Power Converters for Diverse Applications

76062S The development of cost effective distributed and renewable energy technologies can reduce the nation¿s dependence on fossil fuels. However, alternative power sources such wind turbines, fuel cells, and microturbines will require improvements in existing power inverter technologies, in order to make these systems feasible for widespread commercial or industrial use. Existing power inverters are large in size, expensive, limited in power capability, and prone to failure. This project will develop a family of DC/AC power converters that utilize a modular design based upon a current-sourced motor drive. The new design will deliver a smaller, reliable inverter that will operate more efficiently, deliver more power capability, and be more cost effective than what is presently available on the market. In Phase I, a compact DC-DC converter, which will serve as a prototype for a family of modular DC-AC converters, was designed, built, and tested. A packaging concept also was created for the modular inverter. Phase II efforts will entail the complete development of a modular family of DC-AC inverter products. A 5 kW base unit will be designed, built, and tested to demonstrate higher power levels through "stackability." Two 5 kW modular inverters will be used to demonstrate a paralleled power level of 10 kW. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The energy conversion market is enormous, and products currently on the market are not meeting needs. Applications include private use (farm, home, RV, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles), new energy source use (photovoltaic, wind turbine, fuel cell), commercial use (construction sites, oil wells, telecommunications infrastructure), public utilities support (through distributed generation systems), and federal agency use (military applications, remote site support).