Dynamic DC Source and Load System with Energy Recycle Capability

"The development of batteries, fuel cells, flywheels, and other portable energy sources requires power electronics devices to test performance parameters. In most cases, the power electronics devices serve as a load, distributing energy to the grid. Forbatteries, the devices can also serve as a source of energy for charging. To date, these devices have only been available and cost-effective for large systems on the order of ten-kW's or more and for high voltage. The proposed Phase I effort willinvestigate the feasibility of developing a bi-directional source/load device with on-grid capability in the two- to five-kW power range.For battery laboratories, with twenty to thirty test stations, the individual station devices would tie into a master server through a DC bus. These devices would have complex characterization capabilities to preserve the functionality of the commercialindustrial test devices. They would also have fast charge capabilities. AeroVironment will overcome technical challenges using our commercial high power equipment as a design basis along with our extensive power electronics expertise.By demonstrating feasibility, we will enable greater flexibility in testing portable energy sources such as batteries and fuel cells and allow excess energy to be recycled to the grid. Anticipated benefits include the ability to characterize battery and other energy source performance parameters through a complex range of cycl