• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1123-1130
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• 2018

Voltage stabilization is an essential component of power quality in low voltage DC (LVDC) microgrid. The microgrid demands the interconnection of a number of small distributed power resources, including variable renewable generators. Therefore, the voltage can be maintained in a stable manner through the control of these distributed generators. In this study, we did research on the new advanced operating method for a photovoltaic (PV) simulator in order to achieve interconnection to a bipolar LVDC microgrid. The validity of this voltage stabilization method, using the distributed generators, is experimentally verified. The test LVDC microgrid is configured by connecting the developed PV simulator and DC load, DC line, and AC/DC rectifier for connecting the main AC grid. The new advanced control method is applied to the developed PV simulator for the bipolar LVDC grid in order to stabilize the gird voltage. Using simulation results, the stabilization of the grid voltage by PV simulator using the proposed control method is confirmed the through the simulation results in various operation scenarios.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1223-1234
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• 2018

In this paper, a new three-port multidirectional DC-DC converter is proposed for integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to a bipolar DC microgrid (BPDCMG). The proposed converter provides a voltage-balancing function for the BPDCMG and adjusts the charge of the ESS. Thanks to the multi-functional operation of the proposed converter, the conversion stages of the system are reduced. In addition, the efficiency and weight of the system are improved. Therefore, this converter has a significant capability when it comes to use in portable BPDCMGs such as electric DC ships. The converter modes are analyzed and small-signal models of the converter in each of the independent modes are extracted. Finally, comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and a BPDCMG laboratory prototype is implemented in order to verify the performance of the proposed voltage balancer using the burst mode control scheme.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.786-794
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• 2015

In this paper, a new power control strategy for the bipolar-type low voltage direct current (LVDC) distribution system is being proposed. The dc distribution system is considered as an innovative system according to the increase of dc loads and dc output type distribution energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage systems (ESS). Since the dc distribution system has many advantages such as feasible connection of DERs, reduction of conversion losses between dc output sources and loads, no reactive power issues, it is very suitable solution for new type buildings and residences interfaced with DERs and ESSs. In the bipolar-type, if it has each grid-interfaced converter, both sides (upper, lower-side) can be operated individually or collectively. A complementary power control strategy using two ESSs in both sides for effective and reliable operation is proposed in this paper. Detailed power control methods of the host controller and local controllers are described. To verify the performances of the proposed control strategy, simulation analysis using PSCAD/EMTDC is being performed where the results show that the proposed strategy provides efficient operations and can be applied to the bipolar-type dc distribution system.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.11
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• pp.1800-1805
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• 2016

The micro-grid designed as bipolar ${\pm}750V$ low-voltage DC power distribution system demonstrated by KEPRI, demands interconnection of a number of small decentralized power source including variable renewable generator. Therefore, variable researches for the influence of interconnection with the bipolar typed DC grid and these variable power sources are required for superior quality of power distribution. Renewable power generation simulators for the bipolar ${\pm}750V$ low-voltage DC power distribution system are necessary for such researches. In this paper, we carry out a research on the photovoltaic simulator that be actually able to interconnect with a bipolar ${\pm}750V$ low-voltage micro-grid. Simulator for this research is not only able to simulate photovoltaic generation according to weather informations and PV modules characteristics, but also contribute to stabilization of bipolar ${\pm}750V$ low-voltage of the system. Therefore, the simulator was designed to develop a system that can situationally respond to variable control algorithms such as the MPPT control, droop control, EMS power control, etc.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1595-1607
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• 2018

In this paper, a hierarchical control strategy is introduced to control a new three-port multidirectional DC-DC converter for integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to a bipolar DC microgrid (BPDCMG). The proposed converter provides a voltage-balancing function for the BPDCMG and adjusts the states of charge (SoC) of the ESS. Previous studies tend to balance the voltage of the BPDCMG buses with active sources or by transferring power from one bus to another. Furthermore, the batteries available in BPDCMGs were charged equally by both buses. However, this power sharing method does not guarantee efficient operation of the whole system. In order to achieve a higher efficiency and lower energy losses, a triple-layer hierarchical control strategy, including a primary droop controller, a secondary voltage restoration controller and a tertiary optimization controller are proposed. Thanks to the multi-functional operation of the proposed converter, its conversion stages are reduced. Furthermore, the efficiency and weight of the system are both improved. Therefore, this converter has a significant capability to be used in portable BPDCMGs such as electric DC ships. The converter modes are analyzed and small-signal models of the converter are extracted. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out and a BPDCMG laboratory setup is implemented in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed converter and its hierarchical control strategy. Simulation and experimental results show that using the proposed converter mitigates voltage imbalances. As a result, the system efficiency is improved by using the hierarchical optimal power flow control.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1609-1618
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• 2015

DC microgrids are considered as prospective systems because of their easy connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) and electric vehicles (EVs), reduction of conversion loss between dc output sources and loads, lack of reactive power issues, etc. These features make them very suitable for future industrial and commercial buildings' power systems. In addition, the bipolar-type dc system structure is more popular, because it provides two voltage levels for different power converters and loads. To keep voltage balanced in such a dc system, a bidirectional dual buck-boost voltage balancer with direct coupling is introduced based on P-cell and N-cell concepts. This results in greatly enhanced system reliability thanks to no shoot-through problems and lower switching losses with the help of power MOSFETs. In order to increase system efficiency and reliability, a novel burst-mode control strategy is proposed for the dual buck-boost voltage balancer. The basic operating principle, the current relations, and a small-signal model of the voltage balancer are analyzed under the burst-mode control scheme in detail. Finally, simulation experiments are performed and a laboratory unit with a 5kW unbalanced ability is constructed to verify the viability of the bidirectional dual buck-boost voltage balancer under the proposed burst-mode control scheme in low-voltage bipolar-type dc microgrids.