Next Generation Electric Power Distribution Networks: Architecture, Power Electronics, and Integration with the Legacy Electric Power System

传统的电力系统正迅速经历着现代化和增强可持续性的巨大变化。因此，信息和通信技术（ICT）正在被用于实现各种节能和需求响应计划，化石燃料发电厂正在被可再生能源的大型农场所取代，屋顶光伏（PV）系统等分散的能源正在与电力分配网络大量集成，插电式电动汽车等新型负载正在出现。同时，储能作为提高未来发电需求组合的一致性和可预测性的有效工具正在被考虑和研究。上述变化引发了研发活动，旨在顺利采用新技术和实践，并实现从传统电力系统向未来电力系统的顺利过渡。然而，到目前为止，研发活动几乎完全集中在电力系统的高压（即发电/输电）水平，而电力系统的中低压（即配电）水平也需要并行开发。

The legacy electric power system is rapidly undergoing drastic changes towards modernization and enhanced sustainability. Thus, information and communications technologies (ICT) are being employed to enable various energy conservation and demand-response initiatives, fossil-fueled power plants are being replaced with large farms of renewable energy resources, such scattered energy resources as rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems are being integrated in large numbers with electric power distribution networks, and new types of load such as plug-in electric vehicles are emerging. Concurrently, energy storage is being considered and researched as an effective tool for enhancing the consistency and predictability of the generation-demand portfolios of the future. The aforementioned changes have sparked research and development (R&D) activities towards smooth adoption of the new technologies and practices, and to enable a smooth transition from the legacy power system into the power system of future. However, R&D activities have thus far focused, almost exclusively, on the high-voltage (i.e., generation/transmission) level of the power system, while parallel developments are also required for the medium- and low-voltage (i.e., distribution) levels of the power system.