DC offset rejection in a frequency-fixed second-order generalized integrator-based phase-locked loop for single-phase grid-connected applications

Fast and accurate monitoring of the phase, amplitude, and frequency of the grid voltage is essential for single-phase grid-connected converters. The presence of DC offset in the grid voltage is detrimental to not only grid synchronization but also the closed-loop stability of the grid-connected converters. In this paper, a new synchronization method to mitigate the effect of DC offset is presented using arbitrarily delayed signal cancelation (ADSC) in a second-order generalized integrator (SOGI) phase-locked loop (PLL). A frequency-fixed SOGI-based PLL (FFSOGI-PLL) is adopted to ensure better stability and to reduce the complexity compared with other SOGI-based PLLs. A small-signal model of the proposed PLL is derived for the systematic design of proportional-integral (PI) controller gains. The effects of frequency variation and ADSC on the proposed PLL are considered, and correction methods are adopted to accurately estimate grid information. The simulation results are presented, along with comparisons to other single-phase PLLs in terms of settling time, peak frequency, and phase error to validate the proposed PLL. The dynamic performance of the proposed PLL is also experimentally validated. Overall, the proposed PLL has the fastest transient response and better dynamic performance than the other PLLs for almost all performance indices, offering an improved solution for precise grid synchronization in single-phase applications.

Grid-Connected Inverter for a PV-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station to Enhance the Stability of a Microgrid

This study proposes a grid-connected inverter for photovoltaic (PV)-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The significant function of the proposed inverter is to enhance the stability of a microgrid. The proposed inverter can stabilize its grid voltage and frequency by supplying or absorbing active or reactive power to or from a microgrid using EVs and PV generation. Moreover, the proposed inverter can automatically detect an abnormal condition of the grid, such as a blackout, and operate in the islanding mode, which can provide continuous power to local loads using EV vehicle-to-grid service and PV generation. These inverter functions can satisfy the requirements of the grid codes, such as IEEE Standard 1547–2018 and UL 1741 SA. In addition, the proposed inverter can not only enhance the microgrid stability but also charge EVs in an appropriate mode according to the condition of the PV array and EVs. The proposed inverter was verified through experimental results with four scenarios in a lab-scale testbed. These four scenarios include grid normal conditions, grid voltage fluctuations, grid frequency fluctuations, and a power blackout. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed inverter could enhance the microgrid stability against grid abnormal conditions, fluctuations of grid frequency and voltage, and charge EVs in an appropriate mode.

A power quality enhanced for the wind turbine with sensorless direct power control under different input voltage conditions

Introduction. The quality of electrical energy is essential during disturbances, at the level of power electronic devices will suffer serious operating problems causing dangerous damage. Aim. A new approach to direct power control without grid voltage sensor improves the quality and control of instantaneous active and reactive power converters. Methodology. First, the technique without network voltage sensor with a direct power control based on a switching table, which is a classic approach, is discussed and its performance is analyzed under increasing and decreasing load. In addition, the performance of the proposed technique is also analyzed under the same circumstances and their performance is compared. Originality. The new method consists of a nonlinear grid voltage modulated controller and a conventional controller which guarantees very good results in a polluted network. The proposed method is verified using MATLAB/Simulink. Results. The simulation results under different input voltage conditions show that the proposed method not only has good tracking performance in active and reactive power, but also reduces the current total harmonic distortion to 1.9 %, which is good lower than the requirement for network operation.

Online Frequency Response Analysis of Electric Machinery through an Active Coupling System Based on Power Electronics

This paper presents an innovative concept for the online application of Frequency Response Analysis (FRA). FRA is a well known technique that is applied to detect damage in electric machinery. As an offline technique, the machine under testing has to be removed from service—which may cause loss of production. Experimental adaptations of FRA to online operation are usually based on the use of passive high pass coupling—which, ideally, should provide attenuation to the grid voltage, and at the same time, allow the high frequency FRA signals to be injected at the machine. In practice, however, the passive coupling results in a trade-off between the required attenuation and the useful area obtained at the FRA spectra. This paper proposes the use of an active coupling system, based on power electronics, in order to cancel the grid voltage at the terminals of FRA equipment and allow its safe connection to an energized machine. The paper presents the basic concepts of FRA and the issue of online measurements. It also presents basic concepts about power electronics converters and the operating principles of the Modular Multilevel Converter, which enables the generation of an output voltage with low THD, which is important for tracking the grid voltage with minimum error.

Optimal Predictive Control Method of PWM Rectifiers Based on Artificial Intelligence

Direct power control (DPC) of pulse width modulation (PWM) is often used to control the instantaneous power of rectifiers. The instantaneous power contains both grid voltage and current information, and its value is not affected by coordinate transformation. It is constant in steady state and reflects the DC control characteristics. However, the switching frequency of traditional DPC is not fixed, the DC voltage has static error, and the system fluctuates greatly. In this work, we introduce the concept of stator flux of the AC motor into the PWM rectifier. Combined with the space vector PWM (SVPWM) technology, we use the virtual flux estimation method to obtain the instantaneous power value, which saves the grid voltage sensor, eliminates the static difference of DC voltage. Furthermore, considering that the neural proportion integral differential (PID) control depends heavily on the initial weight coefficient of the network, we use chaos particle swarm optimization (CPSO) algorithm, which combines the basic PSO algorithm and chaos theory to optimize the initial weight coefficient of neural PID control. In the experiment, the results prove that the performance of the controller can be effectively improved.

LMI-Based State Feedback Control Structure for Resolving Grid Connectivity Issues in DFIG-Based WT Systems

Pertaining to the connectivity issues in wind power plants with grids, this study introduces an efficient mechanism based on a state feedback control structure to establish a fast and stable grid connection for a wind-driven doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG). Owing to a direct link through stator windings, a DFIG is significantly vulnerable to grid disturbances and experiences sizable inrush currents when connected to the power grid. The proposed control structure is designed based on a linear matrix inequality stabilization criterion, which is framed using a suitable Lyapunov candidate function. The control objective is to ensure that the stator voltage can exponentially converge to the grid voltage, accounting for balanced and unbalanced grid conditions. This is achieved by generating appropriate rotor voltage references for rotor-side converter control. This study also explores the capability of the proposed control structure to enhance the system’s robustness to external disturbances and uncertain parametric variations. Simulations confirmed the effectiveness and suitability of the developed structure in mitigating the adverse effects of the rapid onset of the grid voltage at the stator terminals of the DFIG under various grid conditions; the proposed structure could thus establish a reliable connection with negligible effects on the DFIG and the grid.