths with a full-scale Positive Sequence Load Flow model. The results are presented with a highlight on Path 61, which has the potential for DER generation reduction exceeding the current credible contingency of a double Palo Verde loss.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Uniform Mechanical Loading Can Test for Nonuniform Loading Durability

In this work, we present a method to evaluate the equivalency between any module mechanical loading conditions. The method is developed to address the specific failure mode of glass fracture and is based on Weibull analysis and weakest link theory. It considers the varying stress profile across the module to calculate the probability of glass fracture, which is used as the metric of equivalency. An idealized nonuniform loading scheme is employed to demonstrate the method and introduce the concept of the equivalent uniform load factor: a factor applied to the maximum pressure of the nonuniform load to obtain the equivalent uniform load value. It is demonstrated that this factor is less than unity for all nonuniform load cases considered, including snow and various characters of wind loading. These significant results suggest that uniform loading may be reliably, and practically, employed to evaluate photovoltaic module glass for nonuniform loading durability.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗