Volume 15, Issue 1 -

This paper presents a modulation strategy for self-balancing of capacitor voltages of three-phase neutral-point clamped bi-directional rectifier (without feedback controller and sensors). It is identified that regions within a sector are divided into two categories: (a) One small vector among three selected vectors and (b) Two small vectors among three selected vectors. For category (a) positive and negative commutation state of small vector is implemented for equal duty cycle but for category (b) positive and negative commutation state of small vectors is implemented for unequal duty cycle. Based on this observation, an innovative idea is executed to remove these discrepancies. The innovative optimized space vector switching sequences negative and positive commutation state of both the small vectors are implemented for equal duty cycle during each sampling period resulting in self-balancing of DC-bus capacitors with much reduced ripples under steady-state and dynamic load conditions for both rectification and inversion mode of operation. The converter exhibits excellent performance in terms of other critical parameters like unity input power factor, low input current THD, minimum possible switching losses, reduced-rippled and well-regulated DC voltage. The proposed control algorithm is tested through exhaustive simulation of converter using MATLAB Simulink software.

A constant frequency hysteresis current control technique for a three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) has been developed for AC drives, power quality and renewable energy applications. This paper presents a digital implementation of a constant frequency hysteresis current control technique for a three-phase VSI feeding an inductive load, using digital signal controller TMS320F2812. The limitations of variable frequency hysteresis control have been discussed and overcoming these limitations by means of digital implementation has been proposed. The complete design procedure of the proposed technique has been presented with an illustrative example. The three-phase VSI feeding an inductive load has also been simulated by using MATLAB and the simulation results have been presented. The hardware results of hysteresis current controlled three-phase VSI feeding an inductive load have been presented. Also the performance analysis of the hysteresis current controller has been presented. Operation of this controller has also been explained with a help of phase plane trajectory of hysteresis controller.

This paper presents an IHQRR (integrated high-quality rectifier regulator) BIBRED (boost integrated buck rectifier energy storage DC-DC) converter-based VSI (voltage source inverter)-fed BLDC (brushless DC) motor drive. The speed control of BLDC motor is achieved by controlling the DC link voltage of the VSI using a single voltage sensor. This allows VSI to operate in fundamental frequency switching mode for electronic commutation of BLDC motor which reduces the switching losses due to high-frequency switching used in conventional approach of PWM (pulse width modulation)-based VSI-fed BLDC motor drive. A BIBRED converter is operated in a dual-DCM (discontinuous conduction mode) thus using a voltage follower approach for PFC (power factor correction) and DC link voltage control. The performance of the proposed drive is evaluated for improved power quality over a wide range of speed control and supply voltage variation for demonstrating the behavior of proposed drive. The power quality indices thus obtained are within the recommended limits by international PQ (power quality) standards such as IEC 61000-3-2.

Industrial applications such as welding, plasma cutting, and surface hardening require a large DC current at low voltage. In such applications, the rating of power supply varies from few kilowatts to hundreds of kilowatts. The power supply employs in such applications particularly in arc welding process is expected to operate from open-circuit (no-load) to short-circuit (when the electrode sticks to the workpiece for a short span of time) quickly. In this paper, high-frequency isolated multiphase DC–DC converter is proposed which is well suited for aforementioned applications. Based on mathematical analysis, a simulation study with 5 kW, 5 V/1,000 A proposed model is carried out using Simulink block set and Sim Power System tool box and its performances are evaluated under symmetrical control methods. To verify the simulation results, scaled prototype model of rating 1.5 V/100 A is developed and tested with aforementioned control method under different operating conditions. In comparison with conventional welding power supply employed in many industries, the performance of proposed converter is improved significantly in terms of size and weight, efficiency and dynamic response.

This paper presents a control of distributed generation (DG) system subjected to sudden rise in demand, faults on the distribution feeder and unbalanced load condition. The effects of line to ground faults on the system are investigated and control measures are taken to stabilize the generator speed and to improve voltage quality at the point of common coupling (PCC). The static shunt compensator (STATCOM) is connected at PCC to provide voltage support during sudden demand rise and fault on feeder. Moreover, the STATCOM control is devised such that even during unbalanced load condition the converter current and hydro-turbine–driven induction generator current is balanced. Owing to this, the double power frequency oscillations in the dc-link voltage and torque pulsations in generator can be averted. The STATCOM also supplies reactive power to the load. In addition to this, generation-demand mismatch is moderated using real and reactive power controllers. To demonstrate the performance of the DG system with the said control approach, model of system is simulated in Matlab–Simulink environment and the results are presented.

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate transient stability constrained available transfer capability (ATC). A linear and fast line flow–based (LFB) method was adopted to optimize the ATC values. This enabled the direct determination of the system source–sink locations. This paper formulated different market transactions considering bilateral and multilateral impacts in the stability constrained ATC. The proposed method was demonstrated on the WECC 9-bus and IEEE 39-bus systems. The critical energy performance index (CEPI) enabled the direct identification of candidates for contingency screening based on ranking. This index helped to reduce the list of credible contingencies for ATC evaluation and, therefore, the computation time. The results of the proposed ATC method are consistent with the literature and can be deployed for fast assessment of the impact of transactions in an electric power system.

Considering electrical network as a continuum has become popular for electromechanical wave analysis. This paper reviews the concept of electromechanical wave propagation. Analysis of large number of generator ring system will be an easy way to illustrate wave propagation. The property of traveling waves is that the maximum and minimum values do not occur at the same time instants and hence the difference between these time delays can be easily calculated. The homogeneous, isotropic 10 generator ring system is modeled using electromagnetic transient simulation programs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the time delays and wave velocities using Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD)/Electromagnetic Transient Program (EMTP). The disturbances considered here are generator disconnections and line trips.

Distribution systems are undergoing significant changes as they evolve toward the grids of the future, which are known as smart grids (SGs). The perspective of SGs is to facilitate large-scale penetration of distributed generation using renewable energy sources (RESs), encourage the efficient use of energy, reduce systems’ losses, and improve the quality of power. Photovoltaic (PV) systems have become one of the most promising RESs due to the expected cost reduction and the increased efficiency of PV panels and interfacing converters. The ability to forecast power-production information accurately and reliably is of primary importance for the appropriate management of an SG and for making decisions relative to the energy market. Several forecasting methods have been proposed, and many indices have been used to quantify the accuracy of the forecasts of PV power production. Unfortunately, the indices that have been used have deficiencies and usually do not directly account for the economic consequences of forecasting errors in the framework of liberalized electricity markets. In this paper, advanced, more accurate indices are proposed that account directly for the economic consequences of forecasting errors. The proposed indices also were compared to the most frequently used indices in order to demonstrate their different, improved capability. The comparisons were based on the results obtained using a forecasting method based on an artificial neural network. This method was chosen because it was deemed to be one of the most promising methods available due to its capability for forecasting PV power. Numerical applications also are presented that considered an actual PV plant to provide evidence of the forecasting performances of all of the indices that were considered.

This work discusses an experimental performance of a four-leg Distribution Static Compensator (DSTATCOM) using an adaptive filter based approach. It is used for estimation of reference supply currents through extracting the fundamental active power components of three-phase distorted load currents. This control algorithm is implemented on an assembled DSTATCOM for harmonics elimination, neutral current compensation and load balancing, under nonlinear loads. Experimental results are discussed, and it is noticed that DSTATCOM is effective solution to perform satisfactory performance under load dynamics.