Power-electronics-based distribution – flexible solutions tailored to the grid site

Achieving the ambitious climate targets necessitates deploying renewable energy systems, energy storage systems (ESS), and efficient sector coupling through electrification of transport and heating. As a result, the electrical grid infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation towards a more active distribution system dominated by power electronics. There are two main concepts to achieve active distribution at substation level depending on the specific requirements of the grid site: power electronics converter-assisted active distribution and power electronics converter-based active distribution. This article thoroughly explains the concepts and provides application examples in active distribution networks tailored to the grid site and presents two real-world demonstrators of converter-based solutions, namely a modular converter for low-voltage DC microgrid connection and a back-to-back converter system to operate the grid in islanded AC mode and integrate ESS for greater grid flexibility.