EPE Association: EPE 2007 - Subtopic 13-5

EPE 2007 - Subtopic 13-5 - LS: Photovoltaics II
You are here: EPE Documents > 01 - EPE & EPE ECCE Conference Proceedings > EPE 2007 - Conference > EPE 2007 - Topic 13: 'Electrical energy generating systems, renewable energy systems' > EPE 2007 - Subtopic 13-5 - LS: Photovoltaics II

   [return to parent folder]

   A Simple Photovoltaic Simulator for Testing of Power Electronics
By MIDTGÃ„RD Ole-Morten [View]
[Download]

Abstract: The paper concerns simulation of photovoltaic systems. First, the characteristics of a real photovoltaic module, based on real life measurements, are presented. The peculiar behavior that is due to partial shading and bypass diodes is pointed out. Then a PSpice computer model is outlined, and the computer simulations serve to understand the observed behavior. On this background, the paper presents a simple hardware-based photovoltaic simulator that is able to qualitatively behave like a real photovoltaic module. Novel developments on the signal side are introduced: a modification of the signal side load compared to previous systems is presented, but more importantly, a signal side circuit that can be controlled from a computer to emulate all kinds of irradiance conditions, including partial shading, is also devised and proven to work. Experiments show that the proof-of-concept prototypes function as expected, although there is certainly room for improvements in further work. Such simulators could, and probably should, be used for testing of power electronics based interfaces to photovoltaic systems, as they can provide repeatable laboratory conditions.

   Impact of power quality disturbances on PV inverters - Performance of integrated protective functions
By MAYR Christoph; BRUENDLINGER Roland; BLETTERIE Benoit [View]
[Download]

Abstract: This paper provides a discussion on the implementation of protective functions in photovoltaic (PV) inverters in terms of sensitivity to power quality disturbances. First, sensitivity characteristics obtained from extensive testing on a set of commercial products are presented. The results show that most inverters exhibit a quite sensitive behavior, which can lead to repetitive spurious tripping. Then, a discussion on the implementation of the interface protection (under/over voltage and frequency) is provided. Various methods for voltage and frequency protection are considered, and the impact of the possible implementations are analyzed and quantified. This paper puts forward the thesis that the high sensitivity of current products to power quality disturbances is in fact not due to the lack of efforts put on the development of the equipment but rather to the lack of awareness and clear requirements in standards. Due to this lack of awareness, manufacturers may not make the best choices when implementing the interface protection.

   Simulation model based control development for a multifunctional PV-inverter
By GEIBEL Dominik; JAHN JÃ¶rg; JUCHEM Ralf [View]
[Download]

Abstract: Simulation tools are state of the art during development processes of inverters. In many cases simulation models have to be manually translated into adequate code for the target DSP or microcontroller. This translation is time consuming and translation faults could cause unexpected results. In this paper a development process for a new and multifunctional PV-inverter is presented that completely bases on simulation models in combination with automatic code generation and rapid control prototyping. Many renewable energy sources such as PV are using inverters as a grid interface. The utilization of PV systems is rather low in northern European countries and could be increased by implementation of additional functionality such as uninterruptible power supply, local power quality improvement or ancillary services. Some of this functionality is of particular interest for the operators of industrial plants. The development of new functionality could efficiently be done by using simulation tools. The implementation process into the target hardware may be accompanied by unexpected results due to restrictions of the controller hardware. This paper presents the development process of a multifunctional PV-inverter based on simulation models, automatic code generation and rapid control prototyping.

EPE 2007 - Subtopic 13-5 - LS: Photovoltaics II
You are here: EPE Documents > 01 - EPE & EPE ECCE Conference Proceedings > EPE 2007 - Conference > EPE 2007 - Topic 13: 'Electrical energy generating systems, renewable energy systems' > EPE 2007 - Subtopic 13-5 - LS: Photovoltaics II
	[return to parent folder]

	A Simple Photovoltaic Simulator for Testing of Power Electronics By MIDTGÃ„RD Ole-Morten	[View] [Download]
Abstract: The paper concerns simulation of photovoltaic systems. First, the characteristics of a real photovoltaic module, based on real life measurements, are presented. The peculiar behavior that is due to partial shading and bypass diodes is pointed out. Then a PSpice computer model is outlined, and the computer simulations serve to understand the observed behavior. On this background, the paper presents a simple hardware-based photovoltaic simulator that is able to qualitatively behave like a real photovoltaic module. Novel developments on the signal side are introduced: a modification of the signal side load compared to previous systems is presented, but more importantly, a signal side circuit that can be controlled from a computer to emulate all kinds of irradiance conditions, including partial shading, is also devised and proven to work. Experiments show that the proof-of-concept prototypes function as expected, although there is certainly room for improvements in further work. Such simulators could, and probably should, be used for testing of power electronics based interfaces to photovoltaic systems, as they can provide repeatable laboratory conditions.

	Impact of power quality disturbances on PV inverters - Performance of integrated protective functions By MAYR Christoph; BRUENDLINGER Roland; BLETTERIE Benoit	[View] [Download]
Abstract: This paper provides a discussion on the implementation of protective functions in photovoltaic (PV) inverters in terms of sensitivity to power quality disturbances. First, sensitivity characteristics obtained from extensive testing on a set of commercial products are presented. The results show that most inverters exhibit a quite sensitive behavior, which can lead to repetitive spurious tripping. Then, a discussion on the implementation of the interface protection (under/over voltage and frequency) is provided. Various methods for voltage and frequency protection are considered, and the impact of the possible implementations are analyzed and quantified. This paper puts forward the thesis that the high sensitivity of current products to power quality disturbances is in fact not due to the lack of efforts put on the development of the equipment but rather to the lack of awareness and clear requirements in standards. Due to this lack of awareness, manufacturers may not make the best choices when implementing the interface protection.

	Simulation model based control development for a multifunctional PV-inverter By GEIBEL Dominik; JAHN JÃ¶rg; JUCHEM Ralf	[View] [Download]
Abstract: Simulation tools are state of the art during development processes of inverters. In many cases simulation models have to be manually translated into adequate code for the target DSP or microcontroller. This translation is time consuming and translation faults could cause unexpected results. In this paper a development process for a new and multifunctional PV-inverter is presented that completely bases on simulation models in combination with automatic code generation and rapid control prototyping. Many renewable energy sources such as PV are using inverters as a grid interface. The utilization of PV systems is rather low in northern European countries and could be increased by implementation of additional functionality such as uninterruptible power supply, local power quality improvement or ancillary services. Some of this functionality is of particular interest for the operators of industrial plants. The development of new functionality could efficiently be done by using simulation tools. The implementation process into the target hardware may be accompanied by unexpected results due to restrictions of the controller hardware. This paper presents the development process of a multifunctional PV-inverter based on simulation models, automatic code generation and rapid control prototyping.