The Problem:
The field of power electronics is critical for modern energy infrastructure. There is a significant need to thoroughly design, test, and validate large-scale power systems to ensure their efficiency, stability, and safe operation within the electrical grid before deployment. Current approaches to developing and evaluating high-voltage, high-power inverter systems face substantial challenges such as the prohibitive cost associated with testing full-scale prototypes. The sheer scale and complexity of these systems necessitate large, expensive test facilities and equipment, making it difficult for researchers and companies to conduct thorough pre-construction evaluations.
The Solution:
Researchers at the University of Alabama have developed a method for creating experimental models, or "twins," of high-voltage, high-power inverter systems using low-cost, low-voltage, and low-power setups. This enables researchers and companies to test and validate the performance of large-scale power systems in a scaled-down environment before actual construction, addressing the challenge of evaluating such systems without expensive prototypes. Ensuring consistent control behavior and system characteristics across different scales allows pre-construction validation, substantially reducing development risks and costs for power system implementation.
Benefits: