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Transformerless Inverter for Single-Phase Photovoltaic Systems

When no transformer is used in a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, a galvanic connection between the grid and the PV array exists. In these conditions, dangerous leakage currents (common-mode currents) can appear through the stray capacitance between the PV array and the ground. In order to avoid these leakage currents, different inverter topologies that generate no varying common-mode voltages, such as the half-bridge and the bipolar pulsewidth modulation (PWM) full-bridge topologies, have been proposed. The need of a high-input voltage represents an important drawback of the half-bridge. The bipolar PWM full bridge requires a lower input voltage but exhibits a low efficiency. This letter proposes a new high-efficiency topology that generates no varying common-mode voltage and requires the same low-input voltage as the bipolar PWM full bridge. The proposed topology has been verified in a 5-kW prototype with satisfactory results

Dynamic Behavior of the Doubly Fed Induction Generator During Three-Phase Voltage Dips

The use of doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) in large wind turbines has become quite common over the last few years. These machines provide variable speed and are driven with a power converter which is sized for a small percentage of the turbine-rated power. A drawback of the DFIG is that it is very sensitive to grid disturbances, especially to voltage dips. However, the operation of the machine in these situations has only been studied in the literature by means of simulations. This paper develops a theoretical analysis of the dynamic behavior of the induction machine during three-phase voltage dips. The proposed analysis contributes to understanding the causes of the problem and represents a very useful tool to improve the existing solutions and propose new alternatives. Experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained theoretically and validate the proposed analysis.

Hydrogen Production From Water Electrolysis: Current Status and Future Trends

This paper reviews water electrolysis technologies for hydrogen production and also surveys the state of the art of water electrolysis integration with renewable energies. First, attention is paid to the thermodynamic and electrochemical processes to better understand how electrolysis cells work and how they can be combined to build big electrolysis modules. The electrolysis process and the characteristics, advantages, drawbacks, and challenges of the three main existing electrolysis technologies, namely alkaline, polymer electrolyte membrane, and solid oxide electrolyte, are then discussed. Current manufacturers and the main features of commercially available electrolyzers are extensively reviewed. Finally, the possible configurations allowing the integration of water electrolysis units with renewable energy sources in both autonomous and grid-connected systems are presented and some relevant demonstration projects are commented.

Wind Turbines Based on Doubly Fed Induction Generator Under Asymmetrical Voltage Dips

Many large wind farms employ doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). The main drawback of these machines is their large sensitivity to grid disturbances, especially to voltage dips. As the penetration of wind energy in the network increases, it becomes more relevant to understand the behavior of these machines under voltage dips. This paper analyzes the operation of the DFIG under asymmetrical voltage dips and explains why such kinds of dips are more harmful than are symmetrical dips. The influence of the dip type and instant of occurrence is also studied.

Boost DC-AC inverter: a new control strategy

Boost dc-ac inverter naturally generates in a single stage an ac voltage whose peak value can be lower or greater than the dc input voltage. The main drawback of this structure deals with its control. Boost inverter consists of Boost dc-dc converters that have to be controlled in a variable-operation point condition. The sliding mode control has been proposed as an option. However, it does not directly control the inductance averaged-current. This paper proposes a control strategy for the Boost inverter in which each Boost is controlled by means of a double-loop regulation scheme that consists of a new inductor current control inner loop and an also new output voltage control outer loop. These loops include compensations in order to cope with the Boost variable operation point condition and to achieve a high robustness to both input voltage and output current disturbances. As shown by simulation and prototype experimental results, the proposed control strategy achieves a very high reliable performance, even in difficult transient situations such as nonlinear loads, abrupt load changes, short circuits, etc., which sliding mode control cannot cope with.

High-Efficiency Transformerless Single-phase Photovoltaic Inverter

Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems usually include a line transformer in their power conversion stage. This transformer guarantees galvanic isolation between the grid and the PV system, thus providing personal protection and avoiding leakage currents between the PV system and the ground. Furthermore, it also ensures that no continuous current is injected into the grid. However, because of its low frequency (50 Hz), the transformer is big, heavy and expensive. As an alternative to the grid-connected PV systems with line transformer, new transformerless inverter topologies are being studied. If no transformer is used, a galvanic connection between the grid and the PV array exists. In these conditions, leakage currents due to the capacitance between the photovoltaic array and earth could occur and increase the electromagnetic emissions. To avoid these leakage currents, it is necessary to use inverter topologies that avoid commonmode voltages. In this paper, a new transformerless singlephase PV inverter with six IGBTs and one diode is proposed. This topology generates no common-mode voltage and has a higher efficiency than the existing topologies. The topology has been validated by simulation.

Control of Doubly Fed Induction Generator under symmetrical voltage dips

Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) is largely used in wind generators. It provides variable speed characteristics in a cost-effective way. The main drawback of this machine is its sensitivity to grid disturbances. Voltage dips cause overvoltages to appear in the rotor that can surpass the converter limits. Additionally, variations of the grid voltage cause the stator flux to oscillate at the grid frequency. This paper proposes a novel control strategy to overcome these problems; furthermore, it reduces the rotor voltage, improving the control of the rotor current and it accelerates the dumping of the flux oscillations.

Electronic controlled device for the analysis and design of photovoltaic systems

The characterization and design of photovoltaic systems is a difficult issue due to the variable operation atmospheric conditions. With this aim, simulators and measurement equipments have been proposed. However, most of them do not deal with real atmospheric conditions. This letter proposes an electronic device that first measures the real evolution of the I-V characteristic curves of photovoltaic modules and generators, and then physically emulates in real time these curves to test photovoltaic inverters. The device consists of a dc-dc converter, a microcontroller and a data storage unit. The two operation modes (emulation and measurement) are digitally driven by the microcontroller. The converter current is controlled by means of a variable-hysteresis control loop, whose reference is provided by the microcontroller. In addition, a digital voltage control loop is designed to find out the complete characteristic curves of the photovoltaic generators. A 15-kW prototype is designed and built that can measure three times per second the characteristic curves of up to seven generators and then emulate their electrical behavior to test photovoltaic inverters. With the proposed device, the optimal configuration and performance of photovoltaic modules and generators, as well as the operation of photovoltaic inverters can be thoroughly analyzed under real atmospheric conditions.

Frequency domain model of conducted EMI in electrical drives

A harmful aspect of adjustable speed drives is the presence of large high-frequency stray currents. The most important, from the view of electromagnetic compatibility, are common-mode currents at the output and input sides of the converter. Currents at the output flow through the installation ground while those at the input flow through the grid ground. These common-mode currents can cause disturbances in other units that are connected within the same power section or placed close to the drive. This paper proposes a simulation model for a complete drive system based on the frequency domain. The model accurately reproduces the behavior of common-mode currents at any point of the system and allows the user to understand the influence of each system element on the currents. Thus, the model is useful both for designing filter structures and placing them at the proper position inside the adjustable speed drive. The model is validated by means of experimental results on a 5 kVA adjustable speed drive.

Frequency-Based Energy-Management Strategy for Stand-Alone Systems With Distributed Battery Storage

Distributed generation is an attractive solution for stand-alone ac supply systems. In such systems, the installation of two or more energy-storage units is recommended for system redundancy and may also be required when there is a consumption increase following installation. However, energy management with multiple energy-storage units has been, but vaguely analyzed in the literature and the few studies made are based on communication cables with a central supervisor. This paper proposes an energy-management strategy for a multiple-battery system which makes it possible to avoid the use of communication cables, rendering the system more cost effective and reliable. The strategy modifies the conventional droop method so that the power becomes unbalanced, allowing for the regulation of one or more battery voltages or currents, as required. Furthermore, whenever the frequency is high, the PV inverters reduce their power in order to prevent the battery from overcharge or high charging currents. On the other hand, whenever the frequency is low, then either the noncritical loads are regulated or the system stops in order to prevent the battery from overdischarge or high discharging currents. Simulation and experimental validation are performed for a system with two-battery inverters, two-PV inverters, and a number of loads.