Repository logo
 
Loading...
Profile Picture

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Using power electronics and automation to simulate solar PV systems
    Publication . Fonte, Pedro M.; Cordeiro, Armando; Barata, Filipe; Pires, V. Fernão; Chaves, Miguel; Foito, Daniel; Gamboa, Paulo
    This paper presents a solar photovoltaic panel simulator system with the ability to perform automatic tests in different condition according to manufacture parameters. This simulator is based on three buck--boost DC -DC converters controlled by a microcontroller and supported by a AXC 1050 Programmable Logic Controller from Phoenix Contact which is responsible for running the automatic tests. This solution allows to understand the typical operation of solar photovoltaic panels and MPPT algorithms considering suddenly changes in the irradiation, temperature, or load.
  • Power quality and modeling analysis of a university campus electrical distribution system
    Publication . Ferrolho, César; Barata, Filipe; Gamboa, Paulo
    For a few years now, electrical power quality has been a topic of interest and discussion, mainly due to issues regarding costs, continuity of service and electrical installation energy efficiency. The lack in electrical power quality can reveal itself in different ways, in reactive power costs, in frequent tripping of protections, in overheating and overloads of equipment and cables, in the significant shortening of capacitor lifespans, and, on power grid resonance events. This paper makes an electrical power quality analysis on Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL) school campus, more precisely, two transformer substations and several building electrical distribution boards that make up the campus’ electrical power grid. The acquired data enabled the graphical display of several electrical parameters, and their subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis, regarding legislation and standards, namely, NP EN 50160; IEC 61000-2-3 and IEEE Std 1159-2019. In the paper, a Matlab/Simulink model of ISEL campus’ electrical power grid was developed, so that, when anomalies are identified, it will be possible to analyze and verify, through simulation, the effect that different solutions produce to mitigate them.
  • Input output linearization and PI controllers for AC-AC matrix converter based dynamic voltage restorers with flywheel energy storage: a comparison
    Publication . Gamboa, Paulo; Silva, J. Fernando; Pinto, Sonia; Margato, Elmano
    This paper presents the theoretical development and performance of novel Input-Output Linearization (IOL) AC voltage controllers applied to Dynamic Voltage Restorers (DVR) with Flywheel Energy Storage (FES). IOL performance is compared to decoupled proportional integral (PI) controllers, both relying on a backward Euler predictive current controlled AC-AC matrix converter. The critical load AC decoupled voltage control using IOL or PI is detailed as well as the backward Euler predictive current control. The matrix input and output current tracking control uses a backward Euler predictive current control minimizing a weighted cost functional. The stable backward Euler matrix vector estimation enables the AC-AC matrix to perform as a current tracking converter. Experimental results are obtained using a laboratory level DVR fitted with FES device made from a vertical axis rotating seamless steel hollow cylinder (flywheel) storing kinetic energy. The flywheel is coupled to a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) motor/generator, which is driven by the AC-AC matrix converter. The DVR was tested to mitigate voltage sags in isolated neutral critical loads, using IOL and PI controllers. The DVR is able to compensate the critical load voltage without noticeable delays, voltage undershoots or overshoots, overcoming the input/output coupling problem of matrix converters. IOL controller proves to be faster and more aggressive than the PI controller, which is softer introducing less voltage distortion.
  • Novel design of the converter for an active UPS application based on Marx modulator concept with supercapacitors
    Publication . Pestana, Celso; Canacsinh, Hiren; Chaves, Miguel; Gamboa, Paulo; Cordeiro, Armando; Luís, Ricardo; Martins, Ana Alexandra; Encarnação, Luís; Pereira, Fernando; Silva, José Fernando; Santos, Nuno
    A new Marx modulator 4-leg multilevel converter is proposed to replace the well-known 4-leg inverter fed from batteries in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) applications. The novel design concept for the Marx modulator based multilevel converter is presented and described. Each leg uses 2 Marx modulator modules, each one using an Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC) (also known as supercapacitor (SC)) energy storage bank. The new topology concept enables multilevel operation with five voltage level per phase, allowing high quality voltage and current waveforms, distributed supercapacitor storage and reduction of supercapacitor bank voltage. The proposed converter can operate as UPS or as Active Power Filter (APF), powering non-linear or/and unbalanced loads, while balancing each leg supercapacitor voltage. A control strategy to choose the redundant vector configuration to balance the supercapacitor voltages is explained. Simulation results are presented for a Marx modulator based interactive 40 kVA UPS.
  • Combining power electronic converters and automation to simulate solar PV systems
    Publication . Cordeiro, Armando; Chaves, Miguel; Gamboa, Paulo; Barata, Filipe; Fonte, Pedro M; Lopes, Hélio; Fernao Pires, Vitor; Foito, Daniel; Amaral, Tito; Martins, Joao
    This paper presents a solar photovoltaic panel simulator system with the ability to perform automatic tests in different condition according to manufacture parameters. This simulator is based on three buck-boost DC-DC converters controlled by a microcontroller and supported by a Programmable Logic Controller which is responsible for the automatic tests. This solution will allow to achieve fast response, like suddenly changes in the irradiation, temperature, or load. To control the power converter, it will be used a fast and robust sliding mode controller. Therefore, with the proposed system is possible to perform the I-V curve simulation of a solar PV panel, evaluate different MPPT algorithms considering different meteorological and load variation. The main advantage of this work is the possibility to evaluate and test several MPPT algorithms and understand the operation and typical operation of solar PV panels in different conditions. Several simulations and experimental results from a laboratory prototype are presented to confirm the theoretical operation.
  • Transformerless ultra-high gain buck-boost DC-DC converter with single-switch of reduced voltage stress
    Publication . Cordeiro, Armando; Gamboa, Paulo; Luís, Ricardo; Fonte, Pedro M; Monteiro, Joaquim; Martins, João F.; Silva, J. Fernando; Foito, Daniel; Fernao Pires, Vitor
    This paper introduces a new DC-DC power converter topology capable of both step-up and step-down voltage conversion, with an exceptionally high voltage gain ratio.. Besides the high extension of the voltage gain range, the converter is also characterized by the use of a single switch. Moreover, the stress imposed on the switch's voltage is minimized, enabling the utilization of low-voltage, low RDS-ON MOSFETs. Consequently, this modification leads to reduced costs and losses associated with switch conduction and turn ON. Another aspect concerning the proposed converter is that the input current exhibits a continuous behavior, which can be significant for various applications. The paper provides insights into the operational performance, steady state behavior, and mathematical underpinnings of the proposed dc-dc converter. Comparative evaluation of the static voltage gain of the proposed converter and other topologies with comparable characteristics will also be shown. Verification of the presented converter's key features are conducted through both simulation and experimental assessments using a 440-W laboratory prototype. Through these analyses, the efficacy and viability of the modified coupled-inductor SEPIC converter with enhanced voltage gain capability are confirmed.
  • Predictive optimal control for back to back conversion system for PMSG: grid interface and power quality assessment
    Publication . Araújo, J.; Gamboa, Paulo; Chaves, Miguel; Lopes, João
    Increasing global energy needs and addressing climate change has led to further reflection on the use of conventional energy sources. One of the viable sources of sustainable energy is the wind. This paper addresses a back-toback conversion system for a permanent magnet synchronous generator in wind farms applications. The system model is presented as well as the control system. A predictive optimal approach is used to control the power conversion system, grid and generator side. The method uses a discrete-time model of the converter to predict the future values of the output and input current for all the possible output voltage vectors generated by the converter. The optimal controller minimizes the current errors using a cost functional with fitting weights. The dynamic performance of the proposed control strategy is evaluated with simulation results.