Robust Power Conversion, Delivery, and Beyond: Modular Multilevel Converters, DC Circuit Breakers, and Insulation Technologies

Abstract:

To effectively combat climate change and promote energy equity, transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy is essential. In line with this, the Code of Federal Regulations set the goal of 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035. Medium- and high-voltage power electronics play a pivotal role in achieving this goal, as they are crucial for integrating rapidly expanding renewable energy sources with energy storage systems, data centers, and various forms of electric transportation. However, challenges such as the high cost, concerns over the reliability, the need for advanced protection schemes in dc grids, and lack of standard technologies still hinder the further expansion of the power electronics technologies in energy systems. Addressing these issues requires a deeper understanding of aging mechanisms in power equipment, exploration of modular converter configurations, and development of innovative dc circuit breakers.

In this seminar, I will begin by presenting my research on insulation coordination and high-voltage testing. This section will cover the aging of dielectrics, the design of insulation structures, and health monitoring techniques, with an emphasis on how this work contributes to cost reduction. Following this, I will discuss my analysis and medium-voltage experimental verifications of modular multilevel converters and a fast hybrid dc circuit breaker. Finally, I will introduce the potential applications of emerging and existing manufacturing and analysis technologies, highlighting their role in advancing power electronics comprehensively.

Biography:

Qichen Yang received his PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia in 2018. He is currently a Research Faculty I at the Center for the Advanced Power System, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, which he joined as a Postdoctoral Scholar in 2019. His research interests include medium-voltage multilevel converter, medium-voltage dc circuit breaker, and high-voltage insulation technology.