Project funded by the EU Lifelong Learning Programme
Project Reference No. 527877-LLP-1-2012-1-UK-ERASMUS-ENW
Module Specification
Module name: RE12M2 Power Converters
Programme (Energy/ICT): Energy
ECTS: 6
Type Bachelor/MSc: Master
Module name: Power Converters
Scope and form:
 Lectures and group exercises/simulations in connection with the lectures

Laboratory exercises and project work in teams
Duration (weeks; Hours/week): 15 weeks; 4 hours/week (on average 2 hours of lectures
and 2 hours of labs/project work)
Type of assessment:
Oral examination based on project report and sample topic of the module.
Qualified Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of circuit theory (DC and AC circuits), fundamental of analogue and
digital electronics, basics of control theory. Fundamentals of transformer operations and
DC- and AC- machines.
General module objectives:
This course introduces students to the power converters for renewable energy
applications, like DC/DC, AC/DC, AC/AC converters for photovoltaic systems, wind and
hydro turbine systems, small-scale power generators and power control systems. In
addition, the course aims to provide students with ability to analyse of the named systems
and circuits for the control and conversion of electrical power with high efficiency.
Topics and short description:
Power Electronics and Power Converters
 Principles of steady-state converter analysis,
 Steady-state equivalent circuit modelling, losses, and efficiency,
 Semiconductor power switch realization (overview of semiconductor switches Diodes, IGBTs, MOSFETs, SiCs),
 The discontinuous conduction mode of power converters,
http://www.saleie.york.ac.uk
Project Coordinator: Tony Ward, University of York
Email: tony.ward@york.ac.uk
Project funded by the EU Lifelong Learning Programme
Project Reference No. 527877-LLP-1-2012-1-UK-ERASMUS-ENW
Boost/buck converters - operation, control and design,
 Resonant converters – operation, control
 Multi-phase converters - operation, control and design,
 DC/AC converters - operation, control and design,
 Multi-level converters - operation, control and design,
 Switching strategies of converters,
 Snubber circuits
Converter Dynamics and Control
 AC equivalent circuit modelling,
 Converter transfer functions,
 Controller design,
Power Converters Applications to Renewable Energy Systems
 Fundamentals of Transformer Operations, DC and AC Machines - motors,
generators & control,
 Wind and hydro generator systems (general types of electric machines, power
converter types and configurations)
 Photovoltaic generators (general types of silicon photovoltaic systems, PV
configurations and integration)
 Transmission of electric power and cooperation power converters with Electric
Power Network.

Learning outcomes:
Knowledge
Skills
Competences
Configuration of DC/DC, Able to analyse various Ability to discuss and
DC/AC converters
configurations of power evaluate configurations of
electronic converters.
power converters, and to
communicate results
Types, parameters of power Able to choose proper Taking responsibility for
semiconductor switches
power
semiconductor choosing proper switches
switches
for
power for power converters, both
converters.
in educational and work
settings
Application
of
power Able to make computer Application of the skills
converters
in
energy simulations of the power learnt to make simulations
renewable systems
converter systems design and plan extensions or
and plan future extensions modifications of systems as
http://www.saleie.york.ac.uk
Project Coordinator: Tony Ward, University of York
Email: tony.ward@york.ac.uk
Project funded by the EU Lifelong Learning Programme
Project Reference No. 527877-LLP-1-2012-1-UK-ERASMUS-ENW
Wind and hydro generator
systems and photovoltaic
generators (general types
and
configurations and
integration)
or modifications of existing
power systems.
Able
to identify and
appraise
the
main
configurations
and
components of an electric
power conversion system.
a design team member
capable of team work
Ability to evaluate main
configurations and present
arguments in favour of the
option
selected,
in
educational
and
work
settings
Module recommended literature:

Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Systems, Transportation and Industrial
Applications, by Haitham Abu-Rub, Mariusz Malinowski, Kamal Al-Haddad2014
Supplementary literature:
 Power Electronics: Circuits, Devices & Applications, by Muhammad H. Rashid, 2013
 Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design, by Ned Mohan, Tore M.
Undeland, William P. Robbins, 2002
 Grid Converters for Photovoltaic and Wind Power Systems, by Remus Teodorescu
(Author), Marco Liserre(Author), Pedro Rodríguez (Author), 2011
 Power Electronics: A First Course, by Ned Mohan, 2011
 Power Electronics, by Daniel Hart, 2010
 Fundamentals of Power Electronics, by Robert W. Erickson, Dragan Maksimovic, 2001
Special Considerations: Generically none for this module but should be commented on by the
institution delivering the module.
http://www.saleie.york.ac.uk
Project Coordinator: Tony Ward, University of York
Email: tony.ward@york.ac.uk