The rapid development of power electronics technology provides exciting opportunities to develop new power system equipment for better utilisation of existing systems. Deregulation of the supply industry worlwide, and the resulting competition, is forcing utilities to operate their facilities at ever higher efficiency, driving this trend. During the last decade, a number of control devices under the term flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS) technology have been proposed and implemented. This book provides a comprehensive guide to FACTS, covering all the major aspects in research and development of FACTS technologies. Various real-world applications are also included to demonstrate the issues and benefits of applying FACTS. Written by international experts in the field from both industry and academia, this book will be a useful reference for professional engineers involved in the operation and control of modern power systems. It will also be of value to postgraduate students and researchers.

Power electronics is a branch of electrical engineering dealing with conversion and control of electric power using semiconductor power switches. This book, written by an international panel of more than 40 experts, provides an overview of modern power electronic converters and systems, and their applications. Topics covered include semiconductor power switches, multilevel, multi-input, modular, matrix, soft-switching, and Z-source converters, switching power supplies, and smart power electronic modules. Applications discussed encompass permanent magnet synchronous motor and induction motor drives, wind, photovoltaic, and automotive energy systems, shipboard power systems, the power grid, distributed generation and microgrids, uninterruptable power supplies, and wireless power transfer. Advanced control of power electronic systems is also examined. The book is essential reading for researchers and students working in power electronics, and for practising engineers specialising in the development and application of power electronic converters and systems.