Solid-state switch-mode rectification converters have reached a matured level for improving power quality in terms of power-factor correction (PFC), reduced total harmonic distortion at input AC mains and precisely regulated DC output in buck, boost, buck-boost and multilevel modes with unidirectional and bidirectional power flow. This paper deals with a comprehensive review of improved power quality converters (IPQCs) configurations, control approaches, design features, selection of components, other related considerations, and their suitability and selection for specific applications. It is targeted to provide a wide spectrum on the status of IPQC technology to researchers, designers and application engineers working on switched-mode AC-DC converters. A classified list of more than 450 research publications on the state of art of IPQC is also given for a quick reference.

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A review of single-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters

This paper investigates (i) preplanned switching events and (ii) fault events that lead to islanding of a distribution subsystem and formation of a micro-grid. The micro-grid includes two distributed generation (DG) units. One unit is a conventional rotating synchronous machine and the other is interfaced through a power electronic converter. The interface converter of the latter unit is equipped with independent real and reactive power control to minimize islanding transients and maintain both angle stability and voltage quality within the micro-grid. The studies are performed based on a digital computer simulation approach using the PSCAD/EMTDC software package. The studies show that an appropriate control strategy for the power electronically interfaced DG unit can ensure stability of the micro-grid and maintain voltage quality at designated buses, even during islanding transients. This paper concludes that presence of an electronically-interfaced DG unit makes the concept of micro-grid a technically viable option for further investigations.

Micro-grid autonomous operation during and subsequent to islanding process

As solar photovoltaic power generation becomes more commonplace, the inherent intermittency of the solar resource poses one of the great challenges to those who would design and implement the next generation smart grid. Specifically, grid-tied solar power generation is a distributed resource whose output can change extremely rapidly, resulting in many issues for the distribution system operator with a large quantity of installed photovoltaic devices. Battery energy storage systems are increasingly being used to help integrate solar power into the grid. These systems are capable of absorbing and delivering both real and reactive power with sub-second response times. With these capabilities, battery energy storage systems can mitigate such issues with solar power generation as ramp rate, frequency, and voltage issues. Beyond these applications focusing on system stability, energy storage control systems can also be integrated with energy markets to make the solar resource more economical. Providing a high-level introduction to this application area, this paper presents an overview of the challenges of integrating solar power to the electricity distribution system, a technical overview of battery energy storage systems, and illustrates a variety of modes of operation for battery energy storage systems in grid-tied solar applications. The real-time control modes discussed include ramp rate control, frequency droop response, power factor correction, solar time-shifting, and output leveling.

Battery Energy Storage for Enabling Integration of Distributed Solar Power Generation

This paper presents a comprehensive review on the unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) to enhance the electric power quality at distribution levels. This is intended to present a broad overview on the different possible UPQC system configurations for single-phase (two-wire) and three-phase (three-wire and four-wire) networks, different compensation approaches, and recent developments in the field. It is noticed that several researchers have used different names for the UPQC based on the unique function, task, application, or topology under consideration. Therefore, an acronymic list is developed and presented to highlight the distinguishing feature offered by a particular UPQC. In all 12 acronyms are listed, namely, UPQC-D, UPQC-DG, UPQC-I, UPQC-L, UPQC-MC, UPQC-MD, UPQC-ML, UPQC-P, UPQC-Q, UPQC-R, UPQC-S, and UPQC-VA. More than 150 papers on the topic are rigorously studied and meticulously classified to form these acronyms and are discussed in the paper.

Enhancing Electric Power Quality Using UPQC: A Comprehensive Overview

This paper addresses the problem of voltage rise mitigation in distribution networks with distributed generation. A distributed automatic control approach is proposed to alleviate the voltage rise caused by active power injection. The objective of the proposed approach is not to control bus voltage but to guarantee that generator injections alone do not cause significant voltage rise: a solution in which distribution network operators (DNOs) are kept to their traditional task of voltage regulation for load demand. The approach is discussed in the perspective of effectiveness and adequacy. Its consequences to DNO control effort are evaluated. Illustration is provided for a single feeder with stochastic generation and transformer on-load tap-changing voltage regulation.

Distributed Reactive Power Generation Control for Voltage Rise Mitigation in Distribution Networks

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION What is Power Quality? Power Quality -- Voltage Quality Why Are We Concerned About Power Quality? The Power Quality Evaluation Procedure Who Should Use This Book Overview of the Contents CHAPTER 2: TERMS AND DEFINITIONS Need for a Consistent Vocabulary General Classes of Power Quality Problems Transients Long-Duration Voltage Variations Short-Duration Voltage Variations Voltage Imbalance Waveform Distortion Voltage Fluctuation Power Frequency Variations Power Quality Terms Ambiguous Terms CBEMA and ITI Curves References CHAPTER 3: VOLTAGE SAGS AND INTERRUPTIONS Sources of Sags and Interruptions Estimating Voltage Sag Performance Fundamental Principles of Protection Solutions at the End-User Level Evaluating the Economics of Different Ride-Through Alternatives Motor-Starting Sags Utility System Fault-Clearing Issues References CHAPTER 4: TRANSIENT OVERVOLTAGES Sources of Transient Overvoltages Principles of Overvoltage Protection Devices for Overvoltage Protection Utility Capacitor-Switching Transients Utility System Lightning Protection Managing Ferroresonance Switching Transient Problems with Loads Computer Tools for Transients Analysis References CHAPTER 5: FUNDAMENTALS OF HARMONICS Harmonic Distortion Voltage versus Current Distortion Harmonics versus Transients Harmonic Indexes Harmonic Sources from Commercial Loads Harmonic Sources from Industrial Loads Locating Harmonic Sources System Response Characteristics Effects of Harmonic Distortion Interharmonics References Bibliography CHAPTER 6: APPLIED HARMONICS Harmonic Distortion Evaluations Principles for Controlling Harmonics Where to Control Harmonics Harmonic Studies Devices for Controlling Harmonic Distortion Harmonic Filter Design: A Case Study Case Studies Standards of Harmonics References Bibliography CHAPTER 7: LONG-DURATION VOLTAGE VARIATIONS Principles of Regulating the Voltage Devices for Voltage Regulation Utility Voltage Regulator Application Capacitors for Voltage Regulation End-User Capacitor Application Regulating Utility Voltage with Distributed Resources Flicker References Bibliography CHAPTER 8: POWER QUALITY BENCHMARKING Introduction Benchmarking Process RMS Voltage Variation Indices Harmonics Indices Power Quality Contracts Power Quality Insurance Power Quality State Estimation Including Power Quality in Distribution Planning References Bibliography CHAPTER 9: DISTRIBUTED GENERATION AND POWER QUALITY Resurgence of DG DG Technologies Interface to the Utility System Power Quality Issues Operating Conflicts DG on Distribution Networks Siting DGDistributed Generation Interconnection Standards Summary References Bibliography CHAPTER 10: WIRING AND GROUNDING Resources Definitions Reasons for Grounding Typical Wiring and Grounding Problems Solutions to Wiring and Grounding Problems Bibliography CHAPTER 11: POWER QUALITY MONITORING Monitoring Considerations Historical Perspective of Power Quality Measuring Instruments Power Quality Measurement Equipment Assessment of Power Quality Measurement Data Application of Intelligent Systems Power Quality Monitoring Standards References Index INDEX

Electrical Power Systems Quality

Electric power quality disturbances can have significant economic consequences for many different types of facilities. A wide variety of solution technologies exist for mitigating the consequences of such disturbances, and a methodology for performing a comparative economic analysis is featured in this article. Different technologies are evaluated by estimating the improved performance that can be expected after the technology has been applied. The power quality cost savings are calculated for each technology along with the costs of applying the technology. The net benefits, expressed in terms of annual costs, are shown as a means of comparing the various technologies.

Economic Evaluation of Power Quality

Power quality monitoring has expanded from a means to investigate customer complaints to an integral part of power system performance assessments Besides special purpose power quality monitors, power quality data are collected from many other monitoring devices on the system (intelligent relays, revenue meters, digital fault recorders, etc) The result is a tremendous volume of measurement data that is being collected continuously and must be analyzed to determine if there are important conclusions that can be drawn from the data It is a significant challenge due to the wide range of characteristics involved, ranging from very slow variations in the steady state voltage to microsecond transients and high frequency distortion This paper describes some of the problems that can be evaluated with both oine and online analyses of power quality measurement data These applications can dramatically increase the value of power quality monitoring systems and provide the basis for ongoing research into new analysis and characterization methods and signal processing techniques

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Challenges and trends in analyses of electric power quality measurement data

A universal hybrid solid-state switchgear for power transmission or distribution systems incorporates a fast mechanical switch and solid-state power electronics switching circuits to provide circuit breaker and fault current limiting applications.

Multifunction hybrid solid-state switchgear

Microgrids have long been deployed to provide power to customers in remote areas as well as critical industrial and military loads. Today, they are also being proposed as grid-interactive solutions for energy-resilient communities. Such microgrids will spend most of the time operating while synchronized with the surrounding utility grid but will also be capable of separating during contingency periods due to storms or temporary disturbances such as local grid faults. Properly designed and grid-integrated microgrids can provide the flexibility, reliability, and resiliency needs of both the future grid and critical customers. These systems can be an integral part of future power system designs that optimize investments to achieve operational goals, improved reliability, and diversification of energy sources.

Mark McGranaghan

Papers

Electrical Power Systems Quality

Economic Evaluation of Power Quality

Challenges and trends in analyses of electric power quality measurement data

Multifunction hybrid solid-state switchgear

Microgrid Controllers : Expanding Their Role and Evaluating Their Performance