Voltage Source Converter Research Articles

Review paper on multilevel converters topology for VSC-based HVDC transmission system connected offshore wind power plant

This review paper offers a comprehensive analysis of multilevel converters (MLCs) within Voltage Source Converter (VSC)-based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems, focusing on their integration with offshore wind power plants. Through an exhaustive exploration, the paper investigates various MLC configurations and control strategies, assessing their potential to enhance the performance, efficiency, and reliability of offshore wind energy integration into the power grid. By examining the intricate interplay between MLCs, VSC-based HVDC systems, and offshore wind power plants, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of renewable energy integration technologies. Key topics covered include an overview of offshore wind power generation, the significance of HVDC transmission for offshore wind farms, and the role of MLCs in overcoming integration barriers. Furthermore, the paper delves into control strategies, performance evaluation metrics, and future perspectives and challenges. Through its in-depth analysis, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of the potential of MLCs in advancing the efficiency and reliability of VSC-based HVDC systems, ultimately facilitating the seamless integration of offshore wind energy into the broader power grid.

Local DER Control with Reduced Loop Interactions in Active Distribution Networks

Active Distribution Networks are Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems with coupled dynamics, which cause interactions among the control loops of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This undesired effect leads to performance degradation of voltage control. To mitigate the effects of this unavoidable coupling, the present paper proposes a systematic design procedure based on the analysis of the interaction’s sources. In detail, each DER is equipped with a double-loop PI to control the active and reactive power output of the voltage source converter, which connects the DER to the network’s node. Furthermore, to guarantee ancillary services, the two loops are coupled by a simple mechanism of cooperation of the active power to voltage regulation realized by a filtered droop law. To achieve voltage regulation with reduced loop interactions, the PI parameters and the filter’s pulse are designed according to a procedure with two sequential steps based on the Internal Model Control (IMC) technique. Simulation studies are finally presented to demonstrate that the proposed design method achieves both reduction of the loop interaction and robust voltage control in the presence of model parameter uncertainty in the MIMO plant, modeling various operating conditions of the ADN, including a step connection of large loads, renewable energy source variations, and changes in the substation transformer ratio.

TLBO trained an ANN-based DG integrated Shunt Active Power Filter to Improve Power Quality

In terms of power quality, the rising number of nonlinear loads in modern use has caused warning signs for power system and power engineering professionals. Every day, utilities have to deal with harmonic distortion caused by a growing number of non-linear power electronic equipment. To keep the system's power supply in good condition, a shunt active filter is used to filter out unwanted harmonics in the signal. This study presents a practical and low-cost method for reducing harmonics and enhancing distribution network power quality by means of the use of PV-integrated Shunt Active Power Filters (SAPF). With a teaching-learning-based optimized artificial neural network controller (TLBO-ANN) and the required DC power is extracted from the PV module. SAPF's TLBO-ANN algorithms are intended to increase system performance by reducing total harmonic distortion (THD). Here, the research work was performed in three stages to mitigate grid current harmonics. The first-stage SAPF system comprises a three-prong voltage source converter and uses DC power derived from photovoltaic panels. The P&O algorithm is used to get the maximum power out of a photovoltaic array. In the second stage, the BBO algorithm is used to fine-tune a conventional PI controller, resulting in values for and that increase the controller's performance. Furthermore, it is intended to use the BBO-PI controller's input and output values as training data for the ANN controller. This ANN controller is currently being tuned with the TLBO algorithm to find optimal values for the weight and bias parameters. In the third stage, the converter in PV-SAPF will inject the active power required by the load by using active current control theory, which means the inverter of SAPF is working like DG as well as the active power filter. Employing MATLAB simulations, we concluded that the proposed method is extremely adaptable and highly efficient in lowering harmonic currents that are brought on by non-linear loads.

Active decoupling control of the three-phase voltage source converter under nonlinear AC current

Active decoupling control of the three-phase voltage source converter under nonlinear AC current

A Robust Switching Control Strategy for Three-Phase Voltage Source Converters with Uncertain Circuit Parameters

This study proposes a novel double closed-loop robust control strategy based on a power switching affine model of three-phase voltage source converters (VSCs). The aim is to overcome the challenges posed by inaccurate mathematical models, complex controller configurations, indirect switching control, and performance degradation under circuit parameters uncertainty or load variation in conventional methods. These conventional methods rely on linearization models, duty ratio regulation, and pulse width modulation (PWM) technologies. The contributions of work are the following: (1) A two-dimensional (2D) power switching affine model is constructed without any approximation or averaging. (2) The proposed approach achieves direct switching control of three-phase VSCs, eliminating the need for complex rotation coordinate transformation, PWM, and phase locking loop (PLL), which are utilized in traditional control methods. (3) The rigor of the system stability analysis is enhanced based on the 2D power switching model compared to the existing three-dimensional (3D) current switching model. (4) A simple control structure with only two control parameters is employed to address circuit parameter uncertainties. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method is validated through simulation and experimental comparison results.

Distributed optimal Volt/Var control in power electronics dominated AC/DC hybrid distribution network

AbstractThe integration of large‐scale distributed power sources increases the voltage fluctuation in AC/DC hybrid distribution network (AD‐HDN). Power electronics devices such as photovoltaic (PV) inverters, soft open point (SOP), and voltage source converters (VSCs) can be utilized for voltage/var control (VVC) to alleviate the risk of voltage fluctuation and violation. This paper proposes a distributed optimal VVC method in power electronics dominated AD‐HDN. Firstly, the reactive power and voltage characteristics of PV inverters, SOP, and VSCs are analysed, and an optimal VVC optimization model for AD‐HDN to minimize node voltage deviation, PV curtailment, and network loss is proposed. Then, the second‐order cone (SOC) relaxation technique is used to re‐formulate the model into a convex optimization model. A distributed optimal VVC framework based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is constructed. Based on the residual balance principle and relaxation technique, an accelerated ADMM method is further proposed to solve the proposed model. Finally, case studies are conducted on the IEEE 33‐node and 85‐node systems to verify the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed method.

The Implementation of Space Vector PWM in 36-Pulse D-STATCOM for Power Quality Improvement

Introduction: This paper addresses the ongoing challenge of harmonics reduction in power systems, particularly focusing on Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices. Instead of employing a conventional multilevel converter, an alternative configuration is proposed: a 36-pulse gate turn-off thyristor-based converter (GTO-VSC). This converter comprises three 12-pulse Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) as fundamental units, operating collectively on the frequency mode of GTO switching control within a Distribution Static Synchronous Compensator (D-STATCOM). The D-STATCOM dynamically compensates reactive power in the system. The 36-pulse configuration results in AC output voltage waveforms containing harmonics such as the 35th, 37th, 71st, 73rd, etc., leading to higher total harmonic distortion (THD) levels. background: Reduced number of switches in flexible AC transmission. Method: In response, the paper presents a new model featuring a 3-level, 36-pulse, 25kV, ±3MVAr STATCOM configured with 12-pulse GTO-VSCs. This model incorporates PWM gate switching and employs a PI-control methodology to optimize harmonics in simulation, specifically targeting harmonics at the 35th, 37th, 71st, 73rd, etc., orders using Sim Power Systems toolbox in Math Works software. Result: The compensator's operational performance is controlled through switching angle optimization, which minimizes harmonics, regulates voltage, and manages reactive power in the electrical transmission system. Conclusion: The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model is acceptable for enhancing the flexibility and performance of the FACTS device in mitigating harmonics in power systems.

Adaptive Hierarchical Fractional-Order Sliding Mode Control Strategy for Multi-terminal VSC-HVDC System with Wind Farm

In this paper, an adaptive hierarchical fractional-order sliding mode controller (AHFSMC) for a multi-terminal Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Integrated with a wind farm (WF) system is designed. Multi-terminal VSC-HVDC (MtVDC) connected to wind farms has received several attentions in the power sector because of its numerous benefits. The effectiveness of MtVDC, on the other hand, is dependent on the control scheme used. To achieve this goal, a hierarchical sliding mode control method by fractional-order calculus is used. The controller parameters are adjusted according to a suitable adaptation method to enhance the proposed controller's robustness compared to the system uncertainties coefficient. An appropriate Lyapunov-based approach is used to achieve the adaptation rule. This paper discusses a scheme to design additional controllers in MtVDC systems to damp electromechanical oscillations, one of several features of HVDC presently under active study. Numerical simulations validate the proposed control strategy's feasibility and efficiency. This novel approach is employed for the upgrading of system stability with the dynamic properties of the MtVDC in a variety of operative conditions.

Implementation of an adaptive control approach in a single‐phase grid‐tied solar photovoltaic system for power quality improvement

SummaryThis work focuses on a novel single‐phase complex band‐pass filter‐based frequency‐locked loop (1ϕ‐CBF‐FLL) control for a grid‐tied solar photovoltaic array (SPVA)‐based energy generating system. Among the novel characteristics of this 1ϕ‐CBF‐FLL control algorithm are as follows: (1) It offers a quick convergence rate; (2) it has the ability to mitigate harmonics and DC offset; and (3) it has simplicity in execution. A voltage source converter (VSC), boost converter, 1‐ϕ grid, ripple filter, and nonlinear loads are all part of the system. Feeding 1‐ϕ nonlinear loads and the grid with active power from the solar array is managed by the VSC. Furthermore, grid current quality is enhanced by the use of VSC. Between the solar array and DC‐link capacitor, there is a boost converter that uses the perturb and observe (P&O) technique to track the maximum power from the SPVA. The primary aim of the proposed system is to remove power quality (PQ) issues brought on by nonlinear and imbalanced loads and to supply sinusoidal grid currents during solar irradiance fluctuations. Additionally, a comparison between 1ϕ‐CBF‐FLL control and other control algorithms is presented. The effectiveness of this 1ϕ‐CBF‐FLL control is examined under varying nonlinear loads and in various environmental settings. Test results are used to confirm the simulated results of the proposed system. According to the IEEE‐519 standard, the recommended control may achieve a source current of total harmonic distortion (THD) of 4.02%, which is lower than 5%, a source voltage of THD of 3.21%, and a load current of THD of 24.54%.

Simulation of grid/standalone solar energy supplied reduced switch converter with optimal fuzzy logic controller using golden BallAlgorithm

This article presents the utilization of a shunt active power filter (SHAPF) in combination with an Energy Storage System (ESS) and a Solar Energy System (SES). Voltage source converters (VSC) are connected in parallel to a direct current (DC) bus. The membership function (MSF) of fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for the shunt control system is optimally adjusted using the golden balloptimization algorithm (GBOA). The present effort aims to achieve the following primary objectives: 1) Quick implementation to stabilize the voltage of the DC Link capacitor (DCLCV); 2) Mitigation of harmonics and improvement of power factor (PF); 3) Satisfactory performance under load as well as solar power varying conditions. The effectiveness of the optimally designed controller is evaluated by studying four test scenarios with grid and standalone conditions. The results are then compared to the existing sliding mode (SMC) and fuzzy logic controllers (FLC).

A novel linear regression density peak clustering‐based transmission line protection for line‐commuted converter‐voltage source converter hybrid high voltage direct current system

AbstractLine‐commuted converter (LCC)–voltage source converter (VSC) hybrid high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is an innovative technology, the existing LCC and VSC protection require setting, and it is difficult to be directly applied in the LCC–VSC hybrid HVDC, which is a serious problem in practical engineering. A novel linear regression density peak clustering (LRDPC) approach is introduced for transmission line protection. LRDPC employs Least Squares linear regression to compute the fault current slope, followed by density peak clustering for fault type identification. The proposed protection structure is straightforward and setting‐less, eliminating the need for fault pole selection elements and classification thresholds. Validation on the Kun‐Liu‐Long LCC–VSC HVDC RTDS system demonstrates the method's effectiveness in identifying diverse faults under varying conditions, including fault types, locations, resistances, and signal‐to‐noise ratios. Notably, it remains robust against fault impedance (600 Ω) and noise interference (20 dB).

A regularized fourth-order adaptive method for seamless integration of charging station to the grid for EV and critical loads

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a real-time implementation and regularised fourth-order adaptive (RFOA) method of three-phase grid connectedsolar photo voltaic (SPV) array and battery-based charging station. The proposed system mainly uses a solar photovoltaic array and battery system to reduce the burden on the grid. The system feeds the surplus energy to the grid as well as operates during the outage and support the EV and home loads/critical loads. To minimise the error at various operating scenarios, the RFOA method is utilised for voltage source converter (VSC). The battery is integrated with DC link with the help of bi-directional converter. It works in boost mode when it is discharging and works in buck mode when it is charging. The perturbation & observation (P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is used to generate the reference DC link voltage. In order to improve the power quality of the charging station, the proposed system is designed to act as an active filter, load leveller, power factor corrector and reduce the harmonics to 5% as per IEEE 519 standards. The proposed charging is examined for different balanced and unbalanced load conditions and at the different environmental situations in MATLAB/Simulink based platform as well as in experimental test bed based on OPAL-RT platform.

A novel virtual synchronous port control strategy for microgrid cluster

AbstractInterconnecting multiple microgrids (MGs) to form a MG cluster (MGC) is significant to improve the MG power supply reliability and increase the new energy accommodation capacity. However, for the traditional MGC in complex operational conditions, the following technologies need to be further researched, such as mutual power support among MGs, voltage support and power quality improvement and so on. Focusing on the above problems, a novel virtual synchronous port control (VSPC) strategy for MGC is proposed. Firstly, a multi‐port soft open point (SOP) is used to interconnect each sub‐MG in the MGC, to achieve a better flexible interconnection among sub‐MGs. Secondly, on this basis, the VSPC strategy is proposed. By adopting the DC voltage control of multi‐port SOP and the virtual synchronisation control of interconnecting ports, multiple voltage source converters (VSCs) are cluster controlled to provide the sub‐MGs with superordinate ports with virtual synchronisation characteristics, which ensures the dynamic balance of the power inside the MGC and achieves better voltage and frequency support capability. Finally, the example results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed VSPC strategy.

Multiobjective Neuro-Fuzzy Controller Design and Selection of Filter Parameters of UPQC Using Predator Prey Firefly and Enhanced Harmony Search Optimization

This research introduces a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) that integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) system and battery energy systems (SBES) to address power quality (PQ) issues. The reference signals for voltage source converters of UPQC are produced by the Levenberg–Marquardt back propagation (LMBP) trained artificial neural network control (ANNC). This method removes the necessity for conventional dq0, abc complex shifting. Moreover, the optimal choice of parameters for the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was achieved through the integration of the enhanced harmony search algorithm (EHSA) and the predator-prey-based firefly algorithm (PPFA) in the form of the hybrid metaheuristic algorithm (PPF-EHSA). In addition, the algorithm is employed to optimize the selection of resistance and inductance values for the filters in UPQC. The primary objective of the ANNC with predator-prey-based firefly algorithm and enhanced harmony search algorithm (PPF-EHSA) is to enhance the stability of the DC-link capacitor voltage (DLCV) with reduced settling time amid changes in load, solar irradiation (G), and temperature (T). Moreover, the algorithm seeks to achieve a reduction in total harmonic distortion (THD) and enhance power factor (PF). The method also focuses on mitigating fluctuations such as swell, harmonics, and sag and also unbalances at the grid voltage. The proposed approach is examined through four distinct cases involving various permutations of loads and sun irradiation (G). However, in order to demonstrate the performance of the suggested approach, a comparison is conducted with the ant colony and genetic algorithms, i.e., (ACA) (GA), as well as the standard methods of synchronous reference frame (SRF) and instantaneous active and reactive power theory (p-q). The results clearly demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits a reduced mean square error (MSE) of 0.02107 and a lower total harmonic distortion (THD) of 2.06% compared to alternative methods.

Stability and control of VSC-based HVDC systems: A systematic review

The technological development in the area of power electronics has paved the way for the construction of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems. The utilization of HVDC grids alongside conventional High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) grids poses several challenges, especially, from stability and control points of view. Indeed, moving towards such systems in the context of conventional Alternating Current (AC) power systems cannot be possible without ensuring the overall stability of hybrid HVAC/HVDC grids. This paper analyzes different aspects of the stability of Voltage Source Converter (VSC)-based HVDC grids and presents various methods of improving stability based on a systematic and comprehensive review. In addition, this paper provides a concise classification of various control methods to improve the operation of such grids and the advantages of each method.

An emergency control considering current limitation and transient stability of virtual synchronous generator

AbstractWith the increasing application of renewable energy sources (RESs), more and more grid‐connected voltage‐source converters (VSCs) in the grid need to operate in a “grid‐forming” manner. However, when large disturbances occur in the grid, grid‐connected converters may lose synchronization and cause the current to exceed set limits. To ensure the stable and safe operation of VSC during large disturbances and to improve the power supply capacity during voltage dips of RES, this paper proposes an emergency control method that takes into account the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) current limit and transient stability based on a large‐signal mathematical model of the VSG during fault and normal states. The method divides the operation area of the VSG into non‐emergency area and emergency area. If the operating point is in the non‐emergency region after a fault, only the active power reference value is changed to avoid current exceeding the limit and transient instability; if the operating point is in the emergency region, the current exceeding the limit and transient instability are avoided by changing the active power reference value and adding in the virtual impedance. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified by simulation.

Grid-connected Systems Powered by Solar Energy Implemented with Fuzzy based Voltage Source Converters

Solar energy systems connected to the electrical grid are known as grid-tied solar power systems or solar power-connected grid systems. Grid-tied solar inverters are only capable of producing active electricity since they are made to produce power at a unity power factor. The grid alone can meet the load’s requirement for reactive power. Reactive power drawn from the grid relative to active power has increased significantly with the sharp rise in the deployment of distributed energy resources based on renewable energy. This has an impact on the grid’s power quality. The amount of reactive power that the grid must supply will decrease if the grid-tied solar inverter is designed to be intelligent enough to provide reactive power in addition to active power. This work’s primary goal is to generate the necessary pulses for a three-phase inverter, which will aid in producing reactive power and ultimately help achieve the work’s primary objective. Fuzzy logic is a complex approach that takes advantage of the flexibility and adaptability of fuzzy systems to manage Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) for three-phase inverter operation. The primary circuit is simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, giving the desired results.

Interval analysis of the small‐signal stability of grid‐connected voltage‐source converter system considering multiparameter uncertainty

AbstractGrid‐connected voltage source converters (VSCs) have been broadly applied in modern power system. However, instability issues may be triggered by the integration of grid‐connected VSCs, jeopardising the operation of the power grid. Conventional stability analysis methods can be utilised to derive system stability margins under nominal conditions. Whereas grid‐connected VSCs inevitably operate under multiparameter uncertainty, which may result in overly optimistic or even incorrect estimations of stability margins, thereby posing potential risks to system operation. To address this issue, an interval small‐signal stability analysis approach is proposed to investigate the system stability under multiparameter uncertainty. First, the interval state‐space model of the grid‐connected VSC system is constructed based on interval symbolic linearisation. Furthermore, the interval eigenvalue decomposition is introduced to calculate the interval eigenvalue distribution of the interval state‐space model. Eventually, the upper bounds of the real part of the dominant interval eigenvalues are utilised for deriving interval stable parameter regions. Results of Monte Carlo analysis and time‐domain simulations of the grid‐connected VSC system are utilised to verify the effectiveness of the proposed interval stability analysis method.

Stability analysis and improved control of voltage source converters based on impedance models in weak grids

Stability analysis and improved control of voltage source converters based on impedance models in weak grids

Design and Implementation of Single-Phase Grid-Connected Low-Voltage Battery Inverter for Residential Applications

Integrating residential energy storage and solar photovoltaic power generation into low-voltage distribution networks is a pathway to energy self-sufficiency. This paper elaborates on designing and implementing a 3 kW single-phase grid-connected battery inverter to integrate a 51.2-V lithium iron phosphate battery pack with a 220 V 50 Hz grid. The prototyped inverter consists of an LCL-filtered voltage source converter (VSC) and a dual active bridge (DAB) DC-DC converter, both operated at a switching frequency of 20 kHz. The VSC adopted a fast DC bus voltage control strategy with a unified current harmonic mitigation. Meanwhile, the DAB DC-DC converter employed a proportional-integral regulator to control the average battery current with a dynamic DC offset mitigation of the medium-frequency transformer’s currents embedded in the single-phase shift modulation scheme. The control schemes of the two converters were implemented on a 32-bit TMS320F280049C microcontroller in the same interrupt service routine. This work presents a synchronization technique between the switching signal generation of the two converters and the sampling of analog signals for the control system. The prototyped inverter had an efficiency better than 90% and a total harmonic distortion in the grid current smaller than 1.5% at the battery power of ±1.5 kW.