Tutorial T1 (Full day)

The Smart Transformer: Impact on the Electric Grid and Technology Challenges

Organizers:

Marco Liserre, Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, ml@tf.uni-kiel.de
Giovanni De Carne, Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, gdc@tf.uni-kiel.de
Rongwu Zhu, Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, rzh@tf.uni-kiel.de
Ali Kazerooni, WSP, Ali.Kazerooni@wsp.com
Michael Eves, SP Energy Networks, meves@spenergynetworks.co.uk

Abstract:

The increasing connection of renewables and new loads is challenging the distribution grids. For overcoming actual and foreseen challenges, a new concept, with the capability to form intelligent grid nodes, is proposed: the “Smart Transformer”. The Smart Transformer is a power electronics-based transformer, aiming not only to adapt the voltage level from MV to LV grids but also providing ancillary services to the grid. In order to exploit its capability, the ST requires combining power system aspects and power electronics constraints, resulting in new requirements and challenges.
This tutorial introduces the Smart Transformer concept and takes into account power system considerations as well as power electronics knowledge. ST architectures and topologies, basic controller designs and innovative concepts for increasing the availability are introduced. Hardware, control and grid connection requirements are described considering the matured industrial experience.
The Project will summarize the results of EU ERC Consolidator Grant Project “HEART” of Kiel University and OFGEM-funded project “LV-ENGINE” of SP Energy Networks, leading to testing the Smart Transformer technology in the field.

Structure:

08:30-09:00	Registration
09:00-10:30	From the Solid-State-Transformer (SST) to the Smart Transformer (Marco Liserre)
10:30-10:45	Coffee break
10:45-12:15	The Smart Transformer in the distribution grid: LV-ENGINE project (Ali Kazerooni, Michael Eves)
12:15-12:30	Questions and Answers
12:30-13:30	Light lunch
13:30-15:00	The Smart Transformer: a grid-tailored Solid-State-Transformer (Marco Liserre, Giovanni De Carne)
15:00-15:15	Coffee break
15:15-16:45	ST virtuous loop: identify the LV-grid, control it, offer services to the MV-grid (Giovanni De Carne)
16:45-17:00	Questions and Answers

Short Biographies:

Marco Liserre

Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, ml@tf.uni-kiel.de,
received the MSc and PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from the Bari Polytechnic, respectively in 1998 and 2002. He has been Associate Professor at Bari Polytechnic and Professor at Aalborg University (Denmark). He is currently Full Professor and he holds the Chair of Power Electronics at Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (Germany). He has published over 300 technical papers (more than 120 of them in international peer-reviewed journals) and a book. These works have received more than 24000 citations. Marco Liserre is listed in ISI Thomson report “The world’s most influential scientific minds”.
He is member of IAS, PELS, PES and IES. He has been serving all these societies in different capacities and he has received 5 IEEE awards and 2 paper awards.

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Giovanni De Carne

Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, gdc@tf.uni-kiel.de,
is a post-doctoral researcher at the Chair of Power Electronics of the Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Germany. He received the M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from “Politecnico di Bari” (Italy) in 2013. In 2013, he pursued his Ph.D. studies on the topic “Analysis of ST features for electric distribution grid” within the ERC Grant project “Highly Reliable And Efficient smart Transformer (HEART)”. In 2017 he joined the Kopernikus Project “ENSURE – New Energy grid SturcURes for the German Energiewende”, working on increase AC grid controllability by means of DC connections. He is member of PELS, IES and PES, and he an active author in the journal (11 Journals) and conference (+20 proceedings) of these societies.

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Rongwu Zhu

Chair of Power Electronics, Kiel University, rzh@tf.uni-kiel.de,
is a post-doctoral researcher at the Chair of Power Electronics of the Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Germany. He received the PhD degree from Aalborg University, Denmark, Dec. 2015. Since 2016, he joined the ERC Grant project “Highly Reliable And Efficient smart Transformer (HEART)”. He has published more than 50 technical papers (about 20 of them in international peer-reviewed journals) and held two granted patents. He is member of IES and has organized 3 special sessions on the topic of Smart Transformer in the international conferences.

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Ali Kazerooni

SPEN, akazerooni@spenergynetworks.co.uk
Is a lead engineer working with SP Energy Networks Future Networks team. Ali received his PhD from University of Manchester where he worked on novel transmission planning approaches considering corrective action operations. He has been team lead, technical lead and project manager in several innovation projects with UK Distribution Network Operators. Ali has been author and co-author of several technical papers presented in conferences and internal journals. Ali has been recently heavily involved in delivery of LV Engine project which is a flagship smart grid project aiming to trial smart transformers in different network operation and control arrangements.

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Michael Eves

SPEN, meves@spenergynetworks.co.uk
Is a Senior Innovation Engineer within the Future Networks team at SP Energy Networks. Michael has previously delivered multiple innovation projects for UK DNOs both in a technical and project management capacity and has co-authored technical papers presented in international conferences. He is the project manager for the LV Engine project. LV Engine is a flagship smart grid project aiming to trial smart transformers in different network operation and control arrangements.

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