An Adaptive Control Strategy for Low Voltage Ride Through Capability Enhancement of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Plants

Abstract—
This paper presents a novel application of continuous mixed -norm (CMPN) algorithm-based adaptive control strategy with the purpose of enhancing the low voltage ride through (LVRT) capability of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants. The PV arrays are connected to the point of common coupling (PCC) through a DC-DC boost converter, a DC-link capacitor, a grid-side inverter, and a three-phase step up transformer. The DC-DC converter is used for a maximum power point tracking operation based on the fractional open circuit voltage method. The grid-side inverter is utilized to control the DC-link voltage and terminal voltage at the PCC through a vector control scheme. The CMPN algorithm-based adaptive proportional-integral (PI) controller is used to control the power electronic circuits due to its very fast convergence. The proposed algorithm updates the PI controller gains online without the need to fine tune or optimize. For realistic responses, the PV power plant is connected to the IEEE 39-bus New England test system. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is compared with that obtained using Taguchi approach-based an optimal PI controller taking into account subjecting the system to symmetrical, unsymmetrical faults, and unsuccessful reclosing of circuit breakers due to the existence of permanent fault. The validity of adaptive control strategy is extensively verified by the simulation results, which are carried out using PSCAD/EMTDC software. With the proposed adaptive-controlled PV power plants, the LVRT capability of such system can be improved.

A Hybrid-STATCOM With Wide Compensation Range and Low DC-Link Voltage

Abstract—

This paper proposes a hybrid static synchronous compensator (hybrid-STATCOM) in a three-phase power transmission system that has a wide compensation range and low dc-link voltage. Because of these prominent characteristics, the system costs can be greatly reduced. In this paper, the circuit configuration of hybrid-STATCOM is introduced first. Its V –I characteristic is then analyzed, discussed, and compared with traditional STATCOM and capacitive-coupled STATCOM (C-STATCOM). The system parameter design is then proposed on the basis of consideration of the reactive power compensation range and avoidance of the potential resonance problem. After that, a control strategy for hybrid-STATCOM is proposed to allow operation under different voltage and current conditions, such as unbalanced current, voltage dip, and voltage fault. Finally, simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the wide compensation range and low dc-link voltage characteristics and the good dynamic performance of the proposed hybrid-STATCOM.

Resonance Analysis and Soft-Switching Design of Isolated Boost Converter With Coupled Inductors for Vehicle Inverter Application

Abstract—
The comprehensive resonance analysis and soft-switching design of the isolated boost converter with coupled inductors are investigated in this paper. Due to the resonance participated by the voltage doubler capacitor, clamping capacitor, and leakage inductance of coupled inductors, the reverse-recovery problem of the secondary diodes is restrained within the whole operation range. By choosing appropriate magnetic inductance of the coupled inductors, zero-voltage switching ON of the main MOSFETs is obtained collectively at the same working conditions without any additional devices. Moreover, the range of duty ratio is enlarged to achieve soft switching and an optimal operation point is obtained with minimal input current ripple, when duty ratio approaches
0.5. Additionally, two kinds of resonances are analyzed and an op-timized resonance is utilized to achieve better power density. The prototype is implemented for the vehicle inverter requiring a 150 W output power, input voltage range varying from 10.8 to 16 V, and 360 V output voltage. Experiment results verify the design and show that the minimum efficiency is about 93.55% and 90.53% at low load and full load, respectively.

Optimal Design of DCM LCC Resonant Converter With Inductive Filter Based on Mode Boundary Map

Abstract—
LCC resonant converter with inductive filter operating in discontinuous current mode (DCM) can achieve zero-current switching (ZCS) for both the power switches and rectifier diodes. Therefore, it is suitable for high-power, low-voltage, high-current power supplies. The DCM LCC resonant converter with inductive filter might operate in different operating modes when input voltage or load changes, which challenges the design. This paper derives a mode boundary map, from which the operating mode of the converter can be easily determined. Based on the mode boundary map, a generalized optimal design procedure is proposed and a set of optimal and normalized converter parameters is determined, which can be easily converted into real parameters according to the converter specification. Three 5 kW prototypes with different converter parameters are fabricated and tested in the lab, and the experimental results show that with the set of optimal parameters, the converter can achieve the highest efficiency over the entire input voltage and load range.

Naturally Clamped Zero-Current Commutated Soft-Switching Current-Fed Push–Pull DC/DC Converter: Analysis, Design, and Experimental Results

Abstract—
The proposed converter has the following features:
1) zero-current commutation (ZCC) and natural voltage clamping (NVC) eliminate the need for active-clamp circuits or passive snub-bers required to absorb surge voltage in conventional current-fed topologies. 2) Switching losses are reduced significantly owing to zero-current switching of primary-side devices and zero-voltage switching of secondary-side devices. Turn-on switching transition loss of primary devices is also negligible. 3) Soft switching and NVC are inherent and load independent. 4) The voltage across primary-side device is independent of duty cycle with varying input voltage and output power and clamped at rather low reflected output voltage enabling the use of low-voltage semiconductor devices. These merits make the converter good candidate for interfacing low-voltage dc bus with high-voltage dc bus for higher current applications. Steady state, analysis, design, simulation, and experimental results are presented.

Interleaved Phase-Shift Full-Bridge Converter With Transformer Winding Series–Parallel Autoregulated (SPAR) Current Doubler Rectifier

Abstract—
The analysis and design guidelines for a two-phase interleaved phase-shift full-bridge converter with transformer winding series–parallel autoregulated current doubler rectifier are presented in this paper. The secondary windings of two transformers work in parallel when the equivalent duty cycle is smaller than 0.25 but in series when the duty cycle is larger than 0.25 owing to the series–parallel autoregulated rectifier. With the proposed rectifying structure, the voltage stress of the rectifier is reduced. Also, the interleaving operation reduces the output current ripple. A 1-kW prototype with 200–400-V input and 50-V/20-A output is built up to verify the theoretical analysis.

Hybrid-Type Full-Bridge DC/DC Converter With High Efficiency

Abstract—
This paper presents a hybrid-type full-bridge dc/dc converter with high efficiency. Using a hybrid control scheme with a simple circuit structure, the proposed dc/dc converter has a hybrid operation mode. Under a normal input range, the proposed converter operates as a phase-shift full-bridge series-resonant converter that provides high efficiency by applying soft switching on all switches and rectifier diodes and reducing conduction losses. When the input is lower than the normal input range, the converter operates as an active-clamp step-up converter that enhances an operation range. Due to the hybrid operation, the proposed converter operates with larger phase-shift value than the conventional converters under the normal input range. Thus, the proposed converter is capable of being designed to give high power conversion efficiency and its operation range is extended. A 1-kW prototype is implemented to confirm the theoretical analysis and validity of the proposed converter.