Solid State Transformers Topologies, Controllers, and Applications: State-of-the-Art Literature Review

Abstract

With the global trend to produce clean electrical energy, the penetration of renewable energy sources in existing electricity infrastructure is expected to increase significantly within the next few years. The solid state transformer (SST) is expected to play an essential role in future smart grid topologies. Unlike traditional magnetic transformer, SST is flexible enough to be of modular construction, enabling bi-directional power flow and can be employed for AC and DC grids. Moreover, SSTs can control the voltage level and modulate both active and reactive power at the point of common coupling without the need to external flexible AC transmission system device as per the current practice in conventional electricity grids. The rapid advancement in power semiconductors switching speed and power handling capacity will soon allow for the commercialisation of grid-rated SSTs. This paper is aimed at introducing a state-of-the-art review for SST proposed topologies, controllers, and applications. Additionally, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis along with a brief review of market drivers for prospective commercialisation are elaborated.

SiC-Based High Efficiency High Isolation Dual Active Bridge Converter for a Power Electronic Transformer

“…Several examples of using SiC devices in different PET topologies exist in literature [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. In the majority of applications, 1.2/1.7 kV commercial SiC MOSFETs are used for LV side devices, while for HV side, 10 kV non-commercial MOSFETs are used [6,8].…”

Magnetostriction Assessment with Strain Gauges and Fiber Bragg Gratings

“…The developing of future architectures of transformers is in this way strongly connected with power controllers and semiconductors devices -Solid State Transformers -fitting to operate in smart grids environments with fully automated electronic systems, which make it a serious candidate for the replacement of traditional power transformers [1].…”

Control Strategies of Mitigating Dead-time Effect on Power Converters: An Overview

“…The interest in grid-tied PV transformer-less inverters has increased rapidly because of their higher efficiency and lower cost compared to traditional line transformer inverters. Some new transformer-less have been proposed such as ESI [5], CH5 [6]. The results show that the novel topologies change the common-mode behavior, which consequently allows a significant reduction of ground leakage current.…”