Power Electronics, Smart Grid, and Renewable Energy Systems

The paper is basically an introduction of power electronics and its applications with emphasis on renewable energy systems and smart grid. The advent of modern power electronics has brought tremendous impact on power systems, besides the usual industrial applications to improve productivity. Power electronics is possibly the most important element in modern smart grid and renewable energy systems. The discussion in the paper will include modern power semiconductor devices and applications of power electronics in energy saving, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and grid energy storage. Finally, the basic elements of smart grid will be reviewed.