Microgrids/Nanogrids Implementation, Planning, and Operation

Today’s power system is facing the challenges of increasing global demand for electricity, high-reliability requirements, the need for clean energy and environmental protection, and planning restrictions. To move towards a green and smart electric power system, centralized generation facilities are being transformed into smaller and more distributed ones. As a result, the microgrid concept is emerging, where a microgrid can operate as a single controllable system and can be viewed as a group of distributed energy loads and resources, which can include many renewable energy sources and energy storage systems. The energy management of a large number of distributed energy resources is required for the reliable operation of the microgrid. Microgrids and nanogrids can allow for better integration of distributed energy storage capacity and renewable energy sources into the power grid, therefore increasing its efficiency and resilience to natural and technical disruptive events. Microgrid networking with optimal energy management will lead to a sort of smart grid with numerous benefits such as reduced cost and enhanced reliability and resiliency. They include small-scale renewable energy harvesters and fixed energy storage units typically installed in commercial and residential buildings. In this challenging context, the objective of this book is to address and disseminate state-of-the-art research and development results on the implementation, planning, and operation of microgrids/nanogrids, where energy management is one of the core issues

Three-phase phase-locked loop synchronization algorithms for grid-connected renewable energy systems:A review

The increasing penetration of distributed renewable energy sources (RES) requires appropriate control techniques in order to remain interconnected and contribute in a proper way to the overall grid stability, whenever disturbances occur. In addition, the disconnection of RES due to synchronization problems must be avoided as this may result in penalties and loss of energy generation to RES operators. The control of RES mainly depends on the synchronization algorithm, which should be fast and accurately detect the grid voltage status (e.g., phase, amplitude, and frequency). Typically, phase-locked loop (PLL) synchronization techniques are used for the grid voltage monitoring. The design and performance of PLL directly affect the dynamics of the RES grid side converter (GSC). This paper presents the characteristics, design guidelines and features of advanced state-of-the-art PLL-based synchronization algorithms under normal, abnormal and harmonically-distorted grid conditions. Experimental tests on the selected PLL methods under different grid conditions are presented, followed by a comparative benchmarking and selection guide. Finally, corresponding PLL tuning procedures are discussed.This work was supported by the supported by the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) of Cyprus under Project KOINA/SOLAR-ERA.NET/1215/06

Operation of Grid-Connected Inverter under Unbalanced Grid Conditions Using Indirect Voltage Sensoring

Abstract The grid connected voltage source inverter is now the most widely used interface for connecting renewable power generation to the grid. Control of this device is a key aspect to ensure the performance, reliability and life span of the renewable power generation system. Conventionally, the current control of the grid connected inverter is based on the measured grid side voltage. The power and the power factor at the receiving end, which is usually defined as the point of common coupling, can be controlled accurately. This controller topology has been widely used and many control methods have been developed aiming at objectives such as increasing system stability, decreasing harmonic injection, and improving transient response of the system. However, in case of the voltage measurement is not available, i.e. a faulty voltage sensor, the conventional current control topology will be disabled for lack of information of the grid voltage. This would decrease the reliability and efficiency of the system thus should be improved. voltage-sensor-less In this research, a current control system for the grid connected inverter system not relying on the information provided by the a.c. side voltage sensors will be developed with compliance to the recommendations issued to the performances of the distribution generations such as the harmonic limitations and the fault-ride-through capabilities. Three problem will be addressed and solved. Firstly, the a.c. side voltage should be acquired without the use of a.c. side voltage sensors. This is achieved by adopting an a.c. side voltage estimation algorithm. Secondly, the grid connected inverter should be able to start-up without synchronising to the grid while keep the current injected in a safe range. This is achieved by the newly designed start-up process. Thirdly, the grid connected inverter should be able to ride-through grid faults and providing support to the grid. The transient response of the grid connected inverter is the key measure to define the performance. In this study, a faster symmetrical component decomposition method is proposed to improve the transient response of the current control, without relying on grid voltage sensors. The proposed system is verified by both simulation and experimental tests, with analyses and insight aiming at general applications of the proposed method and algorithms

Advanced Modeling, Control, and Optimization Methods in Power Hybrid Systems - 2021

The climate changes that are becoming visible today are a challenge for the global research community. In this context, renewable energy sources, fuel cell systems and other energy generating sources must be optimally combined and connected to the grid system using advanced energy transaction methods. As this reprint presents the latest solutions in the implementation of fuel cell and renewable energy in mobile and stationary applications such as hybrid and microgrid power systems based on the Energy Internet, blockchain technology and smart contracts, we hope that they will be of interest to readers working in the related fields mentioned above

Comprehensive Review on Detection and Classification of Power Quality Disturbances in Utility Grid With Renewable Energy Penetration

The global concern with power quality is increasing due to the penetration of renewable energy (RE) sources to cater the energy demands and meet de-carbonization targets. Power quality (PQ) disturbances are found to be more predominant with RE penetration due to the variable outputs and interfacing converters. There is a need to recognize and mitigate PQ disturbances to supply clean power to the consumer. This article presents a critical review of techniques used for detection and classification PQ disturbances in the utility grid with renewable energy penetration. The broad perspective of this review paper is to provide various concepts utilized for extraction of the features to detect and classify the PQ disturbances even in the noisy environment. More than 220 research publications have been critically reviewed, classified and listed for quick reference of the engineers, scientists and academicians working in the power quality area

Next Generation Inverters Equipped with Virtual Synchronous Compensators for Grid Services and Grid Support

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Protection of multi-inverter based microgrid using phase angle trajectory

This thesis presents a simple, yet a clever way of using the current phase angle to develop low bandwidth communication-assisted line protection strategies for medium and low voltage AC microgrids, particularly those with multi-inverter interfaced distributed generators. It is now a trend in both AC transmission and distribution segments of power network that inverters interface renewable energy to the system. Unlike synchronous generators the fault feeding, and control characteristic of these generators are different and mostly influenced by the topology, switching, control deployed in the power electronics interface. The limited and controlled fault current challenges the existing conventional protection schemes. Offering higher power supply reliability and system resilience than conventional radial distribution systems, multi-inverter based microgrids, particularly those with loop and mesh typologies, are characterised by bidirectional power flow. This further constrains traditional protections such that communication-less protection schemes become ineffective for such systems. So unit protection types, such as differential protection, become more technically suitable for such microgrids despite the necessity for a communication system. In this thesis, two current direction based protection schemes for medium voltage islanded microgrids have been developed. The change in current flow direction in a line is detected using the cosine of the positive sequence current phase angle. Expressing the change and no-change of the flow directions as binary states, a low bandwidth communication based protection scheme is proposed comparing the binary states from local and remote ends of the line. To further enhance the scope and reliability of this scheme, a second protection scheme is proposed in Chapter 7 whereby the cosine function is combined with the rate of change of the slope of the phase angle (ROCOSP). This combination allows the detection and isolation of a fault even with the failure of the communication channel between relays protecting a faulted line. Furthermore, these scheme can work together and share the communication infrastructure as primary and backup protections. The performance of these schemes was assessed through simulations of microgrid models developed in Matlab/Simulink.Open Acces