Medium Voltage DC Systems in Electricity Distribution Networks

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Title
Medium Voltage DC Systems in Electricity Distribution Networks

CoPED ID
d2befad0-00de-45e7-9b3e-773931930c03

Status
Closed


Value
No funds listed.

Start Date
June 30, 2018

End Date
Dec. 31, 2021

Description

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EPSRC Portfolio Areas: Energy storage, Solar technology

Description:
Solar PV and energy storage systems have been widely recognised as one of most effective ways to address energy and environmental issues. Several power electronic converters are required to manage the power flow from solar PV panels to energy storage and power grid. As a result, such converters can determine the overall performance, e.g., efficiency and power density, of the solar energy storage system.

Numerous control methods, topologies, and modulation strategies have been recently proposed to improve power density, efficiency, reliability, and costs of the converters. However, two major challenges remain as critical obstacles to further advance these. The first challenge is the bulky electrolytic capacitors used to reduce voltage ripples, which are the most vulnerable components in the converters. They can cause about 30% of failures, and occupy 83% of the volume in a small power converter. The second challenge is the inefficient and bulky isolation transformers used to isolate leakage currents. Such transformers can account for about 3% of system power losses, over 60% of weight, and over 50% of volume in a 6 kW PV inverter.

In this project, we aim to develop a 5 kW highly efficient, reliable and small-sized converter system for solar PV energy storage systems through 1) advanced design of power topologies to remove isolation transformers and electrolytic capacitors; 2) design of high-frequency inductors to reduce system size and weight; 3) control system design to improve system dynamics; 4) simulation and experimental verification of the developed power converters. With the commitment from Solar Ready Solutions, routes to commercialization of the developed converters will be included as a part of this project.

Nick Jenkins SUPER_PER
Wenlong Ming SUPER_PER

Subjects by relevance
  1. Solar energy
  2. Power electronics
  3. Transformers (electrical devices)
  4. Energy efficiency
  5. Renewable energy sources
  6. Converters (electrical devices)
  7. Energy
  8. Power units
  9. Energy management
  10. Warehousing
  11. Capacitors

Extracted key phrases
  1. Solar PV energy storage system
  2. Medium Voltage DC Systems
  3. Electricity Distribution Networks
  4. EPSRC Portfolio area
  5. Small power converter
  6. Power electronic converter
  7. System power loss
  8. Sized converter system
  9. Control system design
  10. Solar PV
  11. Power density
  12. Power topology
  13. Power flow
  14. Power grid
  15. Solar PV panel

Related Pages

UKRI project entry

UK Project Locations