An Anti-Islanding Method for Single-Phase Inverters Based on a Grid Voltage Sensorless Control

The detection of the islanding condition of a distributed generation (DG) system is crucial for safety reasons, as discussed in the IEEE standards and specifically required by some national codes. Several anti-islanding methods that are resident in the inverter have been investigated and classified as passive (measurement of the natural effects of islanding) or active (based on the measurement of the effects due to transients or harmonics deliberately introduced in the system). In case the power drained by the load matches the power generated by the DG inverter, the effect of islanding is small, and the passive methods fail. However, the active methods, which have been developed to overcome these limits, create disturbances that can interact with those generated by other DG systems. In this paper, a new anti-islanding method is proposed. It exploits the natural sensitivity of a grid-voltage sensorless control to disturbances to highlight the islanding condition. The adopted grid-voltage sensorless control is adapted to a single-phase system with the use of resonant controllers based on the internal model control law: resonant-controller-based observer results. Then, a Kalman-filter-based algorithm is used to detect the islanding condition based on the energy mismatch between the estimated third and fifth harmonics and the real ones. Experimental results support the analysis     

基于功率扰动单相光伏并网系统的孤岛检测方法

由于光伏发电系统是通过逆变器作为桥梁与电力系统实现并网,为了保障电网安全稳定,抗孤岛检测成为光伏并网的关键技术之一。在研究现有传统被动式和主动式孤岛检测方法的基础上,根据电网稳定电压边界条件,通过设定阈值提出了基于光伏逆变输出功率扰动的复合式孤岛检测方法。结合IEEE.Std.2000-929和UL1741技术规范,阐述了该方法的工作机理、阈值整定与实现过程。仿真分析表明,该方法在逆变器输出功率与负载消耗功率匹配度较高时,能够实现快速的孤岛检测,无检测盲区和谐波污染,验证了理论方法的正确性,实现了光伏系统友好型并网。     

A $Q$– $f$ Droop Curve for Facilitating Islanding Detection of Inverter-Based Distributed Generation

This paper presents a new method for islanding detection of distributed generation (DG) inverter that relies on analyzing the reactive power versus frequency (Q-f) characteristic of the DG and the islanded load. The proposed method is based on equipping the DG interface with a Q-f droop curve that forces the DG to lose its stable operation once an islanding condition occurs. A simple passive islanding detection scheme that relies on frequency relays can then be used to detect the moment of islanding. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated under the IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 antiislanding test configuration. The studies reported in this paper are based on time-domain simulations in the power systems computer-aided design (PSCAD)/EMTDC environment. The results show that the proposed technique has negligible nondetection zone and is capable of accurately detecting islanding within the standard permissible detection times. In addition, the technique proves to be robust under multiple-DG operation.     

Current Weighting Distribution Control Strategy for Multi-Inverter Systems to Achieve Current Sharing

A current-weighting-distribution-control (CWDC) strategy for multi-inverter systems to achieve current sharing is presented in this paper. With a CWDC strategy, the inverters connected in parallel are allowed to have different power ratings and can achieve a weighted output current distribution by adding only simple circuits to each inverter. In such systems, each inverter has an outer voltage loop controller to govern system stability, an inner current loop controller to expedite dynamic response, and a weighting current controller to achieve current distribution and to reduce possible interactive effects among inverters. Experimental results from a two-inverter system and a three-inverter system have demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed strategy in weighting current distribution and fast regulation during a step-load change or hot-swap operation     

Wavelet-Based Islanding Detection in Grid-Connected PV Systems

Distributed power generation systems (DPGSs) based on inverters require reliable islanding detection algorithms (passive or active) in order to determine the electrical grid status and operate the grid-connected inverter properly. These methods are based on the analysis of the DPGS voltage, current, and power in time or frequency domain. This paper proposes a time-frequency detection algorithm based on monitoring the DPGS output power considering the influence of the pulsewidth modulation, the output LCL filter, and the employed current controller. Wavelet analysis is applied to obtain time localization of the islanding condition. Simulation and experimental results show the performance of the proposed detection algorithm in comparison with existing methods.     

主动电流幅值扰动的孤岛检测方法

本文根据光伏并网逆变器发生的孤岛效应原理,分析了被动式与主动式孤岛检测的优缺点,并提出了一种电流幅值扰动的孤岛检测方法,该方法有效地降低了被动式检测的非检测区域,同时不会对电网产生谐波污染。根据IEEE Std.1547中的规定对所提方法进行了理论分析,介绍了其工作过程,并给出了工作流程图,同时利用Matlab进行仿真,验证了该方法的有效性。     

A Simplified Control Method for the Grid-Connected Inverter With the Function of Islanding Detection

In this paper, a novel method for the voltage-controlled grid-connected inverter with the function of islanding detection is proposed for the distribution power generation system. The salient features of the proposed voltage-controlled grid-connected inverter are simple control circuit and fast transient response. Besides, an islanding detection method is proposed and incorporated into the controller of a voltage-controlled grid-connected inverter. The proposed islanding detection method will cause variation in amplitude and frequency of the load voltage when the utility is interrupted so as to immediately detect the islanding operation. A prototype is developed and tested to demonstrate the performance of the proposed voltage-controlled grid-connected inverter. The experimental results show that the performance of the proposed voltage-controlled grid-connected inverter is as expected.      

Topologies of single-phase inverters for small distributed power generators: an overview

This paper presents an overview of single-phase inverters developed for small distributed power generators. The functions of inverters in distributed power generation (DG) systems include dc-ac conversion, output power quality assurance, various protection mechanisms, and system controls. Unique requirements for small distributed power generation systems include low cost, high efficiency and tolerance for an extremely wide range of input voltage variations. These requirements have driven the inverter development toward simpler topologies and structures, lower component counts, and tighter modular design. Both single-stage and multiple-stage inverters have been developed for power conversion in DG systems. Single-stage inverters offer simple structure and low cost, but suffer from a limited range of input voltage variations and are often characterized by compromised system performance. On the other hand, multiple-stage inverters accept a wide range of input voltage variations, but suffer from high cost, complicated structure and low efficiency. Various circuit topologies are presented, compared, and evaluated against the requirements of power decoupling and dual-grounding, the capabilities for grid-connected or/and stand-alone operations, and specific DG applications in this paper, along with the identification of recent development trends of single-phase inverters for distributed power generators.     

光伏系统中孤岛效应检测技术的仿真分析

在简述了孤岛效应的原理及其危害的基础上,介绍了目前所采用的被动式和主动式孤岛检测技术。被动式检测方法存在检测盲区;主动式检测方法虽提高了检测的可靠性,但对逆变器的输出添加了扰动量,影响了输出电能的质量。最后对文中介绍的几种孤岛检测方式用MATLAB软件进行了仿真,实验结果符合美国IEEE2000-929的要求。     

Design methodology for the frequency shift method of islanding prevention and analysis of its detection capability

Islanding protection is one of the most important sources of discrepancy in grid‐connected photovoltaic systems. Even when islanding is not very likely to happen, regulations demand the photovoltaic inverters to implement effective protection methods. Due to its several advantages, the frequency shift method of islanding prevention, commonly known as Sandia Frequency Shift, is one of the most important active methods. This method implements a positive feedback of the frequency that tends to move it outside the trip limits in case of islanding. The method shows a very high detection capability, which depends on both the values of the method parameters and the characteristics of the load that remains in the same power section after islanding. This paper develops a mathematical analysis of the Sandia Frequency Shift method and proposes a new methodology to design its parameters as a trade‐off between the detection capability, which is evaluated as a function of the load characteristics, and the distortion that the method could introduce in the grid as a consequence of transitory frequency disturbances. The ability of this methodology to design the method parameters and achieve the highest detection capability is satisfactorily proved by means of both simulation and experimental results on a commercial photovoltaic inverter that implements the method once its parameters have been designed with the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel communication strategy for decentralized control of paralleled multi-inverter systems

A new communication strategy for decentralized control of paralleled multi-inverter systems is introduced in this paper. The proposed strategy utilizes the common mode signal's circuit in the paralleled system as a channel of communication between individual inverters. Source voltage synchronization for paralleled inverters is presented to demonstrate its effectiveness. One inverter module acts as a source and a synchronized signal is sent by means of frequency modulation in this channel to all other modules via the common mode current. Each module will then receive and transform the signal to be used as a synchronized voltage command for individual inverters. The approach enables synchronization in the paralleled multi-inverter system and the method is not affected by external factors such as load change, output voltage variation, and different types of loads. The principle of operation, performance of the proposed strategy, as well as the experimental evaluation with three single-phase paralleled inverters are discussed and presented in this paper.     

基于相位突变与电流扰动结合的并网孤岛检测

孤岛检测是分布式发电并网研究的难点,特别是在逆变器输出与负载功率平衡时难以检测出孤岛。针对常规孤岛检测方法存在检测盲区的缺陷,文中采用电压相位突变与主动电流扰动相结合的检测方法,该方法克服了采用单一的被动检测方法在近乎阻性负载下失效的问题,不存在检测盲区,可以实现快速有效的孤岛检测功能。仿真验证了该方法的正确性。     

A grid-interfacing power quality compensator for three-phase three-wire microgrid applications

This paper proposes a grid-interfacing power quality compensator for three-phase three-wire microgrid applications with consideration of both the power quality of the microgrid and the quality of currents flowing between the microgrid and utility system. It is proposed that two inverters connected in shunt and series are used for each distributed generation (DG) system in the microgrid. In each inverter, both positive- and negative-sequence components are controlled to compensate for the effects caused by the unbalanced utility grid voltages. Specifically, the shunt inverter is controlled to ensure balanced voltages within the microgrid and to regulate power dispatches among parallel-connected DG systems, while the series inverter balances the line currents by injecting appropriate voltage components. A current-limiting algorithm is also proposed and integrated within the inverter control schemes to protect the microgrid from large fault currents during utility voltage sags. The proposed compensator has been tested in simulations and experimentally using a laboratory hardware prototype.     

Multi-inverter UPS system with redundant load sharing control

The concept of a redundant multi-inverter UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system which includes extended monitoring of the status and the operating conditions of all power electronic equipment is described. Each block of the UPS system is monitored by two independent microcomputers that process the same data. The microcomputers are part of a redundant distributed monitoring system that is separately interlinked by two serial data buses through which they communicate. They establish a hierarchy among the participating blocks by defining one of the healthy inverter blocks as the master. The actual master runs the central synchronizing unit for the entire system, whereas the slave units perform the control of equal active and reactive load sharing. Operation and fault detection are experimentally illustrated in a dual inverter system with a rating of 10 kVA of redundant power     

Design, analysis, and real-time testing of a controller for multibus microgrid system

This paper concentrates on the design and analysis of a controller for multibus microgrid system. The controller proposed for use with each distributed generation (DG) system in the microgrid contains inner voltage and current loops for regulating the three-phase grid-interfacing inverter, and external power control loops for controlling real and reactive power flow and for facilitating power sharing between the paralleled DG systems when a utility fault occurs and the microgrid islands. The controller also incorporates synchronization algorithms for ensuring smooth and safe reconnection of the micro and utility grids when the fault is cleared. With the implementation of the unified controller, the multibus microgrid system is able to switch between islanding and grid-connected modes without disrupting the critical loads connected to it. The performance of this unified controller has been verified in simulation using a real-time digital simulator and experimentally using a scaled laboratory prototype.     

A high-power multitransistor-inverter uninterruptable power supplysystem

The active and reactive load distribution between n paralleled single-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) inverters is equalized by virtue of n-1 load-sharing control loops. The approach permits the construction of UPS systems of any desired power rating at maximum utilization of the power components. The method of harmonic cancellation decreases the switching frequency of the power devices while maintaining good dynamic performance. The design details of a 45 kVA UPS inverter system with 150% steady-state overload capability are presented. The performance under various operating conditions is illustrated by oscillograms     

Modeling, analysis, and implementation of parallel multi-inverter systems with instantaneous average-current-sharing scheme

Parallel multi-inverter systems can be designed to have the advantages of expandable output power, improved reliability, and easy N+X redundancy operation. However, a current-sharing control scheme has to be employed to enable the inverters to share the load current equally. A multi-inverter system with instantaneous average-current-sharing scheme is presented in this paper. By introducing a disturbance source to represent all the sources that may cause current unbalances, a model of the system can be built. Some key issues are discussed based on the model, including stability of the current-sharing controller, impedance characteristics and voltage regulation. Three experimental 110 VAC/1.1 kVA inverters are built and paralleled to verify the theoretical predictions.     

光伏并网发电系统中孤岛效应的研究和应用

光伏并网发电系统除了具有过压、欠压、过频、欠频等常规保护外,还应具有一种特殊的保护功能——孤岛保护。被动孤岛保护相对简单并易于实现,但当PV系统输出功率和负载匹配时,被动式孤岛检测方法失效。因此,本文采用被动式孤岛检测和主动频率偏移(AFD)相结合的孤岛检测方法,实现了孤岛效应的检测和故障保护。     

Decoupling Control Strategy for Single Phase SPWM Parallel Inverters

A deconpling control strategy of inverter parallel system is proposed based on the equivalent output impedance of single phase voltage source SPWM （sinusoidal pulse width modulation） inverter. The active power and reactive power are calculated in terms of output voltage and current of the inverter, and sent to the other inverters in the parallel system via controller area network （CAN） bus. By calculating and decoupling the circumfluence of the active power and reactive power, the inverters can share load current via the regulation of the reference-signal phase and amplitude. Experimental results of an 110V/2kVA inverter parallel system show the feasibility of the decoupling control strategy.     

High-Quality Power Generation Through Distributed Control of a Power Park Microgrid

Inverters are a necessary interface for several forms of distributed generation (DG) and where they form a microgrid they have the potential to offer high power quality. The challenge is to coordinate the actions of a group of inverters so that they offer the level of power quality known to be possible from fast local control of a single inverter. The case examined here is a power park of several inverter-based DG in relatively close proximity. A basic requirement is that the inverters regulate the grid voltage and share the real and reactive power demands according to their ratings. In small girds with high proportions of nonlinear and unbalanced loads it is also important to actively control the waveform quality in terms of harmonics, transient disturbances, and balance. Further, it is important that these duties are shared equally between the units rather than having one master unit taking the lead in the voltage control function. A constraint faced in designing a sharing system is the limited bandwidth of signal communication even over distances of a few meters. A control method is proposed that separates the control tasks in the frequency domain. Power sharing and voltage regulation are controlled centrally and commands are distributed through a low-bandwidth communication link. Waveform quality functions are controlled in high bandwidth controllers distributed to each local inverter. Experimental tests on a grid of three 10-kVA inverters are used to show that the method fully exploits the inherent fast response of the inverters while also ensuring voltage balance even with extreme load imbalance. It is shown that circulating currents are avoided during steady state and transients