http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/5610941/5624686/05624745.pdf

Power electronics

Wide bandgap semiconductors show superior material properties enabling potential power device operation at higher temperatures, voltages, and switching speeds than current Si technology. As a result, a new generation of power devices is being developed for power converter applications in which traditional Si power devices show limited operation. The use of these new power semiconductor devices will allow both an important improvement in the performance of existing power converters and the development of new power converters, accounting for an increase in the efficiency of the electric energy transformations and a more rational use of the electric energy. At present, SiC and GaN are the more promising semiconductor materials for these new power devices as a consequence of their outstanding properties, commercial availability of starting material, and maturity of their technological processes. This paper presents a review of recent progresses in the development of SiC- and GaN-based power semiconductor devices together with an overall view of the state of the art of this new device generation.

A Survey of Wide Bandgap Power Semiconductor Devices

High-frequency-link (HFL) power conversion systems (PCSs) are attracting more and more attentions in academia and industry for high power density, reduced weight, and low noise without compromising efficiency, cost, and reliability. In HFL PCSs, dual-active-bridge (DAB) isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter (IBDC) serves as the core circuit. This paper gives an overview of DAB-IBDC for HFL PCSs. First, the research necessity and development history are introduced. Second, the research subjects about basic characterization, control strategy, soft-switching solution and variant, as well as hardware design and optimization are reviewed and analyzed. On this basis, several typical application schemes of DAB-IBDC for HPL PCSs are presented in a worldwide scope. Finally, design recommendations and future trends are presented. As the core circuit of HFL PCSs, DAB-IBDC has wide prospects. The large-scale practical application of DAB-IBDC for HFL PCSs is expected with the recent advances in solid-state semiconductors, magnetic and capacitive materials, and microelectronic technologies.

Overview of Dual-Active-Bridge Isolated Bidirectional DC–DC Converter for High-Frequency-Link Power-Conversion System

DC–DC converters with voltage boost capability are widely used in a large number of power conversion applications, from fraction-of-volt to tens of thousands of volts at power levels from milliwatts to megawatts. The literature has reported on various voltage-boosting techniques, in which fundamental energy storing elements (inductors and capacitors) and/or transformers in conjunction with switch(es) and diode(s) are utilized in the circuit. These techniques include switched capacitor (charge pump), voltage multiplier, switched inductor/voltage lift, magnetic coupling, and multistage/-level, and each has its own merits and demerits depending on application, in terms of cost, complexity, power density, reliability, and efficiency. To meet the growing demand for such applications, new power converter topologies that use the above voltage-boosting techniques, as well as some active and passive components, are continuously being proposed. The permutations and combinations of the various voltage-boosting techniques with additional components in a circuit allow for numerous new topologies and configurations, which are often confusing and difficult to follow. Therefore, to present a clear picture on the general law and framework of the development of next-generation step-up dc–dc converters, this paper aims to comprehensively review and classify various step-up dc–dc converters based on their characteristics and voltage-boosting techniques. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these voltage-boosting techniques and associated converters are discussed in detail. Finally, broad applications of dc–dc converters are presented and summarized with comparative study of different voltage-boosting techniques.

/pdf/step-up-dc-dc-converters-a-comprehensive-review-of-voltage-6dlytctzg2.pdf

Step-Up DC–DC Converters: A Comprehensive Review of Voltage-Boosting Techniques, Topologies, and Applications

Energy storage systems (ESSs) are enabling technologies for well-established and new applications such as power peak shaving, electric vehicles, integration of renewable energies, etc. This paper presents a review of ESSs for transport and grid applications, covering several aspects as the storage technology, the main applications, and the power converters used to operate some of the energy storage technologies. Special attention is given to the different applications, providing a deep description of the system and addressing the most suitable storage technology. The main objective of this paper is to introduce the subject and to give an updated reference to nonspecialist, academic, and engineers in the field of power electronics.

Energy Storage Systems for Transport and Grid Applications

This paper describes the implementation of a flexible laboratory test bench for developing electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains in a university environment. The test bench, which is implemented using relatively low-cost off-the-shelf products, is capable of serving a broad variety of purposes ranging from the design and test of propulsion motor drives to the implementation of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) powertrain control strategies. This paper illustrates the test bench capabilities by (a) simulating the Jeep Commander II, a fuel cell sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Daimler-Chrysler, performing the urban dynamometer driving schedule (UDDS), (b) simulating the Prius, a commercially available gasoline-electric hybrid compact car from Toyota, performing the Japanese "10-15 mode" driving schedule, and (c) determining the efficiency map of a three-phase induction motor (IM). Additionally, the test bench could be also used as a dynamic simulator for renewable energy sources such as wind turbine generators.

A versatile laboratory test bench for developing powertrains of electric vehicles

The Internet of Things (IoT) has led the way to smarter and ultimately more efficient cyberphysical systems (CPSs). An example of such a CPS includes motor drives connected to a computer network controlling industrial processes. Another example is a recent European Union regulation that may enable utility customers to become energy suppliers-i.e., the formation of transactive energy (TE) systems or energy local area networks (E-LANs) formed by integrated smart energy nodes cooperating to accomplish system goals.

Cybersecurity and Power Electronics: Addressing the Security Vulnerabilities of the Internet of Things

Photovoltaic (PV) penetration levels in the power grid have significantly increased during the last years. However, issues such as cloud-induced intermittency in PV generation forces equipment on the electrical grid to cycle excessively, preventing PV generation from being considered as a reliable or dispatchable source of power, particularly by utilities. A semi-Markov process model is proposed to model PV power. Unlike existing models of PV power, the proposed model has a wide range of applicability across both small and large timescales. These applications include simulating PV power, short-term forecasting of PV power, design of rule-based controllers for energy storage units (ESU), and stochastic scheduling of ESU in conjunction with other resources. The model is applied to study two cases of coordinating ESU with PV generation. In the first case, the model serves to design a coordination scheme for a hybrid battery-ultracapacitor (UC) ESU where the UC serves to extend the lifetime of a lead-acid battery. In the second case, the model allows probabilistic scheduling in a standalone PV/diesel/battery-ESU microgrid. In both cases, the model improves performance in terms of either battery lifetime or fuel consumption.

A Semi-Markov Model for Control of Energy Storage in Utility Grids and Microgrids With PV Generation

A set of standstill measurements that allow time-domain identification of linear model parameters for direct and quadrature axes of a synchronous machine is proposed. The advantages of this method over conventional standstill frequency response testing include the simplicity of test equipment, the higher current levels achieved, the speed with which the measurements can be obtained, and the fact that the models are obtained directly in parametric form (in per-unit or measured units). The proposed method is illustrated by results measured on a 3 kVA, 220 V microalternator. >

Time-domain identification of synchronous machine parameters from simple standstill tests

This paper proposes a methodology to determine the peak and continuous power ratings of a switched reluctance motor (SRM) used for the electric propulsion of an Electric Vehicle (EV). The input data consist of the EV main specifications (e.g., rated and maximum velocities, vehicle mass, city and highway driving schedules, etc.). Estimation of the variations of copper and core losses with vehicle speed and motor output power is necessary to calculate the SRM continuous power rating. These loss variations are estimated by taking into account the operation principles of SRMs and assumed (or known) loss values at only one operating point. Using the obtained expressions, the SRM efficiency contours can be then estimated before the SRM is actually designed and built. This paper shows that the thermal duty of the SRM can be reduced by appropriate choice of the individual loss components in the design process.

Juan Carlos Balda

Papers

A versatile laboratory test bench for developing powertrains of electric vehicles

Cybersecurity and Power Electronics: Addressing the Security Vulnerabilities of the Internet of Things

A Semi-Markov Model for Control of Energy Storage in Utility Grids and Microgrids With PV Generation

Time-domain identification of synchronous machine parameters from simple standstill tests

Sizing a switched reluctance motor for electric vehicles