Technical Talk-The Current Shaping Modular Multilevel DC-DC Converter: An Enabler Technology for Future DC Distribution Grids

Dear IEEE NCS PELS Members,

Greetings to our esteemed community!

As the energy transition continues to reshape the global landscape, power electronics stands as a cornerstone in this transformation. Our upcoming discussion underscores its significance, focusing on a specific technology that is set to improve DC distribution:

Title:

The Current Shaping Modular Multilevel DC-DC Converter: An Enabler Technology for Future DC Distribution Grids

Abstract:

One of the next frontiers for DC grid technology will be the last mile of power delivery. For DC to be pervasive at distribution voltage levels, DC-DC converters for tapped power applications with low-cost and high-efficiency potential will be required. These converters would serve a similar function to secondary distribution transformers in AC grids. Recently a new class of converters has been introduced for this purpose, termed the current shaping modular multilevel converter (CS-MMC). The CS-MMC is a hybrid structure featuring a combined use of current source and voltage source modules, eliminating the need for internal string inductors. This particular structure enables high effective frequencies to be achieved, an important feature for achieving low-cost designs. In this presentation, an overview of the CS-MMC converter class will be presented along with some of the latest research findings on a new bidirectional current-fed multilevel topology with zero-current switching. A primary application for this topology is direct charging of an electric vehicle (EV) from a future medium-voltage DC distribution line.

Date: Friday, Nov 17, 2023, 11am-12pm
Location: ICE 7-395, University of Alberta
Virtual Access:
https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/99489587640?pwd=ZkluYXRPUHZnYkVrU0hFUWlOdWNpZz09
Meeting ID: 994 8958 7640
Passcode: 930092

Speaker: Dr. Philippe Gray, Assistant Professor, University of Calgary

BIOGRAPHY

Philippe Gray is an Assistant Professor in the area of power electronics in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. He received his B.A.Sc. (Hons.) degree in engineering science, M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto in 2010, 2013 and 2022, respectively. From 2012 to 2013, Dr. Gray was a Visiting Researcher at ABB Corporate Research in Västerås, Sweden. From 2014 until 2017, he was a System Design Engineer at General Electric in Stafford, UK, working on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission schemes. From 2022 until 2023, He was a Senior Power Electronics Engineer at Lucid Motors in California, where he worked on onboard charger design.