High Performance Power Electronics with Applications in Electric Aircraft, Space Exploration and Renewable Energy
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 10am
About this Event
150 Western Avenue, Allston, MA 02134
Advancements in power electronics are vital for ushering in the next generation of electrification. From electric aircrafts and cars to increased integration of renewable energy on the grid, power electronics is a key bottleneck to achieving a more electric future. Hybrid switched-capacitor converters offer opportunity for advancements in high-performance power electronics by leveraging energy-dense capacitors as the primary storage element. This work describes the benefits and challenges of implementing this class of power electronics. Two examples are presented which showcase the performance of hybrid switched-capacitor converters in medium-voltage applications. First, a converter designed for hybrid electric aircrafts is described which achieves high performance and passes low altitude flight qualification, showcasing the potential reliability of these converters. Next, a converter is presented which is designed for operation in extreme space environments where radiation effects make high conversion ratios and high voltages challenging. Finally, next generation power electronics are discussed, focusing on the impact of new devices, topology advancements and the role high-performance power electronics can have on achieving a more electric future.