Electrical power systems
This research group is concerned with the development of digital control of power electronics for distributed energy sources, hybrid vehicles and machines and drives. Research lead Dr Abusara has designed and prototyped a number of commercial products that include grid and parallel connected inverters, Microgrid, DC/DC convertors for hybrid vehicles and sensor-less dries for high speed magnet machines.
Group members
| Group member | Specialism |
|---|---|
| Prof Zhongdong Wang | Professor of Electrical Power Engineering |
| Prof Peter Crossley | Honorary Professor in Power Systems |
| Dr Shanika Matharage | Lecturer in Smart Grid |
| Dr Shuhang Shen | Research Fellow |
Projects
A microgrid is an aggregation of Distributed Generators (DG) and loads. It can work in island standalone mode or in parallel with the main grid. The overall system of a microgrid is shown in the figure below.
Microgrid systems are one of the main building blocks of future Smart Grid technology. Microgrid technology has been a subject for research during the last 10 years; however, there are still many technical challenges to be addressed in order to bring microgrid into full commercial use.
This work involves fundamental research into the controller of microgrid and its communication system in order to enhance robustness, reliability, and performance.
Conventional power electronic topologies used in DC/AC inverters have serious shortcomings when used to interface large (MW) solar PV farms to the grid. These shortcomings include using low frequency power switches, large and expensive filter components, and poor output power quality.
This project is concerned with investigating the use of alternative power electronic topologies and control systems to interface a sub 5MW solar PV farm to the grid. The aim of our research is to increase the power capability of the DC/AC grid connected inverter, improve efficiency, enhance reliability and reduce cost. Research is focused on two main areas: Converter Topology and Converter Control.
Research into the converter control system focuses on:
- improving power quality fed into the grid;
- improving the system robustness of the PV system to grid disturbance such as voltage sags;
- enhancing the system immunity to grid impedance variation and associated coupling between paralleled units;
- maximizing power extraction from the PV modules.
Laboratories and centres
Electrical power systems laboratory
This laboratory has state of the art simulation software along with a Real Time simulation system. Additionally the laboratory has the capability of integrating small machine and for testing power conditioning systems.
Contact: Dr Mohammad Abusara
Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI)
The Environment and Sustainability Institute is a world-class research institute finding cutting-edge solutions to complex problems of environmental change. The challenges we address are global in scale, but we develop solutions in partnership with Cornish businesses, which has a direct impact on the regional economy.
Contact: esienquiries@exeter.ac.uk
Science and Engineering Research Support Facility (SERSF)
The SERSF building is home to offshore renewables laboratories, and also features a specially designed area for business engagement called ‘The Collaboratory’.
Renewable Energy Engineering Facility (REEF)
The Renewable Energy Engineering Facility (REEF) provides a number of exciting opportunities for students on the Renewable Energy programmes. It houses an engineering workshop where students are able to design, build and test projects to support their studies. The facility also has operational renewable energy technologies that students are able to conduct experiments on or compare the outputs of with their simulations and calculations.
Engineering laboratory
Experiments and demonstrations of the fundamental engineering principles are run in the Engineering laboratory in the Daphne Du Maurier building. With equipment demonstrating the generic engineering concepts as well as renewable energy specific technologies the lab supports modules in all years of the programme. In addition to the engineering equipment there is an IT suite with computers running specialist software for modelling renewable energy technologies, mapping projects and designing components.
