• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.896-908
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• 2013

Under high grid impedance conditions, it is difficult to guarantee the stability of grid-connected inverters with an LCL filter designed based on ideal grid conditions. In this paper, the theoretical basis for output impedance calculation is introduced. Based on the small-signal model, the d-d channel closed-loop output impedance models adopting the converter-side current control method and the grid-side current control method are derived, respectively. Specifically, this paper shows how to simplify the stability analysis which is usually complemented based on the generalized Nyquist stability criterion (GNC). The stability of each current-controlled grid-connected system is analyzed via the proposed simplified method. Moreover, the influence of the LCL parameters on the stability margin of grid-connected inverter controlled with converter-side current is studied. It is shown that the stability of grid-connected systems is fully determined by the d-d channel output admittance of the grid-connected inverter and the inductive component of the grid impedance. Experimental results validate the proposed theoretical stability analysis.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.599-605
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• 2011

This paper proposes a gain scheduling method that improves the stability of grid-connected systems employing an LCL-filter. The method adjusts the current controller gain through an estimation of the grid impedance in order to reduce the resonance that occurs when using an LCL-filter to reduce switching harmonics. An LCL-filter typically has a frequency spectrum with a resonance peak. A change of the grid-impedance results in a change to the resonant frequency. Therefore an LCL-filter needs a damping method that is applicable when changing the grid impedance for stable system control. The proposed method instantaneously estimates the grid impedance and observes the resonant frequency at the same time. Consequently, the proposed method adjusts the current controller gain using a gain scheduling method in order to guarantee current controller stability when a change in the resonant frequency occurs. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been verified by simulations and experimental results.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2015

In a weak grid condition, the precise grid impedance estimation is essential to guaranteeing the high performance current control and power transfer for a grid-connected inverter. This study proposes a precise estimation method for grid impedance by PQ variations by employing the variation method of reference currents. The operation principle of grid impedance estimation is fully presented, and the negative impact of the phase locked loop is analyzed. Estimation error by a synchronization angle in the park's transformation using the phase locked loop is derived. As a result, the variation method of reference currents for accurate estimation is introduced. The validation of the proposed method is verified through several simulation results and experiments based on a 2-kW voltage source inverter prototype.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.526-533
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• 2015

A new algorithm is proposed for the estimation of equivalent grid impedance at the point of common coupling of a grid-tie inverter output. The estimated impedance parameter can be used for the improvement of the performance and the stability of the distributed generation system. The estimation error is inevitable in the conventional estimation method because of the axis rotation due to PLL. In the conventional estimation error, the d-q voltage and current are used for the calculation of the impedance with active and reactive current injections. Conversely, in the proposed algorithm, the negative sequence current is injected, and then the negative sequence voltage is measured for the impedance estimation. As the positive and negative sequence current controller is independent and the PLL is based on the positive sequence component only, the estimation of the equivalent impedance can be achieved with high accuracy. Simulation and experimental results are compared to validate the proposed algorithm.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2338-2349
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• 2016

This paper presents an impedance-matching-based control scheme for the harmonic resonance damping of multiple grid-connected-converters (GCCs) with LCL filters. As indicated in this paper, harmonic resonance occurs if a GCC possesses an output impedance that is not matched with the rest of the network in some specific frequency bands. It is also revealed that the resonance frequency is associated with the number of GCCs, the grid impedance and even the capacitive loads. By controlling the grid-side current instead of the converter-side current, the critical LCL filter is restricted as an internal component. Thus, the closed-loop output impedance of the GCC within the filter can be configured. The proposed scheme actively regulates the output impedance of the GCC to match the impedance of the external network, based on the detected resonance frequency. As a result, the resonance risk of multiple GCCs can be avoided, which is beneficial for the plug-and-play property of the GCCs in microgrids. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.432-441
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• 2017

Grid voltage feedforward is extensively used for controlling grid-connected converters. However, the conventional voltage feedforward control reduces the stability margins of the converter connected to a high-impedance grid. The effect mechanism of voltage feedforward on the grid-connected converter control under high-inductive conditions of the grid impedance is clearly explained in this study using the equivalent transformations of control block diagrams. Results show that the delay produced by the digital control is the root cause of this effect. An improved voltage feedforward strategy, in which a bandpass filter (BPF) is introduced into the feedforward path, is proposed to strengthen the converter's robust stability against grid impedance variations. The selection method of the BPF's bandwidth is also provided considering the tradeoff between the response speed to the grid voltage sag and the system's robust stability. The converter can work stably over a wide range of the grid impedance through the proposed approach. Simulation and experimental results fully verify the effectiveness of the BPF-based voltage feedforward strategy.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2013

The Grid code is being strengthen as increase of renewable energy ratio. Especially, the grid connection regulations are continuously being updated for stable operation of power grids. Static grid support and Dynamic grid support must make an accurate measure at Grid connected point because they needs control algorithm individually. It has to exactly measure voltage including switching ripple at the output of the inverter generating system. In addition, it is necessary to have an accurate voltage measurement when the situation rapidly changing the grid impedance is caused by the input of serial impedance of transformer and line impedance as well as Grid Fault Device. In this paper, We propose a new detection method of grid voltage to calculate accurately the r.m.s voltage of the grid connection point along the standard required by the low voltage regulation. We verified performance through simulation grid fault device.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.756-765
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• 2017

The control of the power conversion system (PCS) in a battery energy storage system has a challenge due to the existence of grid impedance. This paper studies an impedance model of an LCL-based PCS in the d-q domain. The feature of a PCS connected to a weak grid is unveiled by use of an impedance model and a generalized Nyquist criterion. It is shown that the interaction between grid impedance and the PCS destabilizes the cascaded system in certain cases. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel control method that adopts virtual resistors to overcome this issue. The improvement in the control loop leads the PCS to a more stable condition than the conventional method. Impedance measurement is implemented to verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis. Experimental results obtained from a down-scaled prototype indicate that the proposed control method can improve the performance of the PCS under a weak grid.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

This paper proposes a current harmonic compensation method for the grid-connected inverter, especially caused by the grid impedance. Grid impedance causes low order harmonics in the grid current and deteriorates power quality. This paper analyzes the negative impact of the grid impedance, and proposes an active feedforward compensation method. Proposing method verified through simulation and experiment with 3-phase 1.5kW voltage source inverter prototype.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of IIIuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.303-306
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• 2002

This paper presents a novel method for measuring the ground impedance in grounding systems. A square wave current was injected to the main grounding grid through auxiliary electrode, and the test current and ground potential rise(GPR) were measured using the band-pass filter. Ground impedance was calculated from the sinusoidal waveforms of the test current and GPR in frequency range of 20~2100Hz. Also the resistance and reactance component of ground impedance were analyzed.