Bipolar DC Research Articles

Hierarchical optimal operation for bipolar DC distribution networks with remote residential communities

To facilitate the seamless integration of renewable energy, bipolar DC distribution networks (Bi-DCDNs) have been widely adopted in various applications, including the Shenzhen Future Building, the Boeing 787 aircraft, and DC LED lighting systems in Singapore. Bi-DCDNs incorporate diverse flexible devices to improve both economic efficiency and security. However, a comprehensive coordination framework considering the regulatory heterogeneity among these flexible devices remains absent. Hence, this paper proposes a hierarchical coordination framework for flexible devices in Bi-DCDNs. More specifically, the upper-level model considers the operational differences of the DC transformer (DCT) in various modes to determine the optimal switching scheme for reducing losses; In the lower-level model, the control parameters of the DCT, energy storage systems (ESSs), and DC electrical springs (DCESs) are coordinated to enhance voltage quality. Furthermore, to accurately capture the steady-state behavior of flexible devices, the hierarchical framework incorporates the Newton-Raphson power flow method. This method formulates a steady-state model for multiple flexible devices and demonstrates the impact of different control modes of DCT on power flow. Subsequently, a genetic algorithm is used to solve the proposed model, ensuring that suboptimal decisions made at the upper level are rectified at the lower level, and vice versa. The numerical results indicate that the proposed framework achieves the optimal operation for both reduced losses and enhanced voltage quality in Bi-DCDNs. Furthermore, it exhibits advantageous applications for Bi-DCDNs with additional DCTs for remote residential communities.

Coupled-Inductor-Based Buck-Type Converter With Autonomous Voltage Balancing for Bipolar DC Microgrid

Coupled-Inductor-Based Buck-Type Converter With Autonomous Voltage Balancing for Bipolar DC Microgrid

Parallel connected triple-active-bridge converters with current and voltage balancing coupled inductor for bipolar DC distribution

Parallel connected triple-active-bridge converters with current and voltage balancing coupled inductor for bipolar DC distribution

Application of Surge Arrester in Limiting Voltage Stress at Direct Current Breaker

Hybrid DC circuit breakers combine mechanical switches with a redirecting current path, typically controlled by power electronic devices, to prevent arcing during switch contact separation. The authors’ past work includes a bipolar hybrid DC circuit breaker that effectively redirects the fault current and returns it to the source. This reduces arcing between the mechanical breaker’s contacts and prevents large voltage overshoots across them. However, the breaker’s performance declines as the upstream line inductance increases, causing overvoltage. This work introduces a modification to the originally proposed hybrid DC breaker to make it suitable to use anywhere along DC grid lines. By using a switch-controlled surge arrester in parallel with the DC breaker, part of the arc energy is dissipated in the surge arrester, preventing an overvoltage across the mechanical switches. Based on the experimental results, the proposed method can effectively interrupt the fault current with minimal arcing and reduce the voltage stress across the mechanical switches. To address practical fault currents, tests at high fault currents (900 A) and voltage levels (500 V) are conducted and compared with simulation models and analytical studies. Furthermore, the application of the breaker for the protection of DC distribution grids is illustrated through simulations, and the procedure for designing the breaker components is explained.

A Dual LC Interleaved Four-Port Converter for Bipolar DC Microgrids

A Dual LC Interleaved Four-Port Converter for Bipolar DC Microgrids

Optimal Reconfiguration of Bipolar DC Networks Using Differential Evolution

The search for more efficient power grids has led to the concept of microgrids, based on the integration of new-generation technologies and energy storage systems. These devices inherently operate in DC, making DC microgrids a potential solution for improving power system operation. In particular, bipolar DC microgrids offer more flexibility due to their two voltage levels. However, more complex tools, such as optimal power flow (OPF) analysis, are required to analyze these systems. In line with these requirements, this paper proposes an OPF for bipolar DC microgrid reconfiguration aimed at minimizing power losses, considering dispersed generation (DG) and asymmetrical loads. This is a mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problem in which integer variables are associated with the switch statuses, and continuous variables are associated with the nodal voltages in each pole. The problem is formulated based on current injections and is solved by a hybridization of the differential evolution algorithm (to handle the integer variables) and the interior point method-based OPF (to minimize power losses). The results show a reduction in power losses of approximately 48.22% (33-bus microgrid without DG), 2.87% (33-bus microgrid with DG), 50.90% (69-bus microgrid without DG), and 50.50% (69-bus microgrid with DG) compared to the base case.

A DC Offset Reduction of Neutral Point Voltage Strategy Based on Vector Phase Angle Difference Optimization for Vienna Rectifier With Bipolar DC Bus

A DC Offset Reduction of Neutral Point Voltage Strategy Based on Vector Phase Angle Difference Optimization for Vienna Rectifier With Bipolar DC Bus

Simplified Operation and Control of a Series-Resonant Balancing Converter for Bipolar DC Grids

Simplified Operation and Control of a Series-Resonant Balancing Converter for Bipolar DC Grids

Modulation of Wide Voltage Range Interface DC-DC Converter in DC Distribution System

Bipolar DC distribution systems rely on various power sources like photovoltaics and distributed energy storage, each with its unique voltage characteristics. To accommodate these fluctuations, interface converters must adjust over a wide voltage range. The bipolar non-isolated DC-DC converter emerges as a promising solution due to its versatile modulation capabilities, reduced switch voltage stress, and cost-effectiveness. This article explores how wide voltage range regulation is achieved in bipolar DC-DC converters interfacing with bipolar DC power grids. It delves into the operational strategies and modulation techniques employed, ensuring stable output despite varying input voltages. Design considerations and challenges associated with implementing such converters are also discussed. An experimental platform was constructed to validate the proposed methodology. Through rigorous testing and analysis, the effectiveness of the topology's operation mode was confirmed. Real-world data from the experimental setup provided insights into the converter's performance under different operating conditions, supporting its applicability for bipolar DC distribution systems. In summary, this article provides a comprehensive examination of wide voltage range regulation in bipolar DC-DC converters, highlighting their potential to enhance efficiency and reliability in bipolar DC power grids. Through theoretical discussions and practical validation, it contributes to the advancement and adoption of these converters in modern energy systems.

Bipolar Semiactive Bridge Converter With Cross-Cycle Modulation for Resilience Enhancement in Bipolar DC Distribution Systems

Bipolar Semiactive Bridge Converter With Cross-Cycle Modulation for Resilience Enhancement in Bipolar DC Distribution Systems

Stability Analysis via Impedance Modelling of a Real-World Wind Generation System with AC Collector and LCC-Based HVDC Transmission Grid

Stability Analysis via Impedance Modelling of a Real-World Wind Generation System with AC Collector and LCC-Based HVDC Transmission Grid

A bidirectional resonant CLLC converter combining three‐level characteristic and bipolar DC structure

SummaryIn order to meet the efficient and convenient usage requirements for bidirectional DC‐DC converters in some fields such as DC microgrids and vehicle power conversion systems, a bidirectional resonant CLLC converter combining three‐level characteristic and bipolar DC structure is used and analyzed in this paper. A three‐level topology is adopted in the resonant CLLC converter, which can achieve stable and wider range voltage regulation through the frequency adjustment combined with duty cycle and phase shift modulation, and can also increase the flexibility of control strategy. The application of bipolar DC structure enables this resonant CLLC converter to have multi‐port on one side, and the method of using two interleaved inductors combined with synchronous rectification enables the output voltage of the converter to maintain a certain balance. In this paper, the voltage gains and running states of the three‐level regulation method are analyzed, and then these operation modes and the bipolar DC voltage balance effect of the converter under synchronous rectification control are verified by the experiment results.

Protection Coordination Strategy for the Distributed Electric Aircraft Propulsion Systems

The current trend in distributed electric aircraft propulsion systems is to utilize the DC bus system at higher voltage levels than conventional aircraft systems. With Boeing and Airbus utilizing the +/−270 V bipolar DC bus system, the research on high-voltage systems is increasing gradually, with voltage levels ranging from 1 to 10 kV systems or +/−0.5 to +/−5 kV DC bus systems. These voltage levels present considerable challenges to the distributed electric aircraft propulsion systems. In addition to partial discharge effects, there are other challenges, particularly the challenge associated with effectively limiting short-circuit fault currents due to the low cable impedance of the distribution system. The cable impedance is a significant factor that determines the fault current during fault conditions. Due to the low impedance, there is a sharp increase in fault current, necessitating an enhanced protection strategy, which ensures that the system is adequately protected. This paper introduces a coordinated protection strategy specifically designed for distributed electric aircraft propulsion systems to mitigate or prevent short-circuit faults. The proposed algorithm utilizes an I2t-based strategy and the current-limiting-based strategy to protect the system from short-circuit faults and overload conditions. Redundant backup protection is also included in the algorithm in case the circuit breaker fails to operate.

Bipolar Current-Fed DC–DC Converter With Automatic Voltage Balance and Full Range ZVS for Bipolar DC System

Bipolar Current-Fed DC–DC Converter With Automatic Voltage Balance and Full Range ZVS for Bipolar DC System

Five-Port Isolated Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for Interfacing a Hybrid Photovoltaic–Fuel Cell–Battery System with Bipolar DC Microgrids

This paper introduces a novel five-port, three-input, dual-output isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter (FPIBC) topology with an effective controller for power-sharing and voltage-balancing in bipolar dc microgrids (BPDCMGs). The proposed converter acts as the interface for the integration of a hybrid generation system comprising a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a photovoltaic (PV) system, and a battery into BPDCMGs. It employs a reduced number of circuit elements compared with similar multiport converter topologies suggested for BPDCMG applications. Symmetrical bipolar output voltages are ensured by a voltage-balancing circuit composed of a fully controlled switch and four diodes. The FPIBC is equipped with different controllers for output voltage regulation and balancing, power sharing, maximum power point tracking of the PV, the optimum operating region of the SOFC, and constant-current, constant-voltage charging of the battery. To verify the viability and effectiveness of the proposed system, a simulation model was developed with a 4.2 kW SOFC, a 3.7 kW PV, and a 140 V 10.8 Ah battery in MATLAB/Simulink. The performance of the FPIBC was evaluated through extensive case studies with different operational modes, including battery charge/discharge states and SOFC and PV parameter changes under varying load conditions. In addition, the proposed system was examined using a daily dynamic load profile. According to the simulation results, a peak efficiency of 97.28% is achieved and the voltage imbalance between the output ports is maintained below 0.5%. It is shown that the FPIBC has advantages over previous converters in terms of the number of ports, number of circuit elements, bipolar output voltage, bidirectional power flow, and efficiency.

Airport Microgrid and Its Incorporated Operations

This paper presents the development of an airport bipolar DC microgrid and its interconnected operations with the utility grid, electric vehicle (EV), and more electric aircraft (MEA). The microgrid DC-bus voltage is established by the main sources, photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC), via unidirectional three-level (3L) boost converters. The proposed one-cycle control (OCC)-based current control scheme and quantitative and robust voltage control scheme are proposed to yield satisfactory responses. Moreover, the PV maximum power point tracking (MPPT) with FC energy-supporting approach is developed to have improved renewable energy extraction characteristics. The equipped hybrid energy storage system (HESS) consists of an energy-type battery and a power-type flywheel; each device is interfaced to the common DC bus via its own 3L bidirectional interface converter. The energy-coordinated operation is achieved by the proposed droop control. A dump load leg is added to avoid overvoltage due to an energy surplus. The grid-connected energy complementary operation is conducted using a neutral point clamped (NPC) 3L three-phase inverter. In addition to the energy support from grid-to-microgrid (G2M), the reverse mcrogrid-to-grid (M2G) operation is also conductible. Moreover, microgrid-to-vehicle (M2V) and vehicle-to-microgrid (V2M) bidirectional operations can also be applicable. The droop control is also applied to perform these interconnected operations. For the grounded aircraft, bidirectional microgrid-to-aircraft (M2A)/aircraft-to-microgrid (A2M) operations can be performed. The aircraft ground power unit (GPU) function can be preserved by the developed microgrid. The MEA on-board facilities can be powered by the microgrid, including the 115 V/400 Hz AC bus, the 270 V DC bus, the switched-reluctance motor (SRM) drive, etc.

Design and control of utility grid-tied bipolar DC microgrid

Abstract This paper explains in detail the design and control of a utility grid-connected bipolar DC microgrid, which consists of a solar photovoltaic system (SPV), a wind energy conversion system (WECS), a battery energy storage system (BESS) at the DC bus, and a three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) converter to connect the DC microgrid to the utility grid. A three-level bidirectional DC–DC converter at the battery energy storage system (BESS) is controlled with model predictive current control (MPCC), and a three-level NPC converter is controlled with a voltage-oriented control based proportional resonant (VOC-PR) controller. The proposed MPCC scheme for the three-level bidirectional DC–DC converter and the VOC-PR control scheme for the three-level NPC converter coordinate with each other to balance and regulate the voltage at the bipolar DC microgrid, control the power flow to the loads at the DC microgrid and the load at the point of common connection (PCC), and also inject or draw power from the utility grid and BESS based on the availability of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MPCC control scheme.

Overview of Voltage Balancing Schemes in Bipolar DC Microgrids

Overview of Voltage Balancing Schemes in Bipolar DC Microgrids

Enhancing Bipolar DC Microgrid Resilience through Coordinated Control of Vehicle-Grid Integration and Renewable Energy Sources

Enhancing Bipolar DC Microgrid Resilience through Coordinated Control of Vehicle-Grid Integration and Renewable Energy Sources

A Bipolar DC Grid-Interfaced Integrated Dual Input Converter with Reduced Overloading under Unbalanced Line Voltage Conditions

A Bipolar DC Grid-Interfaced Integrated Dual Input Converter with Reduced Overloading under Unbalanced Line Voltage Conditions