Solid-state transformer
A solid-state transformer, power electronic transformer, or electronic power transformer is actually an AC-to-AC converter, a type of electric power converter that replaces a conventional transformer used in AC electric power distribution. It is more complex than a conventional transformer operating at utility frequency, but it can be smaller and more efficient than a conventional transformer because it operates at high frequency. The main types are "true" AC-to-AC converter and AC-to-DC-to-DC-to-AC converter. A solid-state transformer usually contains a transformer, inside the AC-to-AC converter or DC-to-DC converter, which provides electrical isolation and carries the full power. This transformer is smaller due to smaller DC-DC inverting stages between transformer coils, which consequently mean smaller transformer coils required to step up or step down voltages. A solid-state transformer can actively regulate voltage and current. Some can convert single-phase power to three-phase power and vice versa. Variations can input or output DC power to reduce the number of conversions, for greater end-to-end efficiency. As a complex electronic circuit, it must be designed to withstand lightning and other surges. Solid-state transformer is an emerging technology.
