Master thesis: Experimental investigations of electric powertrains in microgrids

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This Position reports to:

R&D Team Lead

Background
Electric power distribution is entering a new paradigm where power generation, loads and energy storage systems interfaced to the grid via power-electronic converters are dominating the system behaviour. This master thesis will support the development of stable and resilient microgrids through experimental investigations, specifically by studying mutual interactions between an electric powertrain and a microgrid supplying it.

Tasks

• Develop a back-to-back motor-generator setup where the motor is connected directly to an AC microgrid, and the generator is loading the motor with a programmable torque profile.
• The motor should preferably be a synchronous machine (permanent magnet or electrically excited) that ties rotor inertia to the microgrid frequency dynamics.
• Verify correct torque behaviour of the load generator as part of the commissioning of the setup.
• Formulate a test plan to systematically study the transient response of the powertrain and the microgrid subject to different disturbance scenarios (e.g. torque variations) for different operating points of the microgrid.
• Optional extension: