Identification and Damping of Resonances in Inverter-based Microgrids

Afrasiabi, Morteza,Rokrok, Esmaeel The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.4

The application of shunt capacitor banks and underground cables typically induces resonance in power distribution systems. In this study, the propagation of resonance in a microgrid (MG) with inverter-based distributed generators (IBDGs) is investigated. If resonances are not properly damped, then the output current of the inverters may experience distortion via resonance propagation due to the adverse effect of resonances on MG power quality. This study presents a conceptual method for identifying resonances and related issues in multi-inverter systems. For this purpose, existing resonances are identified using modal impedance analysis. However, some resonances may be undetectable when this method is used. Thus, the resonances are investigated using the proposed method based on the frequency response of a closed-loop MG equivalent circuit. After analyzing resonance propagation in the MG, an effective virtual impedance damping method is used in the IBDG control system to damp the resonances. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in compensating for existing resonances.

Mitigation of Voltage Unbalances in Bipolar DC Microgrids Using Three-Port Multidirectional DC-DC Converters

Ahmadi, Taha,Rokrok, Esmaeel,Hamzeh, Mohsen The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.4

In this paper, a new three-port multidirectional DC-DC converter is proposed for integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to a bipolar DC microgrid (BPDCMG). The proposed converter provides a voltage-balancing function for the BPDCMG and adjusts the charge of the ESS. Thanks to the multi-functional operation of the proposed converter, the conversion stages of the system are reduced. In addition, the efficiency and weight of the system are improved. Therefore, this converter has a significant capability when it comes to use in portable BPDCMGs such as electric DC ships. The converter modes are analyzed and small-signal models of the converter in each of the independent modes are extracted. Finally, comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and a BPDCMG laboratory prototype is implemented in order to verify the performance of the proposed voltage balancer using the burst mode control scheme.

Mitigation of Voltage Unbalances in Bipolar DC Microgrids Using Three-Port Multidirectional DC-DC Converters

Taha Ahmadi,Esmaeel Rokrok,Mohsen Hamzeh 전력전자학회 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.4

In this paper, a new three-port multidirectional DC-DC converter is proposed for integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to a bipolar DC microgrid (BPDCMG). The proposed converter provides a voltage-balancing function for the BPDCMG and adjusts the charge of the ESS. Thanks to the multi-functional operation of the proposed converter, the conversion stages of the system are reduced. In addition, the efficiency and weight of the system are improved. Therefore, this converter has a significant capability when it comes to use in portable BPDCMGs such as electric DC ships. The converter modes are analyzed and small-signal models of the converter in each of the independent modes are extracted. Finally, comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and a BPDCMG laboratory prototype is implemented in order to verify the performance of the proposed voltage balancer using the burst mode control scheme.

Identification and Damping of Resonances in Inverter-based Microgrids

Morteza Afrasiabi,Esmaeel Rokrok 전력전자학회 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.4

The application of shunt capacitor banks and underground cables typically induces resonance in power distribution systems. In this study, the propagation of resonance in a microgrid (MG) with inverter-based distributed generators (IBDGs) is investigated. If resonances are not properly damped, then the output current of the inverters may experience distortion via resonance propagation due to the adverse effect of resonances on MG power quality. This study presents a conceptual method for identifying resonances and related issues in multi-inverter systems. For this purpose, existing resonances are identified using modal impedance analysis. However, some resonances may be undetectable when this method is used. Thus, the resonances are investigated using the proposed method based on the frequency response of a closed-loop MG equivalent circuit. After analyzing resonance propagation in the MG, an effective virtual impedance damping method is used in the IBDG control system to damp the resonances. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in compensating for existing resonances.

Hierarchical Control Scheme for Three-Port Multidirectional DC-DC Converters in Bipolar DC Microgrids

Ahmadi, Taha,Hamzeh, Mohsen,Rokrok, Esmaeel The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.5

In this paper, a hierarchical control strategy is introduced to control a new three-port multidirectional DC-DC converter for integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to a bipolar DC microgrid (BPDCMG). The proposed converter provides a voltage-balancing function for the BPDCMG and adjusts the states of charge (SoC) of the ESS. Previous studies tend to balance the voltage of the BPDCMG buses with active sources or by transferring power from one bus to another. Furthermore, the batteries available in BPDCMGs were charged equally by both buses. However, this power sharing method does not guarantee efficient operation of the whole system. In order to achieve a higher efficiency and lower energy losses, a triple-layer hierarchical control strategy, including a primary droop controller, a secondary voltage restoration controller and a tertiary optimization controller are proposed. Thanks to the multi-functional operation of the proposed converter, its conversion stages are reduced. Furthermore, the efficiency and weight of the system are both improved. Therefore, this converter has a significant capability to be used in portable BPDCMGs such as electric DC ships. The converter modes are analyzed and small-signal models of the converter are extracted. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and a BPDCMG laboratory setup is implemented in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed converter and its hierarchical control strategy. Simulation and experimental results show that using the proposed converter mitigates voltage imbalances. As a result, the system efficiency is improved by using the hierarchical optimal power flow control.

Hierarchical Control Scheme for Three-Port Multidirectional DC-DC Converters in Bipolar DC Microgrids

Taha Ahmadi,Mohsen Hamzeh,Esmaeel Rokrok 전력전자학회 2018 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.18 No.5

In this paper, a hierarchical control strategy is introduced to control a new three-port multidirectional DC-DC converter for integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to a bipolar DC microgrid (BPDCMG). The proposed converter provides a voltage-balancing function for the BPDCMG and adjusts the states of charge (SoC) of the ESS. Previous studies tend to balance the voltage of the BPDCMG buses with active sources or by transferring power from one bus to another. Furthermore, the batteries available in BPDCMGs were charged equally by both buses. However, this power sharing method does not guarantee efficient operation of the whole system. In order to achieve a higher efficiency and lower energy losses, a triple-layer hierarchical control strategy, including a primary droop controller, a secondary voltage restoration controller and a tertiary optimization controller are proposed. Thanks to the multi-functional operation of the proposed converter, its conversion stages are reduced. Furthermore, the efficiency and weight of the system are both improved. Therefore, this converter has a significant capability to be used in portable BPDCMGs such as electric DC ships. The converter modes are analyzed and small-signal models of the converter are extracted. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and a BPDCMG laboratory setup is implemented in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed converter and its hierarchical control strategy. Simulation and experimental results show that using the proposed converter mitigates voltage imbalances. As a result, the system efficiency is improved by using the hierarchical optimal power flow control.