Multi-objective Day-ahead Polarity Switching Optimization for Voltage Unbalance in Bipolar DC Distribution Networks

Bipolar direct current(DC)distribution networks can effectively improve the connection flexibility for renewable generations and loads.In practice,concerns regarding the potential voltage unbalance issue of the distribution networks and the frequency of switching still remain.This paper proposes a day-ahead polarity switching strategy to reduce voltage unbalance by optimally switching the polarity of renewable generations and loads while minimizing the switching times simultaneously in the range of a full day.First,a multi-objective optimization model is constructed to minimize the weighted sum of voltage unbalance factors and the sum of number of switching actions in the day based on the power flow model.Second,a two-step solution strategy is proposed to solve the optimization model.Finally,the proposed strategy is validated using 11-node and 34-node distribution networks as case studies,and a switching and stabilizing device is designed to enable unified switching of renewable generations and loads.Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can effectively reduce the switching times without affecting the improvement of voltage balance.

Localization of Oscillation Source in DC Distribution Network Based on Power Spectral Density

Direct current(DC)bus voltage stability is essential for the stable and reliable operation of a DC system.If an oscillation source can be quickly and accurately localized,the oscillation can be adequately eliminated.We propose a method based on the power spectral density for identifying the voltage oscillation source.Specifically,a DC distribution network model combined with the component connection method is developed,and the network is separated into multiple power modules.Compared with a conventional method,the proposed method does not require determining the model parameters of the entire power grid,which is typically challenging.Furthermore,combined with a novel judgment index,the oscillation source can be identified more intuitively and clearly to enhance the applicability to real power grids.The performance of the proposed method has been evaluated using the MATLAB/Simulink software and PLECS RT Box experimental platform.The simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed method can accurately identify oscillation sources in a DC distribution network.

Coordination Control of Power Flow Controller and Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker in MVDC Distribution Networks

The two main challenges of medium voltage direct current(MVDC)distribution network are the flexible control of power flow(PF)and fault protection.In this paper,the power flow controller(PFC)is introduced to regulate the PF and inhibit the fault current during the DC fault.The coordination strategy of series-parallel PFC(SP-PFC)and hybrid DC circuit breaker(DCCB)is proposed.By regulating the polarity and magnitude of SP-PFC output voltage during the fault,the rising speed of fault current can be suppressed so as to reduce the breaking current of hybrid DCCB.The access mode of SP-PFC to the MVDC distribution network and its topology are analyzed,and the coordination strategy between SP-PFC and hybrid DCCB is investigated.Moreover,the emergency control and bypass control strategies of SP-PFC are developed.On this basis,the mathematical model of SP-PFC in different fault stages is derived.With the equivalent model of SP-PFC,the fault current of the MVDC distribution network can be calculated accurately.A simulation model of the MVDC distribution network containing SP-PFC is established in MATLAB/Simulink.The fault current calculation result is compared with the simulation result,and the effectiveness of the proposed coordination strategy is verified.

Plug-in Gate-loop Compensators for Series-connected IGBT Drivers in a Solid-state Fault Current Limiter

A solid-state fault current limiter(SSFCL)is the key protective equipment in a direct current distribution network.In order to meet the high voltage requirements and reduce costs,implementing a SSFCL based on series-connected insulated gate bipolar transistors(IGBTs)is a promising approach.However,voltage unbalancing of IGBTs would be introduced if the gateloops of the IGBTs are non-identical.In this paper,a plug-in gate-loop compensator with discrete gate voltage feedback and pulsewidth current compensation is proposed.The main merits are:1)with the plug-in structure,the extra current sources only provide small power to fine-tune the gate-loop without affecting the functions provided by the commercial IGBT gate driver;2)the gate-emitter voltages of IGBTs are compared with the preset thresholds to obtain control criterion,and the pulsewidths of the current sources are controlled for gate-loop compensation,thus both analog-digital and digital-analog converters are avoided;3)the control law is easy to implement in FPGA,and is robust to voltage variation of power-loops.With the proposed compensator,the voltage unbalancing is alleviated immediately at the present switching cycle,and further eliminated cycle-by-cycle during the current limitation process.Experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed compensator.