The authors discuss high-voltage power conversion. Conventional series connection and three-level voltage source inverter techniques are reviewed and compared. A novel versatile multilevel commutation cell is introduced: it is shown that this topology is safer and more simple to control, and delivers purer output waveforms. The authors show how this technique can be applied to either choppers or voltage-source inverters and generalized to any number of switches.<<ETX>>

Multi-level conversion : high voltage choppers and voltage-source inverters

A communication infrastructure is an essential part to the success of the emerging smart grid. A scalable and pervasive communication infrastructure is crucial in both construction and operation of a smart grid. In this paper, we present the background and motivation of communication infrastructures in smart grid systems. We also summarize major requirements that smart grid communications must meet. From the experience of several industrial trials on smart grid with communication infrastructures, we expect that the traditional carbon fuel based power plants can cooperate with emerging distributed renewable energy such as wind, solar, etc, to reduce the carbon fuel consumption and consequent green house gas such as carbon dioxide emission. The consumers can minimize their expense on energy by adjusting their intelligent home appliance operations to avoid the peak hours and utilize the renewable energy instead. We further explore the challenges for a communication infrastructure as the part of a complex smart grid system. Since a smart grid system might have over millions of consumers and devices, the demand of its reliability and security is extremely critical. Through a communication infrastructure, a smart grid can improve power reliability and quality to eliminate electricity blackout. Security is a challenging issue since the on-going smart grid systems facing increasing vulnerabilities as more and more automation, remote monitoring/controlling and supervision entities are interconnected.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1315&context=electricalengineeringfacpub

A Survey on Smart Grid CommunicationInfrastructures: Motivations, Requirements andChallenges

Microgrids are now emerging from lab benches and pilot demonstration sites into commercial markets, driven by technological improvements, falling costs, a proven track record, and growing recognition of their benefits. They are being used to improve reliability and resilience of electrical grids, to manage the addition of distributed clean energy resources like wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) generation to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to provide electricity in areas not served by centralized electrical infrastructure. This review article (1) explains what a microgrid is, and (2) provides a multi-disciplinary portrait of today's microgrid drivers, real-world applications, challenges, and future prospects.

/pdf/microgrids-a-review-of-technologies-key-drivers-and-3wo8bifusj.pdf

Microgrids: A review of technologies, key drivers, and outstanding issues

[What is a cost-benefit analysis?].

This paper presents a comprehensive review and assessment of the latest research and advancement of electric vehicles (EVs) interaction with smart grid portraying the future electric power system model. The concept goal of the smart grid along with the future deployment of the EVs puts forward various challenges in terms of electric grid infrastructure, communication and control. Following an intensive review on advanced smart metering and communication infrastructures, the strategy for integrating the EVs into the electric grid is presented. Various EV smart charging technologies are also extensively examined with the perspective of their potential, impacts and limitations under the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) phenomenon. Moreover, the high penetration of renewable energy sources (wind and photovoltaic solar) is soaring up into the power system. However, their intermittent power output poses different challenges on the planning, operation and control of the power system networks. On the other hand, the deployment of EVs in the energy market can compensate for the fluctuations of the electric grid. In this context, a literature review on the integration of the renewable energy and the latest feasible solution using EVs with the insight of the promising research gap to be covered up are investigated. Furthermore, the feasibility of the smart V2G system is thoroughly discussed. In this paper, the EVs interactions with the smart grid as the future energy system model are extensively discussed and research gap is revealed for the possible solutions.

Electric vehicles and smart grid interaction: A review on vehicle to grid and renewable energy sources integration

Review of multilevel voltage source inverter topologies and control schemes

Microgrid testbeds around the world: State of art

Design and analysis of a hybrid renewable energy plant with solar and wind power

The smart grid (SG) as a research area is advancing dealing with a wider range of topics such as power systems, energy generation and telecommunication. The conventional utility grid is used to operate in a passive mode absorbing energy from the substations and delivering it to the customers. This approach is well developed but the needs of the state-of-the-art technology require a bidirectional flow of power and data. Nevertheless, smart grid systems provide more flexible, reliable, sustainable, secure and two-way communication service. Especially, integration of renewable energy sources, electrical vehicles and distributed generations (DG) into network can be achieved in an efficient way in smart grid systems. Moreover, control and monitoring capabilities, automatic configuration of the grid, and active involvement of consumers in energy production extend the importance of smart grids. All these positive aspects of smart grids have been attained by integration of power electronics and telecommunication technologies with the grid. This study deals with contributions of power electronics to SG in the context of generation, conversion, distribution, and control of power. The recent power electronic devices and systems adapted to SG are also introduced in detail with several power control methods. Moreover, the renewable energy sources (RESs), which are an extensively studied topic of power engineering and their integration to smart grid, are also surveyed in terms of DG units, control and management features. Thus, a particular section is dedicated to RES utilization in SG covering almost all aspects of a monotype and hybrid energy plants. Finally, the survey is carried on by reviewing the most recent and comprehensive articles to highlight the importance of power electronics in a logical way in the smart grids for readers.

A survey on the contributions of power electronics to smart grid systems

Grid connection capability of distributed generation attracts researchers due to the cumulative demand for electricity and environment pollution concern as a new emerging technology for providing reliable and clean power supply. A microgrid comprises distributed generation, energy storage, loads, and a control system that is capable of operating in grid-tied mode and/or islanded mode. As operation modes are shifted, the microgrid should successfully manage the voltage and frequency adjustment in order to protect the grid and any loads connected to the system. Facilitation of the generation-side and load-side management and the resynchronization process is required. This paper presents an overall description and typical distributed generation technology of a microgrid. It also adds a comprehensive study on energy storage devices, microgrid loads, interfaced distributed energy resources (DER), power electronic interface modules and the interconnection of multiple microgrids. Details of stability, control and communication strategies are also provided in this study. This article describes the existing control techniques of microgrids that are installed all over the world and has tabulated the comparison of various control methods with pros and cons. Moreover, it aids the researcher in envisioning an actual situation using a microgrid today, and provides insight into the possible evolvement of future grids. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the remarkable findings and potential research areas that could enrich future microgrid facilities.

https://www.ijrer.com/index.php/ijrer/article/download/2005/6455

Ersan Kabalci

Papers

Review of multilevel voltage source inverter topologies and control schemes

Microgrid testbeds around the world: State of art

Design and analysis of a hybrid renewable energy plant with solar and wind power

A survey on the contributions of power electronics to smart grid systems

A Comprehensive Study on Microgrid Technology