Fossil Fuels are the most commonly available energy sources. Electricity is generated by burning millions of tons of fossil fuel yearly. Because of inefficiencies and quality limits in energy generation, transmission, and distribution, a staggering percent of energy is lost to generate power. Since the consumption of global energy is growing rapidly, the high level of inefficiency and reduced power quality will further increase the carbon emissions. Energy efficiency and power quality improvements can help in reducing such emissions needed to control global warming.

There are many innovations that define the electrical power landscape today such as high voltage direct current, renewable energy (RE) generation, variable speed drives, led lighting, efficient motors and power electronics converters. These technologies are used along with the entire energy value chain from the extraction of resources, their transformation into electricity to energy utilization. Research in energy efficiency & power quality can help the electrical field by identifying areas for the improvement, and by providing equipment, systems and solutions to reduce energy consumption, improve electric energy generation and energy utilization.

Major R&D Thrusts

Energy efficiency & power quality group concentrates research efforts to develop and improve efficient electrical systems for renewable energy sources in both generation and utilization phases.

The research is dedicated to Grid connected and standalone RE systems with energy storage techniques.

The main research is focused in the following areas:

• RE generation efficient converters design
• RE utilization efficient converters design
• RE management and control
• RE Smart Grid
• Smart meters
• RE Maximum power tracking
• RE Led Lighting power supplies
• RE Storage Techniques
• Solar powered electric vehicles
• Solar batteries chargers
• RE power quality issues
• RE systems harmonics eliminations
• RE reactive power compensation
• Electrical Drives and efficient motors
• Buildings energy management

Supervision