Objective
The goal of this project is to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of a solid-state energy management system capable of electric vehicle charging, mobile energy storage, and solar tracking for the purpose of power management and distribution. This effort aims to demonstrate a system that, when implemented at full scale, can provide adequate power to an entire facility during extended power outages caused by critical power grid infrastructure failures at significantly reduced cost and system complexity over conventional solutions.
Technology Description
The Resilient Power Router (RPR) is an innovative multiport converter system that integrates many functions typically handled by multiple pieces of equipment into a single unit. This direct-connect converter is capable of voltages up to 35 kilovolts and power levels of 100 Million Volt-Amps (MVA) while being fabricated entirely with solid-state components, therefore requiring ten times less area and eight times less labor to install over conventional transformer-interfaced inverter systems as typically used with renewable energy and energy storage equipment.
The RPR is a modular, scalable medium-voltage (MV) power converter with patented high frequency Magnetic Energy Link. Since the power conversion system scheme is modular and flexible, it can be formed as a multi-port power conversion system or it can be implemented for more specific application such as Variable Speed Drive with single input and single output. Each charging port is galvanically isolated and include Controlled Current Charging and Controlled Voltage Charging according to current requested by the battery. For purpose of cost reduction, the power modules are built up of high-volume and already proven components including low voltage switches that both silicon Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors and silicon carbide MOSFET in the same package size can be used. Use of low voltage switches reduces the stress on insulation, dv/dt (delta (Δ) Voltage / delta (Δ) time) and parasitic capacitances. Besides, other advantages of utilizing the low voltage switches are, modularity, proven higher reliability of low voltage switches and synthesized voltage waveform in multi-level power conversion scheme. Furthermore, MV switches normally have higher failure rate, lower switching frequency capability, and higher parasitic capacitances due to insulation thickness that make them less desirable for power conversion applications which demand higher reliability and maintainability.
Benefits
This project would deliver a system that will enable facilities to maintain power during long-term outages caused by failures in critical power grid infrastructure at significantly reduced cost, weight, size, and complexity. Furthermore, this system would enable power utility cost savings through peak shaving and will ease permitting requirements by reducing the needed capacity of backup diesel generators to below permitting limits. The system will consist of an integrated multiport converter and a J1772 storage interface. These components will enable further Return On Investment and resilience across all Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. Lastly, DoD facilities would be utilizing a system manufactured entirely within the United States domestic supply chain which can be readily replaced in the event of failures caused by scenarios such as foreign attacks or natural disasters. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2025)