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At least 937 records · Page 52

Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) and Other Assimilated Hydrological Data at NASA GES DISC

The NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) provides science support for several data sets relevant to agriculture and food security, including the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS), or FLDAS data set. The GES DISC is one of twelve NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) data centers that process, archive, document, and distribute data from Earth science missions and related projects. The GES DISC hosts a wide range of remote sensing and model data, and provides reliable and robust data access and other services to users worldwide. Beyond data archive and access, the GES DISC offers many services to visualize and analyze the data. This presentation provides a summary of the hydrological data available at the GES DISC, along with an overview of related data services. Specifically, the FLDAS data set has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing country settings. The FLDAS global monthly data have a 0.1 x 0.1 degree spatial resolution covering the period from January 1982 to present. Global FLDAS monthly anomaly and monthly climatology data are also available at the GES DISC to evaluate how current conditions compare to averages over the FLDAS 35-year period. Several case studies using the FLDAS soil moisture, evapotranspiration, rainfall, runoff, and surface temperature data will be presented.

Loeser, Carlee↗

Approximating Trajectory Constraints With Machine Learning – Microgrid Islanding With Frequency Constraints

Here, we introduce deep earning aided constraint encoding to tackle the frequency-constraint microgrid scheduling problem. The nonlinear function between system operating condition and frequency nadir is approximated by using a neural network, which admits an exact mixed-integer formulation (MIP). This formulation is then integrated with the scheduling problem to encode the frequency constraint. With the stronger representation power of the neural network, the resulting commands can ensure adequate frequency response in a realistic setting in addition to islanding success. The proposed method is validated on a modified 33-node system. Successful islanding with a secure response is simulated under the scheduled commands using a detailed three-phase model in Simulink. The advantages of our model are particularly remarkable when the inertia emulation functions from wind turbine generators are considered.

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FY20 NREL Overview: Transforming Energy

At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), we are transforming today’s energy challenges into tomorrow’s solutions. Our scientific research and technological innovation will shape a highly efficient and resilient energy future. Our world is transforming around us with energy solutions becoming cleaner, cheaper, renewable, and more resilient. As the population grows and new technologies and devices are added to the grid, we must examine the effects and enhance security within our most critical systems. As environmental threats expand and human demands on urban centers increase, we need more sustainable and efficient ways of generating energy that considers resource competition worldwide. We need our grid to be adaptive, autonomous, and responsive. NREL continues to anticipate these challenges, offering solutions through research, innovation, analysis, partners, and people. We are building the foundation of tomorrow’s energy landscape and inspiring the economic growth of the future.

energy security↗

Demonstration of a modeling toolkit for the design of building electrical distribution systems

The deployment of building equipment (e.g., lighting, security) and miscellaneous electrical loads that fundamentally require DC power for operation is increasing. Powering these DC loads has traditionally required an AC/DC converter, but the installation of photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems that primarily produce DC power eliminates the need for AC/DC converters at each end-device. However, analyzing system energy efficiency and cost for different electrical distribution architectures can be challenging as software tools that support this are not readily available. This paper presents preliminary results from a laboratory verification of the Building Electrical Efficiency Analysis Model (BEEAM) toolkit that was developed to address this gap. Three different eight-luminaire lighting systems comprised of market-available products were designed and modeled: one that used traditional AC distribution, a second that used a hybrid AC -to- centralized DC electrical distribution architecture, and a third that used a hybrid AC -to- distributed DC architecture. Notably, AC/DC conversions are required in all three systems. BEEAM models for LED drivers as well as Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches were created using laboratory characterization data. The lighting systems were simulated in Modelica, and the results were compared with each other and physics-based expectations. Simulation results show that PoE system energy efficiency is highly dependent on both device specification (e.g., LED driver and PoE switch efficiency) and system architecture (e.g., PoE switch loading) choices, as expected. For the products and system architectures selected for this study, the two DC systems were found to be less efficient than the AC system over the course of typical operation. In future work, simulation results will be compared with laboratory measurements to validate the usefulness of this software for design, and lighting systems with integrated PV and battery energy storage will be simulated to quantify the energy performance improvements that result from the elimination of some AC/DC converters.

Waghale, Anay S.↗

Service-Based, Segmented, 5G Network-Based Architecture for Securing Distributed Energy Resources: Preprint

As the number of connected devices in the energy grid increase exponentially, so too are the cybersecurity risks. With the development of modern communications standards such as 5G and beyond the extent to which devices will continue to connect will continue to increase exponentially along with the inherent risks. However, 5G also includes features to help address cybersecurity concerns and therefore helping to mitigate many of these risks. This paper proposes a new service-based network architecture implementing network-slicing capabilities for connected systems and devices to improve performance, availability, security, and reliability of the grid devices and services. This paper considers the quality of service requirements and criticality of services needed for securely monitoring, operating, and securing Distributed Energy Resource (DER) devices. From developed use cases, network slicing is implemented based on these requirements and resource allocations. This work then highlights examples of how slicing can help prevent standard existing attack methods such as a denial-of-service or similar attack which limits resource availability and network bandwidth to the service and thus limiting its ability to affect other services by misbehaving. The designed network architecture use case will be further tested on a local virtualized testbed to verify secure operation and availability of services. Using hardware-in-the-loop devices and systems on this local testbed, this fully segmented, secure network may be realized and evaluated. Finally, this paper presents the results of this testing.

5G↗

Integration of Wireless Sensor Networks and Battery-free RFID for Advanced Reactors

To address an important need for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to significantly reduce the amount of the required cables for sensor data communications, this Phase I SBIR effort successfully developed and demonstrated a novel low-cost proof-of-concept prototype of a secure wireless sensor network backbone communications system. This system combines commercially available low power, low cost XBEE wireless communications network and passive (battery-free) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems to report individual sensor data and their location through the containment wall for rapid response to anomalies in nuclear facilities. This WIreless Sensing and Locating (WISLO) system network architecture allows non-intrusive wireless collection of sensor data with the sensor’s accurate location information from inside of the instrumentation or containment area with minimal need for power sources. The multi-node sensor data in the containment area is wirelessly transmitted to outside through the metal reinforced concrete walls without the need for any batteries. The WISLO system could be readily used in current reactor fleet and future advanced reactors, as well as in small modular reactors (SMR). The WISLO system is the first dual frequency battery-free trough the wall communications backbone system developed specifically for use in nuclear power plants. It not only can modernize the sensor monitoring practices in the existing reactor fleet, but also offers a secure, low-cost solution to advanced reactors and SMRs by removing cables and issues related to them such as cable integrity, reporting delays, and installation and maintenance costs. The intent is to improve process safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness to the monitoring and maintenance process in current and future plants. As we address the next productization and manufacturing capabilities in the next phase, this system will serve the needs of many commercial and government applications in remote monitoring of sensor data that demand battery-free transmission of sensor data such as Internet-of-Things (IOT).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Electrical substation grid testbed for DLT applications of electrical fault detection, power quality monitoring, DERs use cases and cyber-events

Electrical utilities continue to deploy more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) inside and outside electrical substation, and are associated with customer-owned distributed energy resources (DERs). The integrity and confidentiality of data from these IEDs, like power meters and protective relays, is crucial. Blockchain technology could improve the resilience of microgrids by improving the security of data sharing. The penetration of customer-owned DERs (renewable energy sources) and the increasing deployment of IEDs can lead to integrate power system applications with Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). In this study, we implemented the electrical faulted phase detection and power quality monitoring algorithms with a Cyber Grid Guard (CGG) system using DLT. In addition, the DERs (wind turbine farms) use case and protective relay cyber-event tests were assessed, by using the CGG system with DLT. In the experimental model, the testbed was created by using a real-time simulator and CGG system with power meters/ protective relays in-the-loop. The data collected from the CGG system and IEDs were compared with the same time stamp source. These results had shown the successful assessment of protection, control and monitoring applications using a CGG system with DLT. In the future, the ESGT with DERs and the CGG system will be used in other power system applications, based on implementing smart contracts between electrical utilities with customer-owned DERs.

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The First Human Trial of Transoral Robotic Surgery Using a Single-Port Robotic System in the Treatment of Laryngo-Pharyngeal Cancer

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the DaVinci SP system for performing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: From October 2018 to April 2019, the medical records of 41 patients who underwent TORS using the DaVinci SP system were retrospectively reviewed. Results: During TORS, three robotic arms could be used to perform a geometric resection of the lesion in a narrow working space. The mean total operation time was 60 min, and the average time required to set up the robotic system was 10 min or less. All patients successfully underwent TORS. All robotic arms were inserted through a single port, which widened the working space around the patient’s head and allowed the operative assistant an easy approach to the patient during the operation. The joggle joint of the robotic arms aided easy manipulation within the confined working space. The joggle joints of the endoscopic arm were controlled through the navigation system, which was very helpful in securing superior visualization of the surgical site, especially in the area of the larynx and the hypopharynx. Conclusion: The study confirmed that the DaVinci SP system provided technical advantages above the Si and Xi systems for performing TORS. It was especially helpful in ensuring proper visualization of the surgical field and in performing precise surgery during surgery to the tongue base or the hypopharyngeal lesion.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

FY25 Electric Grid Security Annual Report

Sandia’s Electric Grid Security program advances a national vision of energy dominance and accessibility, while applying our national security -emphasis on ensuring of a secure, resilient, and affordable electric system for all users. Our achievements reflect a strategic approach combining technology development; modeling, simulation, and data analytics; and partnered demonstrations and outreach to further the adoption of advanced grid and storage technologies. Our FY25 efforts leverage the strengths of our partnerships—spanning Sandia’s core science and technology competencies as well as external technology leaders—to develop the solutions today which enable the grid of tomorrow. Key accomplishments in this report that support our strategy span our technical program areas and include: • New open-source analytical tools for systems -level planning and optimization, including significant advances to the QuESt analytical environment; • Further advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhanced grid operations and planning as we rise to the challenge of new large loads; • Development of solid-state power conversion technologies and a new medium-voltage research lab; • New technologies to assess wildfire vulnerabilities and mitigate potential impacts; • Advanced applications of new cybersecurity technologies with industry partners; • Contributions to understanding the impacts of electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbances on grid components; and • Digital twin development for hybrid microgrids with multiple generators, storage, and loads. This report indicates key areas of research and engagement and summarizes the impact of Sandia’s contributions through notable accomplishments, journal publications, patents, and technical conferences and presentations. It is provided with the hope that readers discover ways we can further team to create our modern grid and apply the outcomes of our efforts. The bulk of work described herein is funded by several offices within the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), including the Office of Electricity (OE); Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER); former offices such as the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Grid Deployment Office (GDO), the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), and other key programs at USDOE. As we continue to state in these annual reports, the contributors to our successes are too numerous to name here, though our team wishes to express our deep gratitude to the numerous program and project sponsors at the US Department of Energy, who often function equally as technical collaborators; our many partners in industry, academia, utilities, and other national labs; and fellow researchers and business partners at Sandia whose leadership and creativity have enabled the accomplishments described herein.

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Black Start of Unbalanced Microgrids Harmonizing Single- and Three-Phase Grid-Forming Inverters

As power systems are transforming with increasing penetrations of inverter-based resources (IBRs), system restoration using IBRs has drawn attention. Using distributed grid-forming (GFM) assets located near critical loads, either three-phase or single-phase, to establish microgrid voltages in the absence of a bulk grid, a distribution system could obtain high system survivability. For swift and secure recovery of a critical load in a single-phase lateral, local single-phase GFM inverters can form a microgrid, and then it can be combined with a neighbouring grid with the inverters remaining in GFM mode for voltage and frequency regulation until the bulk grid comes online. It leads to dynamic interoperation of single-phase GFM inverters with three-phase ones in the black start process. This paper studies the novel approach with electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations. To evaluate the potential and the technical challenges of the heterogeneous IBR-driven black start, three-phase and single-phase GFM inverter models are developed, including negative-sequence control for voltage balance and a phase-by-phase current limiter (three-phase) and current magnitude limiter (single-phase). To examine dynamic aspects of the black-start process, the EMT simulation also models transformer and motor dynamics emulating their inrush and startup behavior as well as network dynamics. Involvement of grid-following assets to facilitate the black-start process is also modeled. By allowing multiple GFM inverters to collectively black start without leader-follower coordination, regardless of phases, a system can achieve extreme resilience. An inverter-driven black start of a heavily unbalanced 2-MVA distribution feeder using 1 three-phase and 3 single-phase GFM inverters is demonstrated. The simulation shows the heterogeneous system can maintain stability with the single-phase GFM dynamics coupled with the three-phase one.

grid-forming inverter↗

Black Start of Unbalanced Microgrids Harmonizing Single- and Three-Phase Grid-Forming Inverters: Preprint

As power systems are transforming with increasing penetrations of inverter-based resources (IBRs), system restoration using IBRs has drawn attention. Using distributed grid-forming (GFM) assets located near critical loads, either three-phase or single-phase, to establish microgrid voltages in the absence of a bulk grid, a distribution system could obtain high system survivability. For swift and secure recovery of a critical load in a single-phase lateral, local single-phase GFM inverters can form a microgrid, and then it can be combined with a neighbouring grid with the inverters remaining in GFM mode for voltage and frequency regulation until the bulk grid comes online. It leads to dynamic interoperation of single-phase GFM inverters with three-phase ones in the black start process. This paper studies the novel approach with electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations. To evaluate the potential and the technical challenges of the heterogeneous IBR-driven black start, three-phase and single-phase GFM inverter models are developed, including negative-sequence control for voltage balance and a phase-by-phase current limiter (three-phase) and current magnitude limiter (single-phase). To examine dynamic aspects of the black-start process, the EMT simulation also models transformer and motor dynamics emulating their inrush and startup behavior as well as network dynamics. Involvement of grid-following assets to facilitate the black-start process is also modeled. By allowing multiple GFM inverters to collectively black start without leader-follower coordination, regardless of phases, a system can achieve extreme resilience. An inverter-driven black start of a heavily unbalanced 2-MVA distribution feeder using 1 three-phase and 3 single-phase GFM inverters is demonstrated. The simulation shows the heterogeneous system can maintain stability with the single-phase GFM dynamics coupled with the three-phase one.

grid-forming inverter↗

The Role of Innovation in the Electric Utility Sector

Innovation is essential for future power systems to be safe and secure, clean and sustainable, affordable and equitable, and reliable and resilient, according to a recent National Academies report. But state regulatory reforms are needed to encourage adoption of new technologies to support evolution of the nation’s power systems.1 Berkeley Lab's report, The Role of Innovation in the Electric Utility Sector, provides consumer, labor, utility, third-party provider, and clean technology consultant perspectives on this theme. To achieve state targets for clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions, some state regulatory utility commissions are exploring new approaches to spur innovation: -For utilities, regulatory and marketing flexibility, increased funding for demonstration projects, and performance-based ratemaking including multi-year rate plans -For third parties, ways to provide utility customers with innovative products and services directly Among the questions the report addresses: 1. How are consumer advocate views evolving with respect to innovative regulatory and ratemaking approaches? 2. How can utility decarbonization and grid modernization initiatives provide opportunities for local communities and workers to receive tangible benefits and facilitate community support for siting electricity infrastructure? 3. How are electric utilities partnering with technology companies to provide innovative energy management services and sustainable energy solutions for utility customers? 4. What regulatory innovations are public utility commissions exploring to enable third-party providers to participate in the transition to a modern electric system? 5. What regulatory changes are needed to enable innovative solutions from utilities and third parties at the necessary speed and scale to meet state decarbonization goals? The report is the 13th in the Future Electric Utility Regulation series, which taps leading thinkers to tackle complex regulatory issues for electricity. 1 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. The Future of Electric Power in the United States. The National Academies Press.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Ready for Renewables: Grid Planning and Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) in the Philippines

The Department of Energy of the Philippines launched the competitive renewable energy zones (CREZ) process to help achieve the country's goals of scaling up renewable energy generation on the power system and to ensure sustainable, secure, reliable, accessible, and affordable energy. The CREZ process identifies the most economic renewable energy resource areas so transmission planning and expansion can accelerate their development. By proactively focusing transmission expansion to these resource areas, renewable energy generation development obstacles such as transmission access, energy curtailment, land permitting (such as protected or high-slope areas), and regulatory barriers are easier to overcome thus, reducing risk for private sector renewable energy investment. This report is will cover the outputs of the CREZ process, the development of the outputs through stakeholder-driven coordination, and how this process will help the Philippines achieve their renewable energy goals.

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