Sheldon Williamson
PhD
Canada Research Chair in Electric Energy Storage Systems for Transportation Electrification
Professor
Electrical, Computer and Software EngineeringFaculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Dr. Williamson leads novel research to shift Canada's transportation industry to smart electric energy storage systems and fast-charging infrastructures. His current research interests include advanced power electronics, electric energy storage systems, and motor drives for transportation electrification.
Languages
French, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi
sheldon.williamson@ontariotechu.ca
905.721.8668 ext. 5744
- PhD - Electrical Engineering Illinois Institute of Technology, USA 2006
- MS - Automotive Power Electronics and Motor Drives Illinois Institute of Technology, USA 2002
- BE - Electrical Engineering University of Mumbai, India 1999
Real-World Power Electronic Solutions for Smart (Universal) Plugged and Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructures
Charlotte, North Carolina March 15, 2015IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition
Advanced Electric Energy Storage Systems and Smart Fast Charging for Future Electric Mass Transit Applications
Florence, Italy December 17, 2014IEEE International Electric Vehicle Conference 2014
Future Prospects of Power Electronic Converters for Electric Energy Storage, Energy Management, and Peak Power Applications
Calgary, Alberta November 12, 20142014 IEEE Canada Electric Power and Energy Conference
Smart Energy Storage Solutions and Peak Power Management for Electric Mass Transit Transportation
Dallas, Texas November 1, 2014The 40th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society
A Unified State-Space Model of Constant-Frequency Current-Mode-Controlled Power Converters in Continuous Conduction Mode
Published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics July 1, 2015Sean C. Smithson & Sheldon S. Williamson
In this paper, SSA models of current-mode-controlled converters are derived and presented for the buck, boost, and flyback topologies operating in continuous conduction mode. The new model allows for simpler and more accurate modeling than possible with previous methods, facilitates the modeling of cascaded converters, and allows for the use of state-variable feedback and other modern control methods in applications that use current-mode control.
Design and Development of an Efficient Multilevel DC/AC Traction Inverter for Railway Transportation Electrification
Published in IEEE Trans. on Power Electronics June 22, 2015Mohamed Z. Youssef, Konrad Woronowicz, Kunwar Aditya, Najath Abdul Azeez & Sheldon S. Williamson
This paper presents a new trend in the transportation industry to adopt the multilevel inverter-based propulsion systems and gives the design procedure of a new dc/ac 3-phase 6- level inverter for powering the rail metro cars. The proposed inverter is based on the multilevel converter as it possesses much lower component voltage stress compared with the pulse width modulated topologies.
Advanced Fabrication, Modeling, and Testing of a Microphotosynthetic Electrochemical Cell for Energy Harvesting Applications
Published in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics March 1, 2015Arvind Vyas Ramanan, Muthukumaran Pakirisamy & Sheldon S. Williamson
This paper proposes an electrical equivalent model for a micro photosynthetic power cell (μPSC), which is tested and authenticated with experimental verification on a fabricated prototype. The developed model is further used for testing emulation behaviour, to efficiently and accurately design an energy harvesting power electronic converter. The principle of the operation of the device is based on “photosynthesis.”
Industrial Electronics for Electric Transportation: Current State-of-the-Art and Future Challenges
Published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics March 1, 2015Sheldon S. Williamson, Akshay K. Rathore & Fariborz Musavi
This paper presents the current research trends and future issues for industrial electronics related to transportation electrification. Specific emphasis is placed on electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs/PHEVs) and their critical drivetrain components. The paper deals with industry-related EV energy storage system issues, EV charging issues, as well as power electronics and traction motor-drives issues.
Comparative Analysis Between Two-Level and Three-Level DC/AC Electric Vehicle Traction Inverters Using a Novel DC-Link Voltage Balancing Algorithm
Published in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics September 1, 2014Abhijit Choudhury, Pragasen Pillay & Sheldon S. Williamson
This paper presents an extensive comparative study between a two- and three-level inverter for electric vehicle traction applications. An advanced control strategy for balancing the two dc-link capacitors is also proposed. In this paper, the main focus is on the total voltage harmonic distortion (%THDv), the analytical derivation of the three-level capacitor currents, and the voltage balancing of two capacitor voltages.
Technical Considerations on Power Conversion of Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery Charging in Photovoltaic Installations
Published in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics May 1, 2013Giampaolo Carli & Sheldon S. Williamson
This paper analyzes one specific type of renewable, local energy generation, applied to electric vehicle charging requirements. A PV source is explicitly posited because solar panels can be placed above the vehicle parking space, and double as a shade provider. In the first part of this paper, the optimal requirements for the overall system are derived. These will be used in the second part, in order to compare alternate power conditioning circuits for this task.
Design, Testing, and Validation of a Simplified Control Scheme for a Novel Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery Cell Equalizer
Published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics December 1, 2010Pablo A. Cassani & Sheldon S. Williamson
In order to meet cost targets for hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), and all-electric vehicles (EV), an improvement in the battery life cycle and safety is essential. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a simplified control scheme, based on open-circuit voltage estimation, for a novel cell equalizer configuration, with the potential to fulfil expectations of the following: 1) low cost; 2) large currents, and 3) high efficiency. Issues, such as the limitations on maximum and minimum cell voltage, noise, and quantization errors, are explored. Finally, a comprehensive comparison between the theoretical test results and practical equalization test results is presented.
Power-Electronics-Based Solutions for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Energy Storage and Management Systems
Published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics February 1, 2010Zahra Amjadi & Sheldon S. Williamson
Although much effort has been made to improve the life of PHEV energy storage systems (ESSs), including research on energy storage device chemistries, this paper, on the contrary, highlights the fact that the fundamental problem lies within the design of power-electronics-based energy-management converters and the development of smarter control algorithms. This paper initially discusses battery and UC characteristics and then goes on to provide a detailed comparison of various proposed control strategies and proposes the use of precise power electronic converter topologies. Finally, this paper summarizes the benefits of the various techniques and suggests the most viable solutions for on-board power management, more specific to PHEVs with multiple/hybrid ESSs.
Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
January 1, 2014Appointed Senior Member of IEEE for making significant contributions to the field of electric transportation.
Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society
January 1, 2011The IEEE Vehicular Technology Society deals with land, airborne and maritime mobile services; portable commercial and citizen's communications services; vehicular electrotechnology, equipment and systems of the automotive industry; traction power, signals, communications and control systems for mass transit and railroads.
Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions and Journals
January 1, 2011Dr. Williamson is the Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions of Power Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, and the IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics.
Canada Research Chair in Electric Energy Storage Systems for Transportation Electrification Tier II
CRC September 1, 2015With this prestigious five-year research award, Dr. Williamson will explore key interdisciplinary areas related to electric energy storage systems and charging technologies for future electric vehicles and transportation systems. The program focuses on the power electronics based energy management of Li-ion batteries for electric transportation, voltage management of high-power ultracapacitors for all-electric mass transit applications, plugged and wireless fast charging, and integration of renewables for future transportation electrification. ($500,000)
Advanced Storage Systems and Electric Transportation (ASSET) Laboratory
Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation Program: John R. Evans Leadership Fund January 1, 2015The ASSET laboratory is home to leading-edge electric energy storage systems equipment that supports Dr. Williamson’s CRC program of these systems for transportation electrification. Equipped with an advanced testing and validation facility for electric vehicle (EV) energy storage systems, the ASSET lab’s integrated and innovative electric energy storage infrastructure for transportation electrification makes it one of the most unique facilities within a Canadian university environment. ($125,000)
Powertrain Components and Systems for Next Generation Electric Vehicles
NSERC Collaborative Research and Development Grant January 1, 2015This five-year, collaborative research project involves Ford Motor Co., D&V Electronics, the University of Windsor, the University of British Columbia, and UOIT. Dr. Williamson will receive $30,000 per year for research within the area of motor drives for electric transportation. UOIT’s research team is involved in the design and development of a high-efficiency, permanent-magnet traction motor drive for Ford’s next-generation Ford Focus EV®. ($150,000)
Proximal Lab on Chip (LOC) Based MicroPhotosynthetic Cell for Efficient Energy Harvesting
FQRNT Equipe and FD Microelectronics January 1, 2013This three-year research project explores micro-harvesting human energy from vibrations using lithium-ion battery powered chips. When placed in a shoe or worn on a jacket, these chips are capable of harnessing and storing human energy exerted from walking or other physical movement. ($315,000)
Design and Development of a Novel Photovoltaic-based, High-Efficiency Charging Infrastructure for Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
NSERC Discovery Grant April 1, 2012Under this five-year operating grant, Dr. Williamson receives $21,000 per year within the area of automotive power electronics. The project deals with research aspects of power electronic converter modeling, simulation, and design for electric vehicle charging infrastructures. ($105,000)
NSERC Smart Net-Zero Energy Buildings Research Network
NSERC Strategic Network April 1, 2011As a collaborator on this five-year national network of researchers in academia, industry, and government, Dr. Williamson led the world’s first development of a method to charge electric vehicles using solar power to promote green energy and reduce overall energy consumption. ($4,500,000)
Innovations in Motor Drive Technologies to Reduce or Eliminate the Need for Permanent Magnets in Electric/Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Canadian Network of Automotive Excellence, Auto 21 January 1, 2011This research project is a continuation of the NSERC Engage grant with TM4, Inc. It will have a significant impact on the creation of unique expertise in the effective utilization of permanent magnets and the development of non-permanent magnet electric motors for vehicle applications. Dr. Williamson's research will lead to the development of innovative solutions in reducing or eliminating the cost of permanent magnets. ($165,000)
Smart Net-Zero Energy Buildings Research Network
NSERC Strategic Grant January 1, 2011Co-principal investigator on this five-year project, Dr. Williamson is developing efficient charging algorithms for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles powered from solar houses. Sub-tasks of this research include the development of optimal strategies for utilizing electric and plug-in-hybrid electric vehicles as electric storage, attached to a solar house. For example, using a car at home during the daytime to reduce net electricity supply peaks to the grid. ($50,000)
