Varentec, Inc.

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Hao Chen

Deepakraj M Divan

Anish Prasai

Various examples are provided for soft switching solid state transformers and converters, and their operation and application. In one example, a soft switching solid state power transformer includes a high frequency (HF) transformer; first and second auxiliary resonant circuits coupled to the HF transformer; and first and second current-source inverter (CSI) bridges coupled to the corresponding first auxiliary resonant circuits. The first and second CSI bridges include reverse blocking switch assemblies that conduct current in one direction and block voltage in both directions. In another example, a reactive power compensator includes a high frequency (HF) transformer, first, second and third auxiliary resonant circuits coupled to the HF transformer, and first, second and third current-source inverter (CSI) bridges coupled to the corresponding first auxiliary resonant circuits. In another example, a converter includes an auxiliary resonant circuit coupled across an inductor and first and second CSI bridges coupled across the inductor.

Soft switching solid state transformers and converters

Systems and methods for switch-controlled VAR sources coupled to a power grid are described. In some embodiments, a system comprises a distribution power network coupled to a first switch-controlled VAR source. The first switch-controlled VAR source may comprise a processor, a voltage compensation component, and a switch. The first switch-controlled VAR source may be configured to obtain a first delay value, monitor a first proximate voltage, initiate a first delay duration based on the comparison of the first proximate voltage to at least one set point, the first delay duration being based on the first delay value, determine, with the processor, after the first delay duration, whether to connect the voltage compensation component based on the monitored voltage, and control, based on the determination, the switch to connect the voltage compensation component to adjust a network voltage or a network voltage component.

Systems and methods for switch-controlled VAR sources coupled to a power grid

Isolated Dynamic-Current ('Dyna-C') converters are converters that convert incoming 3-phase AC or DC power to a mix of DC and AC power via an isolation link. In various embodiments, the isolation link is a high-frequency isolation transformer. Isolated Dyna-C converters may provide a high-frequency galvanic isolation and are able to convert three-phase AC power to three-phase AC power, or three-phase AC power to DC and vice versa. The topology is minimal and the costs are low. Isolated Dyna-C converters provide fast current responses and keep the losses low by using a simplified two-stage conversion and providing a magnetizing current that is dynamically controllable and tailored to the load. An isolated Dyna-C converter may synthesize currents at its input or output ports with an arbitrary phase that is relative to the grid or load voltages, thereby enabling a full independent control over the active and reactive power at its ports.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Hao Chen