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Voltage regulation is a crucial task for electrical grids in the presence of high penetration levels of renewable energies. The regulation of generator excitation improves the stability of the power system. An essential tool for controlling the excitation of generators is the automatic voltage regulator (AVR). It is advised to use a controller to increase the reliability of an AVR. A survey about different types of controllers is proposed in this paper. Then, a novel optimized PID-Based model reference fractional adaptive controller is proposed, with detailed mathematical modeling. The novel controller was compared to the controllers in the survey. The novel proposed controller proved its superiority over the other controllers through its fast response and low rising and settling times. Moreover, the proposed controller smoothly and instantaneously tracked dynamic reference changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an isolated high-frequency (HF) multiport dc–dc converter for photovoltaics (PV) interfacing systems. In the proposed multiport converter, an HF transformer with multiple input windings and single output winding is utilized. Each input port is based on a proposed two-quadrant inverter topology, which connects a PV module to the HF transformer. The output port is tied to a dc bus using a rectifier. The proposed two-quadrant inverter topology prevents current flow from the ac side to the dc side. This action prevents circulating currents between different ports. Each two-quadrant inverter is controlled to harvest maximum power from its associated PV module. The analysis and operation scenarios of the proposed multiport converter are discussed. PSCAD/EMTDC software package is used to simulate the proposed PV interfacing system to investigate the operation of the proposed multiport converter topology and to examine the dynamic system behavior. In addition, an experimental prototype is developed to validate the operation scenarios of the proposed multiport dc–dc converter and to examine the performance of the presented PV interfacing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bridgeless ac‐dc converters are the optimal choice for many applications, as they offer many advantages such as low distorted supply current, high power factor, and improved efficiency. This paper presents a new topology for a single‐phase bridgeless ac‐dc converter. The proposed hybrid topology is based on integrating the inverting and non‐inverting buck‐boost dc‐dc converters that are connected to the ac supply through an LC filter. To insure sinusoidal supply current, the proposed hybrid bridgeless ac‐dc converter is operated in discontinuous current mode. The proposed converter has many merits, such as a reduced number of components, enhanced efficiency, and soft start‐up capability. The operation modes and design of the proposed converter are presented. In addition, a design method is proposed for the input LC filter to minimize the voltage stress across switches. Moreover, a small signal model for the proposed converter is developed. The proposed converter topology is simulated to evaluate the dynamic behavior and verify the accuracy of the presented small signal model. Furthermore, an 850 W prototype is developed to validate the features of the proposed converter experimentally. Tight voltage regulation, sinusoidal supply current, and near‐to‐unity power factor operation are observed from the results, regardless of supply or load disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sliding mode control (SMC) is used to control variable structure systems such as power electronics converters. This paper presents a fault-tolerant strategy based on the SMC for current-controlled AC-DC converters. The proposed SMC is based on three sliding surfaces for the three legs of the AC-DC converter. Two sliding surfaces are assigned to control the phase currents since the input three-phase currents are balanced. Hence, the third sliding surface is considered as an extra degree of freedom which is utilised to control the neutral voltage. This action is utilised to enhance the performance of the converter during open-switch faults. The proposed fault-tolerant strategy is based on allocating the sliding surface of the faulty leg to control the neutral voltage. Consequently, the current waveform is improved. The behaviour of the current-controlled converter during different types of open-switch faults is analysed. Double switch faults include three cases: two upper switch fault; upper and lower switch fault at different legs; and two switches of the same leg. The dynamic performance of the proposed system is evaluated during healthy and open-switch fault operations. Simulation results exhibit the various merits of the proposed SMC-based fault-tolerant strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The droop control is the most effectively used technique for load current sharing in DC microgrid. The disadvantages of the conventional droop controllers are the increased voltage deviation and current sharing errors when the load current is increased. This paper presents two improved techniques for current sharing in DC microgrids. In the first technique, the droop resistance is updated for each converter in the microgrid to eliminate the current sharing error. The current sharing reference for each converter is calculated based on the ratio of its rating to the load current. Hence, the load current is the only parameter that needs to be communicated to the current sharing loops. The second proposed technique is based on utilizing optimal droop resistances to eliminate the need for current sharing loops and their associated communications. The harmony search (HS) technique is utilized to attain the optimal droop resistances which results in minimizing the error in the current sharing. A comparison is made between the results obtained using the HS technique and the particle swarm optimization technique. The dynamic performance of the droop controller using the proposed current sharing loop and the proposed optimal droop parameters is evaluated using the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) will be extensively used in the high-voltage direct-current transmission networks because of its superior characteristics over line commutated converter. Increasing the reliability of the MMC is directly related to the balancing of the MMC submodule capacitors voltages, which guarantees the proper operation of the converter and lowers the stress on the submodules. This paper presents an adaptive voltage-balancing strategy based on the capacitor voltage estimation, utilizing a hybrid adaptive linear neuron recursive least squares scheme. The proposed strategy eliminates the need of measuring submodules capacitor voltages and associated communication link with the central controller. Furthermore, the estimated capacitor voltages are utilized to detect and localize different types of submodule faults. After isolating the faulty submodules, the proposed fault-tolerant control unit modifies the parameters of the voltage-balancing strategy to overcome the reduction of the active submodules. The dynamic performance of the proposed strategy is investigated, using PSCAD/EMTDC simulations and hardware-in-the-loop real-time simulations, under different normal and faulty operating conditions. The accuracy and the time response of the proposed fault detection and tolerant control units result in stabilizing the operation of the MMC under different types of faults. Consequently, the proposed integrated control strategy improves the reliability of the MMC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents an integrated control system for Sparse Matrix Converter (SMC) to interface Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) based wind turbine unit with the power grid. A carrier based PWM technique is extended and adapted for the SMC. Details of the proposed switching strategy and derivations of the modulation functions for both the rectifier and inverter stages of the SMC are presented. The inverter stage is controlled to regulate the speed of the PMSG for maximum power extraction. In addition, the rectifier stage of the SMC is controlled to deliver the generated active power from the PMSG to the grid at the required power factor to satisfy the reactive power demand. Moreover, the proposed interface system is adaptively synchronized with the grid. The Multi-Output Recursive Least Square (MO-RLS) algorithm is proposed to estimate the phase angle of the grid voltage. Furthermore, active damping scheme is integrated with the proposed control system to attenuate the oscillations caused by the LC filter of the rectifier stage. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the effectiveness and the fast dynamic performance of the proposed control system based on MO-RLS even during the speed disturbance. The proposed interface system succeeds to control active power with the desired power factor demand and to damp the oscillations of the SMC current and voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the attractive direct-drive wave energy conversion systems is the Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) coupled to a Linear Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (LPMSG). This paper presents an integrated control strategy for the back-to-back converter interfacing the LPMSG not only to extract the maximum power from the wave, but also to ride-through the fault. The proposed maximum power tracking technique is based on speed sensorless control of the LPMSG. The unscented Kalman filter is adapted to estimate the translator velocity. The optimal velocity is obtained from the instantaneous active power at the generator terminals. Moreover, a low-voltage ride-through control is integrated to satisfy the grid-code requirements by injecting reactive current during grid disturbances. The generated active power at the fault instant is considered in determining the dynamic reactive power injection to not exceed the ratings of the grid-side converter. The superiority of the proposed strategy is the result of its ability to regulate the translator velocity that generates optimum power. Numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the dynamic performance of the proposed integrated optimal strategy. Besides, it has been shown that the proposed methodology outdoes others by the decreased power fluctuations which leads to a reduction of the converter size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, the Z-source inverter (ZSI) is successfully developed for many applications. This paper proposes a simple integrated control scheme for the high performance ZSI. A proportional-integral PI controller is used to regulate the voltage of the Z-network capacitor. Moreover, the peak value of the DC-link voltage is controlled by limiting the shoot-through duty ratio. Furthermore, the instantaneous voltage control technique is utilized to retain the sinusoidal shape of the output voltage. A feed-forward signal of the AC voltage is employed to smooth the output voltage. To generate the PWM signals for the ZSI switches, the simple boost control method is utilized which coordinates the operation of different controllers. Extensive digital simulations are conducted to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the proposed control scheme. Moreover, an experimental setup is built to verify the performance of the proposed control scheme for the high performance ZSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency of power systems is very sensitive to load variations. Additionally, with the increased penetration of renewable energy sources in electrical grids, stabilizing the system frequency becomes more challenging. Therefore, Load Frequency Control (LFC) is used to keep the frequency within its acceptable limits. In this paper, an adaptive controller is proposed to enhance the system performance under load variations. Moreover, the proposed controller overcomes the disturbances resulting from the natural operation of the renewable energy sources such as Wave Energy Conversion System (WECS) and Photovoltaic (PV) system. The superiority of the proposed controller compared to the classical LFC schemes is that it has auto tuned parameters. The validation of the proposed controller is carried out through four case studies. The first case study is dedicated to a two-area LFC system under load variations. The WECS is considered as a disturbance for the second case study. Moreover, to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed controller, the dynamic performance is compared with previous work based on an optimized controller in the third case study. Finally in the fourth case study, a sensitivity analysis is carried out through parameters variations in the nonlinear PV-thermal hybrid system. The novel application of the adaptive controller into the LFC leads to enhance the system performance under disturbance of different sources of renewable energy. Moreover, a robustness test is presented to validate the reliability of the proposed controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed generation and distributed energy storage systems can be controlled to improve power system stability. This article proposes control strategies for adopting distributed generation units to autonomous microgrids. The proposed distributed generation interface is utilized not only to control the active power flow, but also to provide essential ancillary services, such as voltage regulation and frequency control, to the autonomous microgrid. A coordinated voltage and frequency control of the inverter-based distributed generation and distributed energy storage system is presented. Moreover, a frequency estimation algorithm based on orthogonal filters is adopted for the frequency control loop. One advantage of the proposed control system is its unified structure for the different operating modes. Extensive simulations of the proposed coordinated control of the inverter-based distributed generation and distributed energy storage system are conducted to evaluate the dynamic performance of the proposed microgrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) is considered as the most effective and economic solution for voltage disturbances. This paper presents an energy optimized control scheme for a transformerless DVR. The DVR structure is based on a cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter topology to eliminate the need of insertion transformers. The proposed control algorithm maintains a balanced load-side voltage even during the compensation of unbalanced disturbances with a minimum active power injection. Moreover, the proposed scheme maximizes the ride-though capability of the DVR during voltage sags. This feature is verified by using capacitors instead of dc sources as energy storage elements for the DVR. Furthermore, the proposed minimum energy scheme prevents the rise in the dc-side voltage of the inverter when compensating voltage swells. The performance of the proposed DVR system is evaluated for compensating different types of voltage disturbances. The results validate the robustness and the accuracy of the proposed system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article presents a transformerless off-line uninterruptible power supply with a reduced power device count. The operation of the proposed uninterruptible power supply is divided into two modes. The first is the charging mode, where a pulse width modulation rectifier and a buck converter are controlled to charge the battery bank with a sinusoidal supply current at a unity power factor. The second mode is the inverting mode, where a boost converter is used to regulate the DC-link voltage to a level suitable for a sinusoidal pulse width modulation inverter to generate the rated load voltage. The inverter is working at a constant modulation index to provide a high-quality output voltage to the load during the interruption. The use of buck and boost converters eliminates the need for a transformer to adjust the DC voltage level for the charging process or the AC voltage level across the load. A hardware setup is implemented to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the proposed uninterruptible power supply system. Furthermore, the proposed uninterruptible power supply system is simulated using the PSCAD/EMTDC (Manitoba, Canada) software package. Several test cases with different load types are conducted to study the effectiveness of the proposed control system. Accurate performance and fast dynamics are revealed from both the simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In this paper a digital signal processor (DSP) based real time voltage envelope tracking system is developed and examined. The ADAptive LINEar neuron (ADALINE) and the Recursive Least Square (RLS) algorithms are adopted for envelope tracking. The proposed ADALINE and RLS algorithms give accurate results even under rapid dynamic changes. The paper investigates the effects of different parameters on the performance of the ADALINE algorithm and that of the RLS algorithm. The experimental system is cantered around a Texas Instrument 16bit fixed-point arithmetic (TMS320LF2407A) evaluation board. Both the ADALINE and the RLS tracking algorithms are developed using the DSP-assembly language. A simple voltage flicker generator is implemented to produce various voltage disturbances. Extensive tests of the proposed envelope tracking algorithms are conducted to evaluate their dynamic performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents a new induction motor speed estimation technique, which can estimate the rotor resistance as well, from the measured voltage and current signals. Moreover, the paper utilizes a novel adaptive linear combiner (ADALINE) structure for speed and rotor resistance estimations. This structure can deal with the multi-output systems and it is called MO-ADALINE. The model of the induction motor is arranged in a linear form, in the stationary reference frame, to cope with the proposed speed estimator. There are many advantages of the proposed unit such as wide speed range capability, immunity against harmonics of measured waveforms, and precise estimation of the speed and the rotor resistance at different dynamic changes. Different types of induction motor drive systems are used to evaluate the dynamic performance and to examine the accuracy of the proposed unit for speed and rotor resistance estimation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A finite-state-machine (FSM) based controller for microgrid converters is presented. • Performance recovery controller accounts for uncertainties and parameters variations. • The dynamic performance of DC microgrids based on FSM controller is limited. • Results showed fast response and resiliency of the performance recovery controller. • Unlike PI, performance recovery controller successfully manages disturbances. Droop technique is extensively adopted in dc microgrids, for both islanded and grid-connected modes of operation. However, voltage regulation and proper current sharing are considered as the major challenges in droop techniques. Moreover, changes in system parameters and wide load demand variations degrade the operational performance and the efficiency of the dc microgrid. In this paper, a finite-state-machine (FSM) based controller for the inner loop of microgrid converters is utilized. Although the FSM controller operates in voltage mode and requires no current sensors, the dynamic performance of the microgrid converters is limited. Thus, a distributed consensus output voltage tracking based on the performance recovery controller is presented which adopts nonlinear observers for the microgrid converters to account for model uncertainties and disturbances due to parameters variations. The dynamic performance and robustness of the FSM controller and performance recovery controller are assessed using PSCAD/EMTDC simulation. Moreover, a comparative study with the classical Proportional-Integral (PI) controller is presented, considering both rating-based and cost-based current sharing schemes of the dc microgrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variable-speed pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) drives allow for precise speed control of induction motors, as well as a high power factor and fast response characteristics, compared with nonelectronic speed controllers. However, due to the high switching frequencies and the high dV/dt, there are increased dielectric stresses in the insulation system of the motor, leading to premature failure, in high power and medium- and high-voltage motors. Studying the degradation mechanism of these insulation systems on an actual motor is both extremely costly and impractical. In addition, to replicate the aging process, the same waveform that the motor is subjected to should be applied to the test samples. As a result, a low-power two-level high-voltage PWM inverter has been built to replicate the voltage waveforms for aging processes. This generator allows for testing the insulation systems considering a real PWM waveform in which both the fast pulses and the fundamental low frequency are included. The results show that the effects of PWM waveforms cannot be entirely replicated by a unipolar pulse generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) is an effective solution for power quality problems related to voltage. One of the most common control algorithms that are used for the DVR is the symmetrical components method. This paper introduces a new approach for the estimation of the symmetrical components. A modified delta rule structure is proposed and developed which is capable of dealing with multioutput systems for the parameters estimation. An innovative feedforward control, based on the new delta rule structure, is proposed for the series compensator not only to compensate for the zero and negative sequence components, but also to regulate the positive sequence component at the nominal load voltage. One advantage of the proposed control scheme is its insensitivity to parameter variation, a necessity for the series compensator. Experimental verification of the new delta rule algorithm, by using a DSP, is provided. Numerical simulations of the proposed control strategy are conducted to show the robustness, high accuracy, and fast dynamic performance of this novel control algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed Generation (DG) is used widely in the modern distribution systems. This paper proposes a novel functionality of the interface between DG and the utility network to mitigate the voltage flicker and to regulate the voltage at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) in addition to its main function of controlling the power flow. A new control algorithm for the DG interface based on the Hilbert transform (HT) is presented. The HT is employed as an effective technique for tracking the voltage flicker levels in distribution systems. The mathematical simplicity of the proposed technique, compared with the commonly used algorithms in the literature, renders them competitive candidates for the on-line tracking of voltage flicker. The accurate tracking of the HT facilitates its implementation for the control of flicker mitigation devices. Simulation results are provided to verify the tracking capabilities of the HT and to evaluate the performance of the proposed DG interface for multifunction operation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Envelope tracking has many important applications in electrical distribution systems for either flicker meters or flicker compensators. This paper presents a novel control technique for flicker mitigation. This technique is based on the instantaneous tracking of the measured voltage envelope. The ADAptive LINEar neuron (ADALINE) algorithm, and the Recursive Least Square (RLS) algorithm are introduced for the flicker envelope tracking. The ADALINE algorithm is characterized by a light computational demand, unlike that of existing techniques; the RLS algorithm outperforms the ADALINE algorithm by its fast con- vergence and robust tracking performance. Both the ADALINE and the RLS algorithms give accurate results even under rapid dynamic changes. The paper investigates the effects of different parameters on the performance of the ADALINE algorithm and that of the RLS algorithm. Extensive simulations of the proposed flicker tracking algorithms are conducted to evaluate their performance for the tracking and mitigation of voltage flicker. The ADALINE and the RLS algorithms are examined by tracking and mitigating the flicker produced by a resistance welder and an arc furnace in a simple distribution system simulated in the PSCAD/EMTDC package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed Generation (DG) exists in distribution systems and is installed by either the utility or the customers. This paper proposes a novel utilization of the existing DG nonlinear interface not only to control the active power flow, but also to mitigate unbalance and harmonics, and to manage the reactive power of the system. The proposed Flexible Distributed Generation (FDG) is similar in functionality to FACTS, but works at the distribution level. Moreover, a novel ADAptive LINEar neuron (ADALINE) structure is presented. The new structure is applied to multi output (MO) systems for parameter tracking/estimation, and is called MO-ADALINE. It is dedicated to symmetrical components estimation. The control loop combines a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) for voltage regulation, and a processing unit-based ADALINE to deal with unbalance, harmonics and reactive power compensation. One advantage of the proposed control system is its insensitivity to parameter variation, a necessity for distribution system applications. Simulations of the suggested FDG based control algorithm are conducted to evaluate the performance of the novel system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symmetrical components as well as harmonic tracking are of great importance in many applications in power systems such as power quality and protection. This paper introduces a novel Adaptive linear combiner (ADALINE) structure for symmetrical components estimation. This structure is capable of dealing with multi-output systems for parameter tracking/estimation rather than the existing ADALINE, which deals only with single output systems. As the new topology deals with Multi-Output systems, it is called MO-ADALINE. Moreover, the paper presents a new processing unit, which can estimate sym- metrical and harmonic components from the measured current signals. The advantages of this proposed unit are its independence of the voltage waveform and its ability to give information about the reactive component of the resolved current Simulation results are given to validate the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-frequency multi-port (HFMP) direct current (DC) to DC converter is presented. The proposed HFMP is utilized to interface a photovoltaic (PV) system. The presented HFMP is compact and can perform maximum power point tracking. It consists of a high-frequency transformer with many identical input windings and one output winding. Each input winding is connected to a PV module through an H-bridge inverter, and the maximum PV power is tracked using the perturb and observe (P&O) technique. The output winding is connected to a DC bus through a rectifier. The detailed analysis and operation of the proposed HFMP DC-DC converter are presented. Extensive numerical simulations are conducted, using power system computer aided design (PSCAD)/electromagnetic transients including DC (EMTDC) software, to evaluate the operation and dynamic behavior of the proposed PV interfacing scheme. In addition, an experimental setup is built to verify the performance of the HFMP DC-DC converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the day, photovoltaic (PV) systems are exposed to different sunlight conditions in addition to partial shading (PS). Accordingly, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques have become essential for PV systems to secure harvesting the maximum possible power from the PV modules. In this paper, optimized control is performed through the application of relatively newly developed optimization algorithms to PV systems under Partial Shading (PS) conditions. The initial value of the duty cycle of the boost converter is optimized for maximizing the amount of power extracted from the PV arrays. The emperor penguin optimizer (EPO) is proposed not only to optimize the initial setting of duty cycle but to tune the gains of controllers used for the boost converter and the grid-connected inverter of the PV system. In addition, the performance of the proposed system based on the EPO algorithm is compared with another newly developed optimization technique based on the cuttlefish algorithm (CFA). Moreover, particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used as a reference algorithm to compare results with both EPO and CFA. PSO is chosen since it is an old, well-tested, and effective algorithm. For the evaluation of performance of the proposed PV system using the proposed algorithms under different PS conditions, results are recorded and introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a novel technique for simplification of a three-dimension space vector pulse width modulation (3D-SVPWM). Conventional SVPWM calculations are based on trigonometric functions or several decomposition matrices. Thus, a very fast embedded controller is needed either for two-dimension space vector pulse width modulation (2D-SVPWM) or 3D-SVPWM. The proposed simplified 3D-SVPWM is dedicated to four-wire three-leg inverters. This technique is based on first-order equations of the curve fitting technique to reduce calculation time. Therefore, this method can be implemented with low memory storage and Central Processing Unit (CPU) capability. In addition, high accuracy can be achieved using higher-order equations. Many approaches are introduced for simplifications. The applications of the proposed simplified 3D-SVPWM method are also provided. Simulation results of the proposed simplified 3D-SVPWM and the conventional 3D-SVPWM are discussed. Finally, the results are verified using a real-time simulator based on Typhoon device (402) as Hardware-In-the-Loop. In addition, the controller of the simplified method is implemented and operated on the C2000 LAUNCHXL-F28379D as a low-cost microcontroller kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the growing attention for the environmental impacts and power loss minimization, distributed generators (DGs) have been introduced widely into the electric power system. One of the challenges of integrating with the power system is to determine their optimal placement and sizing, which, when not respected, adversely affects the performance of the electrical network. In this paper, three multi‐objective algorithms of particle swarm optimization (PSO), variable constants (VCPSO) and genetic algorithm (GA) are adopted and implemented. The main objectives are to detect the optimum size and location of multiple DGs aiming to reduce the active power loss and improve bus voltage deviations in the distribution networks. The paper conducts a comprehensive review of the optimal size and location of the DG via systematic procedures, including definition, classifications, technologies of DGs. Then, the performances evaluation of the three optimization methods are presented and compared with other methods. The presented optimization methods are tested on the IEEE‐33 bus, 32‐line radial distribution network. Four different scenario‐based studies including base case and different number of DGs are performed to examine the accuracy of the presented algorithms. The obtained results prove that all the three algorithms are suitable for this multi‐objective optimization and VCPSO offers the best solution in terms of convergence and, and it has lowest average computation time. The performance and accuracy of the presented approaches and their improvements in the power loss and bus voltage profile are discussed and presented in detail. The obtained results show that more than 65% of active power loss reduction has been attained with the proper sizing and placement of DG systems. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an interface system based on the Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter for Photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Two control strategies are proposed for the DAB converter to harvest the maximum power from the PV array. The first strategy is based on a simple PI controller to regulate the terminal PV voltage through the phase shift angle of the DAB converter. The Perturb and Observe (P&O) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique is utilized to set the reference of the PV terminal voltage. The second strategy presented in this paper employs the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to directly set the phase shift angle of the DAB converter that results in harvesting maximum power. This feed-forward strategy overcomes the stability issues of the feedback strategy. The proposed PV interface systems are modeled and simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK and the EMTDC/PSCAD software packages. The simulation results reveal accurate and fast response of the proposed systems. The dynamic performance of the proposed feed-forward strategy outdoes that of the feedback strategy in terms of accuracy and response time. Moreover, an experimental prototype is built to test and validate the proposed PV interface system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper proposes a decentralized droop-based control technique power flow through the ILC, meanwhile, to keep the dc microgrid voltage and the ac microgrid frequency within their acceptable ranges. • To overcome the continuous operation of ILC, The modified droop control based CMPN algorithm is used to determine the necessity of operation of hybrid microgrid by estimating the status of the ac and dc microgrids by comparing local measurements with their critical values at both sides. • An adaptive filtering algorithm based on continuous mixed P-norm (CMPN) algorithm is utilized for the proposed autonomous control strategy to insure adaptive tuning of the controller parameters. The variable step size feature of the CMPN algorithm results in fast response compared to other techniques such as robust mixed-norm and the least absolute deviation techniques. The robustness against impulsive noise while having fast convergence, compared to other algorithms, render the CMPN algorithm to be an effective technique for online adaptation of the PI controller used for the ILC, especially in an islanded archetype to maintain the stability of the network. • A comparison between the proposed strategy based on both CMPN algorithm and adaptive PI control under different loading conditions are implemented to validate the proposed methodology. This paper proposes a new adaptive communication-less control strategy to enhance the dynamic performance of the interlinking converter (ILC) of a remote hybrid microgrid. The proposed autonomous strategy is based on the continuous mixed P-norm (CMPN) algorithm to simultaneously maintain the frequency of ac-side and the voltage of dc-side of the ILC within their acceptable ranges under various conditions. The variable step nature of the CMPN algorithm and robustness ensure stable operation of the proposed strategy for the ILC. In addition, the power sharing between both sides of the ILC is achieved by a modified ac-dc droop control to avoid using any communication systems between different distributed generators (DG). Moreover, a simple algorithm is used to determine the desired power flow direction based on local measurements of dc voltage and frequency. The proposed CMPN algorithm provides an online adaption of the controller's parameters to avoid the need for fine tuning or optimization techniques under various operating conditions. The dynamic performance of the proposed autonomous control strategy is evaluated using the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation package under different operating modes. The results demonstrate the superior dynamic performance of the proposed strategy based on the CMPN algorithm compared to the adaptive PI (API) controller in terms of fast response and tight regulation of power flow, voltage and frequency under different conditions. Compared to API, it has been found that the proposed controller results in more improvement of the dc-side voltage within the operating frequency range of the ac-side of the ILC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide use of communication layers in DC microgrids to transmit voltage and current measurements of each distributed generator unit (DGU) increases the possibility of exposure to cyber-attacks. Cyber-attackers can manipulate the measured data to distort the control system of microgrids, which may lead to a shutdown. This paper proposes distributed mitigation layers for the false data injection attacks (FDIA) on voltages and currents of DGUs in meshed DC microgrids. The proposed control strategy is based on integrating two layers for cyber-attack detection and mitigation to immune the primary and the secondary control loops of each DGU. The first layer is assigned to mitigate FDIAs on the voltage measurements needed for the voltage regulation task of the primary control loop. The second layer is devoted to the mitigation of FDIAs on the DGU current measurements, which are crucial for the secondary control level to guarantee the proper current sharing of each DGU. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are employed to support these layers by estimating the authenticated measurements. Different simulation and experimental case studies are provided to demonstrate the proposed mitigation layers' effectiveness in detecting and mitigating cyber-attacks on voltage and current measurements. The simulation and experimental results are provided to evaluate the dynamic performance of the suggested control approach and to ensure the accurate operation of DC microgrids despite the existence of cyber-attacks on the measurements employed in the control strategy. Moreover, the control strategy succeeds to keep the maximum voltage error and the maximum error in current sharing within tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a comparative study assessing net metering and feed-in tariffs is proposed for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems in the Kuwaiti market. This study measures the impact of the two mechanisms as well as a mechanism combining both approaches in deploying solar energy systems in residential areas. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are inspected to determine the optimal approach for Kuwaiti market conditions. A feasibility study on installing a roof-mounted PV system in a typical Kuwaiti residential building is utilized to validate the optimum solar electricity mechanism. The proposed study intends to reduce the peak load demand in Kuwait's electric grid as a solution to the shortage of electric production capacity by encouraging investors and house owners to invest in solar energy. PV*Sol premium 2018 (R10) and RETScreen software packages are utilized to perform the assessment and study analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dusty weather is a most important disturbance for photovoltaic (PV) systems, that may result in PV panels exposure to partial shading conditions where the PV panel characteristics show several maximum power points. Moreover, dusty weather conditions may lead to rapid changes in solar radiations. Thus, conventional power system tracking algorithms are not being capable to track the global maximum power point (GMPP). This paper provides an advanced maximum power point tracker for partial shading and dusty weather conditions. In the presented technique, scanning and power lock conditions are added to the conventional perturbations and observation technique in photovoltaic system under partial shading or dusty weather conditions. This tracking method scans the PV characteristic in steps and stores all the maximum power points in order to get the GMPP. The proposed tracker is capable to identify the uniform weather conditions to save it from having unnecessary scanning. In addition, this tracker permits dynamic tracking of the GMPP under dusty weather conditions with less fluctuations and stable operation compared to the conventional methods. Accurate and fast conversion to the GMPP during various weather conditions is accomplished using the proposed technique. The proposed modified perturb and observe technique is validated using simulation and practical results. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to an unfortunate oversight some equations (4, 5, 6 and 7) have been given errorneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]