Projects / Programmes
Electric Power Converters and Controlled Drives
January 1, 2018
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.12.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electric devices |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T001 |
Technological sciences |
Electronics and Electrical technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
Power converters, modularity, reliability, efficiency, SiC and GaN semiconductor components, multilevel converters, control algorithms, fault detection, diagnostics, power density, cooling, electric machines, actuators, sustainable development, modelling, optimization.
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 23, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
184 |
2,131 |
1,781 |
9.68 |
| Scopus |
305 |
3,161 |
2,618 |
8.58 |
Researchers (15)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research programme focuses on a comprehensive analysis of various interdependent fields that mainly concern devices and actuators with high efficiency of electrical power conversion (electric vehicles, smart grids, alternative energy sources, and industry 4.0). The proposed research and the designated goals are oriented towards increase of energy efficiency, conversion reliability, and increase of specific power and power density of electrical energy converters. Individual goals address the key details, including most influential parameters of printed circuit boards of power converters, suitability analysis of combined use of different technologies of power switches, viability of multiphase and multilevel converters, when used at non-typical voltage levels, use of multiphase drive trains for increase of reliability and robustness, as well as determination of effective and reliable control algorithms that will enable fault detection and predictive diagnostics in power inverter fed drive trains.
Our research programme group intends to concentrate on development of electric machines and actuators, focusing on coupling of electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical phenomena into a comprehensive optimization process. The main goal is to reduce the amount of installed material, especially the most costly components, accompanied by simultaneous efficiency increase of electric machines. This will lead to development of new machine designs, as well as reductions in their price and carbon footprint. In parallel with the development of electric machines, dedicated software will be developed to speed up the design process. Within the development of new actuator types, the focus will be put on mathematical modelling, design, and viability. The main expected characteristics of newly developed actuators include high level of dynamics, high thrust, and operation at high temperatures. The obtained results and lessons learned will be passed also to other fields of science and technology, including other devices and electromechanical converters that are required to operate in different environments with various specific demands, e.g. at high temperatures.
Significance for science
Findings of studies on compact power converter structures, focusing on heat source identification, parasitic inductances and capacitances will enable faster design of DC-DC converters, as well as two- and multilevel power inverters for the purposes of electric mobility. The main expected advantages of such converters will be operation at higher switching frequencies, higher efficiency, and longer life span. The conducted analyses on electromagnetic disturbance sources will provide the possibility of disturbance reduction, achieved already during the power stage design process. Results will ensure important technological advancement towards more efficient electrical power conversion, optimal placement of integrated components, and effective utilization. Electric machines, used in integrated drive trains are due to power inverter supplies no longer limited to conventional three-phase designs. This fact will be exploited in view of multiphase drive train design, whereas operation reliability is highlighted as the main advantage. Additional construction related degrees-of-freedom of multiphase electric machines can enable improvement of power-to-phase distribution, higher immunity to faults during operation, as well as torque ripple reduction. These advantages are key in ensuring competitiveness of new drive train designs for implementation in electric vehicles.
Integration of numerous fields of electric machine analyses into comprehensive methodology will lead to construction of new electric machines with smaller amounts of integrated material and improved characteristics. Newly developed and experimentally tested coupled models will enable faster and more accurate design, as well as more reliable prediction of optimal electric machine operation. Development of new software for fast design and optimization will provide an important tool for future scientific research. Our development approach will provide new types of actuators, ensuring highly dynamic operation, higher thrust levels, as well as the ability of operation at significantly higher temperatures than the current state-of-the-art solutions.
Our scientific research approach towards development of mathematical models and tools in combination with optimization methods will effectively be used for coupled analysis of demanding physics-related problems (electromagnetics, thermal, and mechanical analysis) also in other multidisciplinary fields of science. New knowledge, expertise, and experience in the field of electric machine and switching power converter development is only one of the many expected results of the proposed scientific research work. New modelling methodologies of electric machines and power electronics systems are planned to be integrated into the teaching process. Project results are expected to be published in distinguished international scientific journals, which cover the field of mechatronics, as well as other fields, related to interdisciplinary approach to development and use of electric machines, power electronics, diagnostics, and coupled modelling of electromagnetic structures.
Significance for the country
The main goals of our research programme are focused on carbon footprint reduction of production and usage of electric machines and power electronics converters in integrated drive trains. Additionally, we tend to increase the efficiency of electrical power conversion, directly influencing the decrease of electrical energy production levels, especially those that are fossil fuel related, which is key for reduction of environmental pollution. Gradual and thoughtful introduction of electric mobility is a worldwide trend, successfully including also Slovenian companies and research institutions. Crucial importance of our results for Slovenia’s socio-economic and cultural development is represented by smaller and more rational use of materials, needed for design and development of electric machines and static converters. The significant reduction in material usage and the increased device quality will consequentially ensure more competitive products. Scientific research within the proposed programme offers an excellent opportunity to under-graduate, graduate, and post-graduate students, as well as to researchers for further knowledge and new experience, by working within a team of top scientists and teachers and in close collaboration with experts from the industry at an international level. Within the suggested project, transfer of top-of-the-line knowledge among the academic environment and the industry, as well as optimal exchange of theoretical and practical knowledge and experience will be ensured, which is key for progressive development of excellent staff at the Faculty of electrical engineering, University of Ljubljana. This will also directly affect the scientific research and economic progress of Slovenia.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
