Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/M507179/2 | |
| Title | A Low Cost, High Capacity, Smart Residential Distribution Network Enabled By SiC Power Electronics | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr A (Andrew ) Cross No email address given Sch of Engineering and Applied Science Aston University |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 February 2017 | |
| End Date | 24 March 2018 | |
| Duration | 14 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £134,577 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Electronics; Energy; Manufacturing | |
| Region | West Midlands | |
| Programme | Energy : Energy | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr A (Andrew ) Cross , Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Dr J Yang , Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University (0.001%) |
|
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | One of the key challenges facing the UK electrical Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) today is the Increasing demandfor power being placed on residential networks e.g. general load growth, the proliferation of electrical vehicles (EVs) andelectrified heat. At the same time, there are problems associated with voltage limit violations caused by an increase in theconnection of distributed generation (DG) and energy storage devices. This project follows on from a TSB Feasibility Studywhich showed that a cost effective solution to these problems can be achieved on the existing infrastructure by increasingthe local network phase voltage to 400 V (existing cable is rated at 600V). To step the voltage back down to 230 V at eachhouse, DNO-owned, low-cost, 99% efficient power electronic converters (PECs) will need to be installed in the meter-box.Our previous study showed that the 99% efficiency was essential to avoid over-heating in the meter-box and hence new,low-cost SiC devices were mandatory. However, the cost of existing commercially available SiC is very high, whichconflicts with the need for low-cost. Therefore this project will consider a new, highly innovative fabrication technique forSiC power devices namely 3C SiC on Silicon. This system will not only increase network capacity, but also provideoptimised connections for emerging EV charging, DG and energy storage - the "smart-grid". The project will develop a PEC prototype which will be deployed by Western Power Distribution in a small-scale demonstration of the project | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 20/07/17 | |
