Power Electronics Converters for Distributed Generation

This chapter reviews power electronics technology for distributed generation integrated into smart grid. It presents an introduction to typical distributed generation systems with the power electronics. The improvement of photovoltaics (PV) conversion efficiency, advancement in manufacturing technology and reduced cost of PV modules, are the main driving forces for the intensive utilization of PV power. The chapter introduces power electronic converters in grid‐connected AC systems and their control technologies. It also presents control strategies of voltage‐source converters, followed by an overview of multilevel converters and modular multilevel converters. The chapter explains converter level control methodologies and system level coordination. It shows that system frequency and voltage restorations, obtained by both centralized and distributed control schemes. DC microgrids have been progressively developed with the increasing penetration of solar PV power and wide deployment of battery system which are naturally in DC.