Power electronics is a technology for efficient control and conversion of electrical energy. Power electronics is used extensively in all parts of modern living from harvesting, storing and distributing renewable energy to powering satellites, aircrafts, electrical vehicles, robots, pumps, data-centers and to support our everyday personal needs such as washing machines, cooking, phones, entertainment etc. Power electronics is therefore an absolute key technology in achieving a green sustainable future.
Research topics
High efficiency compact DC-DC converters
Our research in dc-dc converters focuses on achieving the highest conversion efficiency and making them more compact in size. Reducing losses will increase the available output power leading to more sellable power in solar applications or longer range in electrical vehicles. For higher power levels, lower losses also reduce size and cost of the converter itself. Achieving the highest conversion efficiency requires a total optimization of the complete converter design including all steps from selection of converter topology, optimization of magnetic design, selection of power devices, and design of EMI-filters to the detailed circuit board layout. Measured efficiency is therefore a good metric of the level of design optimization achieved in a given application and thus also becomes a very useful research objective in power electronics.
Advanced high frequency magnetic components
Advanced high frequency magnetic components are a key element in achieving high conversion efficiency in power converters. Our research is therefore focused on reducing losses and sizes of magnetic components. To achieve this objective we conduct research into improving methods for analyzing, simulating, designing, manufacturing and testing of magnetic components.
Finite Element Modelling of magnetic components
Our research in dc-dc converter requires simulation and analysis of magnetic components in the design stage due to both technical and economical reason. This becomes more critical when we are designing planar magnetics. Our research is focused on the Finite Element Modelling of planar magnetics to simulate various parasitic of the magnetics using software’s such as COMSOL and ANSYS.
Three-phase Power Factor Correction rectifiers
A Power Factor Correction (PFC) rectifier is a front end switch mode converter which regulates the input current of an electronic load (dc-dc converter) to achieve unity power factor, thereby improving grid power quality. However, PFC rectifiers add significant cost and losses. Our research is therefore focused on reducing losses in PFC rectifiers. Bi-directional PFCs will become a key component in realizing future SMART grid systems.
Electromagnetic Interference in power converters
While achieving very high conversion efficiency and small size, the high switching frequency in modern power converters are also responsible for the majority of the electromagnetic noise generation and emission in electronic systems. The filters required to attenuate this noise to comply with required emission standards can be both large and expensive. We therefore conduct research into improving analysis and prediction of converter noise levels and to design optimum Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) filters.
Research group
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Morten Nymand (Professor MSO, Group leader)
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Christian Østergaard (Assistant Professor)
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Claus Skærsholm Kjeldsen (PhD)
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Jesper Nielsen (Eng. Assistant)
Projects
Find selected projects here:
- APETT - Advanced Power Electronic Technology and Tool, Read more
- PE:Region, Read more
- PE:Region Platform, Read more
- Industriel Elektronik Innovation (IEI) eWorkVehicle
- Industriel Elektronik Innovation (IEI) eWorkVehiclePower
- Industriel Elektronik Innovation (IEI) FlexiCharge
- EUDP project: eRCV Power 2019
- X-POWER
Publications
Find latest publications here:
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Operation and efficiency analysis of a five-level single-phase hybrid Si/SiC active neutral point clamped converter
Najjar, M., Shahparasti, M., Kouchaki, A. & Nymand, M., 1. feb. 2022, I: IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics.10, 1, s. 662-672, Read more
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Comparison of Common-Mode EMI Noise in a Phase-Shifted and Hard-Switched Full-Bridge Forward Converters
Makda, I. A. & Nymand, M., 6. sep. 2021, 2021 23rd European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, EPE 2021 ECCE Europe.IEEE, 9 s., Read more
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Demonstration of a Compact Hard-Switched 3.5 kW DC/DC Converter utilizing Planar Magnetics optimized for low Capacitive Loss
Oestergaard, C., Kjeldsen, C. S. & Nymand, M., 6. sep. 2021, 2021 23rd European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, EPE 2021 ECCE Europe.IEEE, 10 s., Read more