ENERGY

Power Electronics Research Group

In today's world, where electricity generation without carbon emissions is aimed and every possible system is intended to operate with electricity, hardware, switching and control systems for AC/DC rectifiers, DC/AC inverters, AC/AC converters and DC/DC converters, which enable the conversion of the required electrical quantities with the help of static elements, are designed and developed with domestic engineering. Production, installation, commissioning and technical support services for power electronics systems ranging from watt to megawatt levels are carried out within the Research Group.

The main objectives of the Power Electronics Research Group:

  • To follow scientific and technological developments in the field of power electronics closely.
  • Developing prototypes based on new technologies within the scope of R&D activities, contributing to the literature with laboratory studies.
  • To develop indigenous power electronics systems to meet the needs of our country in special areas where only a limited number of institutions worldwide are active.
  • Ensuring the commercialization of the developed products through licensing and transferring technology to local companies.
  • To maximize customer satisfaction by producing high quality outputs and providing technical support after projects.
  • Inverters (micro, string, centralized) that connect renewable energy sources to the electricity grid
  • Flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) regulating electricity transmission and distribution (STATCOM, Active Power Filter)
  • High voltage direct current (HVDC) systems
  • Systems for the control of high-power electrical machines at medium voltage level
  • Battery energy storage systems
  • Power quality consultancy services

Application Areas

The main fields of study/topics and research and development functions of the Power Electronics Research Group are defined as follows

In the field of photovoltaic inverters, collaborations are being developed and various projects are being carried out with many institutions both in Turkey and abroad, including micro, array and central inverters for different power levels. In order to achieve the global net zero carbon emission target, electricity generation based on solar energy is increasing and becoming more widespread.

To this end, R&D activities are carried out in a wide range of applications, from low-power residential applications to high-power power plant applications, in order to follow and contribute to the development of this technology.

  • 6MW central inverter development and licensing studies continue in cooperation with ASELSAN.
  • Within the scope of TÜBİTAK KAMAG 1004 program, 125kW series inverter development studies were completed in the TFTP Project.
  • Within the scope of TÜBİTAK KAMAG 1007 program, a 1MW central inverter was developed in the MİLGES Project.
  • A 300W microinverter was developed and installed in the field with KACST Institute from Saudi Arabia.

With the increasing use of power electronics-based devices (inverters, photovoltaic inverters, fast switching loads, etc.) in the generation, transmission and consumption stages of the electricity grid, power quality problems such as harmonics, sudden voltage changes, flicker and voltage imbalances have become more common. Therefore, it is of great importance to accurately measure, monitor and analyze power quality parameters in order to ensure reliable and stable operation of the grid, protect equipment life and increase energy efficiency.

In this context, the Power Electronics Research Group contributes to the development of related systems in cooperation with other research groups within TÜBİTAK MAM Energy Technologies.

  • TEIAS Electricity Power Quality and Grid Monitoring System Device
  • Power Quality National Project

In order to increase availability and ease of operation in power plants, studies are carried out for the design, production and commissioning of rectifier systems used in the commissioning phase of power plants and the renewal of electrical auxiliary systems of power plants with the latest technology.

The main applications completed and ongoing in this context are listed below:

  • Karkamis HES Excitation Systems
  • Keban HEPP, Sarıyar HEPP, Hirfanlı HEPP Excitation Systems
  • Indigenous Design and Production of Hydroelectric Power Plant Components (MİLHES) - Kepez-1 HEPP Excitation System
  • 330 VDC, 2700 ADC Static Excitation System - Kemerköy TES

In order to increase power transfer capacity and ensure grid controllability at the transmission level and to improve grid power quality at the distribution level, the following power electronics-based inverter systems connected to the grid in series or shunt are being developed:

The main examples of systems developed within the Group and implemented in the field are as follows:

Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) Based STATCOM Systems

  • 154 kV / ±50 MVAr STATCOM - Sincan TM
  • 6.3 kV / 2 × 6.5 MVAr STATCOM - KEAŞ
  • 36 kV / 25 MVAr STATCOM - Viranşehir TM (TEİAŞ)
  • 36 kV / 2 × 12.5 MVAr STATCOM - Kızıltepe TM (TEİAŞ)

Current Source Inverter Based Active Power Filter (AGF)

  • Denizli-2 TM
  • Bursaray Rail Systems

Voltage Source Inverter Based Hybrid Active Power Filter (AGF)

  • Megademir

Static VAR Compensation (SVC) Systems

  • 13.8 kV / 32 MVAr SVC - Erdemir
  • 13.8 kV / 16 MVAr SVC - KACST (Saudi Arabia)

In recent years, interest in both High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Medium and Low Voltage Direct Current (MVDC/LVDC) systems has been growing rapidly. The main reasons for this trend include the integration of renewable energy sources, low transmission losses, increase in system efficiency and digitalization of energy systems.

The fact that many structures such as solar panels, battery systems and data centers are naturally DC-based encourages the preference for DC infrastructures. In this transformation process, power electronics devices play a vital role in directing, converting and controlling energy. Thanks to advanced rectifiers, inverters and converters, DC systems are now much safer, flexible and efficient. In this way, DC-based systems have gained a strategic position in the energy infrastructure of the future.

The main activities carried out by our Group in this field are as follows:

  • Within the scope of TÜBİTAK KAMAG 1007 program, a modular multilevel converter (MMC) based back-to-back HVDA prototype with 5.5 kV AC / 10.8 kV DC / 9.5 MW power was developed.
  • The prototype was integrated between two busbars at Ankara/Akyurt Substation to test the grid functionality.
  • Contributed to the development of Turkey's roadmap for HVEL technologies.
  • At 154 kV level, project design studies are underway to develop a HVDA converter and design a full-scale HVDA transmission system.

As the use of fossil fuels gradually decreases, electric vehicle technologies are developing rapidly. One of the critical steps in this area is the development of DC/DC converter technologies that enable fast and efficient charging of vehicles. These technologies stand out as the key component of high-power fast charging infrastructures.

With the increase in electricity generation from renewable energy sources, there is a growing need for battery energy storage systems to compensate for generation discontinuity. These systems are used at the transmission level for primary and secondary control tasks and at the distribution level for investment deferral and load management purposes. In such applications, it is critical to develop appropriate converter technologies for the integration of battery systems into the grid.

In power quality related issues, services such as measurement in accordance with national and international standards, detailed analysis, simulation-supported solution proposals are offered. These consultancy services are structured in an integrated manner with comprehensive engineering solutions such as feasibility studies, system design and technology transfer based on corporate knowledge and application experience in the field of power electronics.

ENERGY

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For more informationContact Us

email: mam.byet-geag@tubitak.gov.tr 

Phone: 0312 210 18 30

TÜBİTAK MAM Energy Technologies BY - Ankara