CAREER: Optimal Diversification of Multiple Energy Sources

我们对化石燃料的依赖正在造成社会、政治、技术、经济和环境问题。对替代能源的探索为我们提供了许多替代化石能源的选择。然而，这些选择都有自己的一系列优势、劣势和风险。这一综合研究和教育项目将使学生为解决涉及替代能源的能源问题做好准备。该项目的目标是通过将它们结合起来，最大限度地利用现有能源。能源，包括光伏、氢能和风能，都可以转化为电能，以便有效地结合在一起。结合和操纵电能的最有效手段是电力电子技术。在这个项目中，将开发出以最佳方式组合多种能源的新型电力电子变流器。这不仅需要在控制和拓扑方面取得进展--因为多输入功率转换器技术尚未开发--还需要对组合不同能源的权衡进行彻底的评估。这将得到通过新课程提高所有工程学学生的能源意识以及通过在现有课程中更多地整合与能源有关的主题的支持。该项目的研究部分将在理论算法和硬件演示两方面达到顶峰。该原型将结合至少三种不同来源的能源，并将为至少两种不同的负载供电。它的目的是这将是第一个这种类型的转换器，并启发一种新的电力方法

Our dependence on fossil fuel is causing social, political, technological, economical, and environmental problems. The search for alternative energy has given us many choices for replacing fossil-based energy. However, the choices come with their own set of advantages, disadvantages, and risks. This integrated research and education project will prepare students for solving energy problems involving alternative energy sources. The goal of this project is to make the best use of available energy sources by combining them. Energy sources, including photovoltaic, hydrogen, and wind, each can be converted to electrical energy such that it can be combined efficiently. The most effective means to combine and manipulate electricity is power electronics. In this project, new power electronic converters will be developed that combine multiple energy sources in an optimal way. This not only requires advances in control and topology - as multiple-input power converter technology is undeveloped - but will also require a thorough assessment of trade-offs in combining different energy sources. This will be supported by improved energy awareness among all engineering students through new courses and through more integration of energy-related topics in existing coursework. The research portion of the project will culminate in both theoretical algorithms and a hardware demonstration. The prototype will combine energy from at least three different sources and will power at least two varieties of loads. It is intended that this will be the first converter of its kind, and inspire a new approach to electric power