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A dc-link voltage balancing control strategy for quasi-Z-source cascaded H-bridge (qZS-CHB) inverter photovoltaic (PV) power system is proposed by using multidimensional pulse-width modulation (MD-PWM) technique. The qZS-CHB PV system usually employs proportional-integral (PI) regulators based closed-loop control methods to balance dc-link voltages, combining with distributed maximum power point tracking and grid-tie power control. These require significant control computations and hardware resources for multiple modules based qZS-CHB system. The proposed MD-PWM for the qZS-CHB inverter performs shoot-through behavior based on geometric representation of the output voltage ranges of each H-bridge in coordinate axes. All possible switching sequences of the qZS-CHB inverter are taken into account to choose the most suitable sequence that can balance dc-link voltages of qZS modules in the qZS-CHB PV power system. When compared with the state-of-the-art of voltage balancing control methods, the proposed control strategy has advantages: 1) The computation is low because there is no PI controller, while the stability of the whole system is improved; and 2) there is a reliable balancing capability with fast regulation of dc-link voltages, owing to no extra controller parameters and handling the voltage balance in each control cycle. Simulation and experimental results of qZS-CHB inverter based grid-tie PV power system verify the proposed dc-link voltage balancing control technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quasi-Z-source three-to-single-phase matrix converter is proposed with low-frequency ripple power compensation. The employed impedance network between the source grid and the matrix converter extends the voltage gain; meanwhile, it has filtering function. Therefore, voltage step-up devices and an additional input filter are avoided. In addition, for a conventional three-to-single-phase matrix converter, input current of the source grid contains high harmonic components because of double-line-frequency pulsating power produced in single-phase side. A model predictive control-based ripple power compensation system is proposed in this paper to eliminate the low-order harmonic components from the three-phase input currents and voltages. Thus, the impedance parameters could be small in size and value. Simulation and experimental results verify the analysis and control of the proposed topology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Active ripple decoupling technique of the single-phase inverter is a popular topic to minimize the dc-link capacitance. However, the existing control methods are based on tracking sinusoidal or predetermined voltage waveforms of the compensation capacitor, assuming the inverter outputs are pure sinusoidal voltage and current. Therefore, the performance of existing methods degrades when the inverter output voltage and current are not purely sinusoidal. Furthermore, the limited dynamic performance threatens the safety of dc-link capacitor when the load changes. This happens, because the inrush ripple power is injected into dc link with small capacitance and the dc-link voltage will suddenly rise up when the ripple power is not buffered during transients. In this paper, a direct instantaneous power predictive control is proposed for the decoupling circuit to buffer ripple power of the single-phase inverter, which combines instantaneous ripple power control with model predictive control to overcome the issues above. The proposed method tracks the instantaneous ripple power rather than voltage or current waveforms. In this way, it can fully buffer all ripple powers in the system even for distorted output voltage and current of the inverter and enables the full utilization of storage capacitor. In addition, model predictive control makes the proposed method have fast dynamic and perfectly compensate ripple power during transients and steady states. The buck-type active ripple decoupling circuit is chosen to implement the proposed method after comparing with another typical decoupling topology. The proposed method is also compared with conventional method using proportional-integral-resonant regulator to track the predetermined capacitor voltage waveform. Experimental tests verify the theoretical analysis and the proposed control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The battery energy-stored quasi-Z-source (BES-qZS)-based photovoltaic (PV) power generation system combines advantages of the qZS inverter and the battery energy storage system. However, the second-harmonic ( \text2\omega ) power ripple degrades the system's performance and affects the system's design. An accurate model to analyze the \text2\omega ripple is very important. The existing models did not consider the battery, or assumed a symmetric qZS network with $L_{{1}}= L_{{2}}$ and $C_{{1}}= C_{{2}}$, which limits the design freedom and causes oversized impedance parameters. This paper proposes a comprehensive model for the single-phase BES-qZS-PV inverter system, where the battery is considered and there is no restriction of $L_{{1}}= L_{{2}}$ and $C_{{1}}= C_{{2}}$ . Based on the built model, a BES-qZS impedance design method is proposed to mitigate the \text2\omega ripple with asymmetric qZS network. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed \text2\omega ripple model and impedance design method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-line frequency ripple power is inherent in single-phase rectifiers and inverters, and, if not managed properly, it can be adverse to system performance at both the ac and dc sides. Therefore, numerous active power-decoupling techniques have been introduced to decouple the double-line frequency ripple power. However, no comprehensive comparisons are available on the permitted minimum capacitance for power decoupling, dc voltage utilization, current stress, modulation complexity, and even application evaluations, except for power rating and component counts. All of these aspects are critical when choosing appropriate power-decoupling techniques for different applications. In this article, the minimum capacitance to decouple the ripple power and the current stress of power devices in the main circuit are derived in light of different voltages across energy storage capacitors. By considering the ripple power paths, we investigate the dc voltage utilization of both the main circuit and power-decoupling circuit. Combined with other features, including component counts and modulation complexity, the overall characteristics of different power-decoupling techniques are compared and summarized to effectively evaluate their performance in different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A quasi-Z-source modular cascaded converter (qZS-MCC) is proposed for dc integration of high-power photovoltaic (PV) systems. The qZS-MCC comprises series-connected front-end isolated qZS half-bridge (HB) dc–dc converter submodules (SMs). With the front-end isolation, the qZS-MCC achieves high-voltage dc capability, while maintaining modularity and PV panel grounded. The post-stage qZS-HB handles the PV voltage and power flows, dc-link voltage balance, and output-series power integration. Whereas, the front-end isolation converters of all SMs perform a constant duty cycle, lowing the control complexity. There is no double-line-frequency power flowing through the dc-side PV panels, qZS inductors, and qZS capacitors in the qZS-MCC, so small qZS impedance is possible compared to the existing qZS cascaded multilevel inverter. The configuration, operating principle, power loss evaluation, and passive components design of the proposed system are investigated in this part of the paper. The system control, modeling, and corresponding verifications are stated in Part II of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The second harmonic pulsating power flows through the dc side of a single-phase quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI), which requires bulky capacitor banks and inductors to suppress low-frequency ripple of dc-link voltage and inductor currents in the passive ripple reduction way. However, the resultant huge qZS network seriously deteriorates the system reliability, efficiency, volume, weight, and cost. This paper proposes an active-filter-integrated single-phase qZSI to transfer low-frequency power ripple directly from ac load to active filter's ac capacitor, so that low-frequency power ripple does not present in dc side anymore and constant inductor currents and constant capacitor voltages are ensured. Thus, much small qZS impedance is employed to only smooth high-frequency ripple and active filter's capacitor supports ac voltage (large ripple allowed) with small capacitance. The operation principle, parameter design method, and modeling and control strategy of the proposed topology are investigated. Comparative evaluation, simulation, and experimental results verify the proposed new topology system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The active power filter (APF) that consists of a half-bridge leg and an ac capacitor is integrated in the single-phase quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) in this paper to avoid the second harmonic power flowing into the dc side. The capacitor of APF buffers the second harmonic power of the load, and the ac capacitor allows highly pulsating ac voltage, so that the capacitances of both dc and ac sides can be small. A model predictive direct power control (DPC) is further proposed to achieve the purpose of this new topology through predicting the capacitor voltage of APF at each sampling period and ensuring the APF power to track the second harmonic power of single-phase qZSI. Simulation and experimental results verify the model predictive DPC for the APF-integrated single-phase qZSI. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The single-phase quasi-Z source inverter (qZSI) topology has recently attracted attention for single-phase grid-tie photovoltaic (PV) applications. However, due to the inherent second-harmonic power flow in single-phase systems, a large qZS network is required to reduce the second-harmonic component of currents and voltages on the dc side. Minimization of the qZS network remains an open issue. This paper proposes a technique that minimizes the qZS capacitance and inductance of the single-phase qZSI topology by employing dc-side low-frequency current ripple damping control. Through analysis of power flow, a second-harmonic power model is derived and the ripple power is analyzed for minimization of the qZS network. A current ripple damping control is proposed to ensure suppression of second-harmonic power flow through the inductors. Simulation and experimental results verify the theoretical analysis, damping control, and the proposed design minimization of the qZS network for the single-phase topology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A hybrid pulsewidth modulated single-phase quasi-Z-source grid-tie photovoltaic (PV) power system is proposed. The hybrid pulse-width modulation (HPWM) combines the pulse-width modulation (PWM) and the pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM). The PWM works when the ac output voltage is lower than the dc source voltage; otherwise, the PAM operates the single-phase quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI). The HPWM leads to the reduction of power loss, and the quasi-Z-source capacitance and inductance. An effective control strategy is proposed for the new PV power system to manage the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of PV panel, grid-tie power injection, and dc-link voltage. A grid-tie current controller, combining a repetitive controller and a proportional-resonant regulator, achieves strong harmonic suppression, fast dynamic, and zero tracking error. A 500-W prototype is built to verify the new system. Power loss estimation and impedance design are detailed. Experimental tests validate the HPWM, new PV power system with higher efficiency, and the related control method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quasi-Z-source cascade multilevel inverter (qZS-CMI) presents many advantages over conventional CMI when applied in photovoltaic (PV) power systems. For example, the qZS-CMI provides the balanced dc-link voltage and voltage boost ability, saves one-third modules, etc. However, the qZS-CMI still cannot overcome the intermittent and stochastic fluctuation of solar power injected to the grid. This paper proposes an energy stored qZS-CMI-based PV power generation system. The system combines the qZS-CMI and energy storage by adding an energy stored battery in each module to balance the stochastic fluctuations of PV power. This paper also proposes a control scheme for the energy stored qZS-CMI-based PV system. The proposed system can achieve the distributed maximum power point track for PV panels, balance the power between different modules, and provide the desired power to the grid. A detailed design method of controller parameters is disclosed. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed system and the control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The second harmonic $(2\omega)$ power ripple of single-phase quasi-Z-source (qZS) photovoltaic (PV) inverter highly affects the whole system's design and performance. The topology's $2\omega$ ripple model is very important to analyze qZS PV inverter's $2\omega$ voltage and current ripple. The existing models did not consider the PV-panel dynamic and terminal capacitors, which causes the theoretical results apart from the truth. In this paper, a comprehensive modeling for single-phase qZS-PV inverter is proposed, where the $2\omega$ ripple model of the qZS-PV inverter system with a real PV source is established and discussed without and with a PV terminal capacitor. The influences from qZS inductance and capacitance, and PV-panel terminal capacitance to the $2\omega$ voltage and current ripple are investigated using the built model. The system parameter design method is proposed to mitigate this ripple. Simulation and experimental results validate the proposed $2\omega$ ripple model and parameter design method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conventional matrix converters (MCs) have limited voltage gain that is less than 0.866, whether for direct MC (DMC) or indirect MC (IMC). Existing Z-source (ZS)/discontinuous quasi-Z-source (qZS) DMCs and ZS IMCs achieved larger than 0.866 voltage gain; however, the former inherited the complex commutation from DMC, and the latter involved a ZS network in dc link and led to non-all-silicon solution. In this paper, ZS and discontinuous qZS networks of existing ZS/qZS DMCs are used for an IMC topology for simplifying commutation and having high voltage gain, but they require extra input filter to reduce current harmonics. A new continuous qZS IMC is proposed, where a qZS network integrates the filtering function of the grid side; hence, additional input filter is avoided in the proposed continuous qZS IMC. Three new IMCs are compared in detail, in terms of voltage gain, current ripple, voltage ripple, inductor current and capacitor voltage stresses, ZS/qZS switch current and voltage stresses, filtering function, input current total harmonic distortion (THD), output voltage THD, and efficiency. Their control and modulation methods are presented to achieve the desired performances. Experimental comparisons verify the theoretical analysis and that the proposed continuous qZS IMC is a promising topology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quasi- $Z$ source (qZS) cascaded multilevel inverter (CMI) (qZS-CMI) presents attractive advantages in application to photovoltaic (PV) power system. Each PV panel connects to an H-bridge qZS inverter (qZSI) to form a power generation module. The distributed maximum power point tracking and all modules' dc-link peak voltage balance can be achieved. However, it is the same with the conventional CMI that the second-harmonic ( $2\omega$) voltage and current ripples exist in each qZSI module. It is crucial for a qZS-CMI to design the reasonable qZS network parameters to limit the ripples within a desired range. This paper proposes an analytic model to accurately calculate the $2\omega$ voltage and current ripples of each qZSI module. A qZS impedance design method based on the built model is proposed to limit the $2\omega$ ripples of dc-link voltage and inductor current. Simulated and experimental results through using the designed 1.5-kW prototype validate the proposed analytic model and the design method. Furthermore, this paper analyzes all of the operating states for a qZSI module and calculates the power loss. The measured efficiency from the prototype verifies the theoretical calculation, and the qZS-CMI-based grid-tie PV power system is tested in practical. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quasi-Z source inverter (qZSI) with battery can balance the stochastic fluctuations of photovoltaic (PV) power injected to the grid/load, but its existing topology has a power limitation due to the wide range of discontinuous conduction mode during battery discharge. For an energy stored qZSI, traditional control methods cannot ensure a constant dc-link peak voltage because of battery's voltage clamp. This paper proposes a novel energy stored qZSI-based PV power system with constant dc-link peak voltage to overcome the above demerits. The new topology of energy stored qZSI is employed to improve the power compensation ability of existing topology, new constant dc-link peak voltage control and load related maximum power point tracking are proposed, and the whole system is analyzed in detail. Experimental results verify the theoretical analysis and the proposed energy stored qZSI-based PV power system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) with battery operation can balance the stochastic fluctuations of photovoltaic (PV) power injected to the grid/load, but its existing topology has a power limitation due to the wide range of discontinuous conduction mode during battery discharge. This paper proposes a new topology of the energy-stored qZSI to overcome this disadvantage. The operating characteristic of the proposed solution is analyzed in detail and compared to that of the existing topology. Two strategies are proposed with the related design principles to control the new energy-stored qZSI when applied to the PV power system. They can control the inverter output power, track the PV panel's maximum power point, and manage the battery power, simultaneously. The voltage boost and inversion, and energy storage are integrated in a single-stage inverter. An experimental prototype is built to test the proposed circuit and the two discussed control methods. The obtained results verify the theoretical analysis and prove the effectiveness of the proposed control of the inverter's input and output powers and battery power regardless of the charging or discharging situation. A real PV panel is used in the grid-tie test of the proposed energy-stored qZSI, which demonstrates three operational modes suitable for application in the PV power system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) has some unique advantages and is suitable for photovoltaic (PV) system. This paper proposes a new topology—a qZSI with battery for PV power generation system. Battery is paralleled with one of the capacitors in quasi-Z-source (qZS) network, instead of an additional DC/DC converter. This system inherits all the advantages of qZSI. Besides, with a battery, the system can smooth the grid-injected power when PV power fluctuates. The operating principle of the new topology is analyzed and the design scheme of the qZS network is presented. And then, closed-loop control strategy for the proposed system is designed to manage the three power flows of PV panel, grid, and battery in the system. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) has been implemented in the qZSI with battery-based PV system by using the proposed control scheme. Different operating modes are simulated. A small-scale power prototype with a real PV panel is built to test the proposed system. The simulation results and experimental results verify the proposed circuit, theoretical analysis, and the control scheme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]