• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• 제13권4호
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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.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.1132-1136
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• 2014

In the context of increasing electric energy consumption in a data center, energy efficiency improvement is strongly emphasized. In a data center, electric energy is largely consumed by DC power supply system, which is based on a rectifier composed by multiple parallel converters. Therefore, rectifier efficiency must be improved for minimizing loss of DC power supply system. Rectifier efficiency can be modulated by load allocation to converters because converter efficiency depends on input AC power. In this paper, we propose a new control method to maximize rectifier efficiency. The method can control load allocation to converters by introducing active power converter control scheme and start-and-stop of converters. In order to illustrate optimal load allocations in a rectifier, a maximization problem of rectifier efficiency is formulated as a nonlinear optimization one. The problem is solved by Lagrangian relaxation method and the computation results provide the validity of proposed method.

• Journal of international Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems
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• 제1권4호
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• pp.483-491
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• 2012

It is expected that, in the future, DC power service will be widely used for photovoltaic home power generation systems, since DC consuming devices are ever increasing. Instead of using multiple converters to convert DC to AC and then AC to DC, the power service could solely be based on DC. This would eliminate the need for converters, reducing the cost, complexity, and possibly increasing the efficiency. However, configuration of direct DC power service with mechanical contacts can cause spark voltage or an electric shock when the switch is turned on and off. To solve these problems, in this paper, a contactless power supply for a DC power service that can transfer electric power produced by photovoltaics to the home electric system using magnetic coupling instead of mechanical contacts has been proposed. The proposed system consists of a ZVS boost converter, a half-bridge LLC resonant converter, and a contactless transformer. This proposed contactless system eliminates the use of DC switches. To reduce the stress and loss of the boost converter switching devices, a lossless snubber with coupled inductor is applied. In this paper, a switching frequency control technique using the contactless voltage sensing circuit is also proposed and implemented for the output voltage control instead of using additional power regulators. Finally, a prototype consisted of 150W boost converter has been designed and built to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed contactless photovoltaic DC power service. Experimental results show that 74~83% overall system efficiency is obtained for the 10W~80W load.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.186-196
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• 2013

This paper presents a low voltage-stress AC-linked charge equalizing system for balancing the energy in a serially connected, valve-regulated lead acid battery string using a modular converter that consists of multiple transformers coupled together. Each converter was coupled through an AC-linked bus to increase the overall energy transfer efficiency of the system and to eliminate the problem of the unbalanced charging of batteries. Previous solutions are based on centralized and modularized topologies. A centralized topology requires a redesign of the hardware and related components. It also faces a high voltage stress when the number of batteries is expanded. Modularized solutions use low-voltage-stress, double-stage, DC-linked topologies which leads to poor energy transfer efficiency. The proposed solution uses a low-voltage stress, AC-linked, modularized topology that makes adding more batteries easier. It also has a better energy transfer efficiency. To ensure that the charge equalization system operates smoothly and safely charges batteries, a small intelligent microcontroller was used in the control section. The efficiency of this charge equalization system is 85%, which is 21% better than other low-voltage-stress DC-linked charging techniques. The validity of this approach was confirmed by experimental results.

• 대한전기학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한전기학회 1999년도 추계학술대회 논문집 학회본부 A
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• pp.355-357
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• 1999

Single-Phase multi-level AC-DC converter that is composed of diode bridge and switch is proposed. The number of the supply current level is depending on the individual current level of the converter. A converter circuit, the number of the level is equal to $2^{M+1}-1$, where M is the number of Switching Converter. The proposed circuit has converter with 31 current levels. When the number of current level is increased, smoother sinusoidal waveform can be obtained directly and it is possible to control the supply current almost continuously from zero to maximum without generating high voltage step changes as pulse with modulation technology. The technique illustrates its validity and effectiveness through the PSIM.

• Journal of international Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.225-231
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• 2013

Low voltage ride through capability augmentation of a hybrid micro-grid system is presented in this paper which reflects enhanced reliability in the system. The control scheme involves parallel connected multiple ac-dc bidirectional converters. When the micro-grid system is subjected to a severe voltage dip by any transient fault single power converter may not be able to provide necessary reactive power to overcome the severe voltage dip. This paper discusses the control strategy of additional power converter connected in parallel with main converter to support extra reactive power to withstand the severe voltage dip. During transient fault, when the terminal voltage crosses 90% of its pre-fault value, additional converter comes into operation. With the help of additional power converter, the micro-grid system withstands the severe voltage fulfilling the grid code requirements. This multiple converter scheme provides the micro-grid system the capability of low voltage ride through which makes the system more reliable and stable.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.960-969
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• 2016

High-power three-level voltage-source converters are widely utilized in high-performance AC drive systems. In several ultra-power instances, the harmonics on the grid side should be reduced through multiple rectifications. A combined harmonic elimination method that includes a dual primary-side series-connected winding transformer and selective harmonic elimination pulse-width modulation is proposed to eliminate low-order current harmonics on the primary and secondary sides of transformers. Through an analysis of the harmonic influence caused by dead time and DC magnetic bias, a synthetic compensation control strategy is presented to minimize the grid-side harmonics in the dual primary side series-connected winding transformer application. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy can significantly reduce the converter input current harmonics and eliminates the DC magnetic bias in the transformer.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.1483-1493
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• 2016

Multiple parallel inverters have multiple resonant frequencies that are influenced by many factors. This often results in stability and power quality problems. This paper develops a multiple input multiple output model of grid-connected inverter systems using a closed-loop transfer function. The influence factors of the resonant characteristics are analyzed with the developed model. The analysis results show that the resonant frequency is closely related to the number, type and composition ratio of the parallel inverters. To suppress resonance, a scheme based on virtual impedance is presented, where the virtual impedance is emulated in the vicinity of the resonance frequency. The proposed scheme needs one inverter with virtual impedance control, which reduces the design complexity of the other inverter controllers. Simulation and experimental tests are carried out on two single phase converter-based setups. The results validate the correctness of the model, the analytical results and the resonant suppressing scheme.