Research coordination for power semiconductor technology
Article Abstract:
National Power Semiconductor Interagency/Utility Consortium (NPSI/UC) was formed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), government agencies, and participants from the power semiconductor industry in 1986 to promote and coordinate US research and development (R&D) in power semiconductors. The US power semiconductor industry was in a decline, though the devices are vital to defense and electric power utility systems. Consequently, NPSI/UC is encouraging on-shore power semiconductor material and device research, development and support. A major technology focus is General Electric's recent invention, the Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) Controlled Thyristor (MCT), which may give the US the lead in the high-voltage, high-current solid-state toggle switches. Development of the MCT and other power semiconductor technologies is discussed.
Publication Name: Proceedings of the IEEE
Subject: Electronics
ISSN: 0018-9219
Year: 1989
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Power electronics in electric utilities: role of power electronics in future power systems
Article Abstract:
Evolving high-power electronic technology, especially power semiconductor devices, will transform electric power utility networks and major industrial equipment design. These changes have begun, exemplified by the growth of high-voltage dc (HVDC) systems and the use of power electronics in static VAR components for ac networks, ac-dc converters for HVDC networks, and drives for adjustable-speed motors. Power semiconductor devices are rapidly evolving, and devices rated up to 20kV and several thousand amps, possessing high di-dt and dv-dt capability, and decreasing in cost are on the horizon. Eventually, entire flexible HVDC power systems will be electronically controlled. A flexible AC Transmission Tool Kit is proposed, predicted on advances in power semiconductor advance to create 'tools' that can make ac networks as flexible as dc ones.
Publication Name: Proceedings of the IEEE
Subject: Electronics
ISSN: 0018-9219
Year: 1988
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Power electronics in electric utilities: HVDC power transmission systems
Article Abstract:
The number of high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission systems is growing because they offer many economic and technical benefits including: economical, especially for systems with long overhead lines; can asynchronously connect two large ac systems; control of power flow; and power modulation control for improved system operation. HVDC system can be monopolar, with ground return, bipolar, or homopolar. Terminals provide ac-to-dc and dc-to-ac conversion and include: converter, typically thyristor valves plus control devices. The functioning of these components is described. Multiterminal DC (MTDC) systems will optimize HVDC system advantages in the future for bulk power transmission, ac long-distance networks, and reinforcement of ac networks.
Publication Name: Proceedings of the IEEE
Subject: Electronics
ISSN: 0018-9219
Year: 1988
User Contributions:
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- Abstracts: Power electronics in electric utilities: static var compensators. A Nonlinear Programming Approach to the Design of Cascade Compensators for Linear Control Systems
- Abstracts: Evolution of MOS-bipolar semiconductor technology. GTO thyristors
- Abstracts: Module replication and assignment for real-time distributed processing systems. Testbed-based validation of design techniques for reliable distributed real-time systems
- Abstracts: Cooperative research at MCC: a focus on semiconductor-related efforts. Semiconductor research at Bellcore
- Abstracts: Making GaAs integrated circuits. The new joint R&D