Abstract:Fast and accurate monitoring of the phase, amplitude, and frequency of the grid voltage is essential for single-phase grid-connected converters. The presence of DC offset in the grid voltage is detrimental to not only grid synchronization but also the closed-loop stability of the grid-connected converters. In this paper, a new synchronization method to mitigate the effect of DC offset is presented using arbitrarily delayed signal cancelation (ADSC) in a second-order generalized integrator (SOGI) phase-locked loop (PLL). A frequency-fixed SOGI-based PLL (FFSOGI-PLL) is adopted to ensure better stability and to reduce the complexity compared with other SOGI-based PLLs. A small-signal model of the proposed PLL is derived for the systematic design of proportional-integral (PI) controller gains. The effects of frequency variation and ADSC on the proposed PLL are considered, and correction methods are adopted to accurately estimate grid information. The simulation results are presented, along with comparisons to other single-phase PLLs in terms of settling time, peak frequency, and phase error to validate the proposed PLL. The dynamic performance of the proposed PLL is also experimentally validated. Overall, the proposed PLL has the fastest transient response and better dynamic performance than the other PLLs for almost all performance indices, offering an improved solution for precise grid synchronization in single-phase applications.

Abstract:DC microgrids (DCMGs) integrate and coordinate various DC distribution generation units including various renewable energy sources and battery storage systems, and have been used in satellites, the International Space Station, telecom power stations, computer power supplies, electric aircraft, and electric ships. However, the presence of constant power loads (CPLs) can cause instability in DCMGs. Thus, this paper reviews the stabilization techniques that can resolve instability caused by CPLs, as well as various parameters of CPLs, such as bandwidth, and the frequency of the CPLs that can stabilize the DCMGs. It also discusses recent trends and future work in finding stability limits using the parameters of CPLs. It should be useful for directing research towards appropriate mathematical and experimental approaches for the stability of DCMGs with CPLs.

Abstract:Grid frequency variation causes phase angle deviation in current with respect to voltage. This is sensed at the phase-locked loop in the controller. In past studies the effect of grid frequency variation is neglected while designing the controller for power quality restoration. When modern grids are connected to large numbers of non-linear loads and various types of distributed generation (DG), it results in continuous variation in grid frequency. Thus it is necessary to consider the grid frequency variation for effective power quality restoration. However, tuning of conventional PI controller gains considering frequency variation is very difficult. Thus it is necessary to develop an adaptive intelligent nonlinear controller to tackle the effects of frequency variation, voltage distortion and non-linear load simultaneously. This paper presents the importance of considering the effects of the frequency variation, grid voltage distortion and non-linear load, while designing and deploying a controller for power quality restoration. The proposed controller supplies power to local load as well as transferring surplus power to the grid from DG along with the additional benefit of improving grid power quality. A DG with an ANFIS optimized PI current controller for power quality enhancement is proposed. The method is economical as it requires no additional hardware. Results are compared with PI, PI-RC and fuzzy current controllers to validate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Abstract:Multi terminal VSC-HVDC systems are a promising solution to the problem of connecting offshore wind farms to AC grids. Optimal power sharing and appropriate control of DC-link voltages are essential and must be maintained during the operation of VSC-MTDC systems, particularly in post-contingency conditions. The traditional droop control methods cannot satisfy these requirements, and accordingly, this paper proposes a novel centralized control strategy based on a look-up table to ensure optimal power sharing and minimum DC voltage deviation immediately during post-contingency conditions by considering converter limits. It also reduces destructive effects (e.g., frequency deviation) on onshore AC grids and guarantees the stable operation of the entire MTDC system. The proposed look-up table is an array of data that relates operating conditions to optimal droop coefficients and is determined according to N-1 contingency analysis and a linearized system model. Stability constraints and contingencies such as wind power changes, converter outage, and DC line disconnection are considered in its formation procedure. Simulations performed on a 4-terminal VSC-MTDC system in the MATLAB-Simulink environment validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control strategy.

Abstract:New energy integration and flexible demand response make smart grid operation scenarios complex and changeable, which bring challenges to network planning. If every possible scenario is considered, the solution to the planning can become extremely time-consuming and difficult. This paper introduces statistical machine learning (SML) techniques to carry out multi-scenario based probabilistic power flow calculations and describes their application to the stochastic planning of distribution networks. The proposed SML includes linear regression, probability distribution, Markov chain, isoprobabilistic transformation, maximum likelihood estimator, stochastic response surface and center point method. Based on the above SML model, capricious weather, photovoltaic power generation, thermal load, power flow and uncertainty programming are simulated. Taking a 33-bus distribution system as an example, this paper compares the stochastic planning model based on SML with the traditional models published in the literature. The results verify that the proposed model greatly improves planning performance while meeting accuracy requirements. The case study also considers a realistic power distribution system operating under stressed conditions

Abstract:Fault current magnitude in a microgrid depends upon its mode of operation, namely, grid-connected mode or islanded mode. Depending on the type of fault in a given mode, separate protection schemes are generally employed. With the change in microgrid operating mode, the protection scheme needs to be modified which is uneconomical and time inefficient. In this paper, a novel optimal protection coordination scheme is proposed, one which enables a common optimal relay setting which is valid in both operating modes of the microgrid. In this context, a common optimal protection scheme is introduced for dual setting directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) using a combination of various standard relay characteristics. Along with the two variables, i.e., time multiplier setting (TMS) and plug setting (PS) for conventional directional overcurrent relay, dual setting DOCRs are augmented with a third variable of relay characteristics identifier (RCI), which is responsible for selecting optimal relay characteristics from the standard relay characteristics according to the IEC-60255 standard. The relay coordination problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, and the settings of relays are optimally determined using the genetic algorithm (GA) and the grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm. To validate the superiority of the proposed protection scheme, the distribution parts of the IEEE-14 and IEEE-30 bus benchmark systems are considered.

Abstract:Wind farms are integrated with the power grid system to provide active and reactive power. Because in a wind farm, wind turbines (WTs) are highly coupled to their operating conditions, a central wind farm supervisory unit must take into account these conditions when producing power control references for each WT. The aim of this paper is to manage and control the active and reactive power of wind farms based on squirrel cage induction generators and back-to-back converters. The proportional distribution algorithm is used for distributing wind farm power to individual WTs. In addition, we consider the development of a local power management and control units for WTs. This is in order to extract the maximum available power from the wind, and to provide the active and reactive power predetermined by the transmission system operator, or to satisfy the grid code requirements considering Low Voltage Ride-through capability. The power dispatch strategy is to be used on all WTs using the distribution algorithm while ensuring the control loops using the proposed Active Disturbance Rejection Control strategy. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategies are efficient and can guarantee the safe integration of wind farms into the grid while respecting grid code requirements and power system stability.

Abstract:This paper presents fault detection, classification, and location for a PV-Wind-based DC ring microgrid in the MATLAB/SIMULINK platform. Initially, DC fault signals are collected from local measurements to examine the outcomes of the proposed system. Accurate detection is carried out for all faults, (i.e., cable and arc faults) under two cases of fault resistance and distance variation, with the assistance of primary and secondary detection techniques, i.e. second-order differential current derivative (d2I3dt2) and sliding mode window-based Pearson’s correlation coefficient. For fault classification a novel approach using modified multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (M-MFDFA) is presented. The advantage of this method is its ability to estimate the local trends of any order polynomial function with the help of polynomial and trigonometric functions. It also doesn’t require any signal processing algorithm for decomposition resulting and this results in a reduction of computational burden. The detected fault signals are directly passed through the M-MFDFA classifier for fault type classification. To enhance the performance of the proposed classifier, statistical data is obtained from the M-MFDFA feature vectors, and the obtained data is plotted in 2-D and 3-D scatter plots for better visualization. Accurate fault distance estimation is carried out for all types of faults in the DC ring bus microgrid with the assistance of recursive least squares with a forgetting factor (FF-RLS). To verify the performance and superiority of the proposed classifier, it is compared with existing classifiers in terms of features, classification accuracy (CA), and relative computational time (RCT).

Abstract:In existing power system networks, the positioning and sizing of multi-DG is critical at the optimum locations for effective energy management. Initially optimal power flow is assessed using the NR method (without DG) in which performance parameters such as real power loss, accuracy, selectivity and MSE are obtained, but in an undesirable manner. To meet load demand; multi-DGs are placed and their optimal locations are assessed by the proposed heuristic probability distribution methodology and an ANN because existing techniques provides poor performance parameters for selecting the location and sizing of DGs. The optimal positions of multi-DGs are estimated in terms of performance parameters including real power loss of transmission network, accuracy, selectivity and MSE, while the performance parameters obtained with the ANN are better than the heuristic pdf. Then, the sizing of multi-DGs is evaluated in relation to active and reactive power. It is found that that sizes of multi-DGs are smaller with ANN than with heuristic pdf. It is preferable to connect the buses having lowest real power losses with the smallest multi-DGs. The performance analysis is tested in the standard IEEE 9- bus and IEEE 57- bus systems on Simulink. To improve the distortion level in real and reactive power, multi-FACTS namely TCSC, TSC and STATCOM are used. The switching of TCSC and TSC is done by SPWM while STATCOM switching is controlled with ANFIS. The locations of multi-FACTS devices are chosen for buses having larger distortion and the sizing of multi-FACTS devices is also optimally decided. The application of multi-FACTS devices helps to improve power quality and fulfill load demand with minimal size in order to make the system economical.

Abstract:Growing application of distributed generation units at remote places has led to the evolution of microgrid (MG) technology. When an MG system functions independently, i.e., in autonomous mode, unpredictable loads and uncertainties emerge throughout the system. To obtain stable and flexible operation of an autonomous MG, a rigid control mechanism is needed. In this paper, a robust high-performance controller is introduced to improve the performance of voltage tracking of an MG system and to eliminate stability problems. A combination of a resonant controller and a lead-lag compensator in a positive position feedback path is designed, one which obeys the negative imaginary (NI) theorem, for both single-phase and three-phase autonomous MG systems. The controller has excellent tracking performance. This is investigated through considering various uncertainties with different load dynamics. The feasibility and effectiveness of the controller are also determined with a comparative analysis with some well-known controllers, such as linear quadratic regulator, model predictive and NI approached resonant controllers. This confirms the superiority of the designed controller.

Abstract:Microgrids (μ-grids) are gaining increased interest around the world for supplying cheap and clean energy. In this paper, a μ-grid comprising a wind turbine generator (WTG) and diesel generator (DG) is considered. It is one of most practical and demanding systems suitable for the present energy crisis in isolated or rural areas. However, wind energy is intermittent in nature while load demand changes frequently. Therefore, a µ-grid can experience large frequency and power fluctuations. The speed governor of the DG tries to minimize the frequency and power deviations in µ-grid though its operation is slow and cannot adequately minimize system deviations. The paper proposes a novel arrangement based on a dual structured fuzzy (DSF) whose structure changes according to the switching limit with a reduced rule base. It has the capability to switch between proportional and integral actions and hence improves the frequency regularization of the μ-grid. The proposed strategy is tested in a μ-grid and the results considering step load alteration, load alteration at different instants of time, nonstop changing load request are compared with some of the well published methods to validate the effectiveness and simplicity of the present design. In addition, it shows that ultra-capacitor establishment in a μ-grid has a positive impact in minimizing system deviations with DSF for the studied cases.

Abstract:Mission-critical IEC 61850 system architectures are designed to tolerate hardware failures to achieve the highest reliability performance. Hence, multi-channel systems are used in such systems within industrial facilities to isolate machinery when there are process abnormalities. Inevitably, multi-channel systems introduce Common Cause Failure (CCF) since the subsystems can rarely be independent. This paper integrates CCF into the Markov reliability model to enhance the model flexibility to investigate synchronous generator intra-bay SCN architecture reliability performance considering the quality of repairs and CCF. The Markov process enables integration of the impact of CCF factors on system performance. The case study results indicate that CCF, coupled with imperfect repairs, significantly reduce system reliability performance. High sensitivity is observed at low levels of CCF, whereas the highest level of impact occurs when the system diagnostic coverage is 99% based on ISO 13849-1, and reduces as the diagnostic coverage level reduces. Therefore, it is concluded that the severity of CCF depends more on system diagnostic coverage level than the repair efficiency, although both factors impact the system overall performance. Hence, CCF should be considered in determining the reliability performance of mission-critical communication networks in power distribution centres.

Abstract:Power system faults can often result in excessively high currents. If sustained for a long time, such high currents can damage system equipment. Thus, it is desirable to operate the relays in the minimum possible time. In this paper, a busbar splitting approach is used for adaptive relay setting and co-ordination purposes for a system integrity protection scheme (SIPS). Whenever a fault occurs, the busbar splitting scheme splits a bus to convert a loop into a radial structure. The splitting schemes are chosen such that the net fault current is also reduced. Busbar splitting eliminates the dependency upon minimum breakpoints set (MBPS) and reduces the relay operating time, thus making it adaptive. The proposed methodology is incorporated into the IEEE 14-bus and IEEE 30-bus systems with single and multiple fault conditions. The modeling and simulation carried out in ETAP, and the results of the proposed busbar splitting-based relay co-ordination are compared with the MBPS splitting-based relay co-ordination.

Abstract:The multi-port energy router (ER) is an effective topology for integrating train traction load, AC load, the energy storage system and photovoltaic(PV) energy. The start and stop process of urban rail transit trains and the access of distributed energy sources to rail transit ER lead to serious fluctuations of DC bus power, so it is necessary to route energy between different ports, involving multi-operating modes, while seamless switching is a major challenge. In this paper, a hierarchical coordinated control strategy is proposed to enable the multi-port ER to operate in a coordinated fashion under the conditions of train parking, acceleration, constant power driving and deceleration, and to switch seamlessly under various working conditions. The energy central dispatching layer sends working condition instructions by sampling the state information of each port, while the microgrid control layer adopts centralized control, receiving upper working condition instructions and sending drive signals to the local control layers to maintain the balanced energy flow of each port. In the local control layers, the PV adopts the improved perturbation and observation method of power control (PC-P&O), while the ES system adopts voltage loop control with an SOC influence factor, voltage loop control with switching factor and power loop control according to the different working conditions, so as to transmit the required train load power accurately and maintain the stability of the DC bus voltage. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical coordination control is verified by MATLAB/Simulink simulations.

Abstract:The multi-port energy router (ER) is an effective topology for integrating train traction load, AC load, the energy storage system and photovoltaic(PV) energy. The start and stop process of urban rail transit trains and the access of distributed energy sources to rail transit ER lead to serious fluctuations of DC bus power, so it is necessary to route energy between different ports, involving multi-operating modes, while seamless switching is a major challenge. In this paper, a hierarchical coordinated control strategy is proposed to enable the multi-port ER to operate in a coordinated fashion under the conditions of train parking, acceleration, constant power driving and deceleration, and to switch seamlessly under various working conditions. The energy central dispatching layer sends working condition instructions by sampling the state information of each port, while the microgrid control layer adopts centralized control, receiving upper working condition instructions and sending drive signals to the local control layers to maintain the balanced energy flow of each port. In the local control layers, the PV adopts the improved perturbation and observation method of power control (PC-P&O), while the ES system adopts voltage loop control with an SOC influence factor, voltage loop control with switching factor and power loop control according to the different working conditions, so as to transmit the required train load power accurately and maintain the stability of the DC bus voltage. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical coordination control is verified by MATLAB/Simulink simulations.

Abstract:In this work, chaos game optimization (CGO), a robust optimization approach, is employed for efficient design of a novel cascade controller for four test systems with interconnected power systems (IPSs) to tackle load–frequency control (LFC) difficulties. The CGO method is based on chaos theory principles, in which the structure of fractals is seen via the chaotic game principle and the fractals’ self-similarity characteristics are considered. CGO is applied in LFC studies as a novel application, which reveals further research gaps to be filled. For practical implementation, it is also highly desirable to keep the controller structure simple. Accordingly, in this paper, a CGO-based controller of fractional-order (FO) proportional–integral–derivative–FO proportional–integral (FOPID–FOPI) controller is proposed, and the integral time multiplied absolute error performance function is used. Initially, the proposed CGO-based FOPID–FOPI controller is tested with and without the nonlinearity of the governor dead band for a two-area two-source model of a non-reheat unit. This is a common test system in the literature. A two-area multi-unit system with reheater–hydro–gas in both areas is implemented. To further generalize the advantages of the proposed scheme, a model of a three-area hydrothermal IPS including generation rate constraint nonlinearity is employed. For each test system, comparisons with relevant existing studies are performed. These demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme in reducing settling time, and frequency and tie-line power deviations.

Abstract:

Abstract:Offshore wind farms (OWFs) have received widespread attention for their abundant unexploited wind energy potential and convenient locations conditions. They are rapidly developing towards having large capacity and being located further away from shore. It is thus necessary to explore effective power transmission technologies to connect large OWFs to onshore grids. At present, three types of power transmission technologies have been proposed for large OWF integration. They are: high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission, high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, and low-frequency alternating current (LFAC) or fractional frequency alternating current transmission. This work undertakes a comprehensive review of grid connection technologies for large OWF integration. Compared with previous reviews, a more exhaustive summary is provided to elaborate HVAC, LFAC, and five HVDC topologies, consisting of line-commutated converter HVDC, voltage source converter HVDC, hybrid-HVDC, diode rectifier-based HVDC, and all DC transmission systems. The fault ride-through technologies of the grid connection schemes are also presented in detail to provide research references and guidelines for researchers. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation of the seven grid connection technologies for large OWFs is proposed based on eight specific indicators. Finally, eight conclusions and six perspectives are outlined for future research in integrating large OWFs.

Abstract:A general growth is being seen in the use of renewable energy resources, and photovoltaic cells are becoming increasingly popular for converting green renewable solar energy into electricity. Since the voltage produced by photovoltaic cells is DC, an inverter is required to connect them to the grid with or without transformers. Transformerless inverters are often used for their low cost and low power loss, and light weight. However, these inverters suffer from leakage current in the system, a challenge that needs to be addressed. In this paper, a topology with two alternative connection models is presented to stabilize the common mode voltage and reduce the leakage current. The output voltage characteristic of the proposed inverter is five-level, which reduces the harmonic distortion in the output current compared to the two- and three-level inverters. The operation modes and output of the proposed topology are described and analyzed. The structures of the proposed inverter are simulated in MATLAB/Simulink and are compared with some well-known structures. Results show that the proposed structure with both connection models effectively reduces leakage current and improves grid current THD.