Mitigation of third‐harmonic voltage for three‐phase four‐wire distribution system based on a series active filter for neutral conductor

This paper proposes a series active filter for mitigation of the third‐harmonic voltage in a three‐phase four‐wire power distribution system in a building. The active filter which consists of a single‐phase inverter can suppress the harmonic voltage of the system. The active filter is characterized by acting not only as a capacitor but also as a resistor for the third‐harmonic components. A Hilbert transformer is applied to the controller of the active filter in order to realize accurate third‐harmonic detection on a single‐phase active filter. Measurement results of harmonic distortion of source voltage in a building is also shown in this paper. It is clarified in a simulation and experiment that the active filter can suppress the third‐harmonic voltage without increasing neutral conductor current. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(1): 62–70, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10379     

Phase‐Locked Loop Using Complex‐Coefficient Filters for Grid‐Connected Inverter

Recently, photovoltaic (PV) power systems have attracted considerable attention in attempts to mitigate global warming. In a PV power system, it is necessary to synchronize the grid voltage when a PV inverter is interconnected with a grid. This paper proposes a high‐speed and high‐precision phase‐locked loop (PLL) using complex‐coefficient filters for a single‐phase grid‐connected inverter. The proposed PLL can detect the phase of grid voltage that has superimposed harmonic components for grid fault. Moreover, numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

A self‐commutated back‐to‐back system and its performance under a single line‐to‐ground fault condition

This paper deals with a self‐commutated BTB (Back‐To‐Back) system for the purpose of power flow control and/or frequency change in transmission systems. Each BTB unit consists of two sets of 16 three‐phase voltage‐source converters, and their AC terminals are connected in series to each other via 16 three‐phase transformers. Hence, the BTB unit uses totally 192 switching devices capable of achieving gate commutation. This results in a great reduction of voltage and current harmonics without performing PWM control. Simulation results verify the validity of the proposed system configuration and control scheme not only under a normal operating condition but also under a single line‐to‐ground fault condition. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 143(3): 68–78, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10124     

Applying control scheme function of PV inverter for minimizing voltage fluctuation and imbalance with consideration of maximum PV generation

At present, connections of photovoltaic (PV) systems to low‐voltage (LV) distribution systems are growing rapidly because of the compliance with government policies, drop in the prices of PV technologies, and environmental awareness. Unfortunately, the high penetration of solar PV systems, which suffers from the intermittence of sunlight, leads to voltage fluctuation and voltage imbalance, thereby deteriorating the power quality. To cope with this problem, this paper proposes a control strategy of the PV inverter to improve the limiting and balancing of voltage profiles in an unbalanced, three‐phase, four‐wire LV distribution system. The control strategy is based on the real power limitation and the reactive power adjustment through a control scheme function that is embedded in all PV inverters for supporting high penetration of PV systems. However, real power limitation leads to less utilization of solar energy. Then, the concern on PV generation (real power) regarding voltage fluctuation and imbalance is optimally analyzed by multi‐objective particle swarm optimization. The optimal solution of the control scheme function is numerically demonstrated in a modified 29‐node LV distribution system. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A minute asymmetrical current injection based anti‐islanding method for three‐phase grid‐connected photovoltaic inverters

An active anti‐islanding protection method based on the current control for a three‐phase grid‐connected photovoltaic inverter is proposed in this paper. The current of phase‐a is synchronous with the corresponding phase voltage at the point of common coupling in its positive half cycle, and a zero‐current zone is inserted at the end of the cycle in a negative half cycle. As for phase‐c, the zero‐current zone is inserted in the positive half cycle of the current, and the current in a negative half cycle of phase‐c is in phase with the corresponding phase voltage. Therefore, the currents of phase‐a and phase‐c in one cycle become slightly asymmetrical. Before the islanding takes place, the positive and negative half cycles of three‐phase voltages are symmetrical due to the operation of the grid voltage. While islanding takes place, a time difference between the positive and negative half cycles of the voltages of phase‐a and phase‐c will be generated and the islanding is detected in accordance with the successive cycles fulfilling the conditions of islanding identification. In order to measure zero‐crossings of the voltages accurately, an finite impulse response filter is used to smooth out the voltage harmonics and noises. Simulations and experiments for three‐phase three‐wire power systems have been carried out. The results verify that the proposed method can detect the islanding for a parallel RLC load or induction motors when the voltage frequency is within the range of the non‐detection zone. It is seen from the analysis of the detecting principle that there is no influence of temporal voltage frequency fluctuation on the proposed method even if a large load connected to a weak power system frequently starts up or stops. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An electromagnetic transient simulation model of grid‐connected inverters for dynamic voltage analysis of distribution systems

Transient analysis is an indispensable tool for analyzing the voltage fluctuation of distribution systems according to the penetration of distributed generations with grid‐connected inverters. Electromagnetic transient (EMT) analysis is suitable for the purpose because it enables detailed modeling of the inverters and accurate simulation of their dynamic behavior. However, the EMT analysis requires a smaller calculation time step by a factor of 500 if the simulated power system includes the inverters. Simulation of the inverters is a bottleneck in speeding up the EMT analysis. This paper proposes a novel average‐value modeling method for the grid‐connected inverters. The proposed inverter model operates in a larger calculation time step, and speeds up the EMT analysis of distribution systems containing the inverters. The maximum error in the output power was 8% compared to the result by the conventional model. Dynamic voltage simulations are demonstrated with a test case, which includes tap changing transformers with a voltage controller and a photovoltaic generation facility. The proposed model reduces the required calculation time by a factor of 754 compared to the conventional model whereas there is no significant difference in the simulated result.     

Verification of Characteristics of a Boost‐Type Matrix Converter for a Three‐Phase Four‐Wire System

This paper describes an improvement to the control method of a boost‐type matrix converter (MC) for a three‐phase four‐wire system. The system is intended for use in a stand‐alone power source with a constant voltage and frequency. However, the conventional method is not able to control the output voltage with a low power‐factor load. To resolve this problem, we propose a new control method by using a MC and revising the conventional control method.     

The theory of instantaneous power in three‐phase four‐wire systems and its applications

This paper discusses “the p–q theory” and “the cross‐vector theory” in three‐phase four‐wire systems, with the focus on similarities and differences between the two theories. They are perfectly identical if no zero‐sequence voltage is included in a three‐phase three‐wire system. However, they are different in definition of the instantaneous active power and instantaneous reactive power in each phase if a zero‐sequence voltage or current is included in a three‐phase four‐wire system. Based on both theory and computer simulation, this paper leads to the following conclusions: An instantaneous reactive‐power compensator without energy storage components can fully compensate for the neutral current even in a three‐phase four‐wire system including a zero‐sequence voltage or current, when a proposed control strategy based on the p–q theory is applied: However, the compensator cannot compensate for the neutral current fully, when a conventional control strategy based on the cross‐vector theory is applied. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(3): 74–86, 2001     

Feasible enhancement of a three‐phase soft‐switching inverter with an auxiliary resonant DC link snubber

The purpose of this paper is to improve power conversion efficiency of a three‐phase voltage source type soft‐switching inverter with a single auxiliary resonant DC link (ARDCL) snubber. First, the operating principle of an ARDCL snubber discussed here is described. Second, this paper proposes an effective pulse pattern generation method of the zero voltage space vector of the three‐phase soft‐switching inverter using IGBTs or power modules that can reduce power losses in the ARDCL snubber treated here. In particular, a zero voltage holding interval in the DC rail busline of this three‐phase soft‐switching inverter is to be regulated according to the generation method of the zero voltage space vector. Third, the maximum modulation depth M_max under the condition of correction of the instantaneous voltage space vector can be improved by using a new zero voltage space vector generation method. Finally, the feasible experimental results of this inverter are obtained confirming the operating characteristics such as power conversion actual efficiency, as well as conventional efficiency THD and RMS value of the balanced three‐phase output voltage for an experimentally built three‐phase voltage source type soft‐switching pulse modulated inverter using the latest IGBT modules and evaluated from the standpoint of practical applications in industry UPS and new energy systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 146(1): 89–99, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10234     

Influence of distribution voltage control methods on maximum capacity of distributed generators

Recently, the number of distributed generators (DGs) connected to distribution systems has been increasing. It is important to know how large a generator output is permitted when the generators are connected to a distribution system with regulation of the line voltage, the line current, and the power factor of the generator connection point. The authors demonstrate differences of maximum output of the DGs caused by various voltage control systems in a short‐length system and a long‐length system by load flow calculation. The voltage regulation systems include the following six types: no control equipment, SVC (Static Var Compensator), existing SVR (Step Voltage Regulator), reverse flow type SVR which operates even in reverse flow, existing SVR and SVC, and reverse flow type SVR and SVC. A synchronous generator is considered as a DG in this paper. The calculation results show that the DG's maximum output is about 3300 kW in a short‐length system and about 540 kW in a long‐length system. However, the DG's maximum output increases to about 3750 kW on installing a SVC, and the SVC's capacity decreases on replacing an existing SVR with a reverse power flow type SVR in the long‐length system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(1): 8–17, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20050     

A new under‐voltage load shedding scheme for islanded distribution system based on voltage stability indices

Under‐voltage load shedding (UVLS) is an important technique to maintain the voltage stability and frequency of a power system network. UVLS has been applied widely in transmission systems to avoid system blackouts. However, with increasing penetration of distributed generation such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, the application of UVLS becomes important for islanded distribution systems. Under this condition, the network does not have a frequency reference as when it is connected to the grid. In this condition, when the load demand exceeds the PV capacity, UVLS is the only option to stabilize the system by shedding the load based on the changes of the voltage magnitude. In this work, a new UVLS scheme based on voltage stability indices is proposed. Four voltage stability indices are used as indicators for load shedding. Based on the stability indices, the loads that have the highest tendency of voltage collapse shall be the first ones to be shed. The proposed scheme is tested on a practical distribution network energized by a grid, a mini hydro generator, and a PV system. The test results on various scenarios prove that the proposed method is able to restore the system stability. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High‐efficiency grid‐connected inverter topology for low‐power photovoltaic applications

For low‐power applications, such as household photovoltaic panels, the efficiency and reliability of the distributed generation system is an important issue. A high‐efficiency inverter topology derived from the normal full‐bridge circuit is proposed for grid‐connected photovoltaic applications. In the proposed topology, a couple of diodes are added in parallel with the grid‐frequency switches as freewheeling diodes working during the positive and negative half‐cycles of the utility voltage, respectively, thus preventing the output current from flowing through the body diodes of switches. Because of its natural configuration, simple operation, and three‐level function, the proposed topology features a high level of efficiency and reliability over a wide voltage range, and allows the best cost–effective ratio. These characteristics are compared with those of other existing advanced topologies, followed by a theoretical analysis on the output filter and the implemented circuit of modulation scheme. Experimental results from a 3 kW hardware prototype verify the feasibility of the proposed solution. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Control of fault current limiter by series‐connected voltage sag compensator

This paper describes a control scheme of fault current limiter by series voltage injection. The current limiter proposed in this study is based on the use of a SMES‐based series‐connected voltage sag compensator, which has been previously studied by the authors, for controlling fault current caused by short circuit on the load side. An algorithm for fast discriminating between power system voltage sag and load‐side short circuit is proposed for the equipment to correctly function either for voltage sag compensation or for fault current limiting purpose. Furthermore, a new control strategy based on output voltage phase control of the series compensator is proposed for current limiting with good waveform characteristics and low active power absorption. Experimental results demonstrated the validity of the proposed strategy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(2): 64–72, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20128     

Maximum‐power‐point tracking method of photovoltaic power system using a single transducer

This paper describes a novel strategy of maximum‐power‐point tracking for photovoltaic power generation systems. A unique feature of this method is the capacity to see the maximum power point using only a single transducer, that is, a Hall‐effect CT or an isolation amplifier. Output power of the photovoltaic can be estimated with an average value and ripple amplitude of the detected reactor current or the capacitor voltage. A conventional hill‐climbing method is employed to seek the maximum power point, using the output power estimated with only the current or voltage transducer. In this paper, not only a theoretical aspect of the proposed method is discussed, but also experimental results are presented to prove the feasibility of the method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 160(1): 79– 86, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20275     

Output‐voltage feedback control topology for inverters dedicated to renewable energy systems

We present a new control topology for inverters, mainly dedicated to renewable energy applications. The originality is due to the integration in the inverter of an adaptive regulation of its output voltage controlled by a closed feedback loop allowing compensating the voltage drops induced by load variations. The feedback control is based on an adaptive pulse wave modulation (APWM) technique, that controls the power switches of the inverter to obtain the purest possible sine‐wave voltage. The APWM technique straightforwardly compares the inverter output voltage with a reference signal at the grid frequency. In this contribution, this technique is applied to a single‐phase push‐pull inverter but could have been integrated for the control of all kinds of inverter topologies in renewable energy systems. We have shown that the APWM technique allows generating pure sine‐wave voltage, with low total harmonic distortion compared with the generally obtained by classical systems and that load variations do not affect the quality of the output. An experimental prototype of a single‐phase inverter with an adaptive regulation based on APWM technique was developed. The experimental characterizations of the prototype confirm the simulations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of Automatic Voltage Regulator for Low‐Voltage Distribution Systems

This paper presents the development of a new type of voltage regulator that can adequately maintain the voltage supplied to customers, dealing with the problem of voltage control that accompanies the widespread use of photovoltaic power generation systems. The newly developed device is a pole‐mounted voltage regulator consisting of a step‐down transformer that converts from high voltage to low voltage and a series transformer for voltage compensation. A demonstration test conducted at the CRIEPI Akagi Test Center confirmed that the voltage control function of the proposed voltage regulator is satisfactory, based on the proposed control algorithm. Simulation analysis, under the assumption of clustered installation of photovoltaic power generation systems, confirmed that the introduction of the proposed voltage regulator allows the system voltage to be adequately maintained and makes full photovoltaic power generation possible without suppressing the output. We anticipate that our proposed voltage regulator will be effective for adequately regulating the voltage in low‐voltage distribution systems and will effectively promote even more widespread photovoltaic power generation.     

Single‐stage single‐switch PFC converter for wide‐input extreme step‐down voltage applications

This paper presents a new single‐stage single‐switch high power factor correction AC/DC converter suitable for low‐power applications (< 150 W) with a universal input voltage range (90–265 V_rms). The proposed topology integrates a buck–boost input current shaper followed by a buck and a buck–boost converter, respectively. As a result, the proposed converter can operate with larger duty cycles compared with the existing single‐stage single‐switch topologies, hence, making them suitable for extreme step‐down voltage conversion applications. Several desirable features are gained when the three integrated converter cells operate in discontinuous conduction mode. These features include low semiconductor voltage stress, zero‐current switch at turn‐on, and simple control with a fast well‐regulated output voltage. A detailed circuit analysis is performed to derive the design equations. The theoretical analysis and effectiveness of the proposed approach are confirmed by experimental results obtained from a 100‐W/24‐V_dc laboratory prototype. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A three‐phase voltage‐source PWM inverter system characterized by sinusoidal output voltage with neither common‐mode voltage nor normal‐mode voltage

This paper deals with an inverter system integrating a small‐rated passive EMI filter with a three‐phase voltage‐source PWM inverter. The purpose of the EMI filter is to eliminate both common‐mode and normal‐mode voltages from the output voltage of the inverter. The motivation of this research is based on the well‐known fact that the higher the carrier or switching frequency, the smaller and the more effective the EMI filter. An experimental system consisting of a 5‐kVA inverter, a 3.7‐kW induction motor, and a specially designed passive EMI filter was constructed to verify the viability and effectiveness of the EMI filter. As a result, it is shown experimentally that both three‐phase line‐to‐line and line‐to‐neutral output voltages look purely sinusoidal as if the inverter system were an ideal variable‐voltage, variable‐frequency power supply when viewed from the motor terminals. This results in complete solution of serious issues related to common‐mode and normal‐mode voltages produced by the inverter. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 145(4): 88–96, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10206     

Study of Low‐Voltage Ride‐Through Performance for Wind Power Generation with Doubly Fed Induction Generator

The introduction of wind power generation is increasing rapidly. The ratio of wind power generation to the total generation capacity is becoming higher and higher. When a phase‐to‐phase fault occurs in the power system, the frequency of the power system is lower due to disconnection of wind power generation with doubly fed induction generators (DFIG). Therefore, the power system might become unstable. This paper describes an LVRT (low‐voltage ride‐through) performance improvement scheme for wind power generation with DFIG. The wind power generator is disconnected from the grid in case of a power system fault. It is made to operate in isolation from the grid by controlling the inverters installed with the generators. After clearance of the power system fault, wind power generation is immediately reconnected to the grid. As a result, instability in the power system disappears. The performance of LVRT is confirmed by using the simulation software PSCAD/EMTDC. The simulation results show excellent results for the three‐phase short‐circuit fault with a voltage dip of 100%. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 185(1): 17–26, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.22423