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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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At least 1,279 records · Page 71
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Implementation of a Grid Connected Battery-Inverter Fleet Model

Batteries are designed to store electrical energy. The increasing variation in time value of energy has driven the use of batteries as controllable distributed energy resources (DER). This is enabled though low-cost power electronic inverters that are able to precisely control charge and discharge. This paper describes the software implementation of an open-source battery inverter fleet models in python. The Sandia BatterylnverterFleet class model can be used by scientists, researchers, and engineers to perform simulations of one or more fleets of similar battery-inverter systems connected to the grid. The program tracks the state- of-charge of the simulated batteries and ensures that they stay within their limits while responding to separately generated service requests to charge or discharge. This can be used to analyze control and coordination, placement and sizing, and many other problems associated with the integration of batteries on the power grid. The development of these models along with their python implementation was funded by the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) project 1.4.2. Definitions, Standards and Test Procedures for Grid Services from Devices.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Variable frequency response testbed to validate protective relays up to 20 kHz☆

Microgrids operate in islanding or utility grid mode. In islanding mode, distributed energy sources with power electronics inverters can generate fault currents over a wide range of frequencies. To gain a better understanding of the nature of these events, it is crucial to measure currents at frequencies of up to 20 kHz at transient states with protective relays. Protective relays at these frequency responses should be tested prior to being installed in microgrids. However, testing at high-frequency currents cannot be done with Relay Test Equipment (RTE) that generate signals up to 50th Harmonic for 60 Hz (3 kHz). In this study, a frequency response method and testbed for high-frequency currents of up to 20.16 kHz was developed and tested. The testbed utilized a RTE and High-Frequency Power Source/ Amplifier. Furthermore, frequency relay experiments were run at frequencies of up to 1 and 20.16 kHz at a current magnitude of 0.1 and 0.5 A, respectively. The events were collected, and the current magnitude and frequency were plotted at time and frequency domain, respectively. The study of current magnitude and frequencies of up to 20.16 kHz for two overcurrent relays was performed and validated the variable frequency testbed and methodology.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Online Junction Temperature Monitoring Using Intelligent Gate Drive for SiC Power Devices

Junction temperature is a prime design/operation parameter, as well as, a main indicator of device's health condition for power electronics converters. Compared to its silicon (Si) counterparts, it is more critical for silicon carbide (SiC) devices due to the reliability concern determined by the immaturity of new material and packaging. This paper presents a practical implementation using an intelligent gate drive for online junction temperature monitoring of SiC devices based on turn-off delay time as the thermo-sensitive electrical parameter. First, the sensitivity of turn-off delay time on the junction temperature for fast switching SiC devices is analyzed. A gate impedance regulation assist circuit is proposed to enhance the sensitivity by a factor of 60 and approach 736 ps/°C tested in the case study with little penalty on the power conversion performance. Next, an online monitoring unit based on gate assist circuits is developed to monitor the turn-off delay time in real time with the resolution less than 104 ps. As a result, the micro-controller is capable of “reading” junction temperature during the converter operation. Finally, a SiC-based half-bridge inverter is constructed with an intelligent gate drive consisting of the gate impedance regulation circuit and online turn-off delay time monitoring unit. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed approach.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design and Development of a High Fidelity Cyber-Physical Testbed

In order to ensure that future critical infrastructure systems are resilient to various types of such advanced and persistent threats, it is important to develop and integrate tailored solutions that holistically address cyber-attack detection and mitigation in a timely manner such that adverse system impacts that impact a large population are avoided. Further, it is essential to create environments that allow control, protection and communication to exist within a realistic environment to analyze the effects of adverse conditions and system operating modes. This project aims to establish a high-fidelity testbed environment for modeling and simulating a single microgrid all the way up to a network of microgrids along with baseline controls, protection, and associated cyber communication. This is an important activity because accurately modeling and simulating the various power-electronics-based DERs and loads in a microgrid is critical to adequately capturing their behaviors over a wide range of off-normal conditions, as well as to evaluate the resilience of the system using the developed controls. The work presented in this report focuses on the process of building this high-fidelity testbed and the associated experimentation it enables. The model enables the creation of high-fidelity use cases and associated datasets that have been used extensively within the initiative to study resilience and support novel control development and prototyping. The work heavily leverages existing capability that is part of the high-fidelity cyber-physical system experimentation lab to create a power hardware-in-the-loop setup. The report also details the creation of an automated model building platform that can enable high-fidelity real-time models to be built without much effort allowing existing low-fidelity models to be analyzed in higher fidelity. Lastly, the report also discusses efforts center around scaling to large complex power system models to make the experimentation more effective.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Energy harvesting from vibration with cross-linked polypropylene piezoelectrets

Piezoelectret films are prepared by modification of the microstructure of polypropylene foam sheets cross-linked by electronic irradiation (IXPP), followed by proper corona charging. Young’s modulus, relative permittivity, and electromechanical coupling coefficient of the fabricated films, determined by dielectric resonance spectra, are about 0.7 MPa, 1.6, and 0.08, respectively. Dynamic piezoelectric d{sub 33} coefficients up to 650 pC/N at 200 Hz are achieved. The figure of merit (FOM, d{sub 33} ⋅ g{sub 33}) for a more typical d{sub 33} value of 400 pC/N is about 11.2 GPa{sup −1}. Vibration-based energy harvesting with one-layer and two-layer stacks of these films is investigated at various frequencies and load resistances. At an optimum load resistance of 9 MΩ and a resonance frequency of 800 Hz, a maximum output power of 120 μW, referred to the acceleration g due to gravity, is obtained for an energy harvester consisting of a one-layer IXPP film with an area of 3.14 cm{sup 2} and a seismic mass of 33.7 g. The output power can be further improved by using two-layer stacks of IXPP films in electric series. IXPP energy harvesters could be used to energize low-power electronic devices, such as wireless sensors and LED lights.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Electric Drive Technologies Research: ELT223 Component Modeling, Co-Optimization, and Trade-Space Evaluation Annual Report

This project is intended to support the development of new traction drive systems that meet the targets of 100 kW/L for power electronics and 50 kW/L for electric machines with reliable operation to 300,000 miles. To meet these goals, new designs must be identified that make use of state-of-the-art and next-generation electronic materials and design methods. Designs must exploit synergies between components, for example converters designed for high-frequency switching using wide band gap (WBG) devices and ceramic capacitors. This project included: (1) a survey of available technologies; (2) investigating new technologies, that for example, reduce volume of thermal management or magnetic components; (3) the development of computer aided design tools that consider the converter volume, reliability, and electrical performance; (4) exercising the design software to evaluate performance gaps and predict the impact of certain technologies and design approaches, i.e. GaN semiconductors, ceramic capacitors, ceramic thermal management components, and select topologies; (5) building and testing hardware prototypes to validate models and concepts. The design tools enable co-optimization of the power module and passive elements and provide some design guidance. At the end of the project, new advanced computing methods, such as machine learning approaches, were considered.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A fiber-coupled dispersion interferometer for density measurements of pulsed power transmission line electron sheaths on Sandia’s Z machine

A fiber-coupled Dispersion Interferometer (DI) is being developed to measure the electron density of plasmas formed in power flow regions, such as magnetically insulated transmission lines, on Sandia National Laboratories (SNL’s) Z machine [D. B. Sinars et al., Phys. Plasmas 27, 070501 (2020)]. The diagnostic operates using a fiber-coupled 1550 nm CW laser with frequency-doubling to 775 nm. The DI is expected to be capable of line-average density measurements between ∼1013 and 1019 cm−2. Initial testing has been performed on a well-characterized RF lab plasma [A. G. Lynn et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 80, 103501 (2009)] at the University of New Mexico to quantify the density resolution lower limits of the DI. Initial testing of the DI has demonstrated line-average electron density measurements within 9% of results acquired via a 94 GHz mm wave interferometer for line densities of ∼1 × 1014 cm−2, despite significant differences in probe beam geometries. The instrument will next be utilized for measurements on a ∼1 MA-scale pulsed power driver {MYKONOS [N. Bennett et al., Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 22, 120401 (2019)] at SNL} before finally being deployed on SNL’s Z machine. The close electrode spacing (mm scale) on Z requires probe beam sizes of ∼1 mm, which can only be obtained with visible or near infrared optical systems, as opposed to longer wavelength mm wave systems that would normally be chosen for this range of density.

Hines, N. R. (ORCID:0000000315316465)↗
DOE OSTI2016

Charge state breeding experiences and plans at TRIUMF

At the Isotope Separation and ACceleration (ISAC) facility at TRIUMF, an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) has been set up for the charge state breeding of radioactive ions. In order to reduce background from stable ions generated in the ECRIS, several measures, including changing materials for the plasma chamber and the surrounding components, have been implemented. Further reduction has been achieved by using the post-accelerator chain as a mass filter. Since the implementation of those measures in 2013, physics experiments with accelerated radioactive isotopes of Rb, Sr, K, and Mg have been performed. In most cases, a charge breeding efficiency of several percent has been achieved. With the planned expansion of the isotope production capabilities at TRIUMF within the Advanced Rare IsotopE Laboratory project, two new target stations, one using photo-fission induced by a high-power electron beam at 50 MeV and the other one using 480 MeV protons as at ISAC, will be put into operation within the next 5 yr. Additionally, a new electron beam ion source (EBIS) based charge state breeding system will be installed. Background from such a source is expected to be much lower. The drawback is that for the efficient operation of such a system, pulsed beam operation is required, which makes the installation of an additional ion buncher in front of the EBIS necessary.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Extreme Two‐Phase Cooling from Laser‐Etched Diamond and Conformal, Template‐Fabricated Microporous Copper

Abstract This paper reports the first integration of laser‐etched polycrystalline diamond microchannels with template‐fabricated microporous copper for extreme convective boiling in a composite heat sink for power electronics and energy conversion. Diamond offers the highest thermal conductivity near room temperature, and enables aggressive heat spreading along triangular channel walls with 1:1 aspect ratio. Conformally coated porous copper with thickness 25 µm and 5 µm pore size optimizes fluid and heat transport for convective boiling within the diamond channels. Data reported here include 1280 W cm −2 of heat removal from 0.7 cm 2 surface area with temperature rise beyond fluid saturation less than 21 K, corresponding to 6.3 × 10 5 W m −2 K −1 . This heat sink has the potential to dissipate much larger localized heat loads with small temperature nonuniformity (5 kW cm −2 over 200 µm × 200 µm with <3 K temperature difference). A microfluidic manifold assures uniform distribution of liquid over the heat sink surface with negligible pumping power requirements (e.g., <1.4 × 10 −4 of the thermal power dissipated). This breakthrough integration of functional materials and the resulting experimental data set a very high bar for microfluidic heat removal.

Palko, James W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Electrical and structural characterization of in situ MOCVD Al2O3/β-Ga2O3 and Al2O3/β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 MOSCAPs

This study investigates the electrical and structural properties of metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors (MOSCAPs) with in situ metal-organic chemical vapor deposition-grown Al2O3 dielectrics deposited at varying temperatures on (010) β-Ga2O3 and β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 films with different Al compositions. The Al2O3/β-Ga2O3 MOSCAPs exhibited a strong dependence of electrical properties on Al2O3 deposition temperature. At 900 °C, reduced voltage hysteresis (∼0.3 V) with improved reverse breakdown voltage (74.5 V) was observed, corresponding to breakdown fields of 5.01 MV/cm in Al2O3 and 4.11 MV/cm in β-Ga2O3 under reverse bias. In contrast, 650 °C deposition temperature resulted in higher voltage hysteresis (∼3.44 V) and lower reverse breakdown voltage (38.8 V) with breakdown fields of 3.69 and 2.87 MV/cm in Al2O3 and β-Ga2O3, respectively, but exhibited impressive forward breakdown field, increasing from 5.62 MV/cm at 900 °C to 7.25 MV/cm at 650 °C. High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) revealed improved crystallinity and sharper interfaces at 900 °C, contributing to enhanced reverse breakdown performance. For Al2O3/β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 MOSCAPs, increasing Al composition (x) from 5.5% to 9.2% reduced net carrier concentration and improved reverse breakdown field contributions from 2.55 to 2.90 MV/cm in β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 and 2.41 to 3.13 MV/cm in Al2O3. The electric field in Al2O3 dielectric under forward bias breakdown also improved from 5.0 to 5.4 MV/cm as Al composition increased from 5.5% to 9.2%. The STEM imaging confirmed the compositional homogeneity and excellent stoichiometry of both Al2O3 and β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 layers. These findings demonstrate the robust electrical performance, high breakdown fields, and excellent structural quality of Al2O3/β-Ga2O3 and Al2O3/β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 MOSCAPs, highlighting their potential for high-power electronic applications.

Bhuiyan, A. F. M. Anhar Uddin (ORCID:0000000334212↗
DOE OSTI2026

Integration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems Into Artificial Intelligence Data Centers

This report presents the results of a techno-economic analysis (TEA) that evaluates the economic benefits of integrating solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems with artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The analysis was completed in two phases: a scoping-level analysis was performed to identify impactful integration opportunities, followed by a more detailed TEA. Results show that, due to their modularity, SOFC can meet the 99.999% availability requirement of data centers with minimal additional costs. Heat integration via absorption chillers decreases data center electricity consumption at the tradeoff of increased water consumption. Higher SOFC exhaust temperatures are important for achieving larger electricity savings. Finally, power electronics integration with SOFC direct current electricity can reduce electricity consumption by 9 percent and reduce water consumption by 6.4 percent.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Investigation of Various Transformer Topologies for HF Isolation Applications

High-frequency (HF) transformers are an essential part of many power electronic devices. The performance and behavior of HF transformers can greatly affect the efficiency and performance of all systems, particularly, from a parasitic parameter point of view. In this article, HF transformers' parasitic parameters, such as leakage inductances and parasitic capacitances, are analyzed using a novel analytical method, finite element method (FEM), and experimental measurements of different structures and winding arrangements. Also, the magnetic field, electric field, electric displacement field, and electric potential distribution within the transformers are simulated and analyzed. Four different HF transformers with E and U cores with different windings are designed and analyzed. Investigation outcomes help to classify structures according to the trade-off between leakage inductances and series parasitic capacitances. This information can later be used for the optimal selection and design of transformers as a function of their operating frequency for any power rating and voltage level. Moreover, 3-D FEM and experimental results validate the proposed methodology to be used for designing HF transformers in high-voltage/power applications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fast Charging Electric Vehicle Research & Development Project

The research and development project supported the engineering, design and implementation of on-road Electric Vehicle (“EV”) charging technologies. It included development of potential solutions for DC fast chargers (“DCFC”) capable of converting high voltage AC power to the DC power required by EVs. Additional development evaluated solutions related to the packaging of power electronic components and enclosure design, as well as for the design and evaluation of EV charging stations. Research compared different charging technologies to identify optimum applications in a municipal fleet. This project collected EV usage data and generated a report demonstrating that EVs, when supported by adequate charging infrastructure, are capable of replacing traditional internal combustion vehicles in many municipal applications. The project’s period of performance has demonstrated various methods of incorporating EVs into a municipal environment, and has identified three general categories for EV applications: Short Commute: Defined as EVs performing in limited duration, routine commutes. - Long Commute: Defined as tasks that require EVs to operate in longer daily mileage patterns. - Critical Needs: Defined as the need for EVs to be ready at every moment for indefinite periods. Together, the City of Charlottesville, VA (the “City”) and Aker Wade Power Technologies, LLC (“Aker Wade”) concluded that the EV has a viable position in many municipal fleets but with limited recommendation for use in Critical Needs applications such as Police fleets. The report also documented that, compared to internal combustion vehicles, BEVs have lower vehicle-related greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and contribute to a reduction of air pollution in urban areas. The enhanced integration of EVs in a municipal fleet can result in reduced demand for imported oil and reduced municipal operating costs. The conclusions indicated in the project’s Engineering Report (see Attachment A) are intended to assist future implementation of electric vehicle technology. They are based on the cited research and on the empirical data collected and presented. The report is not expected to represent the entire operating conditions of any of the equipment under consideration within this project, and tested equipment may operate differently under other conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Understanding Power Systems Protection in the Clean Energy Future

Wind and solar power and battery energy storage are often referred to as inverter-based resources (IBRs), which means they rely on power electronics (inverters) to generate grid-compatible electricity. This is unlike the fossil, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants that use spinning synchronous generators that have provided nearly all U.S. electricity until recently. Synchronous generators can inherently provide several services used to maintain a safe and stable grid and as they are replaced with IBRs it becomes important to understand how these services can be provided. One of these services is fault current, or the ability to inject large amounts of current during a short circuit. This current can easily be detected with low-cost equipment such as circuit breakers. IBRs do not inherently produce large amounts of fault current, and this may eventually require finding alternative sources of fault current or new system protection schemes. This document describes several alternative approaches to maintaining fault current protection and provide a safe, reliable power grid.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition of MgGeN2 films on GaN and sapphire

MgGeN2 films were synthesized using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition on GaN/c-sapphire templates and c-plane sapphire substrates. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was used to estimate the cation composition ratios. To mitigate magnesium evaporation, the films were grown at pyrometer temperature 745 °C with a wafer rotation speed of 1000 rpm. Growth rates were determined by fitting energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy spectra to film thicknesses using NIST DTSA-II software. The thickness estimates determined by this method were consistent with scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements done for selected samples. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed faceted surfaces indicative of a tendency toward three-dimensional growth. X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed that the films were highly crystalline and exhibited preferential orientation in alignment with the substrate. Atomic force microscopy measurements show that film thicknesses are consistent across samples grown on both GaN templates and sapphire substrates, with typical roughnesses around 10 nm. Transmittance spectra of films grown on double-side-polished sapphire substrates yielded band gaps of 4.28 ± 0.06 eV for samples exhibiting close-to-ideal stoichiometry. Comparison of the measured spectra with ab initio calculations are in good agreement both near the bandgap and at higher energies where excitation is into higher-lying bands. These findings provide insight into the growth and characterization of MgGeN2, contributing to the development of this material for potential applications in optoelectronics and power electronics.

Hu, Chenxi (ORCID:0000000236299660)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Robust Model Predictive Control for Attack Mitigation of Virtual Synchronous Generators (VSGs) in an Islanded Microgrid

With the increasing application of power converters in distributed energy systems, power electronics converters face an increasing number of cyber-attacks. To mitigate the cyber-attack impact on voltage source converters (VSCs) and microgrids, a robust model predictive control (RMPC) is proposed for virtual synchronous generators (VSG) in an islanded microgrid. This RMPC is designed to compensate for the frequency deviations, thus maintaining frequency stability of the whole islanded microgrid against cyber threats. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the proposed method, comparisons between the proposed method and the conventional VSC controller are provided in different attack scenarios.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Virtual Cable Impedance based Load Sharing in a Microgrid for Parallel Connected Grid Forming Converters

This paper presents a novel approach to power sharing between direct connected grid-forming converters, utilizing virtual cable impedance and droop-based outer loop control. To enhance stability, resistive droop is implemented, while virtual cable impedance with non-zero resistive and inductive components ensures improved power sharing. The inner loop controller employs a Lyapunov energy function to achieve superior dynamic performance. The proposed control architecture is validated through comprehensive modeling and real-time processor-in-the-loop simulations, demonstrating its robustness and efficiency under various operating conditions. The results highlight the potential of this control strategy to improve the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy systems. Additionally, a comparative analysis with traditional methods underscores the advantages of the proposed approach in terms of stability and performance. The proposed control architecture offers a scalable and flexible solution for grid-forming converters, enabling seamless integration of renewable energy sources. Its robustness and adaptability make it an attractive solution for real-world applications. Furthermore, the approach can be extended to other power electronic systems, enhancing overall system performance and efficiency. By providing a reliable and efficient control strategy, this paper contributes to the advancement of renewable energy systems and their adoption in the energy sector. The proposed control strategy has far-reaching implications for the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, enabling a more sustainable and efficient energy future. The overall system is modeled in MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS software domain.

grid forming converters (GFM)↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Structural and Ellipsometric Investigation of Thin Gallium Oxide Layers Deposited on Si by Means of Laser Deposition

The morphology of Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} layers deposited on a silicon substrate by pulse laser deposition is studied using scanning electron microscopy in the thickness range of 30–200 nm. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry in the wavelength range from 250 to 900 nm, the thickness of layers and dispersion of their optical parameters (complex pseudodielectric function ε, refractive and absorptive indices) have been determined and the fraction of voids has been estimated in the scope of the Bruggeman effective medium approximation. In the spectrum of the imaginary part ε{sub 2}, there is observed an increase in values in the region of energy E = 4.8 eV corresponding to the direct interband transition in the Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} structure. X-ray structure analysis showed the presence of peaks typical for the β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} structure. The results of the investigations can be used for the formation of wide-bandgap gallium oxide layers in developing devices of power electronics and in creating optoelectronic devices for the UV range.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗