age 14.91.1 A Project-based Power Electronics Course with an Increased Content of Renewable Energy Applications

This paper will described a project- and problem-based learning approach in teaching power electronics for upper-level undergraduate students enrolled in the applied engineering technology program at our university. This course will have an increased content of applications of power electronics in renewable energy conversion systems. Power electronics, still an emerging technology is multidisciplinary in its nature and the design and analysis of power electronics circuits include the applications of circuit theory, electronics, control theory, electromagnetics, semiconductor devices, microprocessors, numerical methods, signal processing, computer simulation, heat transfer, electromagnetic compatibility, and artificial intelligence. However it is also important to teach students the different fields in which technology is used, e.g. adjustable speed drives, switched mode power supplies, or power electronics for renewable energy. Experience has also shown that students have a difficult time with power electronics mostly because of the maturity the subject demands. A natural and efficient way of teaching power electronics is the problem-oriented and project-base