Power Electronics & Converters
“Power Electronics is paving the way for the future global electrical grid. At SuperGrid Institute, we develop innovative technologies that are reliable, efficient and cost-effective to bring this network of electricity to life.”
Loïc Leclere, Department Director – Power Electronics & Converters
The Power Electronics and Converters department develops innovative power conversion solutions for HVDC and MVDC applications. In HVDC we focus on solutions for electricity transmission networks covering AC/DC and DC/DC converters, large buffer storage systems, and power flow controllers. In MVDC we study and develop technologies for distribution networks, with a focus on protection, DC/DC converters, and energy storage systems.
The department conducts research on topologies and controls for power converters and their associated technologies, such as medium frequency transformers, silicon carbide (SiC) components and switching cells. Other research topics include condition and health monitoring, as well as digital twin modelling applied to power converters.
Advanced testing facilities enable us to perform full characterisation tests on power components up to many kVolts and kAmps, as well as back-to-back converter testing combined with a 100 kW deionised water cooling heat exchanger.
Our research includes:
Recent publications
Single branch of energy storage submodules to integrate energy storage devices in HVDC systems
The topology consists of a branch of energy storage submodules (ES-SMs) and an inductor.
Increasing DC system stability thanks to energy control in MMC based DC-DC converters
In this paper, the virtual capacitor control is proposed for the Front-to-Front MMC.
Implications of faults on insulation coordination of dedicated metallic return on bipolar HVDC overhead transmission lines
This paper focuses on a specific issue of bipolar HVDC lines with a dedicated metallic return (DMR).
