Final Year Project

Proposal
Design & Construction of ThreePhase Power Inverter Using Space
Vector Modulation

Abstract
We opted to design a Three-Phase power inverter, that will have ideal
applications in renewable energy power systems; their scale will be favorable
for micro-grid applications. A finished product will implement a Space Vector
Modulation algorithm that switches differential equations capturing the
dynamics of the DC/AC inverter. We have chosen AVR microcontroller which is
Date:
Group Members:
Bilal Sarwar
Mudasir
Mubashir

B-17707

found to be robust to small perturbations in DC input voltage, and also can be

easily programmed and controlled compared to other microcontrollers.

Motivation
The increasing necessity of producing more energy, combined with the surging
interest in green technologies worldwide, have promoted the need for a highly
reliable, cost-efficient, and self-sustained electric power grid. Future energy
distribution systems ought to be capable of interconnecting diverse power
sources, including fossil and nuclear-fueled generators; renewable sources, such
as hydropower generators, photovoltaic arrays, and wind turbines; storage
systems, such as fuel cells, compressed-air devices, and flywheels; and power
quality improvement units. In particular, renewable energy sources highly

depend on rapidly changing environment conditions, and, hence, require robust

power conversion techniques with unstable/highly varying input signals.

Objective
The main objective is to develop a novel highly efficient, cost effective,
compact, reliable three-phase power inverter. The Three-Phase power inverter
will have voltage levels of 400V, power rating in-between 0.5 to 1Kw and
frequency of 50Hz. The process involves inputting DC, stepping the voltage to
the AC peak value, and using Space Vector Modulation from a microcontroller
to drive transistors. This will create a 50 Hz sinusoid, which is the set
frequency standard for wall outlets in the Pakistan. Any inefficiency in the
inverting process results in excess heat, so close attention will be paid to the
efficiency of components and heat dissipation.

Design Specifications:
Parameter Requirement (Nominal)
Maximum Load 1 kVA
Power Density > 25 W/in3
Volume < 40 in3
Voltage Input 12 VDC
Voltage Output 400 V RMS AC
Frequency Output 50 Hz
Maximum Outer Temperature < 60 C

Conceptual Design Details

The basic function of the design is to invert the DC input into an AC output.
Secondary functions include stepping the DC, delivering AC, and maintaining
efficiency. Each of these functions can be seen in figure 1 above. To invert DC,
the inverter must first step the DC to the AC peak amplitude. Direct current can
be stepped up and down with the use of a DC-DC converter. Current is
alternated by switching isolated gate bipolar transistors on and off using
space vector modulation from a microcontroller. High efficiency will ensure less
power is dissipated as heat. This is important because the enclosure will not
contain a large excess of room, so maintaining an acceptably low temperature
will be more difficult with a compact heat sink.