Power Electronics in Smart Grid

A Smart Grid (SG) match up the needs and capabilities of all generators, grid operators, end-users and electricity market to operate all parts of the system as efficiently as possible, minimizing costs and environmental impacts while maximizing system reliability, resilience and stability. SGs include electricity networks (transmission and distribution systems) and interfaces with generation, storage and end-users. Power electronics are crucial in the realization of SGs as a consequence of the integration of renewable energy sources, which requires highly developed power converter system. AC/DC converter and AC/DC inverter are power electronic devices in a SG can solve the transmission congestion, voltage fluctuation and flicker, commutation problem. Flexible AC Transmission (FACTS) and High Voltage DC (HVDC) provide fast dynamic voltage support, power flow and stability control of the power grid. SG unlike the current grid system, is based on demand response and consumer-based power dissipation, using power electronics converters through the use of faster switching devices, better topologies and advanced control increasing the productivity of the SG.