MSc - Power Electronics and Control with Advanced Project

University of Hertfordshire

This module presents the architecture of the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and introduces applications that are efficient for implementation on reconfigurable platforms. As part of a group, individuals have the responsibility for workstreams towards designing and applying digital signal processing algorithms for specific applications, and evaluates the performance of the system, and of the team. Specialist software and hardware tools are used to simulate and evaluate applications of FPGA-based systems.

This module is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge of applied artificial intelligence in specific subject areas through dedicated lectures, and practical work. Topics covered include machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning and their application to the solution of complex engineering problems.

This module enables students to gain systematic understanding of digital signal processing and its applications. The material included in the module ranges from techniques and design methods used in digital signal processing to the architecture of digital signal processors. Students have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of fixed-point and floating-point implementations on digital signal processors and how to make appropriate implementation choices. Software tools will be used to simulate some of the applications on digital signal processors.

The Masters Project serves as a pivotal integrating component of the programme, aimed at challenging and enhancing critical thinking skills. It offers students the opportunity to synthesise and apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout their postgraduate studies under the mentorship of an academic supervisor. The project typically requires 600 hours of self-driven scholarly work. This effort predominantly involves self-directed independent study, which may encompass a variety of activities such as scheduled sessions, supervisory meetings, literature review, software analysis, and preparation for assessments.

This module uses group project work to provide students with the opportunity to apply their project management skills and develop their professional and employability skills. The module will provide a mix of careers support, enterprise and business insight and challenging thinking about future skills needs of graduates and employers. Students will gain an appreciation of a range of engineering careers and sectors to enable them to better understand future opportunities.

Students successfully completing this module will be equipped to work within, and lead, high-performing multidisciplinary project teams. Students will develop a critical awareness of their skills, attributes, impact and contributions to project teams, and team roles, as well as an awareness of leadership, including differing leadership styles and cultural issues in projects. The module will support students in the application of other critical components of project management including risk management, cost management, project quality management, human resources management, communications management, and procurement management. The module will make use of experiential learning, case study examples, reflective practice, and guest speakers blended with traditional learning methods.

This module enables students to develop advanced understanding for the analysis, design and application of power conversion systems. More specifically, students study the operating characteristics of the principal solid-state switches, their control and implementation in various power electronic converters topologies. Furthermore, students apply these skills to design and develop converter circuits to meet the requirements of various industrial applications.

This module enables students to design and implement embedded software and hardware to control mechatronic systems. The module is supported through lectures, seminars and practical laboratory sessions.

This module presents applications and practical considerations on the analysis of power devices characteristics and switching performance for the design of power electronic circuits. Key areas of design and applications of power electronics that will be studied in this module typically include electric motor drives and control strategies, integration of distributed energy systems and storage to the electricity grid and electrical vehicles and electric transportation.

The new challenges of the future power grids require well qualified and skilled engineers capable of solving multidisciplinary problems related to energy conversion, renewable energy systems integration and energy storage technologies. This module enables students to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills in the design and analysis of renewable energy and energy storage applications and gain theoretical knowledge and research skills in energy systems and emerging smart grid technologies.

The module will provide students with an in-depth knowledge of modern electric power systems operation, planning and protection. Students will be introduced to the key technologies and will learn the analytical techniques to assess the stability, design the control and protection of modern electric power systems. The module will also cover the concepts of microgrids, smart grids and the enabling technologies including communication (ICT) and advanced monitoring and smart metering technologies. It will also introduce the current trend in electricity markets models and pricing strategies, and the concepts of energy transaction, demand-side management, and demand response.