Modularity in Power Electronics: Conceptualization, Classification and Outlook

Increased proliferation of the renewable energy sources (RES) brings more power electronic devices to the power distribution. Modularity on the converter level is one of the key concepts enabling flexibility, scalability and high availability of the new solutions for the distribution networks(e.g. for low voltage DC). To understand the trends and performance trade-offs it is important to describe and classify different aspects of the modularity concept. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review, classification of modular power electronics and outlook on future research. Different aspects of modularity are identified and described from the perspective of a converter designer, manufacturer and a user. It is illustrated that depending on a combination of different aspects, different modules are selected resulting in different technical challenges. These aspect can be considered as a mapping tool for the functional description and physical realization of the power converter.