scope:

The scope of this guide is to define and characterize control architecture for high-power electronics from power semiconductor device levels to the power system level. This guide covers the application of power electronics in the areas of Power Quality/Custom Power, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), High Voltage DC Transmission (HVDC), Distributed Generation, Energy Storage applications, etc. with a power range from hundreds of kW to thousands of MW, but with emphasis on the 1 MW to hundreds of MW.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to define hierarchical control architecture, define various parameters/functions that need to be handled within each level, and those that need to be communicated between the levels and their required speed range. When the control functions of many different power electronic systems are investigated and evaluated, a significant degree of common functionality emerges, irrespective of the target application. Using the concept of system levels (or layers), it is possible to define a hierarchical control architecture for high-power electronics-based systems. The intent of this document is to provide a framework and guideline specifically for the control system in order to allow multiple vendors to design and manufacture components, subassemblies, and software, which can be used in a large variety of power electronic products or systems. This guideline will also serve as a foundation for interchangeability among different manufacturers at the layer level with defined interfaces.