A Hybrid PV-Battery Unit Optimised for LV Grids Using GaN Transistors
Reference Number
EP/N509954/1
Title
A Hybrid PV-Battery Unit Optimised for LV Grids Using GaN Transistors
Status
Completed
Energy Categories
Energy Efficiency(Transport)
Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage)
Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage)
Research Types
Basic and strategic applied research
Applied Research and Development
Applied Research and Development
Science and Technology Fields
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation
Not Cross-cutting
Principal Investigator
Dr A Cross
Sch of Engineering and Applied Science
Aston University
Sch of Engineering and Applied Science
Aston University
Award Type
Standard
Funding Source
EPSRC
Start Date
01 March 2016
End Date
31 January 2017
Duration
11 months
Total Grant Value
£122,893
Industrial Sectors
Energy
Region
West Midlands
Programme
Energy : Energy
Investigators
Principal Investigator
Dr A Cross, Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University
Other Investigator
Dr D Strickland, Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract
Under their "Gone Green" deployment scenario, National Grid forecast that energy generated from photovoltaics (PV) in the UK is expected to rise from 2 GW to 15 GW over the next 20 years. This is being driven by the UK's legal obligationsaround the installation of renewables and cutting greenhouse gases, the rising cost of energy and concerns around the security of supply - the so-called energy "trilemma". Power Electronic converters are a key enabling technology for PV and a range of other low-carbon technologies (LCTs). However the use of LCTs has resulted in problems for the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) in terms of supply voltage distortion and over-voltages, which threatens to limit or delay the uptake of these technologies. The aim of this project is to mitigate this threat by exploiting the benefits of new Gallium Nitride (GaN) power module, which will initially be developed for use in a hybrid PV-battery unit for residential applications, but will have much broader application in LV grid-connected equipment (e.g. electric vehicle, charging & micro-CHP). It is anticipated that the deployment of these units would lead to an increase in the maximum allowable installed capacity on the network and will be much smaller, lighter and have lower cost than existing Silicon based units
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Added to Database
13/06/16
