This thesis presents the applications of a series interconnection scheme for small distributed generation (DG) systems in distribution networks. The concept uses one set of voltage source converter (VSC) to control the injected voltage magnitude and phase angle for power injection and voltage sag mitigation. Through an energy storage device and the VSC, DG outputs vary concurrently with the line loading and provide load leveling functions. Under voltage sag situations, it provides missing voltages to effectively deal with power quality problems. Due to its series connection characteristic, it is convenient in preventing islanding operation and good for fault current limiting. The concept is suitable for locations where the voltage phase shift is not a major concern. Due to the use of only one set of converter, it is economic for customer site distributed energy resource applications and its control strategy would depend on the types of load connected.

Within recent years, interest in the installation of solar-based, wind-based, and various other renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Energy Storage (ES) systems has risen; in part due to rising energy costs, demand for cleaner power generation, increased power quality demands, and the need for additional protection against brownouts and blackouts. A viable solution for these requirements consists of installation of small-scale DER and ES systems at the single-phase (1Φ) distribution level to provide ancillary services such as peak load shaving, Static-VAr Compensation (STATCOM), ES, and Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) capabilities through the creation of microgrid systems. To interconnect DER and ES systems, power electronic converters are needed with not only control systems that operate in multiple modes of operation, but with islanding detection and resynchronization capabilities for isolation from and reclosure to the grid. The proposed system includes control architecture capable of operating in multiple modes, and with the ability to smoothly transfer between modes. Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs), islanding detection schemes, and resynchronization protocols are developed to support the control functionality proposed. Stationary frame PLL developments proposed in this work improve upon existing methods by eliminating steady-state noise/ripple without using Low-Pass Filters (LPFs), increasing frequency/phase tracking speeds for a wide range of disturbances, and retaining robustness for weakly interconnected systems. An islanding detection scheme for the stationary frame control is achieved through the stability of the PLL system interaction with the converter control. The proposed detection method relies upon the conditional stability of the PLL controller which is sensitive to grid-disconnections. This method is advantageous over other methods of active islanding detection mainly due to the need for those methods to perturb the output to test for islanding conditions. The PLL stability method does not inject signal perturbations into the output of the converter, but instead is designed to be stable while grid-connected, but inherently unstable for grid-disconnections. Resynchronization and reclosure to the grid is an important control aspect for microgrid systems that have the ability to operate in stand-alone, backup modes while disconnected from the grid. The resynchronization method proposed utilizes a dual PLL tracking system which minimizes voltage transients during the resynchronization process; while a logic-based reclosure algorithm ensures minimal magnitude, frequency, and phase mismatches between the grid and an isolated microgrid system to prevent inrush currents between the grid and stand-alone microgrid system. / Ph. D.

This dissertation covers several issues related to the ac-dc bus-interface bi-directional converters in renewable energy systems. The dissertation explores a dc-electronic distribution system for residential and commercial applications with a focus on the design of an ac-dc bi-directional converter for such application. This converter is named as the "Energy Control Center" due to its unique role in the system. First, the impact of the unbalanced power from the ac grid, especially the single-phase grid, on the dc system operation is analyzed. Then, a simple ac-dc two-stage topology and an advanced digital control system is proposed with a detailed design procedure. The proposed converter system significantly reduces the dc-link capacitor volume and achieves a dynamics-decoupling operation between the interfaced systems. The total volume of the two-stage topology can be reduced by upto three times compared with the typical design of a full-bridge converter. In addition, film capacitors can be used instead of electrolytic capacitors in the system, and thus the whole system reliability is improved. A set of ac passive plus active filter solutions is proposed for the ac-dc bus-interface converter which significantly reduces the total power filter volume but still eliminate the total leakage current and the common-mode conducted EMI noises by more than 90%. The dc-side low-frequency CM voltage ripple generated by the unbalanced ac voltages can be eliminated as well. The proposed solution features a high reliability and fits three types of the prevalent low-voltage ac distribution systems. Grid synchronization, a critical interface control in ac-dc bus-interface converters, is discussed in detail. First, a novel single-phase grid synchronization solution is proposed to achieve the rejection of multiple noises as well as the capability to track the ac voltage amplitude. Then, a comprehensive modeling methodology of the grid synchronization for three-phase system is proposed to explain the output frequency behaviors of grid-interface power converters at the weak grid, at the islanded condition, and at the multi-converter condition. The proposed models provide a strong tool to predict the grid synchronization instabilities raised from industries under many operating conditions, which is critical in future more-distributed-generation power systems. Islanding detection issues in ac-dc bus-interface converters are discussed in detail. More than five frequency-based islanding detection algorithms are proposed. These solutions achieve different performances and are suitable for different applications, which are advantageous over existing solutions. More importantly, the detailed modeling, trade-off analysis, and design procedures are given to help completely understand the principles. In the end, the effectiveness of the proposed solutions in a multiple-converter system are analyzed. The results drawn from the discussion can help engineers to evaluate other existing solutions as well. / Ph. D.

Islanding occurs when a connected load to the grid is disconnected from the grid and energized solely by local generators. Islanding can result in frequency and voltage instability, changes in current, and overall poor power quality. Poor power quality can interrupt industrial operations, damage sensitive electrical equipment, and induce outages upon the resynchronization of the island with the grid. This study proposes an islanding detection method employing Duffing oscillators to analyze fluctuations at the point of common coupling (PCC) under a high-noise environment, focusing on decreasing detection period, zero power mismatch nondetection zone, and power quality degradation. Unlike existing methods, which overlook the noise effect, this study mitigates noise impact on islanding detection. Power system noise in PCC measurements arises from switching transients, harmonics, grounding issues, voltage sags, voltage swells, electromagnetic interference, and power quality issues that affect islanding detection. Transient events, like lightning-induced traveling waves can also introduce noise levels exceeding the voltage amplitude, disturbing conventional detection techniques~cite{IEEE1313}. The noise interferes with measurements and increases the nondetection zone (NDZ), causing failed or delayed islanding detection. Duffing oscillator nonlinear dynamics enable detection capabilities at a high noise level. The proposed methods are designed to detect the PCC measurement fluctuations based on the IEEE standard 1547 through the Duffing oscillator. The basic idea is that the Duffing oscillator phase trajectory changes from periodic to chaotic mode and sends an islanded operation command to the inverter. The proposed islanding detection method can distinguish switching transients and faults from an islanded operation. / Master of Science / This study introduces a method to detect one of the important power grid issues, called islanding. Islanding occurs when a power grid section becomes isolated and continues to operate independently, leading to power quality problems and safety hazards. The method is developed using a Duffing oscillator that can detect special signals under a high-noise environment. The proposed method monitors electrical characteristics for islanding detection, including frequency, phase angle, and voltage amplitude. The method can quickly and accurately identify when an islanded operation occurs by analyzing these signals. This method combines the advantages of passive and active detection methods while avoiding common drawbacks, such as failed and delayed detection and power quality degradation. The proposed method is tested on a setup and meets IEEE standard 1547 criteria for safety and performance. The method is important because it detects islanded operations in a high-noise environment when the other methods cannot detect islanded operations correctly. The method maintains accuracy with decreased power quality degradation in noise. This method is a cost-effective solution for modern power grids increasingly integrating renewable energy resources.

O ilhamento intencional quando desenvolvido em modo seguro pode ser considerado uma solução viável à promoção da confiabilidade das redes elétricas na presença de geradores distribuídos. Diante disso, esta tese de doutorado propõe metodologias que definem os ajustes das proteções do ponto de acoplamento comum e do gerador para viabilizar tecnicamente o ilhamento intencional, permitindo também avaliar a probabilidade de sucesso deste quando não planejado por um período de operação da rede. As metodologias propostas consideram os relés de deslocamento de fase ou \"salto de vetor\", relés de taxa de variação de frequência e os relés de sub/sobrefrequência convencionais. Estas metodologias baseiam-se na associação direta do tempo de detecção do ilhamento e do tempo de restrição. Estes tempos são oriundos da capacidade de detecção de ilhamento do relé baseado em medidas de frequência do ponto de acoplamento comum e da proteção do gerador. Os resultados foram consistentes e além de determinar a viabilidade técnica do ilhamento intencional de geradores distribuídos, permitiram avaliar a probabilidade de sucesso do ilhamento intencional. Adicionalmente, as metodologias permitiram definir quando possível os ajustes das proteções mais adequados à operação segura da ilha. / The intentional islanding when perfomed in a safe way can be considered a viable solution to the promotion of the reliability of the electrical networks in the presence of distributed generators. In this context, this doctoral thesis proposes methodologies that define the adjustments of the protections of the point of common coupling and the generator to technically enable the intentional islanding and allow to evaluate the probability of successful islanded operation. The proposed methodologies consider the vector surge or \"vector jump relays\", the rate of change of frequency and conventional under/overfrequency relays for islanding detection purposes, and the under/overfrequency relays to protect the generator. These methodologies are based on the direct association of the islanding detection time and the restriction time, and on their relation with the active power imbalance of the island. The detection and restriction times are derived from the islanding detection capability of the previous-mentioned relays, and from the generator protection, respectivelly. The results showed that the methodologies were able to identify favourable conditions for a successful islanded operation, and allowed assessing its probability of occurrence given different conditions of load and generation power imbalance. Additionally, the methodologies allowed to define, when possible, the adjustments of the most adequate protections for the isolated operation of the microgrid.

A conexão de geradores distribuídos nas redes de subtransmissão e de distribuição de energia elétrica se mostra cada vez mais crescente devido aos inúmeros benefícios técnicos e econômicos alcançados com essa tecnologia. No entanto, há importantes implicações técnicas que precisam ser analisadas antes que um gerador distribuído seja conectado em paralelo ao sistema elétrico. Um aspecto a ser analisado, e que é comum entre as concessionárias de energia elétrica é a adequação da proteção anti-ilhamento, a qual tem a função de detectar essa condição e, automaticamente, desconectar os geradores distribuídos, dentro de um tempo pré-determinado, e assim mantê-los até que o fornecimento de energia seja restabelecido. Neste contexto, este trabalho analisará o desempenho dos relés de proteção anti-ilhamento em face de diferentes tipos de cargas que acabam afetando o tempo de detecção do ilhamento. Com isso, pretende-se obter subsídios para que os ajustes desses relés sejam calculados de forma eficiente. Os relés estudados são o relé de sub/sobrefrequência e o relé de taxa de variação da frequência, e o gerador distribuído é do tipo síncrono equipado com controle de tensão. As análises mostraram que no instante em que ocorre um ilhamento os fatores que mais influenciam no desempenho dos relés de proteção anti-ilhamento são as condições de carga e geração, tempo de detecção estabelecido, tipo do relé adotado, ajuste do mesmo e modelo de carga utilizado. / The connection of distributed generators to power subtransmission and distribution networks has been increasing recently due to the technical and economic benefits that such technology can provide. However, there are important technical issues that need to be carefully analyzed before a distributed generator is connected to electrical systems. One issue to be analyzed, which is common sense among utility companies, is the anti-islanding protection, whose main goal is to detect unintentional islanding and, automatically, disconnect the distributed generators within a required time-interval. In this context, this work will analyze the performance of anti-islanding protection relays in face of different load types. With this study, one intend to get support for adjusting these relays efficiently. The relays studied in this work are the under/over frequency and the rate of change of frequency relays, and the distributed generator is a synchronous machine equipped with an automatic voltage regulator. The analyzes showed that the moment a islanding occurs the most important factors influencing the performance of relays anti-islanding protection are the conditions of load and generation, detection time set, type and relay setting adopted and load model.

A abordagem principal desse trabalho é o estudo de técnicas anti-ilhamento ativas com realimentação positiva em um sistema de Geração Distribuída (GD) composto por um Inversor Fonte de Tensão (VSI,do inglês Voltage Source Inverter) e com cargas locais conectadas em paralelo. Na literatura são encontrados dois grupos de técnicas empregadas como proteção anti-ilhamento: as ativas e as passivas. Os métodos de detecção de ilhamento ativos são utilizados, pois possuem menores zonas de não detecção em comparação às técnicas passivas, porém injetam distúrbios contínuos no sistema de GD. Esses distúrbios degradam a qualidade de energia elétrica fornecida pelo conversor eletrônico. Nesse contexto, como escopo dessa dissertação, é realizado o estudo da estrutura de controle empregada no sistema de GD conectado com a rede de distribuição, com o intuito de avaliar o funcionamento do gerenciamento de tensão e de potência ativa e reativa. E em seguida, são discutidas técnicas de detecção de ilhamento ativas em frequência e tensão, ambas, com realimentação positiva e ganho fixo com o objetivo de investigar o desempenho das mesmas em relação ao tempo de detecção e a injeção de distúrbios no sistema de controle da GD. A partir dessa análise, são desenvolvidas técnicas anti-ilhamento com intuito de reduzir a injeção de distúrbios em diferentes pontos de operação da GD e garantir uma eficiência semelhante aos métodos tradicionais em casos de difícil detecção. Essas técnicas são baseadas na implementação do cálculo de um ganho com realimentação positiva variável inversamente proporcional a variação de potência ativa ou reativa entregue a rede. Para validação das propostas presentes nesta dissertação, são obtidos resultados em simulações computacionais e, posteriormente são adquiridos resultados práticos através de uma bancada experimental compatível com o sistema de GD simulado. / The main approach of this thesis is the study of active anti-islanding techniques with positive feedback in a Distributed Generation (DG) system composed by a Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) and local loads. In literature two groups of techniques are used as anti-island protection: the active and the passive techniques. The active islanding detection methods are preferably used because of the smaller non-detection zones compared to passive techniques, however they inject continuous disturbances in the DG system, reducing the power quality provided by the VSI. In this context, as the scope of this dissertation, it is firstly carried out the study of control structures employed in grid-tied distribution system, to evaluate the operation of the voltage control loops, and the active-and reactive power managements. Additionally, we discuss active islanding detection techniques in frequency and voltage with positive feedback and constant gain, based on the classical, with the objective of investigating their performance in relation to the detection time and the injection of disturbances in the DG system. From this analysis, antiislanding techniques are developed to guarantee efficiency similar to the traditional methods in cases of small-power flow through the grid and minimize disturbances. These techniques are based on the calculation of the positive feedback variable gain inversely proportional to the deviation of active or reactive power delivered or absorbed from the grid. To validate this proposal, the results are obtained through computational simulations and experimental analysis, as well.

A conexão de geradores distribuídos nas redes de subtransmissão e de distribuição de energia elétrica se mostra cada vez mais crescente devido aos inúmeros benefícios técnicos e econômicos alcançados com essa tecnologia. No entanto, há importantes implicações técnicas que precisam ser analisadas antes que um gerador distribuído seja conectado em paralelo ao sistema elétrico. Um aspecto a ser analisado, e que é comum entre as concessionárias de energia elétrica é a adequação da proteção anti-ilhamento, a qual tem a função de detectar essa condição e, automaticamente, desconectar os geradores distribuídos, dentro de um tempo pré-determinado, e assim mantê-los até que o fornecimento de energia seja restabelecido. Neste contexto, este trabalho analisará o desempenho dos relés de proteção anti-ilhamento em face de diferentes tipos de cargas que acabam afetando o tempo de detecção do ilhamento. Com isso, pretende-se obter subsídios para que os ajustes desses relés sejam calculados de forma eficiente. Os relés estudados são o relé de sub/sobrefrequência e o relé de taxa de variação da frequência, e o gerador distribuído é do tipo síncrono equipado com controle de tensão. As análises mostraram que no instante em que ocorre um ilhamento os fatores que mais influenciam no desempenho dos relés de proteção anti-ilhamento são as condições de carga e geração, tempo de detecção estabelecido, tipo do relé adotado, ajuste do mesmo e modelo de carga utilizado. / The connection of distributed generators to power subtransmission and distribution networks has been increasing recently due to the technical and economic benefits that such technology can provide. However, there are important technical issues that need to be carefully analyzed before a distributed generator is connected to electrical systems. One issue to be analyzed, which is common sense among utility companies, is the anti-islanding protection, whose main goal is to detect unintentional islanding and, automatically, disconnect the distributed generators within a required time-interval. In this context, this work will analyze the performance of anti-islanding protection relays in face of different load types. With this study, one intend to get support for adjusting these relays efficiently. The relays studied in this work are the under/over frequency and the rate of change of frequency relays, and the distributed generator is a synchronous machine equipped with an automatic voltage regulator. The analyzes showed that the moment a islanding occurs the most important factors influencing the performance of relays anti-islanding protection are the conditions of load and generation, detection time set, type and relay setting adopted and load model.

O ilhamento intencional quando desenvolvido em modo seguro pode ser considerado uma solução viável à promoção da confiabilidade das redes elétricas na presença de geradores distribuídos. Diante disso, esta tese de doutorado propõe metodologias que definem os ajustes das proteções do ponto de acoplamento comum e do gerador para viabilizar tecnicamente o ilhamento intencional, permitindo também avaliar a probabilidade de sucesso deste quando não planejado por um período de operação da rede. As metodologias propostas consideram os relés de deslocamento de fase ou \"salto de vetor\", relés de taxa de variação de frequência e os relés de sub/sobrefrequência convencionais. Estas metodologias baseiam-se na associação direta do tempo de detecção do ilhamento e do tempo de restrição. Estes tempos são oriundos da capacidade de detecção de ilhamento do relé baseado em medidas de frequência do ponto de acoplamento comum e da proteção do gerador. Os resultados foram consistentes e além de determinar a viabilidade técnica do ilhamento intencional de geradores distribuídos, permitiram avaliar a probabilidade de sucesso do ilhamento intencional. Adicionalmente, as metodologias permitiram definir quando possível os ajustes das proteções mais adequados à operação segura da ilha. / The intentional islanding when perfomed in a safe way can be considered a viable solution to the promotion of the reliability of the electrical networks in the presence of distributed generators. In this context, this doctoral thesis proposes methodologies that define the adjustments of the protections of the point of common coupling and the generator to technically enable the intentional islanding and allow to evaluate the probability of successful islanded operation. The proposed methodologies consider the vector surge or \"vector jump relays\", the rate of change of frequency and conventional under/overfrequency relays for islanding detection purposes, and the under/overfrequency relays to protect the generator. These methodologies are based on the direct association of the islanding detection time and the restriction time, and on their relation with the active power imbalance of the island. The detection and restriction times are derived from the islanding detection capability of the previous-mentioned relays, and from the generator protection, respectivelly. The results showed that the methodologies were able to identify favourable conditions for a successful islanded operation, and allowed assessing its probability of occurrence given different conditions of load and generation power imbalance. Additionally, the methodologies allowed to define, when possible, the adjustments of the most adequate protections for the isolated operation of the microgrid.

A abordagem principal desse trabalho é o estudo de técnicas anti-ilhamento ativas com realimentação positiva em um sistema de Geração Distribuída (GD) composto por um Inversor Fonte de Tensão (VSI,do inglês Voltage Source Inverter) e com cargas locais conectadas em paralelo. Na literatura são encontrados dois grupos de técnicas empregadas como proteção anti-ilhamento: as ativas e as passivas. Os métodos de detecção de ilhamento ativos são utilizados, pois possuem menores zonas de não detecção em comparação às técnicas passivas, porém injetam distúrbios contínuos no sistema de GD. Esses distúrbios degradam a qualidade de energia elétrica fornecida pelo conversor eletrônico. Nesse contexto, como escopo dessa dissertação, é realizado o estudo da estrutura de controle empregada no sistema de GD conectado com a rede de distribuição, com o intuito de avaliar o funcionamento do gerenciamento de tensão e de potência ativa e reativa. E em seguida, são discutidas técnicas de detecção de ilhamento ativas em frequência e tensão, ambas, com realimentação positiva e ganho fixo com o objetivo de investigar o desempenho das mesmas em relação ao tempo de detecção e a injeção de distúrbios no sistema de controle da GD. A partir dessa análise, são desenvolvidas técnicas anti-ilhamento com intuito de reduzir a injeção de distúrbios em diferentes pontos de operação da GD e garantir uma eficiência semelhante aos métodos tradicionais em casos de difícil detecção. Essas técnicas são baseadas na implementação do cálculo de um ganho com realimentação positiva variável inversamente proporcional a variação de potência ativa ou reativa entregue a rede. Para validação das propostas presentes nesta dissertação, são obtidos resultados em simulações computacionais e, posteriormente são adquiridos resultados práticos através de uma bancada experimental compatível com o sistema de GD simulado. / The main approach of this thesis is the study of active anti-islanding techniques with positive feedback in a Distributed Generation (DG) system composed by a Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) and local loads. In literature two groups of techniques are used as anti-island protection: the active and the passive techniques. The active islanding detection methods are preferably used because of the smaller non-detection zones compared to passive techniques, however they inject continuous disturbances in the DG system, reducing the power quality provided by the VSI. In this context, as the scope of this dissertation, it is firstly carried out the study of control structures employed in grid-tied distribution system, to evaluate the operation of the voltage control loops, and the active-and reactive power managements. Additionally, we discuss active islanding detection techniques in frequency and voltage with positive feedback and constant gain, based on the classical, with the objective of investigating their performance in relation to the detection time and the injection of disturbances in the DG system. From this analysis, antiislanding techniques are developed to guarantee efficiency similar to the traditional methods in cases of small-power flow through the grid and minimize disturbances. These techniques are based on the calculation of the positive feedback variable gain inversely proportional to the deviation of active or reactive power delivered or absorbed from the grid. To validate this proposal, the results are obtained through computational simulations and experimental analysis, as well.