Underpinning Power Electronics 2012: Converters Theme

电力电子是可持续发展未来的关键技术，提供了一种高效的电能转换和控制手段。其应用范围包括可再生能源发电、输电和配电、运输系统、工业自动化和消费产品。为了巩固英国在电力电子领域的学术能力，并推动世界领先的技术进步，该提案构成了四个相关计划资助申请之一，这些申请共同涵盖了器件，组件集成，转换器和驱动器的关键领域。四个研究主题将由一个协调中心监督，确保研究保持冒险性和重点突出，有积极有效的主题间合作，强大的行业参与和影响。转换器主题将集中在转换器技术的两个不同领域，其中存在显著提高性能的潜力;第一个是用于未来发电和输电系统的超大规模高压转换器，而第二个是超紧凑型转换器，这是车载车辆，飞机和船舶等各种电源转换功能所需的。提高高压转换器的效率并扩展其电压/功率/过载能力将使得更有效和可靠地输送电力成为可能，并且使得能够更有效地利用可再生形式的能量。另一方面，减小功率转换器的尺寸将使交通领域的许多低碳技术概念成为可能，例如混合动力/电动汽车以及更多的电动飞机和船舶。

Power electronics is a critical enabling technology for a sustainable future, providing a highly efficient means of converting and controlling electrical energy. Its applications cover renewable generation, power transmission and distribution, transport systems, industrial automation and consumer products. To underpin the UK's academic capability in power electronics and to drive forward world-leading advances in the technology, this proposal forms one of four linked programme grant applications which together cover the key areas of Devices, Component Integration, Converters and Drives. The four research themes will be overseen by a coordinating hub, ensuring that the research remains adventurous and well-focused, that there is vigorous and effective inter-theme collaboration, strong industrial engagement and impact. The Converters Theme will focus on two distinct areas of converter technology where the potential exists to make significant gains in performance; the first is in very large scale, high-voltage converters for future power generation and transmission systems, whilst the second is in ultra-compact converters, which are a needed for a wide range of power conversion functions such as on-board vehicles, aircraft, and ships. Increasing the efficiency and extending the voltage / power / overload capability of high voltage converters will make possible the more efficient and reliable delivery of electrical power and enable more effective exploitation of renewable forms of energy. On the other hand, reducing the size of power converters will make possible many low-carbon technology concepts in the transport area such as hybrid / electric vehicles, and the more-electric aircraft and ship.