The Energy Management Group undertakes research into low carbon electrical systems that are enabled by advanced, compact and highly efficient electrical machines and power electronic conversion. The management of electrical power is the central challenge, with a focus on the systems employed in aircraft, automotive drive systems, renewable energy plant and micro-grids. The group is a core member of the UK Centre for Power Electronics.
The Group’s facilities include: Joint design and manufacturing of machines, drives, and power electronic converters. High-fidelity AC/AC power conversion equipment for the optimisation of drive efficiency. 200 kVA and 1 MVA dynamic testing, and hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Large pool of high-end test equipment, and advanced design and validation software.
Multi-physics design, multi-objective optimisation, thermal and loss analyses, new mixed-material structures, novel integrated magnetic components. Ultra high-efficiency applications using superjunction, wide bandgap, and high-voltage devices. Multi-level converters, control and testing. Power electronic systems for sub milliwatt levels, power intermittency, and energy harvesting. Robust minimal sensor control methods, design for fault tolerance. We are a Competence Centre of the European Centre for Power Electronics (ECPE).
The Bristol Electrical Energy Management Research Group has around 40 researchers. We investigate advanced energy conversion for low-carbon electrical systems that require optimised efficiency, and high power or energy density. Our well-equipped laboratories include high-power test cells, state-of-the-art measurement capabilities for advanced power electronics, and rapid manufacturing facilities.
Professor Phil Mellor, Head of Group.
