This course is an introduction to analysis, modeling, design, and testing of electrical energy processing systems, in a practical laboratory setting. Included are power electronics converters for efficient utilization of available energy sources, and energy sources including solar panels and the utility. A final design project involves design, fabrication, and testing of a solar power system.
The required prerequisite for ECEN 4517 is either ECEN 3170 Energy Conversion, ECEN 4797 Introduction to Power Electronics, or equivalent. The required prerequisite for ECEN 5517 is ECEN 5797 Introduction to Power Electronics.
Things you will learn in this course include:
- A practical introduction to photovoltaic power systems
- Develop a knowledge of photovoltaic power system components:
- PV cells, PV panels, their characteristics, and their models
- Lead-acid batteries, theory of operation and their behavior
- PV power conversion elements: inverters and dc-dc converters
- A practical introduction to power electronics
- Develop a knowledge of basic analog circuits, with application to power electronics, including:
- Op amp control circuits
- Transconductance amplifiers
- Pulse-width modulators
- Gate drive circuits
- Snubber circuits
- Practical magnetics design
- Learn to lay out printed circuit boards for analog systems
Experiments
- Basic PV system elements (1 week)
- Basic control circuitry and pulse-width modulator (1 week)
- Charge controller using a dc-dc buck converter (3 weeks)
- Inverter (3 weeks)
- Project (6 weeks)
RWE 1/16/08