Expert Advisor on System Integration of Active DC Microgrids

The Current/OS foundation promotes adoption, provides and further develops an OPEN standard system for Direct Current (DC) distribution to improve resilience, sustainability, and safety of energy distribution.HIE contributes to the development of DC-standards by sharing knowledge and experience on the design, engineering and system integration of DC-microgrids, including power management.

Member of Advisory Board and Expert Content Creator- Webinars- Masterclass DC- DC-on-tour: Pitches on Active DC Microgrids - technology - strategy -system integration

Senior Advisor on the N470 Active DC-microgrid. The N470 is powered by 110 kW of PV-modules integrated into the sound barrier and a 1 MWh battery-storage system. The load consists of 8 traffic-intersection controllers and over 400 LED-lights. All Converters adhere to Current OS Power Management to provide grid stability, while solid state protection ensures safety and grid monitoring.

Contract Research for DongFeng Locomotive Electrical Factory (DFLE): Energy recuperation in a 300t series hybrid minetruck. The minetruck is driven by a 1.5 MW diesel and synchronous generator which feeds the 2 induction motors in the rear wheels. I developed the synchronous generator control and assisted in the development of a new hardware set-up which allows regenerative brake energy to flow towards the synchronous generator such that the hydraulic loads, coolings fans and diesel engine remain powered during down-hill driving. The fuel saving target was achieved.Smart Inverter: Development of new control algorithm for grid-connected inverters, including improved grid parameter detection (voltage, frequency, Fortescue components) and grid services (unbalance compensation, droop control, etc.). The developed inverter control software can be used in a wide range of applications such as PV inverters, active front-end of heat pumps and onboard EV chargers.Smart PV IWT SBO: This project with various other R&D partners focuses on the development of smart photovoltaic (PV) panels, i.e. with module-level power electronics ready for conversion to dc nano-grids, smart bypasses and monitoring. Realization of supercap storage, grid-connection module between ac- and dc-nanogrid and integration of module-level PV converter. Responsible for safety protocol and hardware protection. Management of research team consisting of one post-doc and 3 PhD researchers resposible for PV emulator, power control and module-level dc-dc converter.Smart Grid Connected Vehicles and Infrastructure: Project with focus on grid-supporting fast chargers for EVs with V2G and G2V capabilities. Provide grid services under disturbed grid conditions. Development of energy management for grid inverter, stationary battery, EV charger and PV converter.Technical support for the Program Office Vlaamse Proeftuinen Elektrische Voertuigen. Development of EV charger controlled by demand response algorithm.

PhD on the impact of dc-dc converters on Li-ion batteries. Building of a test set-up with Li-ion batteries, two dc-dc converters connected to the batteries and a common dc-bus connected to the grid connected inverter. Development of control software for both converters and the inverter. Realization of continuous test cycle on batteries with different LCL-filter arrangements. Assessment of the impact of the different LCL-filter arrangements on the aging and BMS of the batteries.

Study for the Belgian Transmission System operator on the Power Quality in transmission grids. General overview of the power quality legislation in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. Comparative study of the guaranteed standards for consumers, transmission grid connected loads and power plants.Development and realization of a series hybrid electric vehicle. Development of an adaptive control scheme for fast switching dc-dc converter between battery storage and dc-bus. Development of field oriented control scheme of an induction motor and hybrid control module for the coordination of the battery energy storage, gasoline range extender and induction motor.Coordination of study on the availability of fleet of PHEVs and BEVs. Impact analysis on grid power and energy consumption, availability for grid services and fleet modeling of battery sizes.