Objective & Syllabus
Rapid evolution of renewable energy has led to the deployment of more power converters. These converters must strictly meet grid standards, before they can connect and channel renewable energy to the grids. They sometimes also have to perform certain grid-friendly functions, such as fault ride-through and power-quality enhancement. It is thus essential to understand a usable power converter and the grid standards governing it. For the former, topics proposed for the course include its modulation and control, in addition to a discussion of some classical and modern topologies. In terms of modulation, the targets are to minimize harmonics, common-mode voltages and others, and for control, the challenges are to ensure precise tracking, stability, and fast dynamics. An appropriately modulated and controlled power converter can then be fine-tuned to meet grid standards for various grid-related applications. These applications may additionally require components like phase-locked loops and high-order filters, which are hence also discussed in the course. Some example applications, ranged from a low-power single-phase photovoltaic converter to a high-power microgrid converter, are then analysed before concluding the course. The course therefore encompasses every part of a power converter and its grid connection.
Learning Outcome
The course aims to teach every part of an operating power converter and its grid applications in accordance to established grid standards. Therefore, at the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify key requirements established in grid standards.
- Identify different parts of a grid-connected power converter.
- Choose or develop their converter topologies based on their own unique design requirements.
- Modulate their chosen topologies to maximize their obtainable operating characteristics.
- Control their converters to perform various grid-related functions, like channelling renewable power to the grid, without losing long-term stabilities.
- Optimize their combinations of high-order filters and topologies to realize compact and low-cost power converters.
- Run simulations to test electrical and thermal characteristics of their designed grid-connected power converters using the PLEC software.
