ELEC9711

Power electronics for renewable and distributed

generation
 
  Course Outline – Semester 2, 2015
 
 
 
 

Course Staff
Course Convener: Prof John Fletcher, Room 131, john.fletcher@unsw.edu.au

Consultations: You are encouraged to ask questions on the course material, during or after the
lecture class times in the first instance, rather than via email. Consultation times can be organized
by email.

Course Details
Credits
This is a 6 UoC course and the expected workload is 10–12 hours per week throughout the 13
week semester.

Contact Hours
The course consists of 3 hours of lectures/tutorial.

Contact Day Time Location

Hours
Lec/tut Wednesday 6pm - 9pm EET 224

Context and Aims

Power electronic circuits are an essential component of renewable and distributed energy
sources including wind turbines, photovoltaics, marine energy systems and energy storage
systems. They are also finding increasing use in other utility applications including active
power filters, VAr compensator, dynamic voltage restorers and HV DC transmission systems.
Electronic processing of electrical power for these applications also provides the means to
control these elements of the electrical grid and its generation sources.

The course is aimed at students who have already been introduced to a first course in Power
Electronics which covers steady-state characteristics of various AC-DC, DC-DC, and DC-AC
converter circuits. The fourth year elective course ELEC4614 – Power Electronics offered by
EE&T, UNSW, is such a course. The objective of ELEC9711 is to show how these converter
topologies are utilised in renewable energy systems (wind and PV), in utility applications (for
example HVDC) and to further investigate the converters in terms of their efficiency, control
characteristics, description of dynamics and their closed-loop control. Some advanced
converter topologies, especially in the context of large and complex applications, which are
beyond the scope of a first course in power electronics, are also treated.
The course also introduces students to computer modelling of power electronic converters
and their control circuits using modern simulation platforms like LTSpice, PSIM or
SimPower in Matlab-Simulink.
Assumed Knowledge
It is essential that you are familiar with the content of ELEC4614 Power Electronics
including basic DC/DC isolated and non-isolated converters, the H-bridge converter and
thyristor rectifier/inverter circuits. A good grasp of DC, AC and transient circuit analysis will
assist with the course.

Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. understand the use of power converters in wind turbines
2. understand the use of power converters in PV applications
3. understand the concept of maximum power point tracking
4. understand how real and reactive power flow can be controlled from a renewable or
distributed energy resource to the utility network
5. understand the basic components of an HVDC system and the control of real power
flow
6. understand power converters with non-ideal devices and elements
7. develop analytical techniques for analysing the steady-state and dynamic
characteristics of converters.
8. understand the quadrant operation of various types of converters and their control
requirements, selection of converters, components, etc.
9. understand how to design the hierarchical control structures for power converters and
systems.
10. be able to select and design important elements of a power converter system.
11. be able to apply the theories of power electronic converters and control system design
to implement power converter systems which are appropriate for specific applications.

This course is designed to provide the above learning outcomes which arise from targeted
graduate capabilities listed in Appendix A. The targeted graduate capabilities broadly support
the UNSW and Faculty of Engineering graduate attributes (listed in Appendix B). This
course also addresses the Engineers Australia (National Accreditation Body) Stage I
competency standard as outlined in Appendix C.

Syllabus
The topics to be covered in this course will include: Grid integration of electrical power from
renewable sources; Current and voltage control; Advanced topics in DC-DC converters,
inverters, AC-DC converters and AC-AC converters for use in utility interfacing; resonant
converters for DC-DC conversion; dynamic representation of DC-DC converters, control
loops design; converter circuit and system modelling using LTSpice or other platforms,
device selection and their modeling, thermal design, gate drive circuit design, magnetic core
and other component selection and design, and case studies of converter system designs.
 
Course  Content______          Hours    
1. DC-­‐DC  converters  &  power  supplies         10  
 

2. DC-­‐AC  Inverters  for  utility  interfacing   10  

3. Resonant converters 4
 
 
4. Power  electronics  for  renewable  and  utility  applications     10  
 
 
  Indicative  Total  hours       34  

Teaching Strategies
Delivery Mode
The teaching in this course aims at establishing an understanding of the areas covered using:
• Formal face-to-face lectures, which provide you with a focus on the core analytical
material in the course, together with qualitative, alternative explanations to aid your
understanding;
• Tutorials, which allow for exercises in problem solving and allow time for you to
resolve problems in understanding of lecture material;
• Design and simulation work, which supports the formal lecture material and also
provides you with skills necessary to perform a design task.

Learning in this course

You are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials. In addition to the lecture notes, you
should read relevant sections of the recommended text. Reading additional texts will further
enhance your learning experience. UNSW assumes that self-directed study of this kind is
undertaken in addition to attending face-to-face classes throughout the course.
 
Indicative Lecture Schedule
Period Summary of Lecture Program
Week 1 Introduction to course
Week 2 Review of DC-DC converters
Week 3 Non-ideal switched and components
Week 4 Resonant converters
Week 5 Isolated converters
Week 6 Magnetic components
Week 7 Practical converters
Break
Week 8 H-bridge converter and current control
 Week 9 AERI lecture
Week 10 Wind energy conversion
Week 11 HVDC transmission
Week 12 PV energy conversion and multi-level converters
 
Tutorial classes
Lectures will be supplemented with problem solving tutorial sessions. Five to six tutorial
sheets may be expected. The problem-solving sessions will be on most recently covered
topics. Additionally, PSIM or LTSpice sessions may be arranged in room EE214. Students
will be expected to participate vigorously during these sessions, in the form of questions,
suggested solutions and methods. Participation by students and the tutor should be viewed as
desirable aspects of these sessions.

You should attempt all of your problem sheet questions in advance of attending any tutorial
classes. The importance of adequate preparation prior to each tutorial cannot be
overemphasized, as the effectiveness and usefulness of the tutorial depends to a large extent
on this preparation. Group learning is encouraged. Solutions will be discussed during the
tutorial class and the tutor may cover the more complex questions in the tutorial class. In
addition, during the tutorial class, 1-2 new questions that are not in your notes may be
provided by the tutor, for you to try in class. These questions and solutions may not be made
available on the web, so it is worthwhile for you to attend your tutorial classes to gain
maximum benefit from this course.
 

Assessment
Assignment 20%
Final Exam (3 hours) 80%

Assignment
The assignment allows self-directed study leading to the solution of a design task. Marks will
be assigned according to how completely and correctly the design problem has been
addressed.

The assignment report will be due in Week 13. You are expected to submit the formal report
to the school office by 3pm, Friday Week 13. Late reports will attract a penalty of 10% per
day (including weekends). You are expected to submit an individual formal report for
ELEC9711. The mark from your formal report will contribute 20% of your final class mark.
Late submissions will not be accepted. You must include a signed cover sheet
http://scoff.ee.unsw.edu.au/forms/assignmentcover.pdf declaring that the work submitted is
your own work and this must be the first page of the report.

Final Exam
The exam in this course is a standard closed-book 3 hour written examination, comprising
four questions from which students select to answer only three questions. University
approved calculators are allowed. The examination tests analytical and critical thinking and
general understanding of the course material in a controlled fashion. Questions may be drawn
from any aspect of the course unless specifically indicated otherwise by the lecturer. Marks
will be assigned according to the correctness of the responses.

Relationship of Assessment Methods to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Learning outcomes
Assignment 6-8, 10, 11
Final exam 1-11

Course Resources
Textbooks
1. N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland & W. P. Robins, “Power Electronics; Converters,
Applications and Design”, John Wiley, Second Edition, 1995, New York.

2. J. G. Kassakian, M.F. Schlecht & G.C. Verghese, “Principles of Power Electronics”,

Addison Wesley, 1991.
3. R. W. Erickson, "Fundamentals of Power Electronics”, Kluwer Academic
Publications, 1997.
4. D. W. Hart, “Introduction to Power Electronics”, Prentice Hall International, 1997.

On-line resources
Lecture notes written by the lecturer for each section will be available from the course
webpage. These will be based on the following text books and other reference material which
will be cited within the lecture notes.

All lecture notes, assignments, tutorial and technical report topics for this course can be
downloaded on the school webpage, via Current Students → Study Notes → Lecture Notes.
You may have to use username: (your student number) and password: ee&tview in order to
access these documents. Students will be expected to bring the printed lecture notes and
tutorial sheets into the lecture/tutorial room.

Mailing list
Announcements concerning course information will be given in the lectures and/or on
Moodle and/or via email (which will be sent to your student email address).
Other Matters
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of other people’s work, including the copying of
assignment works and laboratory results from other students. Plagiarism is considered a form
of academic misconduct, and the University has very strict rules that include some severe
penalties. For UNSW policies, penalties and information to help you avoid plagiarism, see
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism. To find out if you understand plagiarism correctly, try
this short quiz: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism-quiz.

Student Responsibilities and Conduct

Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to all UNSW policies (see
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/ABC.html), and particular attention is drawn to the
following:

Workload
It is expected that you will spend at least ten to twelve hours per week studying a 6 UoC
course, from Week 1 until the final assessment, including both face-to-face classes and
independent, self-directed study. In periods where you need to need to complete assignments
or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a
common source of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into
account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities.

Attendance
Regular and punctual attendance at all classes is expected. UNSW regulations state that if
students attend less than 80% of scheduled classes they may be refused final assessment.

General Conduct and Behaviour

Consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff is an
expectation. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class is not acceptable and
students may be asked to leave the class.

Work Health and Safety

UNSW policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal
injury and to protect the safety of others.

Keeping Informed
Announcements may be made during classes, via email (to your student email address) or via
online learning and teaching platforms like Moodle. From time to time, UNSW will send
important announcements via these media without providing any paper copy. Please note that
you will be deemed to have received this information, so you should take careful note of all
announcements.

Special Consideration and Supplementary Examinations

You must submit all assignments and attend all examinations scheduled for your course. You
should seek assistance early if you suffer illness or misadventure which affects your course
progress. All applications for special consideration must be lodged online through
myUNSW within 3 working days of the assessment, not to course or school staff. For more
detail, consult https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/SpecialConsideration.html.

Continual Course Improvement

This course is under constant revision in order to improve the learning outcomes for all
students. Please forward any feedback (positive or negative) on the course to the course
convener or via the Course and Teaching Evaluation and Improvement Process. You can also
provide feedback to ELSOC who will raise your concerns at student focus group meetings.
As a result of previous feedback obtained for this course and in our efforts to provide a rich
and meaningful learning experience, we have continued to evaluate and modify our delivery
and assessment methods. This includes changing the content of the class to include more
renewables and distributed generation and revising the assessment scheme.

Administrative Matters
On issues and procedures regarding such matters as special needs, equity and diversity,
occupational health and safety, enrolment, rights, and general expectations of students, please
refer to the School and UNSW policies:
http://www.engineering.unsw.edu.au/electrical-engineering/policies-and-procedures
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/ABC.html
Appendix A: Targeted Graduate Capabilities
Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications programs are designed to address the
following targeted capabilities which were developed by the school in conjunction with the
requirements of professional and industry bodies:

• The ability to apply knowledge of basic science and fundamental technologies;

• The skills to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the wider
community;
• The capability to undertake challenging analysis and design problems and find optimal
solutions;
• Expertise in decomposing a problem into its constituent parts, and in defining the scope
of each part;
• A working knowledge of how to locate required information and use information
resources to their maximum advantage;
• Proficiency in developing and implementing project plans, investigating alternative
solutions, and critically evaluating differing strategies;
• An understanding of the social, cultural and global responsibilities of the professional
engineer;
• The ability to work effectively as an individual or in a team;
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities;
• The ability to engage in lifelong independent and reflective learning.
Appendix B: UNSW Graduate Attributes
The course delivery methods and course content addresses a number of core UNSW graduate
attributes, as follows:

• Developing scholars who have a deep understanding of their discipline, through

lectures and solution of analytical problems in tutorials and assessed by assignments
and written examinations.
• Developing rigorous analysis, critique, and reflection, and ability to apply knowledge
and skills to solving problems. These will be achieved by the laboratory experiments
and interactive checkpoint assessments and lab exams during the labs.
• Developing capable independent and collaborative enquiry, through a series of
tutorials spanning the duration of the course.
• Developing digital and information literacy and lifelong learning skills through
assignment work.
Appendix C: Engineers Australia (EA) Professional
Engineer Competency Standard

Program Intended Learning Outcomes

PE1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of underpinning fundamentals !

PE1: Knowledge

PE1.2 Conceptual understanding of underpinning maths, analysis, statistics, computing !

and Skill Base

PE1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge !

PE1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions
PE1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice !
PE1.6 Understanding of scope, principles, norms, accountabilities of sustainable engineering
practice
PE2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex problem solving !
Engineering
Application

PE2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources !

Ability
PE2:

PE2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes !

PE2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering
projects
PE3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability
PE3: Professional

PE3.2 Effective oral and written communication (professional and lay domains) !
and Personal
Attributes

PE3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour !

PE3.4 Professional use and management of information !
PE3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct
PE3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership