Future electric grid will evolve from the current centralized and radial model toward a more distributed one. In recent years, distributed generation (DG) units have been playing an important role in electric generation due to their promising advantages in reducing air pollution, improving power system efficiency, and relieving stress on power transmission and delivery systems. Despite the increased penetration of DG systems, the application of individual DG system always has its limitation such as high cost/W, limited capacity and reliability, and safety concerns. A better way to utilize the emerging potential of DG is to take a system approach viewing generation and associated loads as a subsystem called a “microgrid”. Forming an electric island, the microgrid can work autonomously following a disturbance. In the islanded microgrid, micro sources are responsible for maintaining the voltage and the frequency of the microgrid system within their specified limits and sharing the load between the generators in a stable manner. However, a robust and stable operation of a microgrid depends on a robust control scheme of the microgrid sources. The most common technique to control microgrid sources is based on conventional droop characteristics. Although the conventional frequency/voltage droop technique properly shares a common active load, the reactive power sharing accuracy can be strongly affected by system parameter and active power control. In addition, frequency variations of different sources in transient mode can cause poor active power sharing. To override the above-mentioned problems, a novel frequency/voltage droop scheme is proposed in this thesis. The proposed scheme improves the performance of the microgrid in terms of power sharing and voltage regulation and smooths the system’s dynamic and transient responses. This work has developed the modeling, control parameters design, and power-sharing control starting from a single voltage source inverter to a number of interconnected DG units forming a flexible microgrid. Specifically, this thesis presents: • A control-oriented modeling based on active and reactive power analysis. • A control synthesis based on enhanced droop control technique. • A small signal stability study to give guidelines for properly adjusting the control system parameters according to the desired dynamic response. / Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-04-25 12:08:48.634

This thesis proposes the small signal model for the Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC). Using this model, the damping performance of the IPFC with different power system configuration is investigated and also compared with the AC Transmission System (FACTS) based controllers such as the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC). The IPFC and the UPFC in constant power control mode can be viewed as effectively cutting the connected transmission line. This change on the structure of the network results in a significant change on the small signal stability. This thesis also addresses issues regarding the different levels of models that are required for the investigation of the behavior of FACTS. An effective validation approach that uses a minimum sized demonstration platform is proposed. This platform is small enough for detailed EMTP validation, yet large enough to exhibit the range of transient electrical and electromechanical behavior which is the focus for FACTS devices. To demonstrate the approach, the small signal models of the system embedded with the IPFC and the UPFC are developed respectively. The results obtained from small signal analysis are validated with EMTP-type simulation and show a close agreement.

In this thesis the eigenstructure (eigenvalues and eigenvectors) assignment technique based algorithm has been developed for the design of controllers for power system applications. The application of the algorithm is demonstrated by designing power system stabilizers (PSSs) that are extensively used to address the small-signal rotor angle stability problems in power systems. In the eigenstructure assignment technique, the critical eigenvalues can be relocated as well as their associated eigenvectors can be modified. This method is superior and yield better dynamical performance compared to the widely used frequency domain design method, in which only the critical eigenvalues are relocated and no attempt is made to modify the eigenvectors. The reviewed published research has demonstrated successful application of the eigenstructure assignment technique in the design of controllers for small control systems. However, the application of this technique in the design of controllers for power systems has not been investigated rigorously. In contrast to a small system, a power system has a very large number state variables compared to the combined number of system inputs and outputs. Therefore, the eigenstructure assignment technique that has been successfully applied in the design of controllers for small systems could not be applied as is in the design of power system controllers. This thesis proposes a novel approach to the application of the eigenstructure assignment technique in the design of power system controllers. In this new approach, a multi-objective nonlinear optimization problem (MONLOP) is formulated by quantifying different design objectives as a function of free parametric vectors. Then the MONLOP is solved for the free parametric vectors using a nonlinear optimization technique. Finally, the solution of the controller parameters is obtained using the solved free parametric vectors. The superiority of the proposed method over the conventional frequency domain method is demonstrated by designing controllers for three different systems and validating the controllers through nonlinear transient simulations. One of the cases includes design of a PSS for the Manitoba Hydro system having about 29,000 states variables, which demonstrates the applicability of the proposed algorithm for a practical real-world system.

This thesis proposes a control strategy for small-signal dynamic stability enhancement of a DC-segmented AC power system. This control strategy provides four control schemes based on HVDC supplementary control or modification of the operational condition of the HVDC control system to improve the system stability by (i) damping the oscillations within a segment using supplementary current control of a line-commutated HVDC link, based on the model predictive control (MPC) method (control scheme 1), (ii) minimizing the propagation of dynamics among the segments based on a coordinated linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG)-based supplementary control (control scheme 2), (iii) selectively distributing the oscillations among the segments based on a coordinated LQG-based supplementary control (control scheme 3) and (iv) changing the set-points of the HVDC control system in the direction determined based on the sensitivities of the Hopf stability margin to the HVDC links set-points (control scheme 4). Depending on the system characteristics, one or more of the proposed control schemes may be effective for mitigating the system oscillations. Study results show that (i) control scheme 1 leads to damped low-frequency oscillations and provides fast recovery times after faults, (ii) under control scheme 2, each segment in a DC-segmented system can experience major disturbances without causing adjacent segments to experience the disturbances with the same degree of severity, (iii) control scheme 3 enables the controlled propagation of the oscillations among segments and damps out the oscillatory dynamics in the faulted segment, and (iv) control scheme 4 improves the stability margin for Hopf bifurcations caused by various events. Since power system software tools exhibit limitations for advanced control design, this thesis also presents a methodology based on MATLAB/Simulink software to (i) systematically construct the nonlinear differential-algebraic model of an AC-DC system, and (ii) automatically extract a linearized state space model of the system for the design of the proposed control schemes. The nonlinear model also serves as a platform for the time-domain simulation of power system dynamics. The accuracy of the MATLAB/Simulink-based AC-DC power system model and time-domain simulation platform is validated by comparison against PSS/E.

This thesis proposes the small signal model for the Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC). Using this model, the damping performance of the IPFC with different power system configuration is investigated and also compared with the AC Transmission System (FACTS) based controllers such as the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC). The IPFC and the UPFC in constant power control mode can be viewed as effectively cutting the connected transmission line. This change on the structure of the network results in a significant change on the small signal stability. This thesis also addresses issues regarding the different levels of models that are required for the investigation of the behavior of FACTS. An effective validation approach that uses a minimum sized demonstration platform is proposed. This platform is small enough for detailed EMTP validation, yet large enough to exhibit the range of transient electrical and electromechanical behavior which is the focus for FACTS devices. To demonstrate the approach, the small signal models of the system embedded with the IPFC and the UPFC are developed respectively. The results obtained from small signal analysis are validated with EMTP-type simulation and show a close agreement.

In this thesis the eigenstructure (eigenvalues and eigenvectors) assignment technique based algorithm has been developed for the design of controllers for power system applications. The application of the algorithm is demonstrated by designing power system stabilizers (PSSs) that are extensively used to address the small-signal rotor angle stability problems in power systems. In the eigenstructure assignment technique, the critical eigenvalues can be relocated as well as their associated eigenvectors can be modified. This method is superior and yield better dynamical performance compared to the widely used frequency domain design method, in which only the critical eigenvalues are relocated and no attempt is made to modify the eigenvectors. The reviewed published research has demonstrated successful application of the eigenstructure assignment technique in the design of controllers for small control systems. However, the application of this technique in the design of controllers for power systems has not been investigated rigorously. In contrast to a small system, a power system has a very large number state variables compared to the combined number of system inputs and outputs. Therefore, the eigenstructure assignment technique that has been successfully applied in the design of controllers for small systems could not be applied as is in the design of power system controllers. This thesis proposes a novel approach to the application of the eigenstructure assignment technique in the design of power system controllers. In this new approach, a multi-objective nonlinear optimization problem (MONLOP) is formulated by quantifying different design objectives as a function of free parametric vectors. Then the MONLOP is solved for the free parametric vectors using a nonlinear optimization technique. Finally, the solution of the controller parameters is obtained using the solved free parametric vectors. The superiority of the proposed method over the conventional frequency domain method is demonstrated by designing controllers for three different systems and validating the controllers through nonlinear transient simulations. One of the cases includes design of a PSS for the Manitoba Hydro system having about 29,000 states variables, which demonstrates the applicability of the proposed algorithm for a practical real-world system.

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Photovoltaics panel (PV) integration with the utility grid has been installed throughout the globe. The fault-monitoring technology for photovoltaics (PV) panels is a method to save energy production losses and become a key contributor to overall cost reduction in variable operating costs for photovoltaics systems. PV researchers today explore factors such as reducing utility energy bills and CO2 emissions, grid voltage stability, peak demand shaving, supply of electric power off-grid areas, and many more. The technology discussed is easy to incorporate, requires no additional hardware, doesn't alter the system’s stability, is implemented at a steady state point, and is helpful to record changes in PV cell operation from forward bias to reverse bias state. PV panel AC impedance can be used as an early-stage fault indicator. Also, comparing AC impedance magnitude and phase at maximum power point (MPP) or near MPP can help identify the nature of the fault in a PV system. The focus of the thesis is proposing the fault detection of 300 W PV panels using online AC impedance measurement, utilizing existing panel-level power optimizers and microinverters in a PV system to actively perturb small signals into the PV panel and compute its small signal impedance. The technology is incorporated in a power optimizer with C2000 MCU and helps identify hot spot faults and short circuit faults in a 300 W rooftop PV panel. Multiple PV panel faults scenarios such as hot spot faults, short circuit faults, junction box faults, and capacitor faults are investigated to deduct further the effectiveness of the online impedance measurement using a small signal. This thesis’s focus areas are, first, modeling the PV panel and power converter and incorporating fault scenarios to identify the fault indicators. Secondly, measuring PV panel impedance under normal and faulty conditions using an equipment-based offline technique. Lastly, measuring PV panel impedance under normal and faulty conditions using a power optimizer. / M.S. / A Photovoltaics panel is a series and parallel combination of many photovoltaics cells to generate electricity from sunlight via a photoelectric process. The fault-monitoring technology for photovoltaics (PV) panels is a method to save energy production losses and become a key contributor to overall cost reduction in variable operating costs for photovoltaics systems. The PV panel, over a period of time, can degrade with fluctuations in temperature and weather. Photovoltaics panel (PV) integration with the utility grid has been installed throughout the globe. PV researchers today explore factors such as reducing utility energy bills and CO2 emissions, grid voltage stability, peak demand shaving, supply of electric power off-grid areas, and many more. The technology discussed is easy to incorporate, requires no additional hardware, doesn't alter the system’s stability, is implemented at a steady state point, and is helpful to record changes in PV cell operation from forward bias to reverse bias state. A PV panel operating at maximum power point (MPP) generates direct current (DC) and maintains a stable voltage across the PV panel load. A small signal injection in PV panel current or voltage is an addition of a sinusoidal signal with an amplitude of 10 % to the operating point of PV panel voltage or current and frequency sweep between 10 Hz to 200 kHz. The PV panel's AC impedance is measured under small signal injection and can be used as an early-stage fault indicator. Also, comparing AC impedance magnitude and phase at maximum power point (MPP) or near MPP can help identify the nature of the fault in a PV system. The focus of the thesis is proposing the fault detection of PV panels using online AC impedance measurement and utilizing existing panel-level power optimizers and microinverters in a PV system to actively perturb small signals into the PV panel and compute its small signal impedance. The technology is incorporated in a power optimizer with C2000 MCU and helps identify hot spot faults and short circuit faults in a 300 W rooftop PV panel. This thesis’s focus areas are, modeling the PV panel and power converter and incorporating fault scenarios to identify the fault indicators. Multiple PV panel faults scenarios such as hot spot fault, short circuit fault, junction box fault, and capacitor fault are investigated to further deduct the effectiveness of the online impedance measurement using a small signal. Secondly, measuring PV panel impedance under normal and faulty conditions using an equipment-based offline technique. Lastly, measuring PV panel impedance under normal and faulty conditions using a power optimizer.