Intelligent Electrical Power Networks Evaluation Facility (IEPNEF)
System Description
The Intelligent Electric Power Network Evalutation Facility (IEPNEF) is a state-of-the art, 100 kW facility, which has been installed at Manchester as part of a national project to devise and develop more-electric technologies for future aircraft and land-based vehicles. Power electronics is a key enabler which underpins much of the research, however a particular theme of the work is the use of intelligent techniques for the autonomous control of the complete electrical system. IEPNEF is a key component of the Rolls-Royce UTC and also forms part of the university's aerospace research institute.
Active work packages in the Rolls-Royce-sponsored IEPNEF include:
- Control, design and application of dual-active bridge DC/DC converter as interface for energy storage
- Emulation of mechanical prime move
Future research opportunities in the Rolls-Royce-sponsored IEPNEF include:
- Advanced control of generators to enhance system stability
- Control, design and application of high step-up DC/DC converter as interface between different bus systems
- Fault response and mitigation for DC power systems
- Health monitoring for DC power systems
- Intelligent energy management for DC power systems
- Load emulation
(Please contact Rebecca Todd or Andrew Forsyth for further details.)
Current Work and Opportunities
System Description