Modeling and simulation of a pico-hydropower off-grid network

Abstract

This chapter will cover the system arrangement, modelling and control of such a system, with implementation of simulated example and expansion of the concept to include solar PV and wind turbine sources. 1.2. System Overview The proposed pico-hydropower off-grid network is built up from a number of identical picohydropower generator units, with one or more installed at each turbine site dependent on the environmental conditions. As each site may have different environmental conditions, each unit may have different power available at the turbine, which may vary over time. The generator is interfaced onto the AC network through a power electronic AC-DC-AC interface, which allows a distributed grid, shown in Fig. 2. There is no communication between each unit, increasing the system reliability, so each unit must use local measurements to control the generator unit. This topology provides flexibility and redundancy in the network, making it suitable for a scalable and expandable system.