Abstracts:High penetration of renewable energy resources in the power system results in various new challenges for power system operators. One of the promising solutions to sustain the quality and reliability of the power system is the integration of energy storage systems (ESSs). This article investigates the current and emerging trends and technologies for grid-connected ESSs. Different technologies of ESSs categorized as mechanical, electrical, electrochemical, chemical, and thermal are briefly explained. Especially, a detailed review of battery ESSs (BESSs) is provided as they are attracting much attention owing, in part, to the ongoing electrification of transportation. Then, the services that grid-connected ESSs provide to the grid are discussed. Grid connection of the BESSs requires power electronic converters. Therefore, a survey of popular power converter topologies, including transformer-based, transformerless with distributed or common dc-link, and hybrid systems, along with some discussions for implementing advanced grid support functionalities in the BESS control, is presented. Furthermore, the requirements of new standards and grid codes for grid-connected BESSs are reviewed for several countries around the globe. Finally, emerging technologies, including flexible power control of photovoltaic systems, hydrogen, and second-life batteries from electric vehicles, are discussed in this article.

Abstracts:Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure will play a critical role in decarbonization during the next decades, energizing a large share of the transportation sector. This will further increase the enabling role of power electronics converters as an energy transition technology in the widespread adoption of clean energy sources and their efficient use. However, this deep transformation comes with challenges, some of which are already unfolding, such as the slow deployment of charging infrastructure and competing charging standards, and others that will have a long-term impact if not addressed timely, such as the reliability of power converters and power system stability due to loss of system inertia, just to name a few. Nevertheless, the inherent transition toward power systems with higher penetration of power electronics and batteries, together with a layer of communications and information technologies, will also bring opportunities for more flexible and intelligent grid integration and services, which could increase the share of renewable energy in the power grid. This work provides an overview of the existing charging infrastructure ecosystem, covering the different charging technologies for different EV classes, their structure, and configurations, including how they can impact the grid in the future.

Abstracts:Aviation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. As the adoption of electric cars increases and GHG emissions due to other modes of transport decrease, the impact of air travel on environmental pollution has become even more significant. To reduce pollution and maintenance, and ensure cheaper and more convenient flights, industry and academia have directed their efforts toward aircraft electrification. Considering various types of aircraft, several frameworks have been proposed: more-electric aircraft (MEA), hybrid electric aircraft (HEA), and all-electric aircraft (AEA). In the MEA framework, propulsion is generated by a conventional jet engine; however, all secondary systems (hydraulic, pneumatic, and actuation) are electrified. By further increasing electrification, electric motors can provide propulsion with the electric power supplied by the conventional engine (i.e., HEA) or from electrical energy storage (i.e., AEA). Power electronics and electrical machines play a key role in this scenario in which electric power must be efficiently generated, distributed, and consumed to satisfy extremely high requirements of aviation safety. This article provides an overview of recent advancements in aircraft electrification, and trends and future developments referenced to the global aviation roadmap.

Abstracts:Grid integration of renewable energy (REN) requires efficient and reliable power conversion stages, particularly with an increasing demand for high controllability and flexibility seen from the grid side. Underpinned by advanced control and information technologies, power electronics converters play an essential role in large-scale REN generation. However, the use of power converters has also exposed several challenges in conventional power grids, e.g., reducing the system inertia. In this article, grid integration using power electronics is presented for large-scale REN generation. Technical issues and requirements are discussed with a special focus on grid-connected wind, solar photovoltaic, and energy storage systems. In addition, the core of the energy generation and conversion—control for individual power converters (e.g., general current control) and for the system level (e.g., coordinated operation of large-scale energy systems)—is briefly discussed. Future research perspectives are then presented, which further advance large-scale REN generation technologies by incorporating more power electronics systems.

Abstracts:The articles in this month’s issue provide insight into the most important powerelectronics- based technologies for energy transition.

Abstracts:This article was jointly produced by IEEE Spectrum and PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE with similar versions published in both publications.