GaN power electronics converters for hybrid renewable energy systems

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A concerted effort is being made worldwide to generate a larger proportion of energy from renewable energy sources and to build new decentralized smart power infrastructures or 'microgrids.' Energy storage technologies play a critical role in efficient microgrid operation. The success of microgrids depends critically upon the development of hybrid power systems comprising wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, fuel cells and power electronics converters. The proposed research program focuses on development of new gallium nitride (GaN) based power electronics converter topologies with significantly reduced losses and increased power density for hybrid renewable energy systems. The innovative character of the proposed research lies in the uniqueness of the proposed alternatives to existing converter topologies and control techniques. The main emphasis is to devise minimum-components, highly-efficient and very-high switching circuit topologies and digital control techniques that enable cost-effective and compact power converter designs. The proposed research exemplifies academic significance and industrial importance. HQP will be trained and next generation power electronics technologies will be developed for practical use in designing efficient, compact and cost-effective renewable energy systems with storage capability.