Inverting the Paradigm:
How Power Inverters are Changing the Electric Grid
From the establishment of an AC (alternating current) grid, the power system has relied on synchronous machines, large masses rotating at the same frequency as the power system (the nominal frequency is 60 Hz in North America), to generate electricity. More recently, advancements in power electronics have led to the commercialization of inverters, switching devices that convert DC (direct current) into AC. Modern solar, wind, and battery installations depend on inverters, tying de-carbonization to the widespread replacement of synchronous machines by inverters. This lecture will dive into fundamental changes in the way that the modern power system is analyzed, the challenges of integrating new inverters, and the untapped potential within these remarkable devices.
Free and Open to the Public.
