Flexible power converters for the fault tolerant operation of Micro-Grids

The progressive penetration level of Distributed Generation (DG) is destined to cause deep changes in the existing distribution networks no longer considered as passive terminations of the whole electrical system. A possible solution is the realization of small networks, namely the Micro-Grids, reproducing in themselves the structure of the main production and distribution of the electrical energy system. In order to gain an adequate reliability level of the microgrids the individuation and the management of the faults with the goal of maintaining the micro-grid operation (fault tolerant operation) is quite important. In the present paper flexible power converters and a companion control algorithm for the fault tolerant operation of microgrids are presented. The effectiveness of such an algorithm and of the fault tolerant power converters are verified through computer simulations

A Software for the Evaluation of Winding Factor Harmonic Distribution in High Efficiency Electrical Motors and Generators.

In this paper a software developed for the determination of winding connections, the calculation of winding factors and the evaluation of their harmonic distribution of three and two phase windings is presented by using as input data simply the number of slots, pole pairs and phases. The software is implemented as a function in MATLAB environment. By means of some examples, covering the most relevant winding types, the capabilities of this software will be shown. Particularly, integer and fractional single and double layer winding can be treated. Some examples are presented and briefly discussed. The connections, the winding factor harmonic distribution, the electro-motive force (e.m.f) THD calculations results are shown together with an example on how is possible to determine the e.m.f. induced in a winding from the air gap flux distribution and to estimate the differential leakage inductance

Main Fuel Cells mathematical models: Comparison and analysis in terms of free parameters

This paper resumes the main mathematical models of Fuel Cells (PEM models). In particular, a comparison study of the various models introduced in the technical literature is presented and the dependency of the various model parameters is analyzed in different operating conditions. As the manifold of the model parameter is very wide and their determination is difficult, it is mandatory to introduce approximations and simplifications on which each model is based. The novelty of this work is the organization of the existing models in three categories with regard to the number of free parameters and to the dependency of such parameters on the different running conditions and the usage of a reference model in order to compare the difference between the latter once both in terms of fast execution of the simulation and care of the simulation results

A modular approach in teaching thyristor rectifiers with equation-oriented softwares

This article is devoted to some issues of teaching power electronics in university courses. In the modern education system the students are expected to be no longer subject of passive learning, but that, within a certain extent, they collaborate in their training interactively with the teacher to develop the applications and the topics of the studied framework. For this purpose, this article presents a modular approach for teaching module regarding three-phase thyristor rectifiers

Analytical Investigation and Control System Set-up of Medium Scale PV Plants for Power Flow Management

In the field of photovoltaic (PV) plants and energy conversion from renewable sources, a large part of the technical literature is more devoted to practical aspects (new solar cells, electrically driven PV panels, safety, reduction of parasitic currents, etc.) than to theoretical investigations. Despite this tendency, this paper presents a mathematical analysis of a medium scale photovoltaic power generation system connected to the distribution network and of its control system. In such a system, the conversion stage is unique due to the absence of a boost chopper. The conducted analysis leads to the interesting conclusion that the inverter used in the plant presents two degrees of freedom, easy to exploit in a control system in which the inverter simultaneously realizes the interconnection to the grid and the MPPT control. The structure of the control system is then presented, discussed and validated by means of numerical simulations

Controlled Fault-Tolerant Power Converters for Power Quality Enhancement

Power quality depends generally on the interaction of electrical power with electrical equipments. If electrical equipments operate correctly and reliably without being damaged or stressed, a suitable level of power quality is assured. On the other hand, if the electrical equipment malfunctions, is unreliable, or is damaged during normal usage, power quality is poor and probably the economical loss could be important like the technical one. In the scenario of the Distributed Generation, power quality issues will be moreover important because an higher dissemination of power conditioning equipment will be requested and this obviously increases the sources of vulnerability of the electrical system. In this paper fault tolerant power converters are considered as a viable solution of power quality problems and a suitable control algorithm of them is presented. The control proposed in the paper is based on the model of the power converter reformulated in terms of healthy leg binary variable and the paper shows how this control is able to save the aspect of power quality when the converter works in the linear range. The effectiveness of such an algorithm and of the fault tolerant power converters are finally verified by means of simulations

Assisted software design of a wide variety of windings in rotating electrical machinery

In this paper a software developed by the Authors for winding design is presented. In particular, this software can be used as a valid aid in design and analysis for a wide variety of windings with generic number of phases, pole pairs, slot number, etc‥ The calculation of winding factors and the evaluation of their harmonic distribution is also accomplished. The software is implemented in MATLAB® environment. By means of some examples, covering the most relevant winding types, the capabilities of this software will be shown. Particularly, integer and fractional slot, single and double layer winding, concentrated windings, imbrication, belt widening and belt shifting techniques can be treated in order to reduce particular harmonics in the electromotive force (e.m.f) or in the magnetic field (m.m.f.=magneto motive force). Thanks to this software it is possible to determine quickly the winding connections. Moreover, the winding factor harmonic distribution, the THD of e.m.f., the differential leakage and the spatial distribution of the m.m.f. is computed in a very easy way

Fault Tolerant Ancillary Function of Power Converters in Distributed Generation Power System within a Microgrid Structure

Distributed generation (DG) is deeply changing the existing distribution networks which become very sophisticated and complex incorporating both active and passive equipment. The simplification of their management can be obtained assuming a structure with small networks, namely, microgrids, reproducing, in a smaller scale, the structure of large networks including production, transmission, and distribution of the electrical energy. Power converters in distributed generation systems carry on some different ancillary functions as, for example, grid synchronization, islanding detection, fault ride through, and so on. In view of an optimal utilization of the generated electrical power, fault tolerant operation is to be considered as a suitable ancillary function for the next future. This paper presents a complete modeling of fault tolerant inverters able to simulate the main fault type occurrence and a control algorithm for fault tolerant converters suitable for microgrids. After the model description, formulated in terms of healthy device and leg binary variables, and the illustration of the fault tolerant control strategy, the paper shows how the control preserves power quality when the converter works in the linear range. The effectiveness of the proposed approach and control is shown through computer simulations and experimental results

Comprehensive Modeling and Experimental Testing of Fault Detection and Management of a Nonredundant Fault-Tolerant VSI

This paper presents an investigation and a comprehensive analysis on fault operations in a conventional three-phase voltage source inverter. After an introductory section dealing with power converter reliability and fault analysis issues in power electronics, a generalized switching function accounting for both healthy and faulty conditions and an easy and feasible method to embed fault diagnosis and reconfiguration within the control algorithm are introduced. The proposed system has simple and compact implementation. Experimental results operating both at open- and closed-loop current control, obtained using a test bench realized using a dSPACE system and the fault-tolerant inverter prototype demonstrate that the proposed solution is effective and feasible and makes all faults easily managed by the controller itself