Evolution in Solid-State Transformer and Power Electronic Transformer for Distribution and Traction System

Power electronic transformer (P.E.T.) and solid-state transformer (SST) are one of the promising technologies in medium and high power conversion systems. In case of controlling power quality for the various load connected, P.E.T. and SST perform greatly in comparison with conventional line frequency transformer (CLFT) With advancements in high power switches and magnetic materials, P.E.T. can reach the efficiency almost equal to CLFT in distribution as well as traction system. P.E.T. eliminates all the limitation that CLFT faces in region of power quality maintenance and power transfer. Over the past two decades, researches and field trial studies are conducted to explore the challenges faced by conventional P.E.T. models and improved them to face all sort of applications in electrical systems. This paper aims to review the essential requirements of P.E.T. and SST modules both in traction and distribution systems. Basic design topologies of both SST and P.E.T. modules are also reviewed. There is also tabulation of all the models recently manufactured by companies for railways and distributions. Finally, this paper discusses the latest go-through in advanced topologies of P.E.T. and their architectural designs.