Role of Power Electronics in Renewable Energy Generation: Reviewing Energy Saving Applications, Solutions, and Insights

Renewable energy sources (RES) are typically unscheduled, much smaller when compared to conventional energy sources, and frequently connected to the distribution system of electricity rather than the transmission system. Electricity networks must take special care when integrating such time-varying “distributed” or “embedded” sources. All rotating masses directly connected to the grid have historically been considered when calculating the inertia of power systems. Since integrating RES, notably photovoltaic (PV) installations and wind power plants, power systems have changed tremendously. At the grid interface, most renewable energy sources incorporate power electronics, which is essentially to blame for this transformation. Flexible ac transmission systems (FACTSs) and voltage-source converters with sophisticated dynamic controllers are being more widely used to improve the quality of electricity. Distributed FACTSs are crucial for enhancing power quality, maximizing energy efficiency, and ensuring effective energy management using renewable energy sources in smart grids. The analysis of power systems' stability and reliability is significantly impacted overall. Power systems need new strategies that modify conventional generation control algorithms as they become more dynamic. Increasing power electronics-based renewable generation can drastically reduce modern power systems' inertia levels. Due to developments in semiconductors and control, power electronics might become an enabling technology for inertia control in future power systems. This paper discusses some of the challenges and issues related to power electronic converters in renewable energy. Some of the solutions regarding this issue are also explained.