Porfírio Cabaleiro Cortizo

Bio: Porfírio Cabaleiro Cortizo is an academic researcher from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The author has contributed to research in topics: Harmonic & Power factor. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 48 publications receiving 1752 citations.

Small signal stability for parallel connected inverters in stand-alone AC supply systems

Abstract: This paper presents a small-signal analysis for parallel-connected inverters in stand-alone AC supply systems. The control technique of the inverters is based on frequency and voltage droops, which depends on the local variable measurements and does not need control interconnections. Simulation and experimental results show that the system is well represented by the small-signal model. Some root locus plots for the system are provided, which make the stability studies and design easier.

Comparison of Three Single-Phase PLL Algorithms for UPS Applications

Abstract: In this paper, the performance assessment of three software single-phase phase-locked loop (PLL) algorithms is carried out by means of dynamic analysis and experimental results. Several line disturbances such as phase-angle jump, voltage sag, frequency step, and harmonics are generated by a DSP together with a D/A converter and applied to each PLL. The actual minus the estimated phase-angle values are displayed, providing a refined method for performance evaluation and comparison. Guidelines for parameters adjustments are also presented. In addition, practical implementation issues such as computational delay effects, ride-through, and computational load are addressed. The developed models proved to accurately represent the PLLs under real test conditions.

A three-phase line-interactive UPS system implementation with series-parallel active power-line conditioning capabilities

Abstract: This paper presents a three-phase line-interactive uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system with series-parallel active power-line conditioning capabilities, using a synchronous reference frame (SRF) based controller, which allows an effective power factor correction, load harmonic current suppression and output voltage regulation. The three-phase UPS system is composed of two active power filter topologies. The first one is a series active power filter, which works as a sinusoidal current source in phase with the input voltage. The other is a parallel active power filter, which works as a sinusoidal voltage source in phase with the input voltage, providing to the load a regulated and sinusoidal voltage with low total harmonic distortion (THD). Operation of a three-phase phase-locked loop (PLL) structure, used in the proposed line-interactive UPS implementation, is presented and experimentally verified under distorted utility conditions. The control algorithm using SRF method and the active power flow through the UPS system are described and analytically studied. Design procedures, digital simulations and experimental results for a prototype are presented to verify the good performance of the proposed three-phase line-interactive UPS system.

Small signal stability for single phase inverter connected to stiff AC system

Abstract: A control technique based on frequency and voltage droop is used to control a single phase inverter connected to a stiff AC system. The small signal analysis of the system is presented, which allows the behavior of the system to be obtained for the functions of frequency and voltage droop. Simulation results and experimental results for the different frequency and voltage droop are presented.

Analysis of switching frequency reduction methods applied to sliding mode controlled DC-DC converters

Abstract: The operation of sliding mode controlled DC-DC power converters operating at finite switching frequency is studied. Several methods currently used for reduction of power electronic converter switching frequency are considered. The finite switching frequency behavior of the control system that arises from the use of those switching frequency reduction methods is analyzed from the viewpoint of dynamic and steady-state errors. Simulation and experimental results are presented. Hardware details for the implementation of the switching frequency reduction methods that lead to the best results are also given. >

Control of Power Converters in AC Microgrids

Abstract: The enabling of ac microgrids in distribution networks allows delivering distributed power and providing grid support services during regular operation of the grid, as well as powering isolated islands in case of faults and contingencies, thus increasing the performance and reliability of the electrical system. The high penetration of distributed generators, linked to the grid through highly controllable power processors based on power electronics, together with the incorporation of electrical energy storage systems, communication technologies, and controllable loads, opens new horizons to the effective expansion of microgrid applications integrated into electrical power systems. This paper carries out an overview about microgrid structures and control techniques at different hierarchical levels. At the power converter level, a detailed analysis of the main operation modes and control structures for power converters belonging to microgrids is carried out, focusing mainly on grid-forming, grid-feeding, and grid-supporting configurations. This analysis is extended as well toward the hierarchical control scheme of microgrids, which, based on the primary, secondary, and tertiary control layer division, is devoted to minimize the operation cost, coordinating support services, meanwhile maximizing the reliability and the controllability of microgrids. Finally, the main grid services that microgrids can offer to the main network, as well as the future trends in the development of their operation and control for the next future, are presented and discussed.

Modeling, Analysis and Testing of Autonomous Operation of an Inverter-Based Microgrid

Abstract: The analysis of the small-signal stability of conventional power systems is well established, but for inverter based microgrids there is a need to establish how circuit and control features give rise to particular oscillatory modes and which of these have poor damping. This paper develops the modeling and analysis of autonomous operation of inverter-based microgrids. Each sub-module is modeled in state-space form and all are combined together on a common reference frame. The model captures the detail of the control loops of the inverter but not the switching action. Some inverter modes are found at relatively high frequency and so a full dynamic model of the network (rather than an algebraic impedance model) is used. The complete model is linearized around an operating point and the resulting system matrix is used to derive the eigenvalues. The eigenvalues (termed "modes") indicate the frequency and damping of oscillatory components in the transient response. A sensitivity analysis is also presented which helps identifying the origin of each of the modes and identify possible feedback signals for design of controllers to improve the system stability. With experience it is possible to simplify the model (reduce the order) if particular modes are not of interest as is the case with synchronous machine models. Experimental results from a microgrid of three 10-kW inverters are used to verify the results obtained from the model

Power Management Strategies for a Microgrid With Multiple Distributed Generation Units

Abstract: This paper addresses real and reactive power management strategies of electronically interfaced distributed generation (DG) units in the context of a multiple-DG microgrid system. The emphasis is primarily on electronically interfaced DG (EI-DG) units. DG controls and power management strategies are based on locally measured signals without communications. Based on the reactive power controls adopted, three power management strategies are identified and investigated. These strategies are based on 1) voltage-droop characteristic, 2) voltage regulation, and 3) load reactive power compensation. The real power of each DG unit is controlled based on a frequency-droop characteristic and a complimentary frequency restoration strategy. A systematic approach to develop a small-signal dynamic model of a multiple-DG microgrid, including real and reactive power management strategies, is also presented. The microgrid eigen structure, based on the developed model, is used to 1) investigate the microgrid dynamic behavior, 2) select control parameters of DG units, and 3) incorporate power management strategies in the DG controllers. The model is also used to investigate sensitivity of the design to changes of parameters and operating point and to optimize performance of the microgrid system. The results are used to discuss applications of the proposed power management strategies under various microgrid operating conditions

A Voltage and Frequency Droop Control Method for Parallel Inverters

Abstract: In this paper, a new control method for the parallel operation of inverters operating in an island grid or connected to an infinite bus is described. Frequency and voltage control, including mitigation of voltage harmonics, are achieved without the need for any common control circuitry or communication between inverters. Each inverter supplies a current that is the result of the voltage difference between a reference ac voltage source and the grid voltage across a virtual complex impedance. The reference ac voltage source is synchronized with the grid, with a phase shift, depending on the difference between rated and actual grid frequency. A detailed analysis shows that this approach has a superior behavior compared to existing methods, regarding the mitigation of voltage harmonics, short-circuit behavior and the effectiveness of the frequency and voltage control, as it takes the R to X line impedance ratio into account. Experiments show the behavior of the method for an inverter feeding a highly nonlinear load and during the connection of two parallel inverters in operation.

Adaptive Decentralized Droop Controller to Preserve Power Sharing Stability of Paralleled Inverters in Distributed Generation Microgrids

Abstract: This paper addresses the low-frequency relative stability problem in paralleled inverter-based distributed generation (DG) units in microgrids. In the sense of the small-signal dynamics of a microgrid, it can be shown that as the demanded power of each inverter changes, the low-frequency modes of the power sharing dynamics drift to new locations and the relative stability is remarkably affected, and eventually, instability can be yielded. To preserve the power sharing stability, an adaptive decentralized droop controller of paralleled inverter-based DG units is presented in this paper. The proposed power sharing strategy is based on the static droop characteristics combined with an adaptive transient droop function. Unlike conventional droop controllers, which yield 1-DOF tunable controller, the proposed droop controller yields 2-DOF tunable controller. Subsequently, the dynamic performance of the power sharing mechanism can be adjusted, without affecting the static droop gain, to damp the oscillatory modes of the power sharing controller. To account for the power modes immigration at different loading conditions, the transient droop gains are adaptively scheduled via small-signal analysis of the power sharing mechanism along the loading trajectory of each DG unit to yield the desired transient and steady-state response. The gain adaptation scheme utilizes the filtered active and reactive powers as indices; therefore, a stable and smooth power injection performance can be obtained at different loading conditions. The adaptive nature of the proposed controller ensures active damping of power oscillations at different operating conditions, and yields a stable and robust performance of the paralleled inverter system.