Integration of sustainable energy sources through power electronic converters in small, distributed, electricity generation systems (ECS.5984)

Research
Electrical technology can be used to save energy. Even more importantly, electrification ameliorates sustainable energy management, since sustainable energy often becomes available in the form of electricity. Electrical innovations are therefore crucial for the economic feasibility of the production and use of sustainable energy.
This project aims to investigate how a diverse combination of sustainable energy sources and storage elements - such as fuel cells and photovoltaics, and super-capacitors - is best integrated by means of power electronic converters in an electrical system at power levels suitable for domestic application (around 5 kW). The relevance of this research for sustainable development is that the availability of reliable, low-cost power electronic converters will contribute to accelerating the deployment of sustainable energy systems.
From a power electronic viewpoint, fundamental research topics in the above context are: (a) the public utility interconnection system, (b) means for energy storage, (c) power quality control, (d) generator control and protection, (e) dynamic choice of the "best" energy source, where "best" is with respect to fuel consumption, economic benefits, maximum comfort etc., (f) novel converter topologies from a cost or reliability viewpoint.
The field where we expect to provide significant contributions is in the analysis and the design of low-cost bi-directional converters that include the necessary added functionality. Furthermore, solutions will be provided to the problems related to the management of the different sustainable sources.

Utilisation
Growth in the application of sustainable energy systems requires improvements at all levels of the technology. The availability of low-cost and reliable power electronic converters is a main requirement to allow the mass utilisation of sustainable energy sources. Furthermore, the utilisation of any heat generated as a by-product is also made possible through power electronic management.
Particularly in the case of multiple energy sources, it is not clear up to now how the sources should be controlled nor is it well understood how to combine them with the utility grid. This research project addresses some of these problems and provides better solutions to system designers and installers.
A major goal of the research is to achieve a self-managed and controlled system. That is to say, no system adjustments are required from outside if power consumption increases or decreases. Ultimately this benefits the user of the energy system through simplified operation, better energy efficiency, and reduced cost of ownership.

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Four companies are involved in this project.