Underpinning Power Electronics 2012: Converters Theme

Power electronics is a critical enabling technology for a sustainable future, providing a highly efficient means of converting and controlling electrical energy. Its applications cover renewable generation, power transmission and distribution, transport systems, industrial automation and consumer products. To underpin the UK's academic capability in power electronics and to drive forward world-leading advances in the technology, this proposal forms one of four linked programme grant applications which together cover the key areas of Devices, Component Integration, Converters and Drives. The four research themes will be overseen by a coordinating hub, ensuring that the research remains adventurous and well-focused, that there is vigorous and effective inter-theme collaboration, strong industrial engagement and impact. The Converters Theme will focus on two distinct areas of converter technology where the potential exists to make significant gains in performance; the first is in very large scale, high-voltage converters for future power generation and transmission systems, whilst the second is in ultra-compact converters, which are a needed for a wide range of power conversion functions such as on-board vehicles, aircraft, and ships. Increasing the efficiency and extending the voltage / power / overload capability of high voltage converters will make possible the more efficient and reliable delivery of electrical power and enable more effective exploitation of renewable forms of energy. On the other hand, reducing the size of power converters will make possible many low-carbon technology concepts in the transport area such as hybrid / electric vehicles, and the more-electric aircraft and ship.

The beneficiaries of the proposed research include the academic power electronics and power devices communities, and the academic activities in the associated areas of electrical power systems, more-electric transport technologies, materials and manufacturing / fabrication techniques. The research will have direct relevance and benefit to companies in a range of technical service and manufacturing sectors, and these are areas where the UK has significant presence, strength, and capability to exploit new technologies. These include designers and manufacturers of power devices, power module assemblies, passive components, thermal management solutions, and designers and manufacturers of complete converter systems. In addition, the advances in converter performance and functionality that are enabled by the research will be of benefit to system integrators, providing them with the capability to realise new system concepts such as high voltage DC power transmission networks, more effective and efficient power generation from renewable sources, advanced forms of electric vehicle, or electrical systems that reduce the fuel burn of aircraft and ships. Furthermore, the advances in converter topologies, control methods and manufacturing techniques will spill over into the power electronics and motor drives sector more generally, bringing advances in performance and reductions in manufacturing costs. Society more generally will benefit from the continued prosperity of indigenous businesses and will also enjoy sustainability benefits arising from the increased, and more efficient, use of renewable energy sources and the availability and widespread use of low-carbon forms of transport. It is expected that some of these benefits will start to feed into the industrial base within two years of the programme start, with increasing levels of uptake beyond that date.