Renewable Energy & Advanced Power Electronics Research Lab
News Archive
The REAPER lab congratulates undergraduate students Mr. Seif ElGazer, Mr. Abdelrahman Amer, and Ms. Nabila Elbeheiry on their graduation from Texas A&M University in Qatar
Undergraduate students Mr. Seif ElGazer, Mr. Abdelrahman Amer, and Ms. Nabila Elbeheiry graduated each their B.S. in electrical engineering. As a research team, they have been a part of the REAPER lab over the last year and conducted innovative research in load modulation strategies suitable for hybrid residential photovoltaic energy systems with storage. They had the unique privilege of presenting their project with a working demonstration to HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and HE Hassan Al Thawadi during the 25th-anniversary symposium “I AM QF” of the Qatar Foundation. They have submitted their research results for publication. The REAPERlab wishes them good luck as they start a new chapter in their professional lives.
Undergraduate students present research at the Texas A&M University Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) Symposium
Undergraduate students Ms. Fatima Al-Janahi and Mr. Rahul Balamurugan presented their research on characterizing electrical arc in photovoltaic energy systems at the Undergraduate Research Scholars Symposium in College Station, Tx USA
The team developed a computer-controlled mechatronics testbed to facilitate scientifically repeatable photovoltaic arc generation conditions and waveform recording. Moreover, the team created a MATLAB program to analyze the FFTs and STFTs of the current and voltage waveforms recorded. Their research was supported in part by an Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP) grant # UREP24-023-2-010 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation).
Minjeong Kim presents research paper at the 2020 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC)
Ph.D. student Ms. Minjeong Kim presented her paper entitled “A PWM Method for Single-Phase Current-Sourced High Frequency AC Link Inverter” at the 2020 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference in College Station, Tx USA
The paper proposes a new pulse width modulation method for a current-sourced high frequency ac link inverter and the operation principles of a current sourced HF ac link inverter are deeply analyzed.
Lance Alpuerto presents research paper at the 2020 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC)
Ph.D. student Mr. Lance Alpuerto presented his paper entitled “Comparing Connection Topologies of PV Integrated Curved Roof Tile for Improved Performance” at the 4th IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC) in College Station, Tx USA.
Partial shaded conditions diminish the performance of photovoltaic (PV) applications. Depending on the intensity and pattern of shading, the PV system will generate varying levels of current. This work investigates the performance under different connection schemes as a method of current mismatch mitigation for thin-film photovoltaics applied to a curved roof tile. Experimental testing of a-Si material on a curved roof tile replica suggests novel interconnection methods can significantly improve the capabilities of curved applications.
Senior design team presents project on smart residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems during the I AM QF event
Undergraduate students Mr. Seif ElGazer, Mr. Abdelrahman Amer, and Ms. Nabila Elbeheiry present their senior design project at the I AM QF conference which commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Qatar Foundation in Doha, Qatar. Senior design is meant to be a capstone for the undergraduate curriculum in which students integrate knowledge gained through their studies into a final project.
The team carried out a detailed techno-economic study for the implementation of a grid-connected rooftop photovoltaic and energy storage system in the State of Qatar through the development of novel electric load control techniques. Moreover, the team investigated the supplementary technology required to improve the overall resilience of the electrical power system when faced with overload, weather, or other natural/man-made disturbances. The team presented their work to HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and HE Hassan Al Thawadi during an event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Qatar Foundation.
The REAPER lab congratulates Mr. Moustafa Raslan for graduating with his M.S. from Texas A&M University
Mr. Moustafa Raslan received his M.S. degree in interdisciplinary engineering in December 2019. His thesis entitled “Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Switch (SMAAS)” studied the feasibility of using shape memory alloy as a mechanism for actuating an electrical switch. He evaluated several candidate designs, downselecting to feasible designs which were then prototypes to demonstrate the functionality. Mr. Raslan’s contributions are expected to enable an entirely new type of electrical switch, capable of being miniaturized using micro-electro-mechanical (MEMs) techniques. His research resulted in a US patent application in addition to scholarly publications.
Moustafa received his B.S. with Honors in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in Qatar in May 2017. His research interests include electro-mechanical systems, shape memory alloys and microfabrication.
Lance Alpuerto passes Ph.D. preliminary examination
The REAPER Lab congratulates Ph.D. student Mr. Lance Alpuerto for passing his preliminary examination. His research pertains to the multiphysics modeling, validation, and optimization of non-planar photovoltaic (PV) applications.
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. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in interdisciplinary engineering at Texas A&M.
Dr Balog presents a talk on arc fault and flash detection in photovoltaic and direct-current wiring systems.
Professor Balog presented a talk entitled “Arc Fault and Flash Detection in Photovoltaic and Building Wiring Systems – Detecting Electrical Safety Problems, Making the Electrical System Safer for the Customer,” at the 2019 Workshop on Safe and Reliable Electrical Distribution Systems for Qatar on December 2, 2019. The workshop was sponsored by a grant from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). The talk was followed by a question and answer session on technologies related to UL1699B and the detection of arcing events in photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (ESS). Dr. Balog presented results from multiple research projects in the REAPER lab which were funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), QNRF, and other sources. This including patented new technologies to make these direct current (DC) systems safer by improving the detection efficacy for arcing events.
Minjeong Kim passes Ph.D. preliminary examination
REAPER Lab congratulates Ph.D. student Ms. Minjeong Kim for passing her preliminary examination. Her research topic pertains to control of thyristor-based single and three-phase inverters.
Minjeong 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. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in power electronics at Texas A&M in College Station. Her interest areas control and modulation method for inverters.
Moustafa Raslan presented a paper at the SGRE conference in Doha, QATAR
M.S. student Moustafa Raslan presented a paper, co-authored with Dr. Robert Balog, entitled “Bi-stable Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Switch for PV Skin” at the SGRE 2019 Conference in Doha, Qatar on 20th November 2019.
In this paper, a design concept for a bi-stable shape memory alloy actuated switch is proposed for smart non-planar photovoltaic applications. The proposed design concept provides the potential for miniaturization and overcomes common drawbacks of SMA actuators (e.g. relaxation). A detailed design model for the proposed concept in addition to a functional macro-scale proof-of-concept prototype made of the proposed concept is presented in this paper.
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