Optimized and Modular Architectures for Grid Integration of a Cluster of Hydrokinetic Energy Resources

研究目标和方法：本研究的目标是通过开发增加功率密度的方法，并将发电机、电力调节系统和与公用电网的接口的安装和维护成本降至最低，来推进水动能发电。该方法是(i)在几种替代水力发电系统的成本和功率之间建立基本的权衡，（ii）探索降低安装和维护成本/功率交付的替代机器/转换器架构，以及（iii）开发模块化，可扩展和高效的功率调节和接口系统，具有高功率质量。智力优势：本项目开发了一种通用的模块化和可扩展的动力转换结构，用于水动能资源的进一步扩展和并网。它还建立了几个相互竞争的技术之间的设计权衡的严格推导，这将允许社区对最适合给定环境的体系结构做出明智的决策。更广泛的影响：开发的技术将有助于增加水动能转换系统的大规模安装，并将有助于可再生能源部门的增长。本文的研究结果将为降低水动能资源网格整合成本提供有益的设计指导。该教育项目将帮助教育和装备下一代电力工程师，使他们具备解决未来问题所需的知识和技能。美国能源挑战。这将有助于地方和国家的绿色企业和工业。

Research Objectives and Approaches:The objective of this research is to advance hydrokinetic energy generation by developing methods to increase the power density and minimize the installation and maintenance costs of the generator, power conditioning system, and interface to the utility grid. The approach is to (i) establish the fundamental tradeoff between cost and power delivered of several alternative hydro-generation systems, (ii) explore alternative machine/converter architectures that reduce the installation and maintenance cost/power delivered, and (iii) develop modular, scalable, and efficient power conditioning and interface systems with high power quality.Intellectual Merits: This project develops a generalized modular and scalable power conversion structure for further expansion and grid integration of hydrokinetic energy resources. It also establishes a rigorous derivation of the design tradeoffs between several competing technologies that will allow the community to make informed decisions on the architecture that is best suited for a given environment.Broader Impact: The developed technology will help to increase the large-scale installation of hydrokinetic energy conversion systems and will contribute to the growth of the renewable energy sector. The results and outcomes of the proposed research will provide useful design guidance to reduce the cost of grid integration of hydrokinetic energy resources. The educational program will help to educate and equip the next generation of power engineers with the knowledge and skills required to address tomorrow?s energy challenges. This will contribute to local and national green businesses and industries.