Medium Voltage Power Electronics Research: Challenges and Opportunities-Slides

Abstract:Many high-power applications require medium voltage conversion solutions and performing research activities at university, in this domain, has its challenges. Modular converter structures, such as Modular Multilevel Converters or many variants of Solid-State Transformers, are receiving great attention from researchers, but are generally suited for high voltage high power applications. Designing these conversion systems, without scaling them down is associated with multiple technical challenges related to electrical, magnetic, dielectric, and thermal as well as with control hardware and performance limits. Various technological choices must be carefully considered and adequately selected before being included in multi-objective optimization on a system level. Suitable equipment, space, and safety considerations must be available to successfully carry out research in the domain. The webinar will address practical experiences from the Power Electronics Laboratory at EPFL, in managing medium voltage research projects, through several illustrative examples from past projects.