Integrated energy management converter based on maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic solar system

This paper presents an integrated power control system for photovoltaic systems based on maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The architecture presented in this paper is designed to extract more power from photovoltaic panels under different partial obscuring conditions. To control the MPPT block, the integrated system used the ripple correlation control algorithm (RCC), as well as a high-efficiency synchronous direct current (DC-DC) boost power converter. Using 180 nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, the proposed MPPT was designed, simulated, and layout in virtuoso cadence. The system is attached to a two-cell in series that generates a 5.2 V average output voltage, 656.6 mA average output current, and power efficiency of 95%. The final design occupies only 1.68 mm2.

Experimental Analysis of a Fuzzy Scheme against a Robust Controller for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are capable of transforming chemical energy into electrical energy with zero emissions. Therefore, these devices had been a point of attention for the scientific community as to provide another solution to renewable sources of energy. Since the PEMFC is commonly driven with a power converter, a controller has to be implemented to supply a convenient voltage. This is an important task as it allows the system to be driven at an operative point, which can be related to the maximum power or an user desired spot. Along this research article, a robust controller was compared against a fuzzy logic strategy (with symmetric membership functions) where both were implemented to a commercial PEMFC through a dSPACE 1102 control board. Both proposals were analysed in an experimental test bench. Outcomes showed the advantages and disadvantages of each scheme in chattering reduction, accuracy, and convergence speed.

Phase-Independent Reactive Power Compensation Based on Four-Wire Power Converter in the Presence of Angular Asymmetry between Voltage Vectors

The paper presents the reactive power compensation method that allows for reducing the active power flow even in the presence of angular asymmetry between voltage vectors of the utility grid. Reactive power compensation ensures the reduction of power transmission losses and therefore brings significant economic benefits to electricity consumers. The concept of the alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter for prosumer applications operating as a local reactive power compensator has been proposed. The system is driven by a multi-resonant algorithm, allowing for independent control of the reactive power in each phase. The proposed method was validated experimentally by using a prototype of the converter, programmable AC source, and grid impedance model. The method made it possible to cover the reactive power demand without unnecessary active power generation and thus to improve the efficiency of the analyzed prototype. This solution can be implemented particularly in radial grids and non-urban areas.

An Improved Virtual Inertia Control Strategy for Low Voltage AC Microgrids with Hybrid Energy Storage Systems

This paper proposes a novel virtual inertia control (VIC) method based on a feedforward decoupling strategy to address the low inertia issue of power-converter-interfaced microgrids. The feedforward control scheme is employed to eliminate the coupling between active and reactive power caused by line impedance. The active power-voltage droop can be applied to the battery converter in the hybrid energy storage system (HESS). A novel VIC method is developed for the supercapacitor (SC) converter of HESS to increase the inertia of the microgrid. Detailed small-signal modeling of the SC converter with the proposed VIC was conducted, and the transfer function model was obtained. Parameter analysis of the virtual inertia and virtual damping was carried out with the pole-zero map method, and the step response characteristic of output voltage amplitude with power variation was analyzed in detail, deriving the parameter design principle. The simulation study verifies the effectiveness and validity of the proposed control strategy. The proposed feedforward decoupling method and VIC can be widely applied in microgrids to enhance inertia and improve their power quality.

The main types of wind turbines-generators in the power supply system

PURPOSE. Conduct a detailed analysis of existing wind turbines. Analyze the role, place and features of the functioning of wind power plants. Provide various options for generators and schemes for converting wind energy into electricity. Provide recommendations for improving the reliability of wind turbines in smart grids.METHODS. The article was prepared using analytical methods, statistical, theoretical, factorial and technical methods.RESULTS. A fixed speed asynchronous generator used in a wind power conversion system (WECS) without a power converter interface draws a significant portion of the reactive power from the grid. This configuration features simple, reliable operation. Wind turbine asynchronous generator with dual power supply. can improve overall power conversion efficiency by performing maximum power point tracking (MPPT), and an increase in speed of about 30% can improve dynamic performance and increase resilience to system disturbances that are not available for turbine types 1 and 2. The use of full-scale 100% power converters will significantly increase the productivity of SPEV wind energy conversion systems, but will slightly increase the cost of the power converter, up to 7% - 12% of the total equipment cost. By using a large number of pole pairs for all types of permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMG), the turbine gearbox can be removed. This type of wind energy conversion system is more resilient to grid disruptions compared to type 1, 2 and 3 wind systems. The review shows that types 3 and 4 technologies are used to most efficiently sell and recycle wind turbines in electricity markets.CONCLUSION. The article analyzes the features of the functioning of wind power plants operating on the grid. Various options for generators and schemes for converting wind energy into electricity are presented. A detailed analysis of existing wind turbines is provided. Recommendations are given for improving the reliability and efficiency of wind power plants in smart grids.

Design of Boosted Multilevel DC-DC Converter for Solar Photovoltaic System

Integration of renewable energy sources to the grid-connected system has influenced scholarly research in recent times to evolve solutions for power electronic conversion. Particularly, solar photovoltaic (SPV), being a resource available throughout the year, demands needful research to meet the demand for industrial applications. To facilitate SPV, multilevel inverters (MLIs) and cascaded H-bridge inverters (CHBIs) are proposed in the literature to meet the power requirement. However, these circuits suffer from efficiency loss, economic aspects of DC sources usage, and switching losses. Hence, in this research, a new power converter topology is projected to improve the overall efficiency of SPV systems. Further, a three-level approach involving (i) SPV Panel-Temperature Reduction (SPV-PTR) Setup, (ii) Boost Multilevel Direct Current Link Converter (BMLDCLC), and (iii) use of effective snubber modules (SM) are effectively handled to promote the industry readiness of the proposed system. From a detailed system investigation, it is seen that the proposed arrangement has minimized the power loss to ensure better quality in output. Furthermore, the software-based results and hardware setup of the planned comprehensive converter have shown promising results in terms of (i) reduced voltage stress, (ii) reduced total harmonic distortion (THD) without filter component, and (iii) reduced power loss. It is observed that the experimental setup has reported a 12.9% of excess heat removal, 5% decrease in harmonics, and 33% switch reduction than the existing MLI schemes. In addition, the proposed setup is suggested to apply for industrial purposes indicate its efficacy to be a solution in real time.

The Influence Factor Analysis of Symmetrical Half-Bridge Power Converter through Regression, Rough Set and GM(1,N) Model

Analysis of power converter performance has tended to be engineering-oriented, focusing mainly on voltage stability, output power and efficiency improvement. However, there has been little discussion about the weight relations between these factors. In view of the previous inadequacy, this study employs regression, rough set and GM(1,N) to analyze the relations among the factors that affect the converter, with a symmetrical half-bridge power converter serving as an example. The four related affecting factors, including the current conversion ratio, voltage conversion ratio, power conversion ratio and output efficiency, are firstly analyzed and calculated. The respective relative relations between output efficiency and the other three factors are obtained. This research can be referred to by engineers in their design of symmetrical half-bridge power converters.

Experimental characterization of a PEM fuel cell for marine power generation

This study is focused on the possible application of hydrogen-fed PEM fuel cells on board ships. For this purpose, a test plant including a 100 kW generator suitable for marine application and a power converter including a supercapacitor-based energy storage system has been designed, built and experimentally characterised. The plant design integrates standard industrial components suitable for marine applications that include the technologies with the highest degree of maturity currently available on the market. Fuel Cell generator and power converter have been specifically designed by manufacturers to fit the specific plant needs. The experimental characterisation of the plant has been focused on the evaluation of the efficiency of the single components and of the overall system. Results shows a PEM fuel cell efficiency of 48% (when all auxiliaries are included) and an overall plant efficiency, including power conditioning, of about 45%. From load variation response tests, the fuel cell response time was maximum 2 seconds without supercapacitors and increased up to 20 seconds with supercapacitors connected, reducing the stress on the fuel cell generator. Experimental results confirm that PEM fuel cells, when supported by a suitably sized energy storage system, represent a viable technical solution for zero-emission power generation on board ships.

V2G Pilot Projects

Electric vehicles (EVs) are not only a viable energy efficient mode of transport, but they have considerable capacity of providing flexible and quick responding storage alternative based on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme. V2G technology facilitates bidirectional flow of energy to and from the vehicle by a power converter. However, there is skepticism regarding the economic profitability of the V2G scheme. Despite the aforementioned challenges, the V2G technology is explored in matured markets. A number of V2G pilot projects across the world have investigated different aspects of V2G integration such as technological readiness, economic feasibility, social benefits, and challenges of V2G. This work aims to review the existing pilot projects on V2G functionality.