Introduction

The Power Electronics and Converters Training Course provides an in-depth exploration of power electronics, which is at the core of modern electrical and electronic systems. Power electronics enables efficient conversion, control, and regulation of electrical power across a wide range of applications, including renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, industrial automation, and smart grids. This course covers fundamental and advanced principles of power semiconductor devices, switching techniques, DC-DC converters, AC-DC rectifiers, inverters, and emerging technologies in power electronics. Participants will also gain practical experience through simulation and hardware-based exercises.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the fundamentals of power electronics, including switching devices and topologies.
2. Learn the principles of DC-DC, AC-DC, and DC-AC power conversion.
3. Explore power factor correction (PFC) and harmonics mitigation techniques.
4. Gain proficiency in designing and analyzing power electronic circuits.
5. Utilize simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, and PLECS for power circuit analysis.
6. Examine real-world applications of power electronics in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and industrial automation.
7. Understand emerging trends in power electronics, such as wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC & GaN), wireless power transfer, and smart grid integration.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Electrical and Electronics Engineers working with power electronics in industrial, automotive, or energy applications.
• Power System Engineers seeking to enhance their knowledge of converters and grid integration.
• Energy Professionals involved in renewable energy systems and smart grids.
• Automotive Engineers designing powertrains for electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Engineering Students and Researchers focusing on power electronics and modern energy conversion techniques.
• Technical Professionals working in automation, robotics, and control systems.

Course Outline

Day 1: Fundamentals of Power Electronics & Semiconductor Devices

Session 1: Introduction to Power Electronics

• Importance of Power Electronics in Modern Applications.
• Power Electronics vs. Linear Electronics.
• Role of Power Electronics in Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Smart Grids.

Session 2: Power Semiconductor Devices

• Characteristics of Power Diodes, MOSFETs, and IGBTs.
• Wide Bandgap Devices (SiC & GaN) for High-Efficiency Power Conversion.
• Switching Losses and Thermal Management in Power Devices.

Session 3: Basic Switching Techniques

• Soft Switching vs. Hard Switching.
• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for Power Conversion.
• Snubber Circuits and Protection Mechanisms.

Hands-On Workshop: Device selection and simulation of power semiconductor characteristics in MATLAB and LTspice.

Day 2: DC-DC Converters – Principles and Design

Session 1: Introduction to DC-DC Conversion

• Buck, Boost, and Buck-Boost Converter Topologies.
• Continuous vs. Discontinuous Conduction Mode (CCM & DCM).
• Efficiency Considerations and Control Strategies.

Session 2: Advanced DC-DC Converters

• Ćuk and SEPIC Converters.
• Isolated Converters: Flyback and Forward Converters.
• Bidirectional DC-DC Converters for Battery Charging Applications.

Session 3: Applications of DC-DC Converters

• DC-DC Converters in Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energy.
• Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Energy Storage.
• MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) in Solar Energy Systems.

Hands-On Workshop: Simulate and analyze various DC-DC converters using MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS.

Day 3: AC-DC Converters and Power Factor Correction

Session 1: Rectifiers and Power Factor Considerations

• Uncontrolled vs. Controlled Rectifiers.
• Single-Phase and Three-Phase Rectifiers.
• Power Factor and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).

Session 2: Power Factor Correction (PFC) Techniques

• Passive and Active PFC Techniques.
• Boost PFC Circuit Design and Analysis.
• Harmonic Filtering and Grid Compliance.

Session 3: AC-DC Conversion in Real-World Applications

• Power Supplies for Industrial and Consumer Electronics.
• High-Voltage DC (HVDC) Transmission Systems.
• Rectifiers in Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

Hands-On Workshop: Design and simulate a PFC circuit in MATLAB and LTspice.

Day 4: DC-AC Inverters and Grid-Connected Systems

Session 1: Principles of DC-AC Conversion

• Inverter Topologies: Half-Bridge, Full-Bridge, and Multilevel Inverters.
• PWM Strategies for Inverter Control (SPWM, SVPWM).
• Harmonic Analysis and Filtering Techniques.

Session 2: Grid-Connected Inverters

• Synchronization Techniques for Grid-Tied Inverters.
• Reactive Power Compensation and Voltage Regulation.
• Role of Inverters in Renewable Energy Systems.

Session 3: Applications in Renewable Energy and Motor Drives

• Inverters in Solar and Wind Power Systems.
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in Industrial Automation.
• Smart Inverters for Energy Storage and Microgrids.

Hands-On Workshop: Design and simulate a three-phase inverter with PWM control.

Day 5: Emerging Trends and Real-World Applications

Session 1: Advanced Topics in Power Electronics

• Multi-Level Converters and Matrix Converters.
• Solid-State Transformers (SST) for Smart Grid Applications.
• Wide Bandgap Devices for High-Frequency Applications.

Session 2: Wireless Power Transfer and Energy Harvesting

• Basics of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT).
• Inductive and Capacitive Coupling Techniques.
• Energy Harvesting from Ambient Sources.

Session 3: Future of Power Electronics in Industry

• AI and Machine Learning for Power Electronics Optimization.
• Energy Storage and Grid Integration Challenges.
• Case Studies: Electric Vehicles, HVDC, and Industrial Automation.

Final Hands-On Workshop: Participants will work on a mini-project designing and simulating a power conversion system based on real-world applications.

Final Assessment & Certification

• Knowledge Check: A final quiz covering all course topics.
• Final Project Presentation: Participants present their design and simulation projects.
• Certification: Participants receive a certificate upon successful completion.