Preface

In 2018 I published two volumes in my edited book series Control of Power

Electronic Converters and Systems, which have been very well received by
society. Now, 3 years later, it is very clear that such a broad topic has become
more and more important as the world has acknowledged the fact that carbon
emission from energy consumption is a major contribution to global warming.
Countries all over the world have already specified dedicated goals of 2030 and
2050 for carbon emission reduction. One of the important technologies is
renewable generation because this technology leaves only the slightest of carbon
footprints when electrical power is generated. Further concerns are that more
electricity is needed to “fuel” the heavy transportation sector, to make the energy
chain more efficient, and to deal with more seasonal-based power generation.
These include different levels and sizes of storage as well as performing energy
vector coupling to make modern society operate with a safe energy supply. The
outcome of all this is that power electronics technology will be increasingly
needed to control energy/power throughout the energy chain and different kinds
of control are unavoidable.
In general, my preference for control technology is to keep it as simple as
possible to solve a necessary problem. However, we are now seeing more
advanced control methodologies coming into play in industrial applications,
which offer a lot of added value. As a consequence, I decided to edit a Volume 3
in the series Control of Power Electronic Converters and Systems, which ex-
plores emerging topics in the control of power electronics and converters in
different applications, which are all important in the energy transition we are
now facing. The book covers the theory behind control, but also practical
implementation and operation, which are always important. What is also evident
is that in the power grid, controller interactions exist due to increasing renewable
energy penetration in the power system and challenges with stability and power
quality are beginning to appear. So, in this book, with contributions from all over
the world, the focus is on small scale to large scale renewable generation. Also
under scrutiny are terminal behavior at the connection to the grid and how to
ensure better performance. I have also decided to cover a few important appli-
cations seen from a load perspective, which can also be used to control the grid.
I will like to thank all my colleagues who worked with me on this book, as
well as the contributions from outside Aalborg University. I would also like

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thank the Villum Fonden for supporting my research as a Villum investigator

through the project Reliable Power Electronic-based Power System. Such
support is important to be able to realize a book like this.
Frede Blaabjerg
Aalborg University
March 2021