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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 April 2017) | Viewed by 56315

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Silva

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Guest Editor

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Tecnico, INESC-ID, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: power electronics; power electronics for electrical power quality; control of switching power converters; power electronics for energy storage and renewables; pulsed power

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Power quality is a multidisciplinary and complex field in electrical engineering research. It is concerned with the voltage waveform quality in electrical networks, availability and dependability of electrical power, and quality of electrical services. Recent economic and productivity demands have raised awareness about electrical power quality issues, such as voltage dips, voltage harmonic contents, or voltage swells, namely in case of high renewable energy penetration, electrical market liberalization, and regulation of power systems under the smart grid paradigm.

Power quality disturbances are increasing mainly due to the intermittence of dispersed renewable energy generation, the possible flow of energy from low voltage networks to medium voltage regarding the widespread of micro-generation prosumers, and to the ubiquitous power electronic systems in households, industry, and commercial energy systems. These loads may absorb distorted current waveforms that lead to network voltage distortion. The distorted voltage may further increase the current distortion leading to cumulative distortion of voltage, or to the failure of the switching power supply with the associated down-time costs. Electric vehicles (EV) and their intermittent connection to the grid (G) can also cause flicker and voltage fluctuations. Power quality issues may cause electrical network malfunctions, namely in protection systems and devices, frequency fluctuations, increased network losses, poor usage of power distribution networks, and malfunction/tripping of sensitive devices.

Recently, power quality neighboring research fields like SiC and GaN semiconductor power devices, switching power converters, control theory, signal processing, renewable energy systems, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, have experienced fast development, which strongly influenced new procedures and switching power converters to solve power quality issues.

The Special Issue, "Power Electronics in Power Quality", of Energies invites students, engineers, researchers, to contribute original, as well as review material, addressing recent advances on the identification, understanding, quantification, prevention, reduction, and mitigation of power quality issues using switching power converters.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Unified power quality conditioners
Active and hybrid power filters
SiC and GaN based power converters for power quality
New control techniques for power quality improvement
Power quality in AC and DC microgrids and smart grids
Energy storage/management and converters to mitigate sags, interruptions, frequency variations
Fault ride-trough strategies
Clean and smart EV chargers (G2V, V2G operation)
Fault tolerant power electronic systems for the cleanliness and quality of power
Power quality and renewable energy penetration
Fault tolerant converters and power quality in shipboard power systems and in all-electric aircrafts

Prof. Dr. Jose Fernando Alves da Silva
Guest Editor

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Keywords

power quality
power electronics
power quality mitigation control techniques
high-frequency SiC/GaN power converters for power quality
power quality in microgrids
smart-grids
renewable energy penetration
fault-tolerant converters

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

6243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Implementation of a STATCOM Based on a Multilevel FHB Converter with Delta-Connected Configuration for Unbalanced Load Compensation

by Wei-Neng Chang and Ching-Huan Liao

Energies 2017, 10(7), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10070921 - 04 Jul 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4852

Abstract

A delta-connected STATCOM with cascade multilevel full H-bridge (FHB) converter has been applied for phase balancing and power factor correction of unbalanced load in a three-phase, three-wire power distribution system. In this paper, a feedforward compensation formula is presented for the STATCOM by using the symmetrical components method to compensate unbalanced load. Computer simulation is performed for preliminary verification. Accordingly, a hardware prototype employing a TMS320F2812 DSP-based system is built for final verification test. Experimental results show that the proposed STATCOM is very effective for real-time unbalanced load compensation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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1345 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Constant DC-Capacitor Voltage-Control-Based Harmonics Compensation Strategy of Smart Charger for Electric Vehicles in Single-Phase Three-Wire Distribution Feeders

by Fuka Ikeda, Hiroaki Yamada, Toshihiko Tanaka and Masayuki Okamoto

Energies 2017, 10(6), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060797 - 12 Jun 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4957

Abstract

This paper discusses harmonic current compensation of the constant DC-capacitor voltage-control (CDCVC)-based strategy of smart chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) in single-phase three-wire distribution feeders (SPTWDFs) under nonlinear load conditions. The basic principle of the CDCVC-based harmonics compensation strategy under nonlinear load conditions is discussed in detail. The instantaneous power flowing into the three-leg pulse-width modulated (PWM) rectifier, which performs as a smart charger, shows that the CDCVC-based strategy achieves balanced and sinusoidal source currents with a unity power factor. The CDCVC-based harmonics compensation strategy does not require any calculation blocks of fundamental reactive, unbalanced active, and harmonic currents. Thus, the authors propose a simplified algorithm to compensate for reactive, unbalanced active, and harmonic currents. A digital computer simulation is implemented to confirm the validity and high practicability of the CDCVC-based harmonics compensation strategy using PSIM software. Simulation results demonstrate that balanced and sinusoidal source currents with a unity power factor in SPTWDFs are obtained on the secondary side of the pole-mounted distribution transformer (PMDT) during both the battery-charging and discharging operations in EVs, compensating for the reactive, unbalanced active, and harmonic currents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Real Time Lyapunov Based Controller for Power Quality Improvement in Unified Power Flow Controllers Using Direct Matrix Converters

by Joaquim Monteiro, Sónia Pinto, Aranzazu Delgado Martin and José Fernando Silva

Energies 2017, 10(6), 779; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060779 - 06 Jun 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4515

Abstract

This paper proposes a Direct Matrix Converter operating as a Unified Power Flow Controller (DMC-UPFC) with an advanced control method for UPFC, based on the Lyapunov direct method, presenting good results in power quality assessment. This control method is used for real-time calculation of the appropriate matrix switching state, determining which switching state should be applied in the following sampling period. The control strategy takes into account active and reactive power flow references to choose the vector converter closest to the optimum. Theoretical principles for this new real-time vector modulation and control applied to the DMC-UPFC with input filter are established. The method needs DMC-UPFC dynamic equations to be solved just once in each control cycle, to find the required optimum vector, in contrast to similar control methods that need 27 vector estimations per control cycle. The designed controller’s performance was evaluated using Matlab/Simulink software. Controllers were also implemented using a digital signal processing (DSP) system and matrix hardware. Simulation and experimental results show decoupled transmission line active (P) and reactive (Q) power control with zero theoretical error tracking and fast response. Output currents and voltages show small ripple and low harmonic content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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5772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Synchronous Reference Frame Based Shunt Active Power Filter with Fuzzy Logic Control Pulse Width Modulation Inverter

by Suleiman Musa, Mohd Amran Mohd Radzi, Hashim Hizam, Noor Izzri Abdul Wahab, Yap Hoon and Muhammad Ammirrul Atiqi Mohd Zainuri

Energies 2017, 10(6), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060758 - 29 May 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 6698

Abstract

Harmonic distortion in power networks has greatly reduced power quality and this affects system stability. In order to mitigate this power quality issue, the shunt active power filter (SAPF) has been widely applied and it is proven to be the best solution to current harmonics. This paper evaluates the performance of the modified synchronous reference frame extraction (MSRF) algorithm with fuzzy logic controller (FLC) based current control pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter of three-phase three-wire SAPF to mitigate current harmonics. The proposed FLC is designed with a reduced amount of membership functions (MFs) and rules, and thus significantly reduces the computational time and memory size. Modeling and simulations of SAPF are carried out using MATLAB/Simulink R2012a with the power system toolbox under steady-state condition, and this is followed with hardware implementation using a TMS320F28335 digital signal processor (DSP), Specrum Digital Inc., Stafford, TX, USA. The results obtained demonstrate a good and satisfactory response to mitigate the harmonics in the system. The total harmonic distortion (THD) for the system has been reduced from 25.60% to 0.92% and 1.41% in the simulation study with and without FLC, respectively. Similarly for the experimental study, the SAPF can compensate for the three-phase load current by reducing THD to 5.07% and 7.4% with and without FLC, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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6579 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Backward Euler Stabilized Optimum Controller for NPC Back-to-Back Five Level Converters

by Miguel Chaves, José Fernando Silva, Sónia Ferreira Pinto, Elmano Margato and João Santana

Energies 2017, 10(6), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060735 - 23 May 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4432

Abstract

This paper presents a backward Euler stabilized-based control strategy applied to a neutral point clamped (NPC) back-to-back connected five level converters. A generalized method is used to obtain the back-to-back NPC converter system model. The backward Euler stabilized-based control strategy uses one set of calculations to compute the optimum voltage vector needed to reach the references and to balance the voltage of the DC-bus capacitors. The output voltage vector is selected using a modified cost functional that includes variable tracking errors in the functional weights, whereas in classic approaches, the weights are considered constant. The proposed modified cost functional enables AC current tracking and DC-bus voltage balancing in a wide range of operating conditions. The paper main contributions are: (i) a backward Euler stabilized-based control strategy applied to a double, back-to-back connected, five level NPC converter; (ii) the use of cost functional weight varying as a function of the controlled variable tracking errors to enforce the controlled variables and to balance the DC capacitor voltages; and (iii) the demonstration of system feasibility for this type of converter topology and control strategy, ensuring a high enough computational efficiency and extending the modulation index from 0.6 to 0.93. Experimental results are presented using a prototype of a five level NPC back-to-back converter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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5399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A High-Power-Density Single-Phase Rectifier Based on Three-Level Neutral-Point Clamped Circuits

by Tao Zhou, Zeliang Shu, Hongjian Lin, Deng Luo, Yajun Chen and Xiaoxiao Guo

Energies 2017, 10(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10050697 - 16 May 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4972

Abstract

A single-phase three-level converter is suitable for medium-power applications, with an interface voltage that is higher than that of a traditional two-level configuration. The three-level neutral-point clamped converter is adopted using four switches in each bridge arm, which, compared to a two-level rectifier, leads to less voltage stress, a lower switching frequency, and switching loss on switches. The transient current control strategy is designed to control the active power. The single-phase space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) with a voltage balance strategy is designed to solve the neutral point voltage fluctuation problem and keep the dc-link voltage stable. A 1.3 kW high-power-density prototype based on SiC MOSFET was built and tested. The experimental results verified the high performance of steady-state and dynamic responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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6658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Self-Tuning Filter-Based Adaptive Linear Neuron Approach for Operation of Three-Level Inverter-Based Shunt Active Power Filters under Non-Ideal Source Voltage Conditions

by Yap Hoon, Mohd Amran Mohd Radzi, Mohd Khair Hassan and Nashiren Farzilah Mailah

Energies 2017, 10(5), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10050667 - 11 May 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4974

Abstract

This paper presents a self-tuning filter (STF)-based adaptive linear neuron (ADALINE) reference current generation algorithm to enhance the operation of a three-phase three-level neutral-point diode clamped (NPC) inverter-based shunt active power filter (SAPF) under non-ideal (unbalanced and/or distorted) source voltage conditions. SAPF is an effective and versatile mitigation tool for current harmonics. As for its controller, ADALINE-based reference current generation algorithmd have widely been applied and proven to work effectively under balanced and purely sinusoidal source voltage conditions. However, no work has been conducted to study its performance under non-ideal source voltage conditions. In this work, a STF-based fundamental voltage extraction algorithm is integrated with an ADALINE algorithm, serving as synchronizer algorithm to ensure in-phase operation of the generated reference current with the non-ideal source voltage. Hence, it completely eliminates any dependency on conventional synchronizer algorithms such as phase-locked loop (PLL) and zero-crossing detector (ZCD). Additionally, the proposed STF-based ADALINE algorithm implements the modified Widrow-Hoff (W-H) weight updating algorithm for fast generation of reference current. Both simulation and experimental works are performed to verify design concept and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Comparative study with another recently reported algorithm is performed to investigate the performance improvement achieved by SAPF while using the proposed algorithm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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6027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Improved Scheme for Voltage Sag Override in Direct Torque Controlled Induction Motor Drives

by Milutin Petronijević, Nebojša Mitrović, Vojkan Kostić and Bojan Banković

Energies 2017, 10(5), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10050663 - 10 May 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4651

Abstract

This paper analyses symmetrical and unsymmetrical voltage sag effects on the torque and speed deviation in direct torque controlled (DTC) induction motors (IMs) for adjustable speed drives (ASDs). The capability of an ASD for continuous normal operation in case of short supply disturbances is essential for high performance drives. In this paper, an updated scheme is proposed for boosting ASD performances during supply disturbances with voltage reduction. Flux weakening is an effective method to overcome the torque-decreasing problem in case of DC-link voltage diminishing. It is also shown that speed reduction is an efficient procedure to obtain the voltage sag insensitivity of an ASD, which is appropriate for the existing industrial applications. Extensive laboratory testing has been conducted to verify the performances and effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm. The suggested method requires only a modification of converter control software or operating speed change without any additional hardware components. Extended tests under various voltage sags events were carried out on a 1.5 kW laboratory drive, and the obtained results have been compared with an industrial DTC drive. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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3938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Control Strategy of Single-Phase Three Level Neutral Point Clamped Cascaded Rectifier

by Xiaoqiong He, Xiaolan Lin, Xu Peng, Pengcheng Han, Zeliang Shu and Shibin Gao

Energies 2017, 10(5), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10050592 - 28 Apr 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4209

Abstract

Single-phase 3-level neutral point clamped cascaded rectifier (3LNPC-CR) has been successfully made its way into traction drive system as a high-voltage traction converter. In this passage, the control issue of the 3LNPC-CR is considered. A transient current control strategy, combined with proportional integral (PI) controllers, is adopted to achieve unity power factor, satisfactory sinusoidal grid current, regulated overall dc voltage, and even efficient voltage balance between each module. Besides, with regard to the instinct voltage fluctuation problem among dc-link capacitors in one 3-level neutral point clamped (3LNPC) rectifier module, a phase shift carrier space vector pulse width modulation (PSC-SVPWM) worked along with a reasonable redundancy selection scheme is addressed. In addition, two auxiliary balancing circuits for a single-phase 3LNPC rectifier is proposed. The voltage balancing capacity of these internal-module balancing schemes are analyzed and compared. Finally, the control performance of these proposed strategies are verified by simulations and experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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5971 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Output Voltage Quality Evaluation of Stand-alone Four-Leg Inverters Using Linear and Non-Linear Controllers

by Ricardo Luís, José Fernando Silva and José Carlos Quadrado

Energies 2017, 10(4), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10040504 - 09 Apr 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5288

Abstract

This paper presents the design and experimental voltage quality evaluation of controllers for the output voltages of 3-phase four-leg voltage source inverters. These inverters are needed in stand-alone power systems to supply linear and non-linear, balanced or unbalanced loads with constant RMS value voltages at fixed frequency. Comparisons include closed loop outer voltage controllers based on predictive, sliding mode and decoupled proportional-integral controllers in dqo synchronous space, fitted with an inner hysteretic current loop vector controller in

α β γ

space. The 3-phase four-leg VSI output voltages waveform quality is analysed under unbalanced and non-linear loads. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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1271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Power Quality Signals Using an Adaptive Time-Frequency Distribution

by Nabeel A. Khan, Faisal Baig, Syed Junaid Nawaz, Naveed Ur Rehman and Shree K. Sharma

Energies 2016, 9(11), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9110933 - 09 Nov 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5589

Abstract

Spikes frequently occur in power quality (PQ) disturbance signals due to various causes such as switching of the inductive loads and the energization of the capacitor bank. Such signals are difficult to analyze using existing time-frequency (TF) methods as these signals have two orthogonal directions in a TF plane. To address this issue, this paper proposes an adaptive TF distribution (TFD) for the analysis of PQ signals. In the proposed adaptive method, the smoothing kernel’s direction is locally adapted based on the direction of energy in the joint TF domain, and hence an improved TF resolution can be obtained. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed adaptive technique in analyzing electrical PQ is thoroughly studied for both synthetic and real world electrical power signals with the help of extensive simulations. The simulation results (specially for empirical data) indicate that the adaptive TFD method achieves high energy concentration in the TF domain for signals composed of tones and spikes. Moreover, the local adaptation of the smoothing kernel in the adaptive TFD enables the extraction of TF signature of spikes from TF images, which further helps in measuring the energy of spikes in a given signal. This new measure can be used to both detect the spikes as well as to quantify the extent of distortion caused by the spikes in a given signal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics in Power Quality)

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