The Operation and Control of Solid-State Transformers for Smart Grid Applications

一些电力系统，包括加拿大的电力系统，在提高放松管制的水平方面取得了重大进展。正在寻求这种操作电力系统的模式，以降低扩展或升级传输和分配系统的成本，提高整体效率，降低传输和分配网络的负荷能力，推进节能计划，并减少环境影响。电力系统的解除管制操作促进了几种类型的分布式发电单元的互连，沿着可能的负载功率需求控制。负荷需求的可能控制已被引入作为需求响应（DR），其可以被实现为主动DR或被动DR。主动DR意味着利用在负荷侧互连的分布式发电单元。该DR广泛用于工业负载和商业负载。被动DR意味着具有能量存储能力的电器（热水器、加热系统和HVAC）的开-关动作。这种DR在住宅和小型商业负荷（RSCL）中非常常见。电力系统对在RSCL中实施智能电网功能表现出越来越大的兴趣，因为这些功能可以有助于日常或季节性的峰值需求条件。RSCL的性质倾向于部署被动DR。尽管其简单性，但由于其对参与者数量的依赖，被动DR在RSCL中显示出有限的功能。通过部署主动DR，可以克服RSCL被动DR的有限功能。但是，这种RSCL有源DR部署的主要挑战是在峰值需求条件下向主机电力系统注入功率的能力。本研究计划旨在开发和测试基于设计新型配电变压器的RSCL有源DR，该变压器可以允许可控和双向供电。电力系统的方向潮流和RSCL。这种Transformer由多电平交流-直流、直流-直流和直流-交流电力电子转换器（佩奇）构成。为了完成对电力系统的功率注入，所开发的Transformer将配备能量存储单元。如本文所述，拟议Transformer的设计、运行、控制和保护将在未来5年内完成。此外，开发的固态Transformer的原型将建立和测试的性能评估。所提出的Transformer的性能将进一步推进非侵入式智能电网功能的实现。此外，该研究项目的成果可以帮助加拿大电力行业在提供关键智能技术方面发挥主导作用。最后，该项目的不同阶段将为培训电力和能源部门的研究生和本科生提供全面的机会。

Several power systems, including Canadian ones, have made significant progress toward increasing the levels of de-regulated operation. Such modes of operating power systems are being sought to reduce costs of expanding or upgrading transmission and distribution systems, improve the overall efficiency, reduce the loadability of transmission and distribution networks, advance energy saving programs, and reduce environmental impacts. The de-regulated operation of power systems has facilitated the interconnection of several types of distributed generation units, along with possible control of load power demands. The possible control of load demands has been introduced as the demand response (DR), which can be implemented as an active DR or a passive DR. The active DR implies the utilization of distributed generation units that are interconnected at load side. This DR is widely used in industrial loads and commercial loads. The passive DR implies ON-OFF actions for appliances that have energy storage capabilities (water heaters, heating systems, and HVACs). This DR is very common in residential and small commercial loads (RSCLs). Power systems have shown growing interests in implementing smart grid functions in RSCLs, as these can contribute to daily or seasonal peak-demand conditions. The nature of RSCLs leans toward the deployment of passive DR. Despite its simplicity, passive DR has shown limited capabilities in RSCLs due to its dependence on the number of participants. The limited capabilities of passive DR for RSCLs can be overcome by deploying active DR. However, the main challenge such a deployment of active DR for RSCLs is the ability to inject power to the host power system during peak-demand conditions.This research program aims to develop and test an active DR for RSCLs based on designing a new breed of distribution transformers that can allow controllable and bi-directional power flow a power system and RSCLs. Such a transformer is to be constructed from multi-level ac-dc, dc-dc, and dc-ac power electronic converters (PECs). In order to accomplish the power injection to the power system, the developed transformer will be equipped with energy storage units. The design, operation, control, and protection of the proposed transformer are to be completed over the next 5 years, as described herein. In addition, prototypes for the developed solid-state transformer will be built and tested for performance evaluation. The performance of the proposed transformer will further advance the implementation of noninvasive smart grid functions. Furthermore, the outcomes of this research project can help Canadian power industries take leading roles in providing key smart technologies. Finally, the different stages of this project will provide comprehensive opportunities to train graduate and undergraduate students in the power and energy sectors.