Challenges in Integrating Renewable Sources into the Electric Power Grid: A Power Electronics Perspective

Renewable energy portfolio standards will require higher penetration of renewable energy sources in the years ahead. Such large-scale integration of renewable generation sources into the electric power grid is raising critical issues.

Many issues are at the system level, such as how to address the variability in output from renewable generation sources. Other issues are at the layer of a generator’s interface to the grid where power electronics is commonly involved either due to the inherent necessity of or for the sake of improved controllability. The critical functionalities carried by power electronics include:

1) provide the necessary voltage and frequency compatibility between the renewable source output and the power grid;

2) optimally control renewable sources for maximised energy yield among other objectives;

3) provide active and reactive power support to the power grid during normal operation or disturbance events.

Coupled with the multi-functionalities are the requirements for a broad operating range, high reliability, and cost effectiveness, which collectively present significant challenges to the design and control of the power electronic interface.

This presentation will give a closer look at some of the issues and solutions.