Power quality and inverter-generator interactions in microgrids

Microgrids;Inverter;Synchronous generator;Virtual impedance

Paquette, Andrew Donald ; Divan, Deepak Electrical and Computer Engineering Harley, Ronald Grijalva, Santiago Williams, Douglas Mayor, Rhett ; Divan, Deepak

University:Georgia Institute of Technology

Department:Electrical and Computer Engineering

关键词: Microgrids;    Inverter;    Synchronous generator;    Virtual impedance;   

Others  :  https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/1853/51803/1/PAQUETTE-DISSERTATION-2014.pdf

美国|英语

来源: SMARTech Repository

【 摘 要 】

This research addresses some of the difficulties faced when operating voltage controlled inverters with synchronous generators in microgrids. First, an overview of microgrid value propositions is provided, and the problems faced when attempting to use microgrids to provide improved power quality are discussed. Design considerations for different types of microgrids are provided to enable microgrids to deliver the desired functionality without adding unnecessary cost. The main body of this research investigates the poor transient load sharing encountered between voltage controlled inverters and synchronous generators in islanded operation. Poor transient load sharing results in high peak inverter rating requirements and high cost. The tradeoff between power quality and power sharing is highlighted, and methods to improve transient load sharing are proposed. The use of current limiting to protect inverters during faults and overloads is also investigated. Stability problems are identified when using simple inverter current limiting methods when operating in parallel with synchronous generators. Virtual impedance current limiting is proposed to improve transient stability during current limiting. The methods proposed in this thesis for mitigating inverter overloads and faults will allow for more reliable and cost effective application of inverter based distributed energy resources with synchronous generators in microgrids.