Technical Challenges and Enhancements in Smart Grid Applications

Abstract

This chapter deals with novel technologies in terms of power electronics, power converters, information and communication technologies (ICTs), energy storage systems (ESSs), electric vehicles (EVs), and microgeneration systems in the context of smart grid applications. Although the smart grid was a concept defining ICT-enabled conventional grid at the beginning, it has now improved its own infrastructure with particularly tailored applications and technologies. During this improvement stage; researchers, engineers, and technology improving alliances have overcome many technical challenges. This chapter presents a number of innovative solutions enhanced against challenges met during improvement era. They have been introduced in terms of power electronics and power converters, integration of communication systems to power devices; improved microgrid, generation and transmission systems, the demand side management (DSM) policies, smart home management systems, ESSs and EVs. The surveyed device topologies and technologies are particularly selected in order to present a set of recent application in smart grid infrastructure. Therefore, widely known devices, systems, and methods that can be found in any regular textbook are not considered in this section.