Abstract: A low frequency direct drive amplifier is disclosed which can simultaneously achieve high drive voltages, high power density, high efficiency, and wide bandwidth operation is disclosed. The power circuit structure includes an input DC-DC converter and an output multi-level DC-AC inverter. The input DC-DC converter's circuit topology is commonly referred to as the phase shifted full bridge, which includes input capacitors, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based full bridge, an isolation transformer, two rectifying diodes, and two series stacked output capacitors. The output DC-AC inverter includes two series stacked input capacitors (same as the input DC-DC converter's output capacitors), four Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductors, four Silicon IGBTs, and an output filter. The disclosure's features the combination of the output multi-level DC-AC inverter circuit topology paired with 1.7 kV SiC semiconductors, allowing for a high voltage direct drive design without a low frequency boost transformer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for regulating voltage received from an electric utility grid. A unified power flow controller is provided at a point of power consumption and includes a terminal electrically coupled to a power source, which receives a grid alternating current and a grid alternating voltage from the electric utility grid. A power converter is electrically coupled to the terminal and includes an active rectifier that converts substantially all of the grid alternating current to a direct current and an inverter that converts the direct current to a load alternating current and a load alternating voltage, the load alternating voltage being less than the grid alternating voltage. A transformer is provided having first terminals electrically coupled to the power source and second terminals electrically coupled to an output of the inverter. The transformer injects the load alternating voltage in series with the grid alternating voltage.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for sourcing and sinking reactive power to an electric grid. The control system includes a terminal electrically coupled to a power source that originates from an electric utility grid. The terminal receives a grid alternating current having a real power component and a reactive power component. A power converter is electrically coupled to the terminal, the power converter includes an active rectifier that converts substantially all of the grid alternating current to a direct current and an energy storage device that stores energy supplied by the direct current. The active rectifier sources the reactive power component and the stored energy through the terminal to the electric utility grid. The power converter further includes an inverter that converts the direct current to a load alternating current having at least one of a load real power component and a load reactive power component.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for regulating voltage received from an electric utility grid. A unified power flow controller is provided at a point of power consumption and includes a terminal electrically coupled to a power source, which receives a grid alternating current and a grid alternating voltage from the electric utility grid. A power converter is electrically coupled to the terminal and includes an active rectifier that converts substantially all of the grid alternating current to a direct current and an inverter that converts the direct current to a load alternating current and a load alternating voltage, the load alternating voltage being less than the grid alternating voltage. A transformer is provided having first terminals electrically coupled to the power source and second terminals electrically coupled to an output of the inverter. The transformer injects the load alternating voltage in series with the grid alternating voltage.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for sourcing and sinking reactive power to an electric grid. The control system includes a terminal electrically coupled to a power source that originates from an electric utility grid. The terminal receives a grid alternating current having a real power component and a reactive power component. A power converter is electrically coupled to the terminal, the power converter includes an active rectifier that converts substantially all of the grid alternating current to a direct current and an energy storage device that stores energy supplied by the direct current. The active rectifier sources the reactive power component and the stored energy through the terminal to the electric utility grid. The power converter further includes an inverter that converts the direct current to a load alternating current having at least one of a load real power component and a load reactive power component.