IRE35123 Power Electronics (Spring 2027)

For studyplan 2025:

• ING10225 - Engineering Mathematics (10 ECTS)
• IRE10725 - Electrical Circuits 1 (5 ECTS)
• IRE10825 - Electrical Circuits 2 (5 ECTS)

For studyplan 2024 and earlier:

• IRF10721 Engineering Mathematics (10 ECTS)
• IRE10521 Electrical Circuits (10 ECTS)
• IRE20012 Electronics IRE20012

This course covers the fundamentals of power electronics, focusing on energy conversion using semiconductor-based power electronic converters. The course includes core principles, analytical methods, and applications of modern converter technology.

• Introduction to power electronics and applications
• Power semiconductor devices (diodes, MOSFETs, IGBTs; introduction to SiC/GaN)
• Power converters and converter topologies
• DC-DC converters (buck, boost, buck-boost)
• AC-DC converters (diode and thyristor rectifiers): single-phase and three-phase rectifiers
• DC-AC converters (single-phase and three-phase inverters)
• VSI and CSI converters
• Modulation techniques (PWM, introduction to SVPWM)
• Efficiency, losses, and basic thermal considerations
• Power quality issues (harmonics and power factor correction)
• Applications in electric machines and drive systems, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, HVDC, FACTS, and grid-connected systems
• Use of simulation tools and laboratory exercises to reinforce theoretical concepts and practical skills

Knowledge

The student has:

• knowledge of the role of power electronics in modern electrical and energy systems
• an understanding of the operation of power semiconductor devices
• an understanding of the design and functions of various converters (DC-DC, AC-DC, and DC-AC)
• an understanding of basic modulation and control methods for power electronic converters
• familiarity with efficiency, losses, and power quality issues

Skills

The student can:

• analyze the steady-state operating characteristics of basic power electronic converters
• calculate voltages, currents, ripple, and efficiency in converter circuits
• select appropriate converter topologies for given applications
• use simulation tools to model and analyze power electronic systems
• interpret measurement results from laboratory experiments

General Competence

The student has:

• the ability to apply power electronics knowledge in interdisciplinary engineering contexts
• the ability to evaluate technical solutions regarding efficiency, sustainability, and grid impact
• the ability to communicate technical results through written reports and oral presentations

Before the student can sit for the exam, the following requirements must be approved:

• Laboratory exercises and reports
• Project or assignment-based work

Mandatory requirements are graded as Approved / Not approved.

Note: All reports must be approved at least two weeks before the final exam or within the specified deadlines for each report.

The course grade is based on two partial exams: An individual written exam and a report with an oral presentation.

• Partial exam 1: Written exam, individual, 5-hour duration, weighted at 60%.
• Partial exam 2: Oral presentation of laboratory reports and project or assignment-based work, individual or group, weighted at 40%.

Permitted aids for the written exam: A formula sheet will be provided. Calculators with cleared memory that cannot perform symbolic calculations or communicate wirelessly are permitted.

A grading scale of A-F is used for both partial exams. Both partial exams must be passed to receive a final grade for the course. A final individual grade for the course is awarded based on the A-F scale.