• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2013

This study designs and tests a photovoltaic system with distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) methodology using a field programmable gate array (FPGA) controller. Each solar panel in the distributed PV system is equipped with a newly designed DC/DC converter and the panel's voltage output is regulated by a FPGA controller using PI control. Power from each solar panel on the system is optimized by another controller where the quadratic maximization MPPT algorithm is used to ensure the panel's output power is always maximized. Experiments are carried out at atmospheric insolation with partial shading conditions using 4 amorphous silicon thin film solar panels of 2 different grades fabricated by Chi-Mei Energy. It is found that distributed MPPT requires only 100ms to find the maximum power point of the system. Compared with the traditional centralized PV (CPV) system, the distributed PV (DPV) system harvests more than 4% of solar energy in atmospheric weather condition, and 22% in average under 19% partial shading of one solar panel in the system. Test results for a 1.84 kW rated system composed by 8 poly-Si PV panels using another DC/DC converter design also confirm that the proposed system can be easily implemented into a larger PV power system. Additionally, the use of NI sbRIO-9642 FPGA-based controller is capable of controlling over 16 sets of PV modules, and a number of controllers can cooperate via the network if needed.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.433-441
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• 2020

This study proposes a constant power tracking algorithm to compensate for the intermittent characteristics of Photovoltaic connected to a DC micro grid. A PV-ESS integrated module in which distributed ESS is additionally connected is utilized for the proposed algorithm. PV performs P&O MPPT control at all times. To supplement the intermittent characteristics of PV, the proposed constant power tracking algorithm maintains constant power by operating the distributed ESS of the PV-ESS integrated module in accordance with the output state of the PV. By performing PSIM simulation and an experiment, this study verifies the performance of the integrated module of PV-ESS for DC micro grids applying the constant power tracking algorithm.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1141-1151
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• 2016

This study proposes a novel islanding detection method for distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems with multi-inverters based on a combination of the power line carrier communication and Sandia frequency shift islanding detection methods. A parameter design method is provided for the novel scheme. On the basis of the designed parameters, the effect of frequency measurement errors and grid line impedance on the islanding detection performance of PV systems is analyzed. Experimental results show that the theoretical analysis is correct and that the novel method with the designed parameters has little effect on the power quality of the inverter output current. Non-detection zones are not observed, and a high degree of reliability is achieved. Moreover, the proposed islanding detection method is suitable for distributed PV systems with multi-inverters.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.47-59
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• 2017

As the global warming threats to humanity, renewable energy is considered the key solution to overcome the climate change. In this circumstance, distributed PV systems are being expanded significantly its market share in the renewable energy industry. The performance of inverter is the most important component at PV system and numerous researches are focusing on it. In order to improve the inverter, PV simulator is an essential device to experiment under various load and conditions. This paper proposes the PV Power-Hardware-In-Loop simulator (PHILS) with real-time processing converted electrical and mathematical models to improve computation speed. Single-diode PV model is used in MATLAB/SIMULINK for the PV PHILS to boosting computation speed and dynamic model accuracy. In addition, control algorithms for sub-components such as DC amplifier, measurement device and several interface functions are implemented in the model. The proposed PV PHILS is validated by means of experiments with commercial PV module parameters.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.480-485
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• 2012

Use of photovoltaic (PV) power generation system will become more widespread in the future due to anticipated cost reduction in PV technology. As the capacity of PV systems increases, a variation of power system frequency may prevent the stable output of PV system. However, the standard for the frequency protection of distributed generation in Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)'s rule does not include the setting of frequency protection. Therefore, this paper analyzes the correlation between the frequency protection requirements and the stability of grid-connected PV system for the adjustable operating setting of frequency protection. The distribution system interconnected with 3 MW PV system is modeled by Matlab/Simulink. The various values of frequency are simulated. For studied cases, the stability of PV system is analyzed. It is concluded that the setting of frequency protection is necessary to consider the stability of PV system.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.70-76
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• 2012

In general, the unidirectional power flow is normal in distribution feeders before activation of distributed power source such as PV. However, the interactive power flow is likely to occur in case of the power system under distributed generation. This interactive power flow can cause an unexpected effect on convectional protection coordination systems designed based only on the unidirectional power flow system. When the power line system encounters a problem, the interactive power flow can be a contributed current source and this makes the fault current bigger or smaller compared to the unidirectional case. The effect of interactive power flow is varied depending on the location of the point to ground fault, relative location of the PV, and connection method. Therefore it is important to analyse characteristics of fault current and interactive flow for various transformer connection and location of the PV. This paper proposes a method of improved protection coordination which can be adopted in the protective device for customers in distribution feeders interconnected with the PV. The proposed method is simulated and analysed using PSCAD/EMTDC under various conditions.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2005.07a
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• pp.64-67
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• 2005

Many anti-islanding methods have been developed and tested in pratice. Generally, it seems to be possible to include effective and reliable anti-islanding methods in the PV inverter However, it is difficult to detect islanding phenomenon in the case of multiple systems in the same distribution line. In this paper, the islanding possibility of distributed PV generation system is analyzed and discussed to detect islanding phenomenon.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers B
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.509-516
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• 2004

The concerns of distributed generations including photovoltaic(PV) system have been increased around the world since PV system is becoming widespread as a clean and gentle energy source for earth. In the future high density grid-connected PV systems will be interconnected with distribution network. As a result, the stability and long-term reliability of PV systems have become more important issues in this area. Grid-connected PV systems have been installed and monitored at field demonstration test center(FDTC) and also data acquisition system(DAS) has been constructed for measuring and analyzing performance of PV system to observe the overall effect of environmental conditions on their operation characteristics. The performance of PV system has been evaluated and analyzed for component perspective (PV array and power conditioning system) and global perspective (system efficiency, capacity factor, and electrical power energy) by field test and loss factors of PV system.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.59.2-59.2
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• 2011

This study presents a new method for coupling ArcGIS (popular GIS software) with TRaNsient SYstems Simulation (TRNSYS, reference software for researchers and engineers around the world) to use capabilities of the 4 and 5-parameter PV array performance models within the ArcGIS environment. Using the validated and industry-proven solar energy simulation models implemented in TRNSYS and other built-in ArcGIS functionalities, dynamic characteristics of distributed PV potential in terms of hourly, daily or monthly power outputs can be investigated with considerations of diverse options in selecting and mounting PV panels. In addition, the proposed method allows users to complete entire procedures in a single framework (i.e., a preliminary site survey using 3D building models, shading analyses to investigate usable rooftop areas with considerations of different sizes and shapes of buildings, dynamic energy simulation to examine the performances of various PV systems, visualization of the simulation results to understand spatially and temporally distributed patterns of PV potential). Therefore tedious tasks for data conversion among multiple softwares can be significantly reduced or eliminated. While the programming environment of TRNSYS is proprietary, the redistributable executable, simulation kernel and simulation engine of TRNSYS can be freely distributed to end-users. Therefore, GIS users who do not have a license of TRNSYS can also use the functionalities of solar energy simulation models within ArcGIS.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.161-163
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• 2005

The capability of unity-interactive type in PV generation system depends on its use. In a house, needs such a small capability, a single-phase output of PV can afford. But 3-phase output of PV is required in a case of big capabilities or a PV system directly interactive to 3-phase grid. To verify a validness of a large capable distributed-generation system supplied the proposed method, a 10kW inverter was realized in this paper. And from the results, the system is confirmed its stable operation and validness.