Solid state transformer with a LC filter for distribution

network
Mohammed Ovais Ansari Dr. Suresh Kumar Gawre Dr. Sushma Gupta
PG Scholar Assistant Professor Associate Professor
MANIT, Bhopal MANIT, Bhopal MANIT, Bhopal
M.P, India M.P, India M.P, India

Abstract –The concept of solid state transformer (SST) has

become one of most emerging and focused topic in 21 st century as
mentioned by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Technology review. With the increased in complexity and power
demands we need to move towards new technology and SST is the AC
AC

only solution. If smart grid is the future of electrical power system

then SST is the brain of this system. It would not only provide the
efficient functioning as a conventional transformer but also provide
other benefits, particularly on demand reactive power maintenance
for the grid, good power quality, fault isolation and voltage
conversion. In this paper, we are going to discuss the application Source Solid State Transformer Load
and proposed topologies in distribution system. Fig. 1. Solid State Transformer
Keywords - Solid state transformer (SST), high frequency (HF)
transformer, smart grid, distribution system . control of active and reactive power flow, voltage dip and sag
ride through capability and fault current management on low
I. INTRODUCTION voltage and high voltage side [2]-[4].
Although the concept looks simple and straightforward, the
Power engineering is mainly concerned with three main problem arises on design and implementation of this device [5]-
parts of modern system that are generation, transmission, and [8]. The efficiency of SST lies in the range of ~95%-98% which
distribution in which power transformer play a very vital role we can compensate because of various other advantages.
[3]-[4]. In the last few years, many countries have started to In this paper, a 3 level SST with a LC filter at the output of
open their electricity market due to increased penetration of SST has been designed. The designed system is simulated in the
renewable energy and other distributed generation sources in the MATLAB software and performance has been analyzed.
grid. These developments cause the network layout and
operation to become much more complex. To solve this problem II. SOLID STATE TRANSFORMER CONFIGURATIONS
the concept of smart grid is introduced to interconnect AC/DC The Solid-State Transformer is made by use of one or more
distribution. In this approach power transformers play a vital power electronic devices with an integrated HF transformer [9].
role in solving this issue. An approach to classify the SST configurations has been shown
Recently, power electronics is considered as one of most [21]-[22]. Taking in view various conversion stages, there are
emerging technologies that could lead to emergence of SST [1]. four basic topology configurations which are presented in Fig .2
A typical SST illustrated in Fig.1 is made up of an AC/DC namely as type A, B, C, and D.
rectifier, a DC/DC converter with HF transformer and a DC/AC Type A is a single stage AC-AC conversion with no DC
inverter. SST has similar functions as that of line frequency link [23]-[24]. In this we convert high voltage AC (HVAC) to
transformer (LFT), namely increasing/decreasing the voltage. low voltage AC (LVAC) by using transformer isolation. In type
A SST is made by the use of power electronic devices that B, a two-stage conversion is done with a DC link on the
replaces the traditional 50/60 Hz power transformer by means of secondary side. In this first an isolated AC-DC conversion stage
HF transformer isolated AC-AC conversion technique. The basic provides the low voltage DC (LVDC) following the DC-AC
operation of the SST is firstly to change this 50/60 Hz AC voltage conversion stage to finally get low voltage AC [25]. The type C
to a HF one, then this frequency voltage is stepped up/down by a also contains a two-stage conversion but the DC link is on the
HF transformer with dramatically decreased volume and weight, primary side. It has only high voltage DC (HVDC) available for
and finally it is converted into desired 50/60 Hz one to feed load the use which is obtained by the DC-AC isolated conversion
The transformer has been used very widely because of its cheap, stage. Type D is a three-stage conversion with a DC link on both
reliable and mature technology properties. Some of additional the primary and secondary side [26]. In this conversion is done
features of the SST not found in conventional transformer are as on high frequency side in DC-DC stages, thus have high voltage
reduced size and weight, instantaneous voltage regulation, fault DC and low voltage DC link can be obtained.
isolation, power factor correction,

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 Considering the limitation of voltage and current rating of this system is having a sinusoidal voltage at the output to feed
power electronic devices and magnetic properties of core the load.
materials of transformer the SST topology need to be connected
in series/parallel for high power applications. IV. SIMULATION RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The various results of the Simulink model have been shown:

TYPE A : TABLE 1. PERFORMANCE RESULT OF SIMULINK MODEL

HVAC LVAC Power Rating 250 KVA Input Voltage 11 KV

Output AC 230 V Output DC 415 V

TYPE B :

HVAC LVDC LVAC Voltage Voltage

Input 54 A Output AC 1100 A

TYPE C :
Current Current
HVAC HVDC LVAC

TYPE D :
The output DC bus voltage has been shown in fig.8. Renewable
energy source and distributed energy sources can be connected
HVAC HVDC LVDC LVAC to this output voltage. This DC voltage is converted into a 50 Hz
Fig .2 Topology Classification of SST Ac with the inverters.
V. SST BASED FUTURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Type A configuration can be used only for low power The reliability and lifetime of SST based distribution system
applications because of non-availability of DC link which makes is still a point of concern for their use. In future based systems
it unsuitable for reactive power compensation. So, they can be the normal power electronic devices will be replaced by SiC [9]-
used for low cost and light weight applications. They are also [13] for smart grid applications because they can be used up to
not suitable for bidirectional voltage and current applications. In voltage level of < 10-15 KV due to its majority carrier
this type of configuration disturbance on one side may affect the conducting mechanism [14]-[16]. For high frequency
other side. Type B and Type C SSTs use two stage applications, up to 20 kHz N-channel SiC IGBT is used because
configurations having a isolation stage on either high or low of its faster switching speed which results in low current gain
voltage side. For this configuration, we require a four quadrant [17]. For transformers, several magnetic materials can be
power devices because of bidirectional power flow. In these considered such as silicon steel, ferrites, amorphous and
topologies, reactive power compensation can be achieved by nanocrystalline magnetic materials. In transformer
using such suitable topologies. Most of the SSTs which have manufacturing solenoidal structure is preferred in most of
been designed till now for application are based on type D design cases because of its advantages such as easier
configuration because of three stage conversion and offering manufacturing and lower cost [18]-[20].
wide controllability, high performances and many capabilities
[37]-[39]. It also has many attractive features which can be used VI. SST IN THE FUTURE SMART ELECTRIC SYSTEM
in renewable energy generation like solar and wind. We can Seeing the electrical surge in demand at domestic level in
achieve the features of SSTs like VAR compensation, voltage the future due to transition from fossil fuels to electrical domain
sag compensation, energy storage integration and bidirectional in cooking, vehicles charging and heating SST are going to
power flow by using type D topology. become must use segment.
Type D or three stage topology has several functions that Electrical grid is mainly governed by AC system due to
are desirable to SST [32]. Three stage topology comprises the various advantages derived from past, such as: i) use of
rectification of AC voltage to DC voltage forming in between a transformers to connect various devices working on various
Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) link. voltage level; ii) use of synchronous generators and
Because of the use of large numbers of components in this asynchronous motors; iii) less severity of fault on systems in
topology results in lower efficiency and reliability which is the AC. SSTs can also be used in single phase earth return
only disadvantage of this system. However, the MVDC link is transmission system [31].
suitable for SST’s to connect it to renewable energy sources. From the view of power system, the main advantages of
DC system [40]-[42] are as follows: i) low conversion losses; ii)
III. DESIGNING OF SST WITH A LC FILTER no reactive power flow and power factor management; iii)
enhanced line capability. DC distribution system shows improve
A cascaded three stage SST has been designed in the control of voltage and power quality is also more reliable
Simulink which has been shown in Fig. 3. Here the converters compared to AC. But the recent development in power
are connected in series in the high voltage side thus the voltage electronic devices is going to replace the traditional approach
is distributed equally among converters. The main challenge of [32]. Thus DC systems can comeback as it is becoming

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 Fig.3. SST with a LC filter

Fig 4. SST based future distribution system

reactive power compensation and harmonic filtering; iii)

In SST based traction system; iv) SST can be used in
micro grid integration [27]-[29]; v) In distribution and
fault isolation; vi) In SST interfaced wind energy system.
VII. BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
The SST must have efficiency near to traditional
transformer. The efficiency of traditional transformer is
normally greater than 97% which is higher than the SST
[33] and substantially decreased weight, thus
Fig.4.Rectifier stage 1 output overwhelming its counterpart. The reason for lower
efficiency in traditional transformer is due to the presence
of harmonics produced by non-linear loads. Major losses
more realistic to use it in various applications such as: i)
in SST are conduction losses, switching losses of
various domestic applications such as led lighting, TVs,
converters and core losses. Switching losses are turn
DVDs, computers, sensors, etc. work on DC internally; ii)
on/off energy and reverse recovery energy of IGBT.
various electrical storage and electrical vehicles are going
Besides these losses, losses in the gate driver circuit,
to penetrate there usage in our life; iii) other domestic
controller and auxiliary circuits are also present.
appliances, such as machine drives, induction cooking
Drawbacks are also due to higher complexity of power
system require variable output frequency to achieve
circuit and of the control system [34]-[36]. Also at high
efficient working in terms of quality and efficiency.
frequency skin effect and proximity effects may introduce
Thus SST can be used in future electrical systems
DC resistance in the transformer windings [43]-[44]. The
[30] which are being classified as: i) In voltage
high frequency also increases EMI emissions which can
transformation with decreased volume and space; ii) In
cause installation of another additional filter and thus

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reducing efficiency and increasing the complexity of VIII. CONCLUSION
circuit. SST is emerging as most concerned topic for both
industry and academia for their application in smart grid and
traction system. This paper covers the concept of SST with its
topologies, future distribution system, future application areas,
future benefits and challenges. Though impressive
advancement has been made in its design still cost and
reliability is major concerns which is holding its entrance in
market. However, it has been predicted that SST can be used
in application where size and weight are critical important than
the cost; such as locomotive, aircraft, and ship electrical
system.

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