Title: LSV2 EMI Measurement and Mitigation

Sponsor: Prof. Herb Hess, ECE

Tel: 208-885-4341

Email:

Project Description:

The US Navy Acoustic Research Detachment at Bayview, Idaho, has the mission to reduce detectable and identifiable signals and noise produced by surface warships and submarines. This includes not only audible signals, the primary focus of their work, but it also includes electromagnetic signals and noise that radiate from these vessels. A source of this noise are the power electronic energy converters that drive the vessel’s propulsion motors.

Electromagnetic radiation within motor drive circuitry comes from the rapid high voltage switching of power transistors and diodes. This radiation can be detected outside the ship with appropriate listening equipment. If the vessel’s location or mission is detected, the vessel may be targeted and attacked. This project is intended to reduce the likelihood of such attacks.

For this project, the senior design team will develop an electromagnetic interference (EMI) measurement and characterization system which can effectively measure EMI radiation from submarine mounted systems. Students will use EMI measurement and characterization systems to assess EMI from an existing Large Scale Vehicle (LSV2) having inverters that produce 120VAC power from 400VDC input. Students will provide recommendations for reducing radiating EMI in the LSV2 Auxiliary Power System.

Specific areas of interest include applying Retroactive Noise Mitigation Techniques of OEM Systems. These include proposing filters for specific frequencies and locations, revising cable locations and paths within the vessel, improving the motor drive’s enclosure without substantially adding weight to the vessel, and other innovative noise mitigation techniques. The team should show how these changes achieve EMI improvement with minimal cost and impact to the vessel’s operation.

Successful projects may become eligible for thesis research in graduate school.

Deliverables include the following:

  1. System and procedure to effectively measure and characterize EMI in a submarine environment
  2. Documentation on research, testing, and recommendations for reducing EMI from the LSV2 Instrumentation Power Inverter.

Project sponsored by US Navy Acoustic Research Detachment, Bayview

Number of students needed: two EE, one CompE

Project Title: Avista Electric Generator Modeling and Automatic Generation Controller

Project Description

Avista Utilities is building a microgrid within the downtown area of Spokane, Washington. In the event of a natural or manmade disaster, Avista wants to build a self-sustaining and self-contained small power system using the two hydroelectric generators downtown in Spokane, some renewable energy sources, large batteries, and a control system to make the microgrid work in a stable and reliable fashion. The design methods for doing this are well known and there are a number of microgrids in existence, but there are unique things to each different microgrid.

This is a continuation of the senior design project that worked on automatic generator control. Last year’s team created an initial model of the two hydro generators in downtown Spokane. Their model can be ported over to MATLAB / Simulink. From there, we plan to confirm the models and then establish a control system that gives us a stable and reliable microgrid.

We will have the opportunity to learn several software packages that have become the reliable and effective tools to manage a microgrid. These include MATLAB / Simulink, Power World, and RSCAD (the language of the Real Time Digital Simulator). An ability to work with these tools will prove helpful in competing for a job within the electric power industry.

Deliverables include

  1. An appropriate model for the generators and their distribution networks and loads for the microgrid. The model for the distribution and loads are readily available from the graduate student who is working on a similar project.
  2. Creating an appropriate control system to provide a stable frequency control and effective load management.
  3. Demonstrate the response of this control to small disturbances. Propose protection methods to remove disturbances and mitigate their effects.

Project sponsored by: Avista Utilities

Number of students: Three students, at least one of which should be EE.