Reflections of Ivan Struzhko
In our serie "What does the future bring?" our ESR's are sharing their perspective. This serie is linked to the Horizon Magazine article published on Monday, March 13 2024 which focusses on EU support for Ukrainian researchers including ETUT project regarding "Building bridges between Ukrainian and EU researchers" featuring Regis Nibaruta, Ivan Struzhko, Vladimir Havryliuk, Gert Rietveld and Frank Leferink. The full article can be found https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/building-bridges-between-ukrainian-and-eu-researchers By Andrew Dunne.
Via Cordis, the project is described as'the ETUT project will model, design, estimate, quantify and monitor economic measures for a reliable, safe, effective and greener electrical transport system. The training programme will include innovative methods to be applied in electric transport... it may have far reaching consequences and may even see the railway network supporting or replacing local electrical utility networks' Can you explain the problem specifically? In simple terms, what exactly is the electrical engineering challenge in terms of future electric transport systems and what's the link with local electrical utility networks too?
The introduction of new technology into existing environments quite often results in compatibility problems for these systems. For example, an attempt to use a modern locomotive made by Siemens caused major problems with the communication lines, the locomotive caused too much interference and the system could not operate stably. This is in addition to already existing problems related to the impact of the overhead contact lines and the "patching" of the cable.
When we spoke you described these two areas of electrical engineering where the main focus was - electromagnetic compatibility and power electronics. Can you give me examples of the kind of devices that might benefit from improvements to both and can you explain the link with these two areas and future electric transport systems?
In terms of the impact of electromagnetic compatibility and power electronics on future electric transport systems in general, there are many interesting and promising trends to consider. For example, one of the purposes of electromagnetic compatibility is to ensure the reliable operation of devices in the presence of electromagnetic fields. An electric scooter whose speed is controlled by a potentiometer on the handlebars may pick up an external field so that it becomes uncontrollable, it may stop suddenly, or even its speed may increase. It is, therefore, necessary to protect this device from such negative influences, in the most efficient way possible.
One of the Power electronic group's research directions is the improvement of battery management systems for electric vehicles, as well as the development of efficient wireless charging solutions. This will contribute greatly to the development of electric transport in general and its efficiency in particular.
Are there any examples of really applied research which you are currently conducting which relates to electric transport systems which we can talk about? Can you explain what you are working on - in an applied sense - with whom, and how?
I am currently working on improving the immunity testing of devices that contain lithium-ion batteries or other energy storage systems. In particular, this could include electric vehicles that use the same type of batteries. The results of this study should make it possible to identify thermal effects in the testing phase, which are currently receiving little attention.
In this and other studies, I work closely with other researchers, not only from my group but also from other projects and universities.
What is the long-term hope with this work? From a research point of view, what are YOUR long-term motivations for this all is and what are the impacts he envisages in the future (i.e. who does he see will benefit from this research in the future, and how?).
One of the objectives of the ETUT project was to improve the outdated systems of electric railway transport using the Ukrainian railway system as an example. I hope that the research undertaken within the framework of this project will be extremely useful for the recovery and development of Ukraine's railway system after the end of hostilities on its territory.
Could I get a reflection from you on the importance of developing future electric transport systems in view of climate change and emission reduction targets? Why is this issue you're tackling so important from an environmental perspective?
Electromagnetic compatibility and power electronics contribute significantly to environmental sustainability and emissions reduction, even if this impact is not obvious.
Specifically, my research into improving methods for testing devices for immunity to electromagnetic interference will result in existing systems being more reliable, reducing the number of accidents.
In addition, the active development of technologies in the field of electric transport will increase the efficiency of used drivers, converters, inverters and energy storages and sources, and reduce the use of combustible fuels.