Power electronics and renewable energy

Nanotechnology and Electronics Research Group research theme

The emphasis of our work is on the application of advanced coding methods to optimise the renewable energy delivered. The main areas of our research are: 
  • Renewable energy applications
  • Transportation electrification sector
  • Power electronics reliability modelling and fault diagnosis
  • Artificial intelligence applications in electrical power systems
  • Smart grid implementations and applications
Manager and main contact: Dr Tamer Kamel  
Scheme for the power electronics and renewable energy research theme
 

Current projects

The Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Smart Energy Station

  • Research Associate:  Mr Temitope Johnson  
  • Funder: Enterprise Solutions, ҹèƵ 
  • Project period: August 2024 – July 2025
  • Project lead: Dr Tamer Kamel (PI), Dr David Jenkins (Co-I), Mr Gary Millar (Industrial partner) 
A diagram of the Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Smart Energy Station
The project presents a novel renewable energy system that aims to generate clean electrical energy from silicon PV cells and also to use the excess heat generated on the PV panels in more beneficial domestic and commercial applications such as water heating and space heating, among other applications. 
This research focuses on employing phase change materials (PCMs) to collect and store the excess heat generated on the PV panels. The excess heat collected cools down the PV cells, via heat transfer to the PCM, and ensures the cells operate at their maximum efficiency condition.
A state-of-the-art maximum power point tracking (MTTP) algorithm will be deployed to harvest the maximum electrical power from the PV through regulating the power electronic converter at various operating environmental conditions. 
Finally, a supervisory management platform will be developed to control the energy station and facilitate energy transactions. This platform will enable peer-to-peer (P2P) energy sharing, where excess energy generated by one user can be sold directly to others. 
 

Cyber Risk-Resilience of Wind Plants: A Formal Approach to Verify Safety and Stability of Wind Turbines and Power Plants

  • Research student: Muhammad Arsal  
  • Funder: EPSRC PhD studentship
  • Project period: October 2023 – September 2027
  • Project supervisors: Dr Tamer Kamel (DOS), Dr. Hafizul Asad (Co-supervisor), Dr Asiya Khan (Co-supervisor)
A diagram of the Cyber Risk-Resilience of Wind Plants: A Formal Approach to Verify Safety and Stability of Wind Turbines and Power Plants
This PhD study aims to develop modelling frameworks that are amenable to ‘formal’ stability/safety analysis covering all possible inputs/states of a wind plant. 
Main objectives are to investigate and develop deterministic/stochastic modelling frameworks that are amenable to ‘formal’ stability/safety analysis. It also investigates and develop various adversarial and attack models, considering wind plant’s stability and safety. 
Besides, it aims to formalising system level properties and devise strategies to ‘formally’ verify them; “For all possible adversarial actions, the wind plant will never reach an unstable/unsafe state”. 
Finally, it explores towards developing an adaptive protection/control procedure to enable the wind plant operating in reliable and safe manner in the presence of adversarial cyber-attacks models.
 
A diagram showing the Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels demonstration
This innovative project aims to deliver the world’s first vessel-to-grid demonstration, building on the groundwork laid by the CMDC2 feasibility study. 
The project explores how electric vessels can play a crucial role in energy storage and grid flexibility when their batteries are not in use for propulsion. 
By enabling bi-directional energy flow between vessels, harbours, and the grid, it aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the global transition to clean maritime operations.
Key technologies include software upgrades, advanced communication protocols, and new charge controllers, which will allow electric vessels to communicate seamlessly with bi-directional chargers.
This infrastructure will provide a dynamic solution for energy management, offering ports, grid network operators, and vessel owners the ability to optimise energy usage, support renewable energy integration, and enhance flexibility for balancing grid services.