Projects

In power electronics, the traditional design approach of power converters involves a range of power semiconductor devices with different ratings, optimized to operate at different conditions, where different suitable ancillary circuitry and power circuit topologies are also required. This dispersion in power devices and circuits leads to significant engineering efforts, the inability to take full advantage from scale economies to reduce costs, and the inability to concentrate efforts to improve performance. In the electric vehicle (EV) market, this is translated to a lack of standardization on the EV power conversion system designs across the different models and types of vehicles available, meaning that nowadays EV OEMs invest billions of euros to develop their own solutions. SCAPE aims at achieving three main objectives: i) propose a standardisable, modular, and scalable approach, based on multilevel technology, for the design of the EV power conversion systems ii) develop highly-compact and integrated building-block implementation. iii) propose intelligent modulation and control strategies, online diagnosis, and digital twin for predictive maintenance with machine learning. Reaching these objectives will enable reducing the cost of the EV power electronics thanks to scale economies, improving its performance features (reliability, efficiency, power density, etc.), and enabling advanced functionalities. This will allow satisfying the user’s needs, increase the acceptance and affordability of zero-emission vehicles, reduce green-house gasses emission, and enable a full-market penetration of the EV. Having this approach adopted by EU automotive manufacturers will allow creating a cost-efficient production chain in the EU based on economies of scale and advanced integration technologies, as a competitive advantage against other manufacturers.

Funding entity code HORIZON-101056781-SCAPE
Amount 772,875 €
Start date 2022-07-01
End date 2026-06-30
Developer entity Department of Electronic Engineering

Objective SINGLE will enable ammonia as an energy carrier in the hydrogen value chain through demonstration of a proton ceramic electrochemical reactor (PCER) that integrates the ammonia dehydrogenation (ADH) reaction, hydrogen separation, heat management and compression in a single stage. The realization of 4 process steps in a single reactor allows the technology to achieve unprecedented energy efficiencies with a project target to demonstrate > 90% (HHV) at system level. The PCER-ADH technology enables to directly deliver purified, pressurized H2 (20 bar). SINGLE will demonstrate the technology at a 10 kg H2 /day scale that will provide a pathway for future scale-up systems ranging from small (fuelling stations) to large centralized (at harbour) deployments. A key technology component is the electrochemical cell, that will be engineered to act as a durable PGM-free ADH catalyst at 500 °C and a voltage-driven membrane separator. The achievements in SINGLE will be an important proof of technological feasibility advancing the technology from TRL3 to TRL5. To strengthen the implementation of NH3 as a H2 carrier, SINGLE will actively disseminate and communicate the results to influence stakeholders in the value chain, including standardization entities within the hydrogen sector. The consortium counts on partners from the industry, institute and academia sector with high world-wide excellence in the respective fields of catalysis, electrochemical membrane reactors, life-cycle assessment, process engineering, control systems and hydrogen fuelling stations.

Funding entity code HORIZON-101112144-SINGLE
Amount 196,250 €
Start date 2023-05-01
End date 2026-04-30
Developer entity Department of Automatic Control

The ability to conduct successful transnational R&I projects in the EU varies between countries due to recognised gaps, including lack of scientific infrastructure, ability to maintain and retain talents or to overcome regional or national structural barriers. Concerted and directed efforts are required to support lesser-performing countries, like Portugal and Poland, to bridge these gaps and strengthen R&I across Europe.All academic contributors to the Unite!WIDENING project is also a partner in the European University Alliance Unite! “University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering”, a transnational alliance born in 2019 and contributing to the European Universities Initiative.The goal of Unite!WIDENING is to strengthen Unite! as an alliance, enhancing the scientific, technological and innovation capacity of the consortium of HEIs, raising its excellence as a group and individually, extending and expanding its activities, and implementing ERA/Widening policies. With the support of relevant partners in the local innovation ecosystems, it aims to accelerate the necessary reforms and conduct the required competence buildup to raise excellence in R&I and improve the valorisation of science and research in Widening countries. The results of Unite!WIDENING include new policy recommendations for R&I in Widening countries, identification of gaps and future actions; the development of a Handbook of HRS4R for Widening countries; gender, inclusion and equity plans in research careers; a university open science and strategic innovation roadmap; guidelines to the creation of local Science and Innovation Skills Academy, training programmes contents and guides, development of the research transparency dashboard and policies & strategies leading to reform and renewal of science & innovation institutional approaches. The outputs will be shared beyond the project life to guarantee their adoption/implementation by relevant stakeholders in Widening countries.

Funding entity code HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-03-01-101136765
Amount 4,950,000 €
Start date 2024-01-01
End date 2028-12-31
Developer entity Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

The HELIOS project aims at developing and integrating innovative materials, designs, technologies and processes to create a new concept of smart, modular and scalable battery pack for a wide range of electric vehicles used in urban electromobility services, from mid-size electric vehicles to electric buses, with improved performance, energy density, safety, lifetime and LCoS (Levelized Cost of Storage). Novel developments that integrate hardware and software solutions for the smart control of electrical and thermal management systems that exploit advanced materials, power electronics, sensors and cutting-edge ICT, such as cloud-based Big Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies running in the cloud are investigated and implemented within the HELIOS action. These combined approaches enable: i) increase energy and power density; ii) enhance key characteristics like ultra-high power charging; iii) improve safety; iv) improve E fleet control and health management strategies to extend lifetime; v) create optimised EV charge and discharge procedures and predictive maintenance schedules; vi) monitor SOC (State of Charge), SOH (State of Health) and carbon footprint for each battery pack throughout its entire life cycle, which allows an effective integrated supply chain for the manufacture, reuse and recycling of Li-ion battery packs to be established; viii) improve battery pack design and performance with reduced LCoS, based on a circular economy approach where the modular battery packs can be easily re-used in a range of 2nd life applications prior to EoL recycling and ix) assessment of HELIOS solution effectiveness in different urban electromobility models such as car-fleets and e-bus fleets.

Funding entity code H2020-963646-HELIOS
Amount 162,208.36 €
Start date 2021-01-01
End date 2025-08-31
Developer entity Department of Electronic Engineering

Addressing the noise issue in electrified vehicles Electrified vehicles (xEV) are becoming more and more common on our roads today as societies recognise their contribution to a cleaner environment. However, xEV are so quiet, that they could become dangerous for other road users like pedestrians and cyclists. In this context, the EU-funded GAP_Noise project will define a set of actions to fill the gap between the current knowledge and technology in xEV and human psychoacoustics. The project will combine the engineering field of electric motors, modelling methods, control strategies and the interaction between perceived sound quality and vibration to establish an ideal theoretical and practical environment to train scientists, engineers and social stakeholders in the acoustic integration of xEV. Objective Future urban mobility is envisioned with electrified vehicles (xEV) with driving assistance systems (such as autonomous vehicles, AV) coexisting with other road users like pedestrians and cyclists, resulting in smart and sustainable cities with less air and noise pollution. However, one of the most significant problems with xEV in urban areas is the lack of noise. The noise reduction of vehicles has been very welcomed by society but with the inherent risk of losing its detectability, with particular attention to vulnerable road users. Several studies reported that xEVs are more likely to have more accidents with cyclists and run over pedestrians (especially the most vulnerable ones like blind people). External noise is one of the perils facing the quietness of xEV, but the interior noise should also be addressed. The internal acoustic and vibration environment would help reduce monotony and increase awareness of drivers using automated driving modes (with still required human feedback), and contribute to the passengers' welfare. In xEV running at low speeds (urban areas), most internal and external noises are produced by the electric and electronic elements in the powertrain. The electrified powertrain offers the opportunity to create specific sounds following certain requirements and endorsing associations for increasing safety in road users, awareness of drivers, and comfort appreciation. The GAP_NOISE project aims to define a set of actions to fill the gap between the current knowledge and technology in xEV and human psychoacoustics, combining the engineering fields of electric motors, modelling methods, control strategies, in addition to the recognized interaction between perceived sound quality and vibration. Thus, establishing an ideal theoretical and practical arena for developing a technologically strong community of scientists, engineers and social stakeholders capable of boosting the acoustic integration of autonomous vehicles in future urban areas.

Funding entity code HORIZON-101073014-GAP_Noise
Amount 598,902.4 €
Start date 2023-03-01
End date 2027-02-28
Developer entity Institute of Industrial and Control Engineering

Modern distribution grids are facing important challenges such that the need to integrate massive amounts of renewables and storage in the low and medium voltage distribution grid, enhance the usage of distribution networks to avoid construction of new lines, connect several loads at different voltage levels supplied with alternating or direct current (AC or DC). In order to address the challenges described, iPLUG proposes the development of novel power electronics solutions based on multiport converters in order to enhance the integration of multiple renewable sources, energy storage systems and loads. The proposed converters, installed in several optimal locations, can facilitate a massive integration of renewable avoiding grid congestion and allowing the provision of functionalities to both the end-users and the distribution grid. The project studies both system-level aspects and detailed power electronics innovative solutions for low and medium-voltage applications. iPLUG is organized in six work packages. The system design is addressed, including concept definition, specification, sizing and location optimization. Multiport power converters and their inner control are designed and validated experimentally in the laboratory. The overall system control is also proposed, considering the usage of multiple multiport converters in several use cases and validation the concepts in the lab. Technical, economic, social and environmental impact analysis is conducted. The project consortium is formed by a core of five research institutions, supported by relevant companies which provide key requirements and case studies and analyse the project results.

Funding entity code HORIZON-101069770-iPLUG
Amount 607,710 €
Start date 2022-09-01
End date 2025-08-31
Developer entityCITCEA-UPC - Centre of Technological Innovation in Power Electronics and Drives

Currently, many European countries have power units nearing their technical end-of-life and/or shutting down according to the decarbonization of the EU power sector following the ecological transition agenda. There is a consensus that a decentralized system with more on-site power generation systems and microgrids capable of operating in island mode may be resilient against the impacts of an occurring hazard. Therefore, simultaneous development of distributed generation devices used in the innovative Distributed Power Generation (DPG) compatible with Hybrid Energy Storage (HES) with monitoring and diagnostic capabilities can directly reduce the risk of blackout. DPG systems can work in cogeneration or as electrical energy production systems, including renewable energy sources (see Directive 2012/27/EU). Given the unpredictable characteristics of renewable energy-based generation to ensure the supply and stability of the distribution network, it is necessary to have energy storage systems. These must allow the generation of renewable energy in periods of unavailability. The introduction of new energy storage systems in the supply networks is being considered strategic for both the European Union and the Spanish government. There are currently two new elements that are gaining momentum and a great effort is being made to put them on the market, these are: hydrogen storage systems and redox flow batteries. These two types of systems will play a very important role in the near future and in the proposed project. A visible trend has been observed to control distributed power generation installations remotely, using sensors and actuators connected with the control system via a communication network. Therefore, this project deals with the development of efficient management strategies for DPG systems using a hierarchical multi-layer scheme in an evolved context (i.e. including renewable energies, HES and CHP) including digitalisation technologies coming from Communication, Control and Computing (CCC) areas. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the monitoring and control based on the computing cloud (Control as a Service - CaaS) that allow making use of advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. Such a solution provides benefits in terms of cost, flexibility, ease of modifications and maintenance. Finally, the use of these new digitalisation technologies also possesses specific problems that need to be addressed, such as resilience of control actions, information flow and cybersecurity, that also will be targeted in this project in the context of DPG systems. The contributions of this project with respect existing approaches in the literature will be: * the development of an hierarchical integrated mutil-layer control of a DPG considering the interactions between the three levels: component, microgrid and grid. * the inclusion of HES in the DPG that allows a more efficient management allowing to cope with energy price and demand variation during the day. * the inclusion of multicarrier energy systems (as e.g. CHP) considering coordination in operation and planning across multiple energy vectors to deliver reliable, cost-effective energy services to end users/customers with minimal impact on the environment. * the inclusion of abnormal events (faults/cyber attacks) detection and the corresponding mitigation actions that are able to guarantee a safe, secure and resilient energy supply to the consumers.

Funding entity code TED2021-129927B-I00
Amount 247,480 €
Start date 2022-12-01
End date 2025-09-30
Developer entity Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics , CSIC-UPC

Voltage Source Inverters (VSI) are the preferred dc-ac electronic power converters for renewable and motor drive applications. The main reason for the use of VSIs is their ability to operate in open-loop, the use of cheap and efficient switching devices and an excellent understanding of their behaviour. As an alternative, the Current Source Inverters (CSI), which are dual with respect to VSIs and use an inductor as a storage element instead of the capacitors in VSIs, in the last twenty years were left for high power applications. However, there are some advantages of CSIs over VSIs: smoother (no discontinuous) output voltages, step-up behaviour, the ability to work at higher temperatures, and no necessity of dead-times. These characteristics make CSIs an exciting candidate for renewable energy applications (such as photovoltaic (PV) systems) and electrical drives. For example, in PV applications, the boost characteristic of CSIs allows the power injection of the electrical power in a single-stage conversion, reducing complexity and increasing efficiency. The advantages of CSIs applied in electrical drives include avoiding field weakening in high-speed operations, minor bearing stresses (because of lack of high-frequency components in the voltages) or, thanks to the higher working temperature, assembling integrated drives, among others. However, CSIs are much less known by the scientific community and the industrial sector than VSIs. One of the main drawbacks of using CSI is higher switching losses, but the use of new advances in power semiconductors such as wide-bandgap (WBG) technologies obtained promising results. There is still a significant disadvantage of CSIs: a larger size and weight with respect to VSIs because of the inductor. Anyway, the inductor can be reduced by using shunt auxiliary power converters and active inductors at the cost of complicating the control of the whole device. The complexity of the new topologies (together with the fact that CSIs require always closed-loop operation) demands new control strategies to exploit all the benefits of future technologies based on CSIs. The ACoCSI project aims to contribute with new control algorithms to improve the performance of the new generation of CSIs. The project will test CSIs in two different applications: the control of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) and PV power conversion systems. During the project, five different CSIs will be assembled: a drive for a PMSM to be tested with the electrical motors in the laboratory and single- and three-phase CSIs for PV applications for both isolated and grid-connected operation. To increase the performance of the power conversion, the project ACoCSI will adapt, according to the requirements of each application, advanced techniques for the design of controllers. The expected control advances along the project are not limited to CSIs but they can also be useful for other converter topologies. Overall, the envisioned results of the ACoCSI project are a better understanding of the control of CSIs, a set of experimentally tested control algorithms for CSIs and advances in the control techniques of power electronic converters.

Funding entity code PID2021-122821NB-I00
Amount 175,329 €
Start date 2022-09-01
End date 2026-08-31
Developer entityInstitute of Industrial and Control Engineering

Power Electronics is a fundamental technology in several areas, and particularly in industrial systems. Advances in power electronics will play a fundamental role in achieving the technological objectives that society pursues in terms of energy and sustainable transport. Indeed, the performance and energy efficiency of many industrial applications (e.g., electric motor drives), the use of renewable energy sources (wind, solar photovoltaic), the development of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, the implementation of distributed generation and smart grids, etc., rely heavily on power electronics technology, which is typically the technology that enables these applications. One promising path to search for advances in power electronics is to develop power processing techniques where voltage, current and time are all three broken down into the smallest amounts possible, in what could be referred to as quantum power electronics. This, in principle, may offer substantial benefits in terms of modularity, scalability, versatility, flexibility, economies of scale, cost, efficiency, harmonic distortion, power density, reliability, and fault tolerance. One competitive path to implement these power processing techniques is through the use of switching cell arrays (SCAs), which enables breaking down voltage, current and time into small portions and it also enables configuring power conversion systems where switching components are not mixed with energy storing components, potentially leading to high levels of integration. The basic element is the switching cell, formed by a single switching power transistor together with appropriate ancillary circuitry. Switching cells can be interconnected in different ways to produce converter legs at a wide voltage and current rating range and, then, these converter legs can be combined to implement any desired type of power conversion (dc-dc, dc-ac, ac-ac). Overall, switching-cell-array technology enables a modular and scalable power converter design approach from modules at three hierarchical levels: the switching cell, the converter leg and the converter. SCA technology is still an emerging technology. There are many pending aspects to be analyzed and developed to unleash the full potential of this technology. The aim of this project is to create new knowledge to contribute to fill this gap. Scientific and technical contributions are expected in SCA-based power conversion systems at the switching cell, converter leg and converter levels, regarding main circuitry, auxiliary circuitry, modulations, and controls to allow the full potential of this technology to be exploited and, therefore, make it more competitive and attractive. It is expected that the results of this project will contribute to a paradigm shift in power converter design, favoring a transition to a model in which all conversion configurations in a wide range of applications can be implemented using very few highly-optimized and inexpensive devices (thanks to economies of scale). It is estimated that this new paradigm may have an economic impact in reducing power converter costs, improving their performance, and extending the use of power electronic conversion systems, widening the range of available product specifications and enabling new applications.

Funding entity code PID2022-138384NB-I00
Amount 151,000 €
Start date 2023-09-01
End date 2027-08-31
Developer entity Department of Electronic Engineering

The main objective of this project is the optimization of the design and operation of redox flow batteries (RFB), in particular those of vanadium chemistry (VRFB). Due to their characteristics, this type of energy storage devices can contribute significantly to the generalization of the use of renewable energy sources. Among its main advantages we have the flexibility in the design, which allows decoupling the power from the stored energy; a long service life of more than 10,000 cycles; the possibility of carrying out full charge and discharge cycles; and the regeneration of electrolytes due to loss of efficiency due to cross contamination or after their useful life. The project comprehensively addresses the design of VFRBs, including the main components and their manufacturing processes. On the other hand, it includes the design of improved control systems that ensure optimal operation and monitoring of the batteries, with algorithms for estimating the main parameters of the system. Finally, the project includes the demonstration of the integration of VBFRs in energy systems such as microgrids or renewable generation plants using wind turbines or hydraulic turbines. Given the large number of involved engineering involved, this is a multidisciplinary project, and therefore it is proposed as a project coordinated by the UPC group made up of three sub-projects. The first of them, carried out by the UPC, will focus on the modeling and control of BFRV and its main objective is the design of control systems that incorporate algorithms for estimating the state of charge and the health state of the batteries. For this, techniques for estimating parameters and state observers will be used, and artificial intelligence in combination with the control-oriented models developed in the project. Based on this information, control algorithms will be developed whose main objective will be to improve the useful life and efficiency of the batteries. The resulting controllers will be validated on the project's experimental platforms. The second subproject, led by LIFTEC, will focus on improving the different construction aspects, focusing on the design of the optimal distribution mechanisms for electrolytes to and inside the stacks, as well as pumping procedures. The incorporation of new sensors and improvements in the measurement of parameters that contribute to the understanding of the internal behavior of the system will be addressed. Long-term tests will be carried out in order to characterize the useful life of this type of battery and to know the degradation processes. Finally, the subproject will address the design of electrolyte regeneration processes. The third subproject, led by the UCH, will focus on the integration of the VRFBs in two energy demonstrators. Its main objective is the development of energy management techniques that allow this storage device to interact with the rest of the elements, sources and loads that make up energy systems based on renewable energy sources. The improvements in the VRFBs and their operation obtained in the project will represent a step forward in their use and the improvement of the current energy system.

Funding entity code PID2021-126001OB-C31
Amount 150,887 €
Start date 2022-01-01
End date 2025-12-31
Developer entity Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics , CSIC-UPC

The deployment of mobile robotic systems to carry out in-house transportation tasks is a key element to improve efficiency in the logistics of Industry 5.0-inspired smart factories. However, the standard requirements of logistics schemes such as flexibility, reconfigurability, reusability, scalability or energy-efficiency, pose a number of challenging open –from the optimality side– control problems to be addressed. Essentially, the main issues to by faced are related to scheduling or dispatching, which encompasses task assignment and empty vehicle balancing, and routing. This is to be done under well-defined optimization criteria and taking into account the specific features of the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) fleet, both static (size, load), kinematic (velocity, acceleration), and technical (holonomicity, autonomy, sensing and interconnection capabilities). Additional constraints have to do with the degree of heterogeneity of the fleet, and the level of interaction with human operators. Most of the solutions reported so far consider centralized control strategies, where a central unit makes decisions relying on global information of the whole system. However, depending on the number of units the communication overhead might have a negative impact on performance, while the control complexity often results in NP-hard computational problems. A promising alternative that is gaining an increasing interest in the specialized literature comes from distributed control systems. Decision-making algorithms based on local information require less individual computational power and are more robust to disturbances, while its intrinsic modular structure offers excellent flexibility and scalability properties. The thematic area of this thesis proposal falls within the traffic management of AGV fleets in in-house facilities using distributed control approaches. Multi-agent systems are at the core of the decentralized approaches to tackle the task assignment problem in conventional environments. The cooperation capabilities via intercommunication allow them to pursue for collective targets that encompass both individual goals and global behaviors. These features are exploited by the so-called market-based algorithms, in which assignments come through an auction based on certain criteria. Such auctions may occur either for neighboring units of the loading station or within all the fleet, and AGVs may bid to different station offers. Empty vehicle balancing deals with the managing of idle vehicles, including the assignment of AGVs to battery charging stations. Intuitively, parking/charging stations and vehicles should be appropriately balanced between different zones so as to minimize response times. Circulatory loop positioning or even random motion through the warehouse of idle AGVs are also alternatives for short response times, but it also shortens individual intercharge times. Some works also include this operation within the task assignment routines. Routing or path planning is an essential computation to be taken into account at the task assignment stage. Modern route planning strategies work on a dynamic basis, i.e. taking into account the current state of the network to avoid congestions, and assign routes using consensus-based approaches between AGV neighbors that minimize the global execution time of a set of tasks. Once the route is selected, route execution algorithms are in charge of operationally driving the AGV to its destination avoiding collisions and deadlock situations. A key difference is also on the existence of specific moving lanes; when not, the AGVs are classified as free ranging vehicles, which offer better space utilization and flexibility at the cost of algorithm complexity. Despite the current advances in the area, further research is needed on the integration of scheduling and route planning processes, which are often analyzed separately, as it is a key element in distributed strategies. An appropriate balancing of the level of decentralization in distributed decision-making processes is also desirable, as a reduction of the amount of non-local information managed entails less computational and communication power effort and, at the same time, improves robustness, flexibility, and scalability. Moreover, market-based strategies in task assignment could be ameliorated with local optimization algorithms and take into account side constrains including space, time, capacity, battery level… Another important point is the development of strategies dealing with the simultaneous scheduling of multiple types of materials and heterogeneous AGV fleets, i.e. where different AGV models coexist. Route execution processes would benefit of allowing AGVs to eventually leave moving lanes in order to better sort out collision-avoidance and deadlock situations. As for deadlock prevention, low rule-based strategies require less computational effort. Finally, the ability of algorithms to work in mixed scenarios, with different control paradigms, is also a challenging task. The thesis will be focused on the development of distributed control strategies for the traffic management of AGV-based in-house transportation systems encompassing: • the task scheduling and route planning of the fleet in an integrated fashion and with a high level of decentralization, • the route execution of individual AGVs during operation in potentially mixed scenarios with improved collision avoidance and deadlock properties.

Funding entity code 2021 DI 016
Amount 33,960 €
Start date 2021-11-08
End date 2025-11-07
Developer entity Institute of Industrial and Control Engineering

L’objectiu de la convocatòria és impulsar les activitats dels grups de recerca que permetin reforçar l’impacte científic, econòmic i social de la recerca, així com promoure la seva projecció internacional.

Funding entity Generalitat de Catalunya
Amount 40,000 €
Start date 2023-03-31
Developer entity ACaPE