Dual Operation Mode of a Transformerless H-Bridge Inverter in Low-Voltage Microgrid

Abstract

This paper presents the bilateral operation of a transformer-less H-bridge inverter as a power flow controller and fault current limiter in low-voltage distribution network. A novel control strategy has been developed to initiate and activate the H-bridge inverter to control the power flow at point of common coupling (PCC). On the other hand, the H-bridge inverter operation like a short-circuit current limiter during grid disturbance event and its smooth reinsertion after fault clearance have also been clarified. Besides, an island mode control strategy incorporating synchronization controller, and proper coordination with flip flops have been implemented in order to synchronize the microgrid with the main grid before reclosing the circuit breaker. The results confirm: The effectiveness and feasibility of the novel control methodology in activating the real power flow; the inverter capability of minimizing the short-circuit current during fault and the successful resynchronization of the microgrid voltage source inverter (VSI) and the H-bridge inverter to the main grid.