Power electronics, control of the

electromechanical energy conversion

process and some applications
Some fundamental considerations regarding power electronics and machine electronics are
discussed. The historical development of ideas in this field is examined, the applications in the
field of electric traction for rail vehicles are summarised and possible future developments are
outlined. A systematic approach to power electronics, based upon the control of energy flow in
switching convertors, is presented. This approach takes into consideration the different possible
switching functions, the modulation functions, the realisation of these switching and modulation
functions, the realisation of these switching and modulation functions by
practical power semiconductor switches and the different classes of forced turn-off and
commutation in power electronic circuits. Subsequently the concepts of topology and structure
are defined, leading to different generic topologies for singular convertors. The structure of the
five different families of composite convertors are examined, and practical examples are given.
The systematic approach to machine electronics presented in the paper is based on a powerflow
model, using the unifying concept of rotating field theory. In combination with previously defined
systematics for power electronics, this enables a systematic approach to the different classes of
variable speed drives, based on power flow considerations. The historical developments of
some powerelectronic and machine electronic ideas are traced, starting at the beginning of this
century. Since the introduction of power semiconductor switches, applications of the older ideas
have increased exponentially in all fields, making it impossible to cover all of them. As a
consequence
the
development
of power electronics and
control
of
machines
by electronic convertors in the field of electric traction is discussed in some detail, because this
represents a record of important engineering achievements in this field. In conclusion, the present
state and future trends of power a- nd machine electronics are examined. This evaluation covers
the development in the field of switching devices regarding the improvement of interfacing
between signal and power electronics, the decrease of switching transition times, the reduction of
device losses during conduction, and device developments for decreasing energy storage devices
in convertors. The development of power electronic convertors for the reduction of the number of
components in the topology and the development of convertors with a high frequency link are
then covered, related to the expected development of switching devices. New directions of
development regarding the electronic conditioning of the electromechanical energy conversion
process concerning the elimination of undesirable effects and losses are important. The
implementation of these trends by utilising the improved switching characteristics
of power electronicswitches and the information processing capability of microprocessors is
discussed. This is then extended toward control aspects, where both these characteristics enable
solutions not possible hitherto. Field control of AC machines imparts control characteristics equal
to, or better than, those obtainable with DC machines to the systems, while the processing
capability of microprocessors allows the configuration of adaptive machine electronic systems.
Finally attention is given to the interfacing ofpower electronic and machine electronic systems to
the power supply network. If the exponential growth of the installed capacity of equipment in the
future is to be handled, active compensation of the distorted currents drawn from the supply by
this equipment will have to be considered seriously.

Distribution electronic power transformer

with reduced number of power switches
Nowadays power transformers are considered among the huge and expensive
equipment because of their massive iron core and heavy copper windings. Since the
size of the transformers and the maximum power transition are reversely related, a new
family of electronic power transformer has come into existence Which increase the
transformer frequency, using power electronic converters. In addition to voltage
transformation and good isolation which they bring about, these transformers are also
associated with significant advantages, including considerable reduction in the
size, power quality improvement, voltage profile improvement, etc. This paper attempts
to introduce a new structure for Distribution Electronic Power Transformer (DEPT), using
fewer power switches while maintaining the previous capabilities of the system. System
performance and control strategies were successfully simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC and
the simulation results are given below.