Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of a new application of different direct matrix converter topologies used as power interfaces in AC, DC, and hybrid microgrids, with model predictive current control. Such a combination of a converter and control strategy leads to a high power quality microgrid voltage, even with a low power quality main grid voltage and even during the connection and disconnection of a variety of loads and generation sources to the microgrids. These robust systems are suitable for applications in which sensitive loads are to be supplied and these loads are connected close to distributed-generation sources with inherent intermittent behavior. The authors also propose the use of new direct matrix converter configurations with a reduced number of switches in order to achieve reduced cost, reduced failure rate, and higher reliability, which are very desirable in microgrids. Finally, the authors also introduce new hybrid direct matrix converter topologies that provide interesting options for the islanded operation of the microgrids with the use of a battery system. In other words, the proposed hybrid direct matrix converters result in flexible hybrid microgrid configurations integrating DC and AC devices with high power quality and high power supply reliability.
Highlights
Over the years, many works related to microgrids have been developed aiming at improving the operation of modern electrical systems with high penetration of distributed generation [1,2,3,4,5,6].AC microgrids have their inherent operational drawbacks such as the presence of harmonic currents and voltages, frequency regulation, and reactive power issues [4,5,6]
By comparing the N different values of output currents calculated with the current reference provided by the outer control loop, the predictive control is able to decide which switching state will be applied to the Direct Matrix Converter (DMC) switches in order to obtain, in the time step, the output current desired
The DMCs’ bidirectional switches were composed of IGBTs, and the microgrids were connected to a grid with voltage equal to 4 kV
Summary
Many works related to microgrids have been developed aiming at improving the operation of modern electrical systems with high penetration of distributed generation [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The converters proposed in the present paper have an extra important feature, which is to use the contactors K1 , K2 , K3 , and K4 to improve the system’s power supply reliability by alternating between different phases of the main grid voltage, in case of the occurrence of faults This is an essential feature to create a high power quality microgrid topology with high reliability, capable of supplying power to critical loads; 3. The authors intend to propose new converter topologies with low cost, low failure rate, high reliability, high efficiency and high lifespan These goals are achieved due to the absence of the sensitive DC-link capacitors in DMCs, due to the reduction of the number of switches, and due to the possibility of operating disconnected from the main grid. Current stress might be an observed issue, which could deteriorate the converter reliability
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