ASSTRA · Advanced Solid State Transformers

Advanced Solid State Transformers

The need for continuous and reliable energy supply and the demand to embrace the discontinuous distributed energy systems are shaping the societal challenge to migrate from the existing concept of AC grids towards the DC, which would enable in a "Smarter" manner to deal with the energy flow and integration of continuously increasing renewable energy resources. Similarly, on the side of the load, the technological development is bringing new challenges with the increasing number of charging stations for electrical vehicles in cities as well as well as on highways, and quickly fluctuating load profiles of data centres, to name only a few. In a DC grid, additional power processing units are necessary to consider making the transformer functional. In this case, the transformer, or together with the power processing unit – solid-state transformer (SST), works at considerably higher frequencies (medium-range) than traditional 50 Hz. The research on the medium frequency transformers (MFTs) for SSTs (grid applications) aims at reducing the unit mass and geometrical sizes, resulting in a reduced quantity of active materials like copper, ferrites and insulation materials as compared to classical power transformers that are used today in electrical energy transportation and distribution. The research focus is on the MFT design and modelling. The transformer core topology, winding and the insulation system are key aspects which impact the performance of an MFT. The design principles of the insulation system, subject to the DC excitation confronting high levels of stress generated by both electrical and thermal domain, are constrained by a compact design and medium voltage operation. The winding topology should allow high efficiency, throughput and ensure minimal electrical stresses towards the insulation system. Within this project, the training of two early-stage researchers (ESRs) has been accomplished by means of a mix of industrial (ABB) and academic (TUE) environment. The training network ensured a variety of both scientific and soft skills courses as well as facilitated the participation to workshops which enabled the development of the researchers. As a result, the work carried out within ASSTRA has been disseminated by means of over ten conference visits and journal publications. The major findings and outputs have been disseminated via the video and blog posts on social media and the project website [1]. References [1] “ASSTRA,” Asstra Itn. https://www.asstra-itn.eu (accessed Aug. 09, 2022).

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