Power Electronics and Control in Grid-Connected PV Systems
ECEN 2060
Grid-Connected PV System
One possible grid-connected PV system architecture DC input
VPV , I PV
PV array IPV + VPV Power electronics converter iac + vac AC utility grid
AC output
v ac (t ) = 2VRMS sin (t ) iac (t ) = 2 I RMS sin (t )
PPV = VPV I PV
Pac = VRMS I RMS
pac (t ) = vac iac = VRMS I RMS (1 cos(2t ))
Functions of the power electronics converter Operate PV array at the maximum power point (MPP) under all conditions Generate AC output current in phase with the AC utility grid voltage Achieve power conversion efficiency close to 100% P V I converter = ac = RMS RMS PPV VPV I PV Provide energy storage to balance the difference between PPV and pac(t) Desirable features Minimum weight, size, cost High reliability
ECEN2060 2
Power Electronics for Grid-Connected PV System
One possible realization:
IPV + PV array VPV Boost DC-DC converter C Energy-storage capacitor + VDC Single-phase DC-AC inverter iac + vac AC utility grid
DC-DC control
DC-AC control
Boost DC-DC converter Set the PV operating point (VPV, IPV) to MPP Efficiently step up VPV to a higher DC voltage VDC Efficiently generate AC output current iac in phase with the AC grid voltage vac
DC-AC inverter Balance the average power delivery from the PV array to the grid, Pac = Ppv * DC-DC * DC-AC Energy storage capacitor C Balance the difference between the instantaneous power pac(t) and the average power
3
The system must be disconnected from the grid if the utility loses power
ECEN2060
DC-AC Inverter Control
One possible realization:
IPV + PV array VPV Boost DC-DC converter C Energy-storage capacitor + VDC Single-phase DC-AC inverter iac + vac AC utility grid
DC-DC control
DC-AC control
= IRMSref
The control variable for the DC-AC inverter is the RMS current reference IRMSref The inverter output current iac(t) is controlled so that it is in phase with the grid voltage vac(t) and so that its RMS value equals the reference:
IRMS = IRMSref
One possible current control approach, based on a comparator with hysteresis, has been discussed in class, see Intro to Power Electronics notes
ECEN2060
Simulation model: pv_boost_dcac_averaged.mdl
ECEN2060 6-module PV Array
Ipv
PV module (I)
199.8
Vpv Ppv
DC-AC scope
v ac Vdc v ac iac iin Duty pin pin, pout pout
1000 Insolation
Insolation
Vout (boost) = VDC
Vpv
PV1
Boost
Vg
Vout
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
DC-DC (averaged, C) current control D
ef f iciency
Vout
DC-AC inverter
iac iin D pin pout
Duty
Insolation
Set Boost Iref to operate PV array at MPP 4.95
Ipv = Iref
(averaged) Boost scope 492.6 Pout boost 0.9643
Iref
Iout ef f iciency
PV2
Iref Pout
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
PV current
DC-AC Inverter 3.94 Iref Set DC-AC Iref to balance the power, i,e to keep VDC constant
Boost DC-DC
Insolation
PV3
Vpv Vpv
Ppv
Boost efficiency
IRMSref
Product
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
Insolation
Average output AC power 1 s PV output power Integrator(pout) 60 fac_out 472.8 Pout 0.9586 Compute efficiency DC-AC Efficiency 493.2 Pin Average input AC power
PV4
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
510.8 Ppv 103.2 Vpv
Insolation
DC-AC average power and efficiency
PV5
1 s Integrator(pin)
60 fac_in
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
Insolation
PV6
Add
Ipv = Iref
ECEN2060 PV + Boost DC-DC + DC-AC inverter averaged model
ECEN2060
How to achieve average power balance?
Simulation example: 6-module (85 W each) PV array with full sun (1,000 W/m2 insolation) PV array operates at MPP: Ppv = 6*85 W = 510 W AC grid RMS voltage: 120 V Run simulations for 3 different values of IRMSref and observe boost output voltage Vout(t) = VDC(t)
IRMSref = 3.4 A
IRMSref is too low Pac < Ppv VDC increases
IRMSref = 4.4 A
IRMSref is too high Pac > Ppv VDC decreases
IRMSref = 3.94 A
ECEN2060
IRMSref is just right Pac Ppv VDC starts at 200 V and returns to 200 V
Tac = AC line period (1/60 seconds)
6
Average Power Balance by Automatic Feedback Control
IPV + PV array VPV Boost DC-DC converter + VDC Single-phase DC-AC inverter iac + vac AC utility grid
DC-DC control
+ VDCref compensator
IRMSref
Voltage VDC is sensed and compared to a reference value VDCref (e.g. VDCref = 200 V) The difference VDC VDCref is the error signal for the feedback controller If the error is positive, i.e. if VDC is greater than VDCref, the compensator increses IRMSref If the error is negative, i.e. if VDC is less than VDCref, the compensator decreases IRMSref In steady-state, IRMSref adjusted by the automatic feedback controller is just right so that VDC = VDCref, error signal is zero, and the average power Pac delivered to the AC grid matches the power generated by the PV array Stability, dynamic responses and realizations of feedback controllers are topics beyond the scope of this class. These topics are addressed in Circuits, and more advanced Control and Power Electronics courses
ECEN2060 7
Energy storage
IPV + PV array VPV Boost DC-DC converter Energy-storage capacitor iac + Single-phase DC-AC inverter vac AC utility grid
Pac pac(t)
C VDC
DC-DC control
DC-AC control
Pac p ac (t ) = Pac Pac (1 cos 2t ) = Pac cos 2t
Pac > pac(t), capacitor C is charged up
vDC
Pac < pac(t), capacitor C is discarged Capacitor C provides energy storage necessary to balance instantaneous power delivered to the grid Magnitude of the resulting voltage ripple VDC at twice the line frequency (2 x 60 = 120 Hz) depends on the average power Pac and capacitance C
ECEN2060 8
Energy storage capacitor C
Pac pac (t ) = Pac Pac (1 cos 2t ) = Pac cos 2t
Pac > pac(t), capacitor C is charged up
vDC
Pac < pac(t), capacitor C is discarged
Energy supplied to the capacitor during the time when Pac > pac(t), i.e. when the capacitor is charged from VDCmin to VDCmax
P EC = Pac cos 2t dt = ac 2 T / 8
ac
Tac / 8
/2
cos d =
/ 2
Pac
This energy must match the change in energy stored on the capacitor:
E C =
VDC max + VDC min 1 1 2 2 CV DC CV = C ( V V ) CVDC VDC max DC min DC max DC min 2 2 2
Pac
Pac CV DC
9
Solve for the ripple voltage:
CV DC VDC =
ECEN2060
VDC =
Energy storage analysis example
DC-AC inverter input voltage: VDC = 200 V Average power delivered to the grid: Pac = 600 W Find C so that VDC = 40 V (i.e. +/-10% of the DC voltage at the input of the DC-AC inverter) Solution:
CV DC VDC = C=
Pac
Pac 600 W = = 200 F VDCVDC 40 V * 200 V * 2 60 Hz
Note that the energy supplied (or absorbed) by the capacitor is relatively small:
EC =
Pac
600 = 1.6 J 2 60
The total energy stored on the capacitor is also small
EC =
1 2 CVDC = 4J 2
This example illustrates the need for only relatively small energy storage in a gridconnected system, easily accomplished by a capacitor, in sharp contrast to stand-alone PV systems that require very significant energy storage (e.g. batteries)
ECEN2060 10
Maximum Power Point (MPP) Tracking
IPV + PV array VPV Boost DC-DC converter C Energy-storage capacitor + VDC Single-phase DC-AC inverter iac + vac AC utility grid
DC-DC control
DC-AC control
Choices for the Boost DC-DC control variable:
Duty cycle D Input current reference Iref Input voltage reference Vref
The objective of the MPP tracking algorithm is to adjust the DC-DC control variable so that the PV array operates at the maximum power point In the example discussed here:
It is assumed that the Boost output voltage Vout = VDC is constant Iref is used as the control variable for the Boost DC-DC converter PV array current ideally tracks the Boost input current reference: IPV = Iref
ECEN2060 11
Reminder: PV array characteristic
Example: six 85 W modules in series, full sun
Ipv [A]
6
20
40
60
80
100
120
Vpv [V]
ECEN2060
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Ppv as a function of Vpv
Example: six 85 W modules in series, full sun
Ppv [W]
500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Vpv [V]
ECEN2060
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Ppv as a function of Ipv = Iref
Example: six 85 W modules in series, full sun
MPP Ppv [W]
500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 0
Ipv = Iref [A]
Objective: adjust Ipv = Iref to operate at MPP
ECEN2060 14
Simple perturb and observe MPP tracking algorithm
MPP
500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Initialize Iref, Iref, Pold Ppv Measure Ppv
YES Ppv > Pold ?
Continue in the same direction
NO
Change direction
Ipv = Iref
Iref = Iref
Always step Iref in the direction of increasing Ppv
Iref = Iref +Iref Pold = Ppv
ECEN2060
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MATLAB code: MPP tracking algorithm initialization
Initialize Iref, Iref, Pold
Measure Ppv
YES
NO
Ppv > Pold ?
Continue in the same direction Change direction
Iref = Iref
Iref = Iref +Iref Pold = Ppv
ECEN2060
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MATLAB code: MPP tracking algorithm
Initialize Iref, Iref, Pold
Measure Ppv
YES
NO
Ppv > Pold ?
Continue in the same direction Change direction
Iref = Iref
Iref = Iref +Iref Pold = Ppv
ECEN2060
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Simulation model: pv_boost_mpp_Iref.mdl
Insolation 1-5 ECEN2060 6-module PV Array 85 x 6 = 510 W DC system
Ipv
PV voltage 103.4 Vpv 4.94 Ipv
ECEN 2060 PV array with MPP tracking Boost DC-DC converter 1 time unit = 1 minute 0.9644 200 Vout
Vout Iout Boost DC-DC (averaged) Pout Iref control ef f iciency Iref D
PV module (I)
S1 (time varying) 1000 S1-5 (constant) Select insolation for modules 1-5
Vpv Ppv
Insolation
PV1
Boost efficiency
Pout ef f iciency
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
Vpv Vpv
Vg
Insolation
PV2
Duty Vpv Iref
Boost DC-DC
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
Insolation
MPP tracking controller MPPtrackIref.m
Vpv Ppv P
PV3
MPPT Iref
Iref 1 Iref
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
Compute Ppv 4 Iref (constant) Select controller
PV MPP scope
Insolation
PV4
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
PV power 510.8 Ppv PV energy [kWh]
Insolation
Insolation 6
PV5
S6 (time varying) 1000 S6 (constant) Select insolation for module 6
Ipv
PV module (I)
Vpv Ppv
1 s Integrate Ppv
-KkWh (pv)
4.081 Epv
Insolation
PV6
Ipv
Add 1 Ipv = Iref
Iref Ppv ideal
Ppv Pout, Ppv , Pideal
5 5 modules 1 1 module -K85/1000
Ppv ideal
Ideal PV energy [kWh] 1 s Integrate Pideal -KConvert to kWh 4.087 Eideal
Integrate Pout 1 s
kWh (out) -K-
Output energy [kWh] 3.936 Eout
ECEN2060
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MPP tracking operation
Boost DC-DC converter duty cycle D
PV array voltage Vpv
Boost DC-DC converter input current reference, Iref = Ipv
PV array output power Ppv compared to ideal Ppv @ MPP
ECEN2060
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The Future of
Grid-Connected PV Systems
Ipv, Vpv PV Converter PV Ipv, Vpv Converter
Ipv, Vpv
Controller
Ipv, Vpv
Controller
Ipv, Vpv PV Converter PV
Ipv, Vpv Converter Inverter 60 Hz AC Utility
Ipv, Vpv
Controller
Ipv, Vpv
Controller
Ipv, Vpv PV Converter PV
Ipv, Vpv Converter
Ipv, Vpv
Controller
Ipv, Vpv
Controller
Innovations in system architecture, control, and power electronics circuit design
Scalable modular power electronics: distributed DC-DC conversion Much improved performance in the presence of module mismatches or partial shading Ongoing projects in the Colorado Power Electronics Lab (CoPEC) at CU ECE Dept led by Prof. Erickson
ECEN2060 20
Module-Integrated DC-DC Converter (MIC) for the Smart PV Roofs
ECEN2060
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