Short Summary
Reduced Cost Power
Electronic Converter for Generator Applications
Herbert Hess
99-23
EISG Project Title: Reduced Cost Power
Electronic Converter for Generator Applications
EISG Grant Number: 99-23
PIER Area: Industrial/Agriculture/Water End-Use Efficiency
Principal Investigator: Herbert Hess
Contact Information: (208) 885-4341 hhess@uidaho.edu
Organization: University of Idaho
Grant Amount: $74,977
Grant Term: 18 Months
Project
Description: The purpose of this project is to research
the feasibility of developing a more efficient and lower cost power electronic
converter for use in variable speed electrical generation applications such as
wind and water turbines or gas microturbines.
A prototype converter will be fabricated and tested.
Proposed Outcomes:
· Prototype power converter rated for15 horsepower.
· Control algorithm for the dc bus.
· Feasibility assessment based on prototype performance testing.
Anticipated Benefits:
· Reduce by 50% the capital cost of power electronic converters for variable speed applications.
· Enables turbines to operate at their optimum power output and efficiency.
· Saves energy by reducing line losses.
· Eliminates need to modify the generator for variable speed operation.