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Structural and electronic changes in L⁢i 2 ⁢Ru⁢O 3 induced by lithium intercalation

Despite extensive research on oxide battery cathodes that transcend classical cationic redox activity, the detailed interplay between structural transformations and electronic redox processes remains insufficiently understood. We report a detailed study of the sequential structural and electronic changes in Li 2 RuO 3 upon lithium intercalation, characterized by powder x-ray and neutron diffraction alongside Ru and O K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and guided by operando synchrotron x-ray diffraction. During delithiation, Li 2 RuO 3 evolves from a well-defined monoclinic state to a complex trigonal phase via multiple intermediate structures, marked by significant changes in Ru-O bond distances that closely track the transition from a classical cationic redox to an unconventional process centered at oxygen states. Armed with high-quality atomic structural descriptions, computational models of the O K-edge XAS closely reproduce the experimentally observed spectral shifts. Lastly, we relate observations of electrochemical hysteresis with concurrent changes in the pathways of structural and electronic transitions. In conclusion, our results not only clarify the mechanisms underpinning voltage hysteresis in a model for lattice oxygen redox but also underscore the importance of structural fidelity in modeling redox behavior when this type of complex reactivity is present.

Li, Haifeng [Univ. of Illinois, Chicago, IL (Unite↗

Description of A 2.3 kW power transformer for space applications

The paper describes the principal features and special testing of a high-frequency high-power low-specific-weight (0.57 kg/kW) 2.3-kW electronic power transformer developed for space applications. The transformer is operated in a series resonant inverter supplying beam power to a 30-cm mercury ion thruster. High efficiency (above 98.5%) is obtained through careful detailed design. A number of unique heat removal techniques are discussed which control the winding temperature using only the available conductive cooling.

Hansen, I.↗

AC Susceptibility of BaZrO{sub 3} Nanoparticles Added YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} Superconductor Prepared via Coprecipitation Method

In this work, magnetic properties of polycrystalline samples YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} added with x mol.% of BaZrO{sub 3} (BZO) nanoparticles (x = 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0) were studied by AC susceptibility (ACS) measurement. The samples were prepared using coprecipitation (COP) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that all the samples were composed of Y-123 as the major phase and Y-211 as the secondary phase. XRD peak of BZO was also observed in the samples added with BZO nanoparticles. The intensity of the peak became higher with increasing amount of BZO addition indicating the presence of increased amount of the unreacted nanoparticles in the samples. The refined lattice parameters indicated that all the samples have an orthorhombic crystal structure without the occurrence of orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transformation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the samples have randomly distributed grains with irregular shape. The average grain size increased from 0.30 μ m for the pure sample to 0.50 μ m for the BZO addition of 7.0 mol.%. ACS measurement showed a slight decrease of onset critical temperature, T{sub c−onset} (< 1 K) with BZO addition. Both phase lock-in temperature, T{sub cj}, and coupling peak temperature, T{sub p}, remained relatively unchanged for BZO addition up to 3.0 mol.%. Based on the Bean critical state model, the calculated intergranular critical current density, J{sub cm}, for the pure sample is 1.88 A/cm{sup 2} at T{sub p} = 84.8 K. For the sample added with 7.0 mol.% of BZO, J{sub cm} at T{sub p} = 83.6 K is 1.95 A/cm{sup 2}.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

3D Printing of Solution‐Processable 2D Nanoplates and 1D Nanorods for Flexible Thermoelectrics with Ultrahigh Power Factor at Low‐Medium Temperatures

Abstract Solution‐processable semiconducting 2D nanoplates and 1D nanorods are attractive building blocks for diverse technologies, including thermoelectrics, optoelectronics, and electronics. However, transforming colloidal nanoparticles into high‐performance and flexible devices remains a challenge. For example, flexible films prepared by solution‐processed semiconducting nanocrystals are typically plagued by poor thermoelectric and electrical transport properties. Here, a highly scalable 3D conformal additive printing approach to directly convert solution‐processed 2D nanoplates and 1D nanorods into high‐performing flexible devices is reported. The flexible films printed using Sb 2 Te 3 nanoplates and subsequently sintered at 400 °C demonstrate exceptional thermoelectric power factor of 1.5 mW m −1 K −2 over a wide temperature range (350–550 K). By synergistically combining Sb 2 Te 3 2D nanoplates with Te 1D nanorods, the power factor of the flexible film reaches an unprecedented maximum value of 2.2 mW m −1 K −2 at 500 K, which is significantly higher than the best reported values for p‐type flexible thermoelectric films. A fully printed flexible generator device exhibits a competitive electrical power density of 7.65 mW cm −2 with a reasonably small temperature difference of 60 K. The versatile printing method for directly transforming nanoscale building blocks into functional devices paves the way for developing not only flexible energy harvesters but also a broad range of flexible/wearable electronics and sensors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Role of Curvature in Stabilizing Boron-Doped Nanocorrugated Graphene

Boron-doped carbon nanostructures have attracted great interest recently because of their remarkable electrocatalytic performance comparable to or better than that of conventional metal catalysts. In a previous work (Carbon 123, 605 (2017)), we reported that along with significant performance improvement, B doping enhances the oxidation resistance of few-layer graphene (FLG) that provides increased structural stability for intermediate-temperature fuel-cell electrodes. In general, detailed characterization of the atomic and electronic structure transformations that occur in B-doped carbon nanostructures during fuel-cell operation is lacking. In this work, we use aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, nanobeam electron diffraction, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) to characterize the atomic and electronic structures of B-doped FLG before and after fuel-cell operation. These data point to the nanoscale corrugation of B-doped FLGs as the key factor responsible for increased stability and high corrosion resistance. In conclusion, the similarity of the 1s to π* and σ* transition features in the B K-edge EELS to those in B-doped carbon nanotubes provides an estimate for the curvature of nanocorrugation in B-FLG.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Soft-Switching Solid-State Transformer With Reduced Conduction Loss

Solid-state transformers (SSTs) are a promising solution photovoltaic (PV), wind, traction, data center, battery energy storage system (BESS), and fast charging electric vehicle (EV) applications. The traditional SSTs are typically three-stage, i.e., hard-switching cascaded multilevel rectifiers and inverters with dual active bridge (DAB) converters, which leads to bulky passives, low efficiency, and high electromagnetic interference (EMI). This article proposes a new soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T). The S4T has full-range zero-voltage switching (ZVS), electrolytic capacitor-less dc link, and controlled dv/dt, which reduces EMI. The S4T comprises two reverse-blocking current-source inverter (CSI) bridges, auxiliary branches for ZVS, and transformer magnetizing inductor as a reduced dc link with 60% ripple. Compared with the prior S4T, an effective change on the leakage inductance diode is made to reduce the number of the devices on the main power path by 20% for significant conduction loss saving and retain the same functionality of damping the resonance between the leakage and resonant capacitors and recycling trapped leakage energy. The conduction loss saving is crucial, being the dominating loss mechanism in SSTs. Importantly, the proposed single-stage SST not only holds the potential for high power density and high efficiency but also has full functionality, e.g., multiport dc loads integration, voltage regulation, and reactive power compensation, unlike the traditional single-stage matrix SST. The S4T can achieve single-stage isolated bidirectional dc–dc, ac–dc, dc–ac, or ac–ac conversion. It can also be configured input-series output-parallel (ISOP) in a modular way for medium-voltage (MV) grids. Hence, the S4T is a promising candidate for the SST. The full functionality, e.g., voltage buck–boost, multiport, etc., and the universality of the S4T for the dc–dc, dc–ac, and ac–ac conversion are verified through the simulations and experiments of two-port and three-port MV prototypes based on 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs in dc–dc, dc–ac, and ac–ac modes at 2 kV.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Seniority-based coupled cluster theory

Doubly occupied configuration interaction (DOCI) with optimized orbitals often accurately describes strong correlations while working in a Hilbert space much smaller than that needed for full configuration interaction. However, the scaling of such calculations remains combinatorial with system size. Pair coupled cluster doubles (pCCD) is very successful in reproducing DOCI energetically, but can do so with low polynomial scaling (N{sup 3}, disregarding the two-electron integral transformation from atomic to molecular orbitals). We show here several examples illustrating the success of pCCD in reproducing both the DOCI energy and wave function and show how this success frequently comes about. What DOCI and pCCD lack are an effective treatment of dynamic correlations, which we here add by including higher-seniority cluster amplitudes which are excluded from pCCD. This frozen pair coupled cluster approach is comparable in cost to traditional closed-shell coupled cluster methods with results that are competitive for weakly correlated systems and often superior for the description of strongly correlated systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effect of Generation of Auger Duplexes

The physical mechanism underlying the effect of generation of Auger duplexes as a consequence of the electronic level transformation in the case of local energetic effect in the atoms of complex oxides is suggested. It has been established that the effect of the formation of Auger duplexes is independent of the type of radiation acting on an object and is determined by the energy of the affecting particles and by the time of irradiation leading to accumulation of the reactions induced by electrons (ions).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetic and magneto-transport studies of substrate effect on the martensitic transformation in a NiMnIn shape memory alloy

The effect of substrates on the magnetic and transport properties of Ni{sub 2}Mn{sub 1.5}In{sub 0.5} ultra-thin films were studied theoretically and experimentally. High quality 8-nm films were grown by laser-assisted molecular beam epitaxy deposition. Magneto-transport measurements revealed that the films undergo electronic structure transformation similar to those of bulk materials at the martensitic transformation. The temperature of the transformation depends strongly on lattice parameters of the substrate. To explain this behavior, we performed DFT calculations on the system and found that different substrates change the relative stability of the ferromagnetic (FM) austenite and ferrimagnetic (FiM) martensite states. We conclude that the energy difference between the FM austenite and FiM martensite states in Ni{sub 2}Mn{sub 1.5}In{sub 0.5} films grown on MgO (001) substrates is ΔE = 0.20 eV per NiMnIn f.u, somewhat lower compared to ΔE = 0.24 eV in the bulk material with the same lattice parameters. When the lattice parameters of Ni{sub 2}Mn{sub 1.5}In{sub 0.5} film have values close to those of the MgO substrate, the energy difference becomes ΔE = 0.08 eV per NiMnIn f.u. These results suggest the possibility to control the martensitic transition in thin films through substrate engineering.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electronic properties of bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs): Tailoring the density of electronic states through MOF modularity

The development of porous well-defined hybrid materials (e.g., metal-organic frameworks or MOFs) will add a new dimension to a wide number of applications ranging from supercapacitors and electrodes to 'smart' membranes and thermoelectrics. From this perspective, the understanding and tailoring of the electronic properties of MOFs are key fundamental challenges that could unlock the full potential of these materials. In this work, we focused on the fundamental insights responsible for the electronic properties of three distinct classes of bimetallic systems, M x-y M' y -MOFs, M x M' y - MOFs, and M x (ligand-M' y )-MOFs, in which the second metal (M') incorporation occurs through (i) metal (M) replacement in the framework nodes (type I), (ii) metal node extension (type II), and (iii) metal coordination to the organic ligand (type III), respectively. We employed microwave conductivity, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, pressed-pellet conductivity, and theoretical modeling to shed light on the key factors responsible for the tunability of MOF electronic structures. Experimental prescreening of MOFs was performed based on changes in the density of electronic states near the Fermi edge, which was used as a starting point for further selection of suitable MOFs. As a result, we demonstrated that the tailoring of MOF electronic properties could be performed as a function of metal node engineering, framework topology, and/or the presence of unsaturated metal sites while preserving framework porosity and structural integrity. Finally, these studies unveil the possible pathways for transforming the electronic properties of MOFs from insulating to semiconducting, as well as provide a blueprint for the development of hybrid porous materials with desirable electronic structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Gaunt and Breit two-electron contributions to mean-field transformations and fine structure splitting

Materials utilized by novel energy systems are often studied using weakly correlated mean-field theories. However, if these systems incorporate heavy elements, relativistic effects must be included. Therefore, a Kramers unrestricted coupled cluster with singles and doubles excitation formalism within a molecular mean-field exact two-component framework (X2C mmf ) using a four-component Dirac–Hartree–Fock (DHF) reference state is presented. The exact X2C mmf transformed normal-order Hamiltonian incorporates all one-electron and two-electron (2e) contributions from the Coulomb, Gaunt, and Breit operators and is used with the equation of motion method to calculate the excitation energies of the alkali group of elements. Using this framework, the effects of 2e Gaunt and Breit integrals are studied. Results demonstrate growing contributions from these integrals to the generated X2C mmf mean-fields and electronic fine structure calculations with increasing atomic number. Overall, this paper outlines the method, its effect within the X2C mmf approach, and lays the foundation for future theoretical development of relativistic calculations within this framework.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effects of annealed temperature on the properties of TiO{sub 2} thin films

In this work, the structural, morphological and electrical properties of TiO{sub 2} thin films are studied. The phase transformation of TiO{sub 2} from anatase to rutile is occurred at a certain temperature. This transformation increases defects concentration onthe surface of the film which acts as trapping sites for carriers, thereby affecting the Fermi level of TiO{sub 2} film.Quantitative estimation of Fermi level shifting is measured in terms of work function measurement using scanning Kelvin probe measurement. Work function of TiO{sub 2} was found to decrease with increasing annealed temperature indicating shifting of Fermi level towards conduction band. Position of Fermi level plays an important role in phase transformation and electronic properties of TiO{sub 2}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Imaging Coherent Structural Dynamics with Ultrafast Electron Microscopy

Development of ultrafast electron and X-ray scattering methods has enabled direct routes to probing atomic-scale structural dynamics. This in turn has led to new insight into lattice responses to a variety of dynamic processes associated with phase transformations, electron-lattice correlations, and nanoscale mechanical motion, to name a few. Presently, the most wide-spread approaches involve using table-top, laser-driven electron-scattering chambers or femtosecond (fs) X-ray beamlines to probe dynamics in reciprocal space and, in many instances, over specimen regions that are large relative to unit-cell dimensions and discrete (atomic and nanoscale) structural and morphological defects (e.g., vacancies, line and screw dislocations, grain boundaries, interfaces, etc.). As a result, the transients monitored for relatively large-spot-size reciprocal-space measurements – typically some aspect of a Bragg reflection (intensity, position, width, shape) – may be comprised of a range of responses occurring within the probed region. To directly resolve the role of distinct morphologies and structural features on dynamics associated with the nucleation, emergence, evolution, and decay of coherent phenomena, one would ideally directly image the local, nanoscale behaviors and precisely correlate responses to the nature of the feature. Here, I will show how such effects can be directly probed with ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM). After a brief overview of the operating principles of UEM, I will discuss how we are using real-space imaging to directly visualize coherent structural dynamics in a variety of nanostructured and nanoscale materials.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Circuit for Full Charging of Series Lithium-Ion Cells

An advanced charger has been proposed for a battery that comprises several lithium-ion cells in series. The proposal is directed toward charging the cells in as nearly an optimum manner as possible despite unit-to-unit differences among the nominally identical cells. The particular aspect of the charging problem that motivated the proposal can be summarized as follows: During bulk charging (charging all the cells in series at the same current), the voltages of individual cells increase at different rates. Once one of the cells reaches full charge, bulk charging must be stopped, leaving other cells less than fully charged. To make it possible to bring all cells up to full charge once bulk charging has been completed, the proposed charger would include a number of top-off chargers one for each cell. The top-off chargers would all be powered from the same DC source, but their outputs would be DC-isolated from each other and AC-coupled to their respective cells by means of transformers, as described below. Each top-off charger would include a flyback transformer, an electronic switch, and an output diode. For suppression of undesired electromagnetic emissions, each top-off charger would also include (1) a resistor and capacitor configured to act as a snubber and (2) an inductor and capacitor configured as a filter. The magnetic characteristics of the flyback transformer and the duration of its output pulses determine the energy delivered to the lithium-ion cell. It would be necessary to equip the cell with a precise voltage monitor to determine when the cell reaches full charge. In response to a full-charge reading by this voltage monitor, the electronic switch would be held in the off state. Other cells would continue to be charged similarly by their top-off chargers until their voltage monitors read full charge.

Ott, William E.↗

Heterobimetallic multi-site concerted proton electron transfer (MS-CPET) promotes coordination-induced O–H bond weakening

Coordination-induced bond weakening of X–H bonds (X = O, N, C) has been observed in a number of low-valent transition metal compounds. However, the impact of an appended electron reservoir on the bond dissociation free energy of the O–H bond (BDFE O–H ) of a substrate bound to a d 0 metal is poorly understood. To gain insight into the ability of separated deprotonation and oxidation sites to decrease the BDFE O–H during proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions, a bimetallic system in which the sites of proton and electron loss are two distinct metal sites is described. Herein, the interconversion of tris(phosphinoamide) Zr/Co complexes HO–Zr(MesNP i Pr 2 ) 3 CoCN t Bu and O$≡$Zr(MesNP i Pr 2 ) 3 CoCN t Bu via hydrogen atom addition/abstraction was studied. Since the Zr center remains in the d 0 Zr IV state throughout these transformations, the electron transfer process is mediated by the appended redox-active Co 0/I center. A series of open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements on the HO–Zr(MesNP i Pr 2 ) 3 CoCN t Bu and O$≡$Zr(MesNP i Pr 2 ) 3 CoCN t Bu complexes was performed, from which the BDFE O–H was found to be 64 ± 1 kcal mol −1 . The BDFE O–H value was further verified through a series of stoichiometric H atom transfer reactions, stoichiometric protonation/deprotonation reactions, and computational studies.

Chemistry↗

The effective penetration distance of ultrahigh-energy electrons and photons traversing a cosmic blackbody photon gas

The effective average energy loss for an energetic (at least about 10 to the 15th power eV) particle traversing the microwave background radiation is evaluated. Electron-photon transformations by Compton scattering and pair production (in photon-photon collisions) are computed, with the energy loss considered to be carried away by the least energetic of the outgoing particles. Considering the most energetic of the outgoing particles as the high-energy particle, the relative probability and mean time for the particle to be a photon or electron (or positron) is evaluated. The effects of synchrotron losses for electrons and positrons are emphasized and compared with Compton losses to determine a critical energy (for given magnetic field) above which synchrotron losses dominate. Magnetic deflections are also treated for the case where the magnetic field is disordered, having a characteristic 'cell' size.

Gould, R. J.↗

SiC-Based 5-kV Universal Modular Soft-Switching Solid-State Transformer (M-S4T) for Medium-Voltage DC Microgrids and Distribution Grids

Medium-voltage DC (MVDC) grids are attractive for electric aircraft and ship power systems, battery energy storage system (BESS), fast charging electric vehicle (EV), etc. Such EV or BESS applications need isolated bidirectional MVDC to LVDC or LVAC converters. However, the existing Si-based solutions cannot fulfill the requirements of a high-efficiency and robust converter for MVDC grids. This paper presents a 5 kV SiC-based universal modular solid-state transformer (SST). This universal current-source SST can interface either a LVAC or LVDC grid with a MVDC grid in single-stage power conversion, while the conventional dual active bridge (DAB) converter needs an additional inverter. The proposed SST module using 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs and diodes is bidirectional and can serve as a building block in series or parallel for higher-voltage higher-power systems. The topology of each module is based on the soft-switching solid-state transformer (S4T) with reduced conduction loss, which features reduced EMI through controlled dv/dt, and high efficiency with full-range ZVS for main devices and ZCS for auxiliary devices. Operation principle of the modular S4T (M-S4T), capacitor voltage balancing control between the cascaded modules, design of components including a medium-voltage (MV) medium-frequency transformer (MFT) to realize a 50 kVA 5 kV DC to 600 V DC or 480 V AC M-S4T are presented. Importantly, the MV MFT prototype achieves very low leakage inductance (0.13%) and 15 kV insulation with coaxial cables and nanocrystalline cores. Here, the proposed universal modular SST is compared against the DAB solution and verified with DC-DC and DC-AC simulation and 4 kV experimental results. Significantly, the MV experimental results of a modular DC transformer with each module at MVDC are rarely covered in the literature and reported for the first time.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Modular Controllable Transformers (MCT)

Large Power Transformers (LPTs) are at the heart of the electricity infrastructure and are critical pieces in today’s grid. Aging assets, long turn-around times, transportation delays and dependence on foreign manufacturing for these components have created conditions for points of failure across the system. Moreover, there is no available dynamic control on these passive sections of the grid. For all the automation embedded on the low voltage side of the low voltage side of the system there is absolutely no flexibility on the high voltage side. Changes in power flow patterns are brought about by altering dispatch patterns for generators which requires a coordinated effort and is often time consuming. Traditional FACTS based approaches such as UPFC or HVDC light involve massive modifications to the existing infrastructure. Recent instances of physical attacks on LPTs and the slow recovery process associated with fixing or replacing these damaged units has created an increased awareness for this issue. LPT designs are highly customized owing to specific field requirements. Long lead times coupled with transportation delays make procuring and installing LPTs a lengthy process. In an attempt to minimize the recovery time following an LPT failure, transformer manufacturers have developed mobile transformer units. These units typically consist of either a single-phase or three-phase transformer mounted on a truck and characterized by compact form factors. By reducing the assembly time and transport time these units offer a fast and temporary solution to LPT failures. Several efforts led by DOE, Edison Electric Company (EEI) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) have led to the RecX program. RecX transformers consist of single phase transformers transported on specialized assemblies to enable fast restoration and minimal installation time. NERC and EEI have instituted transformer sharing programs like Spare Equipment Database (SED) as well as Spare Transformer Equipment Database (STEP) which encourage utilities to maintain and share a fleet of LPTs. Mobile transformers are typically limited to less than 100 MVA to enable transportation on a trailer. Also, the efficiency of mobile transformer units and RecX transformers is lower since they are temporary solutions. The ideal replacement solution would be one that could utilize a set of standardized transformers while incorporating flexibility to influence metrics like power flow, apparent impedance and voltage profiles. In view of these issues the team at Georgia Tech proposed a concept called Modular Controllable Transformers (MCTs). This project was commissioned as a part of DOE’s Transformer Resiliency and Advance Component (TRAC) program. The approach consists of splitting one large unit rated upwards of 100 MVA with smaller modular, standardized units. Each of these smaller units are augmented with a converter to add power flow, voltage and impedance control. Splitting the power level into multiple units has two important implications. By making smaller units, the transportation times can be reduced drastically. Moreover, even though these units have very specific impedance and other parameters, the augmented converters can make it emulate the unit being replaced. Thus, faster replacement times and added controls are achieved making this an extremely resilient approach. In the event of one modular units failure, the other two controllable units can operate in the most resilient fashion keeping the net system overloads to a minimum. Moreover, for the same probability of failure only a fraction of the system capacity is lost. The converter is augmented on to the tertiary winding of the transformer making it retrofittable in the field without massive modifications to the system. The material proposed in this report highlights design considerations to minimize recovery time as well as results displaying overall improvement in resiliency. The cost analysis of this approach shows significant savings compared to UPFC and HVDC lite based approaches. Extensive analysis was conducted on numerous aspects of this project over the course of this project. Simulation studies were conducted to prove the 5MVA converter design. Challenging BIL constraints and transient issues were addressed over the course of this project. Simulations on EMTP platform presented in consequent sections were used to finely tune the control for the same. A final design for a back-to-back 5MVA neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converter was completed in this project. Furthermore, switching components like high power IGBTs from IXYS Westcode Press-Pack series and ABB Stackpack series were identified for this application. These devices exhibit a blocking voltage of 6.5 kV and a nominal collector current of 900 A. Potential housing options as well as existing commercial option were identified for this converter design. A 56 MVA modular transformer unit was designed with Delta Star Inc. with consultation and inputs from all project members. The transformer cooling systems were chosen to be Oil Natural Air Forced (ONAF) to optimize ease of transport. A full Product Requirement Document (PRD) for the converter and the transformer was generated. The team also investigated key aspects of resiliency and how to quantify the same. A metric was developed to analyze resiliency and numerous simulation cases were presented. Increased (N-1) resiliency and outage resistance was showcased through simulation on the Texas Large scale power system. Dynamic control capabilities were also showcased on numerous system level simulations. An IEEE 30 bus system was used to show the ability of the MCT approach to reduce line congestion. Power flow control; a part of the MCTs abilities, showcased a 29% reduction in transformer loading on the same system. Full control over tie line flows was demonstrated on a modified IEEE 13 bus system. Dynamic LTC capabilities were shown through simulation and were compared to traditional LTCs. Furthermore, the ability of the MCTs to alter apparent transformer impedance was simulated to promote standardization of modular transformer units while retaining the ability to emulate a varied range of impedance characteristics. Thus granular control over power flow, voltages, impedances and was presented. Regulatory analysis conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) further bolstered the efficacy of the MCT approach and verified the added resiliency achieved due to this approach. As a conclusion, it was proved that the resilience improvement obtained from using the MCT approach is justified by just one failure in a 30-year period. This means that the benefits obtained from using the MCT approach far outweigh the cost of setting this approach up. As a part of the future efforts, the team is proposing building a (12.47-24) kV/400 kVA scaled down unit to control 5MVA of power flows. Emphasis would be laid on using commercial components to speed up the build of these units. Further the actual transport of the modular transformer unit would be a part of this operation and would provide insight into transportation issues. The approach shows much promise and adds key dynamic control on passive sub transmission and transmission sectors.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗