Advanced Grid Integration of Renewables Enabled by Power Electronics Technology

In the past decades, many countries (e.g., Germany and Denmark) have experienced a significant change in their energy structures – from fossil-based resources to clean renewables. The scenario of highly penetrated renewables is going to be further enhanced in the future mixed energy paradigms. This requires that the production, distribution and use of the energy should 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, energy conversion systems, currently based on power electronics technology, will again play an essential role in advancing the grid integration of renewables. In view of this issue, some of the most emerging renewable energies, e.g., wind energy and photovoltaic, which by means of power electronics are changing character as a major part in the electricity generation, are explored. Issues like demands to renewables, power converter technologies, control of the systems, and advanced grid integration are covered.