Reliability Enhancement of Modular Smart Transformers by Uneven Loading of Cells

A Smart Transformer (ST) is a power electronics based transformer developed for the electrical distribution grid, where it can provide many advanced grid services. The advanced functionality comes with the concern of lower reliability affected by the complexity and the higher number of components. To overcome the reliability concerns, this work proposes to utilize a modular architecture for routing the power in the cells such that cells with shorter remaining lifetimes are less stressed and the time to the next failure in the system is delayed.