Research

Rapid digitization and increased dependency on communication systems has transformed the energy sector. This transformation is accompanied by several threats and challenges. Therefore,   our research is centered on the existing and upcoming challenges of the evolving energy sector. We mainly focus on cybersecurity, operational resiliency of cyber-physical systems, optimization and control of smart energy networks, in particular on the application of power electronics in the control of clean energy resources e.g. solar, wind, tidal, and wave energy resources.

Operational Resiliency of Cyber-Physical System

Cyber-physical systems

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) is an umbrella term that gathers people, computers, and physical devices into an operational system. CPS takes advantage of the development of more sophisticated sensors, instruments, networks, and embedded computers, and combines them to build smart infrastructures and industrial applications. In the CPS, the cyber system acquires the data from the physical system by the sensor and fed back the control signal to the physical system to attain the goal of operational resiliency Some common CPS research applications include drones, medical monitoring systems; autonomous vehicles, vessels, and aircraft; process control systems; robotics systems; and automatic aviation and maritime navigation systems.

Since any type of intrusion in the cyber or physical layer of the CPS leads to malfunctioning or downtime, the research group will be interested in the following topics for addressing these concerns:

  1. Development of modern Artificial Intelligence (AI-based) robust solutions capable of identifying and mitigating problems of both cyber and physical layers of CPS. 
  2. Development of Remaining Useful Life estimators for elevating the reliability and availability of CPS.
  3. Integration of deep learning frameworks for supporting the reliable autonomous operation of various cyber-physical systems including drones, autonomous vessels, and aircrafts.

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Secured Cyberspace operation

Secured Cyberspace

Cyberspace operations are composed of the military, intelligence, and ordinary business operations of the Department of Defense (DOD) in and through cyberspace. Military cyberspace operations use cyberspace capabilities to create effects that support operations across the physical domains and cyberspace. Three operational concepts identified in the DOD Cyber Strategy are to conduct cyberspace operations to collect intelligence and prepare military cyber capabilities to be used in the event of crisis or conflict, and to defend forward to disrupt or halt malicious cyber activity at its source, including activity that falls below the level of armed conflict. Therefore in order to support this vision of secured cyberspace operation, the research group is interested in the following topics:

  1. Development of a reliable Intrusion detection system capable of identifying conventional and modern cyberattacks.
  2. Development of autonomous response manager and intrusion prevention systems, capable of mitigating and isolating threats and malicious users from cyberspace.
  3. Integration of modern tools and techniques for elevating the security of defensive and offensive cyberspace operations.

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Designing Microgrids to Power Clean Energy Compliant Next Generation Marine Vessels and Aircraft

Electrical Power System of Military Aircraft F-35

Electrical Power System of Military Aircraft F-35 [1]

Cold-Ironing solution

Cold-Ironing solution to minimize greenhouse emissions from onboard diesel generators [2]

 

Design and operation of custom-built microgrids for powering land and marine transportation systems are currently undergoing rapid changes to become clean-energy compliant. To achieve this, innovative solutions to incorporate clean energy sources (concentrated as well as distributed) are under development. Another field of interest is to alter the conventional electrical power system to minimize weight, improve efficiency, and facilitate easy integration of renewable energy sources. Typical examples include renewable energy integration in aircrafts, distributed propulsion systems, alternate energy fed marine shipboards, and cold-ironed marine vessels.

The team at CARES lab is currently working on different innovative solutions to meet these evolving demands. An interesting field of work is the development of "Integrated Power Electronics Building Blocks (iPEBB)", wide-band gap realized converters operating at high switching frequencies (thereby minimizing size, increasing power density, and higher efficiency). In these iPEBB blocks, the control software defines the hardware capabilities. Through this iPEBB, novel concepts such as distributed filtering and distributed energy storage solutions are being explored. Another interesting area of work is to investigate novel electrical power system architecture through the state-of-the-art solid state transformers. These solutions help in fast response to circuit anomalies, and improve power quality. 

The major topic of interests includes (but not limited to):

  1. Solid-state transformer based electrical power system to facilitate cold-ironing in marine vessels.
  2. Distributed filtering solution to address power quality concerns in marine vessels.
  3. Modeling and investigation of transient loading on electrical power system of military aircraft.
  4. Distributed energy storage solutions to address pulse load and transient capability requirements of next-generation military aircrafts.
  5. Design and development of unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) with high power density and engine starting capabilities.

References:

  1. Irfan Khan, Syed Rahman, “Detailed Modeling and Investigation of Impact of Transient Loading on Electrical Power System of Military Aircraft F – 35”, In IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference & Expo, pp. 1-6. IEEE, 2022.
  2. Rahman, Syed, and Irfan A. Khan. "Investigation of Power Quality Issues in Cold Ironed (Shore Connected) Grid Connected Electric Ships." In 2020 54th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, pp. 1353-1358. IEEE, 2020.

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Fast Charging Solutions and their Impact on the Utility Grids

Electric Drives

Development of charging infrastructure is a critical aspect of realizing transportation electrification. Innovative and efficient slow/fast/superfast chargers are now available commercially and are being deployed to support the EV adaptation. Adding these charging loads to the utility grid will have its impact and must be analyzed to address the performance concerns as well as realize the underlying potential opportunities. The research team at CARES lab is analyzing the impact of adding different EV charging loads to the low-voltage distribution system using historical data of two geographically different locations. This approach helps in identifying the impact of system parameters' and the impact on the development and installation of charging stations. Additionally, using distributed generators for improving the grid performance is also under investigation.

Another area of interest for the team is the opportunity to control the cumulative EV batteries through Vehicle-to-Grid mode. Operation in this mode enables the ancillary services, required for improving stability and performance of the utility grid. The ancillary services include peak shaving, voltage/frequency regulation, economic benefits to both consumers and supplier, and optimal power quality. 

The major topic of interests includes (but not limited to):

  1. Development of innovative and efficient fast/superfast charging solutions.
  2. Analysis of slow/fast/superfast charging load on the performance of low-voltage distribution grids.
  3. Renewable energy based innovative solutions to maximize EV penetration in distribution grids. 
  4. Direct integration of fast/superfast charging stations to the medium voltage lines.
  5. Utilization of EV fleet as a potential source to provide ancillary services to the grid and minimize deployment of additional battery storage solutions.

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Collaborate with our Lab    

If you are looking to collaborate with our lab or are interested in being a student, we would like to hear from you. Our lab is always looking for good opportunities, be they business deals or an excellent student for our lab.

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