skip to main content


Title: Stability Analysis of Multiple Grid-Connected Inverters Using Different Feedback Currents
Distributed generation is gaining greater penetration levels in distribution grids due to government incentives for integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) and DER cost reductions. The frequency response of a grid-connected single inverter changes as other inverters are connected in parallel due to the couplings among grid inductance and/or inverter output filters. The selection of the inverter- or grid-side currents as feedback control signals is then not trivial because each one has tradeoffs. This paper analyses the system stability for multiple parallel- and grid-connected inverters using the inverter- or gridside currents as feedback signals. Modeling of both feedback signals is performed using the current separation technique. Moreover, the stability range for different conditions including active damping is analyzed through the root locus technique. The grid-side current has a wider range of stability, but the inverterside current allows for higher values of the proportional gain near the critical frequency and no extra sensors are needed since measurement of the inverter current is needed for protection in high-power applications.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1747757
NSF-PAR ID:
10084331
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
2018 9th IEEE International Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems (PEDG)
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1 to 7
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Microgrid are gaining popularity due to several advantages like potential for fuel savings and resiliency in case of grid catastrophic failures. In a microgrid, many energy sources like wind and solar farms are connected to the grid through inverters with different power ratings and LCL filter parameters. The inverters incorporated in these systems might have a different frequency response and stability ranges than those inverters with identical LCL filter values. This paper establishes the model and analyzes the stability of a system with multiple paralleled- and grid-connected inverters with different LCL filter paramenters using the grid-side currents as feedback signals. The analysis results showed that a method similar to the interactive and common current analysis technique used on inverters with identical LCL filters can be implemented on a system with different LCL filers to calculate the maximum values of the inverters’ current controller gains without having to derive the complicated equations of the MIMO system. 
    more » « less
  2. null (Ed.)
    The interconnection of distributed energy resources (DERs) in microgrids (MGs) operating in both islanded and grid-connected modes require coordinated control strategies. DERs are interfaced with voltage source inverters (VSIs) enabling interconnection. This paper proposes a load demand sharing scheme for the parallel operation of VSIs in an islanded voltage source inverter-based microgrid (VSI-MG). The ride-through capability of a heavily loaded VSI-MG, where some of the VSIs are fully loaded due to the occurrence of an event is investigated. In developing analytical equations to model the VSI, the concept of virtual synchronous machines (VSM) is applied to enable the VSI mimic the inertia effect of synchronous machines. A power frame transformation (PFT) that takes the line ratios of the MG network into account is also incorporated to yield satisfactory transient responses of both network frequency and bus voltages in the MG network. A Jacobian-based method is then developed to take into account the operational capacity of each VSI in the VSI-MG. The resulting amendable droop control constrains the VSIs within their power capabilities when an event occurs. Simulation results presented within demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure which has great potential to facilitate efforts in maintaining system reliability and resiliency. 
    more » « less
  3. Second-order ripples occur in the voltage and current during any DC–AC power conversion. These conversions occur in the voltage source inverters (VSIs), current source inverters (CSIs), and various single-stage inverters (SSIs) topologies. The second-order ripples lead to oscillating source node currents and DC bus voltages when there is an interconnection between the AC and DC microgrids or when an AC load is connected to the DC bus of the microgrid. Second-order ripples have various detrimental effects on the sources and the battery storage. In the storage battery, they lead to the depletion of electrodes. They also lead to stress in the converter or inverter components. This may lead to the failure of a component and hence affect the reliability of the system. Furthermore, the second-order ripple currents (SRCs) lead to ripple torque in wind turbines and lead to mechanical stress. SRCs cause a rise in the temperature of photovoltaic panels. An increase in the temperature of PV panels leads to a reduction in the power generated. Furthermore, the second-order voltage and current oscillations lead to a varying maximum power point in PV panels. Hence, the maximum power may not be extracted from it. To mitigate SRCs, oversizing of the components is needed. To improve the lifespan of the sources, storage, and converter components, the SRCs must be mitigated or kept within the desired limits. In the literature, different methodologies have been proposed to mitigate and regulate these second-order ripple components. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of different effects of second-order ripples on different sources and the methodologies adopted to mitigate the ripples. Different active power decoupling methodologies, virtual impedance-based methodologies, pulse width modulation-based signal injection methodologies, and control methods adopted in distributed power generation methods for DC microgrids have been presented. The application of ripple control methods spans from single converters such as SSIs and VSIs to a network of interconnected converters. Furthermore, different challenges in the field of virtual impedance control and ripple mitigation in distributed power generation environments are discussed. This paper brings a review regarding control methodologies to mitigate and regulate second-order ripples in DC–AC conversions and microgrids. 
    more » « less
  4. This paper discusses the challenges faced by electric power systems due to the increasing use of inverter-based renewable energy resources (IBRs) operating in grid-following mode (GFL) and the limited support they provide for the grid’s reliability and stability. With increased IBRs connected to the grid, electric utilities are increasingly requiring IBRs to behave like traditional grid-forming (GFM) synchronous generators to provide support for inertia, frequency, voltage, black start capability, and more. The paper focuses on developing GFM inverter technologies with L, LC, and LCL filters and investigates the performance of combined GFM and GFL inverters with different filtering mechanisms when supplying different types of loads. It also emphasizes achieving voltage controllability at the point of common coupling of the GFM with the rest of an AC system. EMT simulation is utilized to investigate the interaction of combined GFM and GFL inverters with different filtering mechanisms. The research results will assist electric utilities in ensuring the reliability and stability of electric power systems in the future. 
    more » « less
  5. The growing penetration of renewable resources such as wind and solar into the electric power grid through power electronic inverters is challenging grid protection. Due to the advanced inverter control algorithms, the inverter-based resources present fault responses different from conventional generators, which can fundamentally affect the way that the power grid is protected. This paper studied solar inverter dynamics focused on negative-sequence quantities during the restoration period following a grid disturbance by using a real-time digital simulator. It was found that solar inverters can act as negative-sequence sources to inject negative-sequence currents into the grid during the restoration period. The negative-sequence current can be affected by different operating conditions such as the number of inverters in service, grid strength, and grid fault types. Such negative-sequence responses can adversely impact the performance of protection schemes based on negative-sequence components and potentially cause relay maloperations during the grid restoration period, thus making system protection less secure and reliable. 
    more » « less