Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SCENT (Smart Cities EMC Network for Training)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-09-01 do 2022-08-31
The global vision of Smart and Sustainable Cities is restricted by the rapid increase of interference and interoperability problems which occur through the interaction of electrical power with information technology and communications equipment. This interconnected systems-of-systems infrastructure creates a complex electromagnetic environment in which interoperability of the electronic systems has to be achieved. There is an urgent need to conduct greater understanding in Power Quality (PQ) and (conducted) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) due to the changing dynamics of the field. The main issue is the insufficient number of qualified engineers for the latest developments in smart cities, renewable generation and electric vehicles. A highly trained cadre of engineers is required to lead this area.
The aim of SCENT was to create a network to train highly skilled engineers through an integrated doctoral training program based on the essential research required in PQ and EMC that can underpin all future technological developments, strongly linked to industry, and bridging the gap between research and industry for translation of new knowledge. Designed into the project were specific innovations with methodologies to optimize the design of power distribution networks inside buildings and industrial plants, as well as transport systems, with respect to compatibility and efficiency in the distribution networks and connected electronic systems. The partners of the network consisted of leaders in these fields and relevant industrial stakeholders resulting in a unique and effective network in Europe and globally. Dissemination methods to realize optimal impact included scientific publications, workshops, training of engineers in industry, and dissemination through newsletters, interviews, social media.
SCENT resulted in a strong network of academia and industrial partners to train ESRs into unique engineers needed to solve major problems in the future development of Smart and Sustainable Cities. Several of the ESRs have been offered jobs before they ended the contract, which shows the need for trained researchers, but also that SCENT improved the career perspectives of the ESRs. The training was done via many academic and industrial secondments, but also the attendance of courses from other universities, workshops and international conferences. All activities were disseminated and communicated to society via various channels, such as the website, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Finally, there is a unique collaboration between the three beneficiaries established, as a joint doctoral degree will be awarded once the ESRs successfully complete the SCENT program.
The aim of SCENT was to create a network to train highly skilled engineers through an integrated doctoral training program based on the essential research required in PQ and EMC that can underpin all future technological developments, strongly linked to industry, and bridging the gap between research and industry for translation of new knowledge. Designed into the project were specific innovations with methodologies to optimize the design of power distribution networks inside buildings and industrial plants, as well as transport systems, with respect to compatibility and efficiency in the distribution networks and connected electronic systems. The partners of the network consisted of leaders in these fields and relevant industrial stakeholders resulting in a unique and effective network in Europe and globally. Dissemination methods to realize optimal impact included scientific publications, workshops, training of engineers in industry, and dissemination through newsletters, interviews, social media.
SCENT resulted in a strong network of academia and industrial partners to train ESRs into unique engineers needed to solve major problems in the future development of Smart and Sustainable Cities. Several of the ESRs have been offered jobs before they ended the contract, which shows the need for trained researchers, but also that SCENT improved the career perspectives of the ESRs. The training was done via many academic and industrial secondments, but also the attendance of courses from other universities, workshops and international conferences. All activities were disseminated and communicated to society via various channels, such as the website, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Finally, there is a unique collaboration between the three beneficiaries established, as a joint doctoral degree will be awarded once the ESRs successfully complete the SCENT program.
The SCENT doctoral training objectives were:
• Create the European Graduate School for conducted EMC
• Develop a structural doctoral programme in conducted EMC by 3 leading research groups, in close collaboration with industry
• Strengthen and structure the initial training of researchers in conducted EMC at European level
• Provide trained researchers with the necessary skills to work in industry
• Improve career perspectives by broad skills development, and building a durable consortium in research and training
The SCENT ESRs have been sent to industry several times. ESR1 and ESR2 already delivered their thesis. ESR1 is hired by the Hogeschool Saxion in Enschede (NL). ESR2 is with the research laboratory of dr. Racek (DE), ESR5 joined the school of mathematics at the University of Nottingham as a Research Fellow, ESR7 and ESR8 will continue their career at the Technical University of Indonesia, Bandung, and BRIN in Serpong, and ESR9 will continue as lecturer at the University of Twente. Also, SCENT resulted in a standard Tutorial, supported by the IEEE EMC Society TC7, at the international conferences, and parts of these lectures are embedded in the lectures of the universities involved. All ESRs followed courses from the other universities creating the European Graduate School.
The SCENT scientific objectives were to develop and integrate advanced methods to model, design, evaluate, measure and monitor economic measures for a safe, reliable, efficient and greener electrical power system:
• Advanced models and simulation methods allowing for uncertainty for connected devices and systems, including T-F and V-I using multi-channel fast digitisers with over-sampling algorithms
• developing T-F and V-I models and simulation methods for power distribution in complex installations
• full experimental evaluation and characterisation of equipment and complex installations, incl. platforms
• effective and economical compensation and correction methods to reduce EMI and improve PQ
The many publications (OA) show that the objectives have been achieved, but also that more work is needed. W.r.t. to the first objective, several techniques have been developed for including the uncertainty, as well as the multichannel methods. An open source toolbox with techniques for statistical analysis and optimisation has been made available for industry and academia. The papers indicating drawbacks of frequency domain measurements in systems consisting multiple power electronic converters have been published in scientific journals. The second objective was partly achieved, as we need more research on this complicated topic. The paper concerning time domain model of data transmission reliability in a presence of EMI was published. The third objective has been achieved, as several measurements and simulations have been carried out for complete platforms such as naval vessels. The measurements were made in collaboration with industrial partners, e.g. EMC tests of electric vehicle charging stations produced by Ekoenergetyka, EMI tests on 1MW photovoltaic power stations connected to the ENEA grid (published). The fourth objective was achieved: novel filters have been modelled, simulated, built and tested in real applications. Also new filter topologies are now being used by industry, like the X-capacitors in floating y configuration. Dynamic Statcoms and active filters with local energy storage have been investigated.
• Create the European Graduate School for conducted EMC
• Develop a structural doctoral programme in conducted EMC by 3 leading research groups, in close collaboration with industry
• Strengthen and structure the initial training of researchers in conducted EMC at European level
• Provide trained researchers with the necessary skills to work in industry
• Improve career perspectives by broad skills development, and building a durable consortium in research and training
The SCENT ESRs have been sent to industry several times. ESR1 and ESR2 already delivered their thesis. ESR1 is hired by the Hogeschool Saxion in Enschede (NL). ESR2 is with the research laboratory of dr. Racek (DE), ESR5 joined the school of mathematics at the University of Nottingham as a Research Fellow, ESR7 and ESR8 will continue their career at the Technical University of Indonesia, Bandung, and BRIN in Serpong, and ESR9 will continue as lecturer at the University of Twente. Also, SCENT resulted in a standard Tutorial, supported by the IEEE EMC Society TC7, at the international conferences, and parts of these lectures are embedded in the lectures of the universities involved. All ESRs followed courses from the other universities creating the European Graduate School.
The SCENT scientific objectives were to develop and integrate advanced methods to model, design, evaluate, measure and monitor economic measures for a safe, reliable, efficient and greener electrical power system:
• Advanced models and simulation methods allowing for uncertainty for connected devices and systems, including T-F and V-I using multi-channel fast digitisers with over-sampling algorithms
• developing T-F and V-I models and simulation methods for power distribution in complex installations
• full experimental evaluation and characterisation of equipment and complex installations, incl. platforms
• effective and economical compensation and correction methods to reduce EMI and improve PQ
The many publications (OA) show that the objectives have been achieved, but also that more work is needed. W.r.t. to the first objective, several techniques have been developed for including the uncertainty, as well as the multichannel methods. An open source toolbox with techniques for statistical analysis and optimisation has been made available for industry and academia. The papers indicating drawbacks of frequency domain measurements in systems consisting multiple power electronic converters have been published in scientific journals. The second objective was partly achieved, as we need more research on this complicated topic. The paper concerning time domain model of data transmission reliability in a presence of EMI was published. The third objective has been achieved, as several measurements and simulations have been carried out for complete platforms such as naval vessels. The measurements were made in collaboration with industrial partners, e.g. EMC tests of electric vehicle charging stations produced by Ekoenergetyka, EMI tests on 1MW photovoltaic power stations connected to the ENEA grid (published). The fourth objective was achieved: novel filters have been modelled, simulated, built and tested in real applications. Also new filter topologies are now being used by industry, like the X-capacitors in floating y configuration. Dynamic Statcoms and active filters with local energy storage have been investigated.
Impact was established by the SCENT societal objectives: the implementation of the newly developed and acquired knowledge by close collaboration with industry. The industrial partners were very happy to host many secondments for ESRs during the project. Provision of EMC is necessary for the reliable functioning of systems containing electronics, telecommunications and energy systems, and it is also a legal requirement for placing a product on the EU market. As an obligatory activity in the SCENT program and with respect to society at large, ESRs were shaping a positive public opinion about scientific research, e.g. during the "UZ Summer School" as part of "Zielona Gora - City of Electrical Transport", electromagnetic fields were examined near the charging infrastructure and in electric buses. The event was of a research and media nature and was widely published on a local and national scale (PL). Other examples are the collaboration in for instance Girls Days (UT) and knowledge exchange days organised by the Dutch EMC-ESD Association, also a SCENT partner. To reach the general public the ESRs also published many items on different social media channels.