Matrix converters have been extensively investigated in academia over the last 3 decades. Several review works targeting matrix converter topologies, commutation strategies, modulation and control techniques have been published. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a review on the potential contributions of matrix converters for applications that are shaping the electric power sector transition towards decarbonization is lacking, namely applications on smart grids, sustainable transportation and electrical drives. This paper presents an extensive literature review on the more relevant research works targeting applications of matrix converters as an enabling key technology for smart and resilient grids, sustainable transportation, and innovation in variable speed electric drives.

Power applications that require electronic switching converters are increasing, so as their requirements in terms of power density and efficiency. Passive components such as inductors and capacitors that make up the filters used in these switched power converters are of great impact on the size, cost and overall system performance. The use of wide bandgap semiconductors allows high switching frequencies at lower power losses when compared to the traditional Si ones, allowing the filter components to shrink. This work explores the use of SiC Mosfets in a 48V DC telecom storage application to reduce the required filter components to values that allows the use of the distribution grid inductance and the converter-grid connecting transformer leakage inductance as part of the LCL filter. It is shown that the system remains stable and the LCL filter plays its role for different types and values of grid loads connected in the capacitor branch of the filter.

In this work a novel topology featuring an Indirect Matrix Converter (IMC) supplying a three-phase open-end load is proposed to allow multiple levels of voltage while reducing common mode voltages (CMV) at load terminals. The topology features a T-Type three phase inverter connected to the grid neutral terminal, allowing phase to phase or phase to neutral voltages to be supplied to the load. A comparison with the already known IMC open-end load scheme, based on two voltage source inverters (VSI), is performed achieving promising results in terms of Common Mode Voltage reduction at the load terminals, while achieving current waveforms with lower distortion. The improvement of CMV waveforms is useful for motor drives, reducing drive bearing currents and increasing overall lifespan.