CURENT Seminar: Utility Applications of Multilevel Converters
Date: November 1, 2013
Time: 12:20 p.m. (ET)
Location: 124 Min H. Kao Building, 1520 Middle Drive, Knoxville, TN
Title: Utility Applications of Multilevel Converters
Presenter: Leon Tolbert, Min H. Kao Professor and Head, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Abstract: This seminar will cover the operating principles of a class of power electronic converters that have the capability to interface with high voltages, multilevel converters. A brief overview of the different topologies and control will be provided. In addition, some applications of these converters will be discussed, including HVDC interface, STATCOM, PV interface for utility applications, and wind interface for offshore wind. The ability to identify faults in a cascaded multilevel converter and to seamlessly reconfigure itself to bypass the fault will be discussed. Additionally, the ability of a multilevel modular converter in an HVDC interface to continue operation during a single line to ground fault will be covered as well.
Biography: Dr. Tolbert is a Thrust Leader and University of Tennessee, Knoxville Campus Director in CURENT. He also is the Min H. Kao Professor and Head in UT's Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Dr. Tolbert is also an adjunct participant at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and conducts joint research at the National Transportation Research Center (NTRC). He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Tennessee and an IEEE Fellow.
He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with highest honors in 1989, followed by his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1991 and 1999, all from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. He was appointed as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1999. He is also a participating faculty member of the Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) Center at UT.
Dr. Tolbert’s areas of interest include electric power conversion, SiC power devices, multilevel converters, hybrid electric vehicles, and power quality.
