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Ph.D. Final Examination: Dr. Minjeong Kim
REAPER Lab congratulates Dr. Minjeong Kim for successfully defending her Ph.D. dissertation, “Commutation Methods for SCR-Based Square-Wave Link Inverter.” Her research investigated commutation and control methods for silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) based square-wave link inverters. She developed a unified approach for the family of converters consisting of both current-sourced and voltage-sourced, single-phase and three-phase, and passive-load and grid-connected inverters.
Dr. Kim received her B.Sc. from Yonsei University in Seoul, S. Korea, in 2014 and the M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University at College Station, TX USA.
Dr. Balog gives an IEEE PELS Distinguished Lecture as part of the “Power August Seminar Series” of the IEEE Taipei Section joint PELS/PES/IES Chapter.
As part of the IEEE Power Electronics Distinguished Lecture Series, Professor Balog, REAPERlab Director, gave a distinguished lecture on August 11, 2021 entitled “A Smart PV Roof Tile and Non-Planar Photovoltaic Systems” to the IEEE Taipei Section PELS/PES/IES joint chapter.
With the latest advances in photovoltaic material science technology, solar cells can now be curved, conformal coated, and even painted onto arbitrary surface geometries. This facilitates a paradigm shift from the traditional, building-applied, rigid planar modules to non-planar, structurally-integrated photovoltaic systems. PV arrays on curved surfaces enable new concepts for PV applications but also present new challenges for balance-of-system components, electrical interconnections, and power conditioning electronics. Non-uniform insolation across the PV surface complicates maximum power point tracking, which is well-known for planar PV but more complicated when the non-planar morphology inherently introduce the partial shading and thermal variations. Yet, these non-planar surfaces offer opportunities to increase energy harvest and shape the time-of-day generation profile, all while creating an architecturally appealing – even invisible – energy system. This talk will include results from a recent research project which investigated a smart solar roof tile in the form-factor of the traditional terracotta roof tile.
Dr. Balog thanks Prof. Dr. Katherine Kim of National Taiwan University for the invitation to present.
The REAPER lab congratulates Dr. Lance Alpuerto for graduating with his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University
Dr. Lance Alpuerto received his Ph.D. degree in Multidisciplinary Engineering. His dissertation entitled “Non-Planar Photovoltaic Surfaces: Modelling, Optimization, and Application” studied the application of flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) materials conformed to curved surfaces. He developed a comprehensive modeling methodology to evaluate the potential advantages and disadvantages when applied to a non-planar surface. Using a multi-physics based approach, the major factors that influence PV applications are evaluated to predict the real-world operating conditions and electrical behaviors. The unique issue of self-shading, causing a mismatch in current density, on curved applications is addressed by creating an approach to optimize the interconnection strategy for improved performance. His work details a standardized and scale-invariant modeling foundation for the purpose of promoting future investigations into non-planar PV technologies.
Lance received his B.A. in Mathematics from Lyon College in Batesville, AR, in 2013 and then M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University at College Station, TX in 2016.
The REAPER lab congratulates undergraduate students Ms. Leen Al Homoud, Mr. Safin Bayes, and Mr. Rinith Reghunath on their graduation from Texas A&M University in Qatar.
The REAPERlab congratulates undergraduate students Ms. Leen Al Homoud, Mr. Safin Bayes, and Mr. Rinith Reghunath on their graduation with their B.S. in electrical engineering. As a team, they have been part of the REAPER lab over the last year and conducted innovative research into cyber-physical security for electrical power distribution systems by applying machine learning techniques to identify authenticated but malicious control commands. Such a scenario may exist if an attacker gains access to the control systems so that they appear to be authenticated, spoofing as a bona fide agent in the system. Such an attack vector would be undetectable with traditional cyber-security authentication methods. The students have submitted their research results for publication. The REAPERlab wishes them good luck as they start a new chapter in their professional lives.
Dr. Balog gives an distinguished keynote address to the IEEE 8th International Conference on Electrical and Electronics Engineering (ICEEE 2021).
As part of the IEEE Power Electronics Distinguished Lecture Series, Professor Balog, REAPERlab Director, gave a distinguished keynote presentation on April 9, 2021 entitled “A Smart PV Roof Tile and Non-Planar Photovoltaic Systems” to the IEEE 8th International Conference on Electrical and Electronics Engineering (ICEEE 2021). With the latest advances in photovoltaic material science technology, solar cells can now be curved, conformal coated, and even painted onto arbitrary surface geometries. This facilitates a paradigm shift from the traditional, building-applied, rigid planar modules to non-planar, structurally-integrated photovoltaic systems. PV arrays on curved surfaces enable new concepts for PV applications but also present new challenges for balance-of-system components, electrical interconnections, and power conditioning electronics. Non-uniform insolation across the PV surface complicates maximum power point tracking, which is well-known for planar PV but more complicated when the non-planar morphology inherently introduce the partial shading and thermal variations. Yet, these non-planar surfaces offer opportunities to increase energy harvest and shape the time-of-day generation profile, all while creating an architecturally appealing – even invisible – energy system. This talk presented results from a recent collaboration between Texas A&M University and the Middle East Technical University to develop a smart solar roof tile in the form-factor of the traditional terracotta roof tile.
Dr. Balog wishes to thank Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Ozcelik, Chair of the IEEE PELS Turkey Chapter for the invitation to present at the conference.
Dr. Balog gives an IEEE Power Electronics Society Distinguished Lecture to the Buffalo Section.
As part of the IEEE Power Electronics Distinguished Lecture Series, Professor Balog, REAPERlab Director, gave a talk on March 27, 2021 to the IEEE Buffalo Section and Power and Energy Society entitled “Challenges and Opportunities in the Balance of Systems for Photovoltaic Energy.” For years photovoltaic systems were all about the cells – specifically their cost and efficiency. It can be said that today’s cells are good enough and cheap enough. This talk examines the other costs and performance issues in photovoltaic systems – the so called balance of systems – to explore other technologies and considerations.
Dr. Balog wishes to thank Mr. Steven Rhoads, Chair of the IEEE PES Buffalo Section for organizing and “virtually” hosting the lecture.
Dr. Wesam Rohouma is elevated to Senior Member of the IEEE.
Congratulations to Dr. Wesam Rohouma for being selected by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for elevation to Senior Member. This elevation is professional recognition by his peers for his technical and professional excellence. In the REAPERlab, we agree! Dr. Rohouma has been a key contributor not only on his own research but also as a mentor to other. Congratulations and best wishes for a continued, successful, career.
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