Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Power system simulators represent an essential and economical system for studying and designing power system networks, including in the context of power distribution and utilization. However, the power semiconductor model in modern simulators, e.g. PSCAD, is only based on an ideal switch with conducting and disconnecting stages, it does not account for the actual and detailed characteristics of power semiconductors during switching. Thus, it cannot simulate the efficiency and thermal behavior of power electronics converters in modern power systems such as the renewable energy converters in Microgrids. In this work, a comprehensive investigation into the methodology of power system simulation associated with modern power semiconductors will be carried out and the simulated results will be experimentally verified. At the end of the project, a quick, accurate and reliable power system simulator will be produced. The project will be in tight collaboration with the Manitoba HVDC research Centre (the industrial partner of the project) and is based on their Power System Simulation software product, PSCAD. The resultant simulator of this research project will assist engineers in Utility Companies, such as Manitoba Hydro, with effective and rapid planning, design and research on future power grids. It will also benefit the manufacturers of power electronics apparatuses, e.g. solar inverters, to evaluate the efficiency and power density of their products. Further, 1 PostDoc, 1 PhD, 1 MSc and 4 summer BSc students will be trained in the project. These HQP will learn cutting-edge technologies and will be able to contribute to the Canadian Power and Energy industry in the future.