Multi-Mode Operation and Control of a Z-Source Virtual Synchronous Generator in PV Systems

 ABSTRACT:

The increasing penetration of power electronics-based distributed energy resources (DERs) displacing conventional synchronous generators is rapidly changing the dynamics of large-scale power systems. As the result, the electric grid loses inertia, voltage support, and oscillation damping needed to provide ancillary services such as frequency and voltage regulation. This paper presents the multi-mode operation of a Z-source virtual synchronous generator (ZVSG). The converter is a Z-source inverter capable of emulating the virtual inertia to increase its stability margin and track its frequency. The added inertia will protect the system by improving the rate of change of frequency. This converter is also capable of operating under normal and grid fault conditions while providing needed grid ancillary services. In normal operation mode, the ZVSG is working in MPPT mode where the maximum power generated from the PV panels is fed into the grid. During grid faults, a low voltage ride through control method is implemented where the system provides reactive power to reestablish the grid voltage based on the grid codes and requirements. The proposed system operation is successfully validated experimentally in the OPAL-RT real-time simulator.

KEYWORDS:

1.      Impedance-source inverter

2.      Virtual synchronous generator

3.      Photovoltaic (PV) systems

4.      Low voltage ride through

SOFTWARE: MATLAB/SIMULINK

 BLOCK DIAGRAM:

 

 

Figure 1. Proposed ZVSG Converter Equipped With VSG And LVRT Control Algorithms.

 EXPECTED SIMULATION RESULTS:

Figure 2. Rocof Curves With Different Amounts Of (A) Inertia (H) And (B) Damping Constant (Dp ).

 

Figure 3. Comparison In Zvsg Current Increase While (A) The Converter Is Directly Connecte (100(Ma)_3:2_10000 D 3200a) And (B) A Pre-Synchronizing Control Method Is Hired To Decrease The Current Increment (200(Ma)_1_5000 D 1000a).

 

Figure 4. Multi-Mode Operation Of The Zvsg During (A) Normal Operation (C) Voltage Sage Occurrence At T1 And Switching To Lvrt Mode And (D) Returning To Normal Mode At T2.

 CONCLUSION:

This paper studied the multi-mode operation of an impedance-source virtual synchronous generator which is comprised of a single-stage ZSI, equipped with VSG control algorithm and is capable of providing grid ancillary services. Since the PLL may fail to detect the correct angle in case of harmonic distorted voltage, a virtual flux orientation control method is hired which can select the correct angle to be fed to Park transformation. The operation of the system has been tested while transitioning from islanded to grid-connected mode where, to protect the system against inrush current while connecting to the grid, a pre-synchronizing control method is used to minimize the phase difference between grid and converter. In addition, a solution to survive the system against voltage faults is embedded in the system which can regulate the reactive power based on the grid codes. Hence, the control paradigm will switch from MPP generation to LVRT mode after detecting voltage sag in the system. In this method, the peak of the grid current is kept constant during LVRT operation mode and ensures over current protection limit is not violated then. The ZVSG has been implemented in the OPAL-RT real-time digital simulator and its validity have been verified by conducting several case studies. The proposed seamless control frame-work helps to smoothly switch between normal and faulty conditions.

REFERENCES:

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