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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Distribution System Voltage Regulation by Distributed Energy Resources

This paper proposes a control method to regulate voltages in 3 phase unbalanced electrical distribution systems. A constrained optimization problem to minimize voltage deviations and maximize distributed energy resource (DER) active power output is solved by harmony search algorithm. IEEE 13 Bus Distribution Test System was modified to test three different cases: a) only voltage regulator controlled system b) only DER controlled system and c) both voltage regulator and DER controlled system. The simulation results show that systems with both voltage regulators and DER control provide better voltage profile.

Distributed energy resources↗
DOE OSTI2025

Physics-Informed Graph Neural Networks for Collaborative Dynamic Reconfiguration and Voltage Regulation in Unbalanced Distribution Systems

Network reconfiguration has long been employed as a strategic approach to minimize power distribution system losses and effectively regulate voltage levels. Tap-changing voltage regulators are also critical for controlling bus voltages, especially in accommodating the increasing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) with intermittent outputs. This paper introduces novel methodologies to address the challenges of dynamic reconfiguration and optimal tap setting in unbalanced three-phase distribution systems. We propose an approximated mixed-integer quadratically constrained program (MIQCP) to model dynamic reconfiguration, along with a pioneering formulation for voltage regulator (VR) tap-setting based on Special Ordered Set type 1 (SOS1). To mitigate computational complexity, we propose a physics-informed spatial-temporal graph convolutional network (STGCN) with an integrated link classifier. The proposed approach enables efficient solution generation by fixing specific variables in the MIQCP instance and solving the simplified sub-MIP using an MIP solver. Numerical studies demonstrate the superior prediction accuracy of our STGCN model compared to baseline neural network models, resulting in reduced DER curtailment and voltage deviation with shorter computation time.

dynamic reconfiguration↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Analysis of Distribution Network Voltage Regulation Using Smart Inverters

Smart inverters (SIs) have demonstrated their potential to provide grid services for both transmission and distribution systems. One of these grid services, distribution network voltage regulation by SIs, has the potential to improve network voltage regulation through controlling the reactive and active power output of the SIs. Voltage regulation by SIs will be distributed and might be better suited to controlling local conditions to complement traditional voltage-regulating assets, e.g., tap-changing transformers, capacitor banks, and line voltage regulators. There is a gap in the literature on comparing the SI response characteristics when the SIs are controlled by a local controller or external control signals. This paper presents an experimental study to characterize SI reactive power regulation responses to two different control methods: autonomous control and remote dispatch. We found that SI reactive power regulation responses exhibit important differences between these methods in terms of delays and ramp rate. Finally, power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of these two methods. The PHIL test results show that the SI response characteristics for autonomous control and remote dispatch need to be considered when planning for distribution network voltage regulation using SIs.

autonomous control↗
DOE OSTI2014

A SiC NMOS Linear Voltage Regulator for High-Temperature Applications

The first SiC integrated circuit linear voltage regulator is reported. The voltage regulator uses a 20-V supply and generates an output of 15 V, adjustable down to 10 V. It was designed for loads of up to 2 A over a temperature range of 25-225 degrees C. It was, however, successfully tested up to 300 degrees C. The voltage regulator demonstrated load regulations of 1.49% and 9% for a 2-A load at temperatures of 25 and 300 degrees C, respectively. However, the load regulation is less than 2% up to 300 degrees C for a 1-A load. The line regulation with a 2-A load at 25 and 300 degrees C was 17 and 296 mV/V, respectively. The regulator was fabricated in a Cree 4H-SiC 2-mu m experimental process and consists of 1000, 32/2-mu m NMOS depletion MOSFETs as the pass device, an integrated error amplifier with enhancement MOSFETs, and resistor loads, and uses external feedback and compensation networks to ensure operational integrity. It was designed to be integrated with high-voltage vertical power MOSFETs on the same SiC substrate. It also serves as a guide to future attempts for voltage regulation in any type of integrated SiC circuitry.

Valle-Mayorga, JA↗
DOE OSTI2024

PHIL Interface Design for Use With a Voltage-Regulated Amplifier

Power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) has emerged as a leading strategy to thoroughly assess the impact of proprietary inverter controls on a specific power system. The development of a PHIL test bed typically involves an inverter under test, a power amplifier, controllable DC supply, and a digital real-time simulator (DRTS) to simulate the power system under study. As a result of PHIL nonidealities, a form of digital compensation within the DRTS is used, which is commonly referred to as a PHIL interface. Many existing methods use legacy power amplifiers that do not contain internal voltage regulation. These existing interface methods are based around a voltage regulator within the DRTS and do not consider the interaction with the controls in newer amplifiers. In this study, a three-step approach of PHIL interface development for modern power amplifiers with built-in voltage regulation is introduced and is validated in hardware with a 30-kW grid-following inverter.

DRTS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Voltage Regulation Using a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator with a Series Compensator: Preprint

A wind power plant (WPP) is often operated at unity power factor, and the utility host where the WPP connects prefers to regulate the voltage. Although this may not be an issue in a stiff grid, the connection to a weak grid can be a problematic. This paper explores the advantages of having voltage regulation capability via reactive power control. Another issue in wind power generation is that not all turbines are able to control their reactive power due to technical reasons or contractual obligations. A synchronous condenser (SC) using a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is proposed to provide necessary reactive power for regulating voltage at a weak grid connection. A PMSG has the advantage of higher efficiency and reliability. Because of its lack of a field winding, a PMSG is typically controlled by a full-power converter, which can be costly. In the proposed system, the reactive power of the SC is controlled by a serially connected compensator operating in a closed-loop configuration. The compensator also damps the PMSG’s tendency to oscillate. The compensator’s VA rating is only a fraction of the rating of the SC and the PMSG. In this initial investigation, the proposed scheme is shown to be effective by computer simulations.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Incentive-Based Voltage Regulation in Distribution Networks

This paper considers distribution networks fea- turing distributed energy resources, and designs incentive-based mechanisms that allow the network operator and end-customers to pursue given operational and economic objectives, while concurrently ensuring that voltages are within prescribed limits. Two different network-customer coordination mechanisms that require different amounts of information shared between the network operator and end-customers are developed to identify a solution of a well-defined social-welfare maximization prob- lem. Notably, the signals broadcast by the network operator assume the connotation of prices/incentives that induce the end- customers to adjust the generated/consumed powers in order to avoid the violation of the voltage constraints. Stability of the proposed schemes is analytically established and numerically corroborated.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Tapless Voltage Regulating Transformer. Final Report

Voltage regulation is a common practice in power grid operation. The conventional voltage regulation methods have been facing ever increasing challenges as the penetration of renewable generations deepens in the grid. The intermittent nature of the renewable sources may result in sudden rise or drop of power generation, possibly breaking the generation-load balance. A lack of adequate voltage control not only affects the power quality but is detrimental to the system operation with the potential for large economic losses. Most conventional voltage regulation devices rely on mechanical tap changers to impose the regulation in a step-wise manner. Although sufficient for normal operations, the mechanical tap changers can be easily worn out in the challenging situations created by renewables. In this project, a novel technology called tapless voltage regulating transformer (TAREX) was proposed and investigated. It has the potential to excel at addressing the new voltage regulation challenges and replace the conventional regulating transformers. TAREX is based on the concept of the saturable-core reactor (SCR). The voltage of a TAREX can be smoothly and continuously regulated in a reasonable range by using a low rating power electronics based controller. It uses control of the transformer core magnetization to regulate the voltage on the windings, and thus eliminates the mechanical tap changer. This project is to prove the principle of TAREX, understand the voltage regulation mechanism, and preliminarily understand its impacts on the power systems through modeling, prototyping, and testing.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Impact of Distribution Feeders that do not have Voltage Regulators on the number of Charged Electric Vehicles using IEEE 34 Bus Test Feeder

Voltage regulators help maintain an acceptable voltage profile for the system. This paper discusses the effect of installing voltage regulators to the system to fix the voltage drop resulting from the electrical vehicles loading increase when they are being charged. The effect will be studied in the afternoon, when the peak load occurs, using the IEEE 34 bus test feeder. First, only one spot node is used to charge the electric vehicles while a voltage regulator is present. Second, five spot nodes are loaded at the same time to charge the electric vehicles while voltage regulators are installed at each node. After that, the impact of electric vehicles on distribution feeders that do not have voltage regulators will appear.

Allehyani, Ahmed↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optimal Sizing and Placement of Battery Energy Storage in Distribution System Based on Solar Size for Voltage Regulation

This paper proposes a new strategy to achieve voltage regulation in distributed power systems in the presence of solar energy sources and battery storage systems. The goal is to find the minimum size of battery storage and its corresponding location in the network based on the size and place of the integrated solar generation. The proposed method formulates the problem by employing the network impedance matrix to obtain an analytical solution instead of using a recursive algorithm such as power flow. The required modifications for modeling the slack and PV buses (generator buses) are utilized to increase the accuracy of the approach. The use of reactive power control to regulate the voltage regulation is not always an optimal solution as in distribution systems R/X is large. In this paper the minimum size and the best place of battery storage is achieved by optimizing the amount of both active and reactive power exchanged by battery storage and its gridtie inverter (GTI) based on the network topology and R/X ratios in the distribution system. Simulation results for the IEEE 14-bus system verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Optimal Operation and Dispatch of Voltage Regulation Devices Considering High Penetrations of Distributed Photovoltaic Generation

Voltage regulation devices have been traditionally installed and utilized to support distribution voltages. Installations of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution systems are rapidly increasing, and many of these generation resources have variable and uncertain power output. These generators can significantly change the voltage profile for a feeder; therefore, in the distribution system planning stage of the optimal operation and dispatch of voltage regulation devices, possible high penetrations of DERs should be considered. In this paper, we model the IEEE 34-bus test feeder, including all essential equipment. An optimization method is adopted to determine the optimal siting and operation of the voltage regulation devices in the presence of distributed solar power generation. Finally, we verify the optimal configuration of the entire system through the optimization and simulation results.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Comparison of DER Voltage Regulation Technologies Using Real-Time Simulations

Grid operators are now considering using distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide distribution voltage regulation rather than installing costly voltage regulation hardware. DER devices include multiple adjustable reactive power control functions, so grid operators have the difficult decision of selecting the best operating mode and settings for the DER. In this work, we develop a novel state estimation-based particle swarm optimization (PSO) for distribution voltage regulation using DER-reactive power setpoints and establish a methodology to validate and compare it against alternative DER control technologies (volt–VAR (VV), extremum seeking control (ESC)) in increasingly higher fidelity environments. Distribution system real-time simulations with virtualized and power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL)-interfaced DER equipment were run to evaluate the implementations and select the best voltage regulation technique. Each method improved the distribution system voltage profile; VV did not reach the global optimum but the PSO and ESC methods optimized the reactive power contributions of multiple DER devices to approach the optimal solution.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Automatic voltage regulation application for PV inverters in low-voltage distribution grids – A digital twin approach

This paper proposes a hierarchical coordinated control strategy for PV inverters to keep voltages in low-voltage (LV) distribution grids within specified limits. The top layer of the proposed architecture consists of the designed automatic voltage regulation (AVR) application, which has access to voltage measurements and grid parameters from the LV distribution grid, both current and historical. The AVR application solves a constrained optimization problem, which provides a set of local control set-points that bring the voltage across the grid within bounds. The middle layer consists of a local Volt/VAR controller, which is adjusted by the AVR app, while the bottom layer is the inner-loop controller of the PV inverter. The proposed method not only improves the voltage quality in the grid but also manages the reactive power outputs of PV inverters efficiently. Further, a digital twin of the cyber-physical system has also been employed that interacts with the control system to ensure its appropriate operation. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated on a representative low-voltage feeder located in Denmark.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Setting operating points for circuits in an integrated circuit chip using an integrated voltage regulator power loss model

An apparatus includes an integrated circuit chip with a set of circuits having two or more subsets of circuits; an external voltage regulator separate from the integrated circuit chip; two or more integrated voltage regulators on the integrated circuit chip that each provide an input voltage to a respective subset of the circuits; and a controller. The controller determines, using an integrated voltage regulator power loss model, an electrical power loss for the integrated voltage regulators for a first combination of operating points for the subsets of the circuits. The controller then determines, based on the electrical power loss, a second combination of operating points for the subsets of the circuits that includes an adjustment to an operating point for at least one of the subsets of the circuits that compensates for an electrical power loss of the corresponding integrated voltage regulator. The controller sets an operating point of each of the subsets of the circuits based on the second combination of operating points.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Limiter-aware adaptive excitation control for hydropower generators with legacy voltage regulation systems

Hydropower units often rely on legacy excitation systems with fixed automatic voltage regulator (AVR) settings, but parameter drift, changing operating conditions, and evolving grid-service demands can degrade terminal-voltage regulation over time. This problem should be addressed because poor voltage regulation affects reactive-power support, system stability, and reliable plant operation, and replacing installed AVR and limiter logic is costly and disruptive in practice. To address this issue, this paper proposes a retrofit-friendly enhancement for hydropower generator excitation systems that combines adaptive tuning of the AVR middle lead–lag branch with a small proportional-integral correction for removing steady bias and slow drift. The adaptive laws are normalized, projection-bounded, and equipped with leakage, while adaptation is enabled only in the middle branch. Thus, the intent of the underexcitation and overexcitation limiters, as well as legacy current and rate limits, remains unchanged. Stability is analyzed under incremental performance assumptions, yielding boundedness and asymptotic tracking in the absence of saturation. The method is evaluated using real operational data from a utility-scale hydropower unit at Rocky Reach Dam, Unit C-8. Compared with the fixed AVR baseline, the proposed method reduces terminal-voltage mean squared error by about 70%, removes long periods of steady-state bias, and improves transient tracking while coexisting with limiter actions. These results show that substantial voltage-control improvement can be achieved on existing hydropower units with minimal integration effort and without replacing the installed AVR structure.

ESST5B model↗