Current-Based Coordination of Distributed Energy Resources in a Grid-Connected Low-Voltage Microgrid: An Experimental Validation of Adverse Operational Scenarios

Augusto M. S. Alonso (), Luis De Oro Arenas, Danilo I. Brandao, Elisabetta Tedeschi, Ricardo Q. Machado and Fernando P. Marafão
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Augusto M. S. Alonso: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil
Luis De Oro Arenas: Group of Automation and Integrated Systems, São Paulo State University, Sorocaba 18087-180, SP, Brazil
Danilo I. Brandao: Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Elisabetta Tedeschi: Department of Electric Power Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Ricardo Q. Machado: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil
Fernando P. Marafão: Group of Automation and Integrated Systems, São Paulo State University, Sorocaba 18087-180, SP, Brazil

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-26

Abstract: Low-voltage grid-connected microgrids rely on the exploitation of inverter-interfaced distributed energy resources (DERs) in order to feed loads and to achieve bidirectional power flow controllability at their point of common coupling (PCC) with the upstream grid. However, adverse operational conditions, such as the existence of DERs of different operation natures, DERs of non-equal power ratings, as well as the occurrence of non-steady and non-sinusoidal grid voltage scenarios, bring complications to microgrid energy management. Consequently, control strategies employed to coordinate DERs in dispatchable microgrids need to be resilient to such non-ideal conditions. Hence, this paper demonstrates that a multi-purpose strategy, so-called the Generalized Current-Based Control (GCBC) approach, is capable of steering DERs under such adverse operational scenarios, ensuring proportional current sharing among them while also regulating the microgrid power dispatchability at the PCC. The discussions are supported by an extensive experimental validation on a laboratory-scale single-phase microgrid prototype, demonstrating that the GCBC approach allows DERs of different operational natures to be coordinated, respecting their power ratings, and allowing the single-controllable microgrid to endure operation under distorted voltages and support voltage ride-through conditions.

Keywords: current sharing; dispatchable microgrid; distorted voltages; distributed energy resources; inverters; power quality; voltage ride through (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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