Introduction
Power electronics is nowadays found in almost every system where electricity is used for computing, communication, renewable energy harvesting and transportation. It is an important technology for improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. If you think of microcomputer as the brain in an electronic system then the power electronic converters are the muscles that control the flow of power between batteries, solar cells, the electric grid, electric machines and electromechanical actuators.
In the Power Electronics & Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) group we do research on the hardware and controls of energy conversion systems, often in the context of challenging applications. Our research focuses on six principal areas:
- Battery Electronics: Apply power electronics to integrate batteries in systems and extend the lifetime of the battery. Improve reliability by new packaging technologies and EMC immunity solutions. This also covers the research on battery chargers.
- Electromagnetic Compatibility: Modelling of conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference and power quality due to harmonics. Development of test techniques to assess EMI and serve as input to achieve immunity from PCB to system level. Assessment of EMI challenges and mitigating them in the electrification of transport and the energy access sectors.
- Energy Access: The theme is to provide off-grid electric services to 3 billion people living in energy poverty through various energy access solutions, e.g. small solar systems with battery storage and mini-grids. Sustainable socio-technical solutions are expected to be scalable, regionally relevant, holistic, and leverage 21st century technologies with exponentially declining prices, where clean cooking is a major focal point due to the major health implication.
- Devices and Integrated Systems: Modelling and investigating new power semiconductor devices and advanced packaging techniques. New bandgap semiconductor materials, such as gallium-nitride (GaN) and silicon-carbide (SiC), makes it possible to smaller power supplies and high performance RF amplifiers.
- Power and Energy Measurement Systems: accurate measurements of batteries, electrical power flow and energy efficiencies in electrical systems and related power electronics for reducing the carbon footprint. New measurement concepts are developed to improve accuracy, explore fundamental limitations and devise calibration methods with the aim to increase insight in the operation of power electronic solutions developed in the group.
- Smart Grids: Mathematical modelling and optimization tools for modern distribution networks and microgrids to ensure optimal integration and control of power electronic-based devices including electric vehicles, energy storage, and renewable energy sources. Development of energy management systems for cost-effective, reliable and sustainable multi-energy networks, considering service provision, grid support, and flexibility markets.
Programme mentor
Compulsory courses
Code | Course | Study load (EC) | Quarter |
Power Electronic Converters | 5 | 1A | |
Perspectives on Engineering Design | 2,5 | 1B | |
Philosophy of Engineering: Ethics | 2,5 | 1B | |
Electromagnetic Compatibility | 5 | 2A | |
Advanced Power Electronic Systems | 5 | 2B | |
Energy Conversion: People, Planet, Prosperity | 5 | 2B |
Electives, offered by the PE-group
Code | Course | Study load (EC) | Quarter |
Electric Machines and Drives | 5 | 1B | |
Advanced Semiconductor Device Physics | 5 | 2A | |
Capita selecta: Amalgamation external online courses in power electronics | 5 | Year |
Interesting electives from other groups
Code | Course | Study load (EC) | Quarter |
Measurement Systems for Mechatronics | 5 | 1A | |
Systems engineering | 5 | 1A | |
Business Models for Sustainable Energy | 5 | 1A | |
Control System Design for Robotics | 5 | 1A | |
Electric Vehicle System Design | 5 | 1B | |
Electrical Power Engineering & System Integration | 5 | 1B | |
Distributed Energy Management for Smart Grids | 5 | 1B | |
Implementation of Digital Signal Processing | 5 | 2A | |
Robust Control | 5 | 2A | |
Energy Storage | 5 | 2A | |
Solar Energy | 5 | 2A | |
Energy, Sustainability and Society | 5 | 2A | |
Modelling and Simulation | 5 | 2B |
Note
The course Modelling and Simulation requires the course 202001141 Engineering System Dynamics as prior knowledge. It can be taken during Quarter 1B as a part of the Electrical Engineering bachelor module 202001139 Systems and Control. Alternatively it can be taken in self-study during the quarters 2A.