Power electronics solutions and architectures for industrial and high-power applications

This PhD thesis, developed through a high-level apprenticeship between OCEM Power Electronics and the University of Bologna, focuses on power electronics solutions for industrial and high-power applications. It combines practical implementations with theoretical advancements to enhance efficiency, scalability, and flexibility in energy systems. The first three chapters cover work conducted at OCEM Power Electronics. Chapter one introduces the Poseidon Project, an EU-funded initiative on energy storage for marine applications. It explores hybrid storage solutions to improve power management, reduce fuel consumption, and lower emissions. Chapter two presents a study with ENEA Frascati on optimizing poloidal field (PF) coil power supplies in tokamak fusion reactors. Supercapacitors were used to enhance energy delivery while minimizing the system’s footprint. Chapter three details the design and testing of a high-voltage pulse generator prototype, achieving 25 kV pulses with fast rise times, though further refinements are suggested.The last two chapters focus on theoretical research at the University of Bologna. Chapter four investigates Modular Multilevel Converters, proposing a novel framework based on two-time scale analysis to improve performance. Chapter five explores matrix rectifiers as an efficient alternative to conventional rectifiers, leveraging a tailored control strategy for loss reduction.