USA, Washington: A hybrid solid-state transformer concept has been recognised in the US Department of Energy’s Feeder of the Future Prize, which focuses on new approaches to electricity distribution.
PEEC LAB of Arizona was named one of four runners-up for a concept combining modular solid-state transformer stages with an existing line-frequency transformer.
The proposed design would place the SST stages in parallel with the conventional transformer to create a flexible, scalable and controllable medium-voltage/low-voltage interface for urban feeders.
Organised by the DOE’s Office of Electricity, the competition challenged teams to develop advanced distribution feeder designs capable of responding to changing supply and demand, on-site generation and distributed devices while improving reliability and affordability.
Five teams were named winners and four runners-up across rural, suburban and urban categories. Other concepts included adaptive conductors, digital-twin-based feeder management, advanced automation and battery energy storage optimisation.
The DOE said rising electricity demand is putting pressure on existing grid capacity and increasing the need for new feeder technologies and design approaches.
PEEC LAB’s hybrid SST concept was entered in the urban category and received a $2,500 runner-up award. The wider prize programme awarded $50,000 across the selected teams.
Source: US Department of Energy
