International Technology Roadmap for High-Power Electronics for Modern Energy Grids (ITRG)

The worldwide shift towards electrification and digitalization mandates the adoption of energy-efficient and economically viable methods for electricity generation, transmission, and utilization. Meeting this demand requires the integration of power electronics and digital technologies, which are critical to address these challenges. Recently, modern energy grids are increasingly incorporating high-power, high-/medium-voltage power electronic converters and systems (e.g. high-voltage direct-current (HVDC), static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs), large-scale renewable power plants and power-to-x stations, hyperscale data centers, solid-state circuit breakers, solid-state transformers, and grid-forming energy storage systems, etc.).  This roadmap seeks to identify the research and technology developments in high-power electronics and digital technologies for future net-zero energy systems.

ITRG is currently seeking volunteers to join the working groups of the roadmap. In the first phase, the working groups will review the latest state of the art and challenges with the industry practice of developing high (>10 MW) power electronic converters and systems. The volunteers are welcome to work as a leader, a contributor, or a reviewer within the working group. Top industry experts and researchers in the field of high-power electronics will serve as the adversary board for the ITRG, guiding the technical activities of working groups. The focus areas of ITRG will cover the technologies of components (active and passive), hardware integration (circuit topologies, mechanical design, busbar, system structures, thermal management, transient simulations, insulation design and coordination), modeling, control, communication, and protection for high-power electronic systems. Emerging topics such as circularity, reliability, predictive maintenance, digital twin and the application of artificial intelligence will also be explored.