Research
Ed enjoys tremendously working with Dr. Hamed Rahim of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on the design of FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems) devices such as STATCOMs (static compensators) and SVCs (static var compensators). The issues of connecting FACTS devices to a power grid are similar to the issues of connecting alternative energy fed inverters to the utility electrical power grid. Ed really enjoys working with grad students, Hussain Bierk, Arif Al-Judi and Nacer Benaifa on the design of inverters for alternative energy systems. This includes characterizing and modeling of parallel inverters as would be appropriate in a solar cell (photovoltaic) fed system, and also the use of cascaded H-bridges to produce lower distortion AC output voltage or current, possibly applicable to wind fed electrical generation systems. This research would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of Ed Evanik, Jason Pannell and Richard Galambos.