• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1338-1348
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• 2017

In this study, a modified ripple correlation control (RCC) maximum-power point-tracking (MPPT) algorithm is proposed for a single-stage single-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) on a grid-connected photovoltaic system (GCPVS). Unlike classic RCC methods, the proposed algorithm does not require high-pass and low-pass filters or the increment of the AC component filter function in the voltage control loop. A simple arithmetic mean function is used to calculate the average value of the photovoltaic (PV) voltage, PV power, and PV voltage ripples for the MPPT of the RCC method. Furthermore, a high-accuracy and high-precision MPPT is achieved. The performance of the proposed algorithm for the single-stage single-phase VSI GCPVS is investigated through simulation and experimental results.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.487-494
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• 2012

A new low cost high power density photovoltaic power conditioning system (PV PCS) with an energy storage system is proposed in this paper. Its high power density and cost effectiveness can be achieved through the unification of the maximum power point tracker and the battery charger/discharger. Despite the reduced power stage, the proposed system can achieve the same performance in terms of maximum power point tracking and battery charging/discharging as the conventional system. When a utility power failure happens, the proposed system cannot perform maximum power point tracking at the UPS mode. However, the predetermined battery voltage near the maximum power point of the PV array can effectively generate a reasonable PV power even at the UPS mode. Therefore, it features a simpler structure, less mass, lower cost, and fewer devices. Finally, to confirm the operation, validity, and features of the proposed system, a theoretical analysis and experimental results from a single phase AC 220Vrms/1.5kW prototype are presented.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2016

This paper proposes an energy storage-assisted, series-connected module-integrated power conversion system that integrates a photovoltaic power conditioner and a charge balancing circuit. In conventional methods, a photovoltaic power conditioner and a cell-balancing circuit are needed for photovoltaic systems with energy storage devices, but they cause a complex configuration and high cost. Moreover, an imbalanced output voltage of the module-integrated converter for PV panels can be a result of partial shading. Partial shading can lead to the fault condition of the boost converter in shaded modules and high voltage stresses on the devices in other modules. To overcome these problems, a bidirectional buck-boost converter with an integrated magnetic device operating for a charge-balancing circuit is proposed. The proposed circuit has multiple secondary rectifiers with inductors sharing a single magnetic core, which works as an inductor for the main bidirectional charger/discharger of the energy storage. The secondary rectifiers operate as a cell-balancing circuit for both energy storage and the series-connected multiple outputs of the module-integrated converter. The operating principle of the cell-balancing power conversion circuit and the power stage design are presented and validated by PSIM simulation for analysis. A hardware prototype with equivalent photovoltaic modules is implemented for verification. The results verify that the modularized photovoltaic power conversion system in the output series with an energy storage successfully works with the proposed low-cost bidirectional buck-boost converter comprising a single magnetic device.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.07b
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• pp.994-995
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• 2006

This paper presents a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system with direct coupled power quality control (PQC) algorithm, which uses an inner current control loop (PRT : polarized ramp time) and outer feedback control loop to improve grid power quality and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of PV arrays. To reduce the complexity, cost and number of power conversions, which results in higher efficiency, single stage CCVSI (Current Controlled Voltage Source Inverter) is used. The proposed system operation has been divided into two modes (sunny and night). In night mode, the proposed system operates to compensate the reactive power demanded by nonlinear or variation in loads. in sunny mode, the proposed system performs PQC to reduce harmonic current and improve power factor as well as MPPT to supply active power from the PV arrays simultaneously. it is shown that the proposed system improves the system utilization factor to 100% which is generally low for PV system (20%). To verify the proposed system, a comprehensive evaluation with theoretical analysis and simulation results are presented.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2016

Given their structural arrangement, photovoltaic (PV) modules exhibit parasitic capacitance, which creates a path for high-frequency current during zero-state switching of the converter in transformerless systems. This current has to be limited to ensure safety and electromagnetic compatibility. Many solutions that can minimize or completely avoid this phenomenon, are available. However, most of these solutions are patented because they rely on specific and often complex converter topologies. This study aims to solve this problem by introducing a solution based on a classic converter topology with an appropriate modulation technique and passive filtering. A 5.5 kW single-phase residential PV system that consists of DC-DC boost stage and DC-AC H-bridge converter is considered. Control schemes for both converter stages are presented. An overview of existing modulation techniques for H-bridge converter is provided, and a modification of hybrid modulation is proposed. A system prototype is built for the experimental verification. As shown in the study, with simple filtering and proper selection of switching states, achieving low leakage current level is possible while maintaining high converter efficiency and required energy quality.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.733-741
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• 2014

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) energy sources into DC grid has gained considerable attention because of its enhanced conversion efficiency with reduced number of power conversion stages. During the integration process, a local control unit is normally included with every power conversion stage of the PV source to accomplish the process of maximum power point tracking. A centralized monitoring and supervisory control unit is required for monitoring, power management, and protection of the entire system. Therefore, we propose a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based centralized control unit that integrates all local controllers with the centralized monitoring unit. The main focus of this study is on the process of integrating many local control units into a single central unit. In this paper, we present design and optimization procedures for the hardware implementation of FPGA architecture. Furthermore, we propose a transient analysis and control design methodology with consideration of the nonlinear characteristics of the PV source. Hardware experiment results verify the efficiency of the central control unit and controller design.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.587-593
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• 2011

A new high power density and low cost Photovoltaic Power Conditioning System (PV PCS) with energy storage system is proposed. Its high power density and cost effectiveness can be achieved through the unification of the maximum power point tracker and battery charger/discharger. Despite of the reduced power stage, the proposed system can achieve the same performances of maximum power point tracking and battery charging/discharging as the conventional system. Moreover, the high voltage stress across the link-capacitor can be relieved through the series-connected link-capacitor with the battery. Therefore, a large number of series/parallel-connected link-capacitors can be reduced by 4-times. Especially, when the utility power failure happens, both photovoltaic and battery energies can be supplied to the load with only one power stage. Therefore, it features a simpler structure, less mass, lower cost, and fewer devices. Finally, to confirm the operation, validity, and features of the proposed system, theoretical analysis and experimental results from a single phase AC 220Vrms/1.5kW prototype are presented.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.222-231
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• 2017

In this paper, a new architecture for a cost-effective power conditioning systems (PCS) using a single-sourced asymmetric cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (MLI) for photovoltaic (PV) applications is proposed. The asymmetric MLI topology has a reduced number of parts compared to the symmetrical type for the same number of voltage level. However, the modulation index threshold related to the drop in the number of levels of the inverter output is higher than that of the symmetrical MLI. This problem results in a modulation index limitation which is relatively higher than that of the symmetrical MLI. Hence, an extra voltage pre-regulator becomes a necessary component in the PCS under a wide operating bias variation. In addition to pre-stage voltage regulation for the constant MLI dc-links, another auxiliary pre-regulator should provide isolation and voltage balance among the multiple H-bridge cells in the asymmetrical MLI as well as the symmetrical ones. The proposed PCS uses a single-ended DC-DC converter topology with a coupled inductor and charge-pump circuit to satisfy all of the aforementioned requirements. Since the proposed integrated-type voltage pre-regulator circuit uses only a single MOSFET switch and a single magnetic component, the size and cost of the PCS is an optimal trade-off. In addition, the voltage balance between the separate H-bridge cells is automatically maintained by the number of turns in the coupled inductor transformer regardless of the duty cycle, which eliminates the need for an extra voltage regulator for the auxiliary H-bridge in MLIs. The voltage balance is also maintained under the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Thus, the PCS is also operational during light load conditions. The proposed architecture can apply the module-integrated converter (MIC) concept to perform distributed MPPT. The proposed architecture is analyzed and verified for a 7-level asymmetric MLI, using simulation results and a hardware implementation.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.358-368
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• 2020

Grid-connected inverters (GCIs) based on renewable energy sources play an important role in enhancing the sustainability of a society. Harmonic standards, such as IEEE 519 and P1547, which require the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output current to be less than 5%, should be satisfied when GCIs are connected to a grid. However, achieving a current THD of less than 5% is difficult for GCIs with an output filter under a distorted grid condition. In this study, a novel harmonic compensation method that uses a digital lock-in amplifier (DLA) is proposed to eliminate harmonics effectively at the output of GCIs. Accurate information regarding harmonics can be obtained due to the outstanding performance of DLA, and such information is used to eliminate harmonics with a simple proportional-integral controller in a feedforward manner. The validity of the proposed method is verified through experiments with a 5 kW single-phase GCI connected to a real grid.