Postgraduate Visit Afternoons
Whether you have already applied or you are just curious about your options, our Postgraduate Visit Afternoons are a perfect opportunity to get the answers you need.
Learn more- Date:
- 2014-2018
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Space and surface charge, Solid dielectrics
- Funding:
- EPSRC
This project aims to investigate the impact of inherent defects, space charge dynamics, partial discharges, electrical trees and power quality on the electrical performance of lapped cable insulation under high DC stress. Mass impregnated insulation constructed from lapped PolyPropylene Laminated Paper (PPLP) tapes is of current topical interest in this field. Fundamental understanding of the performance of this insulation and development of novel operating methodologies are urgently required in order to meet the challenges faced in HVDC connection of offshore wind farms and in the creation of HVDC super-grids.
Primary investigators
Secondary investigators
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Themes:
- Applied Electromagnetism, Plasma and Space Science
- Funding:
- QinetiQ
This project aims to investigate the performance of hollow cathode emitters which are used primarily in space propulsion applications. High pumping rate turbo pumps allow the vacuum chamber to simulate the space environment even when significant propellant gas flow rates are used. The current investigation encompasses the following elements:
- The use of alternative propellant gasses.
- Novel methods of lowering effective work function.
- Spot to plume transition.
- Analysis of optical emission spectra.
- Development of probe measurement techniques.
Primary investigators
Secondary investigators
- Matthew Praeger
- ajdi1g14
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2015-2018
- Themes:
- Nanomaterials and Dielectrics, Solid dielectrics
- Funding:
- Omicron Lab
The aim of this project is to design and evaluate the performance of a prototype test-cell for dielectric spectroscopy of materials. The test-cell has a novel design featuring replaceable PCB electrodes. This helps to reduce manufacturing costs and makes single use viable (for example to enable measurements of epoxy during curing). It also makes it possible to offer alternative electrode sets, for example, PCB electrodes of different size, with enhanced dielectric response or with higher temperature capability. A range of calibration spacers and a force sensor are also under development as potential accessories. Although still in the prototype stage; several of these test-cells have already been sold.
Primary investigator
Secondary investigator
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2018-2020
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Space and surface charge, Solid dielectrics
- Funding:
- State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Company, EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute)
The overall aim of the project is to develop a methodology for the evaluation the status of the operating power cables, and the estimation of the life time of these cables. The objectives of the work are: 1. Establish the corresponding relationship between the aging state of cable insulation and the characteristics of space charge under different operating conditions. 2. Obtain the aging characteristics and life of the space charge of the aging cable samples, and establish and verify the evaluation model of the cable aging based on the space charge characteristics. 3. Establish the relationship between the important parameters of space charge characteristics and the physical theory of on-line monitoring parameters. 4. Establish the cable state evaluation model based on space charge characteristics and on-line monitoring parameters.
Primary investigators
- George Chen
- mh4e15
Secondary investigator
- yz10n16
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2015-2019
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Modelling and Simulation, Marine Energy
- Funding:
- ASU Applied science University, Jordan
The aim will be to investigate the effect of thermal and mechanical stresses on the electric field intensity that could subsequently lead to stress enhancement or partial discharge. The project can be divided into three main stages. Firstly, thermal mechanical deformation, gaps and the possibility of void under multi-stresses in joints (at the interface of insulation materials) will be verified. Then, the electric field will be examined in the faulty regions if any is formed. Then, a numerical model will be established to estimate the pressure at the interface. The second stage, will examine the effect of mechanical stresses at interfaces in three core cables by coupled thermal mechanical electrical model.
Primary investigators
- Paul Lewin
- jp2
Secondary investigator
- mah1e13
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2015-2018
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Solid dielectrics, Marine Energy
- Funding:
- European Commission, H2020
The SPARCARB research project is a European project under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, Innovative Training Networks (ITN). The main aim is to address the electrical, thermal and mechanical response of wind turbine (WT) blade, carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) components to lightning impulses, as well as the development of novel CFRP material systems (main focus on nano-modified resin systems) and equipotential bonding concepts. SPARCARB is composed of four PhD individual projects (subprojects) and two of these are within the EPE group.
Primary investigators
- Paul Lewin
- Igor Golosnoy
- Thomas Andritsch
- Professor Ole Thybo Thomsen
- Professor Janice M Barton
Secondary investigators
- Orestis Vryonis
- Andrea A. M. Laudani
- Evangelos Senis
- Timothy M. Harrell
Partner
- GLPS A/S, Denmark
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2014-2018
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Condition monitoring
To investigate the surface discharge at the inter-phase pressboard, solid-liquid insulator system, in a power transformer. The results could help the on-line condition monitoring of in-serviced power transformer
Primary investigators
Secondary investigator
- Wetarin Thansiphraserth
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2014-2018
- Themes:
- High Voltage Engineering, Space and surface charge
In our research, we intend to explore the relationship between ageing and trapping parameters and use the initial trapping parameters and breakdown strength to infer breakdown behaviour after ageing, which means trapping parameters can be utilized to assess the ageing degree of insulation in HVDC system and predict its lifetime.
Primary investigator
Secondary investigator
- Ziyun Li
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science
- Date:
- 2016-2019
- Theme:
- High Voltage Engineering
- Funding:
- EPSRC, QinetiQ
This project is concerned with researching potential technologies for, and the development of a prototype design for, a DC power supply capable of producing 2MW at 1MV with low voltage ripple. Because of the hazardous (potentially fatal) nature of a fault, such as a short circuit, which may appear in a device with a large amount of stored energy, there is an additional requirement that the design should store as little energy as possible. In addition to this, the device should be as small as possible, necessitating a high power density, and should be powered by a standard three phase mains outlet. Finally, it has been requested that SF6 is not used in the design. In order to meet these requirements, this project will need to include an extensive investigation into existing power supply technologies. Followed by a detailed study into each of them, consisting of simulations and experiments, to determine their suitability for a supply that meets the afore mentioned specifications. The project will also look into suitable materials for the construction of such a supply.
Primary investigators
- Paul Lewin
- jp2
Secondary investigator
- rf6g13
Associated research group
- Electronics and Computer Science