In this article, the challenges and a future vision of the cyber–physical security of photovoltaic (PV) systems are discussed from a firmware, network, PV converter controls, and grid security perspective. The vulnerabilities of PV systems are investigated under a variety of cyberattacks, ranging from data integrity attacks to software-based attacks. A success rate metric is designed to evaluate the impact and facilitate decision-making. Model-based and data-driven methods for threat detection and mitigation are summarized. In addition, the blockchain technology that addresses cyberattacks in software and cybernetworks is described. Simulation and experimental results that show the impact of cyberattacks at the converter (device) and grid (system) levels are presented. Finally, potential research opportunities are discussed for next-generation, cybersecure power electronics systems. These opportunities include multiscale controllability, self-/event-triggering control, artificial intelligence/machine learning, hot patching, and online security. As of today, this study will be one of the few comprehensive studies in this emerging and fast-growing area.

In this article, a broad overview of the current research trends in power-electronic innovations in cyber–physical systems (CPSs) is presented. The recent advances in semiconductor device technologies, control architectures, and communication methodologies have enabled researchers to develop integrated smart CPSs that can cater to the emerging requirements of smart grids, renewable energy, electric vehicles, trains, ships, the Internet of Things (IoT), and so on. The topics presented in this article include novel power-distribution architectures, protection techniques considering large renewable integration in smart grids, wireless charging in electric vehicles, simultaneous power and information transmission, multihop network-based coordination, power technologies for renewable energy and smart transformer, CPS reliability, transactive smart railway grid, and real-time simulation of shipboard power systems. It is anticipated that the research trends presented in this article will provide a timely and useful overview to the power-electronics researchers with broad applications in CPSs.

This manuscript provides an overview of power semiconductor devices (PSDs) for distributed energy resource (DER) system. To begin with an overview on electrically-triggered SiC and GaN devices followed by a brief narration of ultra-wide-bandgap (UWBG) PSDs. Subsequently, an overview of optically-activated PSDs encompassing photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) and optical bipolar PSDs are provided. Finally, an overview of PSD packaging and reliability is captured.

With high penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs), power systems are increasingly transforming into distributed power grids, which provide grid automation, decarbonization, and decentralization of critical assets. Smart inverters are key power-electronic devices that connect renewable energy and energy storage equipment to power grids. DER includes several intelligent grid functions, such as fault ride through, grid-voltage support, and reactive-power compensation, typically with real-time remote access, data exchange, and seamless over-the-air firmware updates in a cyber-physical environment. However, cybersecurity concerns arise due to extensive information exchange among DER and multiple stakeholders (e.g., utilities, aggregators, vendors, operators, and owners). Therefore, smart inverters account for a growing attack surface for the power grid. This article reviews the cybersecurity best practices and current recommendations for smart inverters and explores emerging cyber threats for smart inverters, including malware attacks and hardware attacks. Finally, we propose a new smart inverter security and resilience framework for developing cyber-resilient smart inverters against the advanced/future threat actors. This article establishes a resilience-by-design baseline reference for smart inverter cybersecurity teams, which bridges the gap between cybersecurity and power-electronics’ communities.

This paper outlines a switching scheme to improve the energy efficiency for an isolated high-frequency multiphase dc/pulsating-dc converter, which is the front end of a three-phase rectifier-type high-frequency-link inverter. Without using any auxiliary circuit, the proposed switching scheme achieves zero-current or zero-voltage switching for the power switches on the front-end multiphase dc/pulsating-dc converter. Moreover, on the back-end pulsating-dc/ac converter, the proposed soft-switching scheme reduces the switching frequency requirements for the associated switchers, which need high-frequency switching. In conjunction with the back-end pulsating-dc/ac converter, operating with a patent-filed hybrid modulation scheme, the proposed switching scheme leads to reduced overall switching loss as compared with other existing schemes. It is more suitable for isolated low-voltage dc to three-phase high-voltage ac applications from the standpoints of cost, efficiency, and footprint.