Kumars Rouzbehi

DC Voltage Control and Power Sharing in Multiterminal DC Grids Based on Optimal DC Power Flow and Voltage-Droop Strategy

This paper proposes an effective dc voltage and power-sharing control structure for multiterminal dc (MTDC) grids based on an optimal power flow (OPF) procedure and voltage-droop control implemented in the different hierarchical layers. In the proposed approach, an OPF algorithm is executed at the secondary control level of the MTDC grid to find the optimal reference values for the dc voltages and active power of the voltage-regulating converters. Then, at the primary control level, the voltage-droop characteristics of the voltage-regulating converters are tuned based upon the OPF results. In this control structure, the optimally-tuned voltage-droop controllers lead to the optimal operation of the MTDC grid. In case of variation in load or generation of the grid, a new stable operating point is achieved based on the voltage-droop characteristics. Then by executing a new OPF, the voltage-droop characteristics are returned for optimal operation of the MTDC grid after the load or generation variations. This paper also considers the integration of frequency support loop in the proposed control framework in case of connection of weak ac grids. The simulations performed on a study case inspired by the CIGRE B4 dc grid test system demonstrate the efficient grid performance under the proposed control strategy.

A Generalized Voltage Droop Strategy for Control of Multiterminal DC Grids

This paper proposes a generalized voltage droop (GVD) control strategy for control and power sharing in voltage source converter (VSC)-based multi-terminal DC (MTDC) grids. In the proposed approach, the conventional voltage droop characteristics of voltage-regulating VSC stations are replaced by the GVD characteristics. The proposed GVD control strategy can be operated in three different control modes including conventional voltage droop control, fixed active power control and fixed DC voltage control by proper adjustment of the GVD characteristics of the voltage-regulating converters. The proposed strategy improves the control and power-sharing capabilities of the conventional voltage droop, and enhances its maneuverability. Simulation results, obtained by detailed modeling in a four-terminal high voltage DC grid demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed approach and its flexibility in active power sharing. Moreover, based on the obtained results, switching between operating mode of the GVD control approach does not results in oscillations of the active powers flowing inside the MTDC grids.

A generalized voltage droop strategy for control of multi-terminal DC grids

This paper proposes a generalized voltage droop (GVD) control strategy for control and power sharing in voltage source converter (VSC)-based multi-terminal DC (MTDC) grids. In the proposed approach, the conventional voltage droop characteristics of voltage-regulating VSC stations are replaced by the GVD characteristics. The proposed GVD control strategy can be operated in three different control modes including conventional voltage droop control, fixed active power control and fixed DC voltage control by proper adjustment of the GVD characteristics of the voltage-regulating converters. The proposed strategy improves the control and power-sharing capabilities of the conventional voltage droop, and enhances its maneuverability. Simulation results, obtained by detailed modeling in a four-terminal high voltage DC grid demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed approach and its flexibility in active power sharing. Moreover, based on the obtained results, switching between operating mode of the GVD control approach does not results in oscillations of the active powers flowing inside the MTDC grids.

Effect of VSC-HVDC on load frequency control in multi-area power system

This study presents a solution for reducing the frequency oscillations in multi-area interconnected power system by means of using an VSC-HVDC interconnection transmission line. The upcoming power-electronics based HVDC transmission system offers new features that can be advantageous for improving the frequency control and thus for enhancing the stability in transmission networks. This paper is structured in two main parts; the first one is be devoted to introduce the basic elements of HVDC links and the second part will be focused on the effects of the HVDC links in the frequency control of interconnected power systems. In order to show the positive effects of HVDC links under random load disturbance, a model with parallel AC-DC interconnected power system, including a new power modulation controller of bi-directional VSC-HVDC link, is proposed and simulated. Comparisons between HVAC and HVDC transmissions are presented and its performance is evaluated using Matlab/Simulink.

Flexible Control of Power Flow in Multiterminal DC Grids Using DC–DC Converter

This paper proposes an efficient control framework that utilizes dc-dc converters to achieve flexible power flow control in multiterminal dc (MTDC) grids. The dc-dc converter employed in this paper is connected in cascade with the dc transmission line, and is therefore named cascaded power flow controller (CPFC). In this paper, a two-layer control strategy is developed for the operation and control of voltage source converter stations and CPFC station in MTDC grids. At the primary control layer, a novel differential voltage droop control is developed, while at the secondary control layer, a modified dc power flow algorithm-employing the new CPFC framework-is implemented. The overall control strategy enables the CPFC to regulate the power flow in the dc transmission line. The primary control guarantees the transient stability of the CPFC, and the secondary control system ensures the desired steady-state operation. The proposed voltage droop control framework helps the MTDC grid to remain stable in the event of a communication failure between the primary and secondary control layers. Static analysis and dynamic simulations are performed on the CIGRE B4 dc grid test system, in order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control framework for power flow regulation in MTDC grids.

Optimized Control of Multi-Terminal DC Grids Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract The electric networks of the future will make an extensive use of DC grids. Therefore, the control of Multi-terminal DC (MTDC) grids is a key issue, which is gathering the attention of the industry and the research community. In this regard, this paper proposes a grid control strategy for voltage-source converter (VSC)-based MTDC networks, based on the use of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. In the proposed approach, the controllers of the power converters belonging to the MTDC grid are acting based on the concept of vector control, in which the AC currents and voltages are transformed into a rotating direct-quadrature (dq) reference frame for controlling of the active and reactive powers as well as the DC and AC voltages. Since the VSCs are nonlinear plants in nature, the classical approaches for tuning of the control system, which are usually based on the approximate linear model of the plants, do not lead to optimal results. As an alternative, in this paper an efficient PSO algorithm is used for tuning optimally the parameters of the controllers in the MTDC grid. In addition, the voltage droop control scheme is utilized to ensure the active power balance within the MTDC grid. The simulation results, obtained through a detailed model of a four-terminal DC grid, demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach. Finally a comparison with PI controllers which have been conventionally tuned also confirmed the favorable performance of the proposed PSO-tuned controllers.

Identification and maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic generation by a local neuro-fuzzy model

With the rapid proliferation of the DC distribution systems, special attentions are paid to the photovoltaic (PV) generations. This paper addresses the problem of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV systems using a local neuro fuzzy (LNF) network and steepest descent (SD) optimization algorithm. The proposed approach, termed LNF + SD, first identifies a valid an accurate model for the PV system using the LNF network and through measurement data. Then the identified PV model is used for MPPT by SD optimization algorithm. The salient modeling abilities of the proposed LNF network results in a reliable and dependable PV model which takes voltage, temperature and insolation variations into account. The proposed approach is evaluated using several identification and MPPT simulations. The simulation results showed the accuracy of the LNF network in modeling of PV systems. Furthermore, simulations carried out for assessment of the MPPT performance during insolation transients demonstrated the high efficiency of the proposed LNF + SD approach for MPPT applications. Performance of the proposed method MPPT, while the PV array was supplying loads through DC-DC converters was also analyzed. Comparisons to the perturb-and-observe (P&O) and fuzzy logic methods revealed the superiority of the proposed approach.

Proposals for flexible operation of multi-terminal DC grids: Introducing flexible DC transmission system (FDCTS)

The current route of achieving the ultimate plan for flawless operation and control of the multi-terminal DC (MTDC) grids can be significantly accelerated by learning from the vast and valuable experiences gained from the operation of the AC power grids for more than a century. This paper introduces concept of flexible DC transmission system (FDCTS), inspired by the successful operation of flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), to provide voltage regulation, power control and load flow control within MTDC grids. Considering the current advancements in the field of power electronics, this paper recognizes DC-DC converters as the first element of the FDTCS for providing voltage and power control in MTDC grids. By use of DC-DC converters, this paper developes two elements of the FDCTS, namely the cascaded power flow controller (CPFC) and hybrid power flow controller (HPFC). In this paper, to demonstrate the eligibility of the CPFC and HPFC to play the role of an FDCTS, they are included in the DC power flow formulation for DC voltage regulation and power flow control purposes.

Application of Imperialist Competitive Algorithm to design an optimal controller for LFC problem

A novel optimization algorithm is presented to improve the design of optimal controllers for load frequency control problem. This algorithm is applied for two area LFC system with using an output feedback controller. In the practical power system, access to some of the state variables in LFC system is limited and measuring is also impossible. So an optimal output feedback controller with a practical viewpoint is proposed. The optimal control law is determined by minimizing a performance index under the output feedback conditions leading to a coupled matrix equation. In order to solve these equations traditional methods may be used. But for more accuracy and better design for this controller, ICA algorithm is applied to find the global optimal gain matrix of the controller. Simulation results of ICA are compared with the conventional design. Comparison shows the success of ICA for design of optimal controller.

Intelligent voltage control in a DC micro-grid containing PV generation and energy storage

This paper proposes an intelligent control scheme for DC voltage regulationin a DC micro-grid integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation, energy storage and electric loads. The maximum power generation of the PV panel is followed using the incremental conductance (IC) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm while a high-performance local linear controller (LLC)is developed for the DC voltage control in the micro-grid. The LLC, as a data-driven control strategy, controls the bidirectional converter located between the battery and the DC micro-grid to regulate the micro-grids voltage at the specified reference value. In order to validate the controller different simulations including variations in the load and in the solar irradiance are performed. Finally a comparison with PI based controller demonstrates the advantages of the proposed control technique for regulating the DC micro-grids voltage.