Voltage source inverters for high-power, variable-voltage DC power sources

Z.Chen and E.Spooner

Abstract: The paper discusses the applications of voltage source inverter (VSI) based power electronic systems for interfacing variable-voltage DC sources to the grid. A variable-speed wind power conversion system is used for illustration, where the VSI-based interface needs to convert a variable DC voltage to a nearly constant AC voltage with high-quality power. The power control principles of VSI are described. Various system configurations and switching strategies are examined by analysis, simulation and experimental methods. It is shown that better utilisation of semiconductors and more flexible control may be achieved by using a separately controlled DC link, rather than a directly connected VSI that has to operate at a lower modulation ratio at higher power. In some cases, multipulse inverter structures may be preferred, despite higher component count, because of reduced switching losses, fault tolerance and the absence of filters. The solutions developed in the study could be applied at a different scale to other renewable energy sources, such as wave or solar photovoltaic devices.
~ ~~

List of principal symbols and abbreviations

= DC link capacitance
= D C D C convertor switch duty ratio,

= t,,,f,,t,

= fundamental component of AC current = DC link current = current distortion component

= current nth-order harmonic component

= inductance between AC grid and VSI

= modulation ratio of SPWM inverter

PM PWM SHE SPWM SVPWM SUR TCHD TVHD VSI

1

= permanent magnet = pulse-width modulation = selective harmonic elimination

= sinusoidal pulse-width modulation

= space vector pulse-width modulation

= switch utilisation ratio = total current harmonic distortion

= total voltage harmonic distortion

=

voltage source inverter

= voltage ratio of D C D C convertor = real power

= reactive power = inverter voltage fundamental component = DC-link voltage

Introduction

= voltage distortion component

\,

= voltage nth-order harmonic component

= AC system voltage = power angle between VSI output voltage V&) and grid voltage V, = phase angle between V, and L(,) = displacement power factor, DPF = cos qb, = electromotive force = power factor
0IEE, 2001 IEE Proceedgs online no. 20010405 DOI: 10.1W9hpgtd20010405
Paper fmt received 4th May 2000 and in revised fomi 15th January 2001

Z. Chen is with the Department of Engineering and Technology, D e Montfort

University, Queens Building, The Gateway. Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK E. Spooner is with the School of Engineering, University of Durham, Sclence Laboratories, South Rd, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
IEE Proc.-Getier. Trunsnz. Distrib., Vol. 148, No. 5 . September 2001

Voltage source inverters (VSI) are commonly used to transfer real power from a DC power source to an AC load, such as an AC motor. Usually, the DC source voltage is nearly constant and the amplitude of the AC output voltage is controlled by adjusting the PWM ratio of the VSI. The PWM ratio often varies with the delivered power, with a higher ratio corresponding to higher power. VSIs are also becoming widely adopted for other applications, such as grid connection for renewable energy sources, where a variable-voltage DC power source supplies power to an AC system with a nearly constant voltage. Renewable energy sources are increasingly contributing to our electrical power needs, and this trend is accelerating as fossil fuel sources are depleted and their combustion products pollute the environment. Renewable energy sources are dispersed in nature, and grid connection will effectively increase the energy capture so the future electricity supply system will have many more renewable power sources than todays power stations. With the notable exceptions of biomass combustion and waste incineration, renewable sources are often variable in time and not completely predictable. Wind energy is a prominent example of such renewable sources. Various wind energy conversion systems have been studied [1-6]. The advent of high-power and high-frequency semiconductors with fast gate turn-off
439

capability, such as integrated gate commutated thyristors (IGCTs), will extend the applications of the self-commutated VSI into high-power areas. Connecting the renewable energy sources into the grid will be a major application area for VSIs. This work is derived from attempts to develop an interface for a modular, permanent magnet (PM), variablespeed gear-less wind turbine generator [7]. The modular PM generator has rnany discrete coils, whose outputs can be rectified and combined to produce a smooth DC output [8]. Diode rectifiers can be used for simplicity and economy. The limitation on the power transfer due to the internal inductance of the generator can be overcome by shuntconnected AC capacitors [9]. For high-efficiency operation of the wind turbine, the shaft speed should be varied in proportion to wind speed. The voltage and current at the generator-rectifier terminal should follow the optimal curves, as shown in Fig. 1 [lo]. The ideal operating speed can be realised by adjusting the electrical load of the system, and consequenlly the torque on the machine shaft.

PM generator rectifier

4 @

v ~ , d l ~ ~ ~ d

._

...............................

Fig.2

Directly connected VS1

'si

b Fig.3 Phasor d i z g r m of gridconnected voltage source inverter a Voltage-controlled VSI 6 Current-controlled VSI

2. I

Power control of voltage-controlled VSI

The phasor diagram of Fig. 3a is similar to that of a synchronous generator. The real power and reactive power sent into the grid by a voltage-controlled VSI are expressed in p.u. values as
T T T T

0.4

0.5

0.6 0.7 0.8 generator speed, p.u.

0.9

1.0

__
..........

optimal Pd curve optimal Vd curve ~ _ _ _ optimal Id curve

Fig. 1

r e a l DC-lutkpower, voltage and current againrt windspeed

Analysis, simulation and experimental work were carried out to study the power conversion system. The simulation models were developed and the power electronic systems were simulated with PSPICE. The system dynamic performance and the effects on power systems have also been studied. Detailed information can be found elsewhere [ll-131. In this paper, we examine the features of VSI techniques for connecting variable DC sources into AC systems, in particular, the interface for the modular PM generator multi-diode rectifier system.

where X, = 2@,LS, and ji is the grid frequency. Eqn. 1 shows that, for the given grid voltage V , and inductance L,, the real power P, and reactive power Q, can be controlled by regulating the magnitude of and the power angle 6. According to eqn. 1, therefore, the ideal real power Pideal and the desired reactive power QideOr can be obtained by setting the following ideal power angle aides, and inverter AC terminal voltage V1(,)illEai

Power control of grid connected VSI

Fig. 2 shows a PRlI generator wind energy conversion system consisting of a basic VSI, where Ls represents the and the inductance between the inverter AC voltage (VJ(kl) AC system voltage ( V,), and is is the current injected into the grid. The output waveform of a VSI can be decomposed into a fundamental sinusoidal component and a set of harmonics. For the analysis of power transfer, the harmonics and the resistance of the circuit are ignored. The fundamental voltage and current components can be represented by the phasor diagrams in Fig. 3. Figs. 3a and b correspond to the hndamental voltage control (voltage control mode) and the fundamental current-control (current-control mode) methods, respectively [ 14, 151.
440

The power angle 6 can be controlled by timing the semiconductor switching, and the voltage magnitude can be controlled by PWM switching or by means of a separately controlled DC link.

2.2 Power control of current-controlled VSI

A VSI can also operate in current-control mode; by switching the semiconductors, the AC current waveform may be controlled to follow a desired reference sinusoidal waveform, so the magnitude and phase angle are controlled. To generate the desired current, the current- controlled VSI should be operated in closed-loop mode [15]. The power control of a current-controlled VSI can be explained via the phasor diagram shown in Fig. 3b, where I,] represents the fundamental component of the inverter AC current, V, is
IEE Proc -Gener Transm Dislrrb
,

Vol I48,No 5, September 2001

the AC system voltage and is the phase angle between V , and IS1. The power injected into the grid can be expressed in p.u. values as

P, = PI = v, I , 1 cos $1
Qs = VsIs1 sin 41 (3) The desired output real power and reactive power can then be controlled by regulating the magnitude I,, and the angle with respect to the gnd voltage:

times for wind speed between 0.5 p.u. to 1.0 P.u., whereas the variation of the inverter output voltage is less than 2%. Obviously, the power electronic interface needs to satisfy these voltage requirements.

3.2 Modulation ratio of directly connected PWM VSI

The directly connected VSI shown in Fig. 2 has a simple circuit configuration. Power angle and voltage magnitude controls can be performed with various PWM switching techniques, such as SPWM, SHE and SVPWM etc. The directly connected VSI has to accommodate the different voltage requirements at the rectifier side and inverter side by varying the PWM ratio. A turbine speed range of 2:l (whch may be needed in practice for effectively extracting the energy from the wind) corresponds to the rectifier voltage range of 2.5:1, as shown in Fig. 1. Here SPWM is used as an illustration, and the linear modulation region (Ma 5 1.O) is preserved for minimum voltage waveform distortion. For maximum utilisation of the devices, the modulation ratio is set to 1.0 for the minimum DC-link voltage at the rectifier terminal. The ratio is then reduced with the DC voltage increasing, as shown in Fig. Sa. A rather low M, (about 0.4) has to be used for the rated wind speed. Figs. Sb and 6a show the simulated waveforms at 0.5 and 1.O p.u. wind speeds, respectively. Moreover, the range of modulation may be extended further if the normal vanations in grid voltage are also to be accommodated.
1.o 0.9

(4)
The above-mentioned two types of operation mode (voltage-controlled and current-controlled VSIs) can be implemented with various circuits and switching strategies. Two groups of circuit configurations are discussed in this paper (i) the VSI directly connected between the diode rectifier and the grid; (ii) the VSI connected to the rectifier via a separately controlled DC link.
power angle for unity power factor 12r

SPWM modulation ratio for unity power factor

0.8 -

._
0 1

0.7

1 0.6 0.4 0 . 3-

- 0.5 U 3

a
1.020

inverter AC voltage for unity power factor

1.018
i1.016

z1.014-

/ ::I
0

,
0.1

,
0.3

,
1.0

g 1.012 '1.010

0 ,

2000~

0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 generator speed, p.u. a SPWM VSI waveforms at 0.5 p.u. wind speed

0.2

21.008!I

.E1.004-

1.006 1oooc

1.002
1.ooo 0.50 0.55

0.60 0.65

0.70 0.75 0.80 0.85 0.90 generator speed, p.u.

0.95 1.00

DPF = 1.0,

Fig.4

b VSIpower mgle (U) cmd voltuge (h) ugccinst windspeed = 1.0 p U,, X,= 0.2 p.u.

vs

VSI direct connection between grid and variable

DC source

3. I

VSI operation requirements

-20001

Fig. 4 shows the required variation of Vlcl)to transfer real power to an infinite busbar at a unit displacement power factor (DPF) via an inductor with 0.2 p.u. reactance. It can be seen that the required AC voltage variation of a voltagecontrolled VSI is much less than the required voltage variation at the rectifier terminal; as shown in Fig. 1, where the voltage at the generator-rectifier terminal varies about 2.5
IEE Proc -Gener Transm Distrib , Vol 148. No 5, September 2001

0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.025

time, s

0.030 0.0350.040

b SP WM-VSI i n sirple system SPWM-VSI modulation ratio against wind speed b waveforms of SPWM-VSI; Ma = 1.0, Vd = 241 V, 6 = 1.4" at 0.5 p.u. wind speed

Fig.5

(0

(ii) vac(line), v (iii) VAC(phase), V

VVSI,

(iv) 4*IA0 A

44 1

3.3 Switch utilisation of directly connected VSI

The switch utilisation ratio (SUR) is the ratio of voltampere (VA) capacity delivered by the converter to the VA rating of the semiconductors. It may be used to describe the effectiveness of the semiconductor utilisation. For a three-phase six-pulse inverter, the SUR is [ 161

(5)
Assuming a ripple-free DC-link voltage and a sinusoidal AC current waveform, the following relations hold:
Is p e a k

= \/2Isl,mrte

and

Vd.peak

= Vd,rate

modulation (SVPWM) or a harmonic injection technique that produce slightly higher output AC voltage with the same level of input DC voltage. However, if a VSI is required to convert a wide range of DC voltage to a nearly constant AC voltage and deliver a higher power at a low modulation ratio, the drawback of low switch utilisation ratio exists. This leads to a design of higher peak current with higher conduction power losses and higher semiconductor cost. A current-controlled VSI connected directly to the variable DC link would suffer the same poor switch utilisation ratio as a voltage-controlled VSI. Moreover, an appropriate DC voltage level is required to drive the output current to follow the specified reference waveform.
4 Separately controlled DC link-VSI system

where Zsl,,.utr and V,,,,, are the rated AC current (rms) and DC-link voltage, respectively. For the linear modulation region, substitute eqn. 6 into eqn. 5 to obtain

4. I

Circuit configuration and operating principle

(7)
where IX1 follows the same trajectory as the real power of Fig. 1 for unity DE'F operation. Using the Mu curve in Fig. 5a and the V, curve in Fig. 1 can obtain SUR characteristics, as plotted in Fig. 66.
2500
2000

SPWbl VSI waveforms at 1.O p.u. wind speed

The above-mentioned voltage-matching requirements can also be accommodated using a controllable DC link, for example, incorporating a D C D C converter between the generator-rectifier and the VSI, as shown in Fig. 7. The D C D C converter creates two voltage levels, one at the rectifier terminal to provide the optimal generator-rectifier loading condition shown in Fig. 1, and the other at the inverter terminal to follow the voltage curve shown in Fig. 4b or simply a constant DC voltage. The modulation ratio of the VSI can then be fured or vaned over a greatly reduced range.
PM generator rectifier DC link
~

DC/DC
id convertor .....,.,,...... ..........

1500

v41

grid

Fig.7

Suriulution model o f DUDC convcrior VSI

4.2 DC/DC converter controlled DC link

2 0 0 0 -

0.005 0.010 0.015

time, s

0.020 0.025 0.030 0.0350.040

a

q
e
0.08

0.10

The average input and output voltages of a D C D C converter are related by the on and off duration (tonand torr>of the semiconductor S, i.e. the switch duty ratio D, where D = to,&,, andf,,, is the switching frequency. If the VSI operates at a fmed switching pattern (a constant modulation ratio), the required voltage ratio Nk of the D C D C converter will be

Nk =

vd,17
~

vd, R ,d e a 1

(8)

-0'

0 : 3

0:4 015 0 1 6 0:7 generator speed, p.u. b

0 : 8

0 : 9 1.6

Waveforms of SPWM-VSI; MO= 0.41, V,r = 600V, 6 = 11.3" at 1.0 p.u. wind speed b SPWM-VSI SUR against wind speed (9 VVSI,V (ii) Vac (line), V (iii) Vac (phase), V (iv) lac. A
u

Fig.6

SP WM-VSI in Junple system

A small improvement can be achieved by using altemative switching schernes such as space vector pulse width
442

where V , , icleuland Vd,lid,ul are the ideal average voltages at the rectifier and inverter DC terminals (Figs. 1 and 46), respectively. Assume that the system may have Nk close to unit at the rated condition, then the resultant Nk with varying speed has the characteristic illustrated in Fig. Sa. The required ratio D of a step-up converter is shown in Fig. 86. With the ideal voltage presented at the VSI DC terminal, the SUR curve of a six-pulse square wave switching VSI is shown in Fig. 9. It can be seen that the SUR of the VSI is improved by using the separately controlled DC link. If high-frequency switching schemes are used, the AC fundamental voltage would be slightly less, giving a slightly reduced SUR. The main components of the D C D C converter VSI simulation model are -shown in Fig. 7, where a smoothing capacitor is placed at the converter input terminal to maintain a smooth DC-link voltage for the rectifier operation.
IEE ProcGener. Trunsm. Distrib., Vol. 148, No. 5, September 2001

The DC capacitor at the inverter D C terminal absorbs cur-

DC/DC convertor waveforms at 8kHz D=0.28

rent ripples from both the D C D C converter and the inverter. The results for a typical condition are shown in Fig. 10, where (i) V, (inverter) is the inverter DC terminal voltage; (ii) V, (rectifier) is the rectifier DC terminal voltage; (iii) I (inductor) is the DC link inductor current; and (iv) 5* Vgis the D C D C converter switching signal.
U)

8ool
700

500 E

(ii)

DC/DC convertor voltage ratio at unity power factor

p 400-

4 ' 0 [ .

'"1
3.0

$ 1
300

2.5 2.0 1.51.0 -

n n n n n f l n f lP' n n n n n n n n n ~ n n n n n n n n D n n
. .

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0 time, s

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

X I

03

.o

5 0.5
9

1
0.1

P = 0.5 P.u., 6 = 570, D = 0.28, V c , , = ~ 0.71 P.U. (i) Vd (inverter). V (ii) Vd (rectifier),V (iii) I (inductor), A (iv) 5* Vu, V

Fig. 10 DUDC convertor simulutionresults

d % %o

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9 1.0

4.3 VSI switching strategies Freeing the VST from the task of controlling the voltage over a wide range makes alternative VSI circuit configurations and switching schemes possible, leading to further improvement of the system performance. For example, PWM switching techniques or multiple pulse inverter circuits can be efficiently used with the separately controlled DC link for harmonic minimisation. The following circuit configurations and switching strategies are discussed in t h s paper: (i) voltage-controlled VSI with fixed modulation ratio. (ii) voltage-controlled VSI with variable PWM modulation ratio. (iii) current-controlled PWM VSI.

0 1 1 0.50 0.55

\\
, , I , I t % I

4.3.1 Voltage controlled VSI with fixed modulation ratio: In this case, the VSI needs only regulate the
power angle with a fixed modulation ratio since the DC voltage at the inverter terminal is controlled to follow the ideal voltage profile. Two types of method can be used: square wave switching with multi-pulse inverter configuration and fixed pattern PWM switching.

Fig.8
speed

0.70 0.75 0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95 1.00 generator speed, p.u. b DUDC Convertor ( U ) voltage UIUA (h) switch rutios ugunizct wwul

0.60 0.65

VSI switch utilisation ratio at unity power factor

0 ._ c

0 .c
3

0.10-

p 0.08 0.06

0.50 0.55

0.60

0.65 0.70 0.75 0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95 1.00 generator speed, p.u.

Fig.9

SUR clumcteristic, jbr squure-wuve switching

4.3. ?. ? Square-wave switching and multi-pulse VSI: In the square-wave switching scheme, the upper and lower switches in one inverter leg conduct 180" alternatively to generate square wave line-to-line voltage waveforms. The ratio of the fundamental AC voltage to the DC voltage is fixed. The switching frequency and power losses of the VSI are relatively low, but the harmonic contents in the output waveforms are high. Therefore, the method may not be used in a simple six-pulse form, but it can be used in a multi-pulse inverter system consisting of several (n) bridges of square-wave switching six-pulse inverters. A 24-pulse inverter is illustrated in Fig. 11, where the output of each bridge is phase-shifted from its partners, and the separate outputs are combined in a phase-shifting transformer to create a 6n-pulse overall output. This type of system can be designed to produce hgh-quality output. The rating of each six-pulse bridge is a fraction of the total, so that standard bridges may be assembled to form a modular system. The separate bridges have good SUR (Fig. 9) and the whole inverter system assembled with the bridge
443

IEE Prw-Gener. Traium. Dbrrib., Vol. 148, No. 5, September 2001

modules will have the same SUR. In a 6n-pulse inverter system, the orders of the remaining harmonics are 6n x k f 1 where k is any integer, and the magnitudes of the remaining harmonics are tlne same as that in a six-pulse system. The simulated waveforms of a 24-pulse VSI system are shown in Fig. 12a, where the traces proceed downwards at different vertical axes (same scale) in the following sequence: (i) Vvsl is, the inverter AC terminal line-to-line voltage; (ii) VAC(line) is the grid line-to line-voltage; (iii) Vac (phase) is the grid phase to neutral voltage; (iv) 4*IAc is the AC current. The harmonic spectra of the VSI AC output voltage are shown in Fig. 12b.

ciently used with a fmed modulation ratio. However, SHE switchmg offers better harmonic performance than SPWM or equivalent harmonic performance at a lower switchng frequency. The switching instants can be pre-determined and stored within the controller. Fig. 13 shows the simulated voltage waveform and harmonics of eliminating 5th, 7th, llth, 13th, 17th, 19th, 23rd and 25th harmonics in a six-pulse VSI; the waveforms are as in Fig. 12.
57 11 13 17 19 23 25 SHE waveforms 2500r 2000 1500

m
24pulse

v,

xs

1000
W

Fig. 1 1

Multi-puke V S Icircuit ~

-1500

24-pulse VSI waveforms ,50r

-2000 0
12Or

0.005 0.010

0.015

0.020 0.025 0.030 0.035 0.040 time, s

57 11 13 17 19 23 25 SHE VSI voltage (simulation)

100 7

3
c

E !

80-

0 .C

60.

. c

iii

I
I .
order of harmonics

I
b

, 1 1 1

,:II

,I,

D = 0.28, 6 = 5.7" a Waveforms (i) Vvs,, V (ii) VAC(line), V (iii) VAC(phase), V (iv) 4 * I ~ cA , b Inverter AC voltage harmonics

Fig. 13 SHE- VSI simulution results

OO

L
Ilk

It can be seen that the selected lower order harmonics are eliminated and the higher order voltage harmonics are increased, but the total current harmonic distortion can be reduced. If more switching angles are adopted, the harmonic performance will be further improved at the cost of switching power losses. If necessary, the fundamental component of the output voltage can also be controlled by increasing the number of switchings per cycle, which has the drawback of greater power losses.
100 order of harmonics b

50

150

D = 0.28, 6 = 5.7", 24-pulse inverter a Waveforms (i) Vvs,, V (ii) Vac (line), V (E) Vac (phase), V (iv) 4*1~c, A b Inverter AC voltage harmonics

Fig. 12

Multi-puke V S d r wuvefom simulution results

4.3.2 Voltage controlled VSI with variable modulation ratio: In thls case, the DC/DC converter simply keeps a constant voltage at the VSI terminal. Therefore, the
modulation ratio of the PWM inverter should be variable, but only withm a range of 5% (Fig. 4). (The harmonic performance of natural sampling SPWM is given in Section 5.3.6.) Other PWM methods have similar characteristics,
IEE Proc.-Gener. Transm. Distrib.. Vol 148, No. 5 . September 2001

4.3.1.2 Fixed-pafitern PWM switching: All the PWM schemes, such as SVPWM or SPWM, can be effi444

although some schemes may offer slightly increased output voltage.

4.3.3 Current controlled PWM VSI: For a currentcontrolled VSI the inverter DC terminal voltage may be kept at a constant value like the VSI above. The controller reference current varies with wind speed. To keep a unit power factor for all wind speed, the reference current needs to follow a curve similar to the optimal power curve given in Fig. 1. The current-controlled PWM VSI can offer better dynamic performance due to the closed-loop control. It can be seen that the current-controlled PWM VSI presents a wider current regulation range than the power angle in the voltage-controlled VSI; hence better stability of the control system is expected. Fig. 14 shows the simulation results of a current-controlled VSI. The sequence of waveforms is grid AC voltage, reference current and grid current. It can be seen that the system can provide controllable reactive power with well defined harmonic spectra.
CC-VSI waveforms at unit power factor

voltage. Harmonics up to the lOlst harmonic were included for total harmonic distortion calculation. The switchmg power loss is proportional to the switching frequency, and the number of transitions is given in Table 2. If the discussed current-controlled VSI has the same switchmg frequency as the voltage-controlled SPWM VSI, a similar harmonic pattern and power losses can be expected.
Table 1: Inverter harmonic reduction options
~~

Identifier SS6 SS12 SS24 SHE1 SHE2 SHE3 SPWM

Particulars square-wave switching six-pulse inverter system square-wave switching 12-pulse inverter 5 stem (2 x 6-pulse bridges) square-wave switching 24-pulse inverter system (4 x 6-pulse bridges) selective harmonic elimination strategy to eliminate 5th. 7th, 1Ith, and 13th harmonics selective harmonic elimination strategy to eliminate 5th, 7th. I l t h , 13th. 17th and 19th harmonics selective harmonic elimination strategy to eliminate 5th. 7th. I l t h , 13th. 17th, 19th. 23rd and 25th harmonics natural sample sine PWM with a frequency index (ftrjfc,,tro,)of 21 and modulation index (vcontr,,'vtrJ of 1

Table 2: Comparisonof harmonic reductionstrategies

Identifier SS6 ss12 SS24 SHE1 SHE2
-8001

TCHD %

x, = 0.2 p.u.
28.8276 6.3318 1.5451 13.3462 10.2864 8.3401 13.841

Number of DC link voltage/ transitions/device/ inverter output cycle voltage (line-line) 2 2 2 18 26 34 42 1.2826 1.2826 1.2826 1.3952 1.4032 1.4070 1.6340

0.005

0.010

0.015 0.020 0.025 0.030 time, s

a

0.035 0.040

SHE3 SPWM

100 CC-VSI current harmonic spectra at unit power factor (simulation)

80
70

-E
L

6o

50
40

It can be seen that multi-pulse inverter schemes have lower switching power losses than other schemes and can significantly reduce the total current harmonic distortion, but the penalty is the increased equipment investment cost. On the other hand, high-frequency switching techniques could reduce the harmonic distortion in a certain range without requiring more equipment, but the power losses tend to increase rapidly as more low-order harmonics are eliminated.
5
Experimental results

30
20

OO

;
150
50 100 order of harmonics b

Unity power factor, 3. I5 kHz U Waveforms (i) VAC(phase), V (ii) IAC (reference), A (iii) IAC (phase), A b Grid current harmonic spectra

Fig. 14

Current-controlled VSI ~~av~$oomv sinulation remlts

4.3.4 Comparison of harmonic reduction methods: The harmonic performances of the discussed schemes
(Table 1) are shown in Table 2. The worst-case operating condition (purely reactive power generation) was taken. The conditions are 0" power angle, 1.2 p.u. inverter AC output voltage fundamental component and 1.0 p.u. grid
IEE Proc -Gener TrunJm Dtstrrb , Vu1 148. No 5, September 2001

The low-power laboratory models of the discussed VSI systems have been designed and built for demonstration. IGBTs are used to construct the power converters. The block diagram of the control circuits is shown in Fig. 15. A transformer with four windings on the inverter side is used in conjunction with multi-pulse inverters; 6-pulse, 12pulse and 24-pulse circuit configurations can be arranged. Fig. 11 illustrates the 24-pulse case, where four 6-pulse inverters are connected in parallel to a common DC source, but in the modular generator system it would be feasible to provide separate DC supplies, leading to a high degree of redundancy and fault tolerance. Figs. 16-19 show some test results. It can be clearly seen that the harmonic distortion is significantly reduced in a 24pulse inverter system and harmonic fdters may not be
445

grid voltage

zero

I
Qr,

phase shifter
I

----c

multi-pulse EHEsignal generator ratio regulator

VSI gate driving

controller

DCIDC convertor
gate driving

T 1'
Id
'd
vs

("ref)

Fig. 15

Control circuit block diugrm

TIME:07:56:12 TIME:00:34:24

Fig. 16 DUDC converto wuvefinru

(i) gate voltage, chl 1 Vi1 V, 5V, loops, inductor (ii) current, ch2 1 AiIOOmV, IOOmV, 100ps
TIME:OI :19:37

Fig. 18 Grid voltage of24-puLse VSI

(i) chl 500Vil V, 100mV, 5ms

Line-to-line

(ii) inverter output current, ch2 1 AiIOOmV, 50mV. Sms, experimental, 6 = 5.7"

0.4

experiment CC-VSI (unity power factor)

-0.4 I

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

0.030

0.035 0.040

time, s

Fig. 17 Grrd voltage of'SHE P WM-VSI Line-to-line (i) chl 500Vil V, 100mV. 5mj, (ii) inverter output current, ch2 I AiIOOmV, IOOmV, Sms, experimental, 5, 7, I I , 13, harmonic elimination. 6 = 5.7"

0.5Ai0.1 and grid current 0.5Ai0.1

Fig. 19 wavcjhm of'curren~-contr~lle~i VSI Unit power factor; waveform sequence: grid phase voltage 50Vi0.1, reference current

needed since the TCHD can be within the normal statutory limit. The multi-pulse inverter connection is more effective in reducing harmonic distortion than high-frequency switching techniques. A disadvantage is that a phase shift transformer is required. However, if the implementation can be carried out for a complete wind farm, rather than separately for each machine, then the cost may be no greater than normall transformers for separate high-frequency inverters of each turbine.
6

VSI interfaced wind power in isolated systems

In an isolated system, the generated power always has to be balanced with the consumed power; the optimal
446

operation of energy source and the reactive power control are restricted although the VSI type interface can still transfer power to the consumer. The power angle or the power factor angle are no longer useable as control variables, and the power factor will depend on the nature of the load, although the harmonic reduction techniques discussed above are still valid. Fig. 20 shows simulation and experimental waveforms for such a system with an SPWM-VSI. In an isolated system, it could be difficult to meet the consumers' power demand without some auxiliary controllable energy sources, such as diesel generators or energy storage systems. Therefore, grid connection, whenever possible, is an effective way to utilise the renewable energy sources.
IEE Proc -Gener Trurl\ni Di\rrfb, Vol 148 N o 5, Septernher 2001

waveforms of SPWM VSI in an isolated system

0-200-400 -

-600 0

,
0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.025 0.030 0.035 0.040
time, s a

TIME:O1:51:30
1

The direct connection of VSI to a varying DC voltage source has the simplest circuit configuration, but poor device utilisation and high power loss because a lower modulation ratio has to be used for hgher power operation; it is therefore an unattractive system for the discussed applications. A separately controlled DC link can free the VSI from wide-range modulation ratio control duty and provide the flexibility for design and operation of the inverter, so as to allow the implementation of more efficient harmonic minimisation methods, including selective harmonic elimination and multi-pulse inverter techniques. Under the discussed DCDC converter-controlled DC link schemes, various optimal power control, reactive power regulation and harmonic reduction methods have been examined. In the aspect of harmonic reduction, a multi-pulse inverter configuration is sometimes preferred, despite higher component count, due to reduced switching losses, fault tolerance and the absence of filters.
8
References

a Simulated

Fig.20

b SP WM-VSI in isoluted system voltage and current waveforms for isolated system

(9

VVSJ.V (ii) IO*IA,-, A

h Mcasurcd voltage and current waveforms for isolated system (i) chl inverter AC voltage IOOVil V, 500mV. 5ms (ii) ch2 current I AiIOOmV, 200mV, 5ms

Conclusions

In the paper, we have discussed the applications of VSI connected to variable DC power sources. A modular PM generator wind power system (where the power electronic system has to convert a widely varying DC voltage to a nearly constant voltage) was taken as an example to illustrate the effectiveness of various circuit configurations and control strategies. The results of simulation and laboratory experimental studies confirm the expected performance of the discussed system. Both voltage- and current-controlled VSIs can transfer the optimal power into the grid with controllable reactive power and low harmonic pollution. Current-controlled VSI has a wider current regulation range, and hence better stability of the control system is expected.

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