Control Of Utility Interfaces In Low-voltage Microgrids

Paolo Tenti; Tommaso Caldognetto; Simone Buso; Danilo I. Brandao

doi:10.18618/REP.2015.4.2556

Authors

Paolo Tenti UniPD – University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering, Padova - PD, Italy
Tommaso Caldognetto UniPD – University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering, Padova - PD, Italy
Simone Buso UniPD – University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering, Padova - PD, Italy
Danilo I. Brandao UNICAMP – University of Campinas, Department of Systems and Energy, Campinas - SP, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.2015.4.2556

Keywords:

Distributed Generation, Grid-connected Operation, Islanded Operation, Microgrid, Utility- interactive Inverter

Abstract

This paper presents a general control technique for utility interactive inverters in low-voltage microgrids. The Utility Interface (UI) is a three-phase power conversion unit, equipped with energy storage, which governs the interaction between the utility grid and the microgrid. The UI is in charge of several functions: in grid-connected operation, it performs as a voltage-supporting unit and compensates the reactive power, unbalance, and distortion caused by loads, whereas in islanded operation, it performs as a voltage- forming unit and sets the voltage and frequency for the entire microgrid. Moreover, the UI ensures seamless transitions from grid-connected to islanded operation and actively decouples the microgrid and the mains. Finally, the UI can perform as a centralized microgrid controller for distributed energy resources. The UI is therefore a crucial component, which needs to be analyzed carefully to ensure safe and reliable operation for the microgrid. This paper discusses a control approach that provides all required functionalities and ensures proper microgrid operation even in case of non- intentional islanding or severe load transients. The experimental results show the behavior of the system in different scenarios.

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Author Biographies

Paolo Tenti, UniPD – University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering, Padova - PD, Italy

is professor of Electronics at the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Padova, Italy. His main interests are industrial and power electronics and electromagnetic compatibility. His research focuses on application of modern control methods to power electronics, EMC analysis of electronic equipment and cooperative control of distributed electronic power processors in smart grids. From 1991 to 2000 Paolo Tenti was as a member of the Executive Board of the IEEE Industry Applications Society and chaired various Society Committees. In 1997 he served as IEEE IAS President. In 2000 he chaired the IEEE World Conference on Industrial Applications of Electrical Energy in Rome. For the years 2000-2001 was appointed IEEE-IAS Distinguished Lecturer on Electromagnetic compatibility in industrial equipment. From 2002 to 2008 he served the University of Padova in the capability of Department Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Paolo Tenti is a Fellow of the IEEE. He is also President of CREIVen, an industrial consortium for research in industrial electronics with special emphasis on electromagnetic compatibility.

Tommaso Caldognetto, UniPD – University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering, Padova - PD, Italy

received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electronic engineering from the University of Padova, Padova, Italy, in 2012. He is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree in the Graduate School of Information Engineering, Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova. His research interests include real-time simulation for power electronics, design of controllers for microgrid applications, and power electronic architectures for distributed energy sources.

Simone Buso, UniPD – University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering, Padova - PD, Italy

received the M.Sc. degree in electronic engineering and the Ph.D. degree in industrial electronics from the University of Padova, Italy, in 1992 and 1997, respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor of electronics with the Department of Information Engineering (DEI), University of Padova. His main research interests are in the industrial and power electronics fields and are specifically related to switching converter topologies, digital control of power converters, solid-state lighting and renewable energy sources.

Danilo I. Brandao, UNICAMP – University of Campinas, Department of Systems and Energy, Campinas - SP, Brazil

was born in Sao Goncalo do Sapucai, Brazil. He received his B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in control and automation, and electrical engineering from Universidade Estadual Paulista, Brazil in Jul/2011 and Jan/2013, respectively. He is currently a Ph.D student from University of Campinas, Brazil. He has been a scholarship student from FAPESP since 2008 and he was visiting researcher at Colorado School of Mines, USA, in 2009 and in 2013 and at University of Padova, Italy, in 2014. His main interests are power filter, power quality, photovoltaic, distributed generation system, and microgrid architecture. Mr. Brandao is a member of IEEE and SOBRAEP.

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