Restructuring of an Undergraduate Course on Self-Commutated Converters and Power Quality

Lourenco M. Junior; Vinicius N. Machado; Wilson Komatsu; Lucas Koleff

doi:10.18618/REP.e202641

Authors

Lourenco M. Junior University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5768-295X
Vinicius N. Machado University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9507-6898
Wilson Komatsu University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9635-529X
Lucas Koleff University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3979-0030

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202641

Keywords:

Education on Power Electronics, Power Electronics Experiments

Abstract

This paper presents the restructuring of an undergraduate course of power electronics focused on self-commutated converters and power quality. It uses an active learning methodology that fully integrates experimental and theoretical classes. By intertwining theory and laboratory sessions without using practical classes merely to confirm the theory, the methodology enhanced learning and helped keep students motivated. In the authors’ institution, student evaluation of the power electronics lectures is measured after the beginning of the course restructuring using statistical methods and has shown a steady increase in the number of students that are satisfied. Furthermore, the open-source platform and methodology can be freely used, adapted and extended, amplifying the impact across different universities and institutions.

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Author Biographies

Lourenco M. Junior, University of São Paulo

received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (EPUSP), Sao Paulo, in 1984, 1989, and 1998. He is an Associate Professor at EPUSP. His research focuses on topologies, control and application of static converters connected to the grid, phase-locked loops, WPT and Modular Multilevel Converters. He is a member of the Brazilian Power Electronics Society (SOBRAEP), Brazilian Society of Automatics (SBA) and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Vinicius N. Machado , University of São Paulo

born in 18/07/2001 in São Paulo, Brazil, received the B.S., and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (EPUSP), São Paulo, in 2023 and 2026. He is currently working towards the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte. His areas of interest are: power electronics, power quality, electronic control systems, microgrids, grid-connected power converters modeling and control, and grid-forming converters. Mr. Machado is a student member of the Brazilian Power Electronics Society (SOBRAEP).

Wilson Komatsu, University of São Paulo

born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1963. He received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (EPUSP), São Paulo, in 1986, 1992, and 2000, respectively. He is an Associate Professor of power electronics at EPUSP. His research areas are control and modeling of static converters, and their application to electrical power systems and electrical power quality. Dr. Komatsu is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and of the Brazilian Power Electronics Society (SOBRAEP).

Lucas Koleff, University of São Paulo

born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1991, received his B.Sc. degree with honors from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, his D.D. M.Sc. degree from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany in 2015 and his Ph.D. degree from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2021. Between 2021 and 2026 he worked in the industry as an R&D project manager. Since 2026 he has been a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo. His current research interests are power converters modelling and control, digital twins, grid resilience and novel applications in power systems.

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