Open Access
Analytical modeling of high-frequency winding loss in round-wire toroidal inductors
(IEEE, 2020) Elizondo Martínez, David; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Toroidal inductors are present in many different industrial applications, thus, still receive researchers' attention. AC winding loss in these inductors have become a major issue in the design process, since switching frequency is being continuously increased in power electronic converters. Finite element analysis software or analytical models such as Dowell's are the main existing alternatives for their calculation. However, the first one employs too much time if different designs are to be evaluated and the second one lacks accuracy when applied to toroidal inductor windings. Looking for an alternative that overcomes these drawbacks, this paper proposes an accurate, easy-to-use analytical model, specifically formulated for calculating high-frequency winding loss in round-wire toroidal inductors.
Open Access
High frequency power transformers with foil windings: maximum interleaving and optimal design
(IEEE, 2015) Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Foil conductors and primary and secondary interleaving are normally used to minimize winding losses in high frequency transformers used for high-current power applications. However, winding interleaving complicates the transformer assembly, since taps are required to connect the winding sections, and also complicates the transformer design, since it introduces a new tradeoff between minimizing losses and reducing the construction difficulty. This paper presents a novel interleaving technique, named maximum interleaving, that makes it possible to minimize the winding losses as well as the construction difficulty. An analytical design methodology is also proposed in order to obtain free cooled transformers with a high efficiency, low volume and, therefore, a high power density. For the purpose of evaluating the advantages of the proposed maximum interleaving technique, the methodology is applied to design a transformer positioned in the 5 kW 50 kHz intermediate high frequency resonant stage of a commercial PV inverter. The proposed design achieves a transformer power density of 28 W/cm3 with an efficiency of 99.8%. Finally, a prototype of the maximum-interleaved transformer is assembled and validated satisfactorily through experimental tests.
Open Access
Control design and stability analysis of power converters: the discrete generalized Bode criterion
(IEEE, 2021) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Samanes Pascual, Javier; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
For the controller design and stability analysis of power electronic converters, the Bode stability criterion and its subsequent revisions are the most practical tools. However, even though the control of the power converter is usually implemented in a microprocessor, none of these methods is infallible when applied to a discrete system. This article therefore proposes a new stability criterion, named the Discrete Generalized Bode Criterion (DGBC). This method is based on the Nyquist criterion but developed from the open-loop Bode diagram, evaluated also at 0 Hz and at the Nyquist frequency. The proposed criterion combines the advantages of the Nyquist and Bode criteria, since it is always applicable and provides an interesting and useful tool for the controller design process. The method is applied to design an active damping control of an inverter with LCL filter, showing how the proposed criterion accurately predicts stability, in contrast to the existing Bode criteria. The theoretical analysis is validated through experimental results performed with a three-phase inverter and an LCL filter.
Open Access
Winding resistance measurement in power inductors - understanding the impact of the winding mutual resistance
(IEEE, 2021) Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Elizondo Martínez, David; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Inductors are cornerstone components in power electronics converters. Since winding loss is the dominant loss mechanism in these components, its accurate measurement is fundamental for the validation of the inductor's operation and design. The techniques for the winding resistance R_{w} measurement in power inductors can be classified into two groups, indirect and direct. Both techniques use coupled inductors to separate winding and core power losses. If coupled inductors with non-zero winding mutual resistances R_{w,m} are used, invalid results are obtained with these techniques. Understanding the meaning of R_{w,m} in coupled inductors is complex. In this paper, the impact of R_{w,m} on the inductor R_{w} measurement techniques is demonstrated and practical guidelines for the design of the zero R_{w,m} coupled inductors are given. Particularly, the location of the auxiliary winding for the direct technique is investigated. In order to compare the R_{w} measurement techniques and to validate the coupled inductor's R_{w,m} impact, two different inductors are built and tested. The results are compared with the values for R_{w} calculated by FEA simulation. It is found that only the direct technique with an auxiliary winding carefully designed and located following the guidelines given in this paper makes the accurate measurement of R_{w} in power inductors possible.
Open Access
Novel three-phase topology for cascaded multilevel medium-voltage conversion systems in large-scale PV plants
(IEEE, 2020) Lumbreras Magallón, David; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Balda Belzunegui, Julián; González Senosiain, Roberto; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
Solar photovoltaic renewable energy systems are expanding in the power sector thanks to its increasingly competitive prices. Traditionally, large-scale PV plants have reduced their cost by increasing the power ratings of the inverters and the line-frequency transformers. However, cost-reduction limits of large-scale PV plants are being reached. Cascaded converters have appeared as a solution to continue reducing the cost of large PV plants as they reduce the wiring cost. In this paper, a novel three-phase topology for cascaded conversion structures is proposed. It only has 2 conversion steps, one without switching losses. Hence, it increases the efficiency and reduces the cost of the previously proposed cascaded conversion systems. The topology is patent pending.
Open Access
Asymmetrical firing angle modulation for 12-pulse thyristor rectifiers supplying high-power electrolyzers
(IEEE, 2023) Iribarren Zabalegui, Álvaro; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Elizondo Martínez, David; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
This paper presents an asymmetrical firing angle modulation strategy for 12-pulse thyristor rectifiers aimed at supplying high-power electrolyzers, which allows to reduce the size of the passive filter and the static compensator (STATCOM) required to comply with grid harmonic regulations and achieve unity power factor. Usually, 12-pulse thyristor rectifiers follow a symmetric modulation strategy in which the same firing angle is applied to both 6-pulse bridges. In this case, large passive ac-side inductances are required to reduce grid current harmonics, which increase the reactive power consumption and thus the required STATCOM size. However, this paper demonstrates that by applying different firing angles to the two 6-pulse bridges it is possible to comply with the harmonic regulation limits using smaller filtering inductances and therefore reducing the STATCOM size. The methodology to find the optimal firing angle values that should be applied in order to minimize the filtering inductance and the STATCOM size for a given electrolyzer is explained. This strategy is validated by simulation, and results show that the required filtering inductance and the apparent power of the STATCOM can be effectively reduced by 62% and 31%, respectively, using this asymmetrical firing angle modulation.
Open Access
Medium-voltage cascaded sequential topology for large-scale PV plants
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2021) Lumbreras Magallón, David; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Balda Belzunegui, Julián; Navarrete, Manuel; González Senosiain, Roberto; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Photovoltaic (PV) conversion systems are in continuous development due to their increasingly competitive prices. The traditional configuration of large-scale PV plants is based on high-power central inverters, which have reduced their cost by increasing their power rating. However, this cost reduction is expected to saturate in the near future, mainly due to an increase in the cost of the dc wiring. Cascaded conversion systems have appeared as potential solutions to continue reducing the PV plant cost. They consist of several conversion units whose ac outputs are connected in series. This enables the power-rating reduction of each individual conversion unit, while maintaining the power rating of the conversion structure. Thus, the conversion units are placed closer to the PV panels, reducing the dc wiring cost. In this paper, a novel three-phase topology for medium-voltage cascaded conversion systems is presented. The proposed topology is formed of several conversion units, each one with a reduced number of conversion stages, namely, dc/ac, medium-frequency isolation and ac/ac. Moreover, thanks to its sequential operation and modulation technique, zero-voltage switching and zero-current switching are achieved in all conversion stages. In this way, with respect to the configuration with central inverters, the proposed topology has the advantages of cascaded conversion systems. In comparison to previously investigated cascaded topologies, the proposed topology also presents promising characteristics, representing a potential cost reduction and efficiency increase. An experimental validation of the topology is carried out in a laboratory prototype consisting of three conversion units.
Open Access
Dynamic modeling and simulation of a pressurized alkaline water electrolyzer: a multiphysics approach
(IEEE, 2021) Iribarren Zabalegui, Álvaro; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Ibaiondo, Harkaitz; Sánchez Ruiz, Alain; Arza, Joseba; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In this paper a dynamic model for the simulation of pressurized alkaline water electrolyzers is presented. The model has been developed following a multiphysics approach, integrating electrochemical, thermodynamic, heat transfer and gas evolution processes in order to faithfully reproduce the complete dynamical behavior of these systems. The model has been implemented on MATLAB/Simulink and validated through experimental data from a 1 Nm3h-1 commercial alkaline water electrolyzer, and the simulated results have been found to be consistent with the real measured values. This model has a great potential to predict the behavior of alkaline water electrolyzers coupled with renewable energy sources, making it a very useful tool for designing efficient green hydrogen production systems.
Open Access
Dynamic modeling of a pressurized alkaline water electrolyzer: a multiphysics approach
(IEEE, 2023) Iribarren Zabalegui, Álvaro; Elizondo Martínez, David; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Ibaiondo, Harkaitz; Sánchez Ruiz, Alain; Arza, Joseba; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
In this paper a dynamic model for the simulation of pressurized alkaline water electrolyzers is presented. The model has been developed following a multiphysics approach, integrating electrochemical, thermodynamic, heat transfer and gas evolution processes in order to faithfully reproduce the complete dynamical behavior of these systems. The model has been implemented on MATLAB/Simulink and validated through experimental data from a 1 Nm3/h commercial alkaline water electrolyzer. Validations have been performed under real scenarios where the electrolyzer is working with power profiles characteristic from renewable sources, wind and photovoltaic. The simulated results have been found to be consistent with the real measured values. This model has a great potential to predict the behavior of alkaline water electrolyzers coupled with renewable energy sources, making it a very useful tool for designing efficient green hydrogen production systems.
Open Access
On the stability criteria for inverter current control loops with LCL output filters and varying grid impedance
(IEEE, 2017) Lumbreras Magallón, David; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica
The use of LC and LCL filters and grid impedance variations are creating new challenges on the controller design for current control loops of photovoltaic and wind turbine inverters. In the design process, stability criteria such as Bode and revised Bode are commonly used. This paper analyses the limitations of Bode and revised Bode criteria to reliably determine stability and proposes a sufficient and necessary stability criterion, based on the Nyquist criterion, but that makes use of the Bode diagram. The proposed criterion, named generalized Bode criterion, is always reliable and helps the controller design. Relative stability in complex control loops is also studied and a relative stability analysis is proposed. Finally, the generalized Bode criterion and the proposed relative stability analysis are illustrated with a practical example in which a PI is designed in order to guarantee stability and achieve relative stability.