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DOE OSTI2022

Survey and Benchmark of Benefits of High Voltage SiC Applications in Medium Voltage Power Distribution Grids

The main objective of this survey and benchmark study is to identify and document potential high-impact applications in today's and future medium voltage (MV) distribution grids that will significantly benefit from high voltage (HV) (i.e. > 3.3 kV) SiC-based power electronics equipment. In particular, it is desirable to identify applications that can utilize the high switching speed and high control bandwidth enabled by SiC-based equipment. Specifically, the benefits of using SiC are quantified through the benchmark analysis and design using simulation for the selected high-impact applications. In addition, to provide grid support services, it is necessary to consider grid requirements in the grid-connected converter's design. Therefore, the impact of grid requirements on the HV SiC-based grid-connected converter is evaluated.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Advanced Distributed Wind Turbine Controls Series: Part 4-Wind Energy in Microgrids – Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL)

In recent years, the technical capabilities and requirements for distributed wind turbines to provide ancillary services beyond maximum energy production has increased. Ancillary services, leveraged through advanced wind turbine controls, can support grid stability, reliability, and resilience. In the context of a microgrid, wind turbines can provide ancillary services that are useful in both islanded and grid-connected modes, as demonstrated in previous parts of this report series. This report focuses on how wind turbines with advanced controls and power electronics can support the stability of the microgrid during transitions from grid-connected to island mode, and back. This report documents simulation results from a model of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Flatirons Campus containing NREL's 600-kilowatt Controls Advanced Research Turbine. Using this turbine, we demonstrate through desktop simulation how a wind turbine can support the voltage and frequency of a microgrid during transitions - from making planned transitions seamless to keeping all loads online during some unplanned transitions to supporting black start in the event of an open transition (blackout).

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Advances in the Co-Simulation of Detailed Electrical and Whole-Building Energy Performance

This article describes recent co-simulation advances for the simultaneous modeling of detailed building electrical distribution systems and whole-building energy performance. The co-simulation architecture combines the EnergyPlus® engine for whole-building energy modeling with a new Modelica library for building an electrical distribution system model that is based on harmonic power flow. This new library allows for a higher-fidelity modeling of electrical power flows and losses within buildings than is available with current building electrical modeling software. We demonstrate the feasibility of the architecture by modeling a simple, two-zone thermal chamber with internal power electronics converters and resistive loads, and we validate the model using experimental data. The proposed co-simulation capability significantly expands the capabilities of building electrical distribution system models in the context of whole-building energy modeling, thus enabling more complex analyses than would have been possible with individual building performance simulation tools that are used to date.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Ceramic Heat Pipe for Thermal Management of a High Frequency Inductor

As the power density of electric machines and power electronics continues to increase to meet the demands of more electric aircraft, the thermal management of these devices becomes increasingly important. Ideally, the thermal management solution of the device should have high thermal conductivity and be electrically insulating so that it can be directly integrated with the device in question. Technical ceramics are a class of materials that meet these two requirements. Direct liquid cooling by submerging electric components in a dielectric fluid is an alternate option, but adds system complexity and may incur pumping loss. In this work, the thermal management solution for a high frequency inductor is presented. A conventional wicked heat pipe is designed that is made from a solid ceramic case with a sintered ceramic wick. This heat pipe can provide structural support for the core and windings and is electrically insulating, so it does not incur any additional eddy current losses from the high frequency magnetic fields. It does not require additional pumping power, because conventional wicked heat pipes are passive devices. In this paper, the manufacturing process of the ceramic heat pipe is also presented. It is shown that the sintering of large diameter spherical ceramic particles is difficult due to their high specific surface area and low surface free energy. To overcome this difficulty, a flux material was used to initiate liquid phase sintering. The results of the sintering trials show that for the 120 μm diameter α-Al2O3powder selected for the wick, the combination of 1650°C sintering temperature and the addition of 5 wt% talc sintered the porous matrix together sufficiently for use as a heat pipe wic

High-frequency Inductor↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Ceramic Heat Pipe for Thermal Management of a High Frequency Inductor

As the power density of electric machines and power electronics continues to increase to meet the demands of more electric aircraft, the thermal management of these devices becomes increasingly important. Ideally, the thermal management solution of the device should have high thermal conductivity and be electrically insulating so that it can be directly integrated with the device in question. Technical ceramics are a class of materials that meet these two requirements. Direct liquid cooling by submerging electric components in a dielectric fluid is an alternate option, but adds system complexity and may incur pumping loss. In this work, the thermal management solution for a high frequency inductor is presented. A conventional wicked heat pipe is designed that is made from a solid ceramic case with a sintered ceramic wick. This heat pipe can provide structural support for the core and windings and is electrically insulating, so it does not incur any additional eddy current losses from the high frequency magnetic fields. It does not require additional pumping power, because conventional wicked heat pipes are passive devices. In this paper, the manufacturing process of the ceramic heat pipe is also presented. It is shown that the sintering of large diameter spherical ceramic particles is difficult due to their high specific surface area and low surface free energy. To overcome this difficulty, a flux material was used to initiate liquid phase sintering. The results of the sintering trials show that for the 120 μm diameter α-Al2O3 powder selected for the wick, the combination of 1650°C sintering temperature and the addition of 5 wt% talc sintered the porous matrix together sufficiently for use as a heat pipe wick.

High frequency inductor↗

DOE OSTI2026

Data Center Power Systems: Architectures, Impact on Grid Reliability, Modeling Considerations, and Megawatt-Scale Hardware Testing [Slides]

This slide deck describes typical power systems of large datacenters along with reliability problems to bulk power systems from large-scale integration of datacenters. The slide deck covers the architecture of datacenter power systems, different power electronic converters used inside datacenters, their operation modes, and R&Dopportunities in maintaining grid stability.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Vertical van der Waals heterojunction diodes comprising 2D semiconductors on 3D β-Ga 2 O 3

Wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium oxide (Ga 2 O 3 ) have attracted much attention for their use in next-generation high-power electronics. Although single-crystal Ga 2 O 3 substrates can be routinely grown from melt along various orientations, the influence of such orientations has been seldom reported. Further, making rectifying p–n diodes from Ga 2 O 3 has been difficult due to lack of p-type doping. In this study, we fabricated and optimized 2D/3D vertical diodes on β-Ga 2 O 3 by varying the following three factors: substrate planar orientation, choice of 2D material and metal contacts. Furthermore, the quality of our devices was validated using high-temperature dependent measurements, atomic-force microscopy (AFM) techniques and technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations. Our findings suggest that 2D/3D β-Ga 2 O 3 vertical heterojunctions are optimized by substrate planar orientation (–201), combined with 2D WS 2 exfoliated layers and Ti contacts, and show record rectification ratios (>10 6 ) concurrently with ON-Current density (>10 3 A cm –2 ) for application in power rectifiers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2004

Innovative Technology Transfer Partnerships

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks to license its Advanced Tire and Strut Pressure Monitor (TSPM) technology. The TSPM is a handheld system to accurately measure tire and strut pressure and temperature over a wide temperature range (20 to 120 OF), as well as improve personnel safety. Sensor accuracy, electronics design, and a simple user interface allow operators quick, easy access to required measurements. The handheld electronics, powered by 12-VAC or by 9-VDC batteries, provide the user with an easy-to-read visual display of pressure/temperature or the streaming of pressure/temperature data via an RS-232 interface. When connected to a laptop computer, this new measurement system can provide users with automated data recording and trending, eliminating the chance for data hand-recording errors. In addition, calibration software allows for calibration data to be automatically utilized for the generation of new data conversion equations, simplifying the calibration processes that are so critical to reliable measurements. The design places a high-accuracy pressure sensor (also used as a temperature sensor) as close to the tire or strut measurement location as possible, allowing the user to make accurate measurements rapidly, minimizing the amount of high-pressure volumes, and allowing reasonable distance between the tire or strut and the operator. The pressure sensor attaches directly to the pressure supply/relief valve on the tire and/or strut, with necessary electronics contained in the handheld enclosure. A software algorithm ensures high accuracy of the device over the wide temperature range. Using the pressure sensor as a temperature sensor permits measurement of the actual temperature of the pressurized gas. This device can be adapted to create a portable calibration standard that does not require thermal conditioning. This allows accurate pressure measurements without disturbing the gas temperature. In-place calibration can save considerable time and money and is suitable in many process applications throughout industry.

Kohler, Jeff↗

DOE OSTI2021

Characterization of carrier behavior in photonically excited 6H silicon carbide exhibiting fast, high voltage, bulk transconductance properties

Abstract Unabated, worldwide trends in CO 2 production project growth to > 43-BMT per year over the next two decades. Efficient power electronics are crucial to fully realizing the CO 2 mitigating benefits of a worldwide smart grid (~ 18% reduction for the United States alone). Even state-of-the-art SiC high voltage junction devices are inefficient because of slow transition times (~ 0.5-μs) and limited switching rates at high voltage (~ 20-kHz at ≥ 15-kV) resulting from the intrinsically limited charge carrier drift speed (< 2 × 10 7 -cm-s −1 ). Slow transition times and limited switch rates waste energy through transition loss and hysteresis loss in external magnetic components. Bulk conduction devices, where carriers are generated and controlled nearly simultaneously throughout the device volume, minimize this loss. Such devices are possible using below bandgap excitation of semi-insulating (SI) SiC single crystals. We explored carrier dynamics with a 75-fs single wavelength pump/supercontinuum probe and a modified transient spectroscopy technique and also demonstrated a new class of efficient, high-speed, high-gain, bi-directional, optically-controlled transistor-like power device. At a performance level six times that of existing devices, for the first time we demonstrated prototype operation at multi-10s of kW and 20-kV, 125-kHz in a bulk conduction transistor-like device using direct photon-carrier excitation with below bandgap light.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Islanding Detection in Rural Distribution Systems

This paper summarizes the literature on detection of islanding resulting from distributed generating capabilities in a power distribution system, with emphasis on the rural distribution systems. It is important to understand the legacy technology and equipment in the rural distribution electrical environment due to the growth of power electronics and the potential for adding the new generations of intelligent sensors. The survey identified four areas needing further research: 1. Robustness in the presence of distribution grid disturbances; 2. the future role of artificial intelligence in the islanding application; 3. more realistic standard tests for the emerging electrical environment; 4. smarter sensors. In addition, this paper presents a synchro-phasor-based islanding detection approach based on a wireless sensor network developed by the University of Texas at Austin. Initial test results in a control hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) simulation environment suggest the effectiveness of the developed method.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2015

Defect-Enabled Electrical Current Leakage in Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes

The AlGaN materials system offers a tunable, ultra-wide bandgap that is exceptionally useful for high-power electronics and deep ultraviolet optoelectronics. Moseley et al. (pp. 723–726) investigate a structural defect known as an open-core threading dislocation or ''nanopipe'' that is particularly detrimental to devices that employ these materials. Furthermore, an AlGaN thin film was synthesized using metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition. Electrical current leakage is detected at a discrete point using a conductive atomic-force microscope (CAFM). However, no physical feature or abnormality at this location was visible by an optical microscope. The AlGaN thin film was then etched in hot phosphoric acid, and the same location that was previously analyzed was revisited with the CAFM. The point that previously exhibited electrical current leakage had been decorated with a 1.1 μm wide hexagonal pit, which identified the site of electrical current leakage as a nanopipe and allows these defects to be easily observed by optical microscopy. Moreover, with this nanopipe identification and quantification strategy, the authors were able to correlate decreasing ultraviolet light-emitting diode optical output power with increasing nanopipe density.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Discrete and Integrated Solutions for Hybrid PV Plants Without Momentary Cessation in Low SCR and High Penetration PE Grids

With the increased penetration of power electronic (PE) based loads and sources, advanced solutions may be required for the enhancement of grid stability in regions with low short circuit ratio (SCR) and high penetration PE grids. The requirement of advanced solutions arises from the gradual paradigm shift of the electric grid from the traditional electric machine dominant system to a high penetration of PE-based system. One of the major challenges with such systems in recent times is the momentary cessation during alternating current (ac) grid transmission faults. During momentary cessation, PE-based resources cease to operate, thus creating probable reliability challenges for the grid. In this paper, potential feasible options to provide continuity of operation during such scenarios are presented. The options are considered through identifying upgrades in existing and upcoming discrete development of photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS) termed as discrete hybrid PV plants. Additionally, an advanced concept of integrated development of PV and ESS connecting to ac transmission grid links called multi-port autonomous reconfigurable solar power plant (MARS) is evaluated. The developed new solutions are evaluated for different grid use cases and scenarios in PSCAD.

Marthi, Phani Ratna Vanamali↗

DOE OSTI2021

Modeling and analyzing parasitic parameters in high frequency converters

This research focuses on electromagnetic interference (EMI) / electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design and analysis in power electronics systems. To limit the EMI under the standards, different methods and strategies are investigated. Parasitic parameters of high frequency (HF) transformer are analyzed using a novel analytical method, finite element method (FEM), and experimental measurements for different structures and windings arrangements. Also, the magnetic field, electric field, electric displacement, and electric potential distribution are simulated and analyzed. Moreover, a high voltage system is considered and analyzed to improve the EMC. The EMI propagation paths are analyzed. The EMI noise level of the system is obtained and compared to the IEC61800-3 standard. To improve the EMC, the parasitic parameters of the transformer, as the main path of EMI circulation, are analyzed and optimized to block the propagation. Furthermore, the geometry structure of the HF transformer is optimized to lower the parasitics in the system. Three pareto-optimal techniques are investigated for the optimization. The models and results are verified by 3D-FEM and experimental results for several given scenarios. Furthermore, the EMC modeling and conducted EMI analysis are developed for a system including an AC-DC-DC power supply (rectifier and dual active bridge (DAB) converter). Moreover, the common mode (CM) EMI noise propagation through the system is discussed and the noise sources and effect of components on the noise are analyzed. Additionally, the CM impedance of different parts of the system and the noise levels are discussed. Finally, EMI attenuation techniques were applied to the system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2016

Investigating the Impact of Wind Turbines on Distribution System Stability

Modern wind turbines utilize power electronic converters to regulate their output and optimize their performance. Their impact on the distribution system is not as well understood as for transmission system. The novelty of this work is in studying the impact of wind turbines given its proximity to faults or severe voltage events, and the influence on system stability given its location relative to the substation (representing the conventional grid). This paper presents the frequency and voltage swing plots for various study scenarios. The responses are analyzed two fold - Steady state operation, and performance given a fault or voltage events occurs in the system. The findings are presented, with crucial differences from transmission systems highlighted.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Ultrawide bandgap semiconductor h-BN for direct detection of fast neutrons

III-nitride wide bandgap semiconductors have contributed on the grandest scale to many technological advances in lighting, displays, and power electronics. Among III-nitrides, BN has another unique application as a solid-state neutron detector material because the isotope B-10 is among a few elements that have an unusually large interaction cross section with thermal neutrons. A record high thermal neutron detection efficiency of 60% has been achieved by B-10 enriched h-BN detectors of 100 μm in thickness in our group. However, direct detection of fast neutrons with energies above 1 MeV is highly challenging due to the extremely low interaction cross section of fast neutrons with matter. We report the successful attainment of 0.4 mm thick freestanding h-BN 4"-diameter wafers, which enabled the demonstration of h-BN fast neutron detectors capable of delivering a detection efficiency of 2.2% in response to a bare AmBe neutron source. Furthermore, it was shown that the energy information of incoming fast neutrons is retained in the neutron pulse-height spectra. A comparison of characteristics between h-BN fast and thermal neutron detectors is summarized. Neutron detectors are vital diagnostic instruments for nuclear and fusion reactor power and safety monitoring, oil field exploration, neutron imaging and therapy, as well as for plasma and material science research. With the outstanding attributes resulting from its ultrawide bandgap (UWBG), including the ability to operate at extreme conditions of high power, voltage, and temperature, the availability of h-BN UWBG semiconductor detectors with the capability of simultaneously detecting thermal and fast neutrons with high efficiencies is expected to open unprecedented applications that are not possible to attain by any other types of neutron detectors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

Remote Off-grid Microgrid Design Support Tool (ROMDST) - An Optimal Design Support Tool for Remote, Resilient, and Reliable Microgrids Phase II - Final Report

The objective of the project is to develop an advanced optimization-based design support tool for AC or DC microgrids in remote locations, where utility grids may not be accessible. The mathematical model and the interface are being developed such that multiple design objectives and criteria/constraints can be easily enabled or disabled, to deliver a flexible tool relevant to a large, diverse user base, and to facilitate future feature developments. The new tool delivered by this project leverages the team’s extensive expertise in the development, testing, deployment, and commercialization of the state-of-the-art Distributed Energy Resources Customer Adoption Model (DER-CAM) – which is the foundation for the new tool. Phase I of the project leverages the microgrid design and decision support tool DER-CAM. Key Phase I developments include the following adaption to the DER-CAM model: a) AC or DC microgrid architectures, b) multiple economic objectives (e.g. single customer vs community vs utility perspective), c) constraints on fuel availability (e.g. total fuel available during outage periods), d) active and reactive power flow constraints for normal and N-1 contingency cases, e) component part load efficiencies (e.g. power electronic devices), and f) interactive data visualization capabilities (e.g. design topology elements). A component library including components’ default technical and economical characteristics was also developed. In Phase II, the project is focused on tool testing and validation, use for real-world microgrid designs, and outreach. Fully developing this tool will have the following impacts: 1) optimal off-grid microgrid designs that replace existing back of the envelope or non-optimal calculations, reducing capital costs and risk of microgrid deployment; 2) removing barriers to microgrid assessments by lowering microgrid soft costs, as the tool is freely usable; 3) reliable and resilient designs that reduce the cost of critical load shedding due to component outages.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2019

Remote Off-grid Microgrid Design Support Tool (ROMDST) - An Optimal Design Support Tool for Remote, Resilient, and Reliable Microgrids (Phase II, Final Report)

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2016

Slope and amplitude asymmetry effects on low frequency capacitively coupled carbon tetrafluoride plasmas

We report investigations of capacitively coupled carbon tetrafluoride (CF{sub 4}) plasmas excited with tailored voltage waveforms containing up to five harmonics of a base frequency of 5.5 MHz. The impact of both the slope asymmetry, and the amplitude asymmetry, of these waveforms on the discharge is examined by combining experiments with particle-in-cell simulations. For all conditions studied herein, the discharge is shown to operate in the drift-ambipolar mode, where a comparatively large electric field in the plasma bulk (outside the sheaths) is the main mechanism for electron power absorption leading to ionization. We show that both types of waveform asymmetries strongly influence the ion energy at the electrodes, with the particularity of having the highest ion flux on the electrode where the lowest ion energy is observed. Even at the comparatively high pressure (600 mTorr) and low fundamental frequency of 5.5 MHz used here, tailoring the voltage waveforms is shown to efficiently create an asymmetry of both the ion energy and the ion flux in geometrically symmetric reactors.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗