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STATEMENT OF WORK

Project Title:

Energy Conservation Sciences for Operation and Security of Large-Scale Systems  m

Contractor:

Purdue University
465 Northwestern Avenue
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2035
(765) 494-3475

Program Area:

Energy Conversion Sciences

Partners:

Wright State University

Project Description:

The objective of Purdue University's project is to expand and/or supplement the research presently underway as part of the Center on Security of Large Scale Systems.

Management Plan

The unique nature of STAC requires that projects be supported by multiple State entities, and to the extent necessary any other entity. As indicated in the STAC Agreement, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to coordinate the execution of work under the Contract, incorporated by reference hereto. Contractor, in conjunction with the other State entities, and to the extent necessary any other entity, shall conduct the project in accordance with the Management Plan –  described below.

Administration

As principal contractor, Purdue University will handle the majority of the management of this project.  Purdue University will execute the contract with STAC as well as any and all subcontracts necessary to complete the project. 

For the duration of the project, Mr. Oleg Wasynczuk will serve as the point of contact for technical and procedural questions.  Mr. Wasynczuk will be responsible for ensuring that all contractors perform their tasks as promised and at the proposed budget.  Mr. Wasynczuk will also be responsible for completing all project reports including the final report.

Administration of contracts and billing will be completed by Purdue University staff members.  Ms. Leslie Voegel, Sponsored Programs Manager, will oversee contracts and legal issues related to the contract.  Ms. Vogel, will manage purchasing, billings, and accounting.  Ms. Voegel will also be responsible for verifying that cost share and matching funds are obtained appropriately and reported under the contract.

Task 1: Silicon Carbide (SiC) Devises for Advanced, High-Efficiency Power Conversion

The research pertaining to SiC can be divided into the following segments.

1. Design system requirements for SiC diodes, including selection of adequate coolant.  SiC PiN and Schottky diodes with similar voltage ratings (1500 V and 5000 V).

2. Build SiC PiN and Schottky diodes.  Measure diode characteristics under forward (on-state) and reverse (off-state) bias conditions.

3. Develop selection criteria for choosing PiN and SBDs based on current rating, switching frequency and power density limitations.

4. Investigate cooling.

The research items listed above can be accomplished in a two year period.  Results of these investigations should provide indispensable information about how SiC electronics can be inserted in a wide variety of energy conversion, automotive, and aircraft systems.  This task shall be conducted during the full two year term.

Task 2: Optimal Efficiency Motor Control Strategies

The project objective is to evaluate the losses of a selected DC/AC power converter (inverter) with SiC semiconductor devices.

Basic parameters of SiC power FETS and Schottky diodes will be identified.  Equations will be derived for both conduction and switching power losses in SiC power devices.  These losses will be used to find the efficiency of the converter.  The same will be done for a DC/AC inverter with the corresponding Si power MOSFETs and diodes.  The results will be compared to show the benefits of the SiC technology.  If possible, SiC devices developed in Task 1 will be used for this research.

The expected benefits are higher operating temperature, higher efficiency, smaller heat sink (because of higher efficiency and higher operating temperature), energy savings, higher power density (smaller size and weight).  There will also be education benefits in the areas of high-temperature electronics, high-efficiency power conversion, and new semiconductor device applications.  This task shall be conducted during the full two year term.

Task 3: Islanding and Distributed Generation for Enhanced Electric Power Grid Security

The goal of this work is to develop a dynamic and control model for a distributed generation system with fuel cell and gas turbine units.

Plan of the study in the dynamic modeling of the hybrid system is as follows, First, is the identification of the key features of the hybrid system.  Then the size and time scales involved on the dynamic behavior of the components need are studied for the integration of the system.  The performance of the integrated system, balance of the plant, control of the plant are studied in detail.  The balance of plant and transients are studied in the evaluation of the control systems.  The turbine response time, start-up load, load upset-load following, and thermal management are investigated through dynamic modeling.

Models will be developed for the fuel cell, reformer, gas turbine and other components.  These individual components are then combined for the hybrid system operation.  Two systems are considered one with molten carbonate fuel cell and another with solid oxide fuel cell.  This task is independent of Tasks 1 and 2.

Task 4: Program Management and Reporting

The proposed research will be managed by the director of the CSLSS, Prof. Oleg Wasynczuk, who will monitor the research activities, assemble and disseminate the reports that are generated on a quarterly basis, and ensure that the cost sharing contribution is satisfied on a semiannual basis.

Task 5: Publish and Promote Results

For Tasks 1-3 each investigator shall prepare a technical paper for presentation at a nationally recognized conference such as the International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC), or one of the relevant Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) conferences.  The acknowledgement section will recognize the support of STAC.  If appropriate, the paper will be submitted for review to a relevant archival journal publication.

Project Tasks, Status, and Deliverables

Last Updated: 08/28/07