Power electronic devices for renewable power systems

In the past, overhead lines, cables, transformers and circuit breakers represented the core components of electric power systems. However, in light of a considerable and still increasing share of renewable energy sources in grids, a change in electricity infrastructure can be observed. Over the last decades advances in power semiconductor devices have paved the way for innovative equipment such as HVDC transmission lines or FACTS devices. Thus, semiconductor-based power conversion represents a key enabling technology to meet the challenges of tomorrow's electricity supply. In this paper, power semiconductors will be investigated with regard to the utilization in renewable power systems. The specific advantages of these devices in different applications such as future dc distribution, wind and photovoltaic power conversion will be discussed. Different semiconductor materials, for instance silicon carbide will also be addressed.