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Energies
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Applications of High-Efficiency Converters
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Applications of High-Efficiency Converters

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 December 2024 | Viewed by 5820

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Panagis N. Vovos

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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Patras, Rio Campus, 26504 Patras, Greece
Interests: optimization tools for the design and operation of electricity systems; the extension of optimal power flow tools; methods of increasing generation absorption capacity of power systems and plug-n-play smart grid converters
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Konstantinos G. Georgakas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Peloponnese, Megalou Alexandrou 1, 26334 Koukouli, Greece
Interests: grid; power sharing; inverters
Dr. Georgios Dimitrakakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Peloponnese, Megalou Alexandrou 1, 26334 Koukouli, Greece
Interests: Power Electronics; Electrical Machines;Transformers Inductors; Resonant Converters; Analogue Electronics
Prof. Dr. Antonio T. Alexandridis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Patras, 26504 Rion-Patras, Greece
Interests: advanced modeling; control and stability; power system dynamic analysis; control of power electronic converters; stability issues in renewable and distributed generation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the days of the first ever global energy crisis, efficiency holds one of the key answers in relation to reducing the demand and exploitation of renewables. Power converters, nowadays, provide far more than just an interface between energy sources or demand and the grid. They provide the requested means of control and coordination that smart grids need in order to improve the quality of supply and optimization of available energy resources. Therefore, their efficient operation should not be specified only by reduced energy losses, but increased flexibility and controllability over a wide range of services to the grid and the customer or producer of energy.

In this Special Issue of Energies, authors are invited to contribute their knowledge on novel converter designs that demonstrate the aforementioned properties on known applications or known converter designs that present such properties on new applications or a combination of both. In their works, efficiency can be expressed in terms of conversion losses, but also in terms of controllability and services towards a smarter energy grid. Reviews of the state of the art of high-efficiency converters are also welcome, as long as they clearly demonstrate its applicability in specified research and development areas of smart grids.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, efficient converters which:

  • interface renewable or conventional micro-sources to the grid;
  • are used by critical, non-critical, or elastic demands;
  • possess increased controllability;
  • provide auxiliary services to the grid (e.g., voltage support);
  • provide auxiliary services to the consumers/producers of energy (e.g., power quality);
  • promote grid support algorithms during faults and other disturbances.

Dr. Panagis N. Vovos
Dr. Konstantinos G. Georgakas
Dr. Georgios Dimitrakakis
Prof. Dr. Antonio T. Alexandridis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • conversion efficiency
  • controllability
  • smart grid applications
  • smart grid services
  • power converters

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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30 pages, 10464 KiB  
Article
Grid Quality Services from Smart Boilers: Experimental Verification on Realistic Scenarios for Micro-Grids with Demand-Side Management Oriented to Self-Consumption
by Georgios S. Dimitrakakis, Konstantinos G. Georgakas, Evangelos S. Topalis and Panagis N. Vovos
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092096 - 27 Apr 2024
Viewed by 776
Abstract
The deeper penetration of renewables in the energy mix is an intense requirement in order to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, new technologies are being developed, such as electric mobility and Distributed Generation (DG) in urban areas. However, the unpredictable fluctuations [...] Read more.
The deeper penetration of renewables in the energy mix is an intense requirement in order to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, new technologies are being developed, such as electric mobility and Distributed Generation (DG) in urban areas. However, the unpredictable fluctuations in energy generation from roof-installed PVs and the switching operation of their inverters greatly aggravate the already-present grid quality problems. In this paper, the Smart Boiler (SB) concept for grid quality improvement is presented. Furthermore, its experimental verification is implemented on a flexible testbed that accurately emulates several realistic scenarios for the low voltage distribution grid, under complex operating conditions. The proposed low-cost electronic kit, which contains a converter of fairly simple topology and requires connection to the internet, is used to upgrade conventional domestic boilers to smart devices. The SB automatically regulate the local reactive power flow, helping to stabilize the voltage level and suppress the grid current harmonic content, with both services provided in a matter of seconds. The higher the active power consumed and the denser the SB cluster, the wider the beneficial impact on the affected network area. While this service is provided, excess energy generated by PVs is temporarily stored as heat in the boiler tanks, given the users’ hot water consumption habits. The whole application, as a powerful demand-side management tool, proves beneficial for both the network operator and the end-user, especially when self-consumption is desirable in order to achieve a Nearly Zero Energy Building. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of High-Efficiency Converters)
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24 pages, 2929 KiB  
Article
Effective Design Methodology of CLLC Resonant Converter Based on the Minimal Area Product of High-Frequency Transformer
by Magdalena Bartecka, Mariusz Kłos and Józef Paska
Energies 2024, 17(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010055 - 21 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3002
Abstract
In DC microgrids, CLLC topology is commonly applied for battery integration. It provides galvanic separation, the ability to integrate a high-frequency transformer into the resonance circuit, and the ability to operate in a wide range of voltage. Moreover, it assures zero voltage switching [...] Read more.
In DC microgrids, CLLC topology is commonly applied for battery integration. It provides galvanic separation, the ability to integrate a high-frequency transformer into the resonance circuit, and the ability to operate in a wide range of voltage. Moreover, it assures zero voltage switching conditions for all switches and zero current switching conditions for secondary side switches, which enables obtaining high efficiency. This paper presents a clear and effective approach to design a methodology for a CLLC DC/DC converter, especially a resonant tank. High-frequency transformer is fully integrated in a resonant tank. Its size is minimal and based on area product parameter Ap. An equivalent scheme for first harmonic approximation analysis is presented with inclusion of parasitic elements. Based on it, the analytical formulas are provided, which enable graphical determination of working characteristics. It was proved that the model increases the accuracy of the results. The conditions of ZVS and maximal magnetizing inductance are established, including parasitic capacitances of secondary side switches and transformer parasitic capacitances. Based on the proposed design methodology, as the proof of concept, a small-power prototype with a GaN transistor was built operating at 364 kHz. Converter losses were determined through analytical expressions and compared with the experimental and simulation results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of High-Efficiency Converters)
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Review

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24 pages, 1857 KiB  
Review
Survey of Optimization Techniques for Microgrids Using High-Efficiency Converters
by Diego Peña, Paul Arevalo, Yadyra Ortiz and Franciso Jurado
Energies 2024, 17(15), 3657; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153657 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1103
Abstract
Microgrids play a crucial role in modern energy systems by integrating diverse energy sources and enhancing grid resilience. This study addresses the optimization of microgrids through the deployment of high-efficiency converters, aiming to improve energy management and operational efficiency. This study explores the [...] Read more.
Microgrids play a crucial role in modern energy systems by integrating diverse energy sources and enhancing grid resilience. This study addresses the optimization of microgrids through the deployment of high-efficiency converters, aiming to improve energy management and operational efficiency. This study explores the pivotal role of AC-DC and DC-DC bidirectional converters in facilitating energy conversion and management across various sources and storage systems within microgrids. Advanced control methodologies, including model-based predictive control and artificial intelligence, are analyzed for their ability to dynamically adapt to fluctuations in power generation and demand, thereby enhancing microgrid performance. The findings highlight that implementing high-efficiency converters not only enhances power stability and quality but also reduces operational costs and carbon emissions, thereby reinforcing microgrids as a sustainable and effective solution for contemporary energy management challenges. This research contributes to advancing the understanding and implementation of efficient energy systems in microgrids, promoting their widespread adoption in diverse applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of High-Efficiency Converters)
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