Real-Time Emulation of Grid-Connected DFIG Wind Energy System with Model Validation from Sub-synchronous to Hyper-synchronous Operation under Unbalanced Conditions
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Ferrari Maglia, Max↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “system validation”
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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Implementation of a Storage System Testbed for Validation of Rack-Scale Thermal Models
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Mueller, Jacob Andreas↗
Design of a Launcher for Wildlife Collision Simulation on Wind Turbines to Validate Strike Detection Systems
Design and construction of a custom launcher and projectiles to simulate wildlife collisions with wind turbines is investigated. The various design features that led to success of the launcher are enumerated and described in detail. These features include custom projectiles, precision aiming capabilities, repeatable launch parameters, and azimuthal control over projectile launch. Success is investigated in terms of an overall hit percentage.
collision simulation↗
Investigating Similarity Differences for Light-Water-Moderated and Polyethylene-Moderated Systems [Slides]
Validation efforts revealed noticeable differences in c k for light-water and polyethylene moderated systems when compared to experimental systems. Although 1 H-H 2 O and 1 H-poly use some of the same cross section and identical covariance data, the treatment of TSLs in SCALE lead to no contribution to c k between polyethylene application and benchmark experiment. When H 2 O contribution is removed the difference in c k appears to come from 239 Pu chi. Sensitivity profiles and data-induced uncertainty confirm that the polyethylene application more closely resembles the benchmark experiment. Interrogation techniques were used to observe how TSLs and nuclide IDs affect c k . Specific differences between similar systems can be accounted for and examined to help understand differences in similarity (c k ) between systems
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
Future Automotive Systems Technology Simulator (FASTSim) Validation Report - 2021
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Future Automotive Systems Technology Simulator (FASTSim) captures the most important factors influencing vehicle power demands and performs large-scale fuel efficiency calculations very quickly. These features make FASTSim well suited to evaluate a representative distribution of real-world fuel efficiency over a large quantity of in-use driving profiles, which have become increasingly available in recent years owing to incorporation of Global Positioning System data collection into various travel surveys and studies. In addition, by being open source, computationally lightweight, freely available, and free from expensive third-party software requirements, analyses conducted using FASTSim may be easily replicated and critiqued in an open forum. This is highly desirable for situations in which technical experts seek to reach consensus over questions about what vehicle development plans or public interest strategies could maximize fuel savings and minimize adverse environmental impacts with an evolving vehicle fleet. While FASTSim continues to be refined and improved on an ongoing basis, this report compiles available runs using versions of the tool from the past few years to provide illustrative comparisons of the model results against measured data.
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
Development and Validation of a Scoring System for Abnormalities in the Gopher Frog (Rana capito)
Headstarting efforts are thought to be critical in supplementing populations of the at-risk Gopher Frog (Rana capito); however, recent efforts have occasionally resulted in juveniles with developmental abnormalities. In response, we developed a scoring system to collect quantitative data on the presence and severity of these developmental abnormalities. Our objective was to describe and validate the abnormality scoring system so that it can be used by all Gopher Frog headstarting facilities. The scoring system covers five primary conditions encompassing commonly observed abnormalities. Two groups of participants with different levels of prior experience working with Gopher Frogs assigned scores to a set of images presented to them for each condition. We used intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) to test the scoring system for inter- and intra-rater agreement as well as agreement with the benchmark standard (established by the authors). We found high ICC values for inter-rater agreement, intra-rater agreement, and agreement to the benchmark standard indicating either excellent or good reliability for all five conditions and for all raters when grouped together. These findings support the reliability and validity of the proposed developmental abnormality scoring system. Gopher Frog headstarting facilities can implement this scoring system to assist in tracking the frequency and severity of abnormalities observed in future headstarting efforts. We hope that by creating a reliable scoring system for Gopher Frogs, it can provide an overall framework and serve as a valuable resource to evaluate abnormalities across any amphibian species.
abnormality↗
Georgetown University – SYSM 5630 Systems Integration Verification and Validation : Todd Noste
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the National Ignition Facility Optics Group, we use the systems engineering approach for project management and as a design tool. Systems engineering is used in a graded approach to design and project management that is based on risk, informing how much rigor to apply. The tools and techniques from systems engineering offer a framework to organize projects with everyone speaking the same language to provide consistent and repeatable project success that satisfies the stakeholders’ needs and meets the mission. The classes have provided a framework with tools for communicating system design, requirements, verification and validation, and an operational context.
42 ENGINEERING↗
An Application for Validation of Power Distribution System Models in an ADMS Environment
An accurate model of a power distribution system is the foundation for model-based applications that ensure efficient and reliable grid operation in an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) environment. However, these models are error-prone and comprehensive model validation is challenging due to lack of standards-based systems, data originating from disparate databases and other sources, and the constantly evolving nature of modern power distribution systems. In this paper, a novel framework for comprehensive model validation is described. The proposed application, the Model Validator, ensures that a model is both consistent and feasible by validating the derivative static and operational network model. A modular architecture for the application has been implemented and integrated with an open-source standards-based platform for ADMS application development, GridAPPS-D, allowing new validation capability to be added with minimal time and effort. The Model Validator application is demonstrated on the IEEE 13-bus, 123-bus, and 8500-node test cases over three validation scenarios.
Poudel, Shiva↗
Validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 for predicting steady-state single-phase natural circulation
The validation of system analysis codes for nuclear reactor systems is required for the development and application of these computational tools. Designed as a comprehensive system analysis code for advanced nuclear reactors, SAS4A/SASSYS-1 requires validation of its physics model for capturing single-phase natural circulation behavior. To support the validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1, high-precision experiments are performed capturing steady-state single-phase natural circulation on a scaled facility with comprehensive instrumentation. In this work, dedicated tests are performed quantifying the critical modeling parameters, and a single-phase natural circulation benchmark dataset is obtained with well-documented uncertainty and comprehensive facility description. The validation is then performed against the dataset examining the capability of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 in simulating steady-state single-phase natural circulation. The experimental facility is modeled in the candidate code. Solution verification is performed using Richardson-extrapolation-based estimators which quantify and restrict numerical errors from discretization. Input uncertainty provided by the benchmark dataset is forward propagated through the candidate code, quantifying the output uncertainty in a Monte Carlo approach. The composition of the output uncertainty is also quantified through a variance-based sensitivity analysis. With the uncertainty quantified for each individual condition, a detailed comparison between the simulation results and experimental data is performed covering the whole dataset. The results show consistent agreement for all primary parameters. The current validation activity provides a valuable benchmark dataset for the validation of system analysis codes in capturing single-phase natural circulation and demonstrates satisfactory prediction capability of SAS4A/SASSYS1 for steady-state single-phase natural circulation.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Field Validation of Thermoelectric Generation System at Holcim Cement Plant in Alpena, Michigan
Executive Summary Project Background The Industrial Technology Validation (ITV) program aims to identify and demonstrate the performance of new, emerging, and underutilized energy-saving technologies in the industrial sector to help inform decisions to help accelerate their commercialization and deployment, as well as to help make industries more competitive. This ITV demonstration evaluated a thermoelectric generation (TEG) technology at a cement plant, aiming to reduce energy demand in the cement industry. A median cement plant consumes 5.73 million British thermal units per ton of clinker production (resulting in 0.838 metric tons of carbon dioxide [CO₂] emissions per ton of clinker) (Boyd and Zhang 2011, EPA 2021), equivalent to approximately 6.9 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) per year in energy consumption at a cement plant producing 3,300 tons of clinker per day.¹ Collaborating with Holcim, Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems (ATS) developed and deployed a pilot-scale thermoelectric power system to efficiently capture and convert waste heat to electricity. The system leverages the Seebeck effect to convert temperature differences on two sides of semiconductor cartridges into electrical power (ScienceDirect, n.d.). This generation is realized with minimal moving parts compared to existing waste-heat-to-generation solutions and allows capture from heat sources with temperatures as low as 150°C. This project aimed to validate a scalable solution applicable for capturing medium-temperature waste heat, including ambient losses from other high-temperature processes, and high-temperature sources less suitable for other waste-heat-to-power solutions. By recovering this otherwise wasted heat, this project intends to validate improvements to overall process efficiency through reduction in purchased electricity, thereby reducing operational costs while enhancing resiliency and competitiveness. Description and Scope This study evaluated the performance of a TEG system from ATS as a solution to convert waste heat into useful power at a Holcim cement plant in Alpena, Michigan. This plant is a fully integrated cement plant that has been operating since 1907. The facility operates continuously (24/7/365) with approximately 250 employees and five long dry kilns, yielding a total production capacity of 7,852 tons of cement per day (EPA 2023). Currently, the Alpena plant uses waste heat boilers to convert waste heat from the exhaust of each kiln into steam, which drives steam turbine generators. The ATS TEG is being evaluated for its potential to supplement the steam turbines by capturing the remaining lower grade heat. This technology is also being considered for other Holcim plants where steam turbines are not a viable option. ATS installed a pilot-scale TEG unit with an array of 582 individual thermoelectric semiconductor cartridges, of which 573 were operational. The cartridges are sandwiched between 48 hot plates and 49 cold plates. Each cartridge is designed to generate 20 watts (W) of gross power at a hot-side temperature of 240°C and cold-side temperature of 20°C. As such, the total gross generation capacity of the installed system is 11.5 kilowatts (kW) at design conditions. The system configuration for the evaluation was designed to prioritize convenience of installation and minimize disruption to production at the site, while ensuring that the heat required can be obtained for evaluating the TEG system at various operational conditions. To accomplish this, a portion of the steam supplied to Alpena’s steam turbine generation system was diverted to be used as the heat source for the TEG system, while water was supplied to the cold side of the system from nearby Lake Huron. This configuration was designed for the evaluation of the pilot-scale system to assess the performance at different conditions. A commercial-scale system will likely vary from the pilot system depending on typical configurations, including both scale and application. Future commercial applications of the ATS system would involve integrating the system into the exhaust from kiln preheaters, clinker coolers, or radiant heat capture from kiln shells for the heat source. For the cold source, a range of cooling solutions can be considered, including a mechanical cooling system, depending on the location and the application. To increase the generation capacity for commercial applications, the technology provider is working toward developing a commercial-scale TEG system, which would combine multiple TEG units (each similar in design to the pilot system) together. The scope of this evaluation includes the pilot-scale TEG system and all impacted equipment including pumps, controllers, and power handling equipment. Study Objectives The evaluation's goal was to assess the potential of the ATS TEG system to generate useful electrical power by capturing waste heat from cement production kilns. The objectives of this study are to evaluate and verify the following claims made by ATS regarding the pilot-scale system installed at the Holcim Alpena plant. The following design parameters and claims are also outlined in Table ES- 1 and Table ES- 2: • Gross Power: The thermoelectric system converts heat into power to create gross power, the total measured power generated by the system. The 573 active cartridge pilot-scale system is expected to generate 11.5 kW of gross power at the designed hot-side temperature of 240°C and cold-side temperature of 20°C. Power production is dependent on the temperature difference between the heat source (ultimately from the waste heat) and cold temperature supply source. • Net Power: The net power is the total usable power provided to the site by the TEG system after deducting parasitic power loads from the gross generated power. Supplementary equipment is required to operate the TEG system including pumps, controllers, and, in certain anticipated applications, mechanical cooling, which introduce parasitic loads to system operation. After deducting the parasitic loads from the gross power generation, ATS anticipates achieving a net power generation of 7.5 kW from the pilot-scale system. • Thermal Efficiency: The thermal efficiency is the percent of the total heat transferred to the TEG system that is converted to gross power. Historically, TEGs have a thermal efficiency of 2%–5% (DOE 2008). Prior industrial-scale TEG systems, such as the E1 TEG offered by Alphabet Energy, operated at an efficiency of 2.5% (Lamonica, 2014). ATS anticipates achieving an average efficiency of 4.8% or higher in converting heat energy to usable electricity. • Cartridge Performance: The TEG system comprises 573 active individual semiconductor cartridges, each of which generates a portion of the total power. Cartridge optimization and selection is an important design consideration for potential future TEG system design performance. Therefore, understanding the distribution of gross power and efficiency within the pilot system is vital to understanding what is achievable. At a design hot-side temperature of 240°C and cold-side temperature of 20°C, ATS anticipates a cartridge performance of 20 W of gross power per cartridge at an efficiency of 4.8% per cartridge. In addition to evaluating the claimed performance of the TEG pilot-scale unit, the study estimated the potential annual impacts of a scaled-up commercial system used to capture kiln waste heat over annual operations. The evaluation estimated the gross and net annual electric generation achievable by capturing heat from the two proposed tap-in points: the kiln exhaust and the clinker cooler exhaust; see Section 2.1 for details. Two use cases were examined: • Holcim Alpena: The Holcim Alpena site consists of long dry kilns with superheater boilers, which differs from the rest of Holcim’s cement plant portfolio and results in lower waste heat temperatures. The study estimates gross and net annual generation using the superheater boiler exhaust and clinker cooler exhaust, based on 2023 operational data. • Typical Installation: Common cement plants have preheater kilns with higher exhaust temperatures than Holcim Alpena across a range of production rates. The study estimates gross and net annual generation using the preheater exhaust and clinker cooler exhaust, with a sensitivity analysis to account for the typical range of preheater exhaust temperatures, clinker cooler exhaust temperatures, and clinker production rates. Methodology The evaluation methodology followed a measurement and verification (M&V) strategy based on the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol Option B through comprehensive measurements and analyses of the affected systems. Evaluation data was collected from March 9 to March 11, 2024, the test period of the pilot TEG system. During the test period, in coordination with the ITV team, the ATS team adjusted system operations to capture the range of variability expected for each of the variables pertinent to performance of the system. The methodology consisted of two parts: evaluating the performance of the pilot unit's TEG system and estimating the annual TEG impact in terms of gross and net power based on a given waste heat profile. First, the evaluation of the thermoelectric generation performance of the pilot unit relative to the claims was performed by analyzing the collected test data. Gross power of the pilot TEG system was directly measured. Net power was determined by deducting the measured parasitic power from the gross power. The gross power generation was compared to heat transferred to the system by the working fluid (which was heated by steam generated from the kiln waste heat) to calculate the thermal efficiency achieved by the system. Performance of individual semiconductor cartridges within the pilot array was also assessed in terms of measured gross cartridge power and calculated cartridge thermal efficiency. The second part of the evaluation estimated the annual TEG impacts in terms of gross power and net power (calculated from the difference between gross power and parasitic power). This analysis comprised development of mathematical regression models for gross power and parasitic power, with assessment of each model’s goodness-of-fit characteristics to ensure satisfaction of statistical requirements. The models predicted the gross power generation, the parasitic load based on the temperature difference between the hot working fluid and the cold-side fluid (cold water from Lake Huron) entering the system, the volumetric flow rate of the cold-side fluid at the inlet, and the volumetric flow rate of the hot working fluid at the inlet. The annual impact analysis considered a theoretical commercial-scale system sized to capture the available waste heat at a cement plant, consisting of linked pilot-scale units that receive heat from a theoretical gas-to-working-fluid heat exchanger. To estimate annual impacts at the Alpena plant, the gross power and parasitic power regression models were applied to the arrays in the theoretical commercial-scale system. The heat supplied to the unit was calculated based on the kiln run time, annual production, kiln exhaust waste heat, and clinker cooler waste heat derived from 2023 Holcim Alpena kiln operational data. Net power impacts were calculated by deducting the resulting parasitic power from the estimated gross power. Inputs for the model were generated from a combination of hourly data, assumed design considerations for TEG system scale-up from the pilot-scale unit, and assumptions regarding TEG system operations. This analysis was then used as the basis for estimating annual impacts of typical TEG installation at cement plants, by applying sensitivity analyses to key kiln operational characteristics including kiln preheater exhaust temperatures, cooler clinker exhaust temperatures, and plant daily production rates across a range of expected values. Project Results/Findings Table ES- 2 and Table ES- 2 provide a summary of the operating conditions and evaluation results compared to the stated claims from the technology provider. Key takeaways include: • Gross Power: The peak gross power achieved during the testing period was 10.0 kW, compared to the 11.5 kW expected for 573 active cartridges. The claimed gross power was associated with a target hot side of 240°C; however, the system only received a maximum hot-side mean plate temperature of 212°C during the testing period. • Net Power: The pilot-scale unit exceeded the claims for net power, achieving a peak of 7.7 kW net compared to a claim of 7.5 kW. One factor contributing to the higher achieved net power is the relatively high water pressure available through Lake Huron. The pilot TEG system did not require cold-side pumps during the test, whereas most installations would. This reduced the parasitic loads on the system, ultimately contributing to higher net power relative to the gross power. • Thermal Efficiency: The pilot-scale unit outperformed the claimed efficiency, achieving a peak system efficiency of 5.0% thermal efficiency compared to the stated 4.8%. • Cartridge Performance: To compare cartridge performance against claims, the study focused on the third day of testing, which aimed for conditions closest to the design specifications, with a hot side of 240°C and cold-side exit temperature of 6.4°–30°C. On this day, the mean gross power observed in the cartridges within the TEG array was 18.1 W/cartridge, and the peak performance was 34.7 W/cartridge. The estimated mean cartridge efficiency was 5.2%, and the estimated efficiency at peak gross cartridge power was 10%. The regression models developed for gross power generation and parasitic loads were used to estimate the generation impact for given heat input to the TEG from the working fluid (captured from the waste heat) and from the cold loop (Lake Huron) on an hourly basis for a year of operation. Based on this analysis, installation of a commercial-scale TEG system at the Holcim cement plant in Alpena, Michigan, with a waste heat exchanger of 0.85 effectiveness, would generate up to 391 kW of net power, translating to between 920,000 and 1,800,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in net electricity per year. Based on typical grid emissions for Alpena, this would avoid estimated net emissions by 752 metric tons of CO₂ annually.² The sensitivity analysis estimated that typical TEG system installations at cement plants could generate an average of 56–1,040 kW of net power, or between 488,000 and 9,110,000 kWh of net energy. This generation potential is most significantly affected by plant production rates and also influenced by preheater and clinker cooler exhaust temperatures. Applying the national average emission rate, typical commercial-scale installations at Holcim plants are projected to avoid between 182 and 3,401 metric tons of CO₂ annually per site. Table ES- 3 shows a summary of the estimated annual impacts.³ While parasitic loads are significant and vary by application, this analysis assumed the use of heating loop pumps and access to Lake Huron as a cold sink. This setup assumed no need for cooling loop pumps due to the available water pressure at the test site. Applications that require cooling towers or additional equipment are likely to experience higher parasitic loads. Therefore, the study’s estimates are most applicable to scenarios with similar parasitic load configurations—namely, access to a high-pressure cold sink. Applicability to other locations may be limited, as differing conditions could necessitate additional pumps and cooling systems, potentially impacting performance significantly.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Laboratory Validation of Integrated Lighting Systems Retrofit Performance and Energy Savings
Light-emitting diodes (LED) fixtures and lamps have emerged as leading technologies for general illumination and are a well-established energy efficiency retrofit measure in commercial buildings (from around 2% of installed fixtures and lamps in 2013 to 28% by 2020). Retrofit approaches that integrate elements, such as networked controls, daylight dimming, and advanced shade technologies lag in comparison. Integrated retrofits have been shown to increase savings over single end-use retrofits, but are perceived as higher complexity and risk. More validation of integrated lighting system performance is needed. This study presents results from laboratory testing of three packages combining fixtures, networked controls, task tuning, and daylight dimming, advanced shades, and lighting layout changes. We characterize performance in perimeter open-office zones, finding energy savings from 20% for daylight dimming and automated shades (no LED retrofit) to over 70% for LED retrofits with advanced controls and shades or lighting layout changes. We present some implementation details, including lessons learned from installation and commissioning in the laboratory setting. We also discuss cost-benefit analysis approaches for the types of packages presented, including the need to quantify and incorporate energy and non-energy benefits for advanced shades packages, which enhance occupant comfort but add significant cost.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Architecture Design and Validation for Autonomous Energy Systems
The architecture presentation discusses the requirement grid architecture design to integrate AES capabilities. Three NREL projects that cover control, communication, and operation architectures are discussed as reference AES implementations. Testing platforms and capabilities such as ADMS test bed are introduced to validate AES solutions and developed architectures.
architecture design↗
Smart Monitoring and Diagnostic System (SMDS) for Packaged Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps for Small/Medium Commercial Buildings: Preparation for Commercialization: CRADA 478 [Abstract only]
This project will enable Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and industry partner, mCloud Technologies, to work collaboratively to ready the Smart Monitoring and Diagnostic System (SMDS) for commercial deployment and validate its performance under real-world conditions at field sites. This project will specifically focus on 1) implementing the SMDS algorithms in a scalable cloud-based software architecture, 2) designing new, innovative, complimentary commercial services based on the SMDS, 3) enhancing the SMDS energy and cost impact algorithms to reduce uncertainty in estimates, 4) determining the lower limits on SMDS performance degradation detection, 5) validating algorithm performance and default values of adjustable thresholds with existing data from controlled physical testing and from customer packaged air conditioners and heat pumps (commonly referred to as rooftop units or RTUs), 6) field testing to validate the system on multiple customer buildings in diverse environments, and 7) expanding field deployment to a larger set of mCloud’s customer buildings. Project results by validating, enhancing, and quantifying the performance of the SMDS will position mCloud, and potential future licensees, to implement the SMDS in commercial offerings that encourage and enable use of condition-based and predictive maintenance, leading to significant reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with space conditioning by RTUs. Furthermore, these enhancements will increase the value of the SMDS for users and increase the potential market for its use and impacts.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Validation and Recalibration of the Solubility Models in Support of the Heater Test in Salt Formations
The US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy is conducting a brine availability heater test to characterize the thermal, mechanical, hydrological and chemical response of salt at elevated temperatures. In the heater test, brines will be collected and analyzed for chemical compositions. In order to support the geochemical modeling of chemical evolutions of the brines during the heater test, we are recalibrating and validating the solubility models for the mineral constituents in salt formations up to 100°C, based on the solubility data in multiple component systems as well as simple systems from literature. In this work, we systematically compare the model-predicted values based on the various solubility models related to the constituents of salt formations, with the experimental data. As halite is the dominant constituent in salt formations, we first test the halite solubility model in the Na-Mg-Cl dominated brines. We find the existing halite solubility model systematically over-predict the solubility of halite. We recalibrate the halite model, which can reproduce halite solubilities in Na-Mg-Cl dominated brines well. As gypsum/anhydrite in salt formations controls the sulfate concentrations in associated brines, we test the gypsum solubility model in NaCl solutions up to 5.87 mol•kg –1 from 25 ° C to 50 ° C. The testing shows that the current gypsum solubility model reproduces the experimental data well when NaCl concentrations are less than 1 mol•kg –1 . However, at NaCl concentrations higher than 1, the model systematically overpredicts the solubility of gypsum. In the Na + —Cl – —SO 4 2– —CO 3 2– system, the validation tests up to 100 ° C demonstrate that the model excellently reproduces the experimental data for the solution compositions equilibrated with one single phase such as halite (NaCl) or thenardite (Na 2 SO 4 ), with deviations equal to, or less than, 1.5 %. The model is much less ideal in reproducing the compositions in equilibrium with the assemblages of halite + thenardite, and of halite + thermonatrite (Na 2 CO 3 •H 2 O), with deviations up to 31 %. The high deviations from the experimental data for the multiple assemblages in this system at elevated temperatures may be attributed to the facts that the database has the Pitzer interaction parameters for Cl – —CO 3 2– and SO 4 2– —CO 3 2– only at 25 ° C. Finally, in the Na + —Ca 2+ —SO 4 2– —HCO 3 – system, the validation tests also demonstrate that the model reproduces the equilibrium compositions for one single phase such as gypsum better than the assemblages of more than one phase.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Formulation and Experimental Validation of an Agricultural Implement-Only MPR System for Maximum Compatibility with Existing Agricultural Tractors
Tightening emissions regulations and rising fuel costs have driven a desire across many industries for more efficient actuation systems. This is particularly true of the agricultural sector. An extremely common arrangement in this sector is the tractor and implement pairing, in which actuators on an implement are powered by a hydraulic supply system on the towing tractor. This arrangement complicates the development of energy efficient hydraulic systems, as many new system designs require modification of both machines to reap efficiency benefits. Past work by the authors’ team has demonstrated great potentials for Multi-Pressure-Rail (MPR) technology involving both the tractor and implement subsystems. However, applicability of this MPR technology in a more realistic scenario where only one vehicle is equipped with such technology was not addressed. This work proposes an implementation of the MPR technology to an agricultural planter that allows significant savings, while only modifying the implement machine. This is done by manipulating the load sense network of a stock tractor to set system pressures to those required by the MPR system. This greatly reduces the barrier to implementation of MPR technology in agriculture. The work begins by outlining the reference machine for the system, then reviews the MPR system working principle. After this, the proposed expansion to the MPR concept is laid out and applied to the reference system. Finally, experimental validation is carried out, demonstrating up to a 35% reduction in system power consumption when paired with a state of the art, double-LS System tractor, and 15% with a single-LS System tractor.
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
Validating a Tethered Balloon System and Optical Technologies for Marine Wildlife Detection and Tracking
The interactions between marine wildlife and marine energy devices are not well understood, leading to regulatory delays for device deployments and testing. Technologies that enable marine wildlife observations can help to fill data gaps and reduce uncertainties about animal–device interactions. A validation test conducted in Galveston Bay near La Porte, Texas, in December 2022 used a technology package consisting of a tethered balloon system and three independent sensor systems, including three-band visible, eight-band multispectral, and single-band thermal to detect three marine-mammal-shaped surrogates. The field campaign aimed to provide an initial step to evaluating the use of the TBS and the effectiveness of the sensor suite for marine wildlife observations and detection. From 2 December to 7 December 2022, 6 flights were conducted under varying altitudes and environmental conditions resulting in the collection of 5454 images. A subset of the images was classified and analyzed with two collection criteria including Beaufort wind force scale and TBS altitude to assess a range of observations of a surrogate from near-shore to offshore based on pixel count. The results of this validation test demonstrate the potential for using TBSs and imaging sensors for marine wildlife observations and offer valuable information for further development and application of this technology for marine energy and other blue economy sectors.
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
Physics-informed graphical neural network for power system state estimation
State estimation is highly critical for accurately observing the dynamic behavior of the power grids and minimizing risks from cyber threats. However, existing state estimation methods encounter challenges in accurately capturing power system dynamics, primarily because of limitations in encoding the grid topology and sparse measurements. Here, this paper proposes a physics-informed graphical learning state estimation method to address these limitations by leveraging both domain physical knowledge and a graph neural network (GNN). We employ a GNN architecture that can handle the graph-structured data of power systems more effectively than traditional data-driven methods. The physics-based knowledge is constructed from the branch current formulation, making the approach adaptable to both transmission and distribution systems. The validation results of three IEEE test systems show that the proposed method can achieve lower mean square error more than 20% than the conventional methods.
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
Eco-Cooling Control Strategy for Automotive Air-Conditioning System: Design and Experimental Validation
Not provided.
Automation & Control Systems↗