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Grid Forming Hybrid Transformer for Future Distribution Grids - (GIFhT-4-eGrids)

Lead Research Organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Department Name: School of Engineering

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description One of the main findings from the award was that hybrid transformer technology can be extended beyond power-quality improvement to operate as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system for future distribution grids. The work developed and assessed an HT-based UPS concept that can combine the main functions of conventional offline, line-interactive and online UPS systems within a single architecture. Simulation studies showed that, during normal operation and minor grid disturbances, the transformer can continue to supply most of the load while the power-electronic stages provide voltage and current compensation. Under severe disturbances or complete loss of supply, the converters can maintain load support from stored energy. The results therefore show that hybrid transformers could provide both high-efficiency normal operation and resilient support for sensitive loads during abnormal conditions.

This work met the objective of advancing the understanding and application scope of hybrid transformer technology for future electricity networks. In particular, it demonstrated a new use case for the hybrid transformer concept and clarified how the same system could provide both series and shunt compensation in addition to UPS functionality. The main limitation is that the findings were established through system studies and simulation, so further experimental and hardware validation will be needed to confirm performance in practical implementations.
Exploitation Route The findings can be taken forward by the research team and industrial stakeholders through laboratory validation, controller refinement, and further development of hybrid/smart transformer systems with integrated energy storage. They are particularly relevant to applications requiring high power quality and continuity of supply, such as critical industrial and commercial loads. More broadly, the work provides a basis for future research and industrial development of advanced transformer technologies that improve resilience, efficiency and functionality in future distribution grids.
Sectors Energy