Showing papers on "AC power published in 2011"

Power conversion and control of wind energy systems

Abstract: Preface. List of Symbols. Acronyms and Abbreviations. 1. Introduction. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Overview of Wind Energy Conversion Systems. 1.3 Wind Turbine Technology. 1.4 Wind Energy Conversion System Configurations. 1.5 Grid Code. 1.6 Summary. 2. Fundamentals of Wind Energy Conversion System Control. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Wind Turbine Components. 2.3 Wind Turbine Aerodynamics. 2.4 Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Control. 2.5 Summary. 3. Wind Generators and Modeling. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Reference Frame Transformation. 3.3 Induction Generator Models. 3.4 Synchronous Generators. 3.5 Summary. 4. Power Converters in Wind Energy Conversion Systems. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 AC Voltage Controllers (Soft Starters). 4.3 Interleaved Boost Converters. 4.4 Two-Level Voltage Source Converters. 4.5 Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Converters. 4.6 PWM Current Source Converters. 4.7 Control of Grid-Connected Inverter. 4.8 Summary. 5. Wind Energy System Configurations. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Fixed Speed WECS. 5.3 Variable Speed Induction Generator WECS. 5.4 Variable-speed Synchronous Generator WECS. 5.5 Summary. 6. Fixed-Speed Induction Generator WECS. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Configuration of Fixed-Speed Wind Energy Systems. 6.3 Operation Principle. 6.4 Grid Connection with Soft Starter. 6.5 Reactive Power Compensation. 6.6 Summary. 7. Variable-Speed Wind Energy Systems with Squirrel Cage Induction Generators. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Direct Field Oriented Control. 7.3 Indirect Field Oriented Control. 7.4 Direct Torque Control. 7.5 Control of Current Source Converter Interfaced WECS. 7.6 Summary. 8. Doubly-Fed Induction Generator Based WECS. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Super- and Sub-synchronous Operation of DFIG. 8.3 Unity Power Factor Operation of DFIG. 8.4 Leading and Lagging Power Factor Operation. 8.5 A Steady-State Performance of DFIG WECS. 8.6 DFIG WECS Start-up and Experiments. 8.7 Summary. 9. Variable-Speed Wind Energy Systems with Synchronous Generators. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 System Configuration. 9.3 Control of Synchronous Generators. 9.4 SG Wind Energy System with Back-to-back VSC. 9.5 DC/DC Boost Converter Interfaced SG Wind Energy Systems. 9.6 Reactive Power Control of SG WECS. 9.7 Current Source Converter Based SG Wind Energy Systems. 9.8 Summary. Appendix A. Per Unit System. Appendix B. Generator Parameters. Appendix C. Problems and Answers Manual.

Design and Analysis of the Droop Control Method for Parallel Inverters Considering the Impact of the Complex Impedance on the Power Sharing

Abstract: This paper investigates the characteristics of the active and reactive power sharing in a parallel inverters system under different system impedance conditions. The analyses conclude that the conventional droop method cannot achieve efficient power sharing for the case of a system with complex impedance condition. To achieve the proper power balance and minimize the circulating current in the different impedance situations, a novel droop controller that considers the impact of complex impedance is proposed in this paper. This controller can simplify the coupled active and reactive power relationships, which are caused by the complex impedance in the parallel system. In addition, a virtual complex impedance loop is included in the proposed controller to minimize the fundamental and harmonic circulating current that flows in the parallel system. Compared to the other methods, the proposed controller can achieve accurate power sharing, offers efficient dynamic performance, and is more adaptive to different line impedance situations. Simulation and experimental results are presented to prove the validity and the improvements achieved by the proposed controller.

Nonintrusive appliance load monitoring: Review and outlook

Abstract: Consumer systems for home energy management can provide significant energy saving. Such systems may be based on nonintrusive appliance load monitoring (NIALM), in which individual appliance power consumption information is disaggregated from single-point measurements. The disaggregation methods constitute the most important part of NIALM systems. This paper reviews the methodology of consumer systems for NIALM in residential buildings.

Coordinated Active Power Curtailment of Grid Connected PV Inverters for Overvoltage Prevention

Abstract: Overvoltages in low voltage (LV) feeders with high penetration of photovoltaics (PV) are usually prevented by limiting the feeder's PV capacity to very conservative values, even if the critical periods rarely occur. This paper discusses the use of droop-based active power curtailment techniques for overvoltage prevention in radial LV feeders as a means for increasing the installed PV capacity and energy yield. Two schemes are proposed and tested in a typical 240-V/75-kVA Canadian suburban distribution feeder with 12 houses with roof-top PV systems. In the first scheme, all PV inverters have the same droop coefficients. In the second, the droop coefficients are different so as to share the total active power curtailed among all PV inverters/houses. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes and that the option of sharing the power curtailment among all customers comes at the cost of an overall higher amount of power curtailed.

Options for Control of Reactive Power by Distributed Photovoltaic Generators

Abstract: High-penetration levels of distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation on an electrical distribution circuit present several challenges and opportunities for distribution utilities. Rapidly varying irradiance conditions may cause voltage sags and swells that cannot be compensated by slowly responding utility equipment resulting in a degradation of power quality. Although not permitted under current standards for interconnection of distributed generation, fast-reacting, VAR-capable PV inverters may provide the necessary reactive power injection or consumption to maintain voltage regulation under difficult transient conditions. As side benefit, the control of reactive power injection at each PV inverter provides an opportunity and a new tool for distribution utilities to optimize the performance of distribution circuits, e.g., by minimizing thermal losses. We discuss and compare via simulation various design options for control systems to manage the reactive power generated by these inverters. An important design decision that weighs on the speed and quality of communication required is whether the control should be centralized or distributed (i.e., local). In general, we find that local control schemes are able to maintain voltage within acceptable bounds. We consider the benefits of choosing different local variables on which to control and how the control system can be continuously tuned between robust voltage control, suitable for daytime operation when circuit conditions can change rapidly, and loss minimization better suited for nighttime operation.

Autonomous operation of hybrid microgrid with AC and DC sub-grids

Abstract: This paper investigates on the active and reactive power sharing of an autonomous hybrid microgrid. Unlike existing microgrids which are purely ac, the hybrid microgrid studied here comprises dc and ac sub-grids, interconnected by power electronic interfaces. The main challenge here is to manage the power flow among all the sources distributed throughout the two types of sub-grids, which certainly is tougher than previous efforts developed for only either ac or dc microgrid. This wider scope of control has not yet been investigated, and would certainly rely on the coordinated operation of dc sources, ac sources and interlinking converters. Suitable control and normalization schemes are therefore developed for controlling them with results presented for showing the overall performance of the hybrid microgrid.

Local Reactive Power Control Methods for Overvoltage Prevention of Distributed Solar Inverters in Low-Voltage Grids

Abstract: The main objective of this study is to increase the penetration level of photovoltaic (PV) power production in low-voltage (LV) grids by means of solar inverters with reactive power control capability. This paper underlines weak points of standard reactive power strategies which are already imposed by certain grid codes, and then, the study introduces a new reactive power control method that is based on sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis shows that the same amount of reactive power becomes more effective for grid voltage support if the solar inverter is located at the end of a feeder. Based on this fundamental knowledge, a location-dependent power factor set value can be assigned to each inverter, and the grid voltage support can be achieved with less total reactive power consumption. In order to prevent unnecessary reactive power absorption from the grid during admissible voltage range or to increase reactive power contribution from the inverters that are closest to the transformer during grid overvoltage condition, the proposed method combines two droop functions that are inherited from the standard cos φ(P) and Q(U) strategies. Its performance comparison in terms of grid losses and voltage variation with different reactive power strategies is provided by modeling and simulating a real suburban LV network.

Minimizing Energy Losses: Optimal Accommodation and Smart Operation of Renewable Distributed Generation

Abstract: The problem of minimizing losses in distribution networks has traditionally been investigated using a single, deterministic demand level. This has proved to be effective since most approaches are generally able to also result in minimum overall energy losses. However, the increasing penetration of (firm and variable) distributed generation (DG) raises concerns on the actual benefits of loss minimization studies that are limited to a single demand/generation scenario. Here, a multiperiod AC optimal power flow (OPF) is used to determine the optimal accommodation of (renewable) DG in a way that minimizes the system energy losses. In addition, control schemes expected to be part of the future Smart Grid, such as coordinated voltage control and dispatchable DG power factor, are embedded in the OPF formulation to explore the extra loss reduction benefits that can be harnessed with such technologies. The trade-off between energy losses and more generation capacity is also investigated. The methodology is applied to a generic U.K. distribution network and results demonstrate the significant impact that considering time-varying characteristics has on the energy loss minimization problem and highlight the gains that the flexibility provided by innovative control strategies can have on both loss minimization and generation capacity.

Grid Interconnection of Renewable Energy Sources at the Distribution Level With Power-Quality Improvement Features

Abstract: Renewable energy resources (RES) are being increasingly connected in distribution systems utilizing power electronic converters. This paper presents a novel control strategy for achieving maximum benefits from these grid-interfacing inverters when installed in 3-phase 4-wire distribution systems. The inverter is controlled to perform as a multi-function device by incorporating active power filter functionality. The inverter can thus be utilized as: 1) power converter to inject power generated from RES to the grid, and 2) shunt APF to compensate current unbalance, load current harmonics, load reactive power demand and load neutral current. All of these functions may be accomplished either individually or simultaneously. With such a control, the combination of grid-interfacing inverter and the 3-phase 4-wire linear/non-linear unbalanced load at point of common coupling appears as balanced linear load to the grid. This new control concept is demonstrated with extensive MATLAB/Simulink simulation studies and validated through digital signal processor-based laboratory experimental results.

Modulation strategy to operate the dual active bridge DC-DC converter under soft switching in the whole operating range

Abstract: A new modulation strategy that allows operating the dual active bridge (DAB) dc-dc converter under soft switching in the whole operating range is proposed. This strategy is ruled by imposing a certain modulation index in one of the two bridges and a phase shift between the transformer primary and secondary voltages. Moreover, the proposed algorithm reduces the reactive power and thus reducing the converter conduction losses. An experimental prototype was implemented and some experimental results are presented to validate the theoretical analysis. The experimental results reveal that the overall efficiency of the DAB topology can be improved up to 20% by implementing the proposed modulation strategy instead of the conventional one.

A Transformerless Medium-Voltage STATCOM Topology Based on Extended Modular Multilevel Converters

Abstract: A new transformerless four-leg topology is suggested for shunt compensation, the modular multilevel converters (MMC) based on the half-bridge converters, to achieve higher performance as a STATCOM in a distorted and unbalanced medium-voltage large-current (MV-LC) system. Further, an extended MMC (EMMC) is proposed in order to manage more accurate compensation for high-power applications. Both proposals can be controlled for various purposes such as reactive power and unbalance compensation, voltage regulation, and harmonic cancellation. Moreover, related control strategies are also suggested for both the MMC and the EMMC to ensure that the source-end three-phase currents are sinusoidal and balanced. Also, the dc-link capacitors of the half-bridge converters are regulated. One interesting application for the EMMC-based STATCOM could be the improvement in power quality and performance of the electrified railway traction power supply system. Both the MMC- and the EMMC-based STATCOM along with their proposed control strategies were simulated; further, to verify the suggestions, these proposals were also implemented on a 30-kVA modular laboratory prototype. Experiments and simulations confirm the predefined objectives.

Inverter VAR control for distribution systems with renewables

Abstract: Motivated by the need to cope with rapid and random fluctuations of renewable generation, we presents a model that augments the traditional Volt/VAR control through switched controllers on a slow timescale with inverter control on a fast timescale. The optimization problem is generally nonconvex and therefore hard to solve. We propose a simple convex relaxation and prove that it is exact provided over-satisfaction of load is allowed. Hence Volt/VAR control over radial networks is efficiently solvable. Simulations of a real-world distribution circuit illustrates that the proposed inverter control achieves significant improvement over the IEEE 1547 standard in terms of power quality and power savings.

Control Strategy to Mitigate the Impact of Reduced Inertia Due to Doubly Fed Induction Generators on Large Power Systems

Abstract: The present work is based on developing a control strategy to mitigate the impact of reduced inertia due to significant DFIG penetration in a large power system. The paper aims to design a supplementary control for the DFIG power converters such that the effective inertia contributed by these wind generators to the system is increased. The paper also proposes the idea of adjusting pitch compensation and maximum active power order to the converter in order to improve inertial response during the transient with response to drop in grid frequency. Results obtained on a large realistic power system indicate that the frequency nadir following a large power impact in the form of generators dropping out is effectively improved with the proposed control strategy. The proposed control is also validated against the sudden wind speed change in the form of wind gust downs and wind ramp downs occurring in conjunction with the generators dropping out. A beneficial impact in terms of damping power system oscillations is also observed, which is validated by eigenvalue analysis. The affected mode is then excited with a large disturbance in time domain. The damping improvement observed in time domain and subsequent Prony analysis support the result obtained from eigenvalue analysis.

Power Management of Inverter Interfaced Autonomous Microgrid Based on Virtual Frequency-Voltage Frame

Abstract: This paper presents the power management scheme for a power electronics based low voltage microgrid in islanding operation. The proposed real and reactive power control is based on the virtual frequency and voltage frame, which can effectively decouple the real and reactive power flows and improve the system transient and stability performance. Detailed analysis of the virtual frame operation range is presented, and a control strategy to guarantee that the microgrid can be operated within the predetermined voltage and frequency variation limits is also proposed. Moreover, a reactive power control with adaptive voltage droop method is proposed, which automatically updates the maximum reactive power limit of a DG unit based on its current rating and actual real power output and features enlarged power output range and further improved system stability. Both simulation and experimental results are provided in this paper.

Optimal placement of multi-distributed generation units including different load models using particle swarm optimisation

Abstract: This study proposes a multi-objective index-based approach to optimally determine the size and location of multi-distributed generation (DG) units in distribution system with non-unity power factor considering different load models. It is shown that load models can significantly affect the optimal location and sizing of DG resources in distribution systems. The proposed multi-objective function to be optimised includes a short-circuit-level parameter to represent the protective device requirements. The proposed function also considers a wide range of technical issues such as active and reactive power losses of the system, the voltage profile, the line loading and the Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) intake by the grid. The optimisation technique based on particle swarm optimisation is introduced. The analysis of continuation power flow to determine the effect of DG units on the most sensitive buses to voltage collapse is carried out. The proposed algorithm is tested using the 38-bus radial system and the IEEE 30-bus meshed system. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Constant Power Control of DFIG Wind Turbines With Supercapacitor Energy Storage

Abstract: With the increasing penetration of wind power into electric power grids, energy storage devices will be required to dynamically match the intermittency of wind energy. This paper proposes a novel two-layer constant power control scheme for a wind farm equipped with doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines. Each DFIG wind turbine is equipped with a supercapacitor energy storage system (ESS) and is controlled by the low-layer wind turbine generator (WTG) controllers and coordinated by a high-layer wind farm supervisory controller (WFSC). The WFSC generates the active power references for the low-layer WTG controllers according to the active power demand from or generation commitment to the grid operator; the low-layer WTG controllers then regulate each DFIG wind turbine to generate the desired amount of active power, where the deviations between the available wind energy input and desired active power output are compensated by the ESS. Simulation studies are carried out in PSCAD/EMTDC on a wind farm equipped with 15 DFIG wind turbines to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Power Control Design of a Battery Charger in a Hybrid Active PV Generator for Load-Following Applications

Abstract: A hybrid generator with a photovoltaic energy conversion system is proposed with supercapacitors and lead-acid batteries in a dc-coupled structure. The objective of this system is to supply the prescribed reactive and active power to the grid. This paper focuses on the strategy, which makes it possible to ensure a high battery state of charge and overcharge security by designing a dedicated local control system. A continuous dynamic model and a control design of the power system studied are proposed in this paper. Simulation and experimental results illustrate the performances obtained.

Pliant Active and Reactive Power Control for Grid-Interactive Converters Under Unbalanced Voltage Dips

Abstract: During voltage dips continuous power delivery from distributed generation systems to the grid is desirable for the purpose of grid support. In order to facilitate the control of inverter-based distributed power generation adapted to the expected change of grid requirements, generalized power control strategies based on symmetric-sequence components are proposed in this paper, aiming to manipulate the delivered instantaneous power under unbalanced voltage dips. It is shown that active and reactive power can be independently controlled with two individually adaptable parameters. By changing these parameters, the relative amplitudes of oscillating power can be smoothly regulated, as well as the peak values of three-phase grid currents. As a result, the power control of grid-interactive inverters becomes quite flexible and adaptable to various grid requirements or design constraints. Furthermore, two strategies for simultaneous active and reactive power control are proposed that preserve flexible controllability; an application example is given to illustrate the simplicity and adaptability of the proposed strategies for online optimization control. Finally, experimental results are provided that verify the proposed power control.

ZCS $LCC$ -Compensated Resonant Inverter for Inductive-Power-Transfer Application

Abstract: Inductive power transfer (IPT) is commonly used to transmit power from an extended loop (track) to a number of galvanically isolated movable pick-ups. To maximize the power transfer and minimize converter requirements, various compensation circuits have been proposed for both the track (primary) and the pick-up (secondary). This paper investigates the suitability of the LCC series-parallel compensation for IPT primary design. A new compensation-circuit design procedure is proposed that considers high-order current harmonics and results in inverter zero-current switching. The proposed compensation is compared with the classical compensation designed for zero phase angle between the inverter voltage and current fundamental components. Expressions for the bifurcation boundary, voltampere rating of reactive-compensation elements, and the current at the moment of switching are derived and analyzed. Analytical results are verified both via PSpice simulations and experimentally using a 1-hp MOSFET-based prototype.

Optimal placement of multi-distributed generation units including different load models using particle swarm optimization

Abstract: This paper proposes a multi-objective index-based approach for optimally determining the size and location of multi-distributed generation (multi-DG) units in distribution systems with different load models. It is shown that the load models can significantly affect the optimal location and sizing of DG resources in distribution systems. The proposed multi-objective function to be optimized includes a short circuit level parameter to represent the protective device requirements. The proposed function also considers a wide range of technical issues such as active and reactive power losses of the system, the voltage profile, the line loading, and the Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) intake by the grid. An optimization technique based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is introduced. An analysis of the continuation power flow to determine the effect of DG units on the most sensitive buses to voltage collapse is carried out. The proposed algorithm is tested using a 38-bus radial system and an IEEE 30-bus meshed system. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Direct Active and Reactive Power Regulation of Grid-Connected DC/AC Converters Using Sliding Mode Control Approach

Abstract: This paper proposes a new direct active and reactive power control (DPC) for the three-phase grid connected dc/ac converters. The proposed DPC strategy employs a nonlinear sliding mode control (SMC) scheme to directly calculate the required converter's control voltage so as to eliminate the instantaneous errors of active and reactive powers without involving any rotating coordinate transformations. Meanwhile, there are no extra current control loops involved, which simplifies the system design and enhances the transient performance. Constant converter switching frequency is achieved by using space vector modulation, which eases the design of the ac harmonic filter. Simulation and experimental results are provided and compared with those of the classic voltage-oriented vector control (VC) and conventional lookup table (LUT) DPC strategies. The proposed SMC-DPC is capable of providing enhanced transient performance similar to that of the LUT-DPC, and keeps the steady-state harmonic spectra at the same level as those of the VC scheme. The robustness of the proposed DPC to line inductance variations is also inspected during active and reactive power changes.

Constrained Optimal Control of a Heaving Buoy Wave-Energy Converter

Abstract: Current prognoses are that, unless counteracted by very strong political measures, the world will meet both energy shortage and climate crisis within a horizon of a few decades, both of which are strongly related to our dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources may be harvested sustainably, and developing technology for their exploitation therefore forms an obvious part of strategies to reduce emissions and secure energy supply. Wave energy is a resource with relatively high power density, readily available along the coasts, and thus coinciding with the areas where industry and people tend to be accumulated. In some regions this resource is large enough to form a significant part of the energy mix. The technology for harnessing the power of ocean waves is today still on the research and development stage. The challenge is to make a design where the costs of investment, operation and maintenance (in terms of money, resources and energy) can be justified by the availability and potential earnings. This thesis focuses on two aspects of systems for wave energy conversion: How to model such systems, which is important for understanding and design, and how to control their motion, which is crucial for the primary power conversion – the inevitable step that forms the basis for revenues and energy output from such a device. The dissertation is based on articles published in scientific conferences and journals, as well as an account for background of the undertaken research and the methods used. The bond graph modelling language has been chosen as a promising aid for the modelling of the power converter dynamics. It enables a systematic and transparent approach to the path from drawing board to mathematical equations. Examples show how energy conversion systems may be modelled and simulated within this framework. These include heave-motion models for a semi-submerged sphere, a platform/buoy two-body system and a smallscale oscillating water column (OWC), as well as wave-to-wire models of two made-up systems. The OWC model was also studied by laboratory experiments. A range of control strategies has been studied and compared by numerical simulation, and in one case also by laboratory experiments. These strategies include phase control by latching and by clutching, approximations to complex-conjugate control, and model predictive control (MPC). Constraint handling and real-time parameter tuning are discussed, too. The constrained optimal power absorption is investigated, and for the example of a semi-submerged heaving sphere in irregular waves it is found that MPC in combination with a Kalman filter predictor is able to provide an absorbed power in excess of 90% as compared to the non-causal (and hence not completely realisable) constrained optimum. Other causal controller implementations gives an absorbed power ranging from 10 to 90% of that achieved with MPC. The best performing control strategies, however, involve a large flow of reactive power through the machinery, which in normal irregular-wave operation may give peak-to-average power ratio as high as 25 and above. This represents a challenge to the design of machinery and controller. An interesting observation from the numerical simulations is the possibility of increased absorbed power in irregular waves as compared to regular waves having about the same wavelength characteristics and the same wave power level. An explanation is suggested for this phenomenon.

Reactive Power Capability of Wind Turbines Based on Doubly Fed Induction Generators

Abstract: With the increasing penetration of wind turbines (WTs) grid utilities require extended reactive power supply capability not only during voltage dips but also in steady-state operation WTs with doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) are able to control active and reactive power independently The reactive power capability is subject to several limitations resulting from the voltage, current, and speed, which change with the operating point This paper discusses the steady-state reactive power loading capability of DFIG-based WTs by taking into account the most important physical phenomena restricting the reactive power supply of DFIG-based WT systems The active-reactive power diagram is systematically derived by considering the typical power-speed relationship and converter loading limits The authors discuss also some special operating modes limiting the reactive power capability together with aspects of modeling and control that give rise to these limitations

A distributed control strategy for reactive power compensation in smart microgrids

Abstract: We consider the problem of optimal reactive power compensation for the minimization of power distribution losses in a smart microgrid. We first propose an approximate model for the power distribution network, which allows us to cast the problem into the class of convex quadratic, linearly constrained, optimization problems. We then consider the specific problem of commanding the microgenerators connected to the microgrid, in order to achieve the optimal injection of reactive power. For this task, we design a randomized, gossip-like optimization algorithm. We show how a distributed approach is possible, where microgenerators need to have only a partial knowledge of the problem parameters and of the state, and can perform only local measurements. For the proposed algorithm, we provide conditions for convergence together with an analytic characterization of the convergence speed. The analysis shows that, in radial networks, the best performance can be achieved when we command cooperation among units that are neighbors in the electric topology. Numerical simulations are included to validate the proposed model and to confirm the analytic results about the performance of the proposed algorithm.

An Improved Low-Voltage Ride-Through Control Strategy of Doubly Fed Induction Generator During Grid Faults

Abstract: This paper presents a control strategy to improve the low-voltage ride-through capability of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG); since the stator of a DFIG is directly connected to a grid, this sort of machine is very sensitive to grid disturbance. Grid voltage sag causes overcurrents and overvoltages in rotor windings, which can damage the rotor-side converter (RSC). In order to protect the RSC, a classical solution based on installation of the so-called crowbar is adopted; however, as the DFIG absorbs reactive power from the grid, this type of solution deteriorates grid voltage sags and cannot meet the requirements of a new grid code. An improved control strategy which uses virtual resistance to limit rotor side overcurrents is proposed in this paper, which can make a crowbar inactive and supply reactive power to fulfill the latest grid code requirement during voltage sags. In order to validate the proposed strategy, simulations and experiments have been carried out, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Photovoltaic Generation Penetration Limits in Radial Distribution Systems

Abstract: Photovoltaic generating units connected to distribution systems represent a type of distributed generation (DG) that has been experiencing increased growth in recent years. Higher DG penetration levels may be interesting from many different points of view, but raise important issues about distribution system operation. Therefore, new techniques are needed to determine the maximum amount of DG that may be installed without requiring major changes in the existing electric power system. According to the literature, voltage rises at load bus bars are a serious limiting factor when installing DG. This paper presents and discusses studies proving that conductor ampacity and voltage rises are limiting factors that manifest themselves under different conditions. The present study highlights situations in which line overloads are more restrictive than voltage rises. Variation in substation voltage, load, and its power factor were simulated in a simplified radial distribution system model, and the amount of distributed generation that may be installed was obtained. Mathematic formulae were developed to determine the amount of distributed generation for existing utility systems.

Improving the grid power quality using virtual synchronous machines

Abstract: This paper presents the improvement of power quality and grid stability for distributed generation using the virtual synchronous machine (VISMA) which embodies a hysteresis controlled three phase inverter with a synchronous machine model on an embedded control computer to calculate the reference currents. Currently the conventional grid-connected inverters are predominantly designed to transmit electrical energy to the grid discounting the maintenance of frequency and voltage and also its transient stability. However, the VISMA is able to regulate both the active and reactive power separately and bidirectionally by setting the virtual torque and virtual excitation to meet the power system requirements. Furthermore, a virtual rotating mass is implemented in the VISMA in order to increase the inertia in the grid and improve the transient frequency stability in analogy to the conventional synchronous generator. Additionally, the virtual damping of the VISMA can reduce the frequency and power oscillation in the grid. All these properties mentioned above have been verified in simulations and measurements in an experimental micro grid.

Online Optimal Reactive Power Control Strategy of PV Inverters

Abstract: This paper proposes a decentralized nonlinear autoadaptive controller for reducing system losses by the optimal management of the reactive power supplied by the inverters of photovoltaic (PV) units. This ancillary service can be furnished on the base of standard needs or on voluntary basis. The control design is based on an optimization procedure involving the sensitivity theory in conjunction with the Lyapunov function and provides control laws acting as references of the PV inverter local controller. PV inverters must operate in a decoupled manner in order to provide the reactive power imposed by the control law and to transfer the active power produced by PV modules. The experiences and results conducted in an indoor laboratory as well as on an actual distribution network managed by ENEL Distribuzione S.p.A. demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing system losses.