Frequency support characteristics of grid-interactive power converters based on the synchronous power controller

Grid-interactive converters with primary frequency control and inertia emulation have emerged and are promising for future renewable generation plants because of the contribution in power system stabilization. This paper gives a synchronous active power control solution for gridinteractive converters , as a way to emulate synchronous generators for inerita characteristics and load sharing. As design considerations, the virtual angle stability and transient response are both analyzed, and the detailed implementation structure is also given without entailing any difficulty in practice. The analytical and experimental validation of frequency support characteristics differentiates the work from other publications on generator emulation control. The 10 kW simulation and experimental frequency sweep tests on a regenerative source test bed present good performance of the proposed control in showing inertia and droop characteristics, as well as the controllable transient response.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Control and stability of Ac/Dc microgrids

The current society is facing several challenges related to the field of energy, such as the high dependency on fossil fuels, the constant increment in the energy consumption and the environmental problems caused by these factors. The integration of distributed generation systems—mainly based on renewable energies—combined with energy storage systems is the most interesting solution to tackle these issues. However, most of these systems are connected to the grid through electronic converters that actively control the power exchange. This fact causes various problems not suffered since the origins of electric grids in the transition from an electric model dominated by synchronous machines to a model where power electronics gain more importance—even being the dominating systems in some cases. The lack of inertial response and primary reserve, the instabilities caused by the interactions of power electronic systems or the premature situation of direct current grids, which are being employed more widely, stand out as some of the most important challenges that we want to address with this thesis. In this context, the main purpose of the thesis is the development of ac/dc microgrid control strategies that improve the dynamic behaviour of the system. In order to achieve this objective we contemplate four main lines that consist of the identification and analysis of different microgrid topologies and control techniques, the study of primary control operation modes of the systems that compose these microgrids and finally the the development and evaluation of various low-level control strategies for ac and dc microgrids. These techniques are based on the concept of operation of classical synchronous generators, enabling their autonomous operation as well as providing inertial response under grid perturbations. Among the contributions of the thesis, we can highlight on the one hand, the analysis and comparative evaluation of synchronous machine emulation techniques for ac microgrids, where we evaluate their behaviour for different types of perturbations and we examine their stability applying the generalized Nyquist criterion. Regarding dc microgrids, on the other hand, we propose novel control techniques that are analogous to the ones analysed for ac grids. We call these techniques virtual-capacitors, as they emulate the behaviour of these passive elements connected to dc grids. In this case, we thoroughly study their transient as well as steady-state behaviour, and we demonstrate that they can be adapted by simply modifying control parameters. Moreover, we analyse the stability of these techniques through parametric analysis of their dominant eigenvalues.Gaur egungo gizartea energiaren arloko hainbat erronkaren aurrean aurkitzen da, besteak beste, erregai fosilekiko dependentzia handia, kontsumo energetikoaren etengabeko igoera, eta faktore hauek eragiten dituzten ingurumen arazoak. Generazio bananduko sistemen integrazioa—bereziki iturri berriztagarrietan oinarritutakoa—metatze sistemekin bateratuta, arazo horiei aurre egiteko aukera interesgarriena bilakatu da. Hala ere, sistema hauetako gehienak bihurgailu elektronikoen bitartez konektatzen dira sare elektrikotara, potentziaren hartu-emana modu aktiboan kontrolatzen dutelarik. Honek, makina sinkronoez menderatutako modelo elektriko batetik, potentzia elektronika garrantzia hartzen hasten den—edo kasu batzuetan mendean dagoen—modelo baterako trantsizioan hainbat arazo eragiten ditu, sare elektrikoak sortu zirenetik jasan ez direnak. Erantzun inertzial eta erreserba primario eza, bihurgailuen interakzioaren ondoriozko estabilitate arazoak edo korronte zuzeneko sareen egoera goiztiarra, geroz eta gehiago erabiltzen direnak, tesi honen bitartez aurre egin nahi diren erronkarik garrantzitsuenetarikoak dira. Testuinguru honetan, tesiaren helburu nagusia ac/dc mikrosareen portaera dinamikoa hobetzen duten kontrol estrategiak garatzea da. Helburu hau lortzeko lau lerro nagusi planteatu dira, besteak beste, mikrosareen topologia eta kontrol estrategia desberdinen identifikazio eta analisia, sare hauek konposatzen duten sistemen kontrol primarioaren untzionamendu motak azterketa, eta azkenik, bai ac eta bai dc mikrosareendako nibel baxuko kontrol estrategia desberdinen garapena. Azken hauek generadore sinkrono klasikoetan oinarritu dira, modu autonomoan eta bananduan aritzeko gaitasuna emateaz gain, sareko perturbazioen aurrean erantzun inertziala ematea ahalbidetzen dielako. Tesiaren ekarpenen artean, alde batetik, makina sinkronoen emulazioan datzan kontrol estrategien analisia eta konparaketa azpimarratu behar dira. Kasu honetan, teknika hauek hainbat perturbazioetarako ebaluatzen ditugu, eta Nyquisten kriterio generalizatuan oinarrituta estabilitatea aztertzen dugu. Korronte zuzeneko sareei erreparatuz, bestalde, kontrol teknika berriak proposatzen ditugu. Hauei kondentsadore-birtual izena ezarri diegu, elementu pasibo horien erantzun dinamikoa emulatzen dutelako. Hemen, teknika hauen erregimen iraunkorreko eta iragankorreko erantzuna aztertzen dugu, soilik kontrol parametro batzuk aldatuta egokitu daitezkela frogatuz. Hortaz gain, sistema hauen estabilitatea aztertzen dugu berezko balio dominanteen (eigenvalue-en) analisi parametrikoak eginez.La sociedad actual se enfrenta a varios retos importantes en materia energética, entre los que destacan la gran dependencia de los combustibles fósiles, el constante aumento del consumo energético y los problemas medioambientales que estos factores conllevan. La integración de sistemas de generación distribuida—principalmente de origen renovable— combinadas con sistemas de almacenamiento de energía, se presenta como la solución más interesante para hacer frente a estos retos. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de estos sistemas se conectan a la red a través de convertidores electrónicos que controlan el intercambio de potencia de manera activa. Este hecho hace que la transición desde un modelo eléctrico principalmente dominado por máquinas síncronas, hacia un modelo donde la electrónica de potencia comienza a cobrar protagonismo—hasta el punto de llegar a ser dominante en algunos casos—acarree diversos problemas que prácticamente no se han manifestado desde los orígenes de las redes eléctricas. La falta de respuesta inercial y reserva primaria, las inestabilidades debidas a la interacción de los sistemas electrónicos de potencia o la prematura situación de las redes de corriente continua, cada día utilizadas en mayor medida, destacan como algunos de los retos más importantes a los que se quiere dar respuesta a través de esta tesis. En este contexto, el objetivo principal de la tesis es el desarrollo de estrategias de control de microrredes ac/dc que mejoren el comportamiento dinámico del sistema. Para la consecución de este objetivo se han planteado cuatro líneas principales que constan de la identificación y análisis de diferentes topologías y técnicas de control de microrredes, el estudio de los modos de operación del control primario de los sistemas que las componen, y finalmente, el desarrollo y evaluación de diversas técnicas de control de nivel bajo tanto para microrredes ac como dc. Las estrategias de control de nivel bajo desarrolladas en la tesis se basan en el concepto de operación de los generadores síncronos clásicos, lo que les permite operar de manera distribuida y autónoma, aportando a su vez respuesta inercial ante perturbaciones en la red. Entre las contribuciones de la tesis destacan, por un lado, el análisis y comparativa de técnicas de control de emulación de máquinas síncronas para redes ac, donde evaluamos su comportamiento ante diferentes tipos de perturbaciones y examinamos su estabilidad aplicando criterios generalizados de Nyquist. En el ámbito de las redes dc, por otra parte, proponemos nuevas técnicas de control que son análogas a las analizadas para las redes ac, y que denominamos como condensadores-virtuales puesto que emulan el comportamiento dinámico de estos elementos pasivos conectados a la red. En este caso, estudiamos en detalle su comportamiento dinámico y en régimen permanente, demostrando que se pueden adaptar simplemente variando parámetros de control, y analizamos su estabilidad llevando a cabo análisis paramétricos de sus valores propios dominantes

Ancillary Services in Hybrid AC/DC Low Voltage Distribution Networks

In the last decade, distribution systems are experiencing a drastic transformation with the advent of new technologies. In fact, distribution networks are no longer passive systems, considering the current integration rates of new agents such as distributed generation, electrical vehicles and energy storage, which are greatly influencing the way these systems are operated. In addition, the intrinsic DC nature of these components, interfaced to the AC system through power electronics converters, is unlocking the possibility for new distribution topologies based on AC/DC networks. This paper analyzes the evolution of AC distribution systems, the advantages of AC/DC hybrid arrangements and the active role that the new distributed agents may play in the upcoming decarbonized paradigm by providing different ancillary services.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad ENE2017-84813-RUnión Europea (Programa Horizonte 2020) 76409

Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid Mode-Adaptive Controls

The lack of inertial response at microgrids is usually compensated by configuring primary controllers of converter‐interfaced devices to contribute in the transient response under power disturbances. The main purpose of this chapter is to study the modes of operation of primary level techniques of generation, storage, loads, and other devices attached to hybrid ac/dc microgrids. Although the chapter includes an analysis of the modes of operation of lower‐level regulators, the focus is on upper‐level or primary controllers. In this context, we analyze mode‐adaptive controls based on voltage and frequency levels and we evaluate their behavior by simulation in the Matlab/Simulink® environment. The results demonstrate that mode‐adaptive techniques are adequate for maximizing the energy extracted by distributed generation (DG) systems and limit demand side management actuations while ensuring an adequate regulation of the microgrid

Control of AC/DC microgrids with renewables in the context of smart grids including ancillary services and electric mobility

Microgrids are a very good solution for current problems raised by the constant growth of load demand and high penetration of renewable energy sources, that results in grid modernization through “Smart-Grids” concept. The impact of distributed energy sources based on power electronics is an important concern for power systems, where natural frequency regulation for the system is hindered because of inertia reduction. In this context, Direct Current (DC) grids are considered a relevant solution, since the DC nature of power electronic devices bring technological and economical advantages compared to Alternative Current (AC). The thesis proposes the design and control of a hybrid AC/DC Microgrid to integrate different renewable sources, including solar power and braking energy recovery from trains, to energy storage systems as batteries and supercapacitors and to loads like electric vehicles or another grids (either AC or DC), for reliable operation and stability. The stabilization of the Microgrid buses’ voltages and the provision of ancillary services is assured by the proposed control strategy, where a rigorous stability study is made. A low-level distributed nonlinear controller, based on “System-of-Systems” approach is developed for proper operation of the whole Microgrid. A supercapacitor is applied to deal with transients, balancing the DC bus of the Microgrid and absorbing the energy injected by intermittent and possibly strong energy sources as energy recovery from the braking of trains and subways, while the battery realizes the power flow in long term. Dynamical feedback control based on singular perturbation analysis is developed for supercapacitor and train. A Lyapunov function is built considering the interconnected devices of the Microgrid to ensure the stability of the whole system. Simulations highlight the performance of the proposed control with parametric robustness tests and a comparison with traditional linear controller. The Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) approach is implemented in the Microgrid for power sharing and frequency stability improvement. An adaptive virtual inertia is proposed, then the inertia constant becomes a system’s state variable that can be designed to improve frequency stability and inertial support, where stability analysis is carried out. Therefore, the VSM is the link between DC and AC side of the Microgrid, regarding the available power in DC grid, applied for ancillary services in the AC Microgrid. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive inertia, where a comparison with droop and standard control techniques is conducted.As Microrredes são uma ótima solução para os problemas atuais gerados pelo constante crescimento da demanda de carga e alta penetração de fontes de energia renováveis, que resulta na modernização da rede através do conceito “Smart-Grids”. O impacto das fontes de energia distribuídas baseados em eletrônica de potência é uma preocupação importante para o sistemas de potência, onde a regulação natural da frequência do sistema é prejudicada devido à redução da inércia. Nesse contexto, as redes de corrente contínua (CC) são consideradas um progresso, já que a natureza CC dos dispositivos eletrônicos traz vantagens tecnológicas e econômicas em comparação com a corrente alternada (CA). A tese propõe o controle de uma Microrrede híbrida CA/CC para integrar diferentes fontes renováveis, incluindo geração solar e frenagem regenerativa de trens, sistemas de armazenamento de energia como baterias e supercapacitores e cargas como veículos elétricos ou outras (CA ou CC) para confiabilidade da operação e estabilidade. A regulação das tensões dos barramentos da Microrrede e a prestação de serviços anciliares são garantidas pela estratégia de controle proposta, onde é realizado um rigoroso estudo de estabilidade. Um controlador não linear distribuído de baixo nível, baseado na abordagem “System-of-Systems”, é desenvolvido para a operação adequada de toda a rede elétrica. Um supercapacitor é aplicado para lidar com os transitórios, equilibrando o barramento CC da Microrrede, absorvendo a energia injetada por fontes de energia intermitentes e possivelmente fortes como recuperação de energia da frenagem de trens e metrôs, enquanto a bateria realiza o fluxo de potência a longo prazo. O controle por dynamical feedback baseado numa análise de singular perturbation é desenvolvido para o supercapacitor e o trem. Funções de Lyapunov são construídas considerando os dispositivos interconectados da Microrrede para garantir a estabilidade de todo o sistema. As simulações destacam o desempenho do controle proposto com testes de robustez paramétricos e uma comparação com o controlador linear tradicional. O esquema de máquina síncrona virtual (VSM) é implementado na Microrrede para compartilhamento de potência e melhoria da estabilidade de frequência. Então é proposto o uso de inércia virtual adaptativa, no qual a constante de inércia se torna variável de estado do sistema, projetada para melhorar a estabilidade da frequência e prover suporte inercial. Portanto, o VSM realiza a conexão entre lado CC e CA da Microrrede, onde a energia disponível na rede CC é usada para prestar serviços anciliares no lado CA da Microrrede. Os resultados da simulação mostram a eficácia da inércia adaptativa proposta, sendo realizada uma comparação entre o controle droop e outras técnicas de controle convencionais

Control and Stability of Residential Microgrid with Grid-Forming Prosumers

The rise of the prosumers (producers-consumers), residential customers equipped with behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DER), such as battery storage and rooftop solar PV, offers an opportunity to use prosumer-owned DER innovatively. The thesis rests on the premise that prosumers equipped with grid-forming inverters can not only provide inertia to improve the frequency performance of the bulk grid but also support islanded operation of residential microgrids (low-voltage distribution feeder operated in an islanded mode), which can improve distribution grids’ resilience and reliability without purposely designing low-voltage (LV) distribution feeders as microgrids. Today, grid-following control is predominantly used to control prosumer DER, by which the prosumers behave as controlled current sources. These grid-following prosumers deliver active and reactive power by staying synchronized with the existing grid. However, they cannot operate if disconnected from the main grid due to the lack of voltage reference. This gives rise to the increasing interest in the use of grid-forming power converters, by which the prosumers behave as voltage sources. Grid-forming converters regulate their output voltage according to the reference of their own and exhibit load sharing with other prosumers even in islanded operation. Making use of grid-forming prosumers opens up opportunities to improve distribution grids’ resilience and enhance the genuine inertia of highly renewable-penetrated power systems. Firstly, electricity networks in many regional communities are prone to frequent power outages. Instead of purposely designing the community as a microgrid with dedicated grid-forming equipment, the LV feeder can be turned into a residential microgrid with multiple paralleled grid-forming prosumers. In this case, the LV feeder can operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes. Secondly, gridforming prosumers in the residential microgrid behave as voltage sources that respond naturally to the varying loads in the system. This is much like synchronous machines extracting kinetic energy from rotating masses. “Genuine” system inertia is thus enhanced, which is fundamentally different from the “emulated” inertia by fast frequency response (FFR) from grid-following converters. Against this backdrop, this thesis mainly focuses on two aspects. The first is the small-signal stability of such residential microgrids. In particular, the impact of the increasing number of grid-forming prosumers is studied based on the linearised model. The impact of the various dynamic response of primary sources is also investigated. The second is the control of the grid-forming prosumers aiming to provide sufficient inertia for the system. The control is focused on both the inverters and the DC-stage converters. Specifically, the thesis proposes an advanced controller for the DC-stage converters based on active disturbance rejection control (ADRC), which observes and rejects the “total disturbance” of the system, thereby enhancing the inertial response provided by prosumer DER. In addition, to make better use of the energy from prosumer-owned DER, an adaptive droop controller based on a piecewise power function is proposed, which ensures that residential ESS provide little power in the steady state while supplying sufficient power to cater for the demand variation during the transient state. Proposed strategies are verified by time-domain simulations

Improvement of Transient Stability of Photovoltaic-hydro Microgrids Using Virtual Synchronous Machines

Photovoltaic-hydro microgrids can provide reliable clean energy in remote areas that do not have an electric grid. Higher photovoltaic penetration can cause large frequency deviations at a high rate of change of frequency in the system. Virtual synchronous machines have been used to enhance performance of a diesel hybrid minigrid but no studies have been performed to account for dynamics of a hydro system. A method is needed to improve the transient stability of photovoltaic-hydro microgrid systems while allowing high photovoltaic penetration. The objective of this thesis was to study the feasibility of using virtual synchronous machines to improve transient stability of photovoltaic-hydro microgrid systems. A virtual synchronous machine is a short term energy storage device with power electronics and a dispatching algorithm that provides inertia to the grid. Transient analysis of a 25 kWp-39 kW photovoltaic–hydro benchmark system was performed using a MATLAB\Simulink simulation with and without the virtual synchronous machine. The virtual synchronous machine was modeled using directquadrature axis based current control techniques, and software in the loop simulations were performed in Opal-RT real time digital simulator. Large frequency deviations and rate of change of frequency were observed when the virtual synchronous machine was not included. When the virtual synchronous machine was used, frequency deviations and the rate of change of frequency were reduced to within limits. The energy use was minimal and comparable to small lead acid or NiMH batteries. Hence, virtual synchronous machines can improve the transient stability of photovoltaic-hydro systems while allowing high photovoltaic penetration

Design and control of parallel three phase voltage source Inverters in low voltage AC microgrid

Design and hierarchical control of three phase parallel Voltage Source Inverters are developed in this paper. The control scheme is based on synchronous reference frame and consists of primary and secondary control levels. The primary control consists of the droop control and the virtual output impedance loops. This control level is designed to share the active and reactive power correctly between the connected VSIs in order to avoid the undesired circulating current and overload of the connected VSIs. The secondary control is designed to clear the magnitude and the frequency deviations caused by the primary control. The control structure is validated through dynamics simulations.The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control structure