High Voltage Power Electronics for Integrating Micro-Grids to Conventional Power Grid

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

1. Summary of Proposal Introduction: Power engineering is become exciting because distributed generation, renewable energy technologies and storage technologies (packaged as Micro-Grids) will constitute a large proportion of the Future Grid. Long Term Objective (15 years): The proposal is to develop Power Electronic Converter Interfaces (PECIs) to integrate Micro-Grids to the Traditional Grid (referred hereafter as Mega-Grid). Placed between the Micro-Grid and the Mega-Grid, each Power Electronic Converter Interface (PECI) must mesh with the requirements of both sides. The integration requires expertise on both sides. Short Term Objectives (5 Years): The short term objectives have been identified from the literature search in the 5-page summary. They are in using the PECIs for the following 3 tasks: 1. Fast restoration of the transmission lines after a blackout. 2. Using energy storage in Micro-Grids to stabilize frequency when the Mega-Grid loses “rotor inertia” or “spinning reserve” when steam plants are replaced by renewable energy technologies. 3. Using Gas-Turbine Generators as long-duration reserve which battery storage will be insufficient. From past research, the applicant has the knowledge to guide PhD students to accomplish the tasks within 5 years. Present Predicament Because of traditional divisions of specialization, Micro-Grid draws researchers from the Power Electronics Society and the Industrial Electronics Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE). Mega-Grid draws researchers from the Power System Society and the Power Delivery Society of IEEE. The two seldom meet. Benefits to Canada Power Electronic Converter Interfaces (PECIs) which tailor-fit the Mega-Grid and Micro-Grids will put Canada ahead of international competition. HPQ will be first in the field on integration knowhow. There will be start-up companies in consultation, in software; in firmware; in control circuitry---creating employment. The research will yield new knowledge in engineering science. There will be intellectual properties: patents are granted for being first in the field. Source of Multidisciplinary Expertise According to Google Scholar, the applicant's 130 journal papers appeared in (1) Power Systems, (2) Power Electronics and (3) Renewable Energy Technologies. As index of relevance, there are 6220 citations in all, with 3208 citations since 2010. According to Microsoft Academic: since 1994 he has 1107 citations in (1) Energy; (2) Electrical and Electronic Engineering; (3) Industrial Engineering. More important is the fact that his research of the past 6 years spans the 3 target expertise required by this grant application.