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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/L021579/1
Title High Current Module and Technologies Optimised for HVDC
Status Completed
Energy Categories Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Dr P Palmer
No email address given
Engineering
University of Cambridge
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 16 December 2014
End Date 15 June 2019
Duration 54 months
Total Grant Value £1,016,809
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region East of England
Programme Energy : Energy
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Dr P Palmer , Engineering, University of Cambridge (99.995%)
  Other Investigator Dr SJ Finney , Institute for Energy and Environment, University of Strathclyde (0.001%)
Professor P Mawby , School of Engineering, University of Warwick (0.001%)
Dr O Alatise , School of Engineering, University of Warwick (0.001%)
Dr RA McMahon , Engineering, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Professor F Udrea , Engineering, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , Alstom Grid Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , Amantys Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , Dynex Semiconductor Ltd (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract The proposed research will investigate the role that advanced power semiconductor module design can play in improving the efficiency and increasing the capacity of Voltage Source, HVDC converters.Growing use of HVDC for integration of renewable energy sources and transnational electricity transmission is driving development HVDC technologies. Within Europe there are over 20 HVDC schemes currently planned and under construction most of which will employ new IGBT based Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology. The development of new multi-level converters greatly raised DC operating voltages in VSC converters and improved their performance.Despite these significant advances, there are still strong drivers to raise both capacity and efficiency. To date multi-level HVDC typically utilises high voltage power semiconductor modules originally designed for other applications. At projected deployment rates, VSC-HVDC is likely to become one of the key markets for high voltage power. The size of this potential market justifies the development of a new power semiconductor switch, specifically designed around the needs of multi-level VSC converters. Such a power switch will be a composite of high capacity multi-device module and an associated intelligent gate drive which can optimise module performance in multi-level VSC systems. It is proposed that such techniques can provide significant gains in both converter capacities and efficiency at a reduced cost.
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 06/01/15