Projects / Programmes
Electric Power Converters and Controlled Drives
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.12.02 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electric devices |
Transformers of power electronics |
| 2.12.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electric devices |
Electromagnetic transformers |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T001 |
Technological sciences |
Electronics and Electrical technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The group will focus their efforts towards increasing the efficiency while decreasing the manufacturing costs as well as to ensure reliable operation of electrical and electromechanical energy converters. Heterogeneous and compatible knowledge of the group members covers the areas of power electronics and control engineering, electrical machines and drives.
Development of power electronics' devices and corresponding control approaches is important in efforts to increase the efficiency of energy conversion, from electrical to mechanical one and vice versa, as well as in increasing the quality of electrical energy. In the field of electrical power converters, the emphasis will be on:
control and supply of autonomous electrical drives,
ensuring quality energy flow and development of suitable highly demanding supply sources, and
solving the problems associated with compatibility of different energy sources.
Fault diagnostics of induction motor drives will be upgraded in such a way, that the detection techniques will not be limited solely to steady‑state but also suitable for transient operation. Furthermore, the fault detection will be focused on controlled (closed‑loop) drives, which are more and more frequent choice in industry due to their flexibility, efficiency, and affordable price.
Currently implemented diagnostics of short‑circuit fault in field winding of synchronous generators (SG) will be further developed/upgraded. Focus will be given to the approaches where installation of magnetic field sensors in the SG’s air‑gap is not needed.
We intend to analyze the suitability of modern turbines and electro‑mechanical assembly in the light of harvesting hydropower potential of rivers with ultra-low heads.
The research will also be dedicated to the sustainable development of electric machines with the emphasis on joining electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical phenomena into a comprehensive optimization process. The main objective will be to reduce the amount of consumed material, especially the more expensive components while raising the performance of electric machines. This will lead to the development of new forms of electric machines, their cost reduction and improved carbon footprint.
In the context of new micro-and nano- composite soft-magnetic materials development, we will focus on their mathematical modeling, formation and physical production. The main characteristic of the new materials will be a shielding of leakage electromagnetic fields in electric machines and reduction of many negative effects caused by leakage fields. This feature will be also introduced to other areas of science where are the needs for the prevention of adverse effects of electromagnetic fields.
Significance for science
The group has already developed innovative scientific methods in the area it covers. Its results have been published in top world journals, several times in the best of their category. As a result of the scientific research work in the field of switch mode power converters, we will develop simulation models, new control methods for converters and electrical drives and new or improved methods for diagnosis of electrical machines and converters. The results will be published in distinguished international journals from the field of industrial electronics, power electronics, measurement and mechatronics. New technical solutions will also be protected in the form of patent rights. Finally, our goal is also a real-time transfer of new knowledge that will be gained from research to the teaching process. This will reduce the adaptation time for students after graduation when they start with a professional research work in companies.
Internationally, the diagnostics in electrical machines is in steady rise. Our proposed research plan is oriented towards the emerging field of controlled drives, which has not yet been extensively researched. The immediate outcome of our proposal will be the possibility to implement cost effective diagnostic procedure into the drives of small and medium power, which are the most numerous in practice.
We also will present new, innovative approaches and solutions in synchronous generator’s diagnostics.
Concerning rivers with ultra-low heads, proposed work is intended to give a firm foundation on the suitability of energy production. The impact of the new/emerging technologies on the efficiency of energy exploitation, the optimal combination of the equipment and methods of system management will also be analyzed.
Linking the phenomenological fields of the electrical machines description in a comprehensive methodology will lead to the design of new machines with lower consumption of materials and with improved properties. Describing the electric machines with an integrated approach will clarify some new phenomena in the electrical machines, such as electromagnetically excited structural oscillations of rotary machines. In the conjunction with the optimization methods the mathematical tools will be developed to address electromagnetically, thermally and mechanically coupled and conditioned problems.
By using numerical methods we will develop mathematical tools to determine and describe the electrical, magnetic, thermal and mechanical properties of micro- and nano- composite soft magnetic materials. With the development of the materials there will be introduction of new experimental and measurement methods, both for the formation of the material as well as to test the quality of the material.
Significance for the country
Our research work is closely connected to numerous Slovenian export oriented companies that develop and produce power electronics systems, electric drives and various measurement systems. The result of this cooperation will be new knowledge, methods for mechatronic systems control and prototype devices, new or improved simulation tools and technological solutions in the production processes.
We will introduce our BSc, MSc and PhD students to the research topics. After graduation, the vast majority of them continue to work in one of many Slovenian companies in the field of electrical engineering. In this way, we contribute to the direct transfer of knowledge and research in the industry. We would especially like to highlight numerous companies that are present for a long time in the global automotive industry. As the reliability and operation safety in modern vehicles are due to increasing share of electronics becoming more and more important, our research in this area will enable the aforementioned companies to remain highly competitive and provide a sustainable development of Slovenia.
Modern diagnostics equipment provides safe and reliable operation of synchronous generators (energy production) as well as electrical drives (industry) and ensures long life time without unnecessary maintenance interruptions.
The exploitation of hydro energy potential of rivers with ultra-low heads translates into dispersed power generation in the immediate neighborhood of the consumers, thus contributing to de-loading of existing transmission lines. Energy production based on hydro energy is much more stable and reliable comparing to other renewables as photovoltaic or wind. The construction of small hydro power plants, the renovation of the less preserved weirs as well as other infrastructure has beneficial effect on constructing sector. Locating small hydro power plants in the vicinity of the old watermills contributes to preservation of the original building infrastructure, landscape, cultural heritage, and supports tourism development.
Sustainable and integral development in the area of electrical machines will bring new forms of machines with reduced material consumption and with improved output characteristics. The first objective is the reduction of the consumed material. Thus, it will improve the carbon footprint of the electric machine already in the production process. This will also reduce the price of machines and competitiveness of the products. The second objective is the increase of energy conversion efficiency, which has a direct impact on the reduction of electricity production, especially from fossil fuels.
The new micro- and nano- composite soft-magnetic materials in an electric machine will prevent the parasitic effects of electromagnetic fields, which are for example reflected in an additional heating and in the occurrence of bearing currents. Additionally, the material will also be used in other areas where it is necessary to shield the electromagnetic fields.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
2016,
final report
