• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2019

This study proposes a DC-DC converter topology of solid-state transformer for low-voltage DC distribution. The proposed topology consists of a voltage balancer and bipolar DC-DC converter. The voltage and current equations are obtained on the basis of switching states to design the controller. The open-loop gain of the controller is achieved using the derived voltage and current equations. The controller gain is selected through the frequency analysis of the loop gain. The inductance and capacitance are calculated considering the voltage and current ripples. The prototype is fabricated in accordance with the designed system parameters. The proposed topology and designed controller are verified through simulation and experiment.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.549-558
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• 2017

DC distribution has several differences compared to AC distribution. DC distribution has a higher efficiency than AC distribution when distributing electricity at the same voltage level. Accordingly, power can be transferred further with low-voltage DC. In addition, power flow in a DC grid system is produced by only a voltage difference in magnitude. Owing to these differences, operation of a DC grid system significantly differs from that of an AC system. In this paper, the power flow problem in a bipolar-type DC grid with unbalanced load conditions is organized and solved. Control strategy of energy storage system on a slow time scale with power references obtained by solving an optimization problem regarding the DC grid is then proposed. The proposed strategy is verified with computer simulations.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.66-73
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• 2015

AC-based power systems, having the advantages that voltage transformation and long distance transmission are easy, have been constructed since the last 19th century. However, DC-based power system is paid attention these days because of the development of power electronic devices as well as the increase of digital loads and distributed generation. For instance, the transmission systems using High Voltage DC (HVDC) are commercially operated in the world and the researches on distribution system using Low Voltage DC (LVDC) are gradually increased. This paper analyzes voltage sag, resulted from faults, in LVDC distribution system according to the number of poles. Modeling and simulation with various conditions are conducted by using ElectroMagnetic Transients Program (EMTP). Moreover, some countermeasures to reduce voltage sag in LVDC distribution system are suggested briefly.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.340-350
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• 2016

A cascaded hybrid multilevel inverter including a reconfiguration technique for low voltage dc distribution applications is proposed in this paper. A PWM generation fault detection and reconfiguration paradigm after an inverter cell fault are developed by using only a single-chip controller. The proposed PWM technique is also modified to reduce switching losses. In addition, the proposed topology can reduce the number of required power switches compared to the conventional cascaded multilevel inverter. The proposed technique is validated by using a 3-kVA prototype. The switching losses of the proposed multilevel inverter are also investigated. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid inverter can improve system efficiency, reliability and cost effectiveness. The efficiency of proposed system is 97.45% under the tested conditions. The proposed hybrid inverter topology is a promising method for low voltage dc distribution and can be applied for the multiple loads which are required in a data center or telecommunication building.

• 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 Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1459-1473
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• 2018

This paper focuses on voltage control schemes for multi-terminal low-voltage direct current (LVDC) distribution systems. In a multi-terminal LVDC distribution system, there can be multiple AC/DC converters that connect the LVDC distribution system to the AC grids. This configuration can provide enhanced reliability, grid-supporting functionality, and higher efficiency. The main applications of multi-terminal LVDC distribution systems include flexible power exchange between multiple power grids and integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) using DC voltages such as photovoltaics (PVs) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs). In multi-terminal LVDC distribution systems, voltage regulation is one of the most important issues for maintaining the electric power balance between demand and supply and providing high power quality to end customers. This paper focuses on a voltage control method for multi-terminal LVDC distribution system that can efficiently coordinate multiple control units, such as AC/DC converters, PVs and BESSs. In this paper, a control hierarchy is defined for undervoltage (UV) and overvoltage (OV) problems in LVDC distribution systems based on the control priority between the control units. This paper also proposes methods to determine accurate control commands for AC/DC converters and DERs. By using the proposed method, we can effectively maintain the line voltages in multi-terminal LVDC distribution systems in the normal range. The performance of the proposed voltage control method is evaluated by case studies.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.911-917
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• 2016

DC-based power system is paid attention as interests in energy efficiency and power quality are increased. However, standardization and researches for commercializing Low Voltage DC(LVDC) distribution system are still insufficient. Protection system, which is closely related with reliability, power quality, safety, and life expectancy of components in power system, is also included. This paper therefore analyzes fault response characteristics in LVDC distribution system as a preliminary study on protection schemes. A stepwise analysis on fault current from both AC/DC converter and DC/DC converter is performed and related expressions are derived. And then, modeling and simulation with various conditions are conducted by using ElectroMagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) to verify analysis results. Based on research results in the paper, direction for development of protection schemes for LVDC distribution system is suggested.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.473-476
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• 2010

In this paper, we analyzed the short circuit current of a low voltage direct current distribution system. For the analysis, we performed the modeling of the low voltage direct current distribution system with a 6-pulse three-phase thyristor rectifier using the PSCAD/EMTDC, surveyed impedance of sources, transformers and distribution lines to run a simulation. A result of the simulation is that short circuit currents of the direct current distribution system with the rectifier decreased due to a thyristor-ON-resistance(Ron). But in case of the low thyristor-ON resistance, output fault current of the rectifier increased over three-phase short circuit current of an AC power system without a rectifier by regular ratio of the rectifier. Because the output fault current of the rectifier can increase over interrupting the capacity of circuit breakers, studying short circuit currents of a low voltage direct current distribution system with a rectifier is necessary for introducing the direct current distribution systems.

• 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.63 no.3
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• pp.358-366
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• 2014

This paper proposes a quasi Z-source AC-AC converter with the low DC voltage distribution capability operating as a power electronic transformer. The proposed system has configuration that the input terminals of two quasi Z-source AC-AC converters are connected in parallel, also their output terminal are connected in series. Simple control method of duty ratio was proposed for the in phase buck-boost AC voltage mode and the DC output voltage control. DSP based experiment and PSIM simulation were performed. As a result, the PSIM simulation results were same with the measured results. By controlling the duty ratio under the condition of 100 [${\Omega}$] load, quasi Z-source AC-AC converter could buck and boost the AC output voltage in phase with the AC input voltage, and the same time, the constant DC voltage could be output without affecting the AC output characteristics. And, the DC output voltage 48[V] was constantly controlled in dynamic state in case while the load is suddenly changed ($50[\Omega]{\rightarrow}100[\Omega]$). From the above result, we could know that the quasi Z-source AC-AC converter can act as a power electronic transformer with a low DC voltage distribution capability.