Power electronics in hydro electric energy systems - A review

Hydropower is a major energy source among the renewable energy sources. According to “BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2013”, 16.34 percentage of global power generation acquire from hydropower. To attain efficient generation in hydro plant, extensive design with the up to date technology is mandatory. To make the generation more effective various technologies are adopted, among these the very effective one is power electronics (PE) technology. The paper has reviewed the challenges in how PE technology fits in as the solution for various hydroelectric energy systems (HEES). The PE technology is adapted efficiently in various parts of HEES like, grid integration, machine control, switching (pumping mode to generating mode and vice versa), power control, voltage and frequency control, power factor correction, etc., The advancement of PE technology diminishes the cost and space of the plant and enhances the power handling capability. The paper emergence the outstanding features of power electronics in various aspects that will extensively contribute to the development of HEES around the world. In addition, PE contribution satisfies the need of reliability, dynamic response, efficiency, protection, etc., in HEES.