With the rise of inverter-based resources (IBRs) within the power system, the control of grid-connected converters (GCC) has become pertinent due to the fact they interface IBRs to the grid. The conventional method of control for grid-connected converters (GCCs) such as the voltage-sourced converter (VSC) is through a decoupled control loop in the synchronous reference frame. However, this model-based control method is sensitive to parameter changes causing deterioration in controller performance. Data-driven approaches such as machine learning can be utilized to design controllers that are capable of operating GCCs in various system conditions. This work reviews different machine learning applications in power systems as well as the conventional method of controlling a VSC. It explores a deep learning-based control method for a three-phase grid-connected VSC, specifically utilizing a long short-term memory (LSTM) network for robust control. Simulations of a conventional controlled VSC are conducted using Simulink to collect data for training the LSTM-based controller. The LSTM model is built and trained using the Keras and TensorFlow libraries in Python and tested in Simulink. The performance of the LSTM-based controller is evaluated under different case studies and compared to the conventional method of control. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by outperforming the conventional controller and maintaining stability under different system parameter changes. / Master of Science / The desire to minimize the use of fossil fuels and reduce carbon footprints has increased the usage of renewable energies also known as inverter-based resources (IBRs) within the power grid. These resources add a level of complexity to operating the grid due to the fluctuating nature of IBRs and are connected to the power grid through grid-connected converters (GCCs). The control method conventionally used for GCCs is derived by accounting for the system parameters, creating a mathematical model under constant parameters. However, the parameters of the system are susceptible to changes under different operating and environmental conditions. This results in poor performance from the controller under various operating conditions due to its inability to be adaptive to the system. Data-driven approaches such as machine learning are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to capture the dynamics of a system with limited knowledge. The different applications of machine learning within power systems include fault diagnosis, energy management, and cyber security. This work explores the use of utilizing deep learning techniques for a robust approach of controlling GCCs.

<p>U ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji razvijena je tehnika upravljanja za<br />pretvarač energetske elektronike pri nesimetričnim naponskim<br />prilikama u elektroenergetskom sistemu. Kao što je pokazano,<br />primenom tehnike poništavanja signala kašnjenjem moguće je<br />izdvajanje komponenti struje inverznog redosleda i njihovo<br />potpuno poništenje, što će omogućiti pouzdanu kontrolu<br />komponenti struje direktnog redosleda upotrebom klasičnih<br />tehnika upraljanja, uz adekvatno unapređenje tehnike za<br />sinhronizaciju sa vektorskim reprezentom napona. Predložena<br />je i upotreba algoritama za poboljšanje parametara kvaliteta<br />električne energije bez dodatnih pasivnih elemenata.</p> / <p>This PhD thesis presents an improved control technique for grid<br />connected converter under asymmetrical voltages at the point of<br />common coupling. As presented, using delay signal cancellation<br />technique it is possible to differentiate and completely mitigate the<br />negative sequence current, offering the possibility of reliable positive<br />sequence current control using classical control algorithms. The<br />improvements made in synchronization offered adequate<br />phase angle estimation under voltage asymmetry. Furthermore, a<br />technique for the improvement of power quality indices without<br />passive elements between the grid and</p>

Submitted by Sandro Camargo (sandro.camargo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2015-05-09T20:45:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 117110026.pdf: 2752105 bytes, checksum: bd6b8c2341ad7ebc5b553fad3338b56f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-09T20:45:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 117110026.pdf: 2752105 bytes, checksum: bd6b8c2341ad7ebc5b553fad3338b56f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-01 / O controle de conversores eletrônicos de potência tem recebido muita atenção devido às suas inúmeras aplicações. Destacam-se especialmente aplicações em problemas de qualidade de energia, onde é necessário injetar uma corrente na rede elétrica de acordo com uma referência. A conexão de conversores na rede elétrica, no entanto, apresenta diversos desafios, como a existência de incerteza paramétrica na planta e distúrbios advindos da rede. Além disso, inerentemente ao seu funcionamento, conversores eletrônicos de potência geram componentes harmônicas de comutação que precisam ser filtradas. A tendência atual das estratégias de controle é o relaxamento da exigência clássica de conhecimento completo da planta a ser controlada, buscando robustez com relação às incertezas paramétricas. Este trabalho apresenta uma estratégia de controle capaz de rejeitar distúrbios e apresentar bom desempenho frente a incertezas, utilizando técnicas de controle multimalhas e controle adaptativo. Por fim, são apresentados resultados de simulação, e resultados experimentais que mostram o bom funcionamento do sistema. / Voltage-source converter control is being very exploited due to its numerous applications. Special attention is given to energy quality applications, which demand the injection of currents in the grid according to a reference current. The connection of converters to the grid, however, presents several challenges such as parametric uncertainty associated to the plant and disturbances coming from the grid. Furthermore, inverters generate switching harmonics that need to be filtered. The tendency in control strategies is the relaxation of the classical requirement of complete knowledge of the plant, seeking robustness with respect to parametric uncertainties. This work presents a control strategy capable of disturbance rejection and good performance in relation to uncertainties, using Multi-Loop and Adaptive control techniques. Simulation results are presented, and experimental results show the good behavior of the proposed system.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This thesis addresses the main issues regarding the operation of full power converters wind turbines connected to the grid under balanced and unbalanced voltage sags. In the past, the grid codes allowed wind turbines to be disconnected during voltage and frequency disturbances. However, recently, grid codes updates often require that wind turbines remain connected during voltage sags aiming to provide voltage back-up support. Furthermore, some specific criteria establish that wind turbines should be able to utilize part of its current capability to promote the voltage back-up during unbalanced voltage sags. To guarantee the grid connected converter operation, even with voltage sags that lead to zero-voltage situations and unbalanced voltage conditions, a synchronous frame PLL with a very low time constant is designed and adapted with a Kalmam filter synchronization system. This thesis propose a two stages synchronization for grid connected converters that is able to ensure proper operation of the converter even when voltage on the converter terminals has temporarily falling down to zero. This goal is meet with a synchronous frame PLL with a very low time constant adapted with a Kalmam filter synchronization system. This composed synchronization system allows the converter control system to get the positive and negative sequences voltages components, that are necessary to the output power control even under severe voltage dips. Moreover, an anti windup is adapted to operate with a resonant current controller enabling the minimization of the saturation in the control action during voltage transients. During unbalanced voltage dips, the injection of unbalanced currents to the voltage back-up support becomes a good alternative to reduce the imbalance factor of the grid voltages. However, it is necessary to limit the maximum current output of the converter to avoid undesirable protection trips. This thesis proposes a strategy that limite the output currents allowing the use of the converter full current capacity during unbalanced voltage sags support. To achieve this goal, the current references are divided into three parts. The former is associated with the active power reference synchronized with the positive sequence voltage. The second is the reactive power synchronized with the positive sequence voltage and the third is the reactive power synchronized with the negative sequence voltage. The strategy propose the computation of th reactive power references by the positive and negative sequence voltages on the PPC in order to not overpass the converter current limits. Experimental and simulation results corroborate the contributions of this thesis. / Esta tese trata do problema de operação de aerogeradores com conversores plenos conectados à rede durante afundamentos de tensão equilibrados e desequilibrados. Inicialmente, os códigos de rede permitiam a desconexão dos aerogeradores durante distúrbios de frequência ou durante afundamentos de tensão. Entretanto, a presente tendência dos requisitos de conexão em diversos países obriga os aerogeradores a permanecerem conectados a contribuição destes com injeção de corrente reativa visando dar suporte à tensão. Além disso, alguns critérios especifícos estabelecem que aerogeradores devem ser capazes de utilizar parte de sua capacidade de corrente para promover o suporte de reativos também durante afundamentos desequilibrados. Nesta tese é apresentado um método de sincronismo composto baseado em filtro de Kalman e aplicado para conversores conectados à rede durante afundamentos de tensão que possam levar a tensão a zero no ponto de conexão. Este possibilita a obtenção das componentes de sequência e as suas tensões em quadratura de maneira simples, além de apresentar um bom desempenho dinâmico durante afundamentos desequilibrados. Além disso, uma estrutura anti windup é adaptada para operar com um controlador ressonante de corrente possibilitando a minimização da saturação da ação de controle na síntese das correntes de saída. Uma vez que o conversor do lado da rede é capaz de operar em condições severas de maneira adequada, a injeção de corrente reativa de forma a minimizar a tensão se sequência negativa no ponto de conexão é uma possibilidade para a diminuição do fator de desequilíbrio. Entretanto é necessário limitar as correntes máximas de saída do conversor. Esta tese propõem uma estratégia de limitação de corrente para conversores conectados à rede que possibilita o uso da plena capacidade de corrente do conversor na injeção de correntes desequilibradas para o suporte de tensão. Para atingir esse objetivo, as referências de corrente são dividas em três partes e com objetivos distintos. A primeira é associada a potência ativa sincronizada com a tensão de sequência positiva. A segunda representa a parcela de potência reativa sincronizada com a tensão de sequência positiva e a terceira parcela representa a potência reativa sincronizada com a tensão de sequência negativa. Pelo cômputo da norma máxima das correntes por uma expressão genérica é possível determinar as correntes de referência que respeitam os limites de corrente do conversor. Resultados de simulação e experimentais corroboram as contribuições desta tese.

The present thesis deals with fault impact mitigation in grid connected converters used for High Voltage Direct Current transmission. Certain critical fault cases require additional obstructing protection actions to ease the impact on the converter valves. DC sided faults drives high fault currents through the converters. Single phase to ground faults at the converter AC bus results in overvoltages across the converter valve arms. The phenomenon of these faults are described both for symmetric and asymmetric configurations. Different available solutions are explained and evaluated. Simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC show the impact of the protection measures. A three phase short circuit introduced on the tertiary winding of the transformer is an effective temporary measure against the destructive fault cases. It is shown in this report that a tertiary shortcircuit will greatly reduce the overvoltages after converter bus faults and redirect a large part of the fault currents after DC faults. With the lower voltage on the tertiary winding, it is a suitable connection point for short circuit devices.