Fondecyt Regular 1210208 (2021-2024): “Application of Model Predictive Control in Power Converters”
Objectives
Apply Predictive control to the power conversion systems necessary to create an electric vehicle, such as multilevel inverters, electric drives and DC/DC converters. Evaluate the results obtained when the complete system is controlled with Predictive control and provide relevant improvements to the control scheme.
Co- investigators: Luca Tarisciotti, Freddy Flores-Bahamonde.
Fondecyt Iniciacion 11200121 (2020-2022): “Multilevel Inverter for Modular and Efficient Drivetrains (MIMED)”
Objectives
Provide the necessary modifications to the “Modular Multilevel Converter” (MMC) to make it feasible to use this topology in low-voltage applications, such as electric cars. Establish a new converter topology, together with its modulation and control scheme, and evaluate its feasibility in terms of weight, volume and efficiency.
Consider the electrical system of a mining company as a modern microgrid, in which renewable energy sources are integrated. Evaluate in this specific case the use of predictive control applied to the secondary control of the microgrid and compare it with classic control schemes. Use advanced simulation equipment “Hardware In the Loop” (HIL) to simulate the microgrid and the new controller.
Main Researcher: Luca Tarisciotti
Anillo ACT192013 (2020-2023): “Cyber-Physical Systems for Smart Mining: Industrial Electronics 4.0 and Data-Driven Process Control”
Pursues the integration of industrial cyber-physical systems (ICPS) for smart mining operations using data-driven process control strategies and taking advantage of the power converters distributed in the mining facility. This research is hosted by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), the Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello (UNAB) and, the Universidad de Talca, and consist of three research lines: i) ICPS Architectures and Data-Driven Process Control, ii) Energy Management System, iii) Industrial Electronics 4.0. The ETC-UNAB mainly contributes on line ii, by developing predictive control strategies to improve power quality and energy management in a typical mine’s power system. To do so, predictive controllers and a power system model have been deployed on real-time simulation platforms, allowing the research outcomes validation. “
Associate researchers : Juan Sebastian, Luca Tarisciotti, Freddy Flores-Bahamonde.
Fondecyt Postdoctorado 3220126 (2022-2024) “Electric Vehicle Powertrain Using Composite dc-dc Architectures Based on the Versatile Buck-Boost Converter: Improvements for High Energy conversion efficiency.”
Composite architectures allow the integration of different high-efficiency converter modules to achieve better performance of an electrical system, being an interesting solution for the energy conversion of the traction part of the electric vehicle. It is proposed to integrate the versatile buck-boost converter in a “composite” architecture for the electromotive power-train in order to obtain a wide voltage range in the DC bus and, thus improve the efficiency of the electric motor.
Main Researcher: Catalina Gonzales Castaño
Sponsoring researcher: Freddy Flores-Bahamonde.
Fondecyt Iniciación 11220863 (2023-2025) “PARTIAL POWER CONVERTERS FOR EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN FUTURE DATA CENTERS.”
Investigador Principal: Freddy Flores-Bahamonde
Research and develop new structures for static power converters based on the use of DC (DCX) transformers, whether isolated or non-insulated, and partial buck-boost power converters, as well as the application of different control strategies for high-voltage systems. frequency, allowing increased efficiency in future data centers.
Main Researcher: Freddy Flores-Bahamonde
Solar Energy Research Center (SERC-Chile) CONICYT/FONDAP/15110019
SERC Chile, is a Fondap program of the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (Conicyt), whose objective is to establish itself as a world leader in scientific research on solar energy, with special emphasis on developing the potential of the Atacama desert in our country. The great support of this project is the great potential of the Norte Grande for the production of electricity, heat and light based on solar energy, and for photovoltaic and thermal applications, thanks to its high levels of radiation and brightness indexes, which make this area an exceptional space for the study, development and testing of new technologies.
Associate researcher: Freddy Flores-Bahamonde