Plenary Speakers
The status of Power Electronics research and application in China
Abstract: In the paper energy situation of China is reviewed. Leading institutions in China on power electronics are introduced with respects to their highlighted research topics, education circumstance and influence. Typical applications of power electronics technologies in China are introduced. China power electronic market trend will also be reviewed. In addition the government policy related to power electronics is explained. The paper will introduce China Medium & Long Term Science and Technology Plan and the 11th 5-year R&D Plan, which are related to the future power electronics market needs in China.
Predictive Control applied to Torque Control in Synchronous Reluctance Machines
Abstract: Synchronous reluctance machines excited with trapezoidal stator currents yield greater torque density than their sinusoidally excited equivalents. Effective torque control in these machines requires the harmonic content of the stator currents to be accurately controlled. In the past, this problem has been addressed by utilizing periodic switching waveforms. In recent work, we have studied the use of predictive control methods, to improve torque control. In particular, we have shown how oversampling allows the errors due to the finite choice of switching patterns to be allocated to less harmful frequencies. Also, multistep ahead policies have been examined. The main open question is how to choose the switching sequence since this is inherently a non-convex problem.
Robotics, jump to the next generation!
Abstract: Today, industrial robots are used mainly in serial production lines. The programming of the robot over Teach-In takes time, is tedious and requires skilled programmers. Available sensors help to adapt the programs to reality, but this in a very primitive way. Robotic security is provided by fences, collision sensors and other security items.
The next generation industrial robots will allow a fast programming not hours and days only minutes. They can collaborate with others robots and together with humans. We will find these robots in applications in small and medium size enterprises for small series production, and finally insert in a fast changing environment.
The next generation the industrial robots will develop:
- Intrinsically security: Safety as a primary criterion, Safe Human-Robot interaction.
- Advanced program Algorithms and instruction: Instruct by demonstration, Instruct by speech, Interaction with CAD data, Assistance with Vision, Tactile and Laser sensors
- Cognitive Functionality: Task Level programming, Learn from experience, Adapt to environment, Cooperate with Humans
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Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Systems
Abstract: The global electrical energy consumption is still rising and there is an urgent demand to increase the power capacity. It is expected that the power capacity has to be doubled within 20 years. The production, distribution and use of energy should be as efficient as possible and incentives to save energy at the end-user should also be set up. Two major technologies will play important roles to solve the future problems. One is to change the electrical power production sources from the conventional, fossil (and short term) based energy sources to renewable energy resources. The other is to use high efficient power electronics in power generation, power transmission/distribution and end-user application. The presentation discuss the most emerging renewable energy sources, wind energy and photovoltaics, which by means of power electronics are changing from being a minor energy source to be acting as an important power source in the energy system in many areas of the world. Power electronics is the enabling technology and the presentation will cover the development in wind turbine and photovoltaics technology from kW to MW, discuss which power electronic solutions are most feasible and used today.
To download the slides of "Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Systems" in PDF format click here.
Energy storage for electric vehicles
Abstract: Electric vehicles have reached a mature technology today because they are superior to internal combustion engines (ICE) in efficiency, endurance, durability, acceleration capability and simplicity. Besides, they can recover some energy during regenerative braking and they are also friendly with the environment. However, the energy storage capability is one of their big drawbacks. Autonomous vehicles must carry all the energy they need for a given distance and speed, which means an energy storage system with high specific energy (kWh/kg). Besides, these systems need to be charged rapidly to reduce the long charging time required today. This presentation shows some of the options under study to increase the energy storage capability and to reduce the charging time. A comparative study of different storage alternatives, such as chemical battery systems, ultracapacitors, flywheels and fuel cells are compared, showing the advantages and disadvantages of each one of them.
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