The AAU Energy section for Applied Power Electronics Systems (APES) strives for improving the performance of future power conversion systems and power electronic-based power grid in terms of cost, compatibility, efficiency, power density, recyclability, and reliability. Three main research groups are active in APES to cope with the most stringent challenges along the way, namely, Electromagnetic interference (EMI), new control strategies, reliability at the component level, and reliability at the system level. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) based methods are applied to further enhance optimization and prediction in different power electronics application areas. The knowledge is shared both in terms of top-tier journal and conference publications as well as teaching at bachelor, master and PhD levels. APES section is active in five out of the seventeen United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDG4, 7, 9, 11, and 13) and is one of the most active sections in industrial collaborations.

EMI/EMC in Power Electronics

Due to inherent pulsating behavior of power electronic converters and systems ensuring electromagnetic compatibility is a never-ending need. Therefore, with the aim of facilitating the further deployment of power electronics technology in facilitating green transition here we the focus is to develop innovative power electronic converters and systems for current and future power grid and all relevant applications, which possess low-interference and high-power quality to cope with Electromagnetic (EMC) requirements at device and system levels. We have a bold role in standardization both at national and international levels and closely collaborate with industry. The major research effort is based on modeling at device level up to converter and application levels with special focus on WBG-based power electronics utilizing EMI digital models of power converters to predict EMI and optimize filter and converter design in different application areas.

Reliability of Power Electronic Converters and Components

Renewables are intrinsically intermittent sources, so converters are an enabling technology for producing green energy. Power electronic components contribute 30% - 50% of the overall conversion losses and seldom last more than 10 years without maintenance. At converter level enabling the next leap in efficient, reliable, and cognitive power electronic converters functioning as the energy processors for our electrified and digitalized world is the main focus. Overall, we strive for implementing present- and future component technologies to make converters better and better and lasting up to 30 years and more.

Power Electronic Control, Reliability, and System Optimization

Here, the focus is on complete systems in which a power electronic converter interacts with other components such as connected loads and feeding systems. Major research efforts lie within modelling, simulation and practical design of such systems, including their control implemented digitally in e.g. micro controllers, digital signal processors or FPGA’s. The main goal here is to provide efficient, cognitive, reliable and cost-competitive solutions for power electronic systems across a broad area of applications and to explore ways to achieve significant system-level advances through a systems engineering approach.

Research Mission

The research mission for all the section’s topics is to ensure compatibility, reliability and efficiency of the next generation of power electronic converters and systems which enables smooth transition to “green power” and to reach green transition goals.