Optimal tuning of the control parameters of an inverter-based microgrid using the methodology of design of experiments

This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in IET Power Electronics and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at the IET Digital Library.The design of the control system in an inverter-based microgrid is a challenging problem due to the large number of parameters involved. Different optimisation methods based on obtaining an approximated mathematical model of the microgrid can be found in the literature. In these approaches, the non-linearities and uncertainties of the real system are typically not considered, which may result in a non-optimal tuning of the control parameters. In addition, in most applications, the problem has been simplified assuming that all controllers have the same value for their control parameters. However, in this case, the behaviour of the system is sub-optimal since the particularities of each node of the microgrid are not taken into account. In this paper, an experimental approach for tuning the control parameters of an inverter-based microgrid is introduced. The approach is based on the methodology of design of experiments and it considers different values for the control parameters of all controllers. In this study, this methodology is applied to the design of a droop-free control scheme; however, it can be easily extended to other control schemes. The validity of the proposal is verified through selected experimental results.This work was supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain and by the European Regional Development Fund under project RTI2018- 100732- B-C22.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Adaptive slope voltage control for distributed generation inverters with improved transient performance

© 2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.Reactive power injection in distributed generation inverters is an useful ancillary service for grid supporting purposes. For grid-feeding converters, the slope control method is the most common voltage regulation strategy used in local (communication-less) applications. Despite its simplicity, this method offers limited dynamic properties in scenarios with changing operation conditions. In this sense, this paper presents an adaptive slope voltage control which provides an improved transient performance against operating variations. To derive the control configuration, a control-oriented mathematical model is developed. The accuracy of the modeling and the performance of the proposed control are validated by selected experimental results.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Assessing the 2014 retroactive regulatory framework applied to the concentrating solar power systems in Spain

The RD 413/2014 new economic and regulatory framework applied to the concentrating solar power plants (CSPP) in Spain has been here analysed and its new remuneration scheme has been formulated, becoming evident its high complexity and the great number of regulatory parameters involved. Next, a new model focused on determining its impact on the economic results of the existing CSPP has been proposed. Due to the complexity of the system, a methodology comprising a set of different stages of analysis has been developed. The new model has proven to be a useful tool to analyse the economic impact of the new regulatory scheme on the facilities and to identify its most influential regulatory parameters. One of the most representative facilities has been chosen as a case study to undertake the analysis. The results of the analysis, which have shown a substantial profitability reduction, have been consistent with the appreciations and data provided by the claimants of the last arbitral Award concerning the Kingdom of Spain and investors of CSPP in this country.Peer ReviewedPreprin

Finite control set model predictive control for a three-phase shunt active power filter with a kalman filter-based estimation

In this paper, the finite control set model predictive control is combined with the vector operation technique to be applied in the control of a three-phase active power filter. Typically, in the finite control set technique applied to three-phase power converters, eight different vectors are considered in order to obtain the optimum control signal by minimizing a cost function. On the other hand, the vector operation technique is based on dividing the grid voltage period into six different regions. The main advantage of combining both techniques is that for each region the number of possible voltage vectors to be considered can be reduced to a half, thus reducing the computational load employed by the control algorithm. Besides, in each region, only two phase-legs are switching at high frequency while the remaining phase-leg is maintained to a constant dc-voltage value during this interval. Accordingly, a reduction of the switching losses is obtained. Unlike the typical model predictive control methods which make use of the discrete differential equations of the converter, this method considers a Kalman filter in order to improve the behavior of the closed-loop system in noisy environments. Selected experimental results are exposed in order the demonstrate the validity of the control proposalPostprint (published version

A flexible experimental laboratory for distributed generation networks based on power inverters

In the recently deregulated electricity market, distributed generation based on renewable sources is becoming more and more relevant. In this area, two main distributed scenarios are focusing the attention of recent research: grid-connected mode, where the generation sources are connected to a grid mainly supplied by big power plants, and islanded mode, where the distributed sources, energy storage devices, and loads compose an autonomous entity that in its general form can be named a microgrid. To conduct a successful research in these two scenarios, it is essential to have a flexible experimental setup. This work deals with the description of a real laboratory setup composed of four nodes that can emulate both scenarios of a distributed generation network. A comprehensive description of the hardware and software setup will be done, focusing especially in the dual-core DSP used for control purposes, which is next to the industry standards and able to emulate real complexities. A complete experimental section will show the main features of the system.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Receding-horizon model predictive control for a three-phase VSI with an LCL filter

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.This paper presents a Continuous Control Set Model Predictive Control with receding horizon for a threephase voltage source inverter with LCL filter, using a reduced model of the converter. The main advantages of using this reduced model is that an active damping can be achieved while the computational burden is reduced. Besides, in order to eliminate the model uncertainties, and also to achieve a zero steady state error, the proposed converter model includes an embedded integrator. Regarding the control scheme, a Kalman filter is used in order to estimate the three-phase currents without oscillation. The objective is to find the control signals vector that minimizes the error between the current and its reference. It is important to remark that the control signals obtained fromthe cost function can be used directly in a space vector modulator, without the use of additional controllers such as proportionalintegral or proportional-resonant. Compared with the Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control, the proposedmethod operates at fixed switching frequency without using any restriction in the cost function. Simulation and experimental results show that this proposalworks correctly even in case of grid harmonics and voltage sags.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Positive and Negative Sequence Control Strategies to Maximize the Voltage Support in Resistive-Inductive Grids During Grid Faults

Grid faults are one of the most severe perturbations in power systems. During these extreme disturbances, the reliability of the grid is compromised and the risk of a power outage is increased. To prevent this issue, distributed generation inverters can help the grid by supporting the grid voltages. Voltage support mainly depends on two constraints: the amount of injected current and the grid impedance. This paper proposes a voltage support control scheme that joins these two features. Hence, the control strategy injects the maximum rated current of the inverter. Thus, the inverter takes advantage of the distributed capacities and operates safely during voltage sags. Also, the controller selects the appropriate power references depending on the resistive-inductive grid impedance. Therefore the grid can be better supported since the voltage at the point of common coupling is improved. Several voltage objectives, which cannot be achieved together, are developed and discussed in detail. These objectives are threefold: a) to maximize the positive sequence voltage, b) to minimize the negative sequence voltage, and c) to maximize the difference between positive and negative sequence voltages. A mathematical optimal solution is obtained for each objective function. Experimental results are presented to validate the theoretical solutions.Postprint (author's final draft

Maximum current injection method for grid-forming inverters in an islanded microgrid subject to short circuits

In islanded microgrids, when a short circuit or a sudden overload occurs, it provokes an abrupt increment in the currents supplied by the generation nodes, which feed the load collaboratively. This is particularly challenging for inverter-based nodes, due to its reduced power capacity. This work takes advantage of the droop-method basic configuration to propose an additional closed-loop control, which ensures maximum current injection during any kind of short circuit maintaining the underlying droop control. Ensuring that any node injects its maximum rated current during the short circuit, it emulates the most common low-voltage ride-through protocols for grid-feeding sources oriented to support the grid and, in this way, the voltage unbalance is reduced. To develop the control proposal, a model of the faulted system is presented in order to evaluate the stability of the closed-loop system. A general modelling methodology is introduced in order to derive the control for any microgrid configuration. Finally, selected experimental results are reported in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Model-based active damping control for three-phase voltage source inverters with LCL filter

(c) 2016 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works.This paper presents a robust model-based active damping control in natural frame for a three-phase voltage source inverter with LCL filter. The presence of the LCL filter complicates the design of the control scheme, particularly when system parameters deviations are considered. The proposed control method is addressed to overcome such difficulties and uses a modified converter model in an state observer. In this proposal, the converter model is modified by introducing a virtual damping resistor. Then, a Kalman filter makes use of this model to estimate the system state-space variables. Although the state estimates do not obviously match the real world system variables, they permit designing three current sliding-mode controllers that provide the following features to the closed loop system: a) robust ande active damping capability like in the case of using a physical damping resistor, b) robustness because the control specifications are met independently of variation in the system parameters, c) noise immunity due to the application of the Kalman filter, and d) power loss minimization because the system losses caused by the physical damping resistor are avoided. An interesting side effect of the proposed control scheme is that the sliding surfaces for each controller are independent. This decoupling property for the three controllers allows using a fixed switching frequency algorithm that ensures perfect current control. To complete the control scheme, a theoretical stability analysis is developed. Finally, selected experimental results validate the proposed control strategy and permit illustrating all its appealing features.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Variable structure control in natural frame for three-phase grid-connected inverters with LCL filter

This paper presents a variable structure control in natural frame for a three-phase voltage source inverter. The proposed control method is based on modifying the converter model in natural reference frame, preserving the low frequency state space variables dynamics. Using this model in a Kalman filter, the system state-space variables are estimated allowing to design three robust current sliding-mode controllers in natural frame. The main closed-loop features of the proposed method are: 1) robustness against grid inductance variations because the proposed model is independent of the grid inductance, 2) the power losses are reduced since physical damping resistors are avoided, and 3) the control bandwidth can be increased due to the combination of a variable hysteresis controller with a Kalman filter. To complete the control scheme, a theoretical stability analysis is developed. Finally, selected experimental results validate the proposed control strategy and permit illustrating all its appealing features.Postprint (author's final draft