Showing papers by "Luiz A. C. Lopes published in 2013"
TL;DR: In this article, a virtual synchronous generator is used to enhance the frequency stability of a diesel hybrid mini-grid with renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic.
Abstract: Ideally, diesel hybrid autonomous power systems would operate with
high penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic to
minimize fuel consumption. However, since these are inherently intermittent and
fluctuating, the grid-forming diesel engine generator sets are usually required
to operate with larger amounts of spinning reserve, often at low loading
conditions what tends to increases operating and maintenance costs. Frequency
stability is of great concern in “small” systems, such as mini-grids, where any
individual generator in-feed represents a substantial portion of the total
demand. There, the initial rate of change of frequency is typically larger and
a lower value of frequency can be reached in a shorter time than in
conventional systems with all generation supplied by rotating machines,
possibly resulting in under-frequency load shedding and tripping of renewable
energy generators. The first part of this paper, discusses some general
concepts regarding frequency stability in a diesel hybrid mini-grid and how
energy storage systems can be used to enhance system performance. Then, a
particular technique based on a virtual synchronous generator is presented and
its effectiveness is demonstrated with simulation results.
50 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an inverter-based diesel generator emulator is presented for the study of frequency variations in diesel-based autonomous power systems in a laboratory environment where the operation of a real diesel generator is not possible.
Abstract: This paper presents the modeling, simulation and practical implementation of an inverter-based diesel generator emulator. The main purpose of this emulator is for the study of frequency variations in diesel-based autonomous power systems in a laboratory environment where the operation of a real diesel generator is not possible. The emulator basically consists in a voltage source inverter with a second order output filter which voltage references are given by the model of the diesel generator. The control of the emulator is based on the digital signal processor TMS320F2812, where the mathematical models of the diesel generator and the control of the inverter are computed in real-time. Parameters for the model were obtained from commercially available components. Experimental results for different values of speed droop showed that the emulator achieves a satisfactory performance in the transient and stationary response. For the stationary response, the measured frequency deviates from theoretical values with a mean absolute error of: 0.06 Hz for 0% droop, 0.037 Hz for 3% droop, and 0.087 Hz for 5% droop. For the transient response, the measured frequency nadir deviates from simulations in: 0.05 Hz for 0% droop, 0.02 Hz for 3% droop, and 0.1 Hz for 5% droop.
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a virtual synchronous machine (VSM) was proposed to support dynamic frequency control by adding virtual inertia and damping to the system, and the estimated stabilization frequency converges in approximately 2 s and the maximum frequency deviation during the transient is reduced in 34%, on average.
Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of dynamic frequency control in a diesel-based mini-grid. It is shown that a virtual synchronous machine (VSM) can support dynamic frequency control by adding virtual inertia and damping to the system. However, it is found that the typical formulation of damping power does not work properly when the grid forming gen-set operates in droop mode because of the unknown stabilization value of the grid frequency. As a solution to this problem, an estimator for the stabilization frequency that works in conjunction with the damping function of the VSM is proposed. Theoretical and experimental results provide evidence of a satisfactory performance of the proposed VSM with estimator for different values of the gen-set droop factor. The estimated stabilization frequency converges in approximately 2 s and the maximum frequency deviation during the transient is reduced in 34%, on average.
14 citations
03 Jun 2013
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a control system of a battery energy storage system (BESS) that allows it to operate in multiple modes, such as grid forming and genset support mode.
Abstract: Diesel hybrid mini-grids with high penetration of renewables have the potential for reduced operation costs and environmental impacts. However, the fluctuating characteristics of wind and Photovoltaics (PV) and the large variations of the frequently unbalanced mini-grid loads, result in additional challenges for optimizing the operation of the diesel genset(s). In such a case, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) can be very beneficial. This paper presents a control system of a BESS that allows it to operate in multiple modes. In the genset support mode, it balances the load, compensates for reactive power and forces the genset(s) to operate in a desired power range. In the grid forming mode, it supplies balanced voltages to highly unbalanced loads. Simulation results are provided.
13 citations
01 Oct 2013
TL;DR: In this paper, the experimental results of two three-phase microgrids working in islanded mode are presented, which are connected without isolation transformer and implemented in only one dSPACE hardware (DS1103), that is linked with simulation MATLAB/Simulink environment by Real-Time Interface.
Abstract: This paper shows the experimental results of two three-phase microgrids working in islanded mode. Mi-crogrids were connected without isolation transformer and implemented in only one dSPACE hardware (DS1103), that is linked with simulation MATLAB/Simulink environment by Real-Time Interface. It is shown as two three-phase PWM pulses are generated and as all the necessary system control signals are measured using one DS1103 unit. The control system for each microgeneration unit is independent. It based in the droop control method and voltage and current loops with PI controller per phase.
4 citations
23 Apr 2013
TL;DR: In this article, the potential of inexpensive fixed-pitch type 1 WTs to assist with frequency regulation and power balancing in storageless wind-diesel hybrid mini-grids was investigated.
Abstract: Renewable energy sources can help reduce many issues related to fuel consumption and environmental impact of diesel based electricity generation in autonomous power systems (mini-grids). However, the fluctuating nature of wind energy can make the power demanded from the diesel gen-sets and grid frequency vary more, increasing unit cycling and leading to power quality and maintenance problems. Sophisticated wind turbines (WTs) can minimize these issues but they are costly. This paper investigates the potential of inexpensive fixed-pitch type 1 WTs to assist with frequency regulation and power balancing in storage-less wind-diesel hybrid mini-grids.