Submit to Electronics Review for Electronics Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Industrial Electronics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2024) | Viewed by 13216

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Pedro J. Villegas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Electrical, Electronic, Communications and Systems Engineering, University of Oviedo, 33204 Gijon, Spain
Interests: switching-mode power supplies; converter modeling; high-power-factor rectifiers; high-power–high-voltage power supplies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

"Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications" refer to the continuous improvements in the field of power electronics, which is a crucial aspect of modern-day technology. Power converters are devices that convert electrical energy from one form to another, and they are used in various applications, ranging from consumer electronics to renewable energy systems.

Recent advancements in power converter design, control, and applications have led to significant improvements in efficiency, power density, and reliability. Some of the key advances include the use of wide-bandgap semiconductors, innovative topologies for power converters, advanced control techniques, and the integration of power electronics with other technologies.

These advancements have enabled the development of more efficient and effective electrical systems, which are essential for addressing the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable energy. The widespread adoption of power converters in various industries has also led to significant cost savings and improved performance.

Overall, the ongoing advances in power converter design, control, and applications have played a vital role in shaping the future of electrical systems and are critical to achieving a more sustainable and energy-efficient world.

The scope of "Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications" encompasses various aspects of power electronics, including the design, control, and application of power converters in different systems. It covers advancements in technology, materials, and methods that enable the development of more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective power converters.

Overall, the scope of "Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications" is wide and diverse, covering various aspects of power electronics, with a focus on the development of more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective electrical systems. Topics include but are not limited to:

Power converter topologies, such as DC–DC converters, AC–DC converters, and DC–AC converters;
Power converter applications in various fields, including renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, power grids, and consumer electronics;
Power semiconductor devices, such as diodes, transistors, and thyristors;
Development of new materials such as wide-bandgap semiconductors;
Development of advanced control techniques, including digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, and model predictive control;
Development of more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective electrical systems.

Prof. Dr. Pedro J. Villegas
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

power converter
power semiconductor
digital control
predictive control
power quality
new semiconductors

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications, 2nd Edition in Electronics

Published Papers (12 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 29661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

6.5 kV SiC PiN and JBS Diodes’ Comparison in Hybrid and Full SiC Switch Topologies

by Lucas Barroso Spejo, Lars Knoll and Renato Amaral Minamisawa

Electronics 2024, 13(22), 4548; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13224548 - 19 Nov 2024

Viewed by 362

Abstract

This work investigates the performance of state-of-the-art non-commercial 6.5 kV Silicon Carbide (SiC) PiN and Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes in hybrid (Si IGBT with SiC diode) and full SiC (SiC MOSFET with SiC diode) switch topologies. The static and dynamic performance has been systematically evaluated at distinct temperatures, gate resistances and currents for each configuration. The SiC PiN diode presented higher current density capability and lower leakage current density than the JBS diode. Moreover, in most cases, the SiC PiN diode-based topologies demonstrated slightly higher total switching losses compared to the SiC JBS diode-based equivalent configurations. A loadability analysis in a three-level NPC converter is presented to evaluate the potential of each configuration in a converter application. The SiC PiN technology presented a 25% power extension compared to the SiC JBS technology with similar efficiency at typical industrial drives switching frequency operation when comparing same-active-area diode technologies. Finally, a long-term reliability test (H3TRB) is presented to demonstrate the SiC PiN diode technology’s potential for operation in harsh environments. Such characteristics show the advantage of the 6.5 kV SiC PiN diode when a high current density (>100 A/cm²), high efficiency and reliability are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1864 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Photovoltaic Conversion Performance under Artificial Indoor Lighting

by Cecilia Guillén

Electronics 2024, 13(17), 3378; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13173378 - 26 Aug 2024

Viewed by 624

Abstract

Several photovoltaic technologies, based on different semiconductor absorbers with band-gap energy in the range E_g = 1.0–1.5 eV are currently sharing the market for outdoor applications. These photovoltaic cells are designed to achieve an optimal photovoltaic conversion under solar illumination (represented by the standard AM1.5 global spectrum), but their performance changes under different artificial indoor lights. Here, the detailed balance principle that was first applied for an ideal photovoltaic absorber under solar radiation is now used by considering the actual spectra of four typical indoor lamps: incandescent, halogen, metal halide and white LED. For each particular illumination source, the theoretical maximum for short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and maximum power point have been calculated and represented as a function of the absorber band-gap energy. Furthermore, the optical absorption spectra of some semiconductors with optimal solar conversion efficiencies are used to estimate their comparative performance under the various artificial light sources. It has been found that wide band-gap absorbers (E_g~1.9 eV) are needed to achieve a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 60% under LED illumination or 31% with metal halide bulbs, while a lowest band-gap energy of about 0.8 eV is required to obtain a maximum efficiency of 24% with incandescent and halogen lamps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 6183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Enhancement in LC Series Resonant Inverters with Current-Controlled Variable-Transformer and Phase Shift for Induction Heating

by Juan L. Bellido, Vicente Esteve and José Jordán

Electronics 2024, 13(15), 2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13152911 - 24 Jul 2024

Viewed by 772

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of a converter based on an LC resonant inverter for induction heating applications. It employs a current-controlled variable transformer (VT) in conjunction with phase shift regulation (PS) to operate at a fixed frequency close to the resonance frequency. The converter maintains a small switching angle, enabling substantial load variations without sacrificing zero voltage switching (ZVS) for the transistors. This innovative method enhances the inverter’s performance across the entire operating range. Additionally, a new design of the transformer structure with a variable ratio will be analyzed, enabling mathematical modeling. The obtained results demonstrate a performance exceeding 99%. Both the inverter and variable transformer designs were experimentally validated using a 15 kW, 200 kHz converter for induction heating applications with silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4671 KiB

Open AccessArticle

State of the Art and Future Trends in Monitoring for Industrial Induction Heating Applications

by Vicente Esteve, Juan L. Bellido and José Jordán

Electronics 2024, 13(13), 2591; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13132591 - 1 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1252

Abstract

Induction surface hardening (ISH) processes are widely used in the heat treatment of numerous industrial components, especially in the automotive industry. Since this industry operates under very demanding quality standards, it is crucial for these heat treatment processes to meet rigorous specifications to ensure the safety and reliability of the produced components. This implies the precise and repeatable control of certain parameters throughout the manufacturing process of each of the parts treated, through precise and reliable instrumentation in electromagnetically harsh environments. The main objective of this work is to define the monitoring process for an industrial IHS application, determining the control needs and the methods of measurement, recording, and verification of the parameters that ensure the quality of the process. This paper describes the monitoring process of induction surface hardening, emphasizing the use of sensors and modern measurement and control systems. A comprehensive monitoring system supported by a programmable logic controller (PLC) and mixed acquisition and instrumentation systems (analog and digital) implemented with a high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) will be presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 16514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Solder Voids on IGBT Thermal Behavior: A Multi-Methodological Approach

by Omid Alavi, Ward De Ceuninck and Michaël Daenen

Electronics 2024, 13(11), 2188; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13112188 - 4 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 914

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal behavior of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) with a focus on the influence of solder voids within the device. Utilizing a combination of Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations, X-ray imaging, and SEM-EDX analysis, we accurately modeled the internal structure of IGBTs to assess the impact of void characteristics on thermal resistance. The findings reveal that the presence and characteristics of solder voids—particularly their size, number, and distribution—significantly affect the thermal resistance of IGBT devices. Experimental measurements validate the FEM model’s accuracy, confirming that voids disrupt the heat flow path, which can lead to increased thermal resistance and potential device failure. Five regression models, including Gaussian process regression (GPR) and neural networks, were employed to predict the thermal resistance based on void characteristics, with the GPR models demonstrating superior performance. The optimal GPR RQ model consistently provided accurate predictions with an RMSE of 0.0050 and R² of 0.9728. Using the void percentage as the only input parameter for the regression models significantly impacted the prediction accuracy, showing the importance of the void extraction method. This study shows the necessity of minimizing solder voids and offers a robust methodological framework for a better prediction of the reliability of IGBTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Chaos on MOSFET Thermal Stress and Lifetime

by Cristina Morel and Jean-Yves Morel

Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1649; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091649 - 25 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 998

Abstract

The reliability of power electronic switching components is of great concern for many researchers. For their usage in many mission profiles, it is crucial for them to perform for the duration of their intended lifetime; however, they can fail because of thermal stress. Thus, it is essential to analyze their thermal performance. Non-linear switching action, bifurcation and chaotic events may occur in DC-DC power converters. Consequently, they show different behaviors when their parameters change. However, this is an opportunity to study these bifurcation phenomena and the existence of chaos, e.g., in boost converters, on their performance as the effects of load variations (mission profiles) on the system’s behavior. These variations generate many non-linear phenomena such as periodic behavior, repeated period-doubling bifurcations and chaos in the MOSFET drain-source current. Thus, we propose, for the first time, an analysis of the influence of chaos on the junction temperature. First of all, this paper provides a step-by-step procedure to establish an electrothermal model of a C2M0080120D MOSFET with integrated power loss. Then, the junction temperature is estimated by computing the power losses and a thermal impedance model of the switch. Additionally, this model is used to investigate the bifurcation and chaotic behavior of the MOSFET junction temperature. The paper contributes by providing a mathematical model to calculate several coefficients based on experimental data and thermal oscillations. Estimation of the number of cycles to failure is given by the Coffin–Manson equation, while temperature cycles are counted using the rainflow counting algorithm. Further, the accumulated damage results are calculated using the Miner’s model. Finally, a comparison is made between the damage accumulated during different mission profiles: significant degradation of the MOSFET’s lifetime is pointed out for chaotic currents compared to periodic ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tensor Product Alternatives for Nonlinear Field-Oriented Control of Induction Machines

by Miklós Kuczmann and Krisztián Horváth

Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1405; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071405 - 8 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1056

Abstract

The paper presents a nonlinear field-oriented control technique based on the tensor product representation of the nonlinear induction machine model and the solvability of linear matrix inequalities. The nonlinear model has 32 quasi linear parameter-varying equivalent variants, and it is shown that only half of the models result in feasible controller. Two control goals are realized: torque control and speed control. The controller is a nonlinear state feedback controller completed by integral action. A new block diagram is investigated for speed control. The controller gains are designed by the solution of linear matrix inequalities to solve the Lyapunov inequality to obtain a stable and fast response and constraints on the control signal. The presented methods are verified and compared by simulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 7635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bidirectional Converter System in Dual Active Bridge Topology for a Hydrogen Tank

by Marian Kampik, Grzegorz Jarek, Michał Jeleń, Jarosław Michalak, Marcin Zygmanowski and Marcin Fice

Electronics 2024, 13(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13010156 - 29 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1667

Abstract

The paper presents a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter operating as an interface between the LiFePo4 battery and the fuel cell/hydrogen generator. The hydrogen tank can increase the stored energy of the battery system. Among the main requirements for a converter is the need to transfer power of up to 10 kW and operate with widely changing voltages on both sides of the converter. The design of the power electronic part and passive components of the converter is deeply discussed. Next, the influence of the wide voltage range on the operation of the converter is depicted, including its impact on power losses and current values. Different topological modifications for power loss reduction are presented and experimentally verified. Finally, a simple modification of the control system, giving the possibility of increasing efficiency, is briefly presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

38 pages, 13063 KiB

Open AccessReview

Power Converters for Green Hydrogen: State of the Art and Perspectives

by Gianpaolo Vitale

Electronics 2024, 13(22), 4565; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13224565 - 20 Nov 2024

Viewed by 256

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review and outlook on power converters devised for supplying polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers from photovoltaic sources. The produced hydrogen, known as green hydrogen, is a promising solution to mitigate the dependence on fossil fuels. The main topologies of power conversion systems are discussed and classified; a loss analysis emphasizes the issues concerning the electrolyzer supply. The attention is focused on power converters of rated power up to a tenth of a kW, since it is a promising field for a short-term solution implementing green hydrogen production as a decentralized. It is also encouraged by the proliferation of relatively cheap photovoltaic low-power plants. The main converters proposed by the literature in the last few years and realized for practical applications are analyzed, highlighting their key characteristics and focusing on the parameters useful for designers. Future perspectives are addressed concerning the availability of new wide-bandgap devices and hard-to-abate sectors with reference to the whole conversion chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 10725 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hardware Testing Methodologies for Wide Bandgap High-Power Converters

by Zibo Chen, Zhicheng Guo, Chen Chen and Alex Q. Huang

Electronics 2024, 13(19), 3918; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13193918 - 3 Oct 2024

Viewed by 800

Abstract

Wide bandgap (WBG) power semiconductor devices are increasingly replacing silicon IGBTs in high-power and high-voltage power electronics applications. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding efficient testing methodologies for high-power and high-voltage converters under constrained laboratory resources. This paper addresses this gap by presenting comprehensive, hardware-focused testing methodologies for high-power and high-voltage WBG power semiconductor-based converter bring-up before the control validation phase steps in. The proposed methods enable thorough evaluation and validation of converter hardware, including device switching characteristics, driving circuit functionality, thermal management performance, insulation integrity, and sustained operation at full power. We utilized the double pulse test (DPT) to characterize switching performance in a two-level phase leg configuration, extract circuit parasitics, and validate magnetic components. The DPT was further applied to optimize gate driving circuits, validate overcurrent protection mechanisms, and measure device on-resistance. Additionally, a multicycle test was introduced to rapidly assess steady-state converter performance and estimate efficiency. Recognizing the critical role of thermal management in high-power converters, our methodologies extend to the experimental extraction of key thermal parameters—such as junction-to-ambient thermal resistance and thermal capacitance—via a heat loss injection method. A correlation method between temperature sensor measurements and junction temperature is presented to enhance the accuracy of device temperature monitoring during tests. To ensure reliability and safety, dielectric withstand tests and partial discharge measurements were conducted at both component and converter levels under conventional 60 Hz sinusoidal and high-frequency PWM waveforms. Finally, we highlight the importance of testing converters under full voltage, current, and thermal conditions through power circulating tests with minimal power consumption, applicable to both non-isolated and isolated high-power converters. Practical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of these hardware testing methodologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

39 pages, 24746 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of DC Motor Modeling and Linear Control: Theory with Laboratory Tests

by Miklós Kuczmann

Electronics 2024, 13(11), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13112225 - 6 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1790

Abstract

This review paper introduces the modeling, measurement, identification and control of direct current motors based on the state space modeling and the transfer function representation. These models are identified by real laboratory measurements, and the simulated results are compared with the measurements. Continuous-time and discrete-time PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controllers, discrete-time state feedback and linear quadratic controllers are designed mathematically. The designed controllers are realized by the microcontroller Arduino UNO, and the behavior of the controllers is compared and analyzed. The noisy current signal has been measured by a discrete-time observer, steady-state Kalman filtering is also studied. The practical results of the implemented controllers support the theoretical results very well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

36 pages, 3616 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Optimizing Performance of Hybrid Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems through Effective Control: A Comprehensive Review

by Alejandro Clemente, Paula Arias, Levon Gevorkov, Lluís Trilla, Sergi Obrador Rey, Xavier Sanchez Roger, José Luis Domínguez-García and Àlber Filbà Martínez

Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071258 - 28 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1399

Abstract

The implementation of energy storage system (ESS) technology with an appropriate control system can enhance the resilience and economic performance of power systems. However, none of the storage options available today can perform at their best in every situation. As a matter of fact, an isolated storage solution’s energy and power density, lifespan, cost, and response time are its primary performance constraints. Batteries are the essential energy storage component used in electric mobility, industries, and household applications nowadays. In general, the battery energy storage systems (BESS) currently available on the market are based on a homogeneous type of electrochemical battery. However, a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) based on a mixture of various types of electrochemical batteries can potentially provide a better option for high-performance electric cars, heavy-duty electric vehicles, industries, and residential purposes. A hybrid energy storage system combines two or more electrochemical energy storage systems to provide a more reliable and efficient energy storage solution. At the same time, the integration of multiple energy storage systems in an HESS requires advanced control strategies to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the system. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the control systems used in HESSs for a wide range of applications. An overview of the various control strategies used in HESSs is offered, including traditional control methods such as proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control, and advanced control methods such as model predictive control (MPC), droop control (DC), sliding mode control (SMC), rule-based control (RBC), fuzzy logic control (FLC), and artificial neural network (ANN) control are discussed. The paper also highlights the recent developments in HESS control systems, including the use of machine learning techniques such as deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and genetic algorithms (GA). The paper provides not only a description and classification of various control approaches but also a comparison between control strategies from the evaluation of performance point of view. The review concludes by summarizing the key findings and future research directions for HESS control systems, which is directly linked to the research on machine learning and the mix of different control type strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advances in Power Converter Design, Control and Applications

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (12 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI