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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Decoupling Power Quality Issues in Grid-Microgrid Network Using Microgrid Building Blocks

Microgrids are evolving as promising options to enhance reliability of the connected transmission and distribution systems. Traditional design and deployment of microgrids require significant engineering analysis. However, Microgrid Building Blocks (MBB), consisting of modular blocks that integrate seamlessly to form effective microgrids, are promising technologies to enable faster and broader adoption of microgrids. Back-to-Back converter placed at the point of common coupling of microgrid is an integral part of MBB. This paper presents applications of MBB to decouple power quality issues in grid-microgrid network serving power quality sensitive critical loads such as data centers, new grid-edge technologies such as vehicle-to-grid generation, and emergency condition loads such as electric vehicle charging loads during evacuation prior disaster events. Simulation results show that MBB effectively decouple the power quality issues across networks and allow network with low power quality to transfer high-power quality power to connected networks during emergency conditions.

Acharya, Samrat S. [BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Artificial Neural Network-based State Estimation for Low Observable, Unbalanced Microgrids for Microgrid Building Blocks

The microgrid building blocks (MBB) were proposed as microgrid components with combined sub-components with power conversion, communication, and microgrid control capability, or a subset of such sub-components. This work addresses the microgrid controller, present in an MBB, which requires accurate state estimation to perform its tasks, including for monitoring, power flow (dispatch), fault detection, etc. In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN)-based framework for state estimation is proposed for an MBB, especially for unbalanced and low observable microgrids. To overcome the challenge of low observability in unbalanced systems, a concept of extended adjacent matrix is introduced to reduce the required number of measurements for state estimation. Addressing the challenges, a feed forward neural network (FNN) is utilized to enhance estimation accuracy and reliability with the reduced number of measurements. The proposed state estimation is validated through extensive simulations on a microgrid, which was achieved from the modified IEEE 34-bus distribution test feeder with multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) and demonstrated superior performance in estimation accuracy and low observability.

Choi, Jongchan↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microgrid Building Block Architecture, and Subcomponents Modeling and Demonstration in Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop

The recently proposed Microgrid Building Blocks (MBB) are ready-to-use components to build microgrids quickly, cheaply, and modularly. This work presents and demonstrates in controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) three key subcomponents of an MBB architecture: power converter topology, control scheme, and communication framework. The addressed architecture aims for systems interconnection such as microgrid to grid and microgrid to microgrid. This paper studies each subcomponent in detail and validates the efficacy of the architecture through CHIL results.

Adib, Aswad [ORNL] (ORCID:000000020997056X)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Testbed Demonstration of a Microgrid Building Block Prototype

With the adoption of ambitious climate action goals, the penetration level of distributed energy resources (DERs) is rapidly increasing. Microgrids are an efficient way to integrate these DERs, facilitating their operation and control. Additionally, microgrids enhance the overall resilience of the distribution system by serving critical loads both within and outside their boundaries. However, the need for substantial customized engineering leads to a high cost of development, installation and maintenance of microgrids. To address this challenge, Microgrid Building Blocks (MBB) are proposed to reduce the deployment cost of microgrids through modular, standardized design and implementation. This work presents a testbed demonstrating the integrated power conversion, control, and communication functionalities of an MBB. The testbed is formed by a real-time electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation combined with a hardware and software prototype of MBB. The use cases supported by the MBB testbed are enumerated. The islanded operation, voltage regulation, and optimal dispatch capabilities of an MBB-based microgrid controller are validated through a case study.

Somda, Baza [Virginia Tech]↗
DOE OSTI2022

Enabling Regulatory and Business Models for Broad Microgrid Deployment (White Paper)

This white paper is one of seven being prepared for the Department of Energy (DOE) Microgrid Research & Development (R&D) program as part of a strategy development effort for the next 10 years. The seven white papers focus on the following areas: 1. Program vision, objectives, and R&D targets in 5 and 10 years, 2. T&D co-simulation of microgrid impacts and benefits, 3. Building blocks for microgrids, 4. Microgrids as a building block for the future grid, 5. Advanced microgrid control and protection, 6. Integrated models and tools for microgrid planning, designs, and operations, 7. Enabling regulatory and business models for broad microgrid deployment. This white paper is focused on Topic 7, as a sustainable regulatory and business environment for microgrid development is a foundational element for securing DOE's vision for the future role of microgrids in the U.S. electric sector. The objective of this white paper is to systematically characterize regulatory issues involved in microgrid deployment and microgrid business models, and from this evidence identify a robust and well-justified set of research recommendations for the Department of Energy Office of Electricity, informing programmatic vision, objectives and activities for the DOE Microgrid R&D Program.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design of Controller Hardware-In-the-Loop Model of Microgrid with Modular Building Blocks and Automated Design Script

The scalability of controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) simulation is critical for validating control coordination and energy management in microgrids with distributed energy resources, especially as these modern systems become more complex and decentralized. This paper presents a CHIL modeling methodology that combines modular building blocks with an automated design script to streamline the development of high-fidelity microgrid models. Standardized subsystem templates for resources, converters, and buses are integrated with a Python-based script that compiles structured JSON configuration files into simulation-ready initialization code. The proposed approach reduces development time, improves model consistency, and enhances simulation fidelity. The methodology is validated on a Typhoon HIL604 platform and is broadly applicable to real-time simulation of complex, networked microgrid systems. This framework establishes a foundation for automated, scalable CHIL validation and accelerates the design of next-generation distributed energy systems.

Kim, Namwon [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000200438489)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Robust Decentralized Secondary Control Scheme for Inverter-based Power Networks

Inverter-dominated microgrids are quickly becoming a key building block of future power systems. They rely on centralized controllers that can provide reliability and resiliency in extreme events. Nonetheless, communication failures due to cyber-physical attacks or natural disasters can make autonomous operation of islanded microgrids challenging. This paper examines a unified decentralized secondary control scheme that is robust to inverter clock synchronization errors and can be seamlessly applied to grid-following or grid-forming control architectures. The proposed scheme overcomes the well-known stability problem that arises from parallel operation of local integral controllers. Theoretical guarantees for stability are provided along with criteria to appropriately tune the secondary control gains to achieve good frequency regulation performance while ensuring fair power sharing. The efficacy of our approach is demonstrated through simulations on a 5-bus microgrid with four grid-forming inverters.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Self-Assembling Microgrids for Resilient Distribution Systems of the Future: Implementation in a Commercial DERMS Platform

Microgrids have long provided resilience to critical facilities such as hospitals and military installations, and they are now increasingly being looked at as a building block for future grids to support the energy resilience needs of the grid of the future. State-of-the-art technologies, such as blackstart algorithms using renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) to effectively and seamlessly form microgrids, have been produced by national labs over the years. Their adoption by the utility industry would be critical to reap the most benefits toward energy and climate resilience, and the pathway is via commercialization of these self-assembling microgrid algorithms by integrating them in a commercial product platform. This project brings a national labs team (LLNL, LANL) together with a vendor (Smarter Grid Solutions) to perform proof-of-concept integration of the algorithms into the vendor’s commercial Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS). The project provides a strong pathway to commercialization of the algorithms thereby promoting adoption of resilient microgrid technology by utilities to offer resilience benefits to all customers and especially to disadvantaged and underserved communities.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Decentralized Approach for Modeling Organized Convection Based on Thermal Populations on Microgrids

Abstract In this study, a spectral model for convective transport is coupled to a thermal population model on a two‐dimensional horizontal “microgrid,” covering the typical gridbox size of general circulation models. The goal is to explore new ways of representing impacts of spatial organization in cumulus cloud fields. The thermals are considered the smallest building block of convection, with thermal life cycle and movement represented through binomial functions. Thermals interact through two simple rules, reflecting pulsating growth and environmental deformation. Long‐lived thermal clusters thus form on the microgrid, exhibiting scale growth and spacing that represent simple forms of spatial organization and memory. Size distributions of cluster number are diagnosed from the microgrid through an online clustering algorithm, and provided as input to a spectral multiplume eddy‐diffusivity mass flux scheme. This yields a decentralized transport system, in that the thermal clusters acting as independent but interacting nodes that carry information about spatial structure. The main objectives of this study are (a) to seek proof of concept of this approach, and (b) to gain insight into impacts of spatial organization on convective transport. Single‐column model experiments demonstrate satisfactory skill in reproducing two observed cases of continental shallow convection. Metrics expressing self‐organization and spatial organization match well with large‐eddy simulation results. We find that in this coupled system, spatial organization impacts convective transport primarily through the scale break in the size distribution of cluster number. The rooting of saturated plumes in the subcloud mixed layer plays a key role in this process.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Solid State Power Substation DC Node Optimization and Controller Hardware-In-The-Loop Demonstration

A solid state power substation (SSPS) node is a microgrid that integrates distributed energy resources and loads and injects/absorbs power to/from the SSPS distribution network. It is an essential building block of a futuristic distribution grid network. This paper presents the development and demonstration of optimization use cases of a SSPS DC node. By adopting multi-layer hierarchical control architecture and developing automatic device identification and dynamic optimization formulation algorithms, the SSPS DC node can perform plug-and-play resource integration and seamless transition of the optimized node operation under on and off grid condition without sophisticated algorithms, control mode changes, and user interactions. Four optimization use cases including economic dispatches with price signal changes, a sudden PV power drop, and a single directional meter and its associated costs with sending power back to the grid, and resiliency under a grid inverter trip condition were demonstrated through the real-time controller hardware-in-the-loop simulation.

Kim, Namwon↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-Efficiency Modular SiC-based Power-Converter for Flexible-CHP Systems with Stability-Enhanced Grid-Support Functions

This project seeks to develop a modular, scalable MV power converter featuring stability-enhanced grid-support functions for future grid-interface applications in flexible combined heat and power (F-CHP) cogeneration plants, being fully compliant with the IEEE Standard 1547, category B—for operation in local areas with high aggregated distributed energy resource (DER) penetration, and also with the IEEE standard for the specification of microgrid controllers, namely IEEE Std 2030.7, with the goal to enable F-CHP systems for both microgrid and standalone applications. Further, the proposed converter will use a modular circuit topology, the MMC, which is scalable both in voltage and current by interconnecting power-cell building blocks, thus flexibly suiting the needs of F-CHP systems in the 1–20 MWe range. Furthermore, the use of 10 kV SiC MOSFET devices will minimize the number of power-cells needed to operate in 2–13.8 kV MV distribution systems, but more importantly, they will render feasible a power conversion efficiency > 98 %, and a power density > 10 kW/l. This is highly relevant given that these are two key performance metrics that will further increase the value of F-CHP systems by shortening the time required to recover their investment costs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cost analysis of distributed storage in AC and DC microgrids

Building and microgrid designs with highly-distributed electrical storage have potential advantages over today's conventional topologies with centralized storage. Herein this paper studies the capital cost benefits of several residential behind-the-meter distributed-storage topologies, including AC and DC versions of systems with load-packaged batteries and resilient sub-networks. The study begins by defining the block configuration of each topology. This work then develops a model for the cost of the power electronics necessary to interface with the storage elements. Finally, the analysis develops a model for the total cost of each storage topology, incorporating the installation and soft costs. The results suggest that while the cost of power electronics is lower in centralized topologies, the total cost is lower for distributed storage due to the avoided costs of installation and permitting. This paper also explores the benefits of load-packaged batteries for savings in electrical infrastructure.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗