Review on Power Routing Techniques and Converter Losses Model for VSC-Based Power Router

In this work, a comprehensive literature review on power-routing devices is presented, outlining their current design principles and potential uses. Additionally, a comprehensive loss model for Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) in the context of power routers (PRs), a promising technology for enhancing flexibility and efficiency in future smart and hybrid AC–DC grids. Despite their potential, large-scale PR deployment is still limited by the lack of accurate and validated loss models. To address this gap, a detailed analytical model based on the Marquardt approach is proposed, capturing both conduction and switching losses in converter-based PRs. The model is validated through analytical comparison and PLECS simulations, showing strong agreement with theoretical and experimental data. Four case studies are presented to assess the effect of parameters such as power factor, active and reactive power, and the number of submodules on the overall converter losses. The results demonstrate that PR efficiency improves with optimized converter design and proper parameter selection.