• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2020

DC distribution system has been evaluated as an excellent one in comparison with existing AC distribution network because it needs fewer power conversion stages and the full capacity of the equipment can be used without consideration for power factor. Recently, research and development on the implementation of DC distribution networks have been progressed globally based on the rapid advancement in power-electronics technology, and the technological developments from the viewpoint of infrastructure are also in progress. However, to configure a distribution network which is a distribution line for DC, more accurate and rapid introduction of analysis technology is needed for the monitoring, control and operation of the system, which ensure the system run flexible and efficiently. However, in case of a bipolar DC distribution network, there are two buses acting as slack buses, so the Jacobian matrix cannot be configured. Without solving this problem, DC distribution network cannot be operated when the network is unbalanced. Therefore, this paper presented a comprehensive method of analysis with consideration of operating elements which are directly connected between neutral electric potential caused by the unbalanced of load in DC distribution network with bipolar structure.

• 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 Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1357-1368
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• 2018

In this paper, a novel high gain bidirectional modular dc-dc converter (BMC) with unipolar and bipolar structures for dc network interconnections is proposed. When compared with traditional dc grid-connecting converters, the proposed converter can achieve a high voltage gain with a simple modular transformerless structure. A sub-modular structure for the BMC is proposed to eliminate the unbalanced current stress between the different power units (levels) in the BMC. This can realize current sharing and standardized production and assembling. In addition, phase-interval operation is introduced to the sub-modules to realize low voltage and current ripple in both sides of the converter. Furthermore, two types of bipolar topologies of the sub-modular BMC were proposed to extend its application in bipolar dc network connections. In addition, the control system was optimized for grid-connection applications by providing various control strategies. Finally, simulations of a 3-level unipolar sub-modular BMC and a 4-level bipolar sub-modular BMC were conducted, and a 1-kW experimental 3-level unipolar prototype was developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1609-1618
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• 2015

DC microgrids are considered as prospective systems because of their easy connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) and electric vehicles (EVs), reduction of conversion loss between dc output sources and loads, lack of reactive power issues, etc. These features make them very suitable for future industrial and commercial buildings' power systems. In addition, the bipolar-type dc system structure is more popular, because it provides two voltage levels for different power converters and loads. To keep voltage balanced in such a dc system, a bidirectional dual buck-boost voltage balancer with direct coupling is introduced based on P-cell and N-cell concepts. This results in greatly enhanced system reliability thanks to no shoot-through problems and lower switching losses with the help of power MOSFETs. In order to increase system efficiency and reliability, a novel burst-mode control strategy is proposed for the dual buck-boost voltage balancer. The basic operating principle, the current relations, and a small-signal model of the voltage balancer are analyzed under the burst-mode control scheme in detail. Finally, simulation experiments are performed and a laboratory unit with a 5kW unbalanced ability is constructed to verify the viability of the bidirectional dual buck-boost voltage balancer under the proposed burst-mode control scheme in low-voltage bipolar-type dc microgrids.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2018.07a
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• pp.432-433
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• 2018

A new DC-DC converter circuit for LVDC(Low Voltage Direct-Current) distribution is proposed. DC-DC converter consists of two stage which are voltage balancer and converter stage. The balancing circuit adjust balance input voltage of converter circuit and compensate for unbalanced loads and short circuits. The converter circuit control the bipolar output voltage ${\pm}750V$. Simulation is carried out for this DC-DC converter system.