Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Energy efficiency, as the effective use of energy, is recognized as one of the simplest ways to improve the sustainable use of resources and by implication involves the end-user. The 2008 power crisis which South Africa experienced, highlighted supply exigencies and prompted a subsequent emphasis on affordable, rapidly scalable solutions, notably energy efficiency. As the establishment of new supply capacity is both costly and time-consuming, the logical alternative has been to focus intervention on the demand side. Residential electrical end-use has been identified as an area where the potential for change exists and strategies to address residential demand have gained momentum. The vulnerability of energy systems affects energy security on technical, economic and social levels. South African consumers are confronted with rising living costs and a substantial increase in electricity prices according to the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (2010-2030). Integral to addressing end-use is the ensuing behaviour of the end-user. End-use analysis aims to grasp and model customer usage by considering the electric demand per customer type, end-use category, appliance type and time of use. This project has focussed on the development of an interactive web application as a tool for residential end-users to improve energy efficiency through modified consumption behaviour and the adoption of energy efficient habits. The objectives have been aimed at educating an end-user through exposure to energy efficient guidelines and consumption analysis. Based on a Time Of Use-framework, a consumer’s understanding of appliance usage profiles can help realize the cost benefits associated with appliance scheduling. In order to achieve the desired functionality and with extendibility and ease of maintenance in mind, the application relies on the provision of dynamic content by means of a relational database structured around end-use categories and appliance types. In an effort to convey only relevant information in the simplest way, current web technology was evaluated. The resulting design has favoured an interactive, minimalistic, graphic presentation of content in the form of a Rich Internet Application. The development process has been divided into two phases. The residential energy consumption context has been substantiated with a case study of which the main objective and outcome has been to devise a methodology to generate usage profiles for household appliances. Phase one of the development process has been completed, as well as the case study. The conceptualization and framework for phase two has been established and the recommendation is to incorporate the methodology and usage profile results from the case study for implementation of the second phase. The effectiveness of the tool can only be evaluated once phase two of the application is complete. A beta release version of the final product can then be made available to a focus group for feedback. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Energie effektiwiteit, gesien as die effektiewe aanwending van energie, word herken as een van die eenvoudigste maniere om die volhoubare gebruik van hulpbronne te bevorder en betrek by implikasie die verbruiker. Die 2008 kragvoorsieningskrisis wat Suid-Afrika beleef het, het dringende tekorte aan die lig gebring en ’n gevolglike klemverskuiwing na bekostigbare, maklik aanpasbare oplossings, vernaamlik energie effektiwiteit. Aangesien die daarstelling van nuwe voorsieningskapasiteit beide duur is en baie tyd in beslag neem, was die voor die hand liggende alternatief om te fokus op vraag-kant toetrede. Huishoudelike elektriese verbruik is geïdentifiseer as ’n area waar die potensiaal vir verandering bestaan en strategieë om residensiële aanvraag aan te spreek het momentum gekry. Die kwesbaarheid van energiestelsels affekteer energie sekuriteit op tegniese, ekonomiese en sosiale vlakke. Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers word gekonfronteer met stygende lewenskoste en ’n aansienlike toename in elektrisiteitspryse volgens die Geïntegreerde Hulpbron-Plan vir Elektrisiteit (2010-2030). Eie aan die aanspreek van verbruik is die voortvloeiende gedrag van die verbruiker. Verbruiksanalise poog om verbruik te begryp en te modelleer deur die elektriese aanvraag na gelang van verbruikerstipe, verbruikskategorie, toesteltipe en tyd van verbruik in aanmerking te neem. Hierdie projek het gefokus op die ontwikkeling van ’n interaktiewe web-toepassing as ’n instrument vir residensiële verbruikers om energie effektiwiteit te verbeter deur gewysigde verbruiksgedrag en die ingebruikneming van energie effektiewe gewoontes. Die doelwitte is gerig op die opvoeding van ’n verbruiker deur blootstelling aan riglyne vir energie effektiewe verbruik en verbruiksanalise. Gebaseer op ’n Tyd-Van-Verbruik-raamwerk, kan ’n verbruiker se begrip van toestelle se verbruiksprofiele ’n bydrae lewer om die koste-voordele geassosieer met toestel-skedulering te realiseer. Om sodoende die verlangde funksionaliteit te bewerkstellig en met verlengbaarheid en gemak van onderhoud voor oë, steun die toepassing op die verskaffing van dinamiese inhoud deur middel van ’n relasionele databasis wat gestruktureer is rondom verbruikskategorieë en toesteltipes. In ’n poging om slegs toepaslike informasie in die eenvoudigste vorm weer te gee, is teenswoordige web tegnologie geevalueer. Die vooruitspruitende ontwerp is ’n interaktiewe, minimalistiese, grafiese aanbieding van die inhoud in die vorm van ’n sogenaamde "Rich Internet Application". Die ontwikkelingsproses is ingedeel in twee fases. Die huishoudelike energieverbruikskonteks is bevestig deur middel van ’n gevallestudie waarvan die vernaamste doelwit en uitkoms was om ’n metodologie daar te stel om verbruiksprofiele van huishoudelike toestelle te genereer. Fase een van die ontwikkelingsproses is voltooi asook die gevallestudie. Die konsepsuele onwikkeling en raamwerk vir fase twee is reeds gevestig en die aanbeveling is om die metodologie en verbruiksprofielresultate van die gevallestudie te inkorporeer vir implementering van die tweede fase. Die effektiwiteit van die toepassing kan eers geevalueer word sodra fase twee afgehandel is. ’n Beta-weergawe vrystelling van die finale produk kan dan beskikbaar gestel word aan ’n fokusgroep vir terugvoer.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) exhibit exceptional electrical properties that make them attractive candidates for numerous electronic devices and applications. However, constructing working devices can be challenging due to fabrication difficulties of these brittle ceramics. This thesis investigates new methods to make the fabrication of high quality YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) thin films easier and compatible with more materials. We present the development of a universal add-on method that can be used in situ to improve the quality of superconducting thin films deposited by Pulsed Laser deposition (PLD). We investigate the in situ application of electric fields and voltage biasing to improve the thin film growth. Considering various electrode configurations, we have developed a final electrode design that is stable and produces reproducible results. By introducing an insulated high voltage (HV) electrode into the chamber during deposition, the quality of the deposited thin films can be modulated depending on the polarity of the voltage applied. Applying a positive voltage improves the film quality obtained. Applying a negative voltage degrades the superconducting properties of the films. A simple proof-of-concept HTS dual-mode microwave filter was designed, fabricated and tested. Only the filter produced using our novel PLD technique displayed the correct filtering action upon cooling to 77K. This is attributed to the thin films better superconducting properties due to our developed technique. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoë Temperatuur Supergeleiers (HTS) vertoon aantreklike elektriese eienskappe wat hulle goeie kandidate maak vir verskeie elektroniese toepassings. Om werkende toestelle te ontwikkel kan 'n uitdaging wees, as gevolg van die vervaardigings probleme wat bestaan vir hierdie bros keramiek materiaal. Hierdie tesis ondersoek nuwe metodes om die vervaardiging van 'n hoë gehalte YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) dun films makliker en versoenbaar te maak met verskeie materiale. Ons toon die ontwikkeling van 'n algemene metode wat maklik bygevoeg kan word om in situ die gehalte van supergeleidende dun films, wat deur gepulseerde laser deponering (PLD) gedeponeer is, te verbeter. Ons ondersoek die in situ toepassing van elektriese velde en spannings om die dun film groei te verbeter. Verder oorweeg ons verskeie elektrode konfigurasies en ontwikkel 'n finale elektrode ontwerp wat stabiel is en herhaalbare resultate produseer. Die kwaliteit van die gedeponeerde dun films kan gemoduleer word deur die byvoeging van 'n geïsoleerde hoogspannings (HV) elektrode tydens deponering, afhangende van die polariteit van die aangelegde spanning. 'n Positiewe spanning verhoog die film kwaliteit, terwyl 'n negatiewe spanning die supergeleidende eienskappe van die films verlaag. 'n Eenvoudige HTS dubbele-modus mikrogolffilter is ontwerp, vervaardig en getoets, om as toepassings voorbeeld te dien. Slegs die filter wat geproduseer was met behulp van ons nuwe PLD tegniek, vertoon die beste filter oordrag by 77K. Dit word toegeskryf aan die beter supergeleidende eienskappe van die dun film, as gevolg van die toepassing van ons ontwikkelde tegniek.

Thesis (PhD (Electric and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Keywords: position sensorless control, torque control, synchronous machines The work in this thesis deals with energy e cient torque control and rotor position estimation in the full speed range, for a family of synchronous machines that should be used more often in the near future. This family consists of the permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM), the reluctance synchronous machine (RSM), the interior-PMSM and the PMassisted- RSM. By designing and controlling these synchronous machines correctly, better performance and higher energy e ciency can be expected compared to the performance and e ciency of an industry standard induction machine. However, applications are limited to variable speed drives (VSD) in a certain power range, e.g. below 100kW. With the growing concern and necessity of a better utilization of energy, it is becoming standard to use electronically controlled power converters between the electricity grid and electrical machines. Therefore, there is a very large scope for the implementation of this synchronous machine technology. For traction applications like electrical vehicles, the optimally controlled synchronous machine technology has a very strong position. Very compact and robust synchronous machines with a very high power density can be designed that may out-perform the induction machine by far. However, one major requirement for most applications is position sensorless control, i.e. rotor position estimation in the whole speed range. To achieve energy e cient torque control, maximum torque per Ampere (MTPA) control should be implemented. It is possible to achieve MTPA control at low speed, but above the rated speed of the machine, eld weakening needs to be performed. The question is how to implement MTPA and e ective eld weakening for any value of speed and DC bus voltage and for any machine within this family of synchronous machines. In this thesis a method is explained to achieve this goal using results from nite element (FE) analysis directly. The scheme may be implemented within a very short period of time. The contribution of this thesis is a general understanding of the problems at hand, with an in-depth view into the mathematical representation of synchronous machines, a generic method of energy e cient torque control and a thorough study of rotor position and speed estimation methods.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main aim of this research programme was to compare the relative performance of different insulator materials used in South Africa when subjected to a severe marine pollution environment. A test programme and procedure, test facility and instrumentation were established. Some novel instrumentation and monitoring equipment were developed and built specifically for this research programme, supported by data analysing software programs. In order to compare material performance only, all non-material design variables between the test insulators had to be removed (e.g. creepage distance, connecting length, inter-shed spacing, profile, etc.). To achieve this some of the test insulators had to be specially manufactured. Leakage current, electrical discharge activity, climatic and environmental data was collected successfully over a one-year test period, starting with new test insulators. The peak and energy values of the leakage current were identified as the two main parameters needed to describe the leakage current activity on the test insulators. A correlation was found between the climatic and environmental data and the leakage current data, and it was found that the leakage current can be determined successfully from some of the climatic and environmental parameters monitored by using multiple regression techniques. Surface conductivity and energy were found to be the best parameters to show the maximum and continuous interaction of the insulator material surface with the electrolytic pollution layer. A natural ageing and pollution test procedure was developed, which has become a South African standard and is gaining international acceptance. A model and hypothesis are proposed to describe the electrical discharge activity that takes place on the test insulators and explain the difference in leakage current performance of the various materials. Keywords: Insulator, Pollution, High Voltage, Leakage current, Material performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsingsprogram was om die relatiewe prestasie van verskillende isolatormateriale wat in Suid-Afrika gebruik word te vergelyk in 'n swaar besoedelde marine omgewing. 'n Toetsprogram en prosedure, toets fasiliteit en instrumentasie is gevestig. 'n Paar nuwe instrumente en moniteer toerusting is ontwikkel en gebou spesifiek vir hierdie navorsingsprogram, gesteun deur data analise sagteware programme. Ten einde slegs materiaalprestasie te vergelyk, moes alle nie-materiaal ontwerpsveranderlikes tussen die toetsisolators verwyder word (bv. kruipafstand, konnekteer lengte, tussen-skerm spasiëring, profiel, ens.). Om dit reg te kry moes sommige van die toetsisolators spesiaal vervaardig word. Lekstroom, elektriese ontladingsaktiwiteit, klimaat en omgewingsdata is suksesvol versameloor 'n een-jaar toetsperiode, beginnende met nuwe toets isolators. Die piek en energie waardes van die lekstroom is identifiseer as die twee hoof parameters wat nodig is om die lekstroomaktiwiteit op die toetsisolators te beskryf. 'n Korrelasie is gevind tussen die klimaat- en omgewingsdata en die lekstroom data, en dit is gevind dat die lekstroom data suksesvol bepaal kan word van sekere van die klimaat- en omgewingsparameters wat gemoniteer is deur veelvoudige regressie tegnieke te gebruik. Oppervlakskonduktiwiteit en energie is gevind die beste parameters te wees om die maksimum en kontinue interaksie van die isolatormateriaaloppervlak met die elektrolitiese besoedelingslaag aan te toon. 'n Natuurlike veroudering en besoedeling toetsprosedure is ontwikkel, wat 'n Suid-Afrikaanse standaard geword het en besig is om internastionale aanvaarding te wen. 'n Model en hipotese word voorgestelom die elektriese ontladingsaktiwiteit wat op die toetsisolators plaasvind te beskryf en om die verskil in lekstroomprestasie van die verskeie materiale te verduidelik. S/eufelwoorde: Isolator, Besoedeling, Hoog Spanning, Leek stroom, Materiaal prestasie.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The multiphase induction machine drive has been under investigation for the last half century. Although it offers several attractive advantages over the conventional three-phase induction machine drive, it is restricted to highly specialised applications. One aspect of the multiphase induction machine drive is the complexity of the control algorithm for decoupled flux and torque control. The complexity, arising from the required coordinate transformations, increases with increase in the number of phases of the machine. Recently, a method that allows the control of a six-phase induction machine drive without any coordinate transformations was developed and tested. This new control technique allows the control of the machine to be similar to that of dc machines through the use of special trapezoidal-shaped stator current waveforms. These stator phase current waveforms consist of field (flux) and torque current components, with flat-topped amplitudes allowing a stator phase to act alternately in time as either a flux or a torque producing phase. The idea is to have a number of stator phases acting as flux producing phases, whilst the remaining phases act as torque producing phases at each time instance. This dissertation takes a further step in the research on this particular control technique. As the control method relates directly to the brush-dc machine operation, in this dissertation, the control method is defined as a “brush-dc equivalent” (BDCE) control method. First, in this dissertation, a simple analytical method is developed to determine a defined optimal ratio of the number of field to the number of torque phases of a multiphase induction machine that utilises trapezoidal stator current waveforms. The method is applied to induction machines with up to fifteen stator phases. Finite element analysis is used to verify the validity of the developed criterion and to verify the square-like air gap flux density. Secondly, in this dissertation, an analytical method for predicting and evaluating the rotor bar current waveform of a cage multiphase induction machine is proposed. The method is based on the Fourier transform and the winding function theory under linear condition assumptions. The method also allows for the calculation of the electromagnetic torque and rotor bar losses. Skin effect is considered in the calculation of the rotor bar resistance of the machine. Again, finite element analysis is used to verify the analytically calculated results. The developed method can be expanded and used to evaluate the rotor current waveform of any multiphase induction machine supplied with any stator current waveforms. The BDCE control method is implemented on a prototype nine-phase cage-rotor induction machine drive. A nine-phase inverter and control system are developed for supplying the nine-phase induction machine with the trapezoidal stator current waveforms. Rotor current waveform measurements are taken on a specially designed rotor to verify the analytically predicted waveform. The linear relationship of the developed torque and torque current of the proposed BDCE control method is verified through measurements. Through the comparison of analytical calculated results with finite element calculated and measured results, it is shown in this dissertation that the developed analytical techniques can be used in the design and performance analysis of multiphase induction machines. Also, from the results, it is clear that the new control technique works remarkably well even in the flux weakening region. However, outstanding aspects, such as efficiency and generated torque quality of the proposed drive still need to be investigated further. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die multifase induksiemasjien aandryfstelsel word in die laaste halwe eeu al in navorsing ondersoek. Alhoewel dit verskeie aantreklike voordele bied bo die konvensionele driefase induksiemasjien aandryfstelsel, is dit beperk tot hoogs gespesialiseerde aanwendings. Een aspek van die multifase induksiemasjien aandryfstelsel is die kompleksiteit van die beheer algoritme vir ontkoppelde vloed en draaimoment beheer. Die kompleksiteit, wat voortspruit uit die vereiste koördinaat transformasies, neem toe met toename in die aantal fases van die masjien. Onlangs is 'n metode wat die beheer van ’n sesfase induksiemasjien sonder enige koördinaat transformasies doen, ontwikkel en getoets. Hierdie nuwe beheertegniek maak die beheer van die masjien soortgelyk aan dié van GS masjiene deur die gebruik van spesiale trapezium-vormige statorstroom golfvorms. Hierdie stator fasestroom golfvorms bestaan uit veld- (vloed-) en draaimoment-stroom komponente met plat amplitudes, sodat 'n statorfase om die beurt in tyd optree as óf' ’n vloed of 'n draaimoment genereerde fase. Die idee is om 'n aantal statorfases te hê wat as vloed genereerde fases dien, terwyl die oorblywende fases as draaimoment genereerde fases optree op enige tydstip. Hierdie tesis neem 'n verdere stap in die navorsing op hierdie spesifieke beheertegniek. Met die beheermetode wat direk verband hou met borsel-GS masjien werking, word in hierdie proefskrif die beheermetode as 'n "borsel-GS ekwivalente" ["brush-DC equivalent" (BDCE)] beheermetode gedefinieer. In die eerste plek word in hierdie proefskrif 'n eenvoudige analitiese metode ontwikkel om ’n gedefinieerde optimale verhouding van die aantal veld tot die aantal draaimoment fases van 'n multifase induksiemasjien te bepaal, wat van trapesoïdale statorstroom golfvorms gebruik maak. Die metode word toegepas op induksiemasjiene met tot vyftien statorfases. Eindige element analise is gebruik om die geldigheid van die ontwikkelde kriterium te verifieer en om die vierkantvormige luggaping vloeddigtheid te verifieer. In die tweede plek word in hierdie proefskrif 'n analitiese metode vir die voorspelling en evaluering van die rotorstaafstroom golfvorm van 'n kourotor multifase induksiemasjien voorgestel. Die metode is gebaseer op die Fourier transform en die wikkelingsfunksie teorie onder lineêre-toestand aannames. Die metode wend hom ook daartoe tot die berekening van die elektromagnetiese draaimoment en rotorstaafverliese. Die huideffek word in ag geneem in die berekening van die rotorstaafweerstand van die masjien. Weereens is eindige element analise gebruik om die analitiese berekende resultate te verifieer. Die ontwikkelde metode kan uitgebrei en gebruik word om die rotorstroom golfvorm van van enige multifase induksiemasjien te evalueer wat gevoer word met enige statorstroom golfvorms. Die BDCE beheermetode is toegepas op 'n prototipe negefase kourotor induksiemasjien. 'n Negefase omsetter en beheerstelsel is ontwikkel vir die toevoer van die trapesoïdale statorstroom golfvorms aan die negefase induksiemasjien. Die rotorstroomgolfvorm metings is geneem op 'n spesiaal ontwerpte rotor om die analitiese voorspelde golfvorm te verifieer. Die lineêre verwantskap tussen die ontwikkelde draaimoment en draaimomentstroom van die voorgestelde BDCE beheermetode is geverifieer deur metings. Deur die analitiese berekende resultate met die eindige element berekende en gemete resultate te vergelyk, wys hierdie proefskrif dat die ontwikkelde analitiese tegnieke gebruik kan word in die ontwerp en werkverrigting analise van ’n multifase induksiemasjien. Vanuit die resultate is dit ook duidelik dat die nuwe beheertegniek besonder goed werk, selfs in die vloedverswakking spoedgebied. Egter, uitstaande aspekte soos effektiwiteit en genereerde draaimoment kwaliteit van die voorgestelde aandryfstelsel moet nog verder ondersoek word.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif handel oor die natuurlike balanserings meganismes van veelvlakkige en modulêre omsetters wat fase-skuif dragolf puls wydte modulasie gebruik. Die meganismes kan in twee hoof groepe verdeel word: ‘n swak balanserings meganisme wat afhanklik is van die oorvleuling van die skakelfunksies en ‘n sterk meganisme wat voorkom ongeag of die skakelfunksies oorvleul al dan nie. Die sterk meganisme verdeel verder in twee subgroepe, ‘n direkte oordrag van onbalans energie en ‘n meganisme wat afhang van die verliese in die stelsel. Elkeen van die meganismes word aan die hand van ‘n omsetter topologie waarin die spesifieke meganisme oorheers beskryf en ontleed. In die ondersoek word klem geplaas op die daarstelling van uitdrukkings om die tydskonstantes van herbalansering na ’n afwyking vir elk van die omsetter toplologieë te beskryf. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the natural balancing mechanisms in multilevel and modular converters using phase shifted carrier pulse width modulation. Two groups of mechanisms are identified; a weak balancing mechanism that is only present when the switching functions are interleaved and a strong mechanism that occurs irrespective of the interleaving of the switching functions. It is further shown that the strong balancing mechanism can be divided into a balancing mechanism that depends on the direct exchange of unbalance energy and a loss based balancing mechanism. Each of the mechanisms is discussed and analysed using a converter where the specific mechanism dominates as example. Emphasis is placed on the calculation of the rebalancing time constant following a perturbation. Closed form expressions for the rebalancing time constants for each of the analysed converters are presented.

MScEng / Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--Univerity of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the number of distributed generation units connected to a distribution network increase, the possibility of island formation increases. An island is formed when distributed generation units continue to energize local loads within a section of the grid, which has been disconnected from the main distribution network. These islands pose significant danger to maintenance personnel as well as to members of the public. In this study, an investigation is done into various anti-islanding methods. The modes of operation of these methods are discussed, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. The slip-mode frequency shift method and the Sandia voltage shift method, in combination with over/under voltage and frequency protection, are simulated and tested to confirm their functionality. The results obtained show that it is possible to prevent distributed generation units from energizing local loads when the grid is disconnected. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die moontlike toekomstige toename in die aantal verspreide generasie eenhede gekoppel aan die verspreidings netwerk, verhoog die moontlikheid van eiland vorming. ‘n Eiland word gevorm wanneer verspreide generasie eenhede energie aan lokale laste voorsien nadat die netwerk ontkoppel is. Dit hou groot gevaar in vir onderhouds personeel asook vir die publiek. In die tesis word ‘n studie gedoen oor die verskillende metodes om die vorming van ongewensde eilande te voorkom. Die glipmode-frekwensieskuif metode en die Sandia spanningskuif metode word gekombineer met die oor/onder spanning en frekwensie beskerming metodes. Die kombinasie van metodes word dan gesimuleer en eksperimenteel getoets. Die verkrygde resultate toon dat dit moontlik is om die vorming van ongewensde eilande effektief te voorkom.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / A switching state substitution must be developed that will make use of both single-phase redundancies and three-phase redundancies in the flying-capacitor topology. Losses should be taken into consideration and the algorithm must be designed for implementation on the existing PEC33 system, with on-board DSP (TMS320VC33) and FPGA (EP1K50QC208). The specific power-electronics application is a medium-voltage active filter. Existing capacitor voltage stabilisation schemes are investigated and a capacitor-voltage based algorithm is developed that is investigated in parallel with the Donzel and Bornard algorithm. Detailed simulation models are built for the evaluation of both existing and the proposed algorithm. Three-phase control is also evaluated. Timing analysis of the proposed algorithm shows that a DSP-only implementation of the proposed capacitor-based solution is not feasible. Detail design of the digital controller hereof is implemented in VHDL. Finally, a four-cell controller is fitted into the FPGA. A scalable hardware sorting architecture is utilised.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Several transverse flux and longitudinal flux linear generator topologies exist for freepiston Stirling engine applications. In this thesis the transverse flux permanent magnet linear generators are investigated together with a back-to-back converter which can deliver the electrical energy from the linear generator to the electrical network. The transverse flux permanent magnet linear generator is geometrically optimised with the aim to maximise the power-to-weight ratio while maintaining preset power and efficiency levels. An optimised 3 kW linear generator is built and the measured results correlate to the simulation results. A close-loop current control scheme is introduced to control the current of the rectifier, which is part of the back to back converter. The transverse flux permanent magnet linear generator is connected to the input of the rectifier which has the ability to force a specific current from the generator. The measured results of the rectifier correlate to the results of the simulations that were done. The current control present some complications and it is suggested that another control scheme is used. A close-loop voltage control scheme is introduced for the control of the DC bus voltage. The DC bus is connected between the rectifier and the inverter, which is the other part of the back-to-back converter. A close-loop current control scheme is introduced to control the inverter current that flows from the inverter to the electrical network. The measured results of the inverter and the DC bus correlate to the results of the simulations that were done. The results of the system, including the generator, rectifier and inverter, tested as a unit is presented and discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskeie tranverse vloed en longitudinale vloed lineˆere generator topologie¨e bestaan vir vrysuier Stirling enjin toepassings. In hierdie tesis word ’n transverse vloed permanente magneet lineˆere generator ondersoek saam met ’n omsetter. Die omsetter dra die elektriese energie van die generator oor aan die elektriese netwerk. Die transverse vloed permanente magneet lineˆere generator word geometries geoptimeer met die doel om die drywing-tot-gewig verhouding te maksimiseer terwyl vasgestelde drywing en effektiwiteit vlakke behou word. ’n Geoptimeerde 3kW lineˆere generator prototipe is vervaardig en die gemete resultate is geverifieer met die simulasie resultate. ’n Geslote lus stroombeheer strategie word voorgestel om die stroom te beheer van die gelykrigter, wat deel is van die omsetter. Die transverse vloed permanente magneet lineˆere generator word aan die gelykrigter, wat die vermo¨e het om ’n spesifieke stroom uit die generator te forseer, se intree verbind. Die gemete resultate van die gelykrigter wat gebou is stem goed ooreen met die van die simulasies wat gedoen is. Die stroombeheer hou komplikasies in wat bespreek word. Dus word die gebruik van ’n alternatiewe stroombeheer voorgestel. ’n Geslote lus spannings beheer strategie¨e word voorgestel om die gs. busspanning te beheer. Die gs. bus is gekonnekteer tussen die gelykrigter en die wisselrigter, wat ook deel uitmaak van die omsetter. ’n Geslote lus stroom beheer word voorgestel om die stroom te beheer wat vanaf die wisselrigter na die elektriese netwerk toe vloei. Die gemete resultate van die wisselrigter en die gs. bus stem goed ooreen met die van die simulasies wat gedoen is. Die resultate van die hele stelsel, wat die generator, gelykrigter en die wisselrigter insluit, wat as ’n eenheid getoets is word weergegee en bespreek.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the viability of constructing a solid-state transformer (SST) with a series-input, parallel-output connection of full-bridge, three-level ying-capacitor converters. It focusses on the active recti er front-end of the SST which is used to control the input current to be sinusoidal and in-phase with the sinusoidal input voltage. A stack of two converters are built and tested. The input current, as well as the ying capacitor voltages of the two active recti ers in the stack, are actively controlled by a nite-state model-based predictive (FS-MPC) controller. The use of multiple ying-capacitor converters poses a problem when using FS-MPC because of the large number of possible switching states to include in the prediction equations. Three FS-MPC control algorithms are proposed to attempt to overcome the problem associated with the large number of switching states. They are implemented on an FPGA digital controller. The algorithms are compared on the bases of voltage and current errors, as well as their responses to disturbances that are introduced into the system. The simulation and experimental results that are presented shows that by interleaving the control actions for the two converters, one can obtain fast and robust responses of the controlled variables. The viability of extending the interleaving control algorithm beyond two converters is also motivated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die moontlikheid van volbrug, drievlak vlieënde-kapasitoromsetters wat gebruik word om 'n serie-intree, parallel-uittree drywingselektroniese transformator (DET) te bou. Dit fokus op die aktiewe gelykrigter van die DET wat gebruik word om die intreestroom te beheer om sinusvormig en in fase met die sinusvormige intreespanning te wees. 'n Stapel van twee omsetters word gebou en getoets. Die intreestroom, sowel as die vlieënde kapasitorspannings van die twee aktiewe gelykrigters in die stapel, word aktief beheer met behulp van 'n eindige-toestand, model-gebaseerde voorspellende beheerder (ET-MVB). Die gebruik van veelvuldige vlieënde-kapasitoromsetters bemoeilik die implementering van 'n ET-MVB-beheerder as gevolg van die groot aantal skakeltoestande wat in die voorspellende vergelykings in ag geneem moet word. Drie ET-MVB-algoritmes word voorgestel om te poog om die probleme, wat met die groot aantal skakeltoestande geassosieer word, te oorkom. Die algoritmes word in 'n FPGA digitale verwerker geïmplementeer. Die algoritmes word vergelyk op grond van hul stroom- en spanningsfoute, asook hul reaksie op steurings wat op die stelsel ingevoer word. Die simulasie en praktiese resultate toon dat, deur die beheeraksies vir die twee omsetters te laat oorvleuel, die gedrag van die beheerde veranderlikes vinniger en meer robuust is. Die moontlikheid om die oorvleuelende beheeraksies uit te brei tot meer as twee omsetters word ook gemotiveer.