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，* *该研究计划旨在通过对下一代配电网的研发做出贡献来解决差距，即架构，电力电子能量转换系统以及操作和保护算法。该计划将研究并提出解决方案：1）加强电力电子的应用，以提高电力输送的可靠性和质量，故障电流管理，潮流控制，以及更有效地集成中小型发电机和储能系统，2）下一代电力电子转换器，以提高效率，功率密度和可靠性，以及3）使用直流电（DC）来分配和消耗电力。拟议的研究计划将培养至少13名HQP，包括3名博士，2名硕士和8名本科生，从而为加拿大电力工程行业和学术界提供高技能工程师和未来创新者的重要和及时的贡献者。此外，通过这一研究计划和它将产生的高质量出版物的知识进步将提高加拿大学术界在全球舞台上的形象。

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.******This proposed research program aims to address the gap by contributing to the R&D of the next generation electric power distribution networks, namely architectures, power-electronic energy conversion systems, and algorithms for operation and protection. This program will investigate and propose solutions for 1) enhanced employment of power electronics to improve reliability and quality of power delivery, fault current management, power-flow control, and more efficient integration of small- and medium-sized generators and energy storage systems, 2) next generation power-electronic converters for higher efficiency, power density, and reliability, and 3) employment of direct-current (DC) electricity for distribution and consumption of electric power. The proposed research program will train at least 13 HQP, consisting of 3 PhD, 2 MSc, and 8 undergraduate students, thus serving as a vital and timely contributor of highly-skilled engineers and future innovators for the Canadian power engineering industry and academia. Further, the advancement of knowledge through this research program and the quality publications that it will produce will enhance the profile of the Canadian academia at the global stage.***