Control of a multi-functional inverter in an AC microgrid – Real-time simulation with control hardware in the loop

• Published in: Electric power systems research Vol. 172; pp. 201 - 212
• Main Authors: Silva Júnior, Dalmo C., Oliveira, Janaína G., de Almeida, Pedro M., Boström, Cecilia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.07.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: AC microgrids; Batteries; Closed loop systems; Control hardware in the loop; Converters; Distributed generation; Distributed processing; Electric power grids; Electricity distribution; Functionals; Hardware-in-the-loop simulation; Harmonic analysis; Inverters; Multi-functional inverter; Photovoltaic cells; Power management; Real time; Real-time simulation; Simulation; Solar cells; Synchronous machines; Voltage-sourced converter; Voltage-sourced converter; Control hardware in the loop; AC microgrids; Distributed generation; Real-time simulation; Multi-functional inverter
• ISSN: 0378-7796; 1873-2046; 1873-2046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsr.2019.03.016

•Distributed generation based on PV array and battery system to make flexible operation modes.•Multiple auxiliary functions (control strategies) in the same interface converter.•Implementation and testing in the real-time simulator (RTDS) with control hardware in the loop (dSPACE).•Proposal of the operation on an isolated microgrid, providing nominal voltage and frequency by using the multi-functional inverter. This paper proposes the implementation of a multi-functional inverter, which was simulated with three ancillary functions. The first function is a Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) for harmonic content mitigation, the second is a Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) to show the effective regulation of voltage and frequency, and finally, power management in AC microgrids. The multi-functional converter is responsible for the integration of a PV-Battery system (distributed generation) on the AC grid. Furthermore, Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) and dSPACE have been used to analyze the performance and control of such multi-functional inverter when added to an AC microgrid. Results demonstrate the operation of the system and can be used as validation of the proposed control strategies through a Hardware In the Loop (HIL) simulation.