Reconfigurability, Modularity and Redundancy Trade-offs for Grid Connected Power Electronic Systems

Power electronic converters (PECs) are workhorses of emerging distribution networks. PEC interfaced grids can function as flexible power corridors facilitating compact and efficient energy exchange between distribution generation, load and storage elements. Introducing adequate Reconfigurability, Modularity, and Redundancy (RMR) in such PEC-driven hybrid ac-dc distribution networks can enhance power delivery, thus enabling infrastructure savings. In this paper, an approach for implementing adequate RMR is introduced that can be applied at both converter- and system-level; therefore, the system's reliability can be improved. Furthermore, in this discussion, the impact of integrating renewable energy sources, charging stations and storage systems with the grids is considered with regard to the methodologies of applying RMR to improve the reliability. Potential applications include various power electronics converters, parallel ac-dc links, embedded PEC energy routers, dc hubs, and multi-parallel converter systems capable of regulating power flows between different nodes in the grid with fault-tolerant topologies.