Energy Conversion

Code:

L.EEC029

Acronym:

CE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Automation and Control

Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EEC	134	Syllabus	3	-	6	52
M.EEC	13	Syllabus	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge to master the energy conversion chain from its primary source to consumption in the form of electrical energy. Students should acquire knowledge about: sources of electrical energy; conversion of primary energy into electrical energy; conversion between different forms of electrical energy (voltage and frequency level) based on electronic power converters.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the Energy Conversion course, students should be able to identify and characterize the main energy sources of low- and medium-power, common in the ECE (Electrical & Computer Engineering) field.
They should also be able to define and parameterize the electric model of these energy sources, as well as to analyze their operation according to fundamental parameters of operation: variations of the input and output. They should be able to identify, compare and select a conditioning chain, based on electronic power converters, for each power source.
They should have acquired competences that enable them to develop a complete, medium-complexity model of a system that conditions these energy sources and that operates in closed loop, fulfilling simple requirements and implementable in a specific simulation tool.
Students should have acquired competencies of laboratory experience in the field of studies and be able to critically differentiate results from models and operation in real environment.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to conventional and renewable energy sources relevant in EEC.
Conventional power grid. Fuel cells. Batteries. Photovoltaic solar energy. Wind energy.
Electrical models of energy sources.
Identification and qualitative analysis of the electronic interface appropriate to each source / model.
2. The power electronics converters associated with energy conversion.
The electronic power switches and their control and protection circuits. Diodes, MOSFET and IGBT transistors, thyristors. New technologies of power semiconductors.
The basic concepts and operating principles of power electronic converters. Methods of analysis of switched circuits.
Analysis of the operation of DC / DC and AC / DC conversion in open-loop. Introduction to AC / DC conversion.
3. Fundamentals of design of converter control systems.
Mathematical modeling of electronic converters.
Revision of the characteristics and design of simple controllers.
Closed-loop control of power electronic converters.

Mandatory literature

Ewald F. Fuchs; Power conversion of renewable energy systems. ISBN: 978-1-4419-7979-7

Complementary Bibliography

Ned Mohan; First course on power electronics. ISBN: 0-9715292-4-8
Simões, M.; Farret, F.; Modeling Power Electronics and Interfacing Energy Conversion Systems, John Wiley & Sons, 2017. ISBN: 9781119058472

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching methodology includes lectures and practical / laboratory (PL) classes. Theoretical classes focus on the subjects to be treated, using active learning, with examples of application and design of typical case studies. In some classes, students are expected to leave homework aimed at encouraging self-study, stimulating learning and self-assessment.
In PL classes it is done the design and simulation of systems analyzed in the theoretical classes, as well as the realization of experimental works. Some classes will include assessment of part of the skills to be acquired in the course.
The final grade of the course is made by the weighted average associated with:
1. Practical component, associated with participation and performance in PL classes.
2. Final exam.
The frequency of practical classes is compulsory and subject to the applicable regulation.
Access to the final exam requires a minimum grade in the practical component.

Software

PSIM

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Exame	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	64,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho laboratorial	46,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students will only be admitted to the Final Exam (FE) if they attend practical/laboratory classes and if they reach a minimum mark of 8 out of 20 in the practical/laboratory component (PL).

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Mark will be based on the following formula: 0.5*FE + 0.5*PL.
FE: Final Exam grade
PL: Practical/laboratory component grade

All of the components will be graded from 0 to 20 rounded to the unit.

To complete the course, students have to reach a minimum mark of 8 out of 20 in the FE and in the PL components.

Students may only achieve very high grades, namely 19 and 20 out of 20, if they obtain a compatible result in a special oral exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Working students, military personnel and students association leaders who did not attend to practical classes, will have to attend a practical exam.

Classification improvement

Only the component "Final exam" can be improved in the appropriate dates.