Power electronics technology in smart grid projects -Applications and experiences-

For the sustainable development of our highly electrified societies, power electronics technology is playing an important role. Especially in the field of electric power systems, it is considered as one of the essential technologies which make power grids more efficient, more reliable and more environment-friendly. Those are the goals of so-called smart grids. In this paper, expected roles and applications of power electronics in smart grids are first introduced. Then recent technological achievements in actual smart grid projects are presented.