Projects / Programmes
Control of electromechanical systems
January 1, 2020
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.12.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electric devices |
|
| 2.03.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T001 |
Technological sciences |
Electronics and Electrical technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
energy efficiency, electric devices, electric machines and drives, electric grids, electric power system, control, protection, modelling, optimization, renewable energy, smart and micro grids, energy flexibility
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
June 30, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
268 |
2,890 |
2,494 |
9.31 |
| Scopus |
383 |
4,080 |
3,589 |
9.37 |
Researchers (25)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The proposed research program addresses the problem of energy efficiency starting on the level of electric devices, machines and drives, going through the level of electricity networks with distributed generation, protection and control problems, network configuration, active network users, energy management and energy flexibility, and ending at the level of power system control with frequency control and regulating reserves. Electrical devices, and power systems are the backbone of the modern society. To reduce the impact of the lack of fossil fuels and to transit to a low-carbon society, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of electrical devices and power systems. All activities in the proposed research program are in perfect agreement with Slovenia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy - S4, as well as with the new EU energy legislative framework package - Clean Energy for All Europeans. The proposed activities directly support the realisation of the given 2030 targets: at least 32% renewable energy, and at least 32,5% improved energy efficiency, which should be achieved by an active role of energy consumers.
Electromagnetic devices (EM) and drives powered by power electronics converters: The design of EM devices will be implemented with an integral approach, considering the interactions of all components in the device. The classic design methods consider coupled dynamic phenomena in a very simplified way and based on empirical knowledge, which leads to suboptimal technological solutions. The goal of the applied integral designing approach is to enable the integration of power electronics components into magnetic components, which can lead to significant improvements in the area of the described technical problems.
Power system control: The research focuses on regulating reserves. Considering the changing operating conditions, the required regulating reserve will be determined dynamically. The rest of the available resources will be used for other services on the electricity market. Advanced algorithms for power system stabilisers, with the focus on rotor angle stability of the power system, will be developed.
Electricity networks: The research will focus on the development of reliability based maintenance of electricity network elements, gas arrester with defined ignition characteristic, and suppression of interactions between the high voltage and low voltage grounding systems. A new energy management system with an autonomous decision making algorithm and self-learning models will be developed, as well as new concepts for flexible operation of distribution networks.
Significance for science
The research program proposes several novelties that could have a substantial impact on the development of science in the field of energy efficiency related to electromagnetic machines and drives, power system control, and electricity networks.
In the field of electromagnetic devices and drives the planned approach for increasing energy efficiency, power density, and performance of electromagnetic devices is innovative and goes beyond the limitations and weaknesses rooted in the established (classical) design and control approaches. By implementing the proposed design methods, holistic methods based on the underlying basic physical phenomena would substitute predominantly empirical classical methods.
In the field of power system controlthe proposed concepts in the field of power system stabilisation, and dynamically determined required regulation reserves are not only new, but also almost directly applicable.
In the field of electricity networks,the still unsolved problems related to the interaction between the high voltage and low voltage grounding systems, as well as the modelling and manipulation of gas arrester ignition characteristic will be addressed in the scope of this research program.
The proposed solutions in the fields of energy management systems and distribution network operation introduce completely new concepts, which have potential to substantially influence the development, as well as the approach to distribution network operation. They enable the introduction of an energy flexibility market in full scale.
Significance for the country
The proposed research program is based on the continuation and expansion of past research work, which was carried out in close cooperation with various industrial partners. Successful cooperation with industrial partners is reflected in numerous patent applications, and patents awarded in the field of development of resistance spot welding (RSW) systems, as well as in successfully completed ARRS project and numerous scientific publications. In this research field, we are planning to develop an improved welding transformer with an integrated output synchronous rectifier, which would increase the efficiency of the transformer by more than 25% and enable improved (frequency-independent) dynamics of the welding current. In this way, RSW systems could operate at higher frequencies, which would significantly increase the power density of the device. Furthermore, project cooperation with the car manufacturer AUDI is taking place in the field of the development of high-performance electrical machines/drives for the needs of electro mobility, where the discussed approach of designing, controlling, and developing EM drives is being successfully implemented to achieve very ambitious and stringent goals. The results of our research group work in both mentioned cases have a direct impact on the emergence of new products, technological solutions, and innovations.
The situation is similar also in the fields of power system control, and electricity networks. The topics addressed in the proposed research program are a natural continuation, and extension of our past research work. Solutions in the fields of power system control, maintenance, and grounding systems have a very high chance of being implemented in transmission or distribution systems. The novelties that will be developed in the scope of the research program in the field of gas arresters have a great market potential. The manufacturers of gas arresters are interested in implementing new ignition characteristic related solutions. The research work in the field of distribution network operation is an extension and expansion of our research work in the scope of other projects. The results of the implanted closed-loop operation show a big potential for its implementation in specific types of distribution networks. Energy management system related solutions, which will be developed in the scope of this project, seem to be one of the key elements for a proper introduction of an energy flexibility market, and have great market potential. Moreover, if implemented properly, they can become a driving force for the development of new products, which support the EMS. Interest in the introduction of energy flexibility services is great among transmission system operators, as well as balancing groups. The proposed EMS contains an autonomous decision algorithm, which means that it is also acceptable for electricity network users. In distribution networks, where users are equipped with described EMSs, a completely new concept of flexible network operation can be introduced, which could substantially exceed the existing limits, and paradigm of network operation. This could be the start of a flexible and active electricity networks (Smart Grids).
All results of this research program have a high potential to be implemented either in electricity networks and the power system, or in new or improved products.
The development and popularisation of electro mobility will be followed by the inevitable development of social infrastructure that will be needed to provide electrical energy for electro mobility. Improving the efficiency of electrical devices for the production and consumption of electricity, and increasing the reliability and quality of the operation of power systems and electricity networks affects the costs associated with their use. Consequently, the results of this research program reflect in the life standard, and quality of social activities. The developed energy management system w
