A comparative study of methods for estimating virtual flux at the point of common coupling in grid connected voltage source converters with LCL filter

Grid connected Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) with LCL filters usually have voltage measurements at the filter capacitors, while it can be important to control the active or reactive power injection at the grid-side of the LCL filter, for instance at a Point of Common Coupling (PCC). Synchronization to the PCC voltage can be obtained by Virtual Flux (VF) estimation, which can also allow for voltage sensor-less operation of VSCs. This paper is presenting a comparative evaluation of methods for estimating the VF at the PCC, considering a VSC connected to the grid through an LCL filter with a Proportional Resonant (PR) controller as the inner current control loop. The VF estimation is achieved by using frequency adaptive dual SOGI-QSGs (DSOGI-VF). The Frequency Locked Loop (FLL) is used in order to keep the positive and negative sequence (PNS) VF estimation inherently frequency adaptive. Three different methods are considered for obtaining the capacitor current needed for estimating the VF at the grid side of the LCL filter which are based on fully estimation by using the voltage sensor-less method, by estimating the capacitor current from the measured voltage or by using additional capacitor current sensors. The results have been compared and validated by simulation studies.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Multiple-output Class E Isolated dc-dc Converter

This paper presents a multiple output class-E isolated dc-dc converter that regulates the output voltages at fixed switching frequency. The two output converter is simulated at operating frequency of 5 MHz. The converter output power is 40 W and the output voltages are 15 V and 5 V. All the switches operate at zero voltage switching (ZVS) conditions for the full load range. The circuit configuration is simple with small passive components which reduce the size of the converter. The circuit also has very good cross-regulation and an inherent short circuit protection with preserved ZVS conditions

Two-output Class E Isolated dc-dc Converter at 5 MHz Switching Frequency

This paper presents a two output class-E isolated dcdc converter that regulates the output voltages at fixed switching frequency. The converter is simulated at operating frequency of 5 MHz. The converter output power is 40 W and the output voltages are 15 V and 5 V. All the switches operate at zero voltage switching (ZVS) conditions for the full load range. The circuit configuration is simple with small passive components which reduce the size of the converter. The circuit also has very good cross-regulation and an inherent short circuit protection with preserved ZVS condition

Peak current mode control of three-phase boost rectifiers in discontinuous conduction mode for small wind power generators

[EN] This paper presents a peak current mode control scheme of a boost rectifier with low distortion of the input current for wind power systems based on permanent magnet synchronous generators with variable speed operation. The three-phase boost rectifier is operated in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), and power factor correction techniques are applied. It is shown that the DCM operation significantly reduces the total harmonic distortion of the currents in the permanent magnet synchronous generator, increasing the power factor of the system, so that the vibrations and mechanical stress of the generator are minimized. The characteristics of the DCM boost rectifier are studied considering: (1) the series resistance of the inductors; (2) the modeling and adjustment of peak current mode control yielding a stable loop; (3) the design of an input filter that reduces the switching noise in the currents of the generator.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under Grants ENE2006- 15521-C03-02 and ENE2009- 13998-C02-02. The first author thanks the support of the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN) and of the Comision de Operacion y Fomento de Actividades Academicas (COFAA) to finance his stay at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV).Carranza, O.; Garcerá, G.; Figueres Amorós, E.; González, L. (2010). Peak current mode control of three-phase boost rectifiers in discontinuous conduction mode for small wind power generators. Applied Energy. 87(8):2728-2736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.02.010S2728273687

Design, Simulation and Analysis of Novel Types of Unipolar Diodes

With the growing demand of low and medium voltage switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) for use in the state-of-the-art integrated circuits, the development of output rectifiers with low forward voltage drop and low reverse leakage current becomes essential. In low voltage SMPS applications (1 to 5 V), the on-state loss of the fast recovery p-i-n diode or the Schottky diode contributes greatly to the total power loss in power supplies. This is due to their forward threshold voltage. One possible way to achieve low on-state losses is to reduce or remove the forward threshold voltage. The first part of this thesis is mainly devoted to a novel Regenerative diode structure based on Silicon material. Its main advantages are reduction or removal of forward threshold voltage and much improved reverse characteristics without the necessity of a gate control like in synchronous rectifiers. The silicon unipolar device application is, however, restricted to relatively low voltages because of on-state and blocking problems at device blocking capabilities above 200 V. For high voltage applications (> 200 V), SiC Schottky or JBS rectifiers have demonstrated a good differential on state resistance and reasonable blocking behavior. In principle, one could try to construct a Regenerative diode like device based on SiC material, but poor hole mobility and much less developed integrated device technology seem to discourage such efforts. However, the second part of this thesis work presents a simulation study on a Si/6H-SiC heterojunction. The p-Si/N-6H-SiC heterojunction diode behaves like a Schottky diode but with much lower threshold voltage than that of the 6H-SiC SBD. Therefore, the heterojunction diode has better on state characteristics than 6H-SiC SBD without sacrificing in blocking

Modeling and simulation enabled UAV electrical power system design

With the diversity of mission capability and the associated requirement for more advanced technologies, designing modern unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems is an especially challenging task. In particular, the increasing reliance on the electrical power system for delivering key aircraft functions, both electrical and mechanical, requires that a systems-approach be employed in their development. A key factor in this process is the use of modeling and simulation to inform upon critical design choices made. However, effective systems-level simulation of complex UAV power systems presents many challenges, which must be addressed to maximize the value of such methods. This paper presents the initial stages of a power system design process for a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV focusing particularly on the development of three full candidate architecture models and associated technologies. The unique challenges faced in developing such a suite of models and their ultimate role in the design process is explored, with case studies presented to reinforce key points. The role of the developed models in supporting the design process is then discussed

Hybrid monolithic integration of high-power DC-DC converters in a high-voltage technology

The supply of electrical energy to home, commercial, and industrial users has become ubiquitous, and it is hard to imagine a world without the facilities provided by electrical energy. Despite the ever increasing efficiency of nearly every electrical application, the worldwide demand for electrical power continues to increase, since the number of users and applications more than compensates for these technological improvements. In order to maintain the affordability and feasibility of the total production, it is essential for the distribution of the produced electrical energy to be as efficient as possible. In other words the loss in the power distribution is to be minimized. By transporting electrical energy at the maximum safe voltage, the current in the conductors, and the associated conduction loss can remain as low as possible. In order to optimize the total efficiency, the high transportation voltage needs to be converted to the appropriate lower voltage as close as possible to the end user. Obviously, this conversion also needs to be as efficient, affordable, and compact as possible. Because of the ever increasing integration of electronic systems, where more and more functionality is combined in monolithically integrated circuits, the cost, the power consumption, and the size of these electronic systems can be greatly reduced. This thorough integration is not limited to the electronic systems that are the end users of the electrical energy, but can also be applied to the power conversion itself. In most modern applications, the voltage conversion is implemented as a switching DC-DC converter, in which electrical energy is temporarily stored in reactive elements, i.e. inductors or capacitors. High switching speeds are used to allow for a compact and efficient implementation. For low power levels, typically below 1 Watt, it is possible to monolithically implement the voltage conversion on an integrated circuit. In some cases, this is even done on the same integrated circuit that is the end user of the electrical energy to minimize the system dimensions. For higher power levels, it is no longer feasible to achieve the desired efficiency with monolithically integrated components, and some external components prove indispensable. Usually, the reactive components are the main limiting factor, and are the first components to be moved away from the integrated circuit for increasing power levels. The semiconductor components, including the power transistors, remain part of the integrated circuit. Using this hybrid approach, it is possible in modern converterapplications to process around 60 Watt, albeit limited to voltages of a few Volt. For hybrid integrated converters with an output voltage of tens of Volt, the power is limited to approximately 10 Watt. For even higher power levels, the integrated power transistors also become a limiting factor, and are replaced with discrete power devices. In these discrete converters, greatly increased power levels become possible, although the system size rapidly increases. In this work, the limits of the hybrid approach are explored when using so-called smart-power technologies. Smart-power technologies are standard lowcost submicron CMOS technologies that are complemented with a number of integrated high-voltage devices. By using an appropriate combination of smart-power technologies and circuit topologies, it is possible to improve on the current state-of-the-art converters, by optimizing the size, the cost, and the efficiency. To determine the limits of smart-power DC-DC converters, we first discuss the major contributing factors for an efficient energy distribution, and take a look at the role of voltage conversion in the energy distribution. Considering the limitations of the technologies and the potential application areas, we define two test-cases in the telecommunications sector for which we want to optimize the hybrid monolithic integration in a smart-power technology. Subsequently, we explore the specifications of an ideal converter, and the relevant properties of the affordable smart-power technologies for the implementation of DC-DC converters. Taking into account the limitations of these technologies, we define a cost function that allows to systematically evaluate the different potential converter topologies, without having to perform a full design cycle for each topology. From this cost function, we notice that the de facto default topology selection in discrete converters, which is typically based on output power, is not optimal for converters with integrated power transistors. Based on the cost function and the boundary conditions of our test-cases, we determine the optimal topology for a smart-power implementation of these applications. Then, we take another step towards the real world and evaluate the influence of parasitic elements in a smart-power implementation of switching converters. It is noticed that the voltage overshoot caused by the transformer secondary side leakage inductance is a major roadblock for an efficient implementation. Since the usual approach to this voltage overshoot in discrete converters is not applicable in smart-power converters due to technological limitations, an alternative approach is shown and implemented. The energy from the voltage overshoot is absorbed and transferred to the output of the converter. This allows for a significant reduction in the voltage overshoot, while maintaining a high efficiency, leading to an efficient, compact, and low-cost implementation. The effectiveness of this approach was tested and demonstrated in both a version using a commercially available integrated circuit, and our own implementation in a smart-power integrated circuit. Finally, we also take a look at the optimization of switching converters over the load range by exploiting the capabilities of highly integrated converters. Although the maximum output power remains one of the defining characteristics of converters, it has been shown that most converters spend a majority of their lifetime delivering significantly lower output power. Therefore, it is also desirable to optimize the efficiency of the converter at reduced output current and output power. By splitting the power transistors in multiple independent segments, which are turned on or off in function of the current, the efficiency at low currents can be significantly improved, without introducing undesirable frequency components in the output voltage, and without harming the efficiency at higher currents. These properties allow a near universal application of the optimization technique in hybrid monolithic DC-DC converter applications, without significant impact on the complexity and the cost of the system. This approach for the optimization of switching converters over the load range was demonstrated using a boost converter with discrete power transistors. The demonstration of our smart-power implementation was limited to simulations due to an issue with a digital control block. On a finishing note, we formulate the general conclusions and provide an outlook on potential future work based on this research

High Current Density Low Voltage Isolated Dc-dc Converterswith Fast Transient Response

With the rapid development of microprocessor and semiconductor technology, industry continues to update the requirements for power supplies. For telecommunication and computing system applications, power supplies require increasing current level while the supply voltage keeps decreasing. For example, the Intel\u27s CPU core voltage decreased from 2 volt in 1999 to 1 volt in 2005 while the supply current increased from 20A in 1999 to up to 100A in 2005. As a result, low-voltage high-current high efficiency dc-dc converters with high power-density are demanded for state-of-the-art applications and also the future applications. Half-bridge dc-dc converter with current-doubler rectification is regarded as a good topology that is suitable for high-current low-voltage applications. There are three control schemes for half-bridge dc-dc converters and in order to provide a valid unified analog model for optimal compensator design, the analog state-space modeling and small signal modeling are studied in the dissertation and unified state-space and analog small signal model are derived. In addition, the digital control gains a lot of attentions due to its flexibility and re-programmability. In this dissertation, a unified digital small signal model for half-bridge dc-dc converter with current doubler rectifier is also developed and the digital compensator based on the derived model is implemented and verified by the experiments with the TI DSP chip. In addition, although current doubler rectifier is widely used in industry, the key issue is the current sharing between two inductors. The current imbalance is well studied and solved in non-isolated multi-phase buck converters, yet few discusse this issue in the current doubler rectification topology within academia and industry. This dissertation analyze the current sharing issue in comparison with multi-phase buck and one modified current doubler rectifier topology is proposed to achieve passive current sharing. The performance is evaluated with half bridge dc-dc converter; good current sharing is achieved without additional circuitry. Due to increasing demands for high-efficiency high-power-density low-voltage high current topologies for future applications, the thermal management is challenging. Since the secondary-side conduction loss dominates the overall power loss in low-voltage high-current isolated dc-dc converters, a novel current tripler rectification topology is proposed. Theoretical analysis, comparison and experimental results verify that the proposed rectification technique has good thermal management and well-distributed power dissipation, simplified magnetic design and low copper loss for inductors and transformer. That is due to the fact that the load current is better distributed in three inductors and the rms current in transformer windings is reduced. Another challenge in telecommunication and computing applications is fast transient response of the converter to the increasing slew-rate of load current change. For instance, from Intel\u27s roadmap, it can be observed that the current slew rate of the age regulator has dramatically increased from 25A/uS in 1999 to 400A/us in 2005. One of the solutions to achieve fast transient response is secondary-side control technique to eliminate the delay of optocoupler to increase the system bandwidth. Active-clamp half bridge dc-dc converter with secondary-side control is presented and one industry standard 16th prototype is built and tested; good efficiency and transient response are shown in the experimental section. However, one key issue for implementation of secondary-side control is start-up. A new zero-voltage-switching buck-flyback isolated dc-dc converter with synchronous rectification is proposed, and it is only suitable for start-up circuit for secondary-side controlled converter, but also for house-keeping power supplies and standalone power supplies requiring multi-outputs

Power Converters and Power Quality

This paper discusses the subject of power quality for power converters. The first part gives an overview of most of the common disturbances and power quality issues in electrical networks for particle accelerators, and explains their consequences for accelerator operation. The propagation of asymmetrical network disturbances into a network is analysed. Quantitative parameters for network disturbances in a typical network are presented, and immunity levels for users' electrical equipment are proposed. The second part of this paper discusses the technologies and strategies used in particle accelerator networks for power quality improvement. Particular focus is given to networks supplying loads with cycling active and reactive power.Comment: 26 pages, contribution to the 2014 CAS - CERN Accelerator School: Power Converters, Baden, Switzerland, 7-14 May 201

Low power wind energy conversion system based on variable speed permanent magnet synchronous generators

This paper presents a low power wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on a permanent magnet synchronous generator and a high power factor (PF) rectifier. To achieve a high PF at the generator side, a power processing scheme based on a diode rectifier and a boost DC-DC converter working in discontinuous conduction mode is proposed. The proposed generator control structure is based on three cascaded control loops that regulate the generator current, the turbine speed and the amount of power that is extracted from the wind, respectively, following the turbine aerodynamics and the actual wind speed. The analysis and design of both the current and the speed loops have been carried out taking into consideration the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the WECS, as well as the turbine aerodynamics. The power loop is not a linear one, but a maximum power point tracking algorithm, based on the Perturb and Observe technique, from which is obtained the reference signal for the speed loop. Finally, to avoid the need of mechanical sensors, a linear Kalman Filter has been chosen to estimate the generator speed. Simulation and experimental results on a 2-kW prototype are shown to validate the concept. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Carranza Castillo, O.; Garcerá Sanfeliú, G.; Figueres Amorós, E.; González Morales, LG. (2014). Low power wind energy conversion system based on variable speed permanent magnet synchronous generators. Wind Energy. 17(6):811-827. doi:10.1002/we.1598S811827176Ackermann, T. (Ed.). (2005). Wind Power in Power Systems. doi:10.1002/0470012684Muyeen, S. M., Shishido, S., Ali, M. H., Takahashi, R., Murata, T., & Tamura, J. (2008). Application of energy capacitor system to wind power generation. Wind Energy, 11(4), 335-350. doi:10.1002/we.265Ladenburg, J. (2009). 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IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 15(2), 268-277. doi:10.1109/63.838099Athab, H. S., Lu, D. D.-C., & Ramar, K. (2012). A Single-Switch AC/DC Flyback Converter Using a CCM/DCM Quasi-Active Power Factor Correction Front-End. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 59(3), 1517-1526. doi:10.1109/tie.2011.2158771Barbosa, P., Canales, F., Crebier, J.-C., & Lee, F. C. (2001). Interleaved three-phase boost rectifiers operated in the discontinuous conduction mode: analysis, design considerations and experimentation. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 16(5), 724-734. doi:10.1109/63.949505Yao, K., Ruan, X., Mao, X., & Ye, Z. (2011). Variable-Duty-Cycle Control to Achieve High Input Power Factor for DCM Boost PFC Converter. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 58(5), 1856-1865. doi:10.1109/tie.2010.2052538Andriollo, M., De Bortoli, M., Martinelli, G., Morini, A., & Tortella, A. (2009). Control strategy of a wind turbine drive by an integrated model. Wind Energy, 12(1), 33-49. doi:10.1002/we.281Hansen, A. D., & Michalke, G. (2008). Modelling and control of variable-speed multi-pole permanent magnet synchronous generator wind turbine. Wind Energy, 11(5), 537-554. doi:10.1002/we.278Salvatore, N., Caponio, A., Neri, F., Stasi, S., & Cascella, G. L. (2010). Optimization of Delayed-State Kalman-Filter-Based Algorithm via Differential Evolution for Sensorless Control of Induction Motors. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 57(1), 385-394. doi:10.1109/tie.2009.2033489Kazmi, S. M. R., Goto, H., Guo, H.-J., & Ichinokura, O. (2011). A Novel Algorithm for Fast and Efficient Speed-Sensorless Maximum Power Point Tracking in Wind Energy Conversion Systems. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 58(1), 29-36. doi:10.1109/tie.2010.2044732Pucci, M., & Cirrincione, M. (2011). Neural MPPT Control of Wind Generators With Induction Machines Without Speed Sensors. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 58(1), 37-47. doi:10.1109/tie.2010.2043043Ming Y Li G Ming Z Chengyong Z Modeling of the wind turbine with a permanent magnet synchronous generator for integration IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 2007 2007 1 6Carranza O Figueres E Garcera G Gonzalez LG Gonzalez-Espin F Peak current mode control of a boost rectifier with low distortion of the input current for wind power systems based on permanent magnet synchronous generators 13th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, EPE ’09 2009 1 10Eltamaly, A. M. (2007). Harmonics reduction of three-phase boost rectifier by modulating duty ratio. Electric Power Systems Research, 77(10), 1425-1431. doi:10.1016/j.epsr.2006.10.012Vorperian, V. (1990). Simplified analysis of PWM converters using model of PWM switch. Continuous conduction mode. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 26(3), 490-496. doi:10.1109/7.106126Ridley, R. B. (1991). A new, continuous-time model for current-mode control (power convertors). IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 6(2), 271-280. doi:10.1109/63.76813Carranza O Figueres E Garcera G Trujillo CL Velasco D Comparison of speed estimators applied to wind generation systems with noisy measurement signals ISIE 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Industrial 2010 3317 3322Yaoqin J Zhongqing Y Binggang C A new maximum power point tracking control scheme for wind generation International Conference on Power System Technology, PowerCon 2002 IEEE-PES/CSEE 2002 144 148PSIM 7.0 User's Guide (2006), Powersim Inc. 2006Carranza, O., Garcerá, G., Figueres, E., & González, L. G. (2010). Peak current mode control of three-phase boost rectifiers in discontinuous conduction mode for small wind power generators. Applied Energy, 87(8), 2728-2736. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.02.01