ECE, WISER and Galvin Center Joint Seminar: Converter Topology and Protection of MVDC Power Distribution Systems
Join the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research (WISER), and Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation for a joint seminar featuring Robert Cuzner, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Dr. Cuzner will present his lecture, Converter Topology and Protection of MVDC Power Distribution Systems.
Abstract
With the ever-increasing need for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and resilient electrical distribution systems to support them, Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) has emerged as an effective and efficient means for microgrid power distribution that can be implemented with less infrastructure investment than conventional Medium Voltage AC (MVAC) systems. The vision for Navy shipboard power distribution is already focused on MVDC, combined with an Integrated Power System (IPS) to achieve fault tolerance and load management. The search for the optimum architecture for shipboard MVDC-IPS must consider short circuit protection in addition to over-arching goals of efficiency, survivability, and cost-effectiveness. A comparison study is performed for architectures with a suitable combination of protective devices and power conversion. This leads also to an optimum MVDC bus voltage somewhere between 15kVdc and 20kVdc. Hardware implementation using packaged SiC devices, currently under development, is explored. The inherent speed of operation of state protective devices will also play a role in fault isolation, reducing stress levels on all system components.
Speaker Bio
Rob Cuzner received a B.S. degree from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, and an M.S. and Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA, all in electrical and computer engineering. In 1990, his professional work began with Miller Electric Manufacturing Company, Appleton, WI, USA, as a Designer on its engine-driven line of welding products. In 1993, he moved to Eaton Corporation, Milwaukee, WI, USA, to work on power conversion systems for Navy shipboard programs and applications of power conversion to other industries, such as petrochemicals, renewable energies, and transportation. He was a Principal and then Staff Systems Engineer at DRS Power and Control Technologies Inc., Milwaukee, WI, USA, from 2002 to 2014. Dr. Cuzner is presently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He began his academic career with 24 years of experience working in power generation, power conversion, power distribution and protection, and drive system controls and packaging for both Navy and industrial applications. Most recently, Dr. Cuzner has turned his research focus to the impacts of wide bandgap-based power electronic modules on packaged, integrated systems and the enabling possibilities of this technology. He has authored over 35 publications, including IEEE journal and conference papers and tutorials, and holds three U.S. and foreign patents. His interests include microgrid protection, distributed generation, EMI mitigation, power electronics for power distribution and drive systems, low- and medium-voltage power conversion system design, high power-density packaging of wide bandgap-based power electronics, and electric machine and magnetics design. Dr. Cuzner has been active in various IEEE Industry Applications committees, presently serves as co-editor for IEEE Electrification Magazine, and served as the Chair of the Industrial Drives Committee from 2006 to 2008. He has also participated in developing standards in the area of shipboard power conversion architecture for the IEEE.
For more information regarding this seminar, please contact Professor John Shen (zshen6@iit.edu, ext. 73352).