ADVANCED POWER CONVERTERS AND CONTROL

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: Antonio TESTA

Expected Learning Outcomes

The main objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding and practical skills related to advanced power converters and power devices, with a focus on innovation and emerging technologies. The course will also emphasize the importance of collaboration, critical thinking, and continuous learning. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the skills necessary for the design and simulation of advanced power converters for the most important types of emerging applications. Through practical projects, students will apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, helping them establish a solid foundation for their future careers. Students will also be encouraged to collaborate and share ideas, thereby improving their problem-solving skills and deepening their understanding of the challenges associated with power converters, preparing them to effectively address the complexities of modern power electronics.

Course Structure

· Lectures covering theoretical concepts, advanced topics, and emerging trends in the field of converters and power electronic devices

· Simulation exercises focused on the practical application of theoretical concepts using industry-standard simulation tools and software.

· Group projects that encourage students to design and analyze power conversion systems, promoting collaboration and problem-solving skills.

· Workshops with industry experts, which are essential for helping students understand how theoretical concepts are applied in practice, gain first-hand information on the latest technologies, innovations, and trends, connect with companies in the power electronics industry, and learn about career opportunities.

· Exams that assess the understanding of the concepts introduced during the course and the ability to apply them in practice.

Required Prerequisites

A basic understanding of electrical circuit analysis, control theory and power electronics is an assumed prerequisite for this course.

Attendance of Lessons

Class attendance is highly recommended.

Detailed Course Content

I. Advanced power converters and electronic devices.

Fundamental concepts and control techniques for isolated, bidirectional, multiphase interleaved, and multiport DC-DC power converters. Soft-switching power converters. Introduction to the theoretical basis of zero current and zero voltage switching. Quasi-resonant, load resonant, and multiresonant power converters, analysis of advantages in terms of efficiency and electromagnetic emissions (EMI).

Voltage source inverters (VSI). Principles of multilevel power conversion and related advantages. Analysis of multilevel inverter structures and related control and modulation systems. VSI inverters for photovoltaic systems. Current source inverters (CSI). Analysis of characteristics and related modulation and control systems. ·

PWM rectifiers and power factor regulators. Introduction to advanced AC-DC converter configurations and modulation techniques and their application in rectification and power factor improvement.

Wide-bandgap power devices. Characteristics and applications of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power devices, with particular attention to their role in improving the performance and efficiency of power converters.

II. Emerging applications of power converters.

Practical applications of power converters in: · Renewable energy systems. · Electric and hybrid vehicles. · Energy storage systems. · Flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). · Auxiliary services for the stability and reliability of electrical networks. · Low-voltage DC distribution · High-voltage DC transmission (HVDC) · Microgrids.

III. Simulation of power converters.

Introduction to the Simulink/Matlab environment and its application in the modeling and simulation of complex power electronic systems. · Analysis of particularly relevant case studies.

Textbook Information

· N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland, W. P. Robbins, Power Electronics: Converters, Applications and Design.

· N. Priyadarshi, A. Kumar Bhoi, R. C. Bansal, A. Kalam, DC-DC Converters for Future Renewable Energy Systems

· E. Kabalci, Multilevel Inverters: Control Methods and Advanced Power Electronic Applications.

· E. Cipriano dos Santos Jr., E. R. Cabral da Silva, Advanced Power Electronics Converters: PWM Converters Processing AC Voltages.

· Y. Liu, H. Abu-Rub, B. Ge, F. Blaabjerg, O. Ellabban, P.Chiang Loh, Impedance Source Power Electronic Converters.

· A. Dasgupta, P. Sensarma, Design and Control of Matrix Converters.

· ON Semiconductor, Power Factor Correction (PFC) Handbook.

· M. K. Abdullah, Three-Phase PWM Rectifier Operating Under Different Voltage Conditions.

· X. Ruan, Soft switching PWM Full-bridge Converters.

· F. Blaabjerg, Control of Power Electronic Converters and Systems.

· L. Ashok Kumar, S. Albert Alexander, Power Converters for Electric Vehicles.

· R. Teodorescu, M. Liserre, P. Rodriguez, Grid Converters for Photovoltaic and Wind Power Systems.

· B. Bahrani, Grid-Forming Power Inverters

· T. Kimoto and J.A. Cooper, Fundamentals of silicon carbide technology.

· D. Jovcic, High Voltage Direct Current Transmission: Converters, Systems and DC Grids.

· H. Komurcugil, S. Bayhan, R. Guzman, M. Malinowski, H. Abu-Rub, Advanced Control of Power Converters: Techniques and Matlab/Simulink Implementation.

· Course notes

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	DC-DC power converters.	N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland, W. P. Robbins, PowerElectronics: Converters, Applications and Design. Course notes.
2	Soft-switching DC-DC converters.	N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland, W. P. Robbins, PowerElectronics: Converters, Applications and Design. Course notes.
3	Multilevel VSI inverters.	E. Kabalci, Multilevel Inverters: Control Methodsand Advanced Power Electronic Applications. Course notes
4	CSI inverters.	N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland, W. P. Robbins, PowerElectronics: Converters, Applications and Design.. Course notes.
5	PWM rectifiers and PFC.	ON Semiconductor, Power Factor Correction (PFC) Handbook.· M. K. Abdullah, Three-Phase PWM Rectifier Operating Under DifferentVoltage Conditions. Course notes.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The exam requires positive evaluation of an assigned project work, followed by an oral examination.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Characteristics and operation of a converter (FORWARD, FLYBACK, BOOST INTERLEAVED isolated, etc.)

Degree Course in

Electrical Engineering for Sustainable Green Energy Transition