Optimal Scheduling of Energy Storage Using A New Priority-Based Smart Grid Control Method

This paper presents a method to optimally use an energy storage system (such as a battery) on a microgrid with load and photovoltaic generation. The purpose of the method is to employ the photovoltaic generation and energy storage systems to reduce the main grid bill, which includes an energy cost and a power peak cost. The method predicts the loads and generation power of each day, and then searches for an optimal storage behavior plan for the energy storage system according to these predictions. However, this plan is not followed in an open-loop control structure as in previous publications, but provided to a real-time decision algorithm, which also considers real power measures. This algorithm considers a series of device priorities in addition to the storage plan, which makes it robust enough to comply with unpredicted situations. The whole proposed method is implemented on a real-hardware test bench, with its different steps being distributed between a personal computer and a programmable logic controller according to their time scale. When compared to a different state-of-the-art method, the proposed method is concluded to better adjust the energy storage system usage to the photovoltaic generation and general consumption.Unión Europea ID 100205Unión Europea ID 26937

Optimization-Based Capacitor Balancing Method with Customizable Switching Reduction for CHB Converters

This paper presents a method for switching reduction in cascaded H-bridge converters. Given the wide applicability of this topology, it would be especially desirable to increase its efficiency with switching losses reduction techniques. Since this type of converter requires voltage balancing methods, several modulation methods consider the possibility of combining the balancing and switching reduction goals together. In this paper, a previously disclosed optimization-based balance method was modified further to consider the switching losses in its objective function. Each commutation was penalized in proportion to the phase current and the module voltage, thus avoiding commutations that would produce the most losses but tolerating low-losses commutations. The structure of the original method was maintained so that the algorithm could be applied with minimal change. The results show that it is possible to reduce the switching up to 14% without any noticeable drawback and up to 22% at the cost of a greater DC-link ripple. It is also possible to selectively reduce the effective switching frequency of only some modules, making it significantly low. This extends the adaptability of the converter, possibly allowing hybrid converters with modules of different transistor technologies.Horizon 2020. Trusted European SiC Value Chain for a Greener Economy PCI2021-121986, TRANSFORM

Sizing and Management of Energy Storage Systems in Large-Scale Power Plants Using Price Control and Artificial Intelligence

Energy storage systems are expected to play a fundamental part in the integration of increasing renewable energy sources into the electric system. They are already used in power plants for different purposes, such as absorbing the effect of intermittent energy sources or providing ancillary services. For this reason, it is imperative to research managing and sizing methods that make power plants with storage viable and profitable projects. In this paper, a managing method is presented, where particle swarm optimisation is used to reach maximum profits. This method is compared to expert systems, proving that the former achieves better results, while respecting similar rules. The paper further presents a sizing method which uses the previous one to make the power plant as profitable as possible. Finally, both methods are tested through simulations to show their potential.Unión Europea Subvención 771066

Optimization-Based Capacitor Balancing Method with Selective DC Current Ripple Reduction for CHB Converters

From its introduction to the present day, Cascaded H-Bridge multilevel converters were employed on numerous applications. However, their floating capacitor, while advantageous for some applications (such as photovoltaic) requires the usage of balancing methods by design. Over the years, several such methods were proposed and polished. Some of these methods use optimization techniques or inject a zero-sequence voltage to take advantage of the converter redundancies. This paper describes an optimization-based capacitor balancing method with additional features. It can drive each module DC-Link to a different voltage for independent maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic applications. Moreover, the user can specify the independent active power set points to modules connected to batteries or any other energy storage systems. Finally, DC current ripple can be reduced on some modules, which can extend the lifespan of any connected ultra-capacitors. The method as a whole is tested on real hardware and compared with the state-of-the-art. In its simplest configuration, the presented method shows greater speed, robustness, and current wave quality than the state-of-the-art alternative in spite of producing about 1/3 fewer commutations. Its other characteristics provide additional functionalities and improve the adaptability of the converter to other applications.European Research Council: 101007237Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN): BES-2017-07992

Analysis of the power balance In the cells of a multilevel cascaded H-Bridge converter

Multilevel cascaded H-Bridge converters (CHB) have been presented as a good solution for high power applications. In this way, several control and modulation techniques have been proposed for this power converter topology. In this paper the steady state power balance in the cells of the single phase two cell CHB is studied. The capability to be supplied with active power from the grid or to deliver active power to the grid in each cell is analyzed according to the dc-link voltages and the desired ac output voltage value. Limits of the maximum and minimum input active power for stable operation of the CHB are addressed. Simulation results are shown to validate the presented analysis

A Model-Based Direct Power Control for Three-Phase Power Converters

Direct Power Control (DPC) technique has been widely used as control strategy for three-phase power rectifiers due to its simplicity and good performance. The DPC uses the instantaneous active and reactive power to control the power converter, the controller design has been proposed as a direct control with a look up table (LUT), and in recent works, as an indirect control with an inner control loop with proportional plus integral controllers for the instantaneous active and reactive power errors. In this paper a model-based DPC for three-phase power converters is designed, obtaining expressions for the input control signal which allow to design an adaptive control law minimizing the errors introduced by the parameters uncertainties as the smoothing inductor value or the grid frequency. Controller design process, stability study of the system and experimental results for a synchronous three-phase power rectifier prototype are presented to validate the proposed controller

Control del Equilibrio de las Tensiones de los Condensadores Flotantes en Convertidores Multinivel de Capacidades Flotantes

SEMINARIO ANUAL DE AUTOMATICA, ELECTRONICA INDUSTRIAL E INSTRUMENTACION () (.2006.GIJON)Los convertidores de capacidades flotantes multinivel se presentan como una alternativa a otro tipo de topologías multinivel presentando ciertas ventajas. Sin embargo, presentan desventajas como el desequilibrio de tensiones de los condensadores flotantes introduciendo distorsión en las tensiones moduladas por el convertidor. Se presenta en este trabajo un algoritmo para controlar el equilibrio de estas tensiones. Este algoritmo se basa en la elección de los estados de los transistores dentro de la secuencia de conmutación usando modulación Space Vector. Este algoritmo es completamente general siendo aplicable a cualquier número de niveles e independiente de la carga. Se presentan todas las expresiones matemáticas necesarias para el control mostrándose resultados de simulación para demostrar el buen funcionamiento de la estrategia de control propuesta. Se muestran los límites de controlabilidad del algoritmo comparándolo con los límites obtenidos para otras topologías de convertidores multinivel

Generalized analytical approach of the calculation of the harmonic effects of single phase multilevel PWM inverters

This paper introduces a generalized analytical approach for calculating the total harmonic distortion THD and its weighted value WTHD for multilevel PWM inverters. The calculation considers one single phase and it can apply to any number of levels of the inverter in general. Although the analysis is based on the assumption of a high number of pulses, the developed equations can also be applied for lower frequency ratios fs/f1. The analytical formulas require the characteristic parameters of the PWM only, which are the modulation factor m, the switching frequency fs, the fundamental frequency f1, the effective inductance L and the DC link voltage inverters with a number of levels N are considered. It must be noticed that some differences appear between the case of N odd and N even. Several parametric curves arc calculated to define the specifications of an inverter with N levels in order to fulfill the harmonic voltage recommendations trying to reduce the output signal filtering

Multi P2P Energy Trading Market, Integrating Energy Storage Systems and Used for Optimal Scheduling

The increasing use of renewable energy and storage systems by end users has changed the paradigm of electricity markets, with consumers changing their role from passive to active players, the so-called prosumers. Different countries have encouraged the aggregation of these prosumers in energy communities. In these communities, it is essential to create a market to manage energy exchanges between neighbors, who can sell surpluses or buy energy to reduce their bills. This paper presents the framework definition of a multi-peer-to-peer market. As contributions, it defines how storage systems can participate in the market and multiple exchanges between prosumers are possible. This market can be integrated in an optimization process to perform optimal scheduling in the community by setting an objective. All this has been tested in a community with 5 prosumers with generation and storage, where the effect of multiple exchanges and valuation of assets is observed, achieving as a result higher bill reductions

Controller design for a single-phase two-cell multilevel cascade H-bridge converter

In this paper is studied the single-phase two-cell multilevel cascade H-bridge power converter connected to the grid, acting as a synchronous rectifier. The power exchange process between the cells of the converter and the grid is analysed. Based on this analysis and on the power converter model the stages of the controller design process are shown. A new controller for the cascade power converter is proposed, achieving the regulation of each DC-Link capacitor voltage towards its reference. The proposed controller includes a repetitive scheme in the current tracking loop, providing low current harmonic content and almost unity power factor. Simulation results have been carried out in a 10 kVA single-phase two-cell multilevel cascade H-bridge power converter model to illustrate the good performance of the proposed controller