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

传统的电力系统正在迅速地朝着现代化和增强可持续性的方向发生巨大变化。因此，信息和通信技术（ICT）正被用于实现各种节能和需求响应计划，化石燃料发电厂正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大量地与配电网络集成，并且出现了插电式电动汽车等新类型的负载。同时，储能正在被视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。上述变化引发了研究和开发（R&D）活动，以顺利采用新技术和实践，并实现从传统电力系统到未来电力系统的平稳过渡。然而，迄今为止，研发活动几乎完全集中在高压（即，发电/输电）水平，同时还需要对中低压（即，配电）水平。

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.