Optimized Harmonic Reduction PWM based Control Technique for Three-Phase quasi Z-Source Inverter

This paper proposes an optimized harmonic reduction pulse width modulation (HRPWM) control strategy for three-phase quasi Z-source inverter (qZSI). In traditional sinusoidal or space vector pulse width modulation techniques, the flexibility in adjustment of individual switching angles is not possible and thus, these techniques are not optimum choices for low switching frequency operations of high/medium power qZSI. In the proposed technique, adjustments of switching angles of HRPWM waveform are possible to achieve optimum performance. The optimum performance is targeted as maximization of boosting factor and simultaneous minimization of weighted total harmonic distortion (WTHD) at the output voltage of qZSI. The hybrid particle swarm optimization gravitational search algorithm (PSOGSA) is used for computation of optimum switching angles of suggested HRPWM waveform at various modulation indices. The obtained WTHDs up to 49th order harmonics and boosting factors of optimized HRPWM methodology are compared with that of the maximum boost control (MBC) technique for qZSI to justify superior performances of the suggested method in low switching frequency range. The proposed concept has been verified via simulation study. The experimentation (qZSI controlled by microcontroller) validates the working of optimized HRPWM based qZSI which agrees with software results

Boost Matrix Converters in Clean Energy Systems

This dissertation describes an investigation of novel power electronic converters, based on the ultra-sparse matrix topology and characterized by the minimum number of semiconductor switches. The Z-source, Quasi Z-source, Series Z-source and Switched-inductor Z-source networks were originally proposed for boosting the output voltage of power electronic inverters. These ideas were extended here on three-phase to three-phase and three-phase to single-phase indirect matrix converters. For the three-phase to three-phase matrix converters, the Z-source networks are placed between the three-switch input rectifier stage and the output six-switch inverter stage. A brief shoot-through state produces the voltage boost. An optimal pulse width modulation technique was developed to achieve high boosting capability and minimum switching losses in the converter. For the three-phase to single-phase matrix converters, those networks are placed similarly. For control purposes, a new modulation technique has been developed. As an example application, the proposed converters constitute a viable alternative to the existing solutions in residential wind-energy systems, where a low-voltage variable-speed generator feeds power to the higher-voltage fixed-frequency grid.Comprehensive analytical derivations and simulation results were carried out to investigate the operation of the proposed converters. Performance of the proposed converters was then compared between each other as well as with conventional converters. The operation of the converters was experimentally validated using a laboratory prototype

Enhanced Performance Bidirectional Quasi-Z-Source Inverter Controller

A novel direct control of high performance bidirectional quasi-Z-source inverter (HPB-QZSI), with optimized controllable shoot-through insertion, to improve the voltage gain, efficiency and to reduce total harmonic distortion is investigated. The main drawback of the conventional control techniques for direct current to alternating current (DC-AC) conversion is drawn from the multistage energy conversion structure, which implies complicated control, protection algorithms and reduced reliability due to the increased number of switching devices. Theoretically, the original Z-source, Quasi-Z-source, and embedded Z-source all have unlimited voltage gain. Practically, however, a high voltage gain (>2 or 3), will result in a high voltage stress imposed on the switches. Every additional shoot-through state increases the commutation time of the semiconductor switches, thereby increasing the switching losses in the system. Hence, minimization of the commutation time by optimal placing of the shoot-through state in the switching time period is necessary to reduce the switching loss. To overcome this problem, a combination of high performance bidirectional quasi-Z-source inverter with a sawtooth carrier based sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) in simple operation condition for maximum boost control with 3rd harmonic injection is proposed. This is achieved by voltage-fed quasi-Z-source inverter with continuous input current, implemented at the converter input side which can boost the input voltage by utilizing the extra switching state with the help of shoot-through state insertion technique. This thesis presents novel control concepts for such a structure, focusing mainly on the control of a shoot-through insertion. The work considers the derivation and application of direct controllers for this application and scrutinizes the technical advantages and potential application issues of these methodologies. Based on the circuit analysis, a small signal model of the HPB-QZSI is derived, which indicates that the circuit is prone to oscillate when there is disturbance on the direct current (DC) input voltage. Therefore, a closed-loop control of shoot-through duty cycle is designed to obtain the desired DC bus voltage. The DC-link boost control and alternating current (AC) side output control are presented to reduce the impacts of disturbances on loads. The proposed strategy gives a significantly high voltage gain compared to the conventional pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques, since all the zero states are converted into shoot-through states. The simulated results verify the validity and superiority of the proposed control strategies

Power Converters in Power Electronics

In recent years, power converters have played an important role in power electronics technology for different applications, such as renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, pulsed power generation, and biomedical sciences. Power converters, in the realm of power electronics, are becoming essential for generating electrical power energy in various ways. This Special Issue focuses on the development of novel power converter topologies in power electronics. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Z-source converters; multilevel power converter topologies; switched-capacitor-based power converters; power converters for battery management systems; power converters in wireless power transfer techniques; the reliability of power conversion systems; and modulation techniques for advanced power converters

A Novel Control Approach to Hybrid Multilevel Inverter for High-Power Applications

This paper proposes a hybrid control scheme for a newly devised hybrid multilevel inverter (HMLI) topology. The circuit configuration of HMLI is comprised of a cascaded converter module (CCM), connected in series with an H-bridge converter. Initially, a finite set model predictive control (FS-MPC) is adopted as a control scheme, and theoretical analysis is carried out in MATLAB/Simulink. Later, in the real-time implementation of the HMLI topology, a hybrid control scheme which is a variant of the FS-MPC method has been proposed. The proposed control method is computationally efficient and therefore has been employed to the HMLI topology to mitigate the high-frequency switching limitation of the conventional MPC. Moreover, a comparative analysis is carried to illustrate the advantages of the proposed work that includes low switching losses, higher efficiency, and improved total harmonic distortion (THD) in output current. The inverter topology and stability of the proposed control method have been validated through simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Experimental results via low-voltage laboratory prototype have been added and compared to realize the study in practice.publishedVersio

IMPROVEMENTS IN INVERTER MODELING AND CONTROL

In this dissertation, the generalized averaging method models for inverters, reactive power control methods for photovoltaic inverters, and a noise immunity improvement for hybrid position observers for brushless dc motor drives are studied. Models of inverters and other converters based on averaging have been widely used in numerous simulation applications. Generalized averaging can be applied to model both average and switching behavior of converters while retaining the faster run times associated with average-value models. Herein, generalized average models for single- and three-phase pulse width modulation inverters are proposed. The modulation signal for the proposed model could be either a sinusoidal waveform without high order harmonics or a sinusoidal waveform with third-harmonic injection. And this generalized average models also can apply for modeling three-phase pulse width modulation inverters with varying modulation signal frequency in the reference frame. These models are based on a quasi-Fourier series representation of the switching functions that includes fundamental and switching frequency components as well as sideband components of the switching frequency. The proposed models are demonstrated both in simulation and experimentally and are found to accurately portray both the fundamental and the switching behavior of the inverter. In particular, the use of sideband components allows accurate representation of the variation in switching ripple magnitude that occurs in the steady state. The generalized average models are found to have simulation run times that are significantly faster than those associated with detailed models. Therefore, the proposed generalized average models are suitable for simulation applications in which both accuracy (including the switching behavior) and fast run times are required (e.g., long simulation times, systems with multiple converters, and repeated simulations). Variations in the output power of intermittent renewable sources can cause significant fluctuations of distribution system voltage magnitudes. Reactive power control methods that employ the reactive power capability of photovoltaic three-phase inverters to mitigate these fluctuations are proposed. These control methods cause the three-phase inverters to substitute reactive output power for real output power when fluctuations in the solar power are experienced, allowing the fluctuations to be controlled. Performance metrics for assessing the ability of these controllers to perform this mitigation are defined. The controllers are examined using the IEEE 123-bus feeder distribution system, and it is found that the controllers can effectively mitigate voltage magnitude fluctuations and that the appropriate choice of controller depends on the performance metrics of interest. Finally, a noise immunity improvement for hybrid position observers for brushless dc motor drives is proposed. A finite state machine is used to detect Hall-effect sensor transitions to determine if these transitions are true transitions or the result of momentary glitches. This filter causes a delay in the detection of the Hall-effect sensors that is compensated in the proposed observer. The proposed observer is compared in simulations with the original hybrid position observer under both non-noisy and noisy conditions for both constant and variable speed operation, and it has good performance even under high noise and variable speed conditions

Emerging Converter Topologies and Control for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Continuous cost reduction of photovoltaic (PV) systems and the rise of power auctions resulted in the establishment of PV power not only as a green energy source but also as a cost-effective solution to the electricity generation market. Various commercial solutions for grid-connected PV systems are available at any power level, ranging from multi-megawatt utility-scale solar farms to sub-kilowatt residential PV installations. Compared to utility-scale systems, the feasibility of small-scale residential PV installations is still limited by existing technologies that have not yet properly address issues like operation in weak grids, opaque and partial shading, etc. New market drivers such as warranty improvement to match the PV module lifespan, operation voltage range extension for application flexibility, and embedded energy storage for load shifting have again put small-scale PV systems in the spotlight. This Special Issue collects the latest developments in the field of power electronic converter topologies, control, design, and optimization for better energy yield, power conversion efficiency, reliability, and longer lifetime of the small-scale PV systems. This Special Issue will serve as a reference and update for academics, researchers, and practicing engineers to inspire new research and developments that pave the way for next-generation PV systems for residential and small commercial applications

Optimization of a CSI inverter and DC/DC elevator with silicon carbide devices, for applications in electric traction systems

The applications of electric traction systems currently focus on developing technologies with greater energy efficiency and lower environmental impact. Manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles are looking for ways to improve and optimize the efficiency of their models. Manufacturers are looking for more efficient and more compact converter topologies. The use of new band gap materials in the construction of these topologies has generated many debates and new lines of research especially in the optimization of these topologies. The silicon carbide (SiC) based switching devices provide significant performance improvements in many aspects, including lower power dissipation, higher operating temperatures, and faster switching, compared with conventional Si devices, all these features make that these devices generate interest in applications for electric traction systems. This work presents a method for improving total harmonic distortion (THD) in the currents of output and efficiency in SiC current source inverter for future application in an electric traction system. The method proposed consists in improving the coupling of a bidirectional converter topology V-I and CSI. The V-I converter serves as a current regulator for the CSI and allows the recovery of energy. The method involves an effective selection of the switching frequencies and phase angles for the carriers signals present in each converter topology. With this method, it is expected to have a reduction of the total harmonic distortion THD in the output currents. In addition, an analysis of the losses in the motor and topologies of power converters is developed considering the optimization method previously analyzed. The weighted average efficiency of the whole system (power converters + motor) in differents conditions of operations is presented.Las aplicaciones de los sistemas de tracción eléctrica actualmente se centran en el desarrollo de tecnologías con mayor eficiencia energética y menor impacto ambiental. Los fabricantes de vehículos híbridos y eléctricos están buscando formas de mejorar y optimizar la eficiencia de sus modelos. Los fabricantes buscan topologías de convertidores más eficientes y más compactas. El uso de nuevos materiales de banda prohibida en la construcción de estas topologías ha generado muchos debates y nuevas líneas de investigación, especialmente en la optimización energética de las mismas. Los dispositivos de conmutación basados en carburo de silicio (SiC) proporcionan mejoras significativas en la eficiencia en muchos aspectos, incluida una menor disipación de potencia, temperaturas de funcionamiento más altas y una conmutación más rápida, en comparación con los dispositivos de Si convencionales. Todas estas características hacen que estos dispositivos generen interés en las aplicaciones de sistemas tracción eléctrica. Este trabajo presenta un método para mejorar la distorsión armónica total (THD) en las corrientes de salida y eficiencia en el inversor de fuente de corriente SiC para aplicaciones futuras en un sistema de tracción eléctrica. El método propuesto consiste en mejorar el acoplamiento de una topología de convertidor bidireccional V-I y CSI. El convertidor V-I sirve como un regulador de corriente para el CSI y permite la recuperación de energía. El método implica una selección efectiva de las frecuencias de conmutación y los ángulos de fase para las señales portadoras presentes en cada topología del convertidor. Con este método, se espera una reducción de la distorsión armónica total THD en las corrientes de salida. Además, se desarrolla un análisis de las pérdidas en el motor y las topologías de los convertidores de potencia considerando el método de optimización analizado previamente. Se presenta la eficiencia promedio ponderada de todo el sistema (convertidores de potencia + motor) en diferentes condiciones de operaciónPostprint (published version