Industry Projects
The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center is engaged in a variety of projects with our industrial and academic partners, including The National Science Foundation, General Electric, Sunrise Wind LLC, and Stony Brook University.
View our ongoing projects below:
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ali Khosronejad (SBU) Governments and investors worldwide have recognized that fossil fuels are not sustainable.
As a result, many agencies are capitalizing on clean energy production from tidal
farms and other renewable sources. However, developing clean energy from tidal farms
requires engineering tools that can predict performance, enabling effective design
and positioning of individual turbines. This project will investigate the effectiveness of Verdant Power’s marine Tidal Turbine
System in generating power in Long Island Sound, between Little Gull Island and Fishers
Island, through a series of high-fidelity simulations and a techno-economic analysis. Principal Investigator: Dr. Fang Luo (SBU) This post-doctoral research project, conducted in collaboration with Stony Brook University
(SBU), Aalborg University (AAU), and Ørsted, aims to develop and validate advanced
methodologies for nonlinear stability analysis of Renewable Energy Systems (RESs).
Funded under the Sunrise Wind R&D Agreement, the project seeks to enhance Ørsted's
internal knowledge of large signal stability and improve in-house scanning tools as
part of the RM3 strategy. The research focuses on increasing computational efficiency and accuracy in stability
assessments under large signal disturbances, ultimately contributing to the reliability
of RESs. The project will be executed across multiple institutions, ensuring a comprehensive
and applied approach to addressing real-world RES challenges. Principal Investigator: Dr. Shikui Chen (SBU) The project aims to develop level-set-based, multi-physics, and multi-material topology
optimization software for electric machine design. Conceptual design is considered
the most important stage in the product life cycle, and topology optimization is the
most advanced tool for conceptual design. The proposed topology optimization tool
will be used in the initial stages of electric generator and motor development and
may enable the design engineers to achieve a better design with reduced lead time.
The key differentiator of the proposed magnet topology optimization tool lies in the
level-set-based parametric topology optimization framework. Compared with element-based
approaches such as the homogenization method and SIMP methods, the level-set-based
topology optimization approach can handle multi-physics and multi-material magnet
topology optimization problems with design-dependent boundary conditions. The topology
optimization will be integrated with model-based co-design tools for electric-machine
design to simultaneously achieve optimal designs The proposed research includes: (1) Multi-physics modeling of electric generators;
(2) parametric level set topology optimization of multi-physics and multi-material
magnets; (3) integration of topology optimization with model-based co-design; and
(4) advanced manufacturing and performance validation of optimized magnets for electric
generators. This project will implement NSF I-Corps training for participating students and conduct
outreach activities to broaden participation in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics. The project team has been collaborating with GE on nonlinear and
multi-material topology optimization of magnets for electric machine design. The team's
current focus is on improving the design and manufacturability of high-performance
magnets through advanced computational techniques. Principal Investigator: Dr. Shikui Chen (SBU) In this PFI-RP project, a team formed by researchers from Stony Brook University (SBU)
and experts from General Electric-Renewable Energy (GE) aims to advance the design
of rare-earth (RE) permanent magnet structures for generator systems and improve the
architecture and design methodology of future generators and electric motors. This
project is expected to significantly increase the applicability of physics-based simulation-driven
design technology to the growing volume of electrical engineering problems. The success of this project could change the landscape of the electric generator and
electric motor industries. The Principal Investigator and students working on this
project have completed the NSF ICORPS training, which has helped the team to better
identify potential users and understand market needs. This has significantly enhanced
teams’ ability to align their technology Principal Investigator: Dr. Dimitris Assanis (SBU) Hydrogen (H2) can transform energy technologies by offering a green and sustainable
alternative to fossil fuel-based energy production. H2 generated by electrolysis may
be considered carbon neutral if the electricity is sourced from excess renewable generation,
such as wind. However, like all other renewable sources, it suffers from intermittency,
therefore requiring storage. The work proposed here brings together SBU strengths
in mechanical and electrical engineering to develop a techno-economic analysis (TEA)
of wake-field interactions of multiple wind turbines in a wind farm. Performance curves
will be developed using computational fluid dynamics to understand the wake field,
determine the appropriate turbine power production, and correspondingly, the levelized
cost of electricity. With this knowledge, SBU will collaborate with BNL researchers
to better understand the downstream H2 production and energy storage using proton
exchange membrane electrolyzer and build the performance of this conversion and grid
integration into our TEA. In this research effort, ACES Lab will extend the previously-developed TEA framework
to evaluate the levelized cost of electricity of a wind farm, inclusive of wake field
interactions, allowing us to determine when green H2 production is economically viable.
Single-turbine high-fidelity 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is progressing
satisfactorily, with current efforts focusing on expanding to multi-turbine simulations
to study wake field interactions under these computational conditions. In parallel,
Orsted-provided meteorological and performance data of an installed offshore wind
farm is being studied analytically using WindFLO. Principal Investigator: Dr. Dimitris Assanis (SBU) Hard-to-decarbonize industry sectors of off-road and non-road transportation, stationary
and distributed power generation, as well as building heating applications, are extremely
energy intensive and presently largely depend on fossil fuels. Green hydrogen, generated
from renewable energy, provides an alternative pathway, beyond electrification, to
transition these hard-to-decarbonize industry sectors. The implementation of green
hydrogen is largely challenged by storage constraints due to its low energy density.
Alternative hydrogen carriers can provide more energy-dense, green hydrogen-based
solutions that are easier to store and implement in physical systems. Ammonia is a
commonly available, carbon-free hydrogen carrier that can be used to replace fossil
fuels and thus transition these hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Understanding the use,
handling, and consumption of ammonia is critical to developing these much-needed decarbonization
pathways. Currently the team is working on Milestone “Ammonia fuel system development and demonstration.”
Milestones “Safety Consideration and Applicable Building Code Documentation” and “Initial
Literature Review” were completed. An anhydrous ammonia fuel injection system has
been designed and is presently being fabricated to enable ammonia fumigation in a
single-cylinder research engine. In parallel, a health and safety plan and relevant
standard operating procedures have been developed and are currently under safety review
prior to commencing experimental engine testing next. Principal Investigator: Dr. Dimitris Assanis (SBU) Stony Brook University (SBU) will aid AWE Technologies LLC (AWE) in the testing and
validation of AWE technologies to develop better sensors and new applications. AWE
possesses acoustic technologies that target applications using non-invasive measurement
techniques such as acoustic resonance spectroscopy (ARS) or swept frequency acoustic
interference (SFAI). These technologies could be used in thermo-fluidic sciences and
other mechanical engineering applications to determine structural information that
has been modified by the fluid inside, separation/filtration processes, gas and/or
liquid composition monitoring, ultrasonic temperature measurement, acoustic pressure,
and gas flow measurement. Currently the team is working on Milestone – Target application for testing and identifying
validation activities”. A scaled crude oil separation loop featuring an optical test
section is being developed to study how acoustics can enhance the separation of water
and sand from crude oil. Crude oil barrels and a 24” spool will be delivered shortly
to start acoustic separation testing under static conditions. Principal Investigator: Dr Vladimir Samuilov (SBU) Reusable launch vehicles will bring the price of launching down and reduce the carbon
footprint of space. Magnet Launch, LLC, proposes to develop the concept of a launch
assist system. This system is expected to replace first-stage boosters, eliminating
the heaviest rocket segments, the bulk of the cost and carbon footprint of a space
launch as well. The proposed launch assist system consists of a long tube with a track
for magnetic levitation and propulsion (maglev) of launch vehicles. Prior to launch,
the tube is evacuated of air to create a low-grade vacuum and reduce drag. At launch,
the track will accelerate the vehicle. to a significant fraction of orbital velocity.
Finally, the vehicle will exit in the reduced atmospheric density. In the face of
growing concern about global warming and with interest in space rising, this proposal
is more relevant than ever. This concept is not absolutely new. NASA explored a similar idea, under the name "Maglifter,”
and a group from Brookhaven National Labs proposed a larger-scale system called StarTram."
With some innovative design decisions and paired with reusable launch vehicles, a
strategically sized system should reduce the long-term cost to electricity—under $1/kg.
The team has submitted Power Storage, Management, and Distribution subsystem (PSMAD)
reports to the sponsor.
Industrial Partner: Verdant Power Incorporated.
Industrial Partner: Ørsted.
Industrial Partner: General Electric Company/National Science Foundation
at the component and system levels of an electric machine.
Industrial Partner: National Science Foundation/GE
with industry requirements.
Industrial Partner: Sunrise Wind LLC and Stony Brook University
Industrial Partner: Genesys Engineering PC (Acquired by Willdan Group Inc)
Industrial Partner: AWE Technologies LLC
Industrial Partner: FuzeHub/Magnet Launch LLC