The Problem:
Modern energy systems (e.g. renewable power generation, electric vehicles, and grid-scale energy storage) rely on efficient power conversion. Current power conversion technologies face significant limitations, primarily being confined to a single operational mode, either isolated or non-isolated. This inflexibility means that traditional converters cannot dynamically reconfigure their power flow to adapt to changing system demands or different application requirements. Achieving comprehensive power management often necessitates deploying multiple, separate converters to handle both isolated and non-isolated operations, leading to increased system complexity, higher costs, and reduced overall efficiency.
The Solution:
Researchers at The University of Alabama have developed a reconfigurable power converter system that dynamically switches between non-isolated and isolated modes to meet diverse voltage, current, and power conversion needs. This is differentiated by consolidating the functionality of both isolated and non-isolated power conversion within a single, adaptable system, eliminating the need for separate, dedicated converters. This is beneficial for high-energy battery systems by simplifying disconnects and enabling efficient off-peak charging without additional components.
Benefits: