Power Converters Dominated Power Systems

Abstract

The transition to a low-carbon society is the driving force pushing the traditional power system to increase the volume of non-synchronous technologies which mainly use power electronic converters (PEC) as an interface to the power network. Today, PEC is found in many applications ranging from generation, transmission, storage, and even active loads and protections. The variety of types, applications is almost unlimited. However, the behaviour of PEC is radically different to the typical devices used in traditional power systems, and its specificity in terms of control, overload characteristics, etc. entails an entirely different approach for modelling and simulation. This chapter presents a general review of the main concepts related to power electronic converters and their implementation in DIgSILNET PowerFactory. The chapter finalises with a discussion about the modern tendencies in power electronic applications in power systems: grid following and grid-forming converters.