Power electronics for renewable energy systems – Status and trends

In the past few decades, the energy paradigms in many countries are experiencing significant change from fossil-based resources to cleaner renewables. It is expected that the scenario of highly penetrated renewables is going to be further enhanced. This requires that the production, distribution and use of the energy to be as technological efficient as possible, and incentives to save energy at the end-user should also be strengthened. In order to realize the transition smoothly and effectively, power conversion systems will continue to play an essential role. Using highly efficient power electronics in generation, transmission/distribution and end-user application, together with advanced controls, can pave the way for renewable energy resources. In view of this, some of the most promising renewable candidates like wind power and photovoltaic, which are becoming a significant part in the electricity production, are explored in this paper. Issues like technology demands, power converter topologies, and control structures are addressed. Some special focuses are also paid on the emerging trends in power electronics development for those systems.