Energy router interconnection system: A solution for new distribution network architecture toward future carbon neutrality

Under the background of carbon neutrality, distribution networks are facing many new challenges, including providing higher power supply reliability and power quality, additional power supply forms, and better information sharing. The traditional distribution network has difficulty coping with these challenges; thus, it is imperative to transform the traditional distribution network architecture. An energy router (ER) is a type of intelligent power electronic device, and has the potential to play a great role in the transformation of the distribution network. This paper proposes the basic architecture of an ER interconnection system (ERIS), where multiple ERs are gathered together to play a stronger role. Aiming for two different stages of the transformation process of the distribution network, two types of ERISs are employed for a single prosumer and multiple prosumers, respectively. The equivalent modelling, main control strategies, and energy management schemes of the two types of ERIS are respectively illustrated. Several ERIS simulation cases are investigated, and the results verify the advantages and satisfactory performance of the ERIS. The proposed ERIS provides an effective solution for building a new distribution network to adapt to the new challenges in a future carbon neutral era.