Research Teams in Group
Power Systems and Power Electronics
CVVOZE PowerLab
Leader: Assoc. Prof. Petr Toman
Group website: http://www.cvvoze.cz/en/cvvozepowerlab
The CVVOZE PowerLab group operates two laboratories: One dedicated to high-current and short-circuit testing, allowing the generation of alternating currents up to 150 kA at 250 V and direct currents up to 50 kA at 1,000 V, and the other being a shielded room for high-voltage assessment centered on dielectrics and electrical equipment insulation. The open access research infrastructure is available to non-commercial specialists worldwide (see www.cvvoze.cz/en/cvvozepowerlab/open-access/).
Major 4-year outputs:
- Contract research into the design-specific testing of diverse types of machinery and equipment, including, for example, switching apparatuses, switchboards, transformers, insulators, power cables, and rotating machines.
- Investigation into the behavior of electric arcs in switching processes.
- Analysis of the disturbance that accompanies the switching of large currents.
- Precise diagnostics of solid and liquid dielectrics.
- Investigation into interference; measurement methodology; and EMC testing.
- Development activities in power cable insulation diagnostics.
Electrical instruments laboratory
Leader: Jiří Valenta, Ph.D.
The group studies the behavior of electric arcs to implement the findings within the in-house research and development of switching and protective devices for low- and high-voltage applications. A short-circuit lab equipped with a synchronous surge generator and related accessories enables the researchers to simulate short circuit events in power grids; in view of this purpose, the generator is employed especially for testing new instruments or devices designed and fabricated jointly by the group’s specialists and industry-based partners. The results of the experiments are compared with those obtained through theoretical simulations carried out by using advanced diagnostic systems.
Major 4-year outputs:
- A model of operation-induced temperature rise in electrical instruments.
- Optimization of the parameters of radiation transfer in plasma.
- A system for magnetizing and demagnetizing a short-circuit transformer.
- An endurance tester for switching devices.
- Supporting documents and data for industrial plants developing new types of low-voltage circuit breakers.
Drives and microprocessor control laboratory
Leader: Petr Procházka, Ph.D.
Our experts engineer and fabricate prototypes of electronic and electromechanical systems where the electric power flow is feedback-controlled or converted to mechanical power. Typically, we perform such assignments as developing electric traction structures or simulating dynamic systems and designing relevant means of control; the algorithms are then most often implemented via microprocessors. The scope of the group‘s activities, however, includes also investigating problems and aspects relevant to operational diagnostics on individual components of a system. Generally, our aim is to increase the efficiency of all the applied subsystems on a continuous basis.
Major 4-year outputs:
- An electric locomotive drive (4 x 1 MW) with energy recovery into the AC grid.
- Electrically powered aircraft VUT 051 RAY.
- An electromechanical strut for jet aircraft handling gear.
- A two-ton, battery-powered mini excavator.
- A hybrid forwarder with trailer.
- A hybrid harvester.
Laboratory of special power electronics
Leader: Assoc. Prof. Pavel Vorel
We pursue a multi-faceted research program, with the main interests being as follows: Designing and developing switched-mode power supplies and special-purpose converters for various industrial and experimental applications; fabricating power supply units that have power output up to hundreds of kWs and exhibit non-traditional output parameters (a high current or voltage); and engineering high-frequency and pulsed-output supplies. Moreover, our researchers design and develop electronic circuits and printed circuit boards, including the mounting and activation, and they compute electromagnetic circuits of choke coils and transformers.
Major 4-year outputs:
- An mains-powered 480 V, 100 A quick charger for the Super-El electromobile
- A high voltage power supply for galvanizing purposes (15 V 2,500 A).
- A high-voltage pulsed power supply to facilitate medical experiments.
- A 2.5 kW wireless power transfer apparatus.
- A system for the induction heating of components in metallurgy.
- An instrument to measure lithium accumulator capacity at 400 A.
Laboratory of special electrical machines
Leader: Assoc. Prof. Ondřej Vítek
The group focuses on studying and developing electrical machines with non-standard parameters (such as a very high speed or high efficiency) as well as standard ones. The magnetic circuits of the machines are optimized by using computational systems that exploit finite element methods and artificial intelligence. The engineering process includes also thermal analyses, and the properties of the machines and drives are examined in a dedicated dynamometer laboratory.
Major 4-year outputs:
- A rotating high-speed motor for woodworking machinery.
- A rotating high-speed motor with 120,000 rpm to operate in a helium turbo-circulator.
- Optimization of small-sized asynchronous machines.
- Synchronous high-efficiency reluctance and assisted reluctance machines.
- A synchronous 10 MW generator.
- Resolver, a shaft position sensing device.
- A hybrid pump drive.
Nuclear Power Group
Leader: doc. Ing. Karel Katovský, Ph.D.
The Nuclear Power Group is engaged in teaching and research at the Institute of Electric Power Engineering in the field of nuclear energy, applied nuclear physics and dosimetry of ionizing radiation. Our group deals with advanced nuclear reactors, especially systems controlled by an accelerator or a high-power laser, we also study the issue of modern neutron sources or small modular reactors. An important topic of our work is also safety analysis of second and third generation reactors, we operate a unique facility M.R.C.H.A. (Mobile Research Critical Heat-flux Apparatus) capable of analyzing critical heat fluxes on smooth and treated surfaces or on samples of advanced nuclear fuel coverage. The device can also simulate the cooling of highly superheated nuclear fuel rods during an emergency. We also deal with calculations of the reserve for the boiling crisis in pressurized water reactors using subchannel codes, calculations of 3D kinetics or analyzes of uncertainties in assessing the safety of pools and containers of spent nuclear fuel. We cooperate with prestigious foreign universities and research institutes.
Main research areas
- Accelerator or laser controlled subcritical nuclear reactors.
- Measurement and computational analysis of neutron field properties of fast and high-energy neutrons.
- Nuclear gamma spectrometry using semiconductor germanium or scintillation detectors.
- Measurement of critical heat fluxes on smooth and treated surfaces, calculations of the reserve for the boiling crisis.
- Analyzes and shielding designs of complex sources of ionizing radiation.
- Computational analyzes of advanced nuclear fuels, nuclear data and 3D kinetics of nuclear reactors.
- Safety analyzes of advanced and small modular reactors.
Publications
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2024.07.021
- https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-020-00313-y
- https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.2022.3144838
- https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE51172.2020.9269170
- https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE58302.2023.10149270
Main practical research results
Patents and utility models
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F21%3APA21705?query=2lyqaadfzjza#result-main
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APA21643?query=2lyqaadfzjza#result-main
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APA21642?query=2lyqaadfzjza#result-main
Software
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F21%3APR36077?query=wryqaadga5gq
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F21%3APR36370?query=syriaadgipwq#result-main
Projects/Industrial contracts
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TJ02000321?query=sxmyaadgisfq
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/LTAUSA18198?query=ywpqaadf4t7a
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TM02000039?query=ywpqaadf4t7a
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TK04010084?query=ywpqaadf4t7a
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TK04030168?query=ywpqaadf4t7a
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/8X20054?query=ywpqaadf4t7a
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TN02000012?query=ywpqaadf4t7a
RESLAB Working Group
Leader: Assoc. Prof. Petr Mastný
Within the RESLab research group, we address a wide range of issues of integration, operation, management and optimization of energy units with renewable energy sources, as well as the issue of energy management of buildings with RES. The main focus of the working group is mainly in the field of photovoltaic and wind power plants, hybrid energy systems, electricity storage and electromobility issues.
In our modern laboratory, we have a test facility for verifying the operating characteristics of DC / AC inverters, which consists of a programmable power supply, an artificial network with adjustable internal impedance, a battery storage simulator and a PV string simulator.
In the field of electricity storage, we solve the issue of design, setup and communication of BMS systems for lithium-based batteries, optimization of the use of lead batteries and the issue of flow-through batteries.
Part of the working group addresses issues related to the integration of fast charging stations for electric vehicles into the electricity network, including the integration of storage into power supply systems.
Main research areas
- development tests of photovoltaic and battery inverters
- solving technical aspects of community energy
- electrical safety of hybrid energy systems
- proposals for conceptual solutions for the integration of RES into the energy mix
- Diagnostics of operating properties of photovoltaic panels.
- Development and research of hybrid photovoltaic systems with electric energy storage.
- Optimization of cooperation of energy sources in combined systems (PV, WT, accumulation, grid).
- Research of the possibility of applying modern control systems in the management of RES.
- Research of the possibilities of connection and management of RES within the system technology of buildings and family houses.
- BMS development.
- Testing the operating characteristics of DC / AC inverters.
Publications
- http://dx.doi.org/10.12700/APH.20.11.2023.11.5
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.0898
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.0533
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2022.0787
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2022.0717
- https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE51172.2020.9269247
Main practical research results
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F21%3APA21753?query=rxkqaadgjo4q
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F22%3APR36320?query=4urqaadftuta
Projects/Industrial contracts
Electrical Systems Safety
Leader: assoc. prof. Petr Drexler, Ph.D.
The Electrical Systems Safety Group deals with research on the issues of their diagnostics, protection against emergency conditions and also the prevention of accidents and fires. In the field of predictive diagnostics of power transformers, the group focuses on research into methods of detecting and locating partial discharges using monitoring their electromagnetic emission in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) band. That covers mainly the design and construction of antenna sensors for pulsed signals, high-frequency electronics and the design of signal processing methods and the development of specialised software. The group also focuses on personal safety issues in electrical engineering and deals with teaching of university students in this filed. Moreover, it offers training on professional competence to perform activities in electrical engineering for individuals and companies. In the field of related research, the group deals with advanced numerical modelling methods in safety issues of electrical installations.
The most significant outputs achieved by the group in the last 4 years:
- Installation of a modernized system for detection and localization of partial discharges in block-transformers at the Dukovany power plant.
- Development of a demonstration panel to demonstrate the functions of electric shock protection and Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD).
- Research, development and verification of a new type of sensor for detection of partial discharges outside transformers.
Laboratory of Numerical Modelling and Simulations (NumLab)
Leader: Ing. Tomáš Kříž, Ph.D.
We deal with modelling of electromagnetic fields in the low and high frequency region, we solve temperature problems including flow and coupled (electromagnetic + temperature) problems. In the low-frequency domain, we focus on solving problems in quasi-stationary or harmonic steady state (electromagnets, actuators, sensors or clamping systems) and also on solving transient processes in components or devices. In the high-frequency area, we focus on the design of planar structures, excitation coils used in spectroscopy or the design of saddle coils used in nuclear magnetic resonance. In thermal calculations, we deal with the heating of devices due to Joule or electromagnetic losses and their cooling, heat transfer from solid structures to liquids or gases (heat exchangers, water heaters).
The most important solved projects:
- EMC analysis and assessment of a multi-cell low-floor tramway 35T – Chemnitz, from 26. 3. 2018 to 14. 12. 2018
- GA17-00607S, Complex Artificial Electromagnetic Structures and Nanostructures, from 1. 1. 2017, to 31. 12. 2019
The most important publications:
- ZUKAL, J.; SZABÓ, Z.; KŘÍŽ, T.; KADLEC, R.; DĚDKOVÁ, J.; FIALA, P. A Robust Generator-Harvester for Independent Sensor Systems. Applied Sciences - Basel, 2024, vol. 14, no. 3, p. 1-16. ISSN: 2076-3417.
- DREXLER, P.; NEŠPOR, D.; KADLEC, R.; KŘÍŽ, T.; NEBOJSA, A. Simulation and Characterization of Nanostructured Electromagnetic Scatterers for Information Encoding. Electronics (MDPI), 2022, vol. 11, no. 20, p. 1-12. ISSN: 2079-9292.
- HANZELKA, M.; DAN, J.; FIALA, P.; DOHNAL, P. Human Psychophysiology Is Influenced by Low-Level Magnetic Fields: Solar Activity as the Cause. Atmosphere, 2021, vol. 12, no. 12, p. 1-10. ISSN: 2073-4433.
- DREXLER, P.; FIALA, P.; KADLEC, R.; LONDÁK, P.; MÁDROVÁ, T.; KLÍMA, M.; ZUKAL, J. Numerical modeling and experimental verification of a low fluid flow inductive flowmeter. FLOW MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION, 2021, vol. 78, no. 1, p. 1-12. ISSN: 0955-5986.
- ZUKAL, J.; FIALA, P.; SZABÓ, Z.; DĚDKOVÁ, J.; PERNICA, R. Coupled Numerical Model of Vibration-Based Harvester. Applied Sciences - Basel, 2020, vol. 10, no. 8, p. 1-25. ISSN: 2076-3417.
- SZABÓ, Z.; FIALA, P.; ZUKAL, J.; DĚDKOVÁ, J.; DOHNAL, P. Optimal Structural Design of a Magnetic Circuit for Vibration Harvesters Applicable in MEMS. Symmetry, 2020, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 1-18. ISSN: 2073-8994.
Power Quality and EMC Working Group
Leader: prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.
The working group (WG) focuses on low-frequency conducted disturbances in power systems, including transmission and distribution networks and power system users’ installations, related to power/voltage quality (PQ/VQ) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues. The WG scope covers topics ranging from measurement techniques, assessment of emissions and phenomena analysis to mitigation techniques and devices immunity; from ensuring equipment EMC to coordinating EMC in power system to achieve enhanced power system utilization and resilience with the required VQ levels for VQ. Research topics are addressed in a number of projects funded by grant agencies and private entities. The WG develops testing and measuring instruments, specialized control and/or analytical software, and designs solutions for industry. The WG members are active in numerous task forces under professional organizations (IEEE, CIRED, CIGRE) on national and international level and contribute to international (IEEE, EN) and national standards (Czech industrial standards). In addition to the research and development activities, the WG provides consultancy to companies, and organizes private and public professional courses.
Main research areas
- Voltage control (voltage profile regulation) in active distribution systems.
- Frequency control in power systems (islanding operation) highly penetrated by inverter-based generation.
- Power generating module requirements verification, in laboratory and in-field.
- Test systems and signals for conducted disturbances in frequency range 2 to 150 kHz development.
- Immunity of electricity meters on conducted disturbances in frequency range 2 to 150 kHz.
- Electricity meter standard metrics weakness under PQ issues, from point of view of deviation in records from real energy flows.
- Unified voltage quality index and its utilization for indicative evaluation of voltage quality in transmission and distribution systems, (real time) control and development of the distribution systems.
- Flickering of lamps of various technologies due to voltage amplitude, phase and frequency modulation and interharmonics presence.
- Low frequency EMC in power system highly penetrated by nonlinear, asymmetrical and dependent loads.
- Power/voltage quality in DC grids.
Publications
The WG leader publications: https://www.vut.cz/en/people/jiri-drapela-2924/publikace
Journals (2019-2024 selection)
- https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2024.3382732
- https://dx.doi.org/10.12700/APH.20.11.2023.11.5
- https://doi.org/10.1109/OAJPE.2023.3243385
- https://doi.org/10.1109/OAJPE.2023.3244330
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2023.109236
- https://doi.org/10.1049/esi2.12018
- https://doi.org/10.1109/ICHQP46026.2020.9177900
- https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2019.2907755
- https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2019.2919643
Conference papers (2019-2024 selection)
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.0533
- https://doi.org/10.1109/AMPS59207.2023.10297185
- https://doi.org/10.1109/LS1858153.2023.10170649
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.0862
- https://doi.org/10.1109/ICHQP53011.2022.9808466
- https://doi.org/10.1109/ICHQP53011.2022.9808594
- https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSRS56243.2022.10067639
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2021.1490
- https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2021.1629
- https://doi.org/10.1109/ICHQP46026.2020.9177900
- https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE51172.2020.9269230
- http://dx.doi.org/10.34890/628
- https://doi.org/10.1109/PTC.2019.8810803
Main practical research results
Methodologies (2019-2024 selection)
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F22%3APR36436 (https://www.ueen.fekt.vut.cz/en/metodika-overovani-a-prokazovani-souladu-vyroben-s-pozadavky)
Products, prototypes, software (2019-2024 selection)
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F22%3APR36334
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F22%3APR36335
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F22%3APR36416
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F21%3APR36090
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APR34193
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APR34171
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%252F00216305%253A26220%252F18%253APR29388
Patents and utility models
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APA21668
- https://register.epo.org/application?number=EP15174648
- https://isdv.upv.gov.cz/webapp/resdb.print_detail.det?pspis=PUV/31274&plang=EN
Projects/Industrial contracts
Projects (founded by public, 2018-2024 selection)
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TS01020151
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/GF22-10074K
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TK04020103
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/CK02000099
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TK04010060
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/projekty/TK01020104
Industrial contracts (2018-2023 selection)
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/34583
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/34962
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/34953
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/34657
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/34524
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/33625
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/34550
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/32563
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/32563
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/30492
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/30572
- https://www.vut.cz/en/rad/projects/detail/30170
Electrical Protection Working Group
Leader: doc. Ing. Jaroslava Orságová, Ph.D.
Our working group deals with the issues of protection, operation and safety of the power system. In the field of protection, the group specializes mainly in the development of new methods and systems for locating ground faults and the use of modern (centralized) protection systems and digitized data according to IEC 61850 standard (Sampled Values). In the area of distribution system operation, research activities are focused on the issue of minimizing fault currents, autonomous regulation of distributed sources and the use of distributed metering for optimizing the distribution system operation. The last R&D area is focused on the evaluation of operational safety using probabilistic approaches, procedures optimization for the calculation of ground resistances and conditions for the compensated systems operation. We participate in the implementation of grant and purely private projects of mainly applied research in cooperation with electricity distribution companies, thanks to which it is possible to supplement a number of R&D activities by experimental measurements in real systems.
Main research areas
- Methods of localization and elimination of unsymmetrical faults in distribution networks.
- Method of the faulty phase grounding and evaluation of its impact on the security of HV and LV networks.
- Research of a ground fault localization method based on a detailed analysis of the measurements results obtained from real distribution network measurements.
- Innovation of protection functions and algorithms for centralized protection of distribution networks using communication standards according to IEC 61850.
- Risk analysis of dangerous touch and step voltages.
- Development and analysis of functionalities for distributed measurements installed at the LV and MV level (distribution transformer stations monitors, use of electricity meters, etc.).
- Development of SW tools for Sampled Values signal management according to IEC 61850-9-2 standard.
Publications
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2019.105768
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2023.109203
- https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE58302.2023.10149265
- https://doi.org/10.1109/EPE58302.2023.10149288
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2018.03.026
Main practical research results
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F15%3APA21113?query=3vjaaade33rq
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F17%3APA21445?query=vxvaaadfhw3q
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F22%3APU146422?query=v6yaaadfhjha
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F21%3APR34463?query=v6yaaadfhjha
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F13%3APR27293?query=3olqaade4kea
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/en/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F14%3APR28776?query=zm4qaadfanea
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F25567110%3A_____%2F16%3AN0000002?query=smniaadfooeq
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APR33335?query=zbkaaadfbdmq
- https://starfos.tacr.cz/vysledky-vyzkumu/RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F20%3APR34183?query=3ytqaade3u2q
Projects/Industrial contracts
Building Wiring System Working Group
Leader: Ing. Branislav Bátora, Ph.D.
Our team deals with the issue of system wiring to control the indoor environment of buildings (lighting, shading, heating, cooling, ventilation). Within the group, we organize trainings, workshops, we provide advice and consultations. We participate in the implementation of intelligent building projects and the optimization of electricity consumption. Research is conducted in the field of effective control and optimization algorithms. We focus on KNX, Foxtrot, ABB Free @ Home and Inels.
Main research areas
- Development of functional blocks for building technology management.
- Education and training in a specialized certified KNX laboratory.
- Wiring planning activity and its support.
Publications
- https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000531434400111
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8521046
- https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000321966500233
- https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000284981100154
- https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000262694700057
Projects/Industrial contracts
Cooperation with industry partners
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