Alternative energy resources (such as photovoltaics, fuel cells, wind turbines, micro-turbines, and internal combustion engines) and energy storage systems (such as batteries, supercapacitors, and flywheels) are increasingly being connected to the utility grid, creating distributed energy resources which require the implementation of an effective distributed power management strategy. Parallel-connected power converters form a critical component in such a distributed energy resources system. This dissertation addresses small-signal modeling and analysis of parallel-connected power converter systems operating in distributed energy environments. This work focuses on DC-DC and DC-AC power converters. First, this work addresses the small-signal modeling and analysis of parallel-connected power converters in a battery/supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system. The small-signal model considers variations in the current of individual energy storage devices and the DC bus voltage as state variables, variations in the power converter duty cycles as control variables, and variations in the battery and the supercapacitor voltages and the load current as external disturbances. This dissertation proposes several different control strategies and studies the effects of variations in controller and filter parameters on system performance. Simulation studies were carried out using the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) platform under various load conditions to verify the proposed control strategies and their effect on the final states of the energy storage devices. Control strategies for single DC-AC three-phase power converters are also identified and investigated. These include a novel PV (active power and voltage) control with frequency droop control loop, PQ (active power and reactive power) control, voltage control, PQ control with frequency droop control, and PQ control with voltage and frequency droop control. Small-signal models of a three-phase power converter system with these control strategies were developed, and the impact of parameter variations on the stability of a PV controlled converter were studied. Moreover, a small-signal model of parallel-connected three-phase DC-AC power converters with individual DC power supplies and network is proposed. The simulations carried out in stand-alone and grid-connected modes verify the combined control strategies that were developed. In addition, a detailed small-signal mathematical model that can represent the zero-sequence current dynamics in parallel-connected three-phase DC-AC power converters that share a single DC power source is presented. The effects of a variety of factors on the zero-sequence current are investigated, and a control strategy to minimize the zero-sequence current is proposed. Time-domain simulation studies verify the results. Simulations of a parallel-connected DC-AC power converter system with nonlinear load were carried out. The active power filter implemented in this system provides sharing of harmonic load between each power converter, and reduces harmonic distortion at the nonlinear load by harmonic compensation.

Building Integrated Photo Voltaics (BIPVs) are devices which are manufactured to replace building components exposed to sufficient sunlight to generate energy. Photo Voltaic Roof tiles are Building Integrated components which can be used instead of traditional roofing materials. The following thesis is focused on comparing traditional, cheaper asphalt roof tiles with Photo Voltaic (PV) roofing tiles in terms of energy cost savings during their respective Net Present Values. The method used for achieving this is computer simulation made possible by software named "Solar Advisory Model" (SAM), developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), to simulate energy output and resultant energy costs saved. The simulations have been run on a prototype example of a model of a dwelling unit's roof area. The simulations have been repeated for 35 cities all over the U.S.A. for 5 different climatic zones on the same prototype example of the dwelling unit. Similarly, the roof area being laid with an array of PV roof tiles has been estimated for coverage by traditional asphalt roof shingles by using data from the RS Means construction costs data. The estimated costs associated with the asphalt roof area have been adjusted to a different set of 35 locations from the 5 climatic zones by using the location factor from RS Means. A statistical analysis was done to analyze the data, net present value of roofing materials being the dependent variable versus climatic zones and roofing material as the independent variables. The statistical model also included CDD (Cooling Degree Days) and HDD (Heating Degree Days) as co-variates. The results indicate that NPV (Net Present Value) of BIPV roof is significantly different from that of asphalt roof. Another statistical analysis was done to determine the effect of climatic zones on energy savings due to the use of BIPV roofing. Energy savings (in US$) was used as a dependent variable, and climatic zone as the independent variable. HDD AND CDD were also included in this model as co-variates. The results of this test indicate that both climatic zone and HDD have an effect on total energy savings.

Aircraft design is an example of complex engineering where dimensioning tools can be valuable for the designers and decision makers in the early stage of the development process. These tools can be in form of a database over key numbers for different components or technologies. One of the critical parts of an aircraft is the actuator system. Conventional hydraulic actuators are demanding regarding maintenance which implies high operation costs. Therefore in recent years the focus has been set on electro-hydrostatic and electro-mechanical actuators. The aim of this work is to build a platform which can make it easier for designers and decision makers to analyze, compare and optimize different technologies regarding the actuator system. For this reason a simplified quasi-static actuator model, including reactive power consumption has been developed. This model makes it possible to reduce the complexity of the actuator models to such extent that the resulting computional tool can be used for studies of the system performance during entire flight missions and/or for optimization. Power density, cost and weight of the actuator systems are some of the important key numbers for comparing purpose and as a platform for the dimensioning of the aircraft. The ambition is then to build up a database of different actuator solutions with the key technical parameters mentioned above, that can be used in modeling and dimensioning of an aircraft. In order to avoid time consuming finite element calculations when analyzing an electrical machine a reluctance network model can be used. The basic idea of the proposed network model is to divide the rotor and the stator into a grid of small reluctance elements and provide those that correspond to the permanent magnet and the air gap between the magnets with time varying reluctances. The suggested computationally approach constitute a fast way to evaluate permanent magnet electrical machines with the respect to their performance. A preferred electrical machine provided with balance teeth and concentrated windings showed good electromechanical and thermal behavior. A balance tooth is a tooth without winding between each adjacent phases that has a cooling effect on the nearest windings, resulting in less copper losses. The balance teeth increases the voltage-time area, leading to higher induced voltage and higher torque production. Another advantage of the chosen design is its redundancy and fault tolerance capabilities. The machine comprises two independent half machines that also offers a high level of redundancy with two separate power channels. / QC 20100914

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία πραγματεύεται τη μελέτη, το σχεδιασμό και την εξομοίωση ενός σύγχρονου κινητήρα μόνιμου μαγνήτη οδηγούμενο από ελεγχόμενο τριφασικό αντιστροφέα. Η εργασία αυτή εκπονήθηκε στο Εργαστήριο Ηλεκτρομηχανικής Μετατροπής Ενέργειας του Τμήματος Ηλεκτρολόγων Μηχανικών και Τεχνολογίας Υπολογιστών της Πολυτεχνικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Σκοπός λοιπόν της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η μελέτη και προσομοίωση ενός σύγχρονου κινητήρα μόνιμου μαγνήτη μέσω της μεθόδου των πεπερασμένων στοιχείων, με τη βοήθεια του λογισμικού Opera σε δύο διαστάσεις (2d). Στο περιβάλλον σχεδίασης κυκλωμάτων του ίδιου προγράμματος, μοντελοποιήθηκε και ο τριφασικός αντιστροφέας ισχύος για την οδήγηση του κινητήρα. Στην συνέχεια, έγινε διασύνδεση του λογισμικού Opera με το πρόγραμμα Simulink του λογισμικού Matlab, με απώτερο σκοπό να επιτευχθεί έλεγχος κλειστού βρόχου της ταχύτητας περιστροφής του κινητήρα Συγκεκριμένα, έγινε μελέτη και προσομοίωση ενός συγκεκριμένου 8πολικού κινητήρα τύπου Brushless DC, ονομαστικής ισχύος 660 W, ονομαστικής τάσης 48 V, και ονομαστικής ταχύτητας 3000 rpm ο οποίος τροφοδοτήθηκε στην είσοδό του με τριφασικό αντιστροφέα. Ιδιαίτερη προσοχή δόθηκε, στην εξομοίωση του τρόπου λειτουργίας των αισθητήρων Hall, μέσω των ημιαγωγικών διακοπτικών στοιχείων του αντιστροφέα, τα οποία ρυθμίστηκαν για να λειτουργούν σε κατάλληλες, για την υπό μελέτη μηχανή, χρονικές περιόδους. Κρίσιμη ήταν επίσης, η διαδικασία εύρεσης των κατάλληλων κερδών των ελεγκτών PI, έτσι ώστε να βελτιωθεί η μεταβατική απόκριση του συστήματος κλειστού βρόχου και να μειωθεί το σφάλμα μόνιμης κατάστασης ταχύτητας. Αναλυτικά, στο κεφάλαιο 1 γίνεται αναφορά στα θεμελιώδη μεγέθη του μαγνητικού πεδίου, καθώς και στις ιδιότητες των μαγνητικών υλικών που χρησιμοποιούνται στην κατασκευή σύγχρονων μηχανών μόνιμου μαγνήτη. Στο κεφάλαιο 2 αναλύονται οι σύγχρονοι κινητήρες μόνιμου μαγνήτη και γίνεται εκτενής αναφορά στα κατασκευαστικά χαρακτηριστικά, στη βασική αρχή λειτουργίας και στις μαθηματικές εξισώσεις που τους περιγράφουν. Στο κεφάλαιο 3 περιγράφεται η διάταξη οδήγησης του κινητήρα και αναλύονται λεπτομερώς η λειτουργία και του αντιστροφέα και του κυκλώματος ελέγχου κλειστού βρόχου. Στο κεφάλαιο 4 περιγράφεται η διαδικασία διεξαγωγής μετρήσεων και σχεδιασμού του μοντέλου πεπερασμένων στοιχείων της μηχανής στο περιβάλλον του υπολογιστικού προγράμματος Opera-2d. Στο κεφάλαιο 5 περιγράφεται η διαδικασία σχεδιασμού του τριφασικού αντιστροφέα και παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα εξομοίωσης για το σύστημα ανοικτού βρόχου. Στο κεφάλαιο 6 εξηγείται η διαδικασία διασύνδεσης των δύο προγραμμάτων (Matlab-Opera) και παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της εξομοίωσης για το σύστημα ελέγχου κλειστού βρόχου. / In this dissertation, the design and simulation of a permanent magnet synchronous motor driven by a three-phase inverter, is presented. The work was conducted at the Laboratory of Electromechanical Energy Conversion, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Patras. The objective of this dissertation is the study and simulation of a permanent magnet synchronous motor employing the finite element method, with the help of Opera-2d simulation software. In the Circuit Editor environment of the same software, a three-phase inverter for driving the motor was designed, utilizing the PWM method and achieving open loop control of the motor rotation speed under constant loads. In addition, a closed loop control system was designed on Simulink user interface of Matlab software and making use of the interconnection capability of the two programs (Matlab-Opera) closed loop control of the motor rotation speed was achieved. Specifically, chapter 1 gives reference to fundamentals of the magnetic field and the magnetic properties of materials used in the construction of modern permanent magnet machines. Chapter 2 analyzes synchronous permanent magnet motors and makes an extensive reference to the constructional features, basic operation principle and the mathematical equations that describe them. Chapter 3 describes the motor driving converter and analyzes in detail the operation of the inverter and the closed loop control circuit. Chapter 4 describes the procedure for carrying out measurements and designing the finite element model of the machine in the environment of Opera-2d software. Chapter 5 describes the three-phase inverter design process and presents the simulation results for the open loop system. Chapter 6 explains the interconnection process of the two programs (Matlab-Opera) and presents the results of the simulation for the closed loop control system.

The McTronX research group, at the Potchefstroom campus of the North–West University, has been researching Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs). A fully suspended, flywheel energy storage system (FESS) has been developed. Due to excessive unbalance on the rotor, the motor drive could not be tested up to its rated speed. In the interim, until the rotor can be balanced and other rotor dynamic effects have been investigated, the group decided that the existing drive control should be improved and tested on a high–speed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), using normal roller element bearings. In order to test the motor control a second (identical) PMSM, mechanically coupled to the former, operates in generator mode which serves as the torque load. Two different control algorithms, namely V/f and vector control, are designed and implemented on a rapid control prototyping system, i.e. dSPACE®. The V/f control is an open–loop, position sensorless technique, whilst the vector controller makes use of a position sensor. From the design and implementation it became clear that the vector control is more robust, in the sense that it is less sensitive on parameter variations and disturbances. It can start up reliably even under full load conditions. The V/f control is an attractive alternative to the vector control, especially in AMB systems, where it may be difficult to mount the position sensor, has to operate in a hazardous environment not suited to the sensor or could degrade the reliability of the AMB system. The cost of the position sensor is not really a concern compared to the cost of an AMB system. The V/f control is more suited to fan and pump applications, which has a low dynamic requirement. The V/f control has high startup currents and is not recommended for applications requiring a high starting torque or fast acceleration during operation. The inverter, which drives the PMSM, also had to be developed. With regard to the motor control, the effects of inverter non–idealities had to be accounted, especially for the V/f control. The implemented control algorithms were tested up to 20 krpm. Discrepancies between the expected and actual results are discussed. Overall, the controllers performed as desired. Generally, the project goals have been reached satisfactorily. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The McTronX research group, at the Potchefstroom campus of the North–West University, has been researching Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs). A fully suspended, flywheel energy storage system (FESS) has been developed. Due to excessive unbalance on the rotor, the motor drive could not be tested up to its rated speed. In the interim, until the rotor can be balanced and other rotor dynamic effects have been investigated, the group decided that the existing drive control should be improved and tested on a high–speed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), using normal roller element bearings. In order to test the motor control a second (identical) PMSM, mechanically coupled to the former, operates in generator mode which serves as the torque load. Two different control algorithms, namely V/f and vector control, are designed and implemented on a rapid control prototyping system, i.e. dSPACE®. The V/f control is an open–loop, position sensorless technique, whilst the vector controller makes use of a position sensor. From the design and implementation it became clear that the vector control is more robust, in the sense that it is less sensitive on parameter variations and disturbances. It can start up reliably even under full load conditions. The V/f control is an attractive alternative to the vector control, especially in AMB systems, where it may be difficult to mount the position sensor, has to operate in a hazardous environment not suited to the sensor or could degrade the reliability of the AMB system. The cost of the position sensor is not really a concern compared to the cost of an AMB system. The V/f control is more suited to fan and pump applications, which has a low dynamic requirement. The V/f control has high startup currents and is not recommended for applications requiring a high starting torque or fast acceleration during operation. The inverter, which drives the PMSM, also had to be developed. With regard to the motor control, the effects of inverter non–idealities had to be accounted, especially for the V/f control. The implemented control algorithms were tested up to 20 krpm. Discrepancies between the expected and actual results are discussed. Overall, the controllers performed as desired. Generally, the project goals have been reached satisfactorily. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Electricity generated from photovoltaics (PV) promises to satisfy the world's ever-growing thirst for energy without significant pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. At present, however, PV is several times too expensive to compete economically with conventional sources of electricity delivered via the power grid. To ensure long-term success, must achieve cost parity with electricity generated by conventional sources of electricity. This requires detailed understanding of the relationship between technology and economics as it pertains to PV devices and systems. The research tasks of this thesis focus on developing and using four types of models in concert to develop a complete picture of how solar cell technology and design choices affect the quantity and cost of energy produced by PV systems. It is shown in this thesis that high-efficiency solar cells can leverage balance-of-systems (BOS) costs to gain an economic advantage over solar cells with low efficiencies. This advantage is quantified and dubbed the "efficiency premium." Solar cell device models are linked to models of manufacturing cost and PV system performance to estimate both PV system cost and performance. These, in turn, are linked to a model of levelized electricity cost to estimate the per-kilowatt-hour cost of electricity produced by the PV system. A numerical PV module manufacturing cost model is developed to facilitate this analysis. The models and methods developed in this thesis are used to propose a roadmap to high-efficiency multicrystalline silicon PV modules that achieve cost parity with electricity from the grid. The impact of PV system failures on the cost of electricity is also investigated; from this, a methodology is proposed for improving the reliability of PV inverters.

This thesis presents how experimental results, from wave power research performed offshore at the Lysekil research site, were obtained. The data were used to verify theoretical models as well as evaluate the feasibility of wave power as a future sustainable energy source. The first experiments carried out at the research site was the measurement of the force in a line where one end was connected to a buoy with a diameter of 3 m and the other end to a set of springs with limited stroke length. The system is exposed to high peak forces compared to average forces. The maximum measured force in the line, when the buoy motion is limited by a stiff stopper rope is ten times the average force in that particular sea state. The experiment performed on the first wave energy converter tested at the Lysekil Research Site is described. The infrastructure of the site is presented where the central connection point is the measuring station. The key finding is that it is possible to transform the motions of ocean waves into electrical energy and distribute it to land. Many wave energy converters must be interconnected if large amounts of energy are to be harvested from the waves. The first submerged substation intended for aggregation of energy from wave power converters is described, with focus on the measurement and control system placed inside the substation. During this experiment period the generators were equipped with many different sensors; these measurements are explained in the thesis. The system that aggregates power from the studied wave energy converter is regularly exposed to peak power of up to 20 times the maximum average output from the converter. Vertical and horizontal movement of the buoy has been measured in different ways. The result is that the vertical displacement of the buoy can be measured with a simple accelerometer circuit but it is much more complicated to measure the horizontal displacement. A special method for measuring the horizontal displacement has been implemented by measuring the strain in the enclosure and the force in the line. / Den här avhandlingen berättar om hur experimenten vid Lysekils forskningsområde för vågkraft har utförts. Insamlade mätdata har använts för att verifiera teoretiska samband som modulerats vid Elektricitetslära, Uppsala universitet. De teoretiska och praktiska resultaten har visat på att vågkraft har förutsättningarna att implementeras som en hållbar framtida energikälla. Intressanta mätmetoder har utvecklas och påfrestningarna  på utrustningin och dess samband med medel effekten har studerats. / Lysekils projektet

This thesis is part of a major research project to analyse vibro-acoustic characteristics from variable speed inverter driven induction motors (VSIDIM). The overall projects??? aimed at providing a better understanding of the mechanisms of sound generation from electromagnetic origins and developing a numerical model to predict the sound power emitted from a VSIDIM. The scope of this thesis is to assess experimentally the effect of various controller strategies on the radiated sound power and to develop a finite element method for calculating the electromagnetic force distribution over the stator. Various sources of noise in induction motors and their behaviour with speed and load have been reviewed. Models of the electromagnetic field and vibro-acoustic character have been discussed. An outline of various techniques of reducing noise in induction motors through design of inverters and modifications to the motor structure has been given. Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of controller strategies on the radiated sound power. Three different supplies were tested: a dynamotor which produces an almost sinusoidal supply with very low harmonic content, an inverter with a low switching frequency (less than 1kHz) and an inverter with a high switching frequency (8kHz) and various levels of random modulation. Results indicate that the sound power level of the MSC drive is a lot higher than that of the VSC 2000 drive and the dynamotor drive. The sound power level of the VSC 2000 drive and the dynamotor drive increases almost linearly with motor speed, that for the MSC drive is almost independent of speed. The sound power level of the MSC drive is almost 28dB higher than that of the dynamotor drive at 450rpm and the difference is reduced to 14dB at 1500rpm where the aerodynamic noise becomes more dominant. It has been found that at the rated speed (1500rpm), the sound power level varies by less than 3dB from no load to full load for all three sources. Although increasing the switching frequency increases the cost of the inverters and switching losses, results from the MSC and VSC 2000 drives clearly show that it reduces the radiated sound power by shifting the harmonics into higher and inaudible frequency range. The tonal nature around the switching frequency has been reduced by increasing the levels of random modulation to spread the energy over a wider range of frequencies, although the sound power level has not varied by more than 0.2dB. A finite element model has been developed to calculate the electromagnetic force distribution. The quasi-static solution method has been implemented by stepping the rotor through the time domain using a fine regular mesh in the air gap. The stator currents were experimentally obtained while the rotor currents were obtained using a 4 parameter state space model of the motor. Results of the simulation indicate the influence of stator and rotor slots, saturation and time harmonics in the current. The calculated electromagnetic force distribution has been used in a FEM/BEM acoustic model and SEA acoustic model to predict the radiated sound power which agrees reasonably well with the measured sound, thus validating indirectly the electromagnetic force simulations.

In this thesis, an evaluation of the existing control system for ABB: s HVDC Classic Links is performed in order to investigate whether a possible improvement to commutation failure prediction is possible and to be recommended. The thesis starts with a theoretical approach to the complexity of consequences of increasing the extinction angle (γ) in order to prevent commutation failure in inverter operation, which is later confirmed through using the simulation software PSCAD to evaluate coherence between simulation results and theory. Dynamic power studies are performed through simulations in the electromagnetic time domain transient tool PSCAD in order to establish a possible improvement to the existing commutation failure prediction today used in ABB control systems for HVDC applications.