Voltage Control Research Articles

Impact of Advanced Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor on Load Frequency Control and Automatic Voltage Regulator Dual Area System with Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets-PID Usage

A major priority for practicing engineers in an electric power system is preserving the stability of frequency and voltage levels. Any change in these two factors will impact the efficiency and lifespan of the machines connected to the power supply. Therefore, this paper provides a control approach utilizing the Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets- Proportional Integral Derivative (IT2FSs-PID) controller and Advanced Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (ATCSC) with a combined Load Frequency Control-Automatic Voltage Regulator (LFC-AVR). Several inspections were implemented to demonstrate the controller’s strength, including various disturbances in the power system. The LFC-AVR was studied using two different dynamic models, referred to as open and closed loops on the Generation Rate Constraint (GRC) forms. A comparison was made using different techniques from the literature using the same model. Before using the approach, the frequency deviation of area-1 had a very large settling time value, which was caused by system instability. However, after implementing the approach, this value decreased to 4.9236 s. Finally, an additional ATCSC was added to the proposed model to observe its effect on the power system. The simulation was implemented using MATLAB/SIMULINK tools.

Improvement of EME accuracy based on an equivalent voltage acquisition method and corresponding voltage compensation strategy

AbstractIt is a known cost‐effective method to employ a DSP‐based electric machine emulator (EME) for motor control unit testing, this paper introduces a novel approach to enhance the emulator's accuracy. The inaccuracies caused by terminal voltage sampling errors in the motor control unit and voltage distortions in the inverter are addressed in this paper. An advanced equivalent voltage acquisition technique, which samples the duty cycle‐amplitude of the inverter's terminal voltage, is developed. Leveraging the acquired equivalent voltage data, a novel voltage compensation strategy that providing more accuracy in EME performance is proposed. The mathematical foundation of the EME is established using Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws. These findings are independently validated through simulations and experiments. The results provide robust evidence that the proposed equivalent voltage acquisition and compensation strategies can enhance the accuracy of the EME.

2D α‐In2Se3 Flakes for High Frequency Tunable and Switchable Film Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonators

AbstractTunable and switchable film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) with the capability of dynamically adjusting their resonant frequencies hold significant promise for advanced multi‐band radio frequency (RF) communication systems. However, tunable and switchable FBARs based on conventional thin ferroelectric materials face several challenges in meeting the demands of advanced RF applications. Specifically, submicron‐thick ferroelectric materials suffer from degradation in piezoelectric performance due to the strong scattering of acoustic waves caused by surface defects, as well as the inconsistency in crystal orientation. Recent advances in 2D ferroelectric materials create new opportunities for high‐performance tunable and switchable FBARs. Here, the first batch of FBAR chips based on 2D α‐In2Se3 flakes is reported. The α‐In2Se3‐based FBARs are normally under the on‐state and possess a small off‐voltage of −4 V. A tuning range of 26 MHz is achieved with a control voltage from −2 to 4 V at the resonant frequency of 8.6 GHz. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first batch of tunable FBARs that can function beyond the sub‐6 GHz band. This work demonstrates for the first time that 2D ferroelectric materials are very promising for high‐frequency tunable and switchable FBARs.

Modeling and Active Vibration Control of Flexible Robotic Arm and Its Application in Agricultural Water Conservancy Field

In order to improve the modeling and active vibration control effectiveness of flexible manipulators, this paper combines big data technology to study the modeling and active control of flexible manipulators. In addition, this article decouples the dynamic model of the flexible joint manipulator based on voltage control method, redefines the control input of the system as the voltage of the joint motor, and uses a nonlinear state observer to control the flexible link manipulator. The control strategy proposed in this article is based on a nonlinear state observer, combined with input-output control, to achieve tracking of joint angular displacement in a flexible linkage manipulator. Through experimental research, it can be seen that the big data based modeling and active vibration control research system for flexible robotic arms proposed in this paper can effectively improve the motion control effect of flexible robotic arms.

A decoupling strategy for average value control and ripple suppression of capacitor voltages in modular multilevel converters based on notch filters

AbstractModular multilevel converters (MMC) have become an emerging hotspot in the field of medium‐voltage drives. A major challenge is the large voltage ripple of sub‐module capacitors at low rotor speeds with high torque. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve ripple suppression while maintaining the average values of the capacitor voltages at their reference. However, the average value control and ripple suppression of the capacitor voltages have a coupling effect during the circulating current control loop, which reduces the performance. This paper proposes a decoupling strategy based on notch filters (NF). First, the coupling problem existing in the traditional control strategy is analysed by theoretical analysis and simulation. Then, the principle and parameter design method of the improved decoupling strategy are introduced. Finally, the performance of the decoupling strategy is experimentally verified using a small prototype.

A Modified Control Strategy for Three-Phase Four-Switch Active Power Filters Based on Fundamental Positive Sequence Extraction

Three-phase four-switch active power filters (APFs) have attracted attention due to their low amount of semiconductors and low cost. The traditional control strategy of three-phase four-switch APFs usually includes phase-locked loops (PLLs) and rotating coordinate transformation for harmonic detection, resulting in complicated calculations and increased computation. In this paper, a modified control strategy for three-phase four-switch APFs based on fundamental positive sequence extraction is proposed, eliminating PLLs and rotating coordinate transformation with trigonometric calculations. Harmonic extraction is based on the fundamental positive sequence extraction method, while non-locked phase loop coordinate transformation is proposed to eliminate trigonometric calculations. Quasi-PR control is adopted for current tracking, and DC voltage control is designed to suppress voltage imbalance between the two split capacitors on the DC side. The space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) method is modified for a reduced-switch APF topology. The proposed control strategy guarantees excellent harmonic compensation: harmonic currents are significantly suppressed when the APFs are working, the THD of the source current decreases to 3.86%, the bus voltage fluctuation on the DC side is small, the voltage remains stable, and the computational complexity is reduced. Finally, a simulation and an experimental hardware platform are established to validate the feasibility and performance of the proposed control strategy. The experimental results show that it has good performance in suppressing harmonics and improving power quality.

Virtual Generator to Replace Backup Diesel GenSets Using Backstepping Controlled NPC Multilevel Converter in Islanded Microgrids with Renewable Energy Sources

This work presents an islanded microgrid energy system that uses backstepping control applied to neutral point clamped (NPC) multilevel converters coupled with batteries to behave as virtual generators, able to absorb surplus renewable energy, therefore increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources. Additionally, on a charged battery the virtual generator allows turning-off the backup diesel generator set (GenSet). Aside from improving energy efficiency, the battery-connected multilevel converter aims to regulate frequency, improves power quality, and keeps the microgrid operational in the event of a GenSet failure. The backstepping controlled NPC multilevel converter emulates a virtual generator injecting power to perform as the primary and secondary microgrid frequency controller. Additionally, AC voltage control is implemented, which enables running the islanded microgrid only with multilevel converters, supplied by the battery while integrating solar and wind energy sources. Energy demand and renewable energy forecasts are used to manage the battery state-of-charge. Simulation results, obtained from switched and phasor models show that energy storage and the backstepping frequency control enables the compensation of power fluctuations from renewable energy sources. Furthermore, in the event of the main GenSet failure, the controlled virtual generator keeps the microgrid running for a few minutes, until another GenSet is ready to supply the microgrid. Therefore, the microgrid integration of the battery-connected multilevel converter results in a significant boost in energy efficiency by allowing the disconnection of the backup GenSet.

Fiber laser system for Rb atomic fountain clock

A compact and robust all-fiber laser system comprising fiber-optical components for a Rb atomic fountain clock is demonstrated. The laser sources were based on the frequency doubling of two seed lasers at a wavelength of 1560 nm, which were locked using digital frequency locking and modulation transfer spectroscopy. During the Sisyphus cooling period, the PZT control voltage of the fiber laser was ramped to detune the laser frequency to 170 MHz, and we get an atomic temperature of 1.9 □K. A series of customized optical fiber splitters, acousto-optic modulators (AOMs), and shutters were integrated into two 2U enclosures as cooling and repumping light modules. The entire laser system was integrated into a 22U cabinet and was characterized via polarization, power, and frequency stability measurements over 100 days. Apply the laser system to the Rb atomic fountain clock, which exhibited a frequency stability of less than 4.5 × 10-16 at the interval of 24 h.

Flexible concentration control of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in a microfluidic device via AC electrothermal flow

Microfluid preparation at targeted concentration is crucial for lots of applications such as protein crystallization and drug efficacy evaluation. Herein, we report an efficient method to continuously produce Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids at desired concentrations via AC electrothermal (ACET) flow. Two miscible fluids with different initial concentrations are first injected into the device via two separate inlets. The demanded concentrations are obtained under ACET flow, which mixes the fluids into specific states first and obtain the targeted concentrations at outlet afterwards via the voltage and fluid velocity control. To elucidate the underlying principles of fluid concentration control through the ACET effect, we have developed a three-dimensional numerical model coupling the electric, thermal, flow and concentration fields to perform analyses. Our findings indicate that fluid concentration modulation is significantly impacted by both intrinsic fluid properties and external control parameters, including the fluid's apparent viscosity, conductivity, velocity, and driving voltage. Specifically, as the fluid's apparent viscosity increases, the flow weakens, resulting in a higher driving voltage being required to achieve the targeted fluid concentration. The Joule effect and temperature gradient in fluids intensify with increased fluid conductivity, enhancing the ACET flow and correspondingly reducing the necessary driving voltage for concentration control. The duration of the ACET flow in the microchannel varies with the fluid velocity, subsequently affecting the concentration adjustment. The intensity of the ACET flow augments with an increase in the driving voltage, leading to diverse fluid mixing performances and outlet concentrations as the voltage changes. Overall, the fluid concentration control is directly influenced by fluid properties and can be flexibly adjusted through external control of fluid velocity and voltage. The simplicity of the chip design and the flexibility of concentration control offered by this approach make it highly appealing for a wide range of applications that require precise fluid concentration control.

Integrating Multiple Hierarchical Parameters to Achieve the Self-Compensation of Scale Factor in a Micro-Electromechanical System Gyroscope.

The scale factor of thermal sensitivity serves as a crucial performance metric for micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes, and is commonly employed to assess the temperature stability of inertial sensors. To improve the temperature stability of the scale factor of MEMS gyroscopes, a self-compensation method is proposed. This is achieved by integrating the primary and secondary relevant parameters of the scale factor using the partial least squares regression (PLSR) algorithm. In this paper, a scale factor prediction model is presented. The model indicates that the resonant frequency and demodulation phase angle are the primary correlation terms of the scale factor, while the drive control voltage and quadrature feedback voltage are the secondary correlation terms of the scale factor. By employing a weighted fusion of correlated terms through PLSR, the scale factor for temperature sensitivity is markedly enhanced by leveraging the predicted results to compensate for the output. The results indicate that the maximum error of the predicted scale factor is 0.124% within the temperature range of -40 °C to 60 °C, and the temperature sensitivity of the scale factor decreases from 6180 ppm/°C to 9.39 ppm/°C.

Vertical instability prediction and its direction control using a support vector machine in integrated commissioning of JT-60SA solely based on magnetics

Abstract We developed a redundant logic for predicting Vertical Displacement Events (VDEs) using only magnetic diagnostics with a Support Vector Machine (Inoue et al 2022 Nucl. Fusion 62 086007). This logic was experimentally validated in the integrated commissioning of JT-60SA. Triggering of VDEs results in significant asymmetric heat loads on first walls and electromagnetic loads on conducting materials. These concerns are mitigated by a newly proposed direction control for VDEs. We successfully detected VDEs in experiments and controlled their direction by setting the control voltage to zero upon detection, thus guiding VDEs in an intended direction and reducing the risk to the device from unmitigated VDEs in either direction, although completely avoiding VDEs remains the ideal. In the developed predictor, VDEs are predicted using proxies to monitor the controller’s performance with an adaptive voltage allocation scheme (Inoue et al 2021 Nucl. Fusion 61 096009). For future experiments, we plan to extend our approach to monitor more detailed information from the equilibrium controller, including control values of each PID component, which has been shown to enhance the prediction accuracy of VDEs.

Review Paper of Grid-Connected Solar PV Systems With Decoupled Control

This paper presents a decoupled control for grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The control framework used in this paper aims not to track the changing maximum power point (MPP) for extracting power at MPP, hence blocking the MPP tracking issue against the effect of solar radiation and temperature. Real power is produced by tracking the control voltage with a zero-dynamics-based controller. A cascaded loop controller with inner loop to regulate the control voltage is incorporated to ensure the produced real power follows the reference power in the presence of power disturbance. The proposed control scheme with the consideration of the inverter's rated voltage shows improved system dynamics. Simulations in various conditions are conducted to prove the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies. CIGRE 13-node benchmark system is used as the case study to evaluate the results of the PV system connected to a more complex power system. It has been shown that the proposed controller allows the total production of the energy under maximum power point conditions and also improves the overall stability of distributed generation connected to the grid. Therefore, it can be implemented to increase the capacity of renewable inverter-based power generation and the power system quality.

A New Third-Order Continuous Sliding Mode Speed and DC-Link Voltage Controllers for a PMSG-based Wind Turbine with Energy Storage System

A New Third-Order Continuous Sliding Mode Speed and DC-Link Voltage Controllers for a PMSG-based Wind Turbine with Energy Storage System

Enhancing load frequency control and automatic voltage regulation in Interconnected power systems using the Walrus optimization algorithm

This paper introduces the Walrus Optimization Algorithm (WaOA) to address load frequency control and automatic voltage regulation in a two-area interconnected power systems. The load frequency control and automatic voltage regulation are critical for maintaining power quality by ensuring stable frequency and voltage levels. The parameters of fractional order Proportional-Integral-Derivative (FO-PID) controller are optimized using WaOA, inspired by the social and foraging behaviors of walruses, which inhabit the arctic and sub-arctic regions. The proposed method demonstrates faster convergence in frequency and voltage regulation and improved tie-line power stabilization compared to recent optimization algorithms such as salp swarm, whale optimization, crayfish optimization, secretary bird optimization, hippopotamus optimization, brown bear optimization, teaching learning optimization, artificial gorilla troop optimization, and wild horse optimization. MATLAB simulations show that the WaOA-tuned FO-PID controller improves frequency regulation by approximately 25%, and exhibits a considerable faster settling time. Bode plot analyses confirm the stability with gain margins of 5.83 dB and 9.61 dB, and phase margins of 10.8 degrees and 28.6 degrees for the two areas respectively. The system modeling and validation in MATLAB showcases the superior performance and reliability of the WaOA-tuned FO-PID controller in enhancing power system stability and quality under step, random step load disturbance, with nonlinearities like GDC and GDB, and system parameter variations.

Integral Sliding Mode‐Composite Nonlinear Feedback Control Strategy for Microgrid Inverter Systems

To enhance the dynamic performance and robustness of the voltage control system of islanded microgrid inverters, a new control strategy combining integral sliding mode (ISM) control and composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) control is proposed. In ISM control, firstly, a new reaching law is designed to improve movement quality in the reaching phase by improving the power term and introducing the inverse tangent function. Then, to improve disturbance observation accuracy, a variable gain extended state observer is designed by improving the regulation mechanism of the state variables according to deviation control. Using the idea of variable damping, linear and nonlinear feedback are combined into CNF control. Specifically, linear feedback provides a small damping ratio for faster system response, while nonlinear feedback increases the damping ratio to improve steady‐state performance. Simulation results show that the integral sliding mode‐composite nonlinear feedback (ISM‐CNF) control strategy cam balances convergence speed and chattering better and achieves higher steady‐state accuracy than conventional strategies. Moreover, ISM‐CNF control has better robustness to reference voltage variations and disturbances caused by sudden load changes. Therefore, the ISM‐CNF control strategy can accomplish voltage control of islanded microgrid inverters quickly and steadily, effectively suppressing system disturbances and enhancing stability and power quality. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Magnetic order in nanogranular iron germanium (Fe0.53Ge0.47) films

We study the effect of strain on the magnetic properties and magnetization configurations in nanogranular FexGe1-xfilms (x=0.53±0.05) with and without B20 FeGe nanocrystals surrounded by an amorphous structure. Relaxed films on amorphous silicon nitride membranes reveal a disordered skyrmion phase while films near and on top of a rigid substrate favor ferromagnetism and an anisotropic hybridization of Fedlevels and spin-polarized Gespband states. The weakly coupled topological states emerge at room temperature and become more abundant at cryogenic temperatures without showing indications of pinning at defects or confinement to individual grains. These results demonstrate the possibility to control magnetic exchange and topological magnetism by strain and inform magnetoelasticity-mediated voltage control of topological phases in amorphous quantum materials.

DESIGN OF MULIFREQUENCY ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE TOMOGRAPHY (MfEIT) BASED ON ANALOG DISCOVERY TO DETECT BREAST CANCER

This study aims to design Multifrequency Electrical Impedance Tomography (MfEIT) based on Analog Discovery to detect breast cancer. The MfEIT was built from Analog Discovery which can be used as a signal generator, power supply, voltage control and measuring voltage and phase difference. Other complementary modules are Multiplexer, Instrument amplifier, Voltage Constant Current Source (VCCS), and High Pass Filter (HPF). The MfEIT performance test was carried out on a phantom object made of agar with a certain conductivity that represents breast and cancer tissue. The MfEIT performance testing at a frequency of 10 kHz, 40 kHz, and 80 kHz. The reconstruction from both potential and phase difference data, it shown that are in accordance with the phantom condition, both in number, size and position of anomalies. The reconstruction from the voltage data shown fine at all frequencies, but the phase data produces a good reconstruction image when frequencies was less than 80 kHz.

Optimized Energy Management Strategy for an Autonomous DC Microgrid Integrating PV/Wind/Battery/Diesel-Based Hybrid PSO-GA-LADRC Through SAPF

This study focuses on microgrid systems incorporating hybrid renewable energy sources (HRESs) with battery energy storage (BES), both essential for ensuring reliable and consistent operation in off-grid standalone systems. The proposed system includes solar energy, a wind energy source with a synchronous turbine, and BES. Hybrid particle swarm optimizer (PSO) and a genetic algorithm (GA) combined with active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) (PSO-GA-ADRC) are developed to regulate both the frequency and amplitude of the AC bus voltage via a load-side converter (LSC) under various operating conditions. This approach further enables efficient management of accessible generation and general consumption through a bidirectional battery-side converter (BSC). Additionally, the proposed method also enhances power quality across the AC link via mentoring the photovoltaic (PV) inverter to function as shunt active power filter (SAPF), providing the desired harmonic-current element to nonlinear local loads as well. Equipped with an extended state observer (ESO), the hybrid PSO-GA-ADRC provides efficient estimation of and compensation for disturbances such as modeling errors and parameter fluctuations, providing a stable control solution for interior voltage and current control loops. The positive results from hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experimental results confirm the effectiveness and robustness of this control strategy in maintaining stable voltage and current in real-world scenarios.

Multi-Time Scale Energy Storage Optimization of DC Microgrid Source-Load Storage Based on Virtual Bus Voltage Control

The energy storage adjustment strategy of source and load storage in a DC microgrid is very important to the economic benefits of a power grid. Therefore, a multi-timescale energy storage optimization method for direct current (DC) microgrid source-load storage based on a virtual bus voltage control is studied. It uses a virtual damping compensation strategy to control the stability of virtual bus voltage and establishes a virtual energy storage model by combining different types of distributed capability units. The design of an optimization process for upper-level daily energy storage has the objective function of maximizing the economic benefits of microgrids to cope with unplanned fluctuations in power. A real-time energy-adjustment scheme for the lower level is introduced, and a real-time energy-adjustment scheme based on virtual energy storage for the short-term partition of the source-load storage is designed to improve the reliability of microgrid operations. The experiment shows that, in response to the constant amplitude oscillation of the power grid after a sudden increase in power, this method introduces a virtual damping compensation strategy at 20 s, which can stabilize the virtual bus voltage. From 00:00 to 09:00, the battery power remains at around 4 MW, and from 12:00 to 21:00, the battery exits the discharge state. The economic benefits from applying this method are significantly higher than before. This method can effectively adjust the source-load energy storage in real time. During peak electricity price periods, the SOC value of supercapacitors is below 0.4, and during normal electricity price periods, the SOC value of supercapacitors can reach up to 1.0, which can make the state of the charge value of supercapacitors meet economic requirements.

Design of a triple port integrated topology for grid-integrated EV charging stations for three-way power flow

Environmental fluctuations, solar irradiance, and ambient temperature significantly affect photovoltaic (PV) system output. PV systems should be efficient at the Maximum Power Point in various weather climates to maximize their potential power output. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique is employed to plan a specific location that yields the maximum amount of power. Operating dispersed alternative energy sources connected to the grid in this situation makes energy control an unavoidable task. This research article suggests designing a power electronics converter topology that links sustainable resources and electric vehicles to the power grid. There are four modes of operation for this proposed converter topology: grid-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-grid, renewable-to-vehicle, and renewable-to-grid discussed. The three power electronic converters and their uses are discussed, and their controllers are also designed to maintain the energy balance and stability in all cases. The battery characteristics indicate the operating mode. The work primarily focuses on the converter’s Triple Port Integrated Topology (TPIT) power flow and voltage control. Here, three power converters integrate the TPIT with three systems-the electric grid, renewable energy, and electric vehicles-into one system. The source battery and solar photovoltaic (PV) array cells are integrated using unidirectional and bidirectional DC-DC converters. The future scope of the work is to investigate the potential of adding additional ports for integrating other energy resources, such as hydrogen fuel cells or additional renewable sources, to create a more versatile and robust energy management system for EV charging stations.