ENGI48815: Power Electronics

• As specified in programme regulations.

• As specified in programme regulations.

• As specified in programme regulations.

• This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
• To provide an overview and describe the characteristics of power electronic systems and their application to a range of renewable energy systems.
• To explain the working principles of power converters in terms of the underlying device technologies.
• To introduce and familiarise students with analytical and simulation-based methods for characterising power electronic circuits and the use of simulation tools to support their conclusions.

• AC-DC conversion
• DC-DC conversion
• DC-AC conversion
• Gate drive
• Active device selection
• Thermal management of devices and power converters

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• A knowledge of the benefits and limitations of technologies currently used or being developed for power electronic converters.
• Understand the fundamental converter topologies and utilise this information to predict the operation of novel power electronic systems.
• Design converters to meet the requirements of a specific application and determine the mode of operation and power losses.
• Demonstrate an understanding of component selection on the operation of the converters.
• Show an ability to correctly design, simulate and characterise power converters in the 1kW power range using computer aided design tools.

Subject-specific Skills:

• An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practices in relation to the construction of high-performance power converters.
• An ability to understand the performance of power electronic systems and how these are influenced by system design considerations.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.
• Computer based simulation skills to extract the required characteristics from power electronic circuits.

Key Skills:

• Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
• Specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
• Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.
• Computer skills in simulation and analysis of power electronic circuits.

• The module content is delivered in lectures and is reinforced by supported supervision exercises of power electronic circuits.
• Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions available for up to one hour per week per lecture course.
• The simulation-based assessment will enable the students to demonstrate their knowledge through a series of supported activities that are designed in discussion with power electronic engineers at leading companies. These will enable the students to show the interplay between all the aspects of power electronics. Coursework is appropriate because it allows students to work on realistic engineering problems.

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