Ignacio Candela

Multiresonant Frequency-Locked Loop for Grid Synchronization of Power Converters Under Distorted Grid Conditions

This paper presents a new multiresonant frequency-adaptive synchronization method for grid-connected power converters that allows estimating not only the positive- and negative-sequence components of the power signal at the fundamental frequency but also other sequence components at other harmonic frequencies. The proposed system is called MSOGI-FLL since it is based on both a harmonic decoupling network consisting of multiple second-order generalized integrators (MSOGIs) and a frequency-locked loop (FLL), which makes the system frequency adaptive. In this paper, the MSOGI-FLL is analyzed for single- and three-phase applications, deducing some key expressions regarding its stability and tuning. Moreover, the performance of the MSOGI-FLL is evaluated by both simulations and experiments to show its capability for detecting different harmonic components in a highly polluted grid scenario.

New Positive-sequence Voltage Detector for Grid Synchronization of Power Converters under Faulty Grid Conditions

This paper deals with a fundamental aspect in the control of grid-connected power converters, i.e., the detection of the positive-sequence component at fundamental frequency of the utility voltage under unbalanced and distorted conditions. Accurate and fast detection of this voltage component under grid faults is essential to keep the control over the power exchange with the grid avoiding to trip the converter protections and allowing the ride-through of the transient fault. In this paper, the systematic use of well known techniques conducts to a new positive-sequence voltage detection system which exhibits a fast, precise, and frequency-adaptive response under faulty grid conditions. Three fundamental functional blocks make up the proposed detector, these are: i) the quadrature-signals generator (QSG), ii) the positive-sequence calculator (PSC), and iii) the phase-locked loop (PLL). A key innovation of the proposed system is the use of a dual second order generalized integrator (DSOGI) to implement the QSG. For this reason, the proposed positive-sequence detector is called DSOGI-PLL. A detailed study of the DSOGI-PLL and verification by simulation are performed in this paper. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the DSOGI-PLL is a very suitable technique for characterizing the positive-sequence voltage under grid faults.

Grid synchronization of power converters using multiple second order generalized integrators

This paper presents a new frequency-adaptive synchronization method for grid-connected power converters which allows estimating not only the positive- and negative-sequence components of the power signal at the fundamental frequency, but also other sequence components at higher frequencies. The proposed system is called the MSOGI-FLL since it is based on a decoupled network consisting of multiple second order generalized integrators (MSOGI) which are frequency-adaptive by using a frequency-locked loop (FLL). In this paper, the MSOGI-FLL is analyzed and its performance is evaluated by both simulations and experiments.

Control of PV generation systems using the synchronous power controller

The high penetration of distributed generation, as PV or wind power, has forced the Transmission System Operators (TSOs) to set restrictive requirements for the operation of such systems. As it can be extracted from the forthcoming grid codes drafts, the future distributed generation systems will be requested to have the equivalent performance of a synchronous generator, which is seen from the TSOs as the only solution if a massive integration of renewable in the electrical network should be achieved. In this paper a method for controlling PV grid connected power converters as a synchronous generator, namely Synchronous Power Controller (SPC), is presented. As a difference with previous works this method permits to take advantage of emulating the synchronous behavior meanwhile it is able to get rid of its drawbacks. The main concept of the SPC, as well as some simulation and experimental results will be shown in this paper considering a PV power plant as a study case.

Control of grid-connected power converters based on a virtual admittance control loop

The connection of electronic power converters to the electrical network is increasing mainly due to massive integration of renewable energy systems. However, the electrical dynamic performance of these converters does not match the behavior of the network, which is mainly formed by generation facilities based on big synchronous generation systems. Depending on the desired electrical operation mode different control structures can be implemented in the converters in order to get adapted with the grid conditions. However, changing between different control structures and operation is not an optimal solution, as the resulting system results complex and is not highly robust. As an alternative, this paper presents a new control technique for grid connected power converters based on the concept of virtual admittance. The proposed control permits to emulate the electrical performance of generation facilities based on classical synchronous generators with a power converter, with no need of implementing different control structures, giving rise to a system that provides a friendly and robust operation with the network.

Hierarchical Control of HV-MTDC Systems With Droop-Based Primary and OPF-Based Secondary

This paper proposes a hierarchical control architecture designed for an arbitrary high voltage multiterminal dc (MTDC) network. In the proposed architecture, the primary control of the MTDC system is decentralized and implemented using a generalized droop strategy. Design criteria for dimensioning the primary control parameters, including voltage limits, are offered by analyzing the transients appearing in the system. The proposed secondary control is centralized and regulates the operating point (OP) of the network so that optimal power flow (OPF) is achieved. Compared to previous works, this paper further elaborates, both analytically and through simulations, on the coordination between the primary and secondary control layers. This includes how local primary controllers have to be driven by the centralized controller in order to ensure a smooth transition to the optimal OP.

Efficient Space-Vector Modulation Algorithm for Multilevel Converters with Low Switching Frequencies in the Devices

This paper presents a novel space-vector modulation scheme that can be processed quickly by a digital-signal processor, in addition to achieving minimum switching frequencies in the devices of the converter. The modulation algorithm takes advantage of symmetry in the space-vector diagram to process all the calculations within the first sextant. An equivalent reference vector in this sextant is used for the calculation of duty cycles and the definition of optimal sequences of vectors. By simply interchanging the final states of the legs of the inverter of this equivalent vector generates the original reference vector in the corresponding sextant. The total number of switching steps in the final sequences is preserved; thus, optimal sequences of vectors need only be defined in the first sextant. This strategy is especially attractive for multilevel converters in which the total number of vectors and sequences is very high. Furthermore, since multilevel converters are usually applied to high-power systems, reducing the switching frequencies of the devices is an important goal. Efficiency of the modulation algorithm is verified in the three-level converter by simulation and experiment

Intelligent control agent for transient to an island grid

The increasing penetration of generation power plants based on renewable energies in the electrical networks has boosted the number of systems connected to the grid. In this scenario the microgrid, providing advanced functionalities to improve the stability and operation of the network, have become very popular. In this paper a control strategy for the microgrid management is presented. The proposed system improves the performance of microgrids and its interaction with the main network, or another microgrid, under grid voltage transients. This technique gives rise to a simple and robust control scheme to ensure the appropriate microgrid disconnection from the main grid. In the following the control algorithm for the intelligent connection agent will be shown, and the grid synchronization system, as well as the voltage and current control loops will be detailed. Finally simulation results obtained using the MATLAB/Simulink & Psim platform will be presented and discussed

Microgrid connection management based on an intelligent connection agent

The increasing penetration of generation power plants based on renewable energies in the electrical networks has boosted the number of systems connected to the grid. In this scenario the microgrid, providing advanced functionalities to improve the stability and operation of the network, have become very popular. In this paper a control strategy for the microgrid management is presented. The proposed system improves the performance of microgrids and its interaction with the main network, or another microgrid, under grid voltage transients. This technique gives rise to a simple and robust control scheme to ensure the appropriate microgrid disconnection, and further resynchronization and reconnection, from the main grid. In the following, the control algorithm for the intelligent connection agent will be shown, and the grid synchronization system, as well as the voltage and current control loops will be detailed. Finally, results obtained using the MATLAB/Simulink & PSIM platform will be presented and discussed.

Overview of power processing structures for embedding Energy Storage in PV power converters

The level of penetration of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems has grown very quickly in recent years. Nonetheless, network stresses related to the recurrent voltage and frequency oscillations caused by their irregular power production could be a limiting factor on the future expansion of these applications. With the capability of storing and releasing electrical energy on demand, Energy Storage Devices (ESDs) may play a key role in finding an effective solution to overcome these kinds of problems. The aim of this paper is to provide a description of the state-of-the-art power conversion systems used to combine ESDs and grid-connected PV plants. The work has been edited after an accurate analysis of the current scientific literature, focusing particular attention on medium-high-power PV applications utilizing batteries and/or supercapacitors. A detailed analysis on advantages, disadvantages and range of application is provided for each of the reported conversion systems.