Research at ³ÉÈË´óƬEfficiently integrate renewables into the grid with 5L-HAC technology, ensuring reliable energy conversion.
Background
In the face of mounting environmental concerns and the depletion of traditional fossil fuel resources, there is an urgent global shift towards harnessing Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to meet power demands. Photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are key players in this transition, offering clean and sustainable energy generation. However, a significant challenge arises from the inherent disparity between the direct current (DC) voltage generated by RESs and BESSs and the alternating current (AC) grid infrastructure that powers our communities and industries.
To effectively integrate the abundant but DC-based energy from RESs and BESSs into the AC grid, there is a critical need for advanced DC/AC grid-tie converters. These converters facilitate the seamless conversion of DC power into AC power, enabling its efficient distribution and consumption. As the scale and power rating of RESs continue to surge to lower energy costs and bolster reliability, existing converters are encountering severe limitations such as costs, efficiencies, voltage balancing and thermal distribution.
Technology Overview
The novel topology proposed presents a five-level converter employing a hybrid active clamped (5L‑HAC) design ‑ a design that ensures effective distribution of voltage stress across multiple power semiconductor devices. This topology enables the generation of a five-level voltage waveform at the converter’s output, allowing for efficient AC power conversion. Unlike traditional converters, the hybrid-clamped topology minimizes the need for complex series connections of switching devices to achieve high DC-link voltage, thus simplifying the design and enhancing reliability.
The main challenge in hybrid-clamped converters is maintaining voltage balance across dc-link and flying capacitors. This solution eliminates voltage balancing issues, enabling the wide practical use of hybrid multi-level converters. The 5L-HAC topology offers an elegant yet robust solution to this longstanding challenge, ensuring stable operation and enhancing the converter’s applicability in real-world scenarios.
Benefits
- Higher DC Bus Voltage: The proposed converter eliminates the need for series connection of switching devices to achieve high DC-link voltage. This advancement is vital for the next generation of high-power DC to AC converters, especially in photovoltaic applications.
- Optimized Semiconductor Usage: All switching devices experience the same blocking voltage, reducing complexity and ensuring uniform distribution of stress.
- Reduced Switching Devices: The converter employs a lower number of switching devices, streamlining the hardware design and reducing cost.
- Smaller Capacitors: Lower voltage ripple results in smaller dc-link and flying capacitors, leading to reduced volt-ampere requirements and improved efficiency.
- Simplified Design: The technology offers a simple hardware design and packaging, contributing to lower overall cost, volume, and weight.
- Enhanced Thermal Distribution: Improved heat dissipation across the converter leads to better thermal management and reliability.
- Higher Efficiency: The innovative design and reduced component stress contribute to higher overall efficiency.
Applications
- Renewable Energy Integration: The technology enables efficient conversion of DC power generated by RESs (e.g., photovoltaic systems, wind turbines) and BESSs into AC power for seamless integration into the AC grid.
- Microgrids: The converter can play a vital role in microgrid applications, allowing locally generated renewable energy to be smoothly integrated and utilized.
- Industrial and Commercial Power Systems: Large-scale renewable installations in industrial or commercial settings can benefit from this converter’s high-power capabilities and efficiency.
Opportunity
Queen’s University is currently seeking licensing opportunities to bring this technology to the market and unlock its potential. Acquire the rights to implement this technology and differentiate your offerings in the competitive market. By partnering with Queen's, you join forces with a team of experts who are dedicated to driving innovation in power electronics and renewable energy. Collaborate with Queen’s experienced researchers and engineers, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to further enhance and customize the converter design to fit your specific product requirements.
IP Status
Provisional Patent
Seeking
- Development partner
- Commercial partner
- Licensing
Posted
August 24, 2023