Converter Control for Integration of Renewable Energy into the Grid

Abstract

Generation of electricity using renewable sources of energy will be the only option available to us soon. This may happen within the next two decades. In the meantime, we make the transition form traditional synchronous generator driven power systems to fully renewable energy-based power systems where the energy source is integrated through power electronics converters. We must start thinking in a new way. This presentation will address the technological challenges associated with connecting renewables to the grid through converters and the options available to meet those challenges. While the ability of the converters to respond fast is an obvious advantage, unlike the synchronous generator, it does not have a rotating mass that stores kinetic energy. The short-term overcurrent rating of the converter is much less than that of a synchronous generator unless the converter is overdesigned. Addressing these engineering challenges will be discussed in the presentation.