National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Michigan Technological University

Sandia Corporation

Steven F Glover

Rush D Robinett, Iii

David G Wilson

Wayne W Weaver

Jason C Neely

Gary Pena

Jiann-Cherng Su

Fred J Zutavern

Raymond H Byrne

Lee Joshua Rashkin

Stephen J Bauer

Tu Anh Nguyen

Kenneth Martin Williamson

Scott Thomas Broome

Geoffrey L Brennecka

William Payton Gardner

Madelyn G Veurink

David Wilson

Ronald Craig Matthews, Jr

Kyle Jackson Goodrick

Forest Eugene White

Timothy James Donnelly

Jason Ryan Finn

Ronald Matthews

Tom Pfeifle

A high altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) or other similar geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) has the potential to severely impact the operation of large-scale electric power grids by introducing low-frequency common-mode (CM) currents which deteriorate the performance of key grid components, such as large power transformers. A solid-state transformer (SST) can replace susceptible equipment and improve grid resiliency by safely redirecting, absorbing, and/or converting these CM insults.

Solid-state transformer for mitigation of common mode insults

One of the biggest challenges for all renewable energy sources (RES) is that they are variable power generators which will require reactive power or energy storage systems (ESS) to provide reliable power quality (ideally power factor of one) at the power grid generation side. The present invention is directed to a power packet network (PPN) for integrating wave energy converter (WEC) arrays into microgrids. Specifically, an array of WECs can be physically positioned such that the incoming regular waves will produce an output emulating an N-phase AC system such that the PPN output power is constant. ESS requirements are thereby minimized whilst maintaining grid stability with high power quality. This will enable RES integration onto a future smart grid for large-scale adoption and cost reduction while preserving high efficiency, reliability, and resiliency.

Power packet networks for wave energy converter arrays

A nonlinear control design technique capitalizes on a wave energy converter comprising a shaped buoy having a variable geometry wave energy. For example, the shaped buoy can have an hourglass (HG) geometry having a variable cone or steepness angle. The HG buoy is assumed to operate in the heave motion of the wave. The unique interaction between the HG buoy and the wave creates a nonlinear cubic storage effect that produces actual energy storage or reactive power during operation. A multi-frequency Bretschneider spectrum wave excitation input was simulated for the HG design both with constant and varying steepness angle profiles which demonstrated further increased power generation with changing sea states for the variable design.

Wave energy converter buoy with variable geometry

A method for designing feedforward and feedback controllers for integration of stochastic sources and loads into a nonlinear networked AC/DC microgrid system is provided. A reduced order model for general networked AC/DC microgrid systems is suitable for HSSPFC control design. A simple feedforward steady state solution is utilized for the feedforward controls block. Feedback control laws are provided for the energy storage systems. A HSSPFC controller design is implemented that incorporates energy storage systems that provides static and dynamic stability conditions for both the DC random stochastic input side and the AC random stochastic load side. Transient performance was investigated for the feedforward/feedback control case. Numerical simulations were performed and provided power and energy storage profile requirements for the networked AC/DC microgrid system overall performance. The HSSPFC design can be implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment that is compatible with real time simulation/controllers.

Nonlinear power flow control for networked AC/DC microgrids

A ferroelectric opening switch is enabled by controlled polarization switching via nucleation in a ferroelectric material, such as BaTiO, Pb(Zr,Ti)O, LiNbO, LiTaO, or variants thereof. For example, nucleation sites can be provided by mechanical seeding, grain boundaries, or optical illumination. The invention can be used as an opening switch in large scale pulsed-power systems. However, the switch can also be used in compact pulsed-power systems (e.g., as drivers for high power microwave systems), as passive fault limiters for high voltage dc (HVDC) systems, and/or in other high power applications.

Ferroelectric opening switch

An emulator apparatus that emulates entities included in a microgrid is described herein. The emulator apparatus emulates a load with time-varying inductance/resistance or an energy storage device or combination of energy storage devices. The emulator apparatus is electrically coupled to a system or device that is desirably tested/maintained/designed. The emulator apparatus emulates a particular device, and response of the system of device to the emulated device is monitored for purposes of design, testing, or maintenance.

Emulator apparatus for microgrid testing and design

An emulator is described herein, wherein the emulator is configured to emulate a rotary energy generator. The rotary energy generator can be one of a wind turbine, a diesel engine, or a hydrokinetic generator. The emulator includes an electromechanical motor that is mechanically linked to a generator. A motor drive is electrically coupled to the electromechanical motor, and controls torque at a rotor of the electromechanical motor. Electromagnetic torque produced by the generator is estimated, and the motor drive is controlled based upon the estimated generator torque.

Emulator for rotary energy sources

A Hamiltonian surface shaping power flow control (HSSPFC) method is used to analyze the meta-stability and adjust pulsed power loads on a DC electric power distribution network. Pulsed power loads are nonlinear, time-variant systems that cause nonlinear limit-cycles. During the on periods of a pulsed load, the system can be in an unstable state and is damped back to stability during the off state of the load. Therefore, over the entire period of the pulse the system may only be assessed as meta-stable. As shown through simulation, HIL and hardware results, the HSSPFC method is more accurate than the other small-signal approaches, such as Eigenvalues, Nyquist, and Floquet theory, and can reveal important details about the transient responses and performance.

Method to provide meta-stable operation of a DC microgrid comprising a pulsed load

A device for electrofracturing a material sample and analyzing the material sample is disclosed. The device simulates an in situ electrofracturing environment so as to obtain electrofractured material characteristics representative of field applications while allowing permeability testing of the fractured sample under in situ conditions.

Electrofracturing test system and method of determining material characteristics of electrofractured material samples

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Steven F Glover