Universidade do Minho. Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica (DEM)
Abstract
The integration of renewable energy systems into smart grids requires dc-to-ac power electronics converters
for adapting the voltage levels of both sides. In this context, a novel topology of front-end multilevel dc-to-ac
converter is proposed in order to enhance the integration of renewable energy systems into smart grids,
preventing power quality problems. The proposed converter is designed to operate as a grid-tied inverter,
imposing controlled sinusoidal grid currents in phase opposition with the power grid voltage, and establishing
five distinct voltage levels to improve the current waveform. The dc side is suitable to be connected directly
to a set of photovoltaic solar panels with an appropriated voltage level, or to an external dc-to-dc
intermediary converter used to interface other renewable energy sources. An entire analysis of the hardware
design and the operation principle is presented, including the adopted control strategy for the proposed
front-end converter in conditions of current control. An accurate computational validation under realistic
operating conditions for a significant operating power range is presented using a dedicated power electronics
simulation software, where the obtained results show the advantages and the convenience of the proposed
front-end converter in detriment of the classical solutions.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); COMPETE: POCI-01-0145
–FEDER–007043 and FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013. This work is financed by the ERDF
– European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation – COMPETE 2020 Programme, and by
National Funds through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, within project SAICTPAC/0004/2015 – POCI – 01–0145–
FEDER–016434info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
