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DC-AC Inverter with Reactive-Power-Management Functionality—Mesta Electronics, Inc., 11020 Parker Drive, North Huntingdon, PA  15642-1634; 412-754-3000, www.mesta.com 

Mr. John N. Mandalakas, Principal Investigator, John@mesta.com

Mr. Peter G. Leventopoulos, Business Official, pete.levo@mesta.com

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-06ER84611

Amount:  $99,882

Sections of the electrical distribution system often are so heavily loaded that voltage regulation and reliability deteriorate.  Distributed generation units, which are capable of injecting real and reactive power into heavily loaded sections of the distribution system, can correct this problem.  Highly reliable (99.9% minimum availability), cost-effective (less than $100/KW in quantity) energy converters – which can convert DC power from a generating source such as a fuel cell, along with providing reactive power – are needed for these distributed generation units.  This project will develop an energy converter that will convert DC power from a fuel cell (or other DC generating source) to AC power that is compatible with the distribution system. The energy converter will also be capable of producing additional reactive power (both phase-shifted 60 Hz currents and harmonic currents).  Both the real power, generated from the fuel cell, and the reactive power (up to 5 MW/MVA) will be injected into the distribution system in suitable amounts to correct voltage problems caused by overloading.  Phase I will first develop operating specifications for the energy converter so that a maximum number of distribution-system problems can be addressed.  The power circuit topology and control methods will be developed, resulting in an energy converter that can be easily scaled for the anticipated range of applications.  Components representative of the proposed topology and associated control methods will be demonstrated.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  Robust, cost-effective energy converters should find use in the conversion of DC power, generated by fuel cells or other means, into real power that can be injected into the electricity distribution system to correct loading problems.  The energy converters also will feature a reactive power correction.  These real and reactive power corrections will improve the quality of power, and increase the reliability and efficiency of existing electrical distribution systems, without having to resort to expensive upgrades to distribution components (transmission wires, transformers, sub-stations, etc.).