Power Electronics and Applications Research Lab

Projects

 

  • Compact and Reliable Power Converters (Start up project)

    Funding Agency: Nanyang Technological University – Start up grant

    Duration: Sep. 2016 – Aug. 2020

    Abstract: Improving the life expectancy and long-term reliability of power converters is urgently needed. A significant improvement in the lifetime of power converters can be achieved by replacing the conventional electrolytic capacitors with metallized polypropylene ones. However, the relatively low capacitance values achievable with film capacitors, compared to electrolytic capacitors with the same volume, has limited the application of film capacitors. One of the main challenges of using smaller reactive components in the converters is the need for faster control techniques to cope with lower energy storage integrated in the topologies. This project delivers new and advanced converter hardware and control designs where reactive components are drastically reduced in size to lower the cost of conversion and increase their reliability and compactness. The research outcomes will enable industry to use such converters in several fields including reactive power compensation, high-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission, generation from renewable sources, and more electric aircraft.

  • Transformer-Less Topologies and Control Techniques for Medium-Voltage Battery Energy Storage Systems (Office of Naval Research Global)

    Funding Agency: Office of Naval Research Global, USA

    Duration: Jul. 2019 – Jun. 2022

    Abstract: This project undertakes basic and applied research to develop and construct modular battery energy storage systems (BESSs). In these systems, the output power electronic stages are designed to integrate with, and facilitate optimal design of, the battery sub-units and their associated battery management system (BMS). The project targets medium-voltage applications. The main objectives of this project are:

     

    • Study advanced circuit topologies and control to facilitate smaller and lighter energy storage solutions by integrating multiple battery chemistries to simultaneously optimize both power and energy density.

     

    • Elimination of redundant layers of power electronics from the BESS to facilitate significant gains in BESS efficiency.

     

    • Physical and electrical isolation of battery packs within the BESS, facilitated through advanced circuit topologies, to reduce the possibility of faulty battery packs causing a cascading fire risk within the remaining healthy battery packs.

     

    • Advanced modulation of power electronic switches to control the frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation produced by the BESS.

     

    • Advanced modular circuit topologies capable of isolating a battery pack facilitate continued BESS operation in the presence of faulty battery packs.

 

 

 

 

  • Supercapacitor-Based Technologies for Hybrid Photovoltaic Systems with Oscillatory Inputs

    Funding Agency: Ministry of Education (MOE) – AcRF Tier 1

    Duration: Nov. 2019 – Oct. 2021

    Abstract: Performance and reliability of power grid is closely tied to security, economy, and functioning of modern societies. Electrical grids are facing new challenges associated with accelerating shift towards utilization of distributed generation such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and the increase of nonconventional loads such as e-mobility solutions. Therefore, the grid needs to proactively adapt to the new requirements. In this project, the proposed PV technologies are distinguished from the conventional ones by enabling secondary grid support functionality in addition to their main functionality, i.e., power generation. Therefore, the proposed PV technologies are expected to help the grid to be more sustainable and greener and at the same time more resilient. Encouraging the addition of more renewable capacity is the most important final take away from this research project, which will be achieved by developing a hybrid supercapacitor-based PV system. In addition to hardware advancements, the project develops some potential ground breaking innovations in PV system control to enable power dispatch functionality, which will help to overcome power intermittency. All these improvements can be achieved without cost increase thanks to the use of innovative dynamic dc voltage shaping control techniques.

  • Next Generation Of StatCom Systems For Transmission And Distribution Grids

    Funding Agency: Ministry of Education (MOE) – AcRF Tier 1

    Duration: Nov. 2017 – Oct. 2020

    Abstract: Static reactive compensators (StatCom) play an important role in operation of modern transmission lines. Adding a StatCom to weak points of transmission network provides voltage stability and increases the transmission line’s active power capacity. The main issue with deploying this technology is its cost. Multilevel cascaded H-bridge (CHB) high power StatCom is a well-developed technology and commercially available. The main problem is the large capacitors needed. Our team proposed the low capacitance StatCom (LC-StatCom) technology as a viable replacement for conventional products. Operating with large voltage ripple on the capacitors is the key aspect of LC-StatCom, where both voltage stress on the semiconductors and switching losses are reduced significantly. The aim of this project is to develop innovative solutions to overcome technical barriers of deploying the low-capacitance StatCom technology. The focus is to push toward providing a blue print for commercial product development.

  • Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) for Energy Grid 2.0 – Subproject: Digital & Power Electronic Systems for DER Management

    Funding Agency: Singapore National Research Foundation

    Duration: Jan. 2020 – Dec. 2022

    Abstract: This project seeks to overcome current technological barriers preventing mass deployment of renewable sources and energy storage systems in the power grid. This is achieved by undertaking research that proposes, develops and constructs modular power electronic inverters that grid-connect solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). In these systems, the power electronic stages will be designed to integrate with, and facilitate optimal design of, the respective PV and battery sub-units. A novel and modular circuit topology design will allow series cascading of power electronic building blocks such that transformer-less connection to either low-voltage (PV) or medium-voltage (BESS) parts of the grid is achievable. The project will demonstrate feasibility of the proposed technologies by connecting to voltages up to 1kV.