Review of Solid-State Transformer Technologies and Their Application in Power Distribution Systems

TLDR

The solid‑state transformer (SST) has been identified by MIT Technology Review as one of the top ten emerging technologies in 2010 and is increasingly important for future power distribution systems. This paper systematically reviews SST technologies to support their development and application in distribution systems. The review covers state‑of‑the‑art high‑voltage power devices, high‑power and high‑frequency transformers, AC/AC converter topologies, and SST applications, and proposes future research directions. The authors conclude that SST is an emerging technology for future distribution systems.

Abstract

The solid-state transformer (SST), which has been regarded as one of the 10 most emerging technologies by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review in 2010, has gained increasing importance in the future power distribution system. This paper presents a systematical technology review essential for the development and application of SST in the distribution system. The state-of-the-art technologies of four critical areas are reviewed, including high-voltage power devices, high-power and high-frequency transformers, ac/ac converter topologies, and applications of SST in the distribution system. In addition, future research directions are presented. It is concluded that the SST is an emerging technology for the future distribution system.