Solid state transformer with a LC filter for distribution
network
Mohammed Ovais Ansari
PG Scholar
MANIT, Bhopal
M.P, India
Abstract –The concept of solid state transformer (SST) has
become one of most emerging and focused topic in 21 st century as
mentioned by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Technology review. With the increased in complexity and power
demands we need to move towards new technology and SST is the
only solution. If smart grid is the future of electrical power system
then SST is the brain of this system. It would not only provide the
efficient functioning as a conventional transformer but also provide
other benefits, particularly on demand reactive power maintenance
for the grid, good power quality, fault isolation and voltage
conversion. In this paper, we are going to discuss the application
and proposed topologies in distribution system.
Keywords - Solid state transformer (SST), high frequency (HF)
transformer, smart grid, distribution system .
I. INTRODUCTION
Power engineering is mainly concerned with three main
parts of modern system that are generation, transmission, and
distribution in which power transformer play a very vital role
[3]-[4]. In the last few years, many countries have started to
open their electricity market due to increased penetration of
renewable energy and other distributed generation sources in the
grid. These developments cause the network layout and
operation to become much more complex. To solve this problem
the concept of smart grid is introduced to interconnect AC/DC
distribution. In this approach power transformers play a vital
role in solving this issue.
Recently, power electronics is considered as one of most
emerging technologies that could lead to emergence of SST [1].
A typical SST illustrated in Fig.1 is made up of an AC/DC
rectifier, a DC/DC converter with HF transformer and a DC/AC
inverter. SST has similar functions as that of line frequency
transformer (LFT), namely increasing/decreasing the voltage.
A SST is made by the use of power electronic devices that
replaces the traditional 50/60 Hz power transformer by means of
HF transformer isolated AC-AC conversion technique. The basic
operation of the SST is firstly to change this 50/60 Hz AC voltage
to a HF one, then this frequency voltage is stepped up/down by a
HF transformer with dramatically decreased volume and weight,
and finally it is converted into desired 50/60 Hz one to feed load
The transformer has been used very widely because of its cheap,
reliable and mature technology properties. Some of additional
features of the SST not found in conventional transformer are as
reduced size and weight, instantaneous voltage regulation, fault
isolation, power factor correction,
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Dr. Suresh Kumar Gawre Dr. Sushma Gupta
Assistant Professor Associate Professor
MANIT, Bhopal MANIT, Bhopal
M.P, India M.P, India
AC
AC
Source Solid State Transformer Load
Fig. 1. Solid State Transformer
control of active and reactive power flow, voltage dip and sag
ride through capability and fault current management on low
voltage and high voltage side [2]-[4].
Although the concept looks simple and straightforward, the
problem arises on design and implementation of this device [5]-
[8]. The efficiency of SST lies in the range of ~95%-98% which
we can compensate because of various other advantages.
In this paper, a 3 level SST with a LC filter at the output of
SST has been designed. The designed system is simulated in the
MATLAB software and performance has been analyzed.
II. SOLID STATE TRANSFORMER CONFIGURATIONS
The Solid-State Transformer is made by use of one or more
power electronic devices with an integrated HF transformer [9].
An approach to classify the SST configurations has been shown
[21]-[22]. Taking in view various conversion stages, there are
four basic topology configurations which are presented in Fig .2
namely as type A, B, C, and D.
Type A is a single stage AC-AC conversion with no DC
link [23]-[24]. In this we convert high voltage AC (HVAC) to
low voltage AC (LVAC) by using transformer isolation. In type
B, a two-stage conversion is done with a DC link on the
secondary side. In this first an isolated AC-DC conversion stage
provides the low voltage DC (LVDC) following the DC-AC
conversion stage to finally get low voltage AC [25]. The type C
also contains a two-stage conversion but the DC link is on the
primary side. It has only high voltage DC (HVDC) available for
the use which is obtained by the DC-AC isolated conversion
stage. Type D is a three-stage conversion with a DC link on both
the primary and secondary side [26]. In this conversion is done
on high frequency side in DC-DC stages, thus have high voltage
DC and low voltage DC link can be obtained.
 Considering the limitation of voltage and current rating of
power electronic devices and magnetic properties of core
materials of transformer the SST topology need to be connected
in series/parallel for high power applications.
TYPE A :
HVAC LVAC
TYPE B :
HVAC LVDC LVAC
TYPE C :
HVAC HVDC LVAC
TYPE D :
HVAC HVDC LVDC LVAC
Fig .2 Topology Classification of SST
Type A configuration can be used only for low power
applications because of non-availability of DC link which makes
it unsuitable for reactive power compensation. So, they can be
used for low cost and light weight applications. They are also
not suitable for bidirectional voltage and current applications. In
this type of configuration disturbance on one side may affect the
other side. Type B and Type C SSTs use two stage
configurations having a isolation stage on either high or low
voltage side. For this configuration, we require a four quadrant
power devices because of bidirectional power flow. In these
topologies, reactive power compensation can be achieved by
using such suitable topologies. Most of the SSTs which have
been designed till now for application are based on type D
configuration because of three stage conversion and offering
wide controllability, high performances and many capabilities
[37]-[39]. It also has many attractive features which can be used
in renewable energy generation like solar and wind. We can
achieve the features of SSTs like VAR compensation, voltage
sag compensation, energy storage integration and bidirectional
power flow by using type D topology.
Type D or three stage topology has several functions that
are desirable to SST [32]. Three stage topology comprises the
rectification of AC voltage to DC voltage forming in between a
Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) link.
Because of the use of large numbers of components in this
topology results in lower efficiency and reliability which is the
only disadvantage of this system. However, the MVDC link is
suitable for SST’s to connect it to renewable energy sources.
III. DESIGNING OF SST WITH A LC FILTER
A cascaded three stage SST has been designed in the
Simulink which has been shown in Fig. 3. Here the converters
are connected in series in the high voltage side thus the voltage
is distributed equally among converters. The main challenge of
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this system is having a sinusoidal voltage at the output to feed
the load.
IV. SIMULATION RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The various results of the Simulink model have been shown:
TABLE 1. PERFORMANCE RESULT OF SIMULINK MODEL
Power Rating 250 KVA Input Voltage 11 KV
Output AC 230 V Output DC 415 V
Voltage Voltage
Input 54 A Output AC 1100 A
Current Current
The output DC bus voltage has been shown in fig.8. Renewable
energy source and distributed energy sources can be connected
to this output voltage. This DC voltage is converted into a 50 Hz
Ac with the inverters.
V. SST BASED FUTURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The reliability and lifetime of SST based distribution system
is still a point of concern for their use. In future based systems
the normal power electronic devices will be replaced by SiC [9]-
[13] for smart grid applications because they can be used up to
voltage level of < 10-15 KV due to its majority carrier
conducting mechanism [14]-[16]. For high frequency
applications, up to 20 kHz N-channel SiC IGBT is used because
of its faster switching speed which results in low current gain
[17]. For transformers, several magnetic materials can be
considered such as silicon steel, ferrites, amorphous and
nanocrystalline magnetic materials. In transformer
manufacturing solenoidal structure is preferred in most of
design cases because of its advantages such as easier
manufacturing and lower cost [18]-[20].
VI. SST IN THE FUTURE SMART ELECTRIC SYSTEM
Seeing the electrical surge in demand at domestic level in
the future due to transition from fossil fuels to electrical domain
in cooking, vehicles charging and heating SST are going to
become must use segment.
Electrical grid is mainly governed by AC system due to
various advantages derived from past, such as: i) use of
transformers to connect various devices working on various
voltage level; ii) use of synchronous generators and
asynchronous motors; iii) less severity of fault on systems in
AC. SSTs can also be used in single phase earth return
transmission system [31].
From the view of power system, the main advantages of
DC system [40]-[42] are as follows: i) low conversion losses; ii)
no reactive power flow and power factor management; iii)
enhanced line capability. DC distribution system shows improve
control of voltage and power quality is also more reliable
compared to AC. But the recent development in power
electronic devices is going to replace the traditional approach
[32]. Thus DC systems can comeback as it is becoming
 Fig.3. SST with a LC filter
Fig 4. SST based future distribution system
Fig.4.Rectifier stage 1 output
more realistic to use it in various applications such as: i)
various domestic applications such as led lighting, TVs,
DVDs, computers, sensors, etc. work on DC internally; ii)
various electrical storage and electrical vehicles are going
to penetrate there usage in our life; iii) other domestic
appliances, such as machine drives, induction cooking
system require variable output frequency to achieve
efficient working in terms of quality and efficiency.
Thus SST can be used in future electrical systems
[30] which are being classified as: i) In voltage
transformation with decreased volume and space; ii) In
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reactive power compensation and harmonic filtering; iii)
In SST based traction system; iv) SST can be used in
micro grid integration [27]-[29]; v) In distribution and
fault isolation; vi) In SST interfaced wind energy system.
VII. BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
The SST must have efficiency near to traditional
transformer. The efficiency of traditional transformer is
normally greater than 97% which is higher than the SST
[33] and substantially decreased weight, thus
overwhelming its counterpart. The reason for lower
efficiency in traditional transformer is due to the presence
of harmonics produced by non-linear loads. Major losses
in SST are conduction losses, switching losses of
converters and core losses. Switching losses are turn
on/off energy and reverse recovery energy of IGBT.
Besides these losses, losses in the gate driver circuit,
controller and auxiliary circuits are also present.
Drawbacks are also due to higher complexity of power
circuit and of the control system [34]-[36]. Also at high
frequency skin effect and proximity effects may introduce
DC resistance in the transformer windings [43]-[44]. The
high frequency also increases EMI emissions which can
cause installation of another additional filter and thus
reducing efficiency and increasing the complexity of
circuit.
Fig.5. Transformer Steady state input
Fig.6.Transformer Steady state output
Fig.7. Rectifier Stage 2 Output
Fig.8. SST output voltage for load
The cost of SST is higher than the traditional
transformer due to high semiconductor devices cost.
Though SST does not require oil change still it may
require maintenance of capacitors, cooling fans and
semiconductor devices. The working temperature must be
maintained for higher life duration of SST.
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VIII. CONCLUSION
SST is emerging as most concerned topic for both
industry and academia for their application in smart grid and
traction system. This paper covers the concept of SST with its
topologies, future distribution system, future application areas,
future benefits and challenges. Though impressive
advancement has been made in its design still cost and
reliability is major concerns which is holding its entrance in
market. However, it has been predicted that SST can be used
in application where size and weight are critical important than
the cost; such as locomotive, aircraft, and ship electrical
system.
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