Coordinated Capacitor Voltage Balancing Method for Cascaded H-bridge Inverter with Supercapacitor and DC-DC Stage

Cascaded H-bridge inverter(CHBI) with supercapacitors(SCs) and dc-dc stage shows significant promise for medium to high voltage energy storage applications. This paper investigates the voltage balance of capacitors within the CHBI, including both the dc-link capacitors and SCs. Balance control over the dc-link capacitor voltages is realized by the dcdc stage in each submodule(SM), while a hybrid modulation strategy(HMS) is implemented in the H-bridge to balance the SC voltages among the SMs. Meanwhile, the dc-link voltage fluctuations are analyzed under the HMS. A virtual voltage variable is introduced to coordinate the balancing of dc-link capacitor voltages and SC voltages. Compared to the balancing method that solely considers the SC voltages, the presented method reduces the dc-link voltage fluctuations without affecting the voltage balance of SCs. Finally, both simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the presented method.

Impact of the PV Location in Distribution Networks on Network Power Losses and Voltage Fluctuations with PSO Analysis

Increased grid integration of photovoltaic(PV)has aggravated the uncertainty of distribution network operations.For a distribution network with PV,the impact of the PV location on the network power losses and voltage fluctuations is investigated with analytical derivations reflected by the line impedance.Optimization approaches of the PV location with consideration of two aspects,i.e.,minimum network power losses and minimum voltage fluctuations,are analyzed.A particle swarm optimization(PSO)algorithm is used to synthesize an optimal compromised solution so as to determine the PV location.A 10 kV distribution network with one PV is established on the time-domain simulation environment PSCAD/EMTDC.The simulation results justify the theoretical analysis and indicate that when the active power of the PV is more/less than twice that of the overall loads/end loads,the network power losses and node voltage fluctuations are both minimum when the PV is integrated into the head/tail end of the network.When the active power of the PV is between the above two conditions,nodes t/f can be identified for the integration of the PV between the head/end nodes of the network to achieve the minimum network power losses/voltage fluctuations,respectively.The effectiveness of the proposed optimization approach is verified and can provide a reference for selecting the PV location in the distribution network.

Evaluation Method for Voltage Fluctuation Performance Considering Cyber Soft Failure

Voltage regulation based upon cyber systems has been extensively used with the development of cyber-physical systems.Still,cyber failure may result in controlling failure,which inevitably has an effect on the overall voltage performance of distribution networks.In order to access the influence of a cyber fault on voltage regulation,a cyber system validity model considering cyber soft failure is proposed.The analytical approach of voltage fluctuation and measurement indices of voltage fluctuation are also developed.Based on a simulation of a IEEE 33-bus system,the proposed model is proved to simulate the voltage regulation process taking cyber soft failure into consideration.Each influence of different fault factors is analyzed,which provides practical technical support for the planning and operation of the distribution system.This paper provides strategies for the research into cyber fault of distribution networks,which has critical significance along with follow-up value.

A Cell Screening Algorithm Integrating Genetic and Numerical Differentiation

The consistency of the cell has a significant impact on battery capacity,endurance,overall performance,safety,and service life extension.However,it is challenging to identify cells with high consistency and no loss of battery energy.This paper presents a cell screening algorithm that integrates genetic and numerical differentiation techniques.Initially,a mathematical model for battery consistency is established,and a multi-step charging strategy is proposed to satisfy the demands of fast charging technology.Subsequently,the genetic algorithm simulates biological evolution to efficiently search for superior cell combinations within a short time while evaluating capacity,voltage consistency,and charge/discharge efficiency.Finally,through experimental validation and comparative analysis with similar algorithms,our proposed method demonstrates notable advantages in terms of both search efficiency and performance.

Experimental study on the jet characteristics of a steam plasma torch

Thermal steam plasma jet is promising for applications in environmental industries due to its distinctive characteristics of high enthalpy and high chemical reactivity. However, the performance of the steam plasma torch for its generation is limited by the problems of the large arc voltage fluctuation and serious erosion of the electrodes. In this study, a gas-stabilized steam plasma torch which can operate continuously and stably was designed. Experiments were conducted to reveal the effect of the different working parameters, including the anode diameter, the cooling water temperature, the arc current and the steam flow rate, on its Volt-Ampere characteristics, arc voltage fluctuation, thermal efficiency, jet characteristics and electrodes erosion. Results showed that the use of hot water to cool the electrodes can effectively prevent the condensation of steam on the inner wall of the electrodes, thus significantly reducing the arc voltage fluctuations and electrodes erosion. This is crucial for increasing the working life of the electrodes and ensuring long-term stability of the steam plasma torch. In addition, suitable anode diameter can greatly reduce the arc voltage fluctuation of the steam plasma torch and effectively improve the stability of the steam plasma jet. Furthermore, high arc current can effectively reduce the fluctuations of the arc voltage and increase the length and the volume of the steam plasma jet. Finally, using steam as the plasma forming gas can achieve higher thermal efficiency compared to air. An ideal thermal efficiency can be achieved by properly reducing the arc current and increasing the steam flow rate.

An Approach to the Ultimate Goal of Power Grid Development—Constant Voltage Operation

The concept of constant voltage operation is proposed in this paper and it is demonstrated that the ultimate goal of power grid development is constant voltage operation.The topic is expanded into three aspects:the benefits of constant voltage operation,the technology and equipment to realize constant voltage operation,and the reactive power compensation capacity needed for constant voltage operation.The benefits of constant voltage operation have four aspects:1)Constant voltage operation is the ultimate presentation of the strong smart grid;2)Constant voltage operation can resist grid disturbances in the most powerful manner and greatly improve the power system stability;3)Constant voltage operation can effectively eliminate the voltage fluctuation problem involved with the integration of large scale renewable energy;4)Constant voltage operation can minimize the grid power loss.The means to realize constant voltage operation is primarily the modular multilevel converter based STATCOM(MMC-STATCOM),which has encountered great acceptance during recent years.Simualtion verifications are run in a modified IEEE 300-bus system and the Pearl River Delta grid in PSS/E.The results indicate that constant voltage operation can greatly improve the stability of power systems and the capacity of installed MMC-STATCOMs is within an acceptable range.

A positive Buck-Boost voltage balancer for DC distribution system

This paper analyzes the load unbalance problem and voltage fluctuation problem in a 3-wire DC distribution system.It also analyzes a solution to these problems;a positive Buck-Boost voltage balancer is proposed and explored in order to fulfill the requirements of high quality power supply for the loads on its load side.Compared with the conventional balancer,a positive Buck-Boost converter is added to solve the voltage fluctuation problem,and the theories and methods of the voltage balancer are extended to analyze the working principle,derive the design equations,explore the stability,and calculate the efficiency.Both simulations and small power experiments are carried out to verify the validity of the working principle,the topology,and the control strategy.