EAGER: Ultra-Efficient, Scalable, and Fault-Tolerant DC-DC Converters for Medium/High-Voltage Applications

随着对开发分布式能源的需求不断增长，以及对功率密度、可靠性和效率要求不断提高的动态和可重构电网的需求，直流（dc）电力系统的概念正在获得关注。低损耗和高功率密度的直流输电和配电，引发了高压和中压直流输电和配电系统的进一步实施。预计直流电网将提高传统电网的功能、稳定性和可靠性，同时降低转换损耗和投资成本。设想中的直流电网不一定处于相同的电压水平，它们向未来电网的扩展需要超高效、可扩展、功率密集和容错的中高压dc-dc电源转换器，当连接两个或多个运行在不同电压水平的直流系统时，它将实现电压匹配。本研究的目标是实现一种新型的dc-dc变换器，该变换器在效率、可扩展性、功率密度和容错/可靠性方面达到了新的极限，并加速了直流电网的进一步扩展。为此，充分探索了两种新的有前途的转换器拓扑结构，一种基于电压源转换器概念，另一种基于电流源转换器概念。该项目将专注于这些转换器拓扑的建模、分析、控制、短路故障保护和设计优化，展示实现包括紧凑、超高效、功率密度和嵌入式故障阻塞能力在内的目标的能力。拟议的教育活动将有助于教育和装备下一代电力工程师/科学家，使他们具备解决能源问题所需的知识和技能。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

EAGER: Ultra-Efficient, Scalable, and Fault-Tolerant DC-DC Converters for Medium/High-Voltage Applications With the growing demand for exploiting distributed energy resources and the need for dynamic and reconfigurable power grids with ever increasing power density, reliability, and efficiency requirements, the concept of direct current (dc) power systems is gaining traction. Lower losses and higher power densities enabled by dc power transmission and distribution has sparked further implementation of high-voltage and medium-voltage dc transmission and distribution systems. It is envisioned that the dc grids will improve functionality, stability, and reliability of the legacy power grid while simultaneously decreasing the conversion losses and investment cost. The envisioned dc grids are not necessarily at the same voltage level and their expansion towards the future grid calls for ultra- efficient, scalable, power-dense and fault-tolerant medium- and high-voltage dc-dc power converters, which will enable voltage matching when connecting two or more dc systems operating at different voltage levels. The objective of this research is to realize a new class of dc-dc converters, which pushes the boundaries of efficiency, scalability, power density and fault tolerance/reliability and expedites further expansion of dc grids. To this end, two new promising converter topologies, one based on the voltage-sourced converter concept and the other one based on the current-sourced converter concept, are fully explored. The project will focus on modeling, analysis, control, short-circuit fault protection, and design optimization of these converter topologies, demonstrating the ability to achieve the objectives including compact, ultra-efficient, power dense, and embedded fault blocking capability. The proposed educational activities will help educate and equip next-generation power engineers/scientists with the required knowledge and skills to tackle energy chalThis award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.