Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Systems Based on Multi-Resolution Signal Decomposition and Fuzzy Inference Systems
TL;DR: The proposed fault detection scheme is based on a pattern recognition approach that employs a multiresolution signal decomposition technique to extract the necessary features, based on which a fuzzy inference system determines if a fault has occurred.
Abstract: This paper presents a detection scheme for DC side short-circuit faults of photovoltaic (PV) arrays that consist of multiple PV panels connected in a series/parallel configuration. Such faults are nearly undetectable under low irradiance conditions, particularly, when a maximum power point tracking algorithm is in-service. If remain undetected, these faults can considerably lower the output energy of solar systems, damage the panels, and potentially cause fire hazards. The proposed fault detection scheme is based on a pattern recognition approach that employs a multiresolution signal decomposition technique to extract the necessary features, based on which a fuzzy inference system determines if a fault has occurred. The presented case studies (both simulation and experimental) demonstrate the effective and reliable performance of the proposed method in detecting PV array faults.
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TL;DR: The types and causes of PV systems (PVS) failures are presented, then different methods proposed in literature for FDD of PVS are reviewed and discussed; particularly faults occurring in PV arrays (PVA).
Abstract: Faults in any components (modules, connection lines, converters, inverters, etc.) of photovoltaic (PV) systems (stand-alone, grid-connected or hybrid PV systems) can seriously affect the efficiency, energy yield as well as the security and reliability of the entire PV plant, if not detected and corrected quickly. In addition, if some faults persist (e.g. arc fault, ground fault and line-to-line fault) they can lead to risk of fire. Fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) methods are indispensable for the system reliability, operation at high efficiency, and safety of the PV plant. In this paper, the types and causes of PV systems (PVS) failures are presented, then different methods proposed in literature for FDD of PVS are reviewed and discussed; particularly faults occurring in PV arrays (PVA). Special attention is paid to methods that can accurately detect, localise and classify possible faults occurring in a PVA. The advantages and limits of FDD methods in terms of feasibility, complexity, cost-effectiveness and generalisation capability for large-scale integration are highlighted. Based on the reviewed papers, challenges and recommendations for future research direction are also provided.
308 citations
TL;DR: The proposed CAPMS is successful in regulating the dc and ac bus voltages and frequency stably, controlling the voltage and power of each unit flexibly, and balancing the power flows in the systems automatically under different operating circumstances, regardless of disturbances from switching operating modes, fluctuations of irradiance and temperature, and change of loads.
Abstract: Battery storage is usually employed in photovoltaic (PV) system to mitigate the power fluctuations due to the characteristics of PV panels and solar irradiance. Control schemes for PV-battery systems must be able to stabilize the bus voltages as well as to control the power flows flexibly. This paper proposes a comprehensive control and power management system (CAPMS) for PV-battery-based hybrid microgrids with both ac and dc buses, for both grid-connected and islanded modes. The proposed CAPMS is successful in regulating the dc and ac bus voltages and frequency stably, controlling the voltage and power of each unit flexibly, and balancing the power flows in the systems automatically under different operating circumstances, regardless of disturbances from switching operating modes, fluctuations of irradiance and temperature, and change of loads. Both simulation and experimental case studies are carried out to verify the performance of the proposed method.
259 citations
Cites methods from "Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Sy..."
...Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms are typically implemented in PV system to extract the maximum power a PV array can provide [26]....
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TL;DR: An in depth analysis of various fault occurrences, protection challenges and ramifications due to undetected faults in PV systems is carried out.
Abstract: With the exponential growth in global photovoltaic (PV) power capacity, protection of PV systems has gained prodigious importance in last few decades. Even with the use of standard protection devices in a PV system, faults occurring in a PV array may remain undetected. Inspired by the ever increasing demand for a reliable fault detection technique, several advanced techniques have been proposed in literature; especially in the last few years. Hence, this paper carries out an in depth analysis of various fault occurrences, protection challenges and ramifications due to undetected faults in PV systems. Furthermore, with a widespread literature, the paper critically reviews numerous fault detection algorithms/techniques available for PV systems which are proven to be effective and feasible to implement. The proposed study is not only limited to surveying the existing techniques but also analyzes the performance of each technique with an emphasis on its: 1) Approach, 2) Sensor requirements, 3) Ability to diagnose and localize faults, 4) Integration complexity, 5) Accuracy, 6) Applicability and 7) Implementation cost. Overall, this paper is envisioned to avail the researchers working in the field of PV systems with a valuable resource, which will assist them to enrich their research works.
230 citations
TL;DR: The comparison results indicate that the generalization performance of the proposed RF based model is better than the one of the decision tree based model, therefore, the proposed optimal RF based method is an effective and efficient alternative to detect and classify the faults of PV arrays.
177 citations
TL;DR: A fault detection algorithm based on multiresolution signal decomposition for feature extraction, and two-stage support vector machine (SVM) classifiers for decision making is proposed, which only requires data of the total voltage and current from a PV array and a limited amount of labeled data for training the SVM.
Abstract: Fault detection in photovoltaic (PV) arrays becomes difficult as the number of PV panels increases Particularly, under low irradiance conditions with an active maximum power point tracking algorithm, line-to-line (L-L) faults may remain undetected because of low fault currents, resulting in loss of energy and potential fire hazards This paper proposes a fault detection algorithm based on multiresolution signal decomposition for feature extraction, and two-stage support vector machine (SVM) classifiers for decision making This detection method only requires data of the total voltage and current from a PV array and a limited amount of labeled data for training the SVM Both simulation and experimental case studies verify the accuracy of the proposed method
174 citations
Cites background from "Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Sy..."
...The MPPT notices this change without recognizing its root cause, and will optimize the system by moving the operating voltage to VMPP f , which consequentially increases the output current of the array and reduces the back-feeding current [1], [2], [32]....
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References
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on inverter technologies for connecting photovoltaic (PV) modules to a single-phase grid and categorize the inverters into four classifications: 1) the number of power processing stages in cascade; 2) the type of power decoupling between the PV module(s) and the single phase grid; 3) whether they utilizes a transformer (either line or high frequency) or not; and 4) the kind of grid-connected power stage.
Abstract: This review focuses on inverter technologies for connecting photovoltaic (PV) modules to a single-phase grid. The inverters are categorized into four classifications: 1) the number of power processing stages in cascade; 2) the type of power decoupling between the PV module(s) and the single-phase grid; 3) whether they utilizes a transformer (either line or high frequency) or not; and 4) the type of grid-connected power stage. Various inverter topologies are presented, compared, and evaluated against demands, lifetime, component ratings, and cost. Finally, some of the topologies are pointed out as the best candidates for either single PV module or multiple PV module applications.
3,530 citations
"Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Sy..." refers background in this paper
...The PV array consists of multiple PV panels connected in series in a string, to provide the necessary voltage level, and multiple strings in parallel, to achieve the required output power [6]....
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CNET1
TL;DR: A simple, nonrigorous, synthetic view of wavelet theory is presented for both review and tutorial purposes, which includes nonstationary signal analysis, scale versus frequency,Wavelet analysis and synthesis, scalograms, wavelet frames and orthonormal bases, the discrete-time case, and applications of wavelets in signal processing.
Abstract: A simple, nonrigorous, synthetic view of wavelet theory is presented for both review and tutorial purposes. The discussion includes nonstationary signal analysis, scale versus frequency, wavelet analysis and synthesis, scalograms, wavelet frames and orthonormal bases, the discrete-time case, and applications of wavelets in signal processing. The main definitions and properties of wavelet transforms are covered, and connections among the various fields where results have been developed are shown. >
2,945 citations
"Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Sy..." refers methods in this paper
...MSD is based on the wavelet transformation and uses a series of highand low-pass filters successively to extract the low-frequency components (approximation, A), and the high-frequency components (details, D) of the signal [41], [42]....
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TL;DR: In this article, a fuzzy logic is used to synthesize linguistic control protocol of a skilled operator for industrial plants, which has been applied to pilot scale plants as well as in practical situations.
Abstract: This paper describes an application of fuzzy logic in designing controllers for industrial plants. A fuzzy logic is used to synthesize linguistic control protocol of a skilled operator. The method has been applied to pilot scale plants as well as in practical situations. The merits of this method and its usefulness to control engineering are discussed. An avenue for further work in this area is described where the need is to go beyond a purely descriptive approach, and means for implementing a prescriptive or a self-organizing system are explored.
2,011 citations
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: An overview of the existing PV energy conversion systems, addressing the system configuration of different PV plants and the PV converter topologies that have found practical applications for grid-connected systems is presented in this paper.
Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) energy has grown at an average annual rate of 60% in the last five years, surpassing one third of the cumulative wind energy installed capacity, and is quickly becoming an important part of the energy mix in some regions and power systems. This has been driven by a reduction in the cost of PV modules. This growth has also triggered the evolution of classic PV power converters from conventional singlephase grid-tied inverters to more complex topologies to increase efficiency, power extraction from the modules, and reliability without impacting the cost. This article presents an overview of the existing PV energy conversion systems, addressing the system configuration of different PV plants and the PV converter topologies that have found practical applications for grid-connected systems. In addition, the recent research and emerging PV converter technology are discussed, highlighting their possible advantages compared with the present technology. Solar PV energy conversion systems have had a huge growth from an accumulative total power equal to approximately 1.2 GW in 1992 to 136 GW in 2013 (36 GW during 2013) [1]. This phenomenon has been possible because of several factors all working together to push the PV energy to cope with one important position today (and potentially a fundamental position in the near future). Among these factors are the cost reduction and increase in efficiency of the PV modules, the search for alternative clean energy sources (not based on fossil fuels), increased environmental awareness, and favorable political regulations from local governments (establishing feed-in tariffs designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies). It has become usual to see PV systems installed on the roofs of houses or PV farms next to the roads in the countryside. Grid-connected PV systems account for more than 99% of the PV installed capacity compared to
772 citations
TL;DR: An overview of the existing PV energy conversion systems, addressing the system configuration of different PV plants and the PV converter topologies that have found practical applications for grid-connected systems is presented in this article.
Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) energy has grown at an average annual rate of 60% in the last five years, surpassing one third of the cumulative wind energy installed capacity, and is quickly becoming an important part of the energy mix in some regions and power systems. This has been driven by a reduction in the cost of PV modules. This growth has also triggered the evolution of classic PV power converters from conventional single-phase grid-tied inverters to more complex topologies to increase efficiency, power extraction from the modules, and reliability without impacting the cost. This article presents an overview of the existing PV energy conversion systems, addressing the system configuration of different PV plants and the PV converter topologies that have found practical applications for grid-connected systems. In addition, the recent research and emerging PV converter technology are discussed, highlighting their possible advantages compared with the present technology.
772 citations
"Fault Detection for Photovoltaic Sy..." refers background in this paper
...Some experts recommend including a blocking diode in each string to block the back-feeding current [12]....
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