Hybrid Generators-based AC Microgrid Performance Assessment in Island Mode

Achieving an accurate steady-state averaged active power sharing between parallel inverters in islanded AC microgrids could be realized by a traditional droop control. For identical inverters having the same droop gains, it is assumed that the transient average power responses will be similar, and no circulating current will flow between the units. However, different line impedances could influence the instantaneous power significantly and thus circulating power flows among the inverters particularly during sudden disturbances such as load changes. This power, if absorbed by an inverter, will lead the DC link voltage to rise abruptly and trip the inverter, thus, degrading the performance of the whole microgrid. The problem becomes worse when hybrid generators are serving as unidirectional power source. This paper assesses the performance of hybrid generators within an islanded microgrid against the mismatch in line impedances. Two schemes to stabilize the microgrid are proposed. In addition, a participation factor analysis is developed to select the most effective controller scheme to bound the DC link voltage and minimize the circulating power. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the analysis and the capability of the proposed controller

Magnetohydrodynamic electromagnetic pulse (MHD-EMP) interaction with power transmission and distribution systems

This report discusses the effects of the late-time high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) on electrical transmission and distribution (T D) systems. This environment, known as the magnetohydrodynamic electromagnetic pulse (MHD-EMP), is a very slowly varying electric field induced in the earth's surface, similar to the field induced by a geomagnetic storm. It can result in the flow of a quasi-dc current in grounded power lines and in the subsequent magnetic saturation of transformers. This saturation, in turn, causes 6-Hz harmonic distortion and an increase in the reactive power required by generation facilities. This report analyzes and discusses these phenomena. The MHD-EMP environment is briefly discussed, and a simplified form of the earth-induced electric field is developed for use in a parametric study of transmission line responses. Various field coupling models are described, and calculated results for the responses of both transmission- and distribution-class power lines are presented. These calculated responses are compared with measurements of transformer operation under dc excitation to infer the MHD-EMP response of these power system components. It is found that the MHD-EMP environment would have a marked effect on a power system by inducing up to several hundreds of amperes of quasi-dc current on power lines. These currents will cause transformers to saturate which could result in excessive harmonic generation, voltage swings, and voltage suppression. The design of critical facilities which are required to operate during and after MHD-EMP events will have to be modified in order to mitigate the effects of these abnormal power system conditions