The importance of power electronic converters for electricity grid equipment is increasing due to the growing distribution-level penetration of renewable energy sources. The performance of the converters mostly depends on interactions between sources, loads, and their state of operation. These devices must be operated with safety and stability under normal conditions, fault conditions, overloads, as well as different operation modes. Therefore, enhanced control strategies of power electronic converters are necessary to improve system stability. This book for researchers and practitioners discusses enhanced control strategies, fault and failure mode classification mechanisms, and reliability analysis methods for PV modules, power electronic converters, and grid-connected PV systems, and thermal image-based monitoring. The technologies conveyed serve to improve the reliability and stability of power systems. Life calculation of converters, and case and reliability studies are included as well. The international author team consists of researchers with a range of backgrounds from academia and industry.

Moving toward green energy technologies will introduce more technical challenges to the modern interconnected energy systems with power systems. To address these challenges, it is necessary to understand the basics of power systems and the new technologies integrated to the power systems. Among the emerging technologies, power electronics play a significant role in various applications. Depending on how to design, control and operate the power electronics, they can strengthen or deteriorate the performance of the whole system. This monograph provides an overview of the modern electric energy systems with more power electronics integration in generation, operation and control perspectives. The basics of power systems are introduced and the fundamentals of transition from traditional centralized power systems to modern power systems are discussed. Thereafter, dominant clean energy generations are introduced, and the basics of power converter topologies and control structure are explained. Lastly, the concept of reliability assessment in power electronics-dominated power systems is covered. Also, major technical challenges that are deteriorating the overall system performance and reliability are addressed and feasible solutions are explained.

The main aims of power electronic converter systems (PECS) are to control, convert, and condition electrical power flow from one form to another through the use of solid state electronics. This book outlines current research into the scientific modeling, experimentation, and remedial measures for advancing the reliability, availability, system robustness, and maintainability of PECS at different levels of complexity. Drawing on the experience of an international team of experts, this book explores the reliability of PECS covering topics including an introduction to reliability engineering in power electronic converter systems; anomaly detection and remaining-life prediction for power electronics; reliability of DC-link capacitors in power electronic converters; reliability of power electronics packaging; modeling for life-time prediction of power semiconductor modules; minimization of DC-link capacitance in power electronic converter systems; wind turbine systems; smart control strategies for improved reliability of power electronics system; lifetime modelling; power module lifetime test and state monitoring; tools for performance and reliability analysis of power electronics systems; fault-tolerant adjustable speed drive systems; mission profile-oriented reliability design in wind turbine and photovoltaic systems; reliability of power conversion systems in photovoltaic applications; power supplies for computers; and high-power converters. Reliability of Power Electronic Converter Systems is essential reading for researchers, professionals and students working with power electronics and their applications, particularly those specialising in the development and application of power electronic converters and systems.