Heung-Geun Kim

LVRT Scheme of PMSG Wind Power Systems Based on Feedback Linearization

This paper proposes a low-voltage ride-through scheme for the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) wind power system at the grid voltage sag. The dc-link voltage is controlled by the generator-side converter instead of the grid-side converter (GSC). Considering the nonlinear relationship between the generator speed ωm and the dc-link voltage Vdc , a dc-link voltage controller is designed using a feedback linearization theory. The GSC controls the grid active power for a maximum power point tracking. The validity of this control algorithm has been verified by simulation and experimental results for a reduced-scale PMSG wind turbine simulator.

High voltage switch using series-connected IGBTs with simple auxiliary circuit

There is much need for high voltage solid-state-switches in a broad area of applications. To get a high voltage switch, the series-connection of a solid state device is usually used. The main problem in such high voltage switches is to guarantee the voltage balance across the device both at a static and dynamic transient state. This paper presents a simple and reliable voltage-balancing scheme of the high voltage switch stack using series-connected IGBTs. With the proposed method, using a simple voltage balancing circuit, high-voltage semiconductor switches are realized with working voltages of several orders of kilo-volts. The operation principle of the proposed circuit is explained and analyzed. Transient and static voltage balancing is tested on an experimental 20 kV/400 A switch with sixteen series-connected IGBT modules.

Sensorless Control of BLDC Motor Drive for an Automotive Fuel Pump Using a Hysteresis Comparator

This paper develops the brushless dc (BLDC) motor sensorless control system for an automotive fuel pump. The sensorless techniques that are based on a hysteresis comparator and a potential start-up method with a high starting torque are suggested. The hysteresis comparator is used to compensate for the phase delay of the back EMFs due to a low-pass filter (LPF) and also prevent multiple output transitions from noise or ripple in the terminal voltages. The rotor position is aligned at standstill for maximum starting torque without an additional sensor and any information of motor parameters. Also, the stator current can be easily adjusted by modulating the pulse width of the switching devices during alignment. Some experiments are implemented on a single chip DSP controller to demonstrate the feasibility of the suggested sensorless and start-up techniques.

Grid-connected PV System Using a Quasi-Z-source Inverter

This paper presents the MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) and PCC (Point of Common Coupling) current control strategy for photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected generating system using the quasi-Z-source inverter (QZSI). At first, in order to explain the above controllers, the characteristic of QZSI is analyzed. And then, the MPPT control technique with a modified P&O method, the PCC current control one for the regulation of dc-link capacitor voltage, and the PWM methods for the proposed system are explained. The feasibility of the propose algorithm is verified through the simulation and experiment with 3kW system.

PLL-Based Seamless Transfer Control Between Grid-Connected and Islanding Modes in Grid-Connected Inverters

This paper proposes a phase-locked loop (PLL)-based seamless transfer control method between grid-connected and islanding modes in a three-phase grid-connected inverter. The PLL is used to synchronize the phase of the load voltage to a grid voltage in grid-connected operation, and to generate an angle with the desired frequency in islanding operation. The stability of both the grid current loop for grid-connected operation and the load voltage control loop for islanding operation is analyzed. The phase and magnitude of the load voltage are successively matched to the grid voltage for a seamless transfer from islanding to grid-connected operation. When grid voltage sag occurs, an operating sequence including a PLL operation is suggested in order to transfer smoothly to islanding operation and to provide a stable and seamless voltage to a sensitive load under the voltage sag condition. The simulation and experimental results are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Robust Optimization Utilizing the Second-Order Design Sensitivity Information

This paper presents an effective methodology for robust optimization of electromagnetic devices. To achieve the goal, the method improves the robustness of the minimum of the objective function chosen as a design solution by minimizing the second-order sensitivity information, called a gradient index (GI) and defined by a function of gradients of performance functions with respect to uncertain variables. The constraint feasibility is also enhanced by adding a GI corresponding to the constraint value. The distinctive feature of the method is that it requires neither statistical information on design variables nor calculation of the performance reliability during the robust optimization process. The validity of the proposed method is tested with the TEAM Workshop Problem 22.

A generalized Undeland snubber for flying capacitor multilevel inverter and converter

This paper proposes a snubber circuit for a flying capacitor multilevel inverter and converter. It also explains the concept of constructing a snubber circuit for a multilevel inverter and converter. The proposed snubber circuit makes use of an Undeland snubber as a basic snubber unit, and thus can be regarded as a generalized Undeland snubber for a flying capacitor multilevel inverter and converter. It has such an advantage of Undeland snubber used in the two-level inverter. Compared with a conventional RLD/RCD snubber for multilevel inverter and converter, the proposed snubber keeps such good features as fewer number of components, reduction of voltage stress of main switching devices due to low overvoltage, and improved efficiency of system due to low snubber loss. In this paper, the proposed snubber is applied to a three-level flying capacitor inverter, and its features are in detail demonstrated by computer simulation and experimental result.

Power Conditioning System for a Grid Connected PV Power Generation Using a Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

This paper presents a grid connected photo-voltaic system using a quasi-Z-source inverter (QZSI) for power stage reduction. The power stage can be reduced because of an additional shoot-through stage which is a characteristic of QZSI. Therefore, by utilizing a QZSI the system’s efficiency can be increased. In this paper, for applying a QZSI to a PV system, control methods such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT), point of common coupling (PCC) current control and PWM are studied and verified through simulation and experiment. In order to explain the above controllers, the characteristics of a QZSI are first analyzed. Then the MPPT control technique with a modified P&O method, the PCC current control for the regulation of the dc-link capacitor voltage and the PWM methods for the proposed system are explained. The feasibility of the proposed algorithm is verified through simulation and experiment with a 3kW system.

Novel Single-Phase PWM AC–AC Converters Solving Commutation Problem Using Switching Cell Structure and Coupled Inductor

This paper presents novel single-phase pulse width modulation (PWM) ac-ac converters that can solve the commutation problem in single-phase direct PWM ac-ac converters without sensing the input voltage polarity. By using a basic switching cell structure and coupled inductors, the proposed ac-ac converters can be short- and open-circuited without damaging the switching devices. Neither lossy RC snubber nor dedicated soft commutation strategy is required in the proposed converter. By replacing the conventional phase-leg of the PWM ac-ac converters with the switching cell structure and the coupled inductor, three novel buck, boost, and buck-boost type PWM ac-ac converters are developed. Although two coupled inductors are required for the proposed converter, the input inductor of the proposed converter can be much smaller than that of the conventional PWM ac-ac converters. The volume of the magnetic components can be further reduced by increasing switching frequency of the converter because very fast recovery diodes can be selected externally. In order to verify performance and robustness of the proposed converter, a 200-W boost type prototype converter was built and tested with both mismatched gate signals and highly distorted input voltage.

LCL-filter design for grid-connected PCS using total harmonic distortion and ripple attenuation factor

This paper deals with a design method of LCL filter for grid-connected three-phase PWM voltage source inverters (VSI). By analyzing the total harmonic distortion of the current (THD i ) in the inverter-side inductor and the ripple attenuation factor of the current (RAF) injected to the grid through the LCL network, the parameter of LCL can be clearly designed. The described LCL filter design method is verified by showing a good agreement between the target current THD and the actual one through simulation and experiment.