• 전기학회논문지
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• 제65권2호
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• pp.319-328
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• 2016

This paper proposes a simplified SVPWM for three level inverters in transformerless photovoltaic (PV) systems. With the proposed SVPWM the three level space vector (SV) diagram is divided into only six sectors as in conventional two level SV diagram in such a way that only seven SVs are used among all the available SVs of three level inverter. The main features of the proposed SVPWM are that it is simple to implement, less switching losses as compared to conventional SVPWM and most importantly it eliminates the leakage currents in transformerless PV systems. Detailed theoretical analysis of the proposed SVPWM are presented and verified by numerical simulations and experimental results.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.256-267
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• 2015

Grid-connected transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverters (TPVIs) are increasingly dominating the market due to their higher efficiency, lower cost, lighter weight, and reduced size when compared to their transformer based counterparts. However, due to the lack of galvanic isolation in the low voltage grid interconnections of these inverters, the PV systems become vulnerable to leakage currents flowing through the grounded star point of the distribution transformer, the earth, and the distributed parasitic capacitance of the PV modules. These leakage currents are prohibitive, since they constitute an issue for safety, reliability, protection coordination, electromagnetic compatibility, and module lifetime. This paper investigates a wide range of multi-kW range power rating TPVI topologies and classifies them in terms of their leakage current attributes. This systematic classification places most topologies under a small number of classes with basic leakage current attributes. Thus, understanding and evaluating these topologies becomes an easy task. In addition, based on these observations, new topologies with reduced leakage current characteristics are proposed in this paper. Furthermore, the important efficiency and cost determining characteristics of converters are studied to allow design engineers to include cost and efficiency as deciding factors in selecting a converter topology for PV applications.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.1217-1226
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• 2015

In a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, the traditional Z-source inverter uses a low frequency transformer to ensure galvanic isolation between the grid and the PV system. In order to combine the advantages of both Z-source inverters and transformerless PV inverters, this paper presents a modified single-phase transformerless Z-source PV grid-connected inverter and a corresponding PWM strategy to eliminate the ground leakage current. By utilizing two reversed-biased diodes, the path for the leakage current is blocked during the shoot-through state. Meanwhile, by turning off an additional switch, the PV array is decoupled from the grid during the freewheeling state. In this paper, the operation principle, PWM strategy and common-mode (CM) characteristic of the modified transformerless Z-source inverter are illustrated. Furthermore, the influence of the junction capacitances of the power switches is analyzed in detail. The total losses of the main electrical components are evaluated and compared. Finally, a theoretical analysis is presented and corroborated by experimental results from a 1-kW laboratory prototype.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.920-928
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• 2015

Transformerless solar inverters have a higher efficiency than those with an isolation link. However, they suffer from a leakage current issue. This paper proposes a family of single phase six-switch transformerless inverter topologies with an ac bypass circuit to solve the leakage current problem. These circuits embed two unidirectional freewheeling current units into the midpoint of a full bridge inverter, to obtain a freewheeling current path, which separates the solar panel from the grid in the freewheeling state. The freewheeling current path contains significantly fewer devices and poor performance body diodes are not involved, leading to a higher efficiency. Meanwhile, it is not necessary to add a voltage balancing control method when compared with the half bridge inverter. Simulation and experiments are provided to validate the proposed topologies.

• 전력전자학회논문지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2014

This paper describes an optimal configuration for multi-central inverters in a medium-voltage (MV) grid, which is suitable for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants. We theoretically analyze a proposed common-mode equivalent model for problems associated with multi-central transformerless-type three-phase full bridge(3-FB) PV inverters employing two-winding MV transformers. We propose a synchronized PWM control strategy to effectively reduce the common-mode voltages that may simultaneously occur. In addition, we propose that the existing 3-FB topology may also have the configuration of a multi-central inverter with a two-winding MV transformer by making a simple circuit modification. Simulation and experimental results of three 350kW PV inverters in a multi-central configuration verify the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization control strategy. The modified transformerless-type 3-FB topology for a multi-central PV inverter configuration is verified using an experimental prototype of a 100kW PV inverter.

• Journal of international Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.354-359
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• 2012

A transformerless converter suitable for multiphase drive application is presented in this paper. The topology employs a cascaded H-bridge rectifier as the interface between the grid and multi inverters which drive the multiphase motor. Compared with the conventional structure, the new topology eliminates the input transformer and also has the advantages such as four quadrant operation, simple configuration, low cost, high efficiency, and so on. The control strategies for the grid-side cascade H-bridge rectifier and the motor-side inverter are studied accordingly. Based on the multi-rotational reference frame, modular control scheme is developed to regulate the multiphase drive system. Simulation results show the proper operation of the proposed topology and the corresponding control strategy.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.1329-1337
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• 2015

By placing distributed generation power sources beside a big nonlinear load, these sources can be used as a power quality enhancer, while injecting some active power to the network. In this paper, a new scheme to use the distributed generation power source in both operation modes is presented. In this scheme, a fuzzy controller is added to adjust the optimal set point of inverter between compensating mode and maximum active power injection mode, which works based on the harmonic content of the nonlinear load. As the high order current harmonics can be easily rejected using passive filters, the DG is used to compensate the low order harmonics of the load current. Multilevel transformerless cascade inverters are preferred in such utilization, as they have more flexibility in current/voltage waveform. The proposed scheme is simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK to evaluate the circuit performance. Then, a 1kw single phase prototype of the circuit is used for experimental evaluation of the paper. Both simulative and experimental results prove that such a circuit can inject a well-controlled current with desired harmonics and THD, while having a smaller switching frequency and better efficiency, related to previous 3-phase inverter schemes in the literature.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.190-194
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• 2017

Present-day solar panels incorporate inverters as their core components. Switching devices driven by specialized power controllers are operated in a transformerless inverter topology. However, some challenges associated with this configuration include the absence of isolation, causing leakage currents to flow through various components toward ground. This inevitably causes power losses, often being also the primary reason for the power inverters' analog equipment failure. In this paper, various aspects of the leakage currents are studied using different circuit analysis methods. The primary objective is to convert the leakage current energy into a usable DC voltage source. The research is focused on harvesting the leakage currents for producing circa 1.1 V, derived from recently developed rectifier circuits, and driving a $200{\Omega}$ load with a power in the milliwatt range. Even though the output voltage level is low, the harvested power could be used for charging small batteries or capacitors, even driving light loads.

• 한국정보통신학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국해양정보통신학회 2001년도 춘계종합학술대회
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• pp.437-442
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• 2001

계통연계형 태양광 발전 시스템은 태양 에너지를 전기 에너지로 변환하는 태양 전지부와 발생 전력을 계통에 연계하는 진력변환장치로 크게 나눌 수 있다. 또한 전력변환부는 승압용 컨버터부와 DC전력을 AC로 변환하는 인버터부로 구성된다. 종래 인버터의 주회로 방식은 저주파 트랜스나 고주파 트랜스를 사용하는 방식이 채러되었으나, 최근 이러한 방식에 비해 소형 경량화가 기대되는 트랜스리스 방식이 많이 연구되고 있다. 본 논문의 승압부는 2상 부스트 컨버터를 이용하여 입력 전류와 출력 전압의 리플을 줄여, 각 전력 소자의 전압 스트레스를 줄이고, 입력 리액터를 소형화한다. 그리고, 인버터 부의 출력 고조파 성분을 저감하기 위해 정현파 PWM에서 얻어진 스위칭 시간을 기본값으로 하여 푸리에 급수로 유도한 PWM 스위칭 시간을 채택하였고, PSpice를 이용하여 변환기의 동작을 시뮬레이션하여 그 유효성을 검증하였다.

• 전력전자학회논문지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.129-138
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• 2018

Previous single-phase transformerless inverters used active bypass switching circuits that need auxiliary power switches to minimize ground leakage current. However, switching and gate driving losses are increased due to the use of additional power switches. To cope with this drawback, this work proposes a transformerless inverter using a passive bypass filter without any auxiliary power switch. The operation and control of the proposed inverter are described. The ground leakage current characteristics are analyzed for the proposed inverter with the passive bypass filter. The experimental results of the proposed inverter for a 1.0kW prototype system are presented.