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Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 53385

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Prof. Dr. Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen

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Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Interests: renewable energy systems; smart energy systems; biomass resources; biogas production; bio-refineries
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Dr. Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar

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Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Interests: power electronics; electrical drives; renewable energy; power electronics converter; modulation techniques; grid connected system
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The microgrid system has been continuously gaining attention over the last decade in both academia and industry. The microgrid system is a key empowering technology to integrate various types of renewable energy sources (RES) accompanied with a smart control approach in order to enhance the system reliability and efficiency. With the help of a power electronics converter, a microgrid provides a higher flexibility, and an easier management over RES, electronics load, and energy storage systems. The performance of the microgrid can be efficiently governed by properly choosing the power electronic interface. With the rapid emergence of power electronics, the importance of microgrids in today’s society is gradually being brought to a whole new level.

The aim of this Special Issue is to broadcast the recent technological progression towards the modelling and design of power converter topologies and their controllers, in order to improve the performance of a microgrid system.

Topic of interest includes, but are not limited to, the following:

Modelling and design of high voltage gain DC–DC power converters for microgrid applications.
Multilevel converter for PV integrated microgrid applications.
Bidirectional converter for an electric vehicular system.
Multistage DC–DC converter with voltage boosting techniques.
Multiport DC–DC converter for microgrid application.
Advance the control and modulation strategies to improve the dynamic performance of power electronics converters.
Control strategies for grid interfacing converters.

Prof. Dr. Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen
Dr. Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban
Guest Editors

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Keywords

power electronics
renewable energy
grid integration
pv systems
power quality

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Direct Form Digital Robust RST Control Based on Chebyshev Sphere Optimization Applied in a DC-DC Power Converter

by Cleonor C. das Neves, Walter B. Junior, Renan L. P. de Medeiros, Florindo A. C. Ayres Junior, Iury V. Bessa, Isaías V. Bessa, Gabriela de M. Veroneze, Luiz E. S. e Silva and Nei J. S. Farias

Energies 2020, 13(15), 3810; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13153810 - 24 Jul 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2283

Abstract

This paper presents a novel direct form to design a digital robust control using RST structure (i.e., name given because of the R, S and T polynomials computed) based on convex optimization such as Chebyshev sphere; this approach was applied to a DC-DC Buck converter. This methodology takes into account parametric uncertainties and a Chebyshev sphere constraint in order to ensure robust performance and stability of the system in the discrete domain. For this purpose, a mathematical model for the DC-DC Buck converter is presented when considering uncertainties in electrical variables, such as load resistance, inductance, capacitance, and source voltage variation, also to obtain the discrete model of the system by using the bilinear transformation. The proposed methodology is compared with two other approaches designed in a discrete domain: the classical pole placement and the robust methodology based on the Kharitonov theorem. Wide-ranging experiments are performed in order to evaluate the behavior of the control methodologies when the system is subject to parametric variations of the load resistance and voltage setpoint variation. The results show that the proposed methodology outperforms the other approaches in 90% of the tests and ensures robust stability and robust performance when the system is subjected to a parametric uncertainties family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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31 pages, 15916 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Modified High Voltage Gain Quasi-Impedance Source Coupled Inductor Multilevel Inverter for Photovoltaic Application

by Madasamy Periyanayagam, Suresh Kumar V, Bharatiraja Chokkalingam, Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban, Lucian Mihet-Popa and Yusuff Adedayo

Energies 2020, 13(4), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13040874 - 17 Feb 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3283

Abstract

The quasi-impedance source inverters/quasi-Z source inverters (Q-ZSIs) have shown improvement to overwhelmed shortcomings of regular voltage-source inverters (VSIs) and current-source inverters (CSIs) in terms of efficiency and buck-boost type operations. The Q-ZSIs encapsulated several significant merits against conventional ZSIs, i.e., realized buck/boost, inversion and power conditioning in a single power stage with improved reliability. The conventional inverters have two major problems; voltage harmonics and boosting capability, which make it impossible to prefer for renewable generation and general-purpose applications such as drive acceleration. This work has proposed a Q-ZSI with five-level six switches coupled inverter. The proposed Q-ZSI has the merits of operation, reduced passive components, higher voltage boosting capability and high efficiency. The modified space vector pulse width modulation (PWM) developed to achieve the desired control on the impedance network and inverter switching states. The proposed PWM integrates the boosting and regular inverter switching state within one sampling period. The PWM has merits such as reduction of coupled inductor size, total harmonic reduction with enhancing of the fundamental voltage profile. In comparison with other multilevel inverters (MLI), it utilizes only half of the power switch and a lower modulation index to attain higher voltage gain. The proposed inverter dealt with photovoltaic (PV) system for the stand-alone load. The proposed boost inverter topology, operating performance and control algorithm is theoretically investigated and validated through MATLAB/Simulink software and experimental upshots. The proposed topology is an attractive solution for the stand-alone and grid-connected system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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19 pages, 3833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid PV-Battery System for ON-Grid and OFF-Grid Applications—Controller-In-Loop Simulation Validation

by Umashankar Subramaniam, Sridhar Vavilapalli, Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban, Frede Blaabjerg, Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen and Dhafer Almakhles

Energies 2020, 13(3), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030755 - 9 Feb 2020

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5618

Abstract

In remote locations such as villages, islands and hilly areas, there is a possibility of frequent power failures, voltage drops or power fluctuations due to grid-side faults. Grid-connected renewable energy systems or micro-grid systems are preferable for such remote locations to meet the local critical load requirements during grid-side failures. In renewable energy systems, solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems are accessible and hybrid PV-battery systems or energy storage systems (ESS) are more capable of providing uninterruptible power to the local critical loads during grid-side faults. This energy storage system also improves the system dynamics during power fluctuations. In present work, a PV-battery hybrid system with DC-side coupling is considered, and a power balancing control (PBC) is proposed to transfer the power to grid/load and the battery. In this system, a solar power conditioning system (PCS) acts as an interface across PV source, battery and the load/central grid. With the proposed PBC technique, the system can operate in following operational modes: (a) PCS can be able to work in grid-connected mode during regular operation; (b) PCS can be able to charge the batteries and (c) PCS can be able to operate in standalone mode during grid side faults and deliver power to the local loads. The proposed controls are explained, and the system response during transient and steady-state conditions is described. With the help of controller-in-loop simulation results, the proposed power balancing controls are validated, for both off-grid and on-grid conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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16 pages, 6632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Port Converter for Integrating Energy Storage and Wireless Power Transfer Systems in Future Residential Applications

by Hyeon-Seok Lee and Jae-Jung Yun

Energies 2020, 13(1), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13010272 - 5 Jan 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3401

Abstract

This paper presents a highly efficient three-port converter to integrate energy storage (ES) and wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. The proposed converter consists of a bidirectional DC-DC converter and an AC-DC converter with a resonant capacitor. By sharing an inductor and four switches in the bidirectional DC-DC converter, the bidirectional DC-DC converter operates as a DC-DC converter for ES systems and simultaneously as a DC-AC converter for WPT systems. Here, four switches are turned on under the zero voltage switching conditions. The AC-DC converter for WPT system achieves high voltage gain by using a resonance between the resonant capacitor and the leakage inductance of a receiving coil. A 100-W prototype was built and tested to verify the effectiveness of the converter; it had a maximum power-conversion efficiency of 95.9% for the battery load and of 93.8% for the wireless charging load. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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21 pages, 6414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Integrated Topology to Interface Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energies with the Grid

by Alfredo Alvarez-Diazcomas, Héctor López, Roberto V. Carrillo-Serrano, Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz, Nimrod Vázquez and Gilberto Herrera-Ruiz

Energies 2019, 12(21), 4091; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12214091 - 26 Oct 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3617

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are an alternative to internal combustion engine cars to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. It is common to use several power sources to achieve the requirements of the electric motor. A proper power converter and an accurate control strategy need to be utilized to take advantage of the characteristics of every source. In this paper is presented a novel topology of a multiple-input bidirectional DC-DC power converter to interface two or more sources of energy with different voltage levels. Furthermore, it can be used as a buck or a boost in any of the possible conversion of energy. It is also possible to independently control the extracted power in each source and any combination of the elements of the system can be used as source and destiny for a transfer. Finally, the interaction with the grid is possible. The operation, analysis and design of the converter are presented with different modes of power transfer. Simulation results are shown where the theoretical analysis of the converter is validated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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19 pages, 11708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Double Stage Double Output DC–DC Converters for High Voltage Loads in Fuel Cell Vehicles

by Mahajan Sagar Bhaskar, Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban and Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen

Energies 2019, 12(19), 3681; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12193681 - 26 Sep 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3419

Abstract

This article aims to enhance the output voltage magnitude of fuel cells (FCs), since the actual generation is low. The traditional technique is too complicated and has a cascaded or parallel connection solution to achieve high voltage for multiple loads in vehicles. In this case, electronic power converters are a viable solution with compact size and cost. Hence, double or multiple output DC–DC converters with high voltage step up are required to feed multiple high voltage loads at the same time. In this article, novel double stage double output (DSDO) DC–DC converters are formulated to feed multiple high voltage loads of FC vehicular system. Four DSDO DC–DC converters called DSDO L–L, DSDO L-2L, DSDO L-2LC, and DSDO L-2LC are developed in this research work and all the converters are derived based on the arrangement of different reactive networks. The primary power circuitry, conceptual operation, and output voltage gain derivation are given in detail with valid proof. The proposed converters are compared with possible parallel combinations of conventional converters and recently available configuration. Comprehensive numerical simulation and experimental prototype results show that our theoretical predictions are valid and that the configuration is applicable for real time application in FC technologies for ‘more-electric vehicles’. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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25 pages, 14784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Three-Phase Transformerless T-Type- NPC-MLI for Grid Connected PV Systems with Common-Mode Leakage Current Mitigation

by P. Madasamy, V. Suresh Kumar, P. Sanjeevikumar, Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen, Eklas Hosain and C. Bharatiraja

Energies 2019, 12(12), 2434; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12122434 - 24 Jun 2019

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5489

Abstract

DC to AC inverters are the well-known and improved in various kinds photovoltaic (PV) and gird tied systems. However, these inverters are require interfacing transformers to be synchronized with the grid-connected system. Therefore, the system is bulky and not economy. The transformerless inverter (TLI) topologies and its grid interface techniques are increasingly engrossed for the benefit of high efficiency, reliability, and low cost. The main concern in the TL inverters is common mode voltage (CMV), which causes the switching-frequency leakage current, grid interface concerns and exaggerates the EMI problems. The single-phase inverter two-level topologies are well developed with additional switches and components for eliminating the CMV. Multilevel inverters (MLIs) based grid connected transformerless inverter topology is being researched to avail additional benefits from MLI, even through that are trust topologies presented in the literature. With the above aim, this paper has proposed three -phase three-level T type NP-MLI (TNP-MLI) topology with transformerless PV grid connected proficiency. The CM leakage current should handle over mitigating CMV through removing unwanted switching events in the inverter pulse width modulation (PWM). This paper is proposes PV connected T type NP-MLI interface with three-phase grid connected system with the help of improved space vector modulation (SVM) technique to mitigate the CM leakage current to overcome the above said requests on the PV tied TL grid connected system. This proposed the SVM technique to mitigate the CM leakage current by selecting only mediums, and zero vectors with suitable current control method in order to maintain the inverter current and grid interface requirements. The proposed PV tied TNP-MLI offering higher efficiency, lower breakdown voltage on the devices, smaller THD of output voltage, good reliability, and long life span. The paper also investigated the CM leakage currents envisage and behavior for the three-phase MLI through the inverter switching function, which is not discussed before. The proposed SVM on TL-TNP-MLI offers the reliable PV grid interface with very low switching-frequency leakage current (200mA) for all the PV and inverter operation conditions. The feasibility and effectiveness of the TLI and its control strategy is confirmed through the MATLAB/Simulink simulation model directly as compared with 2kW roof top PV plant connected TL-TNP-MLI experimentation, showing good accordance with theoretical investigation. The simulation and experimental results are demonstrated and presented in the good stability of steady state and dynamics performances. The proposed inverter reduces the cost of grid interface transformer, harmonics filter, and CMV suppressions choke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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19 pages, 10084 KiB

Open AccessArticle

H_∞ Mixed Sensitivity Control for a Three-Port Converter

by Jiang You, Hongsheng Liu, Bin Fu and Xingyan Xiong

Energies 2019, 12(12), 2231; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12122231 - 12 Jun 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2409

Abstract

The three-port converter (TPC) obtains major attention due to its power density and ability to dispose different electric powers flexibly. Since the control models of the TPC are derived from particular steady state work point through small signal modeling method, the model parameters usually be deviated from their normal values with the change of operation and load conditions. Furthermore, there are couplings and interactions in power delivery between different ports, which have a significant influence in the dynamic control performance of the system. In this paper, the H_∞ mixed sensitivity method is employed to design robust controllers for a TPC control system. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, and experimental studies are conducted on a prototype circuit to further validate the developed method. Compared to a traditional PI controller, it shows that a mixed sensitivity based robust controller manifest balanced performance in model parameters changes attenuation and dynamic control performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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12 pages, 3557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DC Grid for Domestic Electrification

by G. Arunkumar, D. Elangovan, P. Sanjeevikumar, Jens Bo Holm Nielsen, Zbigniew Leonowicz and Peter K. Joseph

Energies 2019, 12(11), 2157; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12112157 - 5 Jun 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3260

Abstract

Various statistics indicate that many of the parts of India, especially rural and island areas have either partial or no access to electricity. The main reason for this scenario is the immense expanse of which the power producing stations and the distribution hubs are located from these rural and distant areas. This emphasizes the significance of subsidiarity of power generation by means of renewable energy resources. Although in current energy production scenario electricity supply is principally by AC current, a large variety of the everyday utility devices like cell phone chargers, computers, laptop chargers etc. all work internally with DC power. The count of intermediate energy transfer steps are significantly abridged by providing DC power to mentioned devices. The paper also states other works that prove the increase in overall system efficiency and thereby cost reduction. With an abundance of solar power at disposal and major modification in the area of power electronic conversion devices, this article suggests a DC grid that can be used for a household in a distant or rural area to power the aforementioned, utilizing Solar PV. A system was designed for a household which is not connected to the main grid and was successfully simulated for several loads totaling to 250 W with the help of an isolated flyback converter at the front end and suitable power electronic conversion devices at each load points. Maximum abstraction of operational energy from renewable sources at a residential and commercial level is intended with the suggested direct current systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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13 pages, 4791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Channel-Based Microgrid for Reliable Operation and Load Sharing

by Ali Elrayyah and Sertac Bayhan

Energies 2019, 12(11), 2070; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12112070 - 30 May 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach to distribute available power among critical and non-critical loads in microgrids. The approach is based on supplying power over a number of channels with distinguishable frequencies where loads could be served by these channels according to their level of importance. The multi-channel scheme not only offers flexibility to supply loads but also to share power among adjacent microgrids. The control system, which can deal with multi-channel scheme, is presented and different applications that can be offered whereby are discussed. The number of channels that can be supplied by any inverter is determined based on the parameters of the used filter. Moreover, the power exchange efficiencies over the active channels at various power levels are determined and approximated formulas for quick evaluation are presented. To verify the proposed solution performance, simulation and experimental studies were performed. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of using multi-channel scheme for power exchange in microgrid and also confirm the accuracy of the provided formula related to power exchange efficiencies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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17 pages, 8328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Large Scale Renewable Energy Integration: Issues and Solutions

by G. V. Brahmendra Kumar, Ratnam Kamala Sarojini, K. Palanisamy, Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban and Jens Bo Holm-Nielsen

Energies 2019, 12(10), 1996; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12101996 - 24 May 2019

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 8261

Abstract

In recent years, many applications have been developed for the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into the grid in order to satisfy the demand requirement of a clean and reliable electricity generation. Increasing the number of RES creates uncertainty in load and power supply generation, which also presents an additional strain on the system. These uncertainties will affect the voltage and frequency variation, stability, protection, and safety issues at fault levels. RES present non-linear characteristics, which requires effective coordination control methods. This paper presents the stability issues and solutions associated with the integration of RES within the grid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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Review

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39 pages, 9022 KiB

Open AccessReview

Conceptual Framework of Antecedents to Trends on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators for Wind Energy Conversion Systems

by K. Padmanathan, N. Kamalakannan, P. Sanjeevikumar, F. Blaabjerg, J. B. Holm-Nielsen, G. Uma, R. Arul, R. Rajesh, A. Srinivasan and J. Baskaran

Energies 2019, 12(13), 2616; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12132616 - 8 Jul 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 9054

Abstract

Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) plays an inevitable role across the world. WECS consist of many components and equipment’s such as turbines, hub assembly, yaw mechanism, electrical machines; power electronics based power conditioning units, protection devices, rotor, blades, main shaft, gear-box, mainframe, transmission systems and etc. These machinery and devices technologies have been developed on gradually and steadily. The electrical machine used to convert mechanical rotational energy into electrical energy is the core of any WECS. Many electrical machines (generator) has been used in WECS, among the generators the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSGs) have gained special focus, been connected with wind farms to become the most desirable due to its enhanced efficiency in power conversion from wind energy turbine. This article provides a review of literatures and highlights the updates, progresses, and revolutionary trends observed in WECS-based PMSGs. The study also compares the geared and direct-driven conversion systems. Further, the classifications of electrical machines that are utilized in WECS are also discussed. The literature review covers the analysis of design aspects by taking various topologies of PMSGs into consideration. In the final sections, the PMSGs are reviewed and compared for further investigations. This review article predominantly emphasizes the conceptual framework that shed insights on the research challenges present in conducting the proposed works such as analysis, suitability, design, and control of PMSGs for WECS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronic Converter Configuration and Control for DC Microgrid Systems)

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