Power flow stabilization and control of microgrid with wind generation by superconducting magnetic energy storage

High penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind generation in microgrids (MGs) causes fluctuations of power flow and significantly affects the power system (PS) operation. This can lead to severe problems, such as system frequency oscillations, and/or violations of power lines capability. With the proper control, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is able to significantly enhance the dynamic security of the PS. In an SMES system, the power conditioning system (PCS) is the crucial component that directly influences the validity of the SMES in the dynamic control of the PS. This paper proposes the use of an improved SMES controller for the stabilization and control of the power flow of wind-hybrid MGs. In this sense, the design and implementation of a novel high-performance PCS scheme of the SMES is described. Moreover, a detailed model of the SMES unit is derived and a novel three-level control scheme is designed, comprising a full decoupled current control strategy in the d-q reference frame and an enhanced PS frequency controller. The dynamic performance of the proposed systems is fully validated by computer simulation.Fil: Molina, Marcelo Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Energía Eléctrica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Mercado, Pedro Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Microturbine Power Conversion Technology Review

In this study, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is performing a technology review to assess the market for commercially available power electronic converters that can be used to connect microturbines to either the electric grid or local loads. The intent of the review is to facilitate an assessment of the present status of marketed power conversion technology to determine how versatile the designs are for potentially providing different services to the grid based on changes in market direction, new industry standards, and the critical needs of the local service provider. The project includes data gathering efforts and documentation of the state-of-the-art design approaches that are being used by microturbine manufacturers in their power conversion electronics development and refinement. This project task entails a review of power converters used in microturbines sized between 20 kW and 1 MW. The power converters permit microturbine generators, with their non-synchronous, high frequency output, to interface with the grid or local loads. The power converters produce 50- to 60-Hz power that can be used for local loads or, using interface electronics, synchronized for connection to the local feeder and/or microgrid. The power electronics enable operation in a stand-alone mode as a voltage source or in grid-connect mode as a current source. Some microturbines are designed to automatically switch between the two modes. The information obtained in this data gathering effort will provide a basis for determining how close the microturbine industry is to providing services such as voltage regulation, combined control of both voltage and current, fast/seamless mode transfers, enhanced reliability, reduced cost converters, reactive power supply, power quality, and other ancillary services. Some power quality improvements will require the addition of storage devices; therefore, the task should also determine what must be done to enable the power conversion circuits to accept a varying dc voltage source. The study will also look at technical issues pertaining to the interconnection and coordinated/compatible operation of multiple microturbines. It is important to know today if modifications to provide improved operation and additional services will entail complete redesign, selected component changes, software modifications, or the addition of power storage devices. This project is designed to provide a strong technical foundation for determining present technical needs and identifying recommendations for future work

Modeling and Simulation of a Microturbine Generator to be Coupled With a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell for Distributed Generation

Distributed generation is desired when the individual energy requirements ranging from 25-75 kW of office buildings, restaurants, hospitals and apartments can not be met by the current electric utility grid. Microturbine generators as stand alone power generation systems have been designed to meet these requirements. For power requirements up to 50 MW, hybrid fuel cell systems offer higher efficiency and lower levels of pollutant emissions with more advanced fuel energy savings than non-hybrid systems. The objective of this project is to develop a simulation of a microturbine generator as a stand alone power generation system to validate a microturbine generator as part of a hybrid power generation system designed to produce 250 kW of usable power in MATLAB/Simulink®. The stand alone power generation system will be modeled using a 1-Dimensional approach. The hybrid power generation system is modeled as three major sub-systems; a hybrid microturbine generator, a molten carbonate fuel cell with catalytic oxidizer, and a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The hybrid power generation system will be analyzed by two different models; a 0-Dimensional hybrid model where all the components are 0-Dimensional and a 0-Dimensional model with 1-Dimensional zooming for the hybrid microturbine generator. The analysis of the stand alone system is used for validation of the hybrid system at the operating design point of the microturbine generator. A control system was placed on the hybrid microturbine generator power generation system and an analysis was completed on the temperature response of the 0-Dimensionl hybrid system as the microturbine generator power was ramped from 0-30 kW over six different time intervals. A second controller was placed on the fuel cell power generation system to further analyze the hybrid system\u27s controllability. The three MATLAB/Simulink® models developed provide an initial design methodology for modeling and simulation of a hybrid power generation system

Advanced Power Electronic Interfaces for Distributed Energy Systems Part 1: Systems and Topologies

This report summarizes power electronic interfaces for DE applications and the topologies needed for advanced power electronic interfaces. It focuses on photovoltaic, wind, microturbine, fuel cell, internal combustion engine, battery storage, and flywheel storage systems

Optimizing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems: A Review

With the fast progression of renewable energy markets, the importance of combining different sources of power into a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) has gained more attraction. These hybrid systems can overcome limitations of the individual generating technologies in terms of their fuel efficiency, economics, reliability and flexibility. One of the main concerns is the stochastic nature of photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy resources. Wind is often not correlated with load patterns and may be discarded sometimes when abundantly available. Also, solar energy is only available during the day time. A hybrid energy system consisting of energy storage, renewable and nonrenewable generation can alleviate the issues associated with renewable uncertainties and fluctuations. Large number of random variables and parameters in a hybrid energy system requires an optimization that most efficiently sizes the hybrid system components to realize the economic, technical and designing objectives. This chapter provides an overview of optimal sizing and optimization algorithms for hybrid renewable energy systems as well as different objective functions considered for designing such systems

Ancillary Services Provided from DER

Distributed energy resources (DER) are quickly making their way to industry primarily as backup generation. They are effective at starting and then producing full-load power within a few seconds. The distribution system is aging and transmission system development has not kept up with the growth in load and generation. The nation's transmission system is stressed with heavy power flows over long distances, and many areas are experiencing problems in providing the power quality needed to satisfy customers. Thus, a new market for DER is beginning to emerge. DER can alleviate the burden on the distribution system by providing ancillary services while providing a cost adjustment for the DER owner. This report describes 10 types of ancillary services that distributed generation (DG) can provide to the distribution system. Of these 10 services the feasibility, control strategy, effectiveness, and cost benefits are all analyzed as in the context of a future utility-power market. In this market, services will be provided at a local level that will benefit the customer, the distribution utility, and the transmission company

Direct FuelCell/Turbine Power Plant

This report summarizes the progress made in development of Direct FuelCell/Turbine (DFC/T{reg_sign}) power plants for generation of clean power at very high efficiencies. The DFC/T system employs an indirectly heated Turbine Generator to supplement fuel cell generated power. The concept extends the high efficiency of the fuel cell by utilizing the fuel cell's byproduct heat in a Brayton cycle. Features of the DFC/T system include: electrical efficiencies of up to 75% on natural gas, minimal emissions, reduced carbon dioxide release to the environment, simplicity in design, direct reforming internal to the fuel cell, and potential cost competitiveness with existing combined cycle power plants. Proof-of-concept tests using a sub-MW-class DFC/T power plant at FuelCell Energy's (FCE) Danbury facility were conducted to validate the feasibility of the concept and to measure its potential for electric power production. A 400 kW-class power plant test facility was designed and retrofitted to conduct the tests. The initial series of tests involved integration of a full-size (250 kW) Direct FuelCell stack with a 30 kW Capstone microturbine. The operational aspects of the hybrid system in relation to the integration of the microturbine with the fuel cell, process flow and thermal balances, and control strategies for power cycling of the system, were investigated. A subsequent series of tests included operation of the sub-MW Direct FuelCell/Turbine power plant with a Capstone C60 microturbine. The C60 microturbine extended the range of operation of the hybrid power plant to higher current densities (higher power) than achieved in initial tests using the 30kW microturbine. The proof-of-concept test results confirmed the stability and controllability of operating a fullsize (250 kW) fuel cell stack in combination with a microturbine. Thermal management of the system was confirmed and power plant operation, using the microturbine as the only source of fresh air supply to the system, was demonstrated. System analyses of 40 MW DFC/T hybrid systems, approaching 75% efficiency on natural gas, were carried out using CHEMCAD simulation software. The analyses included systems for near-term and long-term deployment. A new concept was developed that was based on clusters of one-MW fuel cell modules as the building blocks. The preliminary design of a 40 MW power plant, including the key equipment layout and the site plan, was completed. The process information and operational data from the proof-of-concept tests were used in the design of 40 MW high efficiency DFC/T power plants. A preliminary cost estimate for the 40 MW DFC/T plant was also prepared. Pilot-scale tests of the cascaded fuel cell concept for achieving high fuel utilizations were conducted. The tests demonstrated that the concept has the potential to offer higher power plant efficiency. Alternate stack flow geometries for increased power output and fuel utilization capabilities were also evaluated. Detailed design of the packaged sub-MW DFC/T Alpha Unit was completed, including equipment and piping layouts, instrumentation, electrical, and structural drawings. The lessons learned from the proof-of-concept tests were incorporated in the design of the Alpha Unit. The sub-MW packaged unit was fabricated, including integration of the Direct FuelCell{reg_sign} (DFC{reg_sign}) stack module with the mechanical balance-of-plant and electrical balance-of-plant. Factory acceptance tests of the Alpha DFC/T power plant were conducted at Danbury, CT. The Alpha Unit achieved an unsurpassed electrical efficiency of 58% (LHV natural gas) during the factory tests. The resulting high efficiency in conversion of chemical energy to electricity far exceeded any sub-MW class power generation equipment presently in the market. After successful completion of the factory tests, the unit was shipped to the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT, for field demonstration tests. The DFC/T unit accomplished a major achievement by successfully completing 8000 hours of operation at the Billings site. The Alpha sub-MW DFC/T power plant unit was returned to the factory for post-operation inspection and analysis. The success of the Alpha Unit operation in the field and achievement of the ultra-high efficiency of 58%, triggered the establishment of a MW-scale commercial product design and development program. Design of a 3 MW (nominal rating) DFC/T Power Plant was completed with an electrical efficiency approaching 60+% LHV of natural gas depending on the design and performance of the gas turbine. Development efforts incorporated lessons learned from the Alpha sub-MW DFC/T power plant demonstration, as well as design features from FCE's commercial product offerings, the DFC1500 and DFC3000 MW-class simple cycle power plants. The 3 MW DFC/T power plant is anticipated to be a superb alternative for large distributed generation applications in locations with high cost-of-electricity