skip to main content


Title: A State-Space Model of an Inverter-Based Microgrid for Multivariable Feedback Control Analysis and Design
In this work, a synchronous model for grid-connected and islanded microgrids is presented. The grid-connected model is based on the premise that the reference frame is synchronized with the AC bus. The quadrature component of the AC bus voltage can be cancelled, which allows to express output power as a linear equation for nominal values in the AC bus amplitude voltage. The model for the islanded microgrid is developed by integrating all the inverter dynamics using a state-space model for the load currents. This model is presented in a comprehensive way such that it could be scalable to any number of inverter-based generators using inductor–capacitor–inductor (LCL) output filters. The use of these models allows designers to assess microgrid stability and robustness using modern control methods such as eigenvalue analysis and singular value diagrams. Both models were tested and validated in an experimental setup to demonstrate their accuracy in describing microgrid dynamics. In addition, three scenarios are presented: non-controlled model, Linear-Quadratic Integrator (LQI) power control, and Power-Voltage (PQ/Vdq) droop–boost controller. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategies and the accuracy of the models to describe microgrid dynamics.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1828443
NSF-PAR ID:
10174183
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Energies
Volume:
13
Issue:
12
ISSN:
1996-1073
Page Range / eLocation ID:
3279
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. 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
  2. null (Ed.)
    Microgrids (MGs) comprising multiple interconnected distributed energy resources (DERs) with coordinated control strategies can operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes. In the grid-connected mode, the frequency and bus voltages are maintained by the utility grid. In the islanded mode, the DERs maintain the frequency and bus voltages in the MG. This paper presents a load demand sharing strategy in an islanded voltage source inverter-based microgrid (VSI-MG). The survivability of the interconnected MG in the presence of a single fully loaded VSI in an islanded VSI-MG is investigated. The concept of virtual synchronous machines (VSM) that enables the modeling of the VSI to emulate the inertia effect of synchronous machines is applied and then a Jacobian-based approach is formulated that takes into account, the capacity of the VSI. Simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the approach. 
    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. Cascaded Connected Microinverter (CCM) system takes the advantage of adapting low voltage stress submodules to build the high voltage output, which makes it easier and safer to achieve for many applications. The distribution of active and reactive power in the CCM system has always been interdependent, resulting in additional communication components in different submodules. Such communication components within different submodules can be avoided by droop control. Droop control is widely adopted in parallel inverter system, and it originates from the synchronous generator that active power is controlled by adjusting synchronous generator's frequency and reactive power is controlled by adjusting its output voltage. However, the traditional droop control is not suitable for the cascaded microinverter inverter system. Therefore, it's necessary to modify the droop control to make it suitable for Cascaded Microinverter system, and therefore a control method called inverse droop control is adopted for cascaded inverter system under island mode. However, it requires a large feeder inductor when it's grid connected since every submodule works as voltage source inverter. In this paper, a duality control method that feedbacks each submodule's active power and reactive power to adjust its inductor current amplitude and frequency respectively is proposed. Compared with traditional cascaded inverter system that's controlled by inverse droop control method, the big line frequency feeder inductor is saved. 
    more » « less
  5. This paper proposes a combination of cell-level energy processing and a Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter (CHBMLI) for medium voltage, grid connected, battery energy storage systems. One isolated converter (Dual Active Bridge DC-DC Converter) manages each cell in the Battery Module, and the combination of Battery module and converter modules are cascaded to get the multi-level ac output voltage. The operating principle and control design of cell level isolated converter with double frequency ripple power, and the control strategy of the CHBMLI are presented. The performance of the battery cell level CHBMLI system with a 9-level inverter at small scale power level is validated through the simulations in MATLAB ® /SIMULINK ® software. The configuration holds promise for improving the performance and reliability of the battery modules at the cell level while also providing cell level galvanic isolation and high ac voltage. 
    more » « less