Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a power converter with a plurality of inverter blocks with silicon carbide MOSFETs are provided. A converter can include a plurality of inverter blocks. Each inverter block can include a plurality of switching devices. The plurality of switching devices can include one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs. A control method can include providing, by a control system, one or more gating commands to a first inverter block in the plurality of inverter blocks. The control method can further include implementing, by the control system, a gating command delay to generate a first delayed gating command based at least in part on the one or more gating commands. The control method can further include providing, by the control system, the first delayed gating command to a second inverter block in the plurality of inverter blocks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of a power converter based on grid conditions are provided. In particular, a first gating voltage can be applied to a switching element of a power converter associated with a wind-driven power generation system. The first gating voltage can be greater than a threshold voltage for the switching element. A grid event associated with an electrical grid coupled to the power generation system can be detected. A second gating voltage can be applied to the gate of the switching element during the detected grid event. The second gating voltage can be greater than the first gating voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a short circuit current associated with an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include an energy storage device and a switching power supply coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage system can further include one or more cables configured to couple the energy storage device to the switching power supply, and a magnetic framework positioned proximate the one or more cables. The magnetic framework can include one or more magnetic structures and can span at least a portion of the length of the cables. The one or more cables are positioned in a physical arrangement that, in conjunction with the magnetic framework, facilitates a selected inductance between the cables.

Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system is presented. The method includes estimating, by a controller, at least one of a required load and input power of the doubly-fed induction generator for a pre-determined future time duration. The method includes comparing, by the controller, the estimated at least one of the required load and the input power with a corresponding threshold value. Moreover, the method includes transitioning, by the controller, operation of the power generation system from a partial power conversion mode to a full power conversion mode by controlling switching of one or more of a plurality of switches if the estimated at least one of the required load and the input power is less than the corresponding threshold value, wherein the plurality of switches includes a first set of switches coupled to stator winding of the doubly-fed induction generator.

Abstract: An electrical power system includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The converter power path includes a partial power transformer. The electrical power system further includes a subsystem breaker configured with each of the electrical power subsystems, and a cluster transformer for connecting each cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. The electrical power system further includes a cluster power path extending between each subsystem breaker and the cluster transformer, and a distortion filter electrically coupled to the cluster transformer. The distortion filter reduces harmonics in current flowing from the electrical power subsystems to the cluster transformer.

Abstract: An electrical power system connectable to a power grid includes a cluster of electrical power subsystems, each of the electrical power subsystems including a power converter electrically coupled to a generator having a generator rotor and a generator stator. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. Each of the electrical power subsystems further includes a transformer. The system further includes a subsystem breaker configured with each of the electrical power subsystems, and a cluster power path extending from each subsystem breaker for connecting the cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. The system further includes a reactive power compensation inverter electrically coupled within the electrical power system, the reactive power compensation inverter operable to increase the reactive power level in the electrical current flowing to the power grid.

Abstract: An electrical power subsystem includes a generator comprising a generator stator and a generator rotor, and a power converter electrically coupled to the generator. The power converter includes a plurality of rotor-side converters electrically coupled in parallel, a line-side converter, and a regulated DC link electrically coupling the plurality of rotor-side converters and the line-side converter. The electrical power subsystem further includes a stator power path for providing power from the generator stator to the power grid, and a converter power path for providing power from the generator rotor through the power converter to the power grid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation systems with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation system can include a power generator comprising a multiphase rotor configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage and a power converter comprising one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and an isolation transformer. The power converter can be configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power generation system can be electrically grounded to shunt a leakage current associated with the isolation transformer of the power converter to a ground.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting switching devices in a power converter in doubly fed induction generator power systems are provided. A DFIG system can include a DFIG generator and a power converter comprising a line side converter and a rotor side converter connected by a DC bus. Each of the line side converter and rotor side converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit can include a plurality of switching devices. A method can include monitoring, by a control device, a voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The method can further include implementing, by the control device, a switching device protection measure based at least in part on the voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The switching device protection measure can be operable to protect the switching devices by operating the switching devices within a safe operating area.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for protecting an electrical power system connected to a power grid. The electrical power system includes at least one cluster of electrical power subsystems. Each of the electrical power subsystems defines a stator power path and a converter power path for providing power to the power grid. The converter power path includes a partial power transformer. The electrical power system further includes a subsystem switch configured with each of the electrical power subsystems and a cluster transformer connecting each cluster of electrical power subsystems to the power grid. A cluster switch is configured with the cluster transformer. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of electrical power subsystems. Thus, the controller monitors the electrical power system for faults, and if a fault is detected in the cluster, sends, via one of the subsystem switches or the power converters, a block signal to the cluster switch.

Abstract: Provided is a fault isolation apparatus for an inverter configured for coupling to an external power supply. The apparatus includes a plurality of fault detection devices, each configured to (i) complete an electrical path between the inverter and the external power supply and (ii) detect a fault along its respective electrical path. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to instruct the fault detection device to complete its respective electrical path only when the path is devoid of the detected fault.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting switching devices in a power converter in doubly fed induction generator power systems are provided. A DFIG system can include a DFIG generator and a power converter comprising a line side converter and a rotor side converter connected by a DC bus. Each of the line side converter and rotor side converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits. Each bridge circuit can include a plurality of switching devices. A method can include monitoring, by a control device, a voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The method can further include implementing, by the control device, a switching device protection measure based at least in part on the voltage of the DC bus of the power converter. The switching device protection measure can be operable to protect the switching devices by operating the switching devices within a safe operating area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling one or more electrical components of a current conversion device of a renewable energy power system (e.g. a wind turbine or a solar power system) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an immersion tank comprising a cooling medium, a heat exchanger, and a pumping device. One or more of the electrical components are at least partially submerged within the cooling medium, which has a predetermined dielectric constant. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the cooling medium of the immersion tank. Thus, the pumping device is configured to circulate the cooling medium between the immersion tank and the heat exchanger to remove heat from the one or more electrical components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting the redundancy of inverter blocks are provided. In one example implementation, a system can include a plurality of inverter blocks. Each inverter block can include a first conversion entity configured to convert DC power to AC power, a second conversion entity configured to convert AC power to DC power, and a third conversion entity configured to convert DC power to AC power. An isolation transformer can be coupled between the first conversion entity and the second conversion entity. The system includes an inverter block switching element coupled to an output of each inverter block. A protection element is disposed in each inverter block. The system includes one or more control devices configured to isolate at least one of the plurality of inverter blocks based at least in part on a status of the protection element disposed in the inverter block.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining bond wire failures are provided. In particular, data indicative of a first resistance of a first bond wire set associated with a first semiconductor device on a power semiconductor module can be obtained. In addition, data indicative of a second resistance of a second bond wire set associated with a second semiconductor device on the power semiconductor module can be obtained. A bond wire failure can then be determined in the first bond wire set or the second bond wire set based at least in part on the data indicative of the first resistance of the first bond wire set and the data indicative of the second resistance of the second bond wire set.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a power converter with a plurality of inverter blocks with silicon carbide MOSFETs are provided. A converter can include a plurality of inverter blocks. Each inverter block can include a plurality of switching devices. The plurality of switching devices can include one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs. A control method can include providing, by a control system, one or more gating commands to a first inverter block in the plurality of inverter blocks. The control method can further include implementing, by the control system, a gating command delay to generate a first delayed gating command based at least in part on the one or more gating commands. The control method can further include providing, by the control system, the first delayed gating command to a second inverter block in the plurality of inverter blocks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a power converter with a plurality of inverter blocks with silicon carbide MOSFETs are provided. A DC to AC converter can include a plurality of inverter blocks. Each inverter block can include a plurality of switching devices. A control method can include identifying one of a plurality of switching patterns for operation of the inverter block for each inverter block. Each switching pattern can include a plurality of switching commands. The control method can further include controlling each inverter block based on the identified switching pattern for the inverter block. The control method can further include rotating the switching patterns among the plurality of inverter blocks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a power converter are provided. A DC to AC converter can include an inner converter and an outer converter. The inner converter can include an isolation transformer a first plurality of switching devices. The outer converter can include a second plurality of switching devices. A control method can include determining an output voltage of the outer converter. The control method can further include controlling operation of the inner converter based at least in part on the output voltage of the outer converter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation units with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation unit can include a power generator configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage. The power generation unit can also include a power converter configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power converter can include one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and at least one heatsink configured to remove heat from the power converter. The at least one heatsink of the power converter can be electrically connected to a local ground formed by one or more components of the power generation unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grounding power generation units with silicon carbide MOSFET power converters are provided. A power generation unit can include a power generator configured to generate multiphase alternating current power at a first voltage. The power generation unit can also include a power converter configured to convert the multiphase alternating current power from the power generator at the first voltage to multiphase alternating current power at a second voltage. The power converter can include one or more silicon carbide MOSFETs and at least one heatsink configured to remove heat from the power converter. The at least one heatsink of the power converter can be electrically connected to a local ground formed by one or more components of the power generation unit.