Grant: Strategic Projects - Group
Queen's University
$117,000.00
New power converters for energy storage systems
FY 2013-14
Summary
In order to reduce harmful CO2 emissions, a concerted effort has been made by governments worldwide to produce more electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Although both provide clean sources of energy and do not produce emissions, they are intermittent in nature. As the use of these renewable yet intermittent sources increases, there is increased concern for the reliability of the power grid. Energy storage technologies play a critical role in the efficient operation of the power grid by: ensuring availability during periods of high demand, smoothing fluctuations in supply and demand, and enhancing grid reliability. Newer battery technologies not only provide energy storage for small systems but can also provide significant energy storage for utility-scale systems. This proposal focuses on the development of novel, efficient, compact and cost-effective power conversion technology for energy storage systems. The innovative character of this research lies in the uniqueness of proposed alternatives to existing converter topologies and control techniques. The main emphasis is on devising minimum-components, highly-efficient and very-high switching circuit topologies and digital control techniques that enable the mass scale deployment of energy storage systems. Due to the advanced research being conducted at ePOWER as well as the close collaborations nutured with industrial partners, the applicant's HQP will gain a unique opportunity to acquire broader-based industry-relevant and application-based experience not common in academia. The advanced solutions obtained through the proposed research are expected to provide a competitive edge to Canadian industries to penetrate this burgeoning market. Proliferation of this energy-efficient technology in other industries, such as the information, alternative energy and aerospace sectors, will further benefit Canada. The proposed research will also help Canada to fulfill its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Program
Strategic Projects - Group
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
447606-2013
Name nom
Jain, Praveen
Department département
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Organization id
29
Institution établissement
Queen's University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2013
Competition year année de concours
2013
Award amount
117000
Program id
STPGP
Program name en
Strategic Projects - Group
Program name fr
Projets stratégiques - De groupe
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1571
Committee name en
Strategic Projects Selection Panel - Energy
Committee name fr
Comité de sélection des projets stratégiques - Énergie
Area of application code
304
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Electrical energy
Area of application fr
Énergie électrique
Research subject code
2500
Research subject group en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Research subject en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
New power converters for energy storage systems
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
In order to reduce harmful CO2 emissions, a concerted effort has been made by governments worldwide to produce more electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Although both provide clean sources of energy and do not produce emissions, they are intermittent in nature. As the use of these renewable yet intermittent sources increases, there is increased concern for the reliability of the power grid. Energy storage technologies play a critical role in the efficient operation of the power grid by: ensuring availability during periods of high demand, smoothing fluctuations in supply and demand, and enhancing grid reliability. Newer battery technologies not only provide energy storage for small systems but can also provide significant energy storage for utility-scale systems. This proposal focuses on the development of novel, efficient, compact and cost-effective power conversion technology for energy storage systems. The innovative character of this research lies in the uniqueness of proposed alternatives to existing converter topologies and control techniques. The main emphasis is on devising minimum-components, highly-efficient and very-high switching circuit topologies and digital control techniques that enable the mass scale deployment of energy storage systems. Due to the advanced research being conducted at ePOWER as well as the close collaborations nutured with industrial partners, the applicant's HQP will gain a unique opportunity to acquire broader-based industry-relevant and application-based experience not common in academia. The advanced solutions obtained through the proposed research are expected to provide a competitive edge to Canadian industries to penetrate this burgeoning market. Proliferation of this energy-efficient technology in other industries, such as the information, alternative energy and aerospace sectors, will further benefit Canada. The proposed research will also help Canada to fulfill its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
