Abstract-An accurate small signal model of three phase photovoltaic inverters with a high order grid filter is derived in this paper. The proposed model takes into account the influence of both the inverter operating point and the PV panels characteristics on the inverter dynamic response. A sensitivity study of the control loops to variations of the dc voltage, the PV panels transconductance, the supplied power, and the grid inductance is performed using the proposed small-signal model. Analytical and experimental results carried out on a 100 kW photovoltaic inverter are presented.Index Terms-Renewable energies, modeling and control of power inverters, distributed generation I. INTRODUCTION HOTOVOLTAIC (PV) power generation is a concept of increasing interest. In the last years, a high number of photovoltaic farms with a power capacity up to some MW have appeared in the distributed power generation scenario. In order to disturb the distribution grid as little as possible, the switching harmonics generated by the power inverters must be properly filtered out, reaching a compromise between the cost and the weight of the filter, and fulfillment of international standards regarding the grid connection of power converters, like IEC/EN 61000-3-4 [1] and IEEE 15471 [2]. Such a compromise often requires the use of high order grid filters, typically in LCL configuration. However, the stability of the system may be compromised by the resonances of the LCL filter, so that a careful design of both the filter and the control strategy is mandatory. [15]- [18], showing that Phase Locked Loops (PLL) based on the transformation of the grid voltages to a synchronous reference frame are currently a very interesting alternative to achieve that objective. The power production capability of the generation system is another issue that merits special attention, because the exploitation benefits of a photovoltaic farm intimately depend on the capability of the inverter to extract the maximum available power that can be instantaneously extracted from the panels. To achieve this relevant objective, a high number of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques have been proposed in the past. Some of the most recent ones may be found in [19]-[23], [29]-[32]. A preliminary version of this paper [24] presents a study of the dynamic response of a 100 kW PV inverter with an LCL grid filter. With regard to that preliminary version, the following novelties have been added in this paper: 1) a detailed derivation of the proposed small-signal model, which includes the dynamics of the PV panels around a maximum power point of their I-V characteristics; 2) a sensitivity study of the control loops to variations of the dc voltage, the generated power, the grid inductance and the PV panels transconductance; and 3) new experimental results focused on the validation of the proposed small-signal model. Fig. 1 shows the scheme of a three-phase Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) connected to the grid through an LCL filter. The series resistances of the inductor...

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The concept of microgrid has emerged as a feasible answer to cope with the increasing number of distributed renewable energy sources which are being introduced into the electrical grid. The microgrid communication network should guarantee a complete and bidirectional connectivity among the microgrid resources, a high reliability and a feasible interoperability. This is in a contrast to the current electrical grid structure which is characterized by the lack of connectivity, being a centralized-unidirectional system. In this paper a review of the microgrids information and communication technologies (ICT) is shown. In addition, a guideline for the transition from the current communication systems to the future generation of microgrid communications is provided. This paper contains a systematic review of the most suitable communication network topologies, technologies and protocols for smart microgrids. It is concluded that a new generation of peer-to-peer communication systems is required towards a dynamic smart microgrid. Potential future research about communications of the next microgrid generation is also identified.