Electronic Inverter Research Articles

Reactive Power Compensation for Standalone Hybrid Power System Using Facts Devices

Reactive power compensation is essential in hybrid grid-connected systems because power electronic inverters utilized for supplying DC energy into the grid causes a reduction in the overall power factor of the power systems. Due to the ability to provide a reliable and efficient power supply to remote and off-grid areas, hybrid power systems are growing in popularity. It can provide greater opportunities for operational growth by combining economic and technology advancement. To meet the demand for electrical energy in both regular and critical situations, operators must be in charge of the power systems reliable and secure operation. The primary objective of the work is to control the reactive power flow in a grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system (PV-wind-battery). The power quality problems that these systems frequently experience include voltage sags, harmonics, and flicker. A FACTS device Unified Power Quality controller (UPQC) with a Genetic Algorithm based PI controller is suggested to handle these power quality issues. In order to improve the performance of the power system, the proposed optimization approaches are used to tune the UPQC in a multiline transmission system. The model was developed with the help of the MATLAB/Simulink work framework.

Thermal and hydraulic performance of 3D printed jet impingement configuration for SiC power modules in aerospace propulsion inverters

Efficiently controlling the temperature of power electronic inverters is crucial for aerospace applications with high power density. Effective thermal management strategies could enhance the power output of power inverters to their maximum rated capacity. Jet impingement is a promising technology with outstanding heat transfer characteristics, making it a sophisticated aid for cooling innovation in power inverters. A numerical comparative study was conducted between jet impingement and traditional pin finned heat sink. In our case study, the pin fin could not effectively regulate the junction temperature to a level below 150 °C. By using a 3D printed jet impingement housing composed of polymer, the weight of the power module thermal management system could be decreased by 71 % compared to a metallic pin finned heat sink. Moreover, this approach aids in lowering the junction temperature to 129 °C, under the same boundary conditions. Additionally, a numerical study was conducted on power modules with thermal imbalance used in aerospace inverters. The study proposed various configurations of jet impingement to reduce temperature differences between power module switches, as well as minimize the pressure drop across the jet impingement housing. The primary objective is to minimize the temperature disparity between the unbalanced switches in order to improve the overall reliability and lifespan of the power module, while decreasing the pressure drop. Among all the options, the optimum design achieves a minimal temperature difference of 24 °C between the power module switches, while the pressure drop reaches 12 kPa.

Study of performance evaluation of various characteristics of a single phase full bridge inverter circuit using surrounded channel junctionless field effect transistor

This paper reports the characteristics study of a single phase full bridge power electronic inverter circuit with a new type of technology namely surrounded channel junctionless field effect transistor (SCJLFET) as a switch. The inverter circuit has been designed using mixed mode simulation platform of TCAD device simulator. The transient characteristics for various temperatures and work functions have been analysed. In the steady state analysis the output current and voltage variation with input voltage with various temperatures and work functions have been studied. The power factor variations with gate oxide thickness and dielectric constant of gate dielectric. The simulation and designing process along with pros and cons have been characterized. The SCJLFET would be one of the strongest participants for advanced power electronics technology as a switches, with various virtues of high-speed operation, low power consumption and low budget process integration. It has also been found that single phase full bridge inverter is giving best results when made using SCJLFET.

Optimizing Grid-Connected Inverter Performance Through Voltage Stability Control

Everyday, non-renewable energy sources are being depleted while energy use rises. In response to these arguments, we ought to generate more renewable energy. But a big problem with renewable energy is that its production is weather-dependent. In overcast and unfavorable weather, the energy generated on the grid side is insufficient to match the demand on the load side. The primary load-side issues may be non-linear loads that lower the energy network’s power quality or excessive or unmanaged energy demand. When compared to the production of renewable energy, energy sources that are connected to the grid through an electronic converter or inverter have quite different operating characteristics. The stability of the grid and solutions to the grid-to- transmission-line stability issue are the main topics of this study. The benefits of using inverters in a power system from the grid to the transmission line with MPPT and PI controllers are examined in this article. A robust control system with an inverter-equipped PI controller and MPPT addresses the main problem.

Virtual synchronous generator control with parameters optimization based on new WaOA algorithm for grid-feeding inverters

The widespread integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) within traditional power systems causes a considerable impact, such as a decrease in total inertia, damping properties, and large frequency deviation. To tackle this issue, numerous research have been proposed to introduce the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control strategy as an effective solution applied to power electronics inverters operating in grid-forming or grid-feeding control modes. However, the proper tunning of the inertia and damping parameters is considered as a significant challenge to ensure the system stability and reliability. In this paper, an efficient meta-heuristic Walrus Optimization Algorithm (WaOA) -based VSG control intended for grid-feeding inverters within a weak grid is proposed. The objective of this work is to offer a proper tuning of the VSG parameters, thereby improving the dynamic characteristics of the microgrid (MG) and guaranteeing a stable operation. In addition, it highlights the adopted optimization technique which is introduced on VSG control while ensuring minimum objective function value. Through offline simulations in MATLAB/Simulink, the superiority of the suggested WaOA method is first confirmed, in which it offers the lowest Integral Square Error (ISE) fitness function value of 0.026, compared to the Mountain Gazelle Optimizer (MGO) and Tunicate Swarm Algorithm (TSA) with 0.027 9 and 0.0281, respectively. Second, the performance of the WaOA-based VSG control is compared to the ones based on MGO and TSA techniques under active and reactive power variations. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed VSG control ensures a better transient performance, especially in terms of under and overshoots.

Voltage regulation during short-circuit faults in low voltage distributed generation systems

As the penetration of inverter-based distributed generations into microgrids continues to rise, the significance of power electronic inverters in modern power systems becomes increasingly pronounced. They are designed to have fault ride-through capabilities, enabling them to sustain operation even during and after fault conditions. This paper presents a novel voltage compensation strategy based on the line impedances addressing both positive and negative-sequence aspects, for a three-phase three-wire inverter deployed to regulate the low-voltage network during unsymmetrical faults, thereby preserving voltage stability. The control strategy is carried out in a synchronous reference frame (dq) to govern the positive and negative-sequence voltages and currents of the inverter. By synthesizing AC currents, the inverter restores the positive-sequence voltage to its rated value while mitigating negative-sequence voltage at the point of common coupling arising from unsymmetrical faults. Through MATLAB/Simulink, are investigated three unsymmetrical fault scenarios (single line-to-ground, line-to-line, and double line-to-ground faults) within the low-voltage distribution network of the 18-bus European Cigré, incorporating three inverters equipped with the proposed voltage support capability. The results confirm that inverter-interfaced distributed generators with local voltage support can improve the system’s fault ride-through capability by reducing voltage drops and unbalances.

Analysis of welding conditions at synchronous operation of resistance welding machines

The paper is devoted to analysis of power losses in a resistance welding machine including supplying system and examination of welding conditions of the welding machine current in a case of synchronous (simultaneous) operation of multiple welding machines, i.e., during the conduction of welding current. Analysis of the most important contributors of power losses generated on the current path between a power source and the welded joint is carried out. The analysis is carried out for a DC (direct current) welding machine with power electronics inverter. AC (alternating current) welding machines are also taken into account. The analysis is divided in two parts. The first one is the analysis of single welding machine operation, while in the second part, coexistence (mutual operation) of two synchronous welding machines is considered. The analysis is based on results of numerical and experimental investigations. The first one is focused on calculation of power losses in the energy path (including a Sankey type power loss distribution diagrams), and the second one is based on experimental tests carried out to determine the diameter of the weld nugget and the strength of the joints, for cases of reducing the welding current. An example of simultaneous operation of welding machines was presented and discussed. The percentage voltage drops and power losses in the entire power supply path of the resistance welder are shown. The analysis carried out is extremely important from this point quality of welded joints.

Grid Forming Technologies to Improve Rate of Change in Frequency and Frequency Nadir: Analysis-Based Replicated Load Shedding Events

Electric power generation is quickly transitioning toward nontraditional inverter-based resources (IBRs). Prevalent devices today are solar PV, wind generators, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) based on electrochemical packs. These IBRs are interconnected throughout the power system via power electronics inverter bridges, which have sophisticated controls. This paper studies the impacts and benefits resulting from the integration of grid forming (GFM) inverters and energy storage on the stability of power systems via replicating real events of loss of generation units that resulted in large load shedding events. First, the authors tuned the power system dynamic model in Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSSE) to replicate the event records and, upon integrating the IBRs, analyzed the system dynamic responses of the BESS. This was conducted for both GFM and grid following (GFL) modes. Additionally, models for Grid Forming Static Synchronous Compensator (GFM STATCOM), were also created and simulated to allow for quantifying the benefits of this technology and a techno-economic analysis compared with GFM BESSs. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the need for industry standardization in the application of GFM inverters to unleash their benefits to the bulk electric grid. The results also demonstrate that the GFM STATCOM is a very capable system that can augment the bulk system inertia, effectively reducing the occurrence of load shedding events.

Power Quality Control of Micro Hydro Power Plant Based-ELC and VSI Using Fuzzy-PI Controller

Stability of frequency and voltage of micro hydro power plant (MHPP) are influenced by sufficiency of active power and reactive power respectively in handling load power. These powers are normally controlled by Electronic Load Controller (ELC) and Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), respectively. VSI is specifically added to compensate reactive power caused by inductive load. The objective of the study is to control active power and reactive power in MHPP system against the changes in load power through the improvement of ELC and VSI output responses by applying Fuzzy-PI controller. ELC applied Fuzzy-PI controller to obtain more precise TRIAC ignition angle to meet a suitable active power to balance the load power. While VSI implemented Fuzzy-PI controller to meet a precise reactive power needed to oppose inductive load power. Capability of Fuzzy-PI controller in improving ELC and VSI performance were assessed by using Matlab in complete MHPP model. Assessments on the proposed controller indicate that it was effective in improving the performance of both ELC and VSI. By applying Fuzzy-PI controller on ELC, a precise ignition angle of TRIAC stimulated a more precise ballast load to balance active power against the load power. While the addition of Fuzzy-PI controller on VSI produced more suitable reactive power to compensate for the inductive load presence. With a more stable frequency and voltage against changes in load power, the power quality of the MHPP also improve.

Comparative Analysis of SS, SP, PP and PS Topologies for Magnetic Coupled Wireless Power Transfer System Composed of the Negative Resistor

In recent years, the concept of the negative resistor (NR) has been proposed and applied in the magnetic coupled wireless power transfer (MC-WPT) system to improve the stability of power transfer. However, it remains a fundamental challenge to find the characteristic differences and applications of the four basic NR-based MC-WPT topologies. In this paper, the circuit models of the four basic NR-based MC-WPT topologies: series-series (SS), series-parallel (SP), parallel-parallel (PP), and parallel-series (PS) are established, and their characteristics are analyzed and compared by using circuit theory, which enables engineers to determine and select topologies to suit different applications and requirements. Theoretical analysis shows that the compensation methods of the transmitter and receiver of the NR-based MC-WPT system would affect the operating frequency and output characteristics of the system. Moreover, by comparative analysis, the conditions and applicable ranges for a stable output of different topologies were provided. Finally, the experimental prototypes are set up by using the power electronic inverter and operational amplifier, and the voltage gain ratios of the four basic NR-based WPT topologies under the variations of transfer distance and load are observed. The experimental results validate the correctness of the theoretical analysis.

Remanent flux detection method for a protection current transformer based on fluxgate theory

Protection current transformer (CT) saturation caused by the remanent flux will affect the performance of protective relays. The saturation can be suppressed by demagnetizing the iron core. Detecting remanent flux can make demagnetization more effective. This paper proposes a remanent flux detection method based on the fluxgate theory, which can effectively measure the magnitude and polarity of the remanent flux using the second harmonic of the current generated by a single-phase electronic inverter. The proposed method can detect the remanent flux without changing it, no matter whether the CT is connected to the power system or not, which means that this method can measure the remanent flux when the CT is under normal operating conditions. The effectiveness of this method is verified in EMTP-RV software, and the simulation results show that this method can detect the remanent flux with high accuracy.

20-Sim Bondgraph for Solar Home Applications

Designing of solar generation for home applications using MATLAB/sim electronics and Bond Graph model 20- sim used in this paper. The devices required for home applications are solar panel, irradiance and temperature insists as input and generates DC as output to the solar panel. As the solar panels generates DC output but our home requires 240 v AC supply, to convert this DC to AC power electronic device inverter requires. This inverter converts DC to pulsating AC supply. To convert pulsating AC to pure AC needs LC filter. The output DC of solar depends upon temperature and irradiance, no more the temperature is not constant depends on atmosphere varying from morning to evening at afternoon only maximum temperature, high power attains and at morning and evening low temperature, low power attains but any time the home needs constant power supply to the load for 24 hours for this purpose boost converter requires for continuous supply. The device Boost converter is connected between solar panels and inverter. Instead of boost converter the device Transformer can also be used between LC filter and load. The cost of transformer is high and requires more space but in boost converter only inductor, diode, capacitor, one switch uses and obtains continuous supply, reduces the ripple factor. First all the devices solar panel, boost converter, single phase inverter are designed individually and combined by using MATLAB/ sim electronics and Bond Graph 20-sim for both software applications better output waveforms are obtained.

A Three-Phase Synchronization Algorithm Based on a Modified DSOGI with Adjustable Re-Filtering

The precise calculation of phase angle, voltage magnitude and frequency is crucial for the effective control of power electronic inverters connected to an electrical power system. The phase-locked loop (PLL) is a commonly employed method for measuring these variables. Nevertheless, the reliability of this measurement is influenced by transient events in the electrical power system and varies depending on the nature of the event and the specific design of the PLL. Notably, PLLs utilizing the double second-order generalized integrator are widely adopted for power converter synchronization purposes. This article proposes a three-phase PLL, which is based on the single-phase version previously reported by the authors. The proposed PLL, based on an alternative integrator approach, allows a fine adjustment of the tolerance to disturbances in the input voltage thanks to a second feedback gain in its pre-filter. It is reasonable to anticipate that the three-phase PLL will exhibit similar strengths to the single-phase version; however, in the three-phase case, an additional integrator is involved in pre-filtering the quadrature signals, and the double integrator is not employed as the quadrature signal generator. The performance of the proposed PLL is assessed by comparing it to other PLLs based on the second-order integrator, using a processor-in-the-loop approach.

A step-by-step full-order sliding mode controller design for standalone inverter-interfaced cleaner renewable energy sources

Power electronic inverters are one of the most significant components for the integration of clean energy systems and the proper control of these power electronic interfaces helps to enhance power quality. This paper presents a robust step-by-step full-order sliding mode voltage control strategy for standalone single-phase inverters that can be interfaced with cleaner renewable energy sources. The proposed controller employs a cascaded method through outer- and inner-loops to facilitate tracking of the desired load voltage. In contrast to the most commonly used sliding mode techniques for interfacing these cleaner energy sources, which usually utilize the canonical-form of the system’s state-space model, the designed controller uses a block-controllable model that mitigates unwanted noises. To design the controller, the capacitor voltage and the inductor current of the LC filter are measured to be employed in the outer second-order sliding mode voltage control loop and the inner first-order sliding mode current control loop, respectively. The utilization of such full-order sliding surfaces in each step effectively reduces the chattering in the control signals as well as facilitates the transient and steady-state responses with less harmonic distortion and thereby, promoting the effective integration of renewable energy sources. To verify the performance of the proposed controller under various loading conditions as external disturbances, a 2.2 kW standalone single-phase inverter is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink platform along with a microcontroller-based processor-in-loop through the digital signal processing. In terms of internal disturbances, the proposed controller is also tested under different filter parameters’ variations over a wider range. The results indicate a better alignment for coupling with clean energy sources and the comparisons with other control techniques show better performance of the proposed controller.

Neutral-point-clamped inverter based synchronous reluctance motor drive for solar pump application

PurposeIndustrial drives require appropriate control systems for reliable and efficient performance. With synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs) slowly replacing the most commonly used induction, switched reluctance and permanent magnet machines, it is essential that the drive and its control be properly selected for enhanced performance. But the major drawback of synchronous reluctance motor is the presence of high torque ripple as its design is characterized by large number of variables. The solutions to reduce torque ripple include design modifications, choice of proper power electronic inverter and PWM strategy. But little has been explored about the power electronic inverters suited for synchronous reluctance motor drive to minimize torque ripple inherently by obtaining a more sinusoidal voltage. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the potential multilevel inverter topologies applicable to SynRM drives used in solar pumping applications.Design/methodology/approachThe most significant field-oriented control using maximum torque per ampere algorithm for maximizing the torque production is used for the control of SynRM. Simulation results carried out using Matlab/Simulink are presented to justify the choice of inverter and its control technique for SynRM.FindingsThe five-level inverter drive gives lesser core or iron losses in the SynRMin comparison to the three- and two-level inverters due to lower Id current ripple. The five-level inverter reduces the torque ripple of the SynRM significantly in comparison to the three- and two-level inverter fed SynRM drives. The phase disposition-PWM control method used for the inverter shows the least total harmonic distortion (THD) levels in output voltage compared with the other level shifted PWM techniques.Originality/valueAmong the available topologies, a fitting topology is proposed for use for the SynRM drive to have minimal THD, minimal current and torque ripple. Additionally, this paper presents various modulation techniques available for the selected drive system and reports on a suitable technique based on minimal THD of output voltage and hence minimal torque ripple.

The Output Voltage Estimation of Power Transformer Integrated with a Three Phase T-Type Inverter

The issues related to integrating these systems into the grids continue to gain importance with the increasing use and importance of renewable energy sources. Therefore, the importance of power distribution transformers is increasing. Besides, these power distribution transformers are connected to the grid with power electronics circuits and inverters. Considering the modular inverter structures, ease of maintenance, and connection, three-level T-type inverters are chosen for this study. The secondary output voltage of the power transformer is estimated by using circuit parameters such as the dead time of the inverter circuit, PWM switching frequency, and modulation rate. Based on the finite element analysis analysis according to the selected parameters, 810 data are obtained with time-dependent parametric analysis. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model is constructed by considering the simulation data to estimate the secondary output of the power transformer of these parameters. In the training phase of the model, 648 randomly selected data from 810 data obtained by ANSYS-Electronics/Simplorer are used. The remaining 162 data are used in the testing process to measure system performance. As a result of the analysis made by ANFIS, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) error is found as 2.475%. Since the values obtained in the estimation process of the study are very close to the simulation values, the ANFIS method can be used as an estimation method that will give accurate results during the design phase.

Inertia estimation of power system with new energy considering with high renewable penetrations

The emerging energy technologies, such as wind energy and photovoltaic (PV), will gradually replace the traditional synchronous generator in wide-area power system. As the wind, PV and energy storage equipment are all controlled by power electronic inverters, which are decoupled from the system and cannot provide effective inertial support to the power system with new energy (PS-NE), resulting in stability problems caused by the low inertia of the PS-NE. In particular, this paper investigates the inertia response of synchronous generator and PS-NE, and the inertia model of PS-NE considering with high renewable penetrations. Then the relation between inertia and frequency of PS-NE with high renewable penetrations are explored in this paper. Besides, the real-time inertia of the PS-NE is estimated by using the statistical algorithm based on the historical data of the PS-NE, and the range of the inertia and synchronous generator start-up capacity of the PS-NE can be estimated by using the statistical algorithm based on the renewable penetrations when we cannot obtain the historical data of the PS-NE. In addition, IEEE39 system of PS-NE is used to verify the relation between inertia and frequency of PS-NE with high renewable penetrations, and the inertia estimation of PS-NE with high renewable penetrations is analyzed in this paper.

A Systematic Stability Enhancement Method for Microgrids With Unknown-Parameter Inverters

With massive electronic inverters, microgrids are threatened by the instability problems caused by the impedance interactions among inverters and the network. For the microgrids with black-box inverters (whose parameters are unknown due to industry secrets), it is hard to assess, much less enhance, the stability of such systems. This article proposes a systematic impedance-based stability assessment and enhancement method for the microgrids with black-box inverters. First, the return-ratio matrix <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">G</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">net</sub> of the system with both current-controlled and voltage-controlled inverters is formulated based on the nodal admittance matrix. And then, the sensitivities of the critical eigenvalues of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">G</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">net</sub> are calculated with respect to individual admittances/impedances of inverters, which can identify the “trouble maker(s).” Moreover, the low voltage active damper (LVAD) is proposed for the stability enhancement of the system. An eigenvalue perturbation sensitivity analysis method is presented to calculate the sensitivities of the critical eigenvalues with respect to nodal parallel admittances, which identifies the optimal installation position for LVAD, and accordingly provides the guidance for the design of LVAD. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified using a modified IEEE 6-bus system in PSACD/EMTDC and RT-Lab platforms.

Harmonic Loss Analysis of Low-Voltage Distribution Network Integrated with Distributed Photovoltaic

In a power system with highly proportional renewable energy integration, the power generated by photovoltaic (PV) of high permeability and high proportion needs to be connected to the distribution network through the power electronic inverter. The inverters can generate the low-order harmonic and high-order harmonic near the switching frequency. Harmonic power will be generated when the harmonic current flows through the power grid with the harmonic voltage of the same frequency, and the additional harmonic losses caused should not be neglected. To effectively analyze the voltage quality and calculate the harmonic loss of the low-voltage distribution network integrated with distributed PV, based on the harmonic loss factor of resistance proposed, the harmonic impedance modeling and harmonic loss calculation method for the key equipment of the power grid, such as lines and transformers, are introduced in this paper firstly. Next, a decoupling algorithm of harmonic power flow is proposed, and the influence of the access capacity of PV on voltage quality and line loss of the distribution network is analyzed. Finally, a harmonic loss calculation method based on measured harmonic data of the distribution network is proposed. It is found that the harmonic loss of the low-voltage distribution network accounts for about 0.6% of the total network loss. Therefore, voltage quality can be improved and line loss can be reduced effectively by reasonable access to PV and reducing harmonic order and the current harmonic distortion.

Life Cycle Assessment of a 150 kW Electronic Power Inverter

Based on the consideration of various environmental problems caused by human activities, energy transition solutions are starting to emerge. Power electronics will be central to these transitions. The level of knowledge linking power electronics and sustainability remains very limited today, and the study of the environmental impacts tied to the mass-scale deployment of power electronic systems across all sectors of activity is now essential. This study presents the life cycle assessment of a power electronic inverter capable of delivering a power of 150 kW, operating with an average 450 V DC bus for 15 years with 10,000 operating hours. The main hotspots are investigated to offer recommendations to designers. The most important impact highlighted is the depletion of mineral resources. Manufacturing and use are the two subsections with the highest environmental impact. Manufacturing is dominated by the casing and power module (specifically, the electric contacts, baseplate, and die). These results make it possible to orient an eco-design action with technologies capable of creating an evolution in hotspots. However, they also serve to consider scenarios involving a circular economy by setting up maintenance, recycling, and reuse loops in the inverter, combined with modularity and self-diagnostic functions.