With rapid growth in solar PV, batteries and related DC oriented power sources,there is increasing demand for more efficient and compact inverters which will convert generated DC power in useful AC form. Tooday’s inverters occupy more space (e.g. small water cooler) due to their low power density. So, power inverters need immediate research in its form.
Energy is important part for software companies as their data centers work 24X7 on electricity. Search engine companies like Google have started investing in renewable industry which will provide clean power to their server and data centers. But Google has something bigger in its mind. They are looking for highly compressed inverter which will convert DC to AC efficiently. In co-ordination with IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Google has launched a competition for everyone around the globe except resident of Italy, Brazil, Quebec, Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or Sudan due to geographical and political reasons. IEEE is world’s largest professional association which is working for development of engineering technologies and using them for the better of humanity.
What is this challenge?
In this challenge, you have to develop a very compact inverter which will have higher power density (more than 50 W/In3). You are free to use any kind of conversion technique provided it is not hazardous for personal and not breaking any laws as mentioned in T&C of the competition. The size should be equal to for example a tablet phone (reduction >= 10x than mini laptop). It should comply various technical specifications. Here are some of the important technical specifications;
- Efficiency should be higher than 95%
- It should handle power capacity of near about 2 kVA
- Power density should be greater than 50 Watts per cubic inch
- Device should be fabricated in a rectangular metallic box having volume of 40 Inch3 or less
- DC input would be 450 V and Output rating has to be single phase, 240 V, 60Hz AC.
How do I apply?
- Make your team having maximum 5 members and register at official link given at the end of this post on or before Sept, 30, 2014.
- Submit a technical report (details will be mailed be mail to registered members) to IEEE experts via Google by July, 22, 2015.
- 18 selected teams will be notified by Google to submit their device to United States for testing.
- Final winner will be announced in January, 2016 and you will be awarded with $ 1 million.
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