Abstract
Increase in global energy demand and constraints from fossil fuels have encouraged a growing share of renewable energy resources in the utility grid. Accordingly, an increased penetration of direct current (DC) power sources and loads (e.g., solar photovoltaics and electric vehicles) as well as the necessity for active power flow control has been witnessed in the power distribution networks. Passive transformers are susceptible to DC offset and possess no controllability when employed in smart grids. Solid state transformers (SSTs) are identified as a potential solution to modernize and harmonize alternating current (AC) and DC electrical networks and as suitable solutions in applications such as traction, electric ships, and aerospace industry. This paper provides a complete overview on SST: concepts, topologies, classification, power converters, material selection, and key aspects for design criteria and control schemes proposed in the literature. It also proposes a simple terminology to identify and homogenize the large number of definitions and structures currently reported in the literature.
Highlights
Passive transformers have been indispensable components in electrical power systems sinceZipenowsky et al demonstrated the first commercial transformer in 1885 [1,2]
A similar concept is extended to the proposed Solid state transformers (SSTs) concept and is defined as: (a) modularization based on direction of power flow (P-axis), (b) modularization based on voltage/current levels (V-axis), and (c) modularization based on phase interconnection (ψ-axis)
This review summarized the most important contributions in control, topologies, constructive aspects, protections, power converter topologies, and applications of SSTs
Summary
Passive transformers have been indispensable components in electrical power systems since. Even though passive transformers can achieve voltage regulation through tap changers, solid state transformers (SSTs), known as power electronic transformers (PETs), are capable of compensating voltage sags and harmonic distortion, interconnecting asynchronous networks, interfacing DC and AC port(s), compensating reactive power, regulating voltage magnitude, isolating disturbances from source and load or vice versa, and eliminating the use of mechanical actuators or tap changers These features make SST a very attractive solution to replace passive low frequency transformers (LFTs) in several applications [4]. In 2001, Lothar Heinemann et al [12] proposed the utilization of SSTs as a universal power electronics based distribution transformer for medium voltage/low voltage (MV/LV).
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