Performance of Solid-State Transformers on Voltage Regulation of Active Distribution Networks

This paper deals with the recently emerging technology of solid-state transformers (SSTs), focusing on the technical benefits provided towards the optimal network operation. More specifically, the contribution of the SST to the well-known Volt/Var optimization problem is examined in terms of voltage regulation, minimization of network losses, and reduction of the computational burden. For this purpose, the mathematical formulation of the optimization problem is properly modified to incorporate the distinctive characteristics of SST. Deterministic and probabilistic simulations are performed on an extended radial medium-voltage network with high penetration of distributed generation to demonstrate the improved performance of SST against conventional transformer.