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。该研究计划旨在通过促进下一代配电网络的研发，即架构，电力电子能量转换系统，以及运行和保护算法，来解决这一差距。该项目将调查并提出以下解决方案：1)加强电力电子技术的应用，以提高电力输送的可靠性和质量、故障电流管理、功率流控制以及中小型发电机和储能系统的更有效集成；2)下一代电力电子转换器的效率、功率密度和可靠性更高；（三）使用直流电进行配电和用电。该计划将培养至少13名HQP，其中包括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重要和及时的高技能工程师和未来创新者。此外，通过这一研究项目所产生的知识进步和高质量的出版物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.