Xilinx System Generator-Based Rapid Prototyping of Solid-State Transformer for On-Grid Renewable Energy Integration

At present, there is a need for reliable, sustainable and effective integration of distributed energy sources into the utility grid. Excess heating, derating due to harmonics, and so on are the major drawbacks of the conventional transformers. Such drawbacks led to the development of solid-state transformers (SSTs). This article focuses on Xilinx system generator (XSG)-based rapid prototyping of SST. Here, a single active bridge (SAB) is used for integrating renewable energy sources with the utility grid. For safe starting and mode selection with effective protection schemes of the SST, a dedicated algorithm is developed and implemented in XSG along with the controllers. The various controllers for the stable operation of the SST are implemented in the XSG. A 3-kVA, 400-V, 3φ laboratory prototype of the SST is fabricated. The developed prototype is tested successfully, and the results are presented in this article. The faster control execution with parallel operation at a clock frequency of 40 MHz on a controller platform enables reliable operation of the system, which is highly susceptible to sudden dynamic conditions. A study on the effect of cooling system on the efficiency of the SST has been conducted and the results are reported.