Comprehensive review and applications of power electronic transformer for optimal power integration

Abstract

Energy integration from diverse and variable sources is needed to improve energy access, reliability, and sustain ability, respectively. Fluctuations and seasonal variations of wind and solar energy need to be well managed and integrated to improve energy supply to the grid. Lightning and non-uniform loads like the induction stoves and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) generates voltage sag, voltage swing, and voltage spike, which should be mitigated to prevent grid failures resulting from harmonics and excessive heat dissipation beyond the capacity of the grid. This paper provides a concise analysis and implementation of power electronic transformer (Solid-State Transformer (SST)) for smart energy management, integration, and power system applications, while reducing above mentioned energy issues. SST is also capable of transmitting and distributing power in bidirectional mode, either from the electricity consumer or from the electricity producer. To effectively implement the use of SST, review of current and existing SST design, control schemes, and configurations with their merits, demerits, and recognized criteria for selection were explored, unveiling the inherent gaps in the technology implemented in SST. Finally, the standalone operation and grid-connected operation is presented to reveal SST areas of interest, based on current energy requirements and needs.