Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The module is based on knowledge achieved when studying the 2nd semester on the Master of Science in Energy Engineering with an electrical specialisation or Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering with specialisation in Offshore Energy Systems or the Master of Science in Advanced Power Electronics.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Understand the operation principle of most common PV and WT systems
• Have knowledge about the most important single- and three-phase inverter topologies, used in renewable energy systems
• Have knowledge about the various pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques used with different inverter topologies
• Understand maximum power point trackers
• Have knowledge about different phase-lock loop (PLL) and control methods, current, voltage and power loops used in control schemes of grid connected inverters
• Have knowledge about grid requirements, standards describing anti-islanding methods, THD limits, etc. that grid connected inverters must comply with

Skills

• Be able to implement different PWM strategies for single- and three-phase converters using digital platforms
• Be able to verify different PLL methods based on laboratory experiments
• Be able to design/tune a control scheme for a grid connected converter

Competences

• Be able to create mathematical models for PV cells, panels and arrays
• Be able to develop simulation models for different PV and WT converter
• Be able to implement a grid connected converter control using digital platforms
• Understand the purpose and methods for grid support by renewable systems

Type of instruction

The course will be planned and organised in close interaction with on-going research and development activities at the Department of Energy and its collaborators. Project topics are accounted for when determining the course content. Guest lecturers and e-learning activities will also be involved if this is relevant to the course aims. All lectures include exercises focusing on the presented material. Some of the exercises will be done using MATLAB and Simulink. Several exercises will be performed in the PV-lab using experimental set-ups, like current control for a grid connected converter using dSPACE 1103. This way the participants will get a hands-on experience will real-life systems.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 5 ECTS course module, the work load is expected to be 150 hours for the student.

Exam

Exams