SMART GRID: POWER ELECTRONICS

TECHNOLOGY
SHAIK KHALID BASHA
EE16BTECH11035
ABSTRACT:
For the maintainable advancement of our electrically dependent societies, power electronics
technology is holding a critical role. Particularly in electric power frameworks, it is observed as
one of the fundamental innovations which make the power grid more effective, more dependable
and environmental-friendly. These are present goals of smart grids.

INTRODUCTION:
Smart grids must incorporate more diverse sources of energy like renewable energy and
conventional sources of energies to maintain the balance between the supply and demand. High-
end manufacturing technologies and computers would require a very controlled and quality
power supply; hence flexibility and controllability will be the key features of power systems.
 Power electronic technology plays a dominating role in incorporating the renewable and
sustainable energy for efficient energy use by controlling electric power in the grid and hence a
core aspect that would constitute a smart grid. For the smart grid to work, it needs to go hand in
hand with the power electronics in many aspects like generation, consumption, transmission, and
distribution.

EXPLANATION: -

WHY POWER ELECTRONICS?

DC devices like PV cells, battery cells, fuel cells, etc. are used in the smart grid but in the
current era runs on AC grid which would implicitly imply the use of power electronics technology
known as Power Conditioning System (PCS) for the conversion of DC power to AC power.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: -

If the distribution network is supplied by large amounts of rather spasmodic renewable

generations like Photovoltaic and Wind power the flow of power would be differently behaving in
the distribution lines. Upon this, there might also be sudden unexpected power flow due to the
irregularities in the output of the renewable sources. This would require fast and rather precise
control of reactive and active power to manage voltages and power flows. The most efficient setup
for this would be Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Majorly power electronic systems work independently and locally as well, but to
implement them in smart grids the individual components need to work hand in hand for better
optimization and for this Micro Energy Management Systems (MEMS) have been introduced in
many smart grid-based projects.

Information and Communication Technology and MEMS monitors we can control

individual units by knowing the local information of the grid in real time.

OBSERVATIONS: -
CHALLENGES: -

Above discussed were some theoretically possible options for the better use of power
electronics technology in the smart grid but then they need to be economically and practically
feasible with some requirements like:

 Lower Installation Cost

 Control of overvoltage and overcurrent
 Weight saving and downsizing
  In accordance with standard regulations
 Cost effective without compromising the efficiency
 Must last long
 Durability and Maintenance

BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (BESS): -

NECESSITY

Existing power systems cannot handle if their larger difference between the demand and
supply. Currently, the change in demand of the power requirements is predicted pretty much form
the past data, and hence the output is controlled from hydro and thermal electric power plants in
real time.

But if there is a huge variance in the fluctuating renewable sources beyond a limit it would
drastically affect the stability of the power system. In such a situation BESS would be of potential
use with accurate and fast control response, short installation time decentralized nature.

THYRISTOR VOLTAGE REGULATOR (TVR): -

NECESSITY

PV generators when connected to distribution systems it was peculiarly found that when
there is an increase in the output of the PV system, it will result in reverse power flow and hence
the voltage exceeded the upper threshold limit at the end of the distribution line.
If this were the case, then the generation through the PV systems must be reduced thereby
limiting the power output merely because it cannot be fully utilized. Installation of TVR would let
us out of such undesirable circumstances by improving the stability of voltage by controlling the
reactive power.
 Overview of ACEA smart grid project

CONCLUDING REMARKS: -
Functioning of the battery energy storage system is not possible without power electronics,
and it is not possible to establish a smart grid system without a battery energy storage system.
Controlled use of energy is a prerequisite for the use of renewable resources, and such goals could
be achieved through the use of smart grids where power electronics technology plays a
dominantly important role.

REFERENCES: -
1.) Takenori Kobayashi, Transmission & Distribution Systems Division Toshiba Corporation,
Power Electronics Technology in Smart Grid Projects -Applications and Experiences.
2.) Shinsuke Nii, Masaki Kato, Power Electronics Technology that Supports Smart Grid.