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.

This paper presents the design, control and analysis of a small DC residential grid supplying constant power loads. A DC/DC Buck converter is used to connect the main DC bus to the DC distribution grid. Constant power loads are DC/DC converters embedded in equipment, connected to the DC distribution grid, and considered to be operated at constant power, as usual in most electronic equipment. Two possible solutions to control the main DC/DC converter are designed and assessed: a linear controller and a novel non-linear controller based on the Lyapunov direct control method. The two control strategies are then compared, considering response time, overvoltage, and overall disturbance in the DC grid voltage. The obtained results show a better performance of the Lyapunov non-linear controller.

This paper presents a novel control approach for a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter interconnecting a telecom isolated DC microgrid (IDCM) to a 380 V DC grid. A DAB converter is the ideal solution for this interconnection because it provides galvanic isolation, allows reversible power flow, and can operate with inherent soft switching, leading to high efficiency performance. The novel controller is based on Lyapunov's stability theory and adds integral terms to stabilize the IDCM nominal voltage. The new controller ensures the IDCM fast and stable transient response upon the connection of constant power loads (CPLs). In order to highlight the advantages of the new controller, comparisons using MATLAB/Simulink simulations are made with cascaded voltage/current linear controllers, their limitations being shown. Results point out that the novel controller is able to deal with the negative incremental resistance of CPLs, without the need of bulky stabilizing DC capacitors.