Advanced energy storage techniques require advanced grid interfaces. Such advanced interfaces ensure that bidirectional inverter or converter technologies are capable of harnessing the benefits of the storage technique, helping unlock the advantages of new storage technologies.
Simplifying the coordination of vast numbers of Energy Storage (ES) Systems by clustering them dynamically into Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). The main technical challenge caused by massive penetration of different types of ES is the coordination of vast numbers of ES systems, bringing together various types and capacities of ES systems, individual customer behaviour, connections and disconnections of ES systems and potential power network changes.
Unlocking the benefits of large-scale energy storage systems requires advances in power electronics topologies for interfacing and supporting the electricity grid. Multilevel converters can provide optimised, reliable, modular and cost-effective solutions for large-scale multi-megawatt energy storage systems across a range of energy storage technologies.
Hybrid energy storage systems (ESS) combine individual advantages of different types of storage to realise a single ESS with both higher power and energy capabilities. Battery-supercapacitor based hybrid ESS help to reduce the battery power rating and extend battery life by minimizing the current variation.
Battery storage plays an important role in microgrids, improving grid reliability and resilience while facilitating effective operation of critical and frequency-sensitive loads. Battery storage is critical both for daily operation of a microgrid, as well as providing for grid redundancy in extreme events.
Design, optimisation and control of various permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) geometries, delivering improved torque and power density, reduced cogging torque, and extended constant power operating range.
Battery storage provides significant advantages for integrating intermittent renewable energy systems into the electricity grid. Battery storage has the potential to become standard in new renewable energy installations, increasing their competitiveness and greater deployment of renewables.
Massive penetration of energy storage systems presents new opportunities for power network operators and individual customers. Innovative cooperation of distributed energy storage systems can improve power quality while bringing additional capacity, flexibility and redundancy into power networks.
Mining actionable insights from the massive volumes of data in smart communities and using IoT and data analytics to facilitate smart digital health and energy systems.
Solid-state transformers (SSTs) are poised for widespread use in connecting renewable energy sources to the utility grid, replacing traditional 50 Hz transformers in the distribution and higher voltage grid, microgrids and battery-changing installations.
Expertise in designing and optimising various permanent-magnet (PM) machine geometries and electric drives, and in developing advanced control techniques to improve the performance of electric vehicles.