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Grid-Connected Control Technology of Converter Connected Power Generation Systems

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 October 2024) | Viewed by 7047

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Electrical Power Systems (IEAN), Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
Interests: power system stability; grid connection of inverters; short circuit calculation; power system protection; power system grounding

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Electrical Power Systems, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
Interests: stability of converter connected generation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The structure of the energy system with a high share of renewable energy has changed. In the modern power systems, there are more grid-connected converters in power generation and transmission stages. On the other hand, DC network, AC/DC hybrids and converter loads are increasing. This shows that there is a clear trend towards grid-connected converters in modern power systems. Unlike conventional power system devices with known inherent characteristics, the operating behavior of modern converters is highly dependent on the control and protection algorithms implemented. This leads to fundamental changes in the theory of stability analysis and optimal operation of the power system. Therefore, it is necessary to propose innovative control methods, stability investigation methods, evaluation methods and grid operation strategies of the grid-connected converters in order to adapt them to the modern power systems.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest advances in the theory, design, modelling, application, control and evaluation of all types of grid-connected control technology for converter connected power generation systems.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

  • All types of robust control strategy for grid-connected converters.
  • Modeling of converter-grid system.
  • Fault ride-through strategy.
  • Investigation of the effects of short-circuit faults on converters.
  • Investigation, control strategies of grid-connected converter in unsymmetrical grid situations.
  • Applications, strategies and investigations of converters to support grid frequency/voltage stability.
  • Requirements, application and optimal control strategies of large-scale energy storage for grid-connected converters.
  • Calculation of short-circuit current of converter.
  • Converter control methods friendly to existing protection strategies.
  • Protection strategies friendly to existing converter control strategies.
  • Recommendations for new grid guidelines/test guidance/stability verification method.

Prof. Dr. Robert Schuerhuber
Dr. Ziqian Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • grid-connected converter
  • modeling
  • stability
  • fault ride-through
  • short-circuit
  • grid frequency/voltage stability
  • energy storage
  • protection strategies
  • test/verification method

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5510 KiB  
Article
Challenges of Large Converter-Fed Synchronous Machines for Variable-Speed Pumped Hydro Storage
by Stefan Polster, Johannes Deschler, Herwig Renner, Aurelie Bocquel and Martin Janssen
Energies 2023, 16(22), 7506; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227506 - 9 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1959
Abstract
The green energy transition of electrical energy production is leading to an increasing share of total energy production for volatile renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar power. To handle this volatile production, flexible and efficient energy storage is required. The development of [...] Read more.
The green energy transition of electrical energy production is leading to an increasing share of total energy production for volatile renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar power. To handle this volatile production, flexible and efficient energy storage is required. The development of high-power converters has enabled the generation of variable-speed pumped hydro storage power plants, combining the so-far-unequalled energy storage capacity of classical pumped-storage hydro power plants and the recently increased operation requirements. The introduction of large-scale converters has led to new challenges in the overall design of power plant systems. This paper intended to take a closer look at a large-scale converter-fed synchronous generator, especially the distribution of the current and voltage harmonics caused by the converter in the implemented generation system. Thereby, holistic design considerations for an ideal loss distribution as well as possible measures to limit the effects of harmonic coupling at the generator shaft and bearings are discussed. Furthermore, basic considerations of harmonic emission to the connected network are described. These topics are addressed by analyzing on-site measurements at an 85 MVA converter-fed synchronous generator with a voltage source inverter, underpinned with the theoretical background. Full article
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25 pages, 3153 KiB  
Article
Validation Aspects for Grid-Forming Converters Based on System Characteristics and Inertia Impact
by Julian Struwe, Holger Wrede and Hendrik Vennegeerts
Energies 2023, 16(21), 7357; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16217357 - 31 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1313
Abstract
Grid-forming converters are considered a key technology for electrical grids with a high share of renewable energy. However, there is a lack of a general, robust and verifiable definition of what constitutes this behaviour. Therefore, this paper presents three simple scenarios that enable [...] Read more.
Grid-forming converters are considered a key technology for electrical grids with a high share of renewable energy. However, there is a lack of a general, robust and verifiable definition of what constitutes this behaviour. Therefore, this paper presents three simple scenarios that enable such a definition. They are based on simple black-box simulations that allow manufacturers to protect their development work. It can be shown that grid forming can be clearly distinguished from grid-following controls by their grid behaviour in the proposed scenarios. Extensive results illustrate this and also provide suggestions to deepen the understanding of grid-forming grid behaviour and its impact on system inertia. These findings should inspire the development of a clear definition and ultimately new requirements for converter systems. Full article
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22 pages, 10826 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Onshore Synthetic Inertia and Primary Control Reserve Contributions of Alternating Current-Side Meshed Offshore Grids with Voltage-Source Converter and Diode Rectifier Unit High-Voltage Direct Current Connections
by Michael Herrmann, Merlin Alkemper and Lutz Hofmann
Energies 2023, 16(18), 6700; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186700 - 19 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1103
Abstract
The increasing use of renewable energy sources in place of conventional generation units is leading to a reduction in onshore inertia and to the development of offshore wind park grids connected by multiple high-voltage direct current (HVDC) connections to the onshore alternating current [...] Read more.
The increasing use of renewable energy sources in place of conventional generation units is leading to a reduction in onshore inertia and to the development of offshore wind park grids connected by multiple high-voltage direct current (HVDC) connections to the onshore alternating current (AC) grid. For AC-side meshed offshore grids with voltage-source converter (VSC) and diode rectifier unit (DRU) HVDC connections towards onshore grids, this study focuses on the energetic feasibility of synthetic inertia (SI) and primary control reserve (PCR) contributions triggered locally at the onshore converters of both connection types. To this end, the obstacles preventing contributions for VSC HVDC connections and the mechanisms allowing contributions for DRU HVDC connections are identified first. Based on these findings, the article proposes an enhancement of the offshore HVDC converter controls that is continuously active and allows locally triggered onshore contributions at all onshore HVDC converters of both connection types without using communication and requiring only minimal system knowledge. Additional simulations confirm that, although the enhancement is continuously active, the operational performance of the offshore HVDC converter controls for normal offshore grid operation and its robustness against offshore AC-side faults are not affected. Full article
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20 pages, 5587 KiB  
Article
Impact of Reactive Current and Phase-Locked Loop on Converters in Grid Faults
by Ziqian Zhang and Robert Schuerhuber
Energies 2023, 16(7), 3122; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073122 - 29 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1735
Abstract
The precise control of output power by grid-connected converters relies on the correct identification and tracking of a grid voltage’s phase at the converter terminal. During severe grid faults, large disturbances cause the converter’s operating point to move away from the stable equilibrium [...] Read more.
The precise control of output power by grid-connected converters relies on the correct identification and tracking of a grid voltage’s phase at the converter terminal. During severe grid faults, large disturbances cause the converter’s operating point to move away from the stable equilibrium point during normal operation. This leads to oscillations of both the active and reactive power fed into the grid. Using large-signal modelling, this study investigated the converter’s dynamic processes during and after such fault situations. The investigation considered the influence of the converter’s phase-locked loop (PLL), responsible for phase tracking, as well as that of the DC link on the converter-grid system, which has a major influence on the active power exchange with the grid. On this basis, this study also focused on the reactive current reference’s influence during and after fault clearing. Furthermore, an easily implementable strategy for reactive current injection, leading to minimum power oscillations, was presented. The results and the optimized strategies were validated via controller hardware-in-the-loop tests. Full article
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