Open Access
Effect of the inner current loop on the voltage regulation for three-phase photovoltaic inverters
(IEEE, 2020) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In three-phase grid-connected PV inverters, regulating the input voltage is a fundamental requirement. In order to reduce the influence of the PV non-linear behavior and ensure stability in the whole operating range, the input capacitance is currently oversized. This paper reveals the important effect of the inner current loop in the voltage stability and proposes to use a Proportional (P) controller instead of a PI controller. If tuned following the guidelines provided in this paper, the P controller makes it possible to design a stable voltage loop without increasing the input capacitance, thus reducing the converter cost.
Open Access
Power angle-frequency droop control to enhance transient stability of grid-forming inverters under voltage dips
(IEEE, 2022) Erdocia Zabala, Ioseba; Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Due to the replacement of synchronous generators, grid operators are currently demanding to control grid-connected inverters in grid–forming mode to make them participate in the maintenance of the grid. To carry this out, the traditional droop controls based on the active and reactive powers are usually adopted, achieving a satisfactory performance in normal operation. Nevertheless, the power-frequency (P-ω) droop may become transiently unstable under voltage dips. This is because of the modification of the active power response caused by the inverter current limitation together with the voltage reduction. To enhance this, the power angle-frequency (δinv-ω) droop is proposed, consisting in employing an estimation of the inverter power angle as input to obtain the inverter frequency. The proposed method provides the inverter with the same performance as the P-ω droop in normal operation, while enhancing considerably the transient stability margins under current limitation. This is thanks to the higher variation of the inverter power angle with the phase difference between the inverter and the grid. Simulation results show the transient stability problems of the P-ω droop as well as the superior performance of the proposed δinv-ω droop control, which has also been verified by means of HIL results.
Open Access
Control strategy for an integrated photovoltaic-battery system
(IEEE, 2017) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica
In photovoltaic-battery systems, more attention is usually paid to the MPPT control while the battery management is put aside. This paper proposes two control strategies for an integrated PV-battery system, both of them making it possible to perform MPPT or regulate the battery voltage to its maximum value in order to prevent it from overcharging. Simulation results prove the feasibility of both controls.
Open Access
Dynamic analysis of the conductance-frequency droop control during current limitation
(IEEE, 2024-08-30) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Erdocia Zabala, Ioseba; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA2024-11695
In inverter-based stand-alone microgrids, the P-f and O-V droop methods are frequently used to keep control of the microgrid voltage. However, in the presence of overloads or short-circuits, in which the inverter must perform a current- limiting strategy, the P-f droop becomes prone to transient instability. In order to remain stable under any possible overload or fault, the conductance-frequency $({G-f})$ droop is a promising alternative, however no analysis about its dynamic response has been carried out so far. This paper proposes a small-signal model of the system during current limitation, proving that the ${G-f}$ droop is also superior to the existing droop methods in terms of rapidity. Simulation results validate the theoretical analysis.
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
Analysis of the active inertia power provided by grid-forming strategies during a RoCoF
(IEEE, 2024-08-30) Urtasun Salinas, Ibai; Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Bautista Portillo, Guillermo Antonio; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA2024-11695
Power electronic-based generators are becoming increasingly prevalent in the electrical grid, necessitating their support in disturbances previously handled only by synchronous generators. One of the tests proposed by regulations is to evaluate the response of grid-forming inverters to a Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF). However, there is no detailed analysis of the effect of control parameters on the active inertia power. This article presents the temporal response equation of an inverter subject to a RoCoF and introduces the concept of equivalent inertia showing that it also depends on the damping factor. Thanks to this analysis and the flexibility of inverters, the parameter design of existing grid-forming strategies is proposed to achieve the desired active inertia power and system damping ratio. Theoretical analysis and control strategies have been validated by simulation.
Open Access
Small wind turbines sensorless MPPT: robustness analysis and lossless approach
(IEEE, 2014) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The configuration Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) with diode bridge is frequently used in small Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WESC) thanks to its reliability and low cost. In order to perform a sensorless Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), a suitable method consists of imposing the relationship between the dc current and the dc voltage in optimum operation. However, this strategy requires having knowledge of the system parameters, which are inaccurately known and can vary in real applications. Thus, optimum curve is not precisely obtained, leading to power losses. This paper evaluates to what extent the power is reduced due to parameter errors. It is shown how the power can be drastically decreased due to some parameter variation whereas it is not affected by others such as the resistance, which can then be neglected in order to simplify the model. Simulation results for an actual wind profile validate the theoretical analysis.
Open Access
High-dynamics P-E and Q-f control of PV inverters for strong and weak grids
(IEEE, 2023-08-31) Urtasun Salinas, Ibai; Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The increase of power electronic-based generators is causing the replacement of synchronous generators, which poses new challenges to electrical grid stability. In particular, when grid-following inverters are connected to weak grids, stability problems related to the PLL used for synchronization arise. To address this issue, grid-forming controls are widely proposed. However, the conventional implementations, such as droop control or virtual synchronous generator, lead to slow power controls, which are not suitable for photovoltaic systems with no storage. Thus, to improve the control dynamics, this paper proposes a new P-E and Q-f control. This control uses the reactive power for grid synchronization, avoiding the use of a PLL, and is valid for both inductive and resistive lines. Furthermore, thanks to the controller design developed in the paper, the control remains rapid and stable for very weak grids. Simulation results validates the control design and shows that the proposed control is much faster than the droop control for all types of grids.
Open Access
Modeling of small wind turbines based on PMSG with diode bridge for sensorless maximum power tracking
(Elsevier, 2013) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; San Martín Biurrun, Idoia; López Taberna, Jesús; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) with diode bridge is frequently used in small Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). This configuration is robust and cheap, and therefore suitable for small WECS. In order to achieve Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) with no mechanical sensors, it is possible to impose the relationship between the DC voltage and the DC current on the optimum operating points. However, this relationship is difficult to calculate theoretically since the whole system is involved. In fact, as there is no model of the whole system in the literature, the optimum curve IL*(Vdc) is obtained with experimental tests or simulations. This paper develops an accurate model of the whole WECS, thereby making it possible to relate the electrical variables to the mechanical ones. With this model, it is possible to calculate the optimum curve IL*(Vdc) from commonly-known system parameters and to control the system from the DC side. Experimental results validate the theoretical analysis and show that maximum power is extracted for actual wind speed profiles.
Open Access
Comparison of linear and and small-signal models for inverter-based microgrids
(IEEE, 2014) Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Marroyo Palomo, Luis; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Frequency and voltage regulation in droop-based microgrids is generally modeled using small-signal analysis. In order to ensure accuracy, existing models do not decouple real and reactive power responses. However, the models become complicated and hide the real decoupled dynamics. This paper proposes a simple linear model which makes it possible to discern the different dynamic properties and to readily design the control parameters. The proposed model is validated by comparison with an accurate small-signal model and by simulation results. The effect of not considering the load is also evaluated.