An intelligent EGWO-SCA-CS algorithm for PSS parameter tuning under system uncertainties

This paper proposes a novel hybrid technique called enhanced grey wolf optimization-sine cosine algorithm-cuckoo search (EGWO-SCA-CS) algorithm to improve the electrical power system stability. The proposed method comprises of a popular grey wolf optimization (GWO) in an enhanced and hybrid form. It embraces the well-balanced exploration and exploitation using the cuckoo search (CS) algorithm and enhanced search capability through the sine cosine algorithm (SCA) to elude the stuck to the local optima. The proposed technique is validated with the 23 benchmark functions and compared with state-of-the-art methods. The benchmark functions consist of unimodal, multimodal function from which the best suitability of the proposed technique can be identified. The robustness analysis also presented with the proposed method through boxplot, and a detailed statistical analysis is performed for a set of 30 individual runs. From the inferences gathered from the benchmark functions, the proposed technique is applied to the stability problem of a power system, which is heavily stressed with the nonlinear variation of the load and thereby operating conditions. The dynamics of power system components have been considered for the mathematical model of a multimachine system, and multiobjective function has been framed in tuning the optimal controller parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm has been assessed by considering two case studies, namely, (i) the optimal controller parameter tuning, and (ii) the coordination of oscillation damping devices in the power system stability enhancement. In the first case study, the power system stabilizer (PSS) is considered as a controller, and a self-clearing three-phase fault is considered as the system uncertainty. In contrast, static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and PSS are considered as controllers to be coordinated, and perturbation in the system states as uncertainty in the second case study.     

Stability enhancement of induction generator–based series compensated wind power plants by alleviating subsynchronous torsional oscillations using BFOA‐optimal controller tuned STATCOM

In this paper, a STATCOM (static synchronous compensator) is used to encounter the potential SSR (subsynchronous resonance) observed by IG (Induction Generator) based series compensated wind farms. The basic controller used for STATCOM control is identical to that of the literature. An idea of a unique meta‐heuristic swarm‐based optimization technique called BFOA (bacterial foraging optimization algorithm) based optimal‐controller is introduced for optimal parameter selection of the basic controller used in the control scheme of the STATCOM. The investigation is carried out with 500 MW IG‐based wind farm exposed to three‐phase LLL‐G fault close to the PCC (point of common coupling) and implemented with MATLAB in both steady and transient states for the three different cases, namely, without STATCOM, with the basic STATCOM controller, and in the presence of the proposed BFOA‐optimal controller‐based STATCOM. In both the states, the observed eigenvalues of the test system, together with the time domain results of the generator rotor dynamics for three distinct cases, reveals the effectiveness of the suggested BFOA‐optimal controller tuned STATCOM in mitigating the potential SSR.     

Performance Comparison of Circuits for Pole‐Mounted STATCOM Using SiC Devices

The recent years have seen an increasing trend in the cumulative installed capacity of distributed generators. As a result, voltage management may become difficult in existing power distribution systems in the future. A STATCOM (STAtic synchronous COMpensator) is a promising option for solving this problem because it can control reactive power rapidly and continuously. For a distribution system, STATCOM needs to be pole‐mounted to realize its low cost. However, a transformer for a STATCOM is large and heavy, and hence it is difficult to install a STATCOM on a distribution pole. We adopt a transformerless STATCOM to reduce STATCOM size and use SiC devices with low‐loss performance to obtain a more compact and efficient STATCOM. There are a large number of circuits available for a STATCOM, and there has been considerable research on performance comparisons among these circuits. However, these comparisons were drawn under different conditions, including switching frequency and level number for the circuits. In addition, these comparisons do not include the use of SiC devices. We made an equitable comparison for a 100 kVa pole‐mounted STATCOM using SiC devices. We discuss the performance and characteristics of each circuit in terms of efficiency and volume.     

An improved partheno genetic algorithm for multi-objective economic dispatch in cascaded hydropower systems

The multi-objective economic dispatch (MOED) problem in cascaded hydropower systems is a complicated nonlinear optimization problem with a group of complex constraints. In this paper, an improved partheno genetic algorithm (IPGA) for resolving the MOED problem in hydropower energy systems based on the non-uniform mutation operator is proposed. In the new algorithm, the crossover operator is removed and only mutation operation is made, which makes it simpler than GA in the genetic operations and not generate invalid offspring during evolution. With the help of incorporating greedy selection idea into the non-uniform mutation operator, IPGA searches the solution space uniformly at the early stage and very locally at the later stage, which makes it avoid the random blind jumping and stay at the promising solution areas. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to a realistic hydropower energy system with two giant scale cascaded hydropower plants in China. Compared with other algorithms, the results obtained using IPGA verify its superiority in both efficiency and precision.     

Energy,exergy and exergo-environmental impact assessment of a solid oxide fuel cell coupled with absorption chiller & cascaded closed loop ORC for multi-generation

A novel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) multigeneration system fueled by biogas derived from agricultural waste (maize silage) is designed and analyzed from the view point of energy and exergy analysis. The system is proposed in order to limit the greenhouse gas emissions as it uses a renewable energy source as a fuel. Electricity, domestic hot water, hydrogen and cooling load are produced simultaneously by the system. The system includes a solid oxide fuel cell; which is the primary mover, a biogas digester subsystem, a cascaded closed loop organic Rankine cycle, a single effect LiBr-water absorption refrigeration cycle, and a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer subsystem. The proposed cascaded closed-loop ORC cycle is considered as one of the advanced heat recovery technologies that significantly improve thermal efficiency of integrated systems. The thermal performance of the proposed system is observed to be higher in comparison to the simple ORC and the recuperated ORC cycles. The integration of a splitter to govern the flue gas separation ratio is also introduced in this study to cater for particular needs/demands. The separation ratio can be used to vary the cooling load or the additional power supplied by the ORC to the system. It is deduced that net electrical power, cooling load, heating capacity of the domestic hot water and total energy and exergy efficiency are 789.7 kW, 317.3 kW, 65.75 kW, 69.86% and 47.4% respectively under integral design conditions. Using a parametric approach, the effects of main parameters on the output of the device are analyzed. Current density is an important parameter for system performance. Increasing the current density leads to increased power produced by the system, decreased exergy efficiency in the system and increased energy efficiency. After-burner, air and fuel heat exchangers are observed to have the highest exergy destruction rates. Lower current density values are desirable for better exergy-based sustainability from the exergetic environmental impact assessment. Higher current density values have negative effect on the environment.     

Comparison of MPC based advanced hybrid controllers for STATCOM in medium scale PEM fuel cell systems

In this article is about off grid medium scale Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell (FC) Renewable Energy System (FCRES). It is aimed to investigate the elimination of reactive power on the loads fed from the FCRES by using PI-Model Predictive Control (PI-MPC), Fractional PI (PI^λ)-Model Predictive Control (PI^λ−MPC) and Two-Degree of Freedom PI (2DOFPI)-Model Predictive Controller (2DOFPI-MPC). The effectiveness of these controllers were examined and compared both when controlling reactive power and using different control techniques. The reactive power was attempted to be eliminated using Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM). An advanced controller structure has been introduced by controlling capacitor voltages by switching 24 IGBTs in the 5-level inverter within its structure. In this way, the efficiency of the system was increased. The system was simulated in MATLAB/Simulink environment. System consisted of FC, STATCOM, loads, filter, coupling inductance, measurement units and advanced hybrid controllers. In the study, system behavior was also examined in the case of compensation in the system consisting of FCs working off grid.     

Dynamic modelling of a solar hydrogen system for power and ammonia production

A new configuration of solar energy-driven integrated system for ammonia synthesis and power generation is proposed in this study. A detailed dynamic analysis is conducted on the designed system to investigate its performance under different radiation intensities. The solar heliostat field is integrated to generate steam that is provided to the steam Rankine cycle for power generation. The significant amount of power produced is fed to the PEM electrolyser for hydrogen production after covering the system requirements. A pressure swing adsorption system is integrated with the system that separates nitrogen from the air. The produced hydrogen and nitrogen are employed to the cascaded ammonia production system to establish increased fractional conversions. Numerous parametric studies are conducted to investigate the significant parameters namely; incoming beam irradiance, power production using steam Rankine cycle, hydrogen and ammonia production and power production using TEGs and ORC. The maximum hydrogen and ammonia production flowrates are revealed in June for 17th hour as 5.85 mol/s and 1.38 mol/s and the maximum energetic and exergetic efficiencies are depicted by the month of November as 25.4% and 28.6% respectively. Moreover, the key findings using the comprehensive dynamic analysis are presented and discussed.     

大型光伏电站角形级联STATCOM电压控制策略

大型光伏电站并网后,给配电网乃至输电网的电压、电能质量等带来一系列的影响。静止同步补偿器(STATCOM)可稳定公共连接点电压并提高分布式电源的低电压穿越能力。提出了一种适用于大型光伏电站角形级联STATCOM的电压控制策略,能够支撑电网正序电压,减少公共连接点电压波动,并抑制公共连接点负序电压,改善电网电压不平衡;再结合角形级联STATCOM相电流与线电压的约束关系,给出了角形级联STATCOM相电流指令获取方法;最后,在PSCAD中搭建仿真模型验证了所提控制方法的正确性和有效性。     

一种级联电力电子变压器直流电压平衡控制策略

基于功率反馈的双闭环功率均衡策略是级联型电力电子变压器隔离级DC-DC变换环节的一种典型控制策略。该策略优点之一是控制过程中明确了变换器传递功率指令这一变量,可以通过对其作处理来调节隔离级传递功率,进而实现多种功能。基于此提出一种改进的整流电压平衡控制策略,在DC-DC变换器各级单元功率指令上引入相应前级整流电压偏差补偿量,通过调节隔离级各单元功率分配以自动实现整流侧直流电压平衡。最后通过仿真与实验验证了这种功率指令补偿式电压平衡策略的有效性。     

Robust nonlinear control of a variable-pitch quadrotor with the flip maneuver

This paper presents robust nonlinear control of a variable-pitch quadrotor with the flip maneuver. Backstepping approach is chosen for nonlinear control design. A control allocation loop dynamically computes the blade pitch angle of each rotor. A systematic method to select controller gains is presented that ensures closed-loop stability. Detailed analysis of the flip maneuver in the presence of input saturation is presented for the first time. Performance of the proposed control law is first verified through simulation. This is then implemented on a PixHawk open source autopilot board and flight tests are performed on an off-the-shelf variable-pitch quadrotor frame.