On 15 December, a new Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC) was launched at Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham. The PEMC is a purpose-built building for the Power Electronics, Machines and Control research group at Nottingham, and will house new equipment funded through Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centres’ share of £28.5m UKRI Driving the Electric Revolution challenge funding.
The PEMC is home to 3 purpose-built labs – Power Electronics; Machine Drives and Power Convertor; and High Power – and academics and industry will be able to access these key resources. The equipment housed in these labs will be:
Power Electronics Laboratory
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18no. 2.4mtr long custom built back-lit enclosable 63A benches with full output control from single phase 13A and three phase 32A supplies and data
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Dedicated solder bay with inbuilt extraction for PCB and other custom builds
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Dedicated large build area with flexible power for construction of large panels and systems
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Environmental Laboratory for environmental component testing and simulation
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Clean room Laboratory for high precision and clean environment sample work
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Preparation room for sample preparation
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Electromagnetic Laboratory for the electrically isolated study of electromagnetic affects
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Magnetics Laboratory for magnetic materials testing and research
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X-Ray Laboratory, vibration isolated laboratory for precision measurement and analysis
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Electroplating Laboratory CNC laser etching and extraction
Machine Drives and Power Convertor Laboratory
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126 no. 2.4mtr long custom built back-lit enclosable 63A benches with full output control from single phase 13A and three phase 32A supplies and data
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3 Tonne overhead crane and forklift access for machine and drives moving and assembly
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Variable voltage variable frequency laboratory supply network
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7.5kW cooling infrastructure for benchtop liquid cooled applications
Wolfson High Power Laboratory
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12 no. 2.4mtr long custom built back-lit enclosable 63A benches with full output control from single phase 13A and three phase 32A supplies and data
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7 no. high voltage high power custom interlocked and remote controlled test cells for high power high speed machine and drive testing
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Multi-voltage distribution system with +20MW of power capability
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Submerged test cell for high energy and destructive testing with ACH control and emergency shut-off
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3.3kV, 1.1kV, 415V 230V AC and 0-3 kV DC voltages
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100kW cooling infrastructure for cooling applications
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500kW heat to air extraction
Prof Chris Gerada, Professor with PEMC and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Industrial Strategy, Business Engagement and Impact) said:
“We are extremely happy to have been awarded this grant from UKRI. The advanced manufacturing equipment will exploit the University’s expertise in Power Electronics and Electrical Machines by working closely with industrial partners to develop the next generation of Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) products, helping to deliver the UK net zero commitments. The investment will also reinforce the UK’s and the Midlands’ effort to capitalise on the significant PEMD market opportunity.”