Almost all electric energy used in society is processed by switched power electronic, from mobile phone chargers to motor drives in heavy duty full electric trucks, from wind power generation to electric vehicle charging stations etc. There are big similarities between many applications, like a motor drive system for an electric vehicle or a wind power generator operating with variable turbine speed.

The figure to the left is a Porsche MACAN drive and to the right a Vestas wind power nacelle. Both illustrations include a power electronic converter, an electrical machine and a mechanical transmission.

To be able to design and control such applications, detailed knowledge is required about how the electrical machines and the power electronics involved should be designed and controlled. In an electric car the driving range, the traction control, the acoustic sound and torque quality are directly dependent on both the electrical machine design and the control applied by the power electronic supply. In a wind power station, the efficiency, sound level, power quality and more have the same dependence.

Common for these two applications, and for many more, is a detailed understanding of how to model and control “electromechanical energy converters” i.e. electrical machines in motor or generator operation, using power electronic converters.

The purpose of this course is to provide the knowledge needed to participate in development and control of drivetrains in modern electric vehicles and in wind power generation.

This course needs to be preceded by the course “Power Electronic Control and Design” (EIEN75), or similar knowledge. If you have not taken that course, the first lectures of this course (EIEN80) will make a summary of EIEN75 and offer material for self-studies to catch up on what you need to know.