Differentiating UK capability: Reducing footprint and weight of high power, integrated PEMD

Abstract

Demand for electrification technologies and systems (including power electronics, electrical machines, drives, automation and control systems) is growing. This growth is both i) to meet increased demand for electric power in industrial applications including marine, energy, infrastructure and process industry sectors, and ii) to enable reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through higher levels of energy efficiency and integration of cleaner energy sources.\r
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However, this growth in electric power demand and the need to incorporate additional hybrid and electric equipment onto more platforms with space constraints means that we have to reconsider power density (we can't just keep adding bigger equipment) and the ability to integrate a power network or micro grid which doesn't add unnecessary complexity or cost.\r
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**This project focuses on GE's and its UK supply base's ability to lead in industrial electrification by both differentiating on power density _and_ competing on cost more effectively.** We will do this by applying novel production techniques and technology used in low voltage (LV), low power, high volume PE, integrating such converter technology within rotating machines (RM) for a transformative impact on system power density and complexity for lower volume but high performance and high-value sectors. There is an identified potential to reduce total system power density by up to 50% and weight by up to 25%, with additional added value creation for customers in freeing up space for operational use and reducing the cost and installation time of ancillary equipment.\r
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Aside from specialist industrial niches in which the UK supply chain has a strong history and share, much electrification technology development recently has been targeted at consumer products at lower power but higher volume and lower cost, and supplied outside of the UK. As a growth market, expansion of electrification to more large, high power applications is attractive to the UK supply base in reaching larger niches and markets, but also to global providers, so this is both a time-sensitive opportunity UK industry to improve competitiveness _and_ achieve technology leadership.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION UK LIMITED £2,176,885 £ 1,088,442
 

Participant

DYNEX SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED £219,578 £ 109,789
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM £563,288 £ 563,288
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK £228,579 £ 228,579

Publications

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