Methods for improving stability and power quality in networks with high levels of power electronics

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Tran, V. P. (2011). Methods for improving stability and power quality in networks with high levels of power electronics. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Advanced power electronics are essential to the development of fully active electric power systems. There are, however, potential problems that can arise when high levels of power-electronic systems are distributed throughout a network. Most importantly, power electronics can degrade the quality of the power that is delivered by utility companies; furthermore, they can cause instabilities that lead to complete failures. New “smart” power systems are highly dynamic, meaning that a regulated converter thought to be stable under ideal conditions could easily become unstable for reasons well outside of the designer's control. This thesis addresses the issue of improving power quality in networks with high levels of power electronics. The core concept presented here is an effective on-line approach for the estimation of network impedance, a time-varying quantity that plays a key role in reducing power quality. Real-time information about the network impedance at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) can produce more stable power converters and pave the way for new measurement techniques that help to monitor power quality. This thesis also examines the application of network impedance measurements for producing model-based adaptive controllers that allow power-electronic systems to remain stable when connected to “non-stiff” networks. This work can be applied in any system that is heavily dependent on power electronics, including terrestrial “Smart Grids,” all-electric ships, aircraft, and spacecraft.

Details
Author

Tran, Viet Phong

Title

Methods for improving stability and power quality in networks with high levels of power electronics

Physical Description

1 online resource (188 pages) : PDF

Date

2011

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Advanced power electronics are essential to the development of fully active electric power systems. There are, however, potential problems that can arise when high levels of power-electronic systems are distributed throughout a network. Most importantly, power electronics can degrade the quality of the power that is delivered by utility companies; furthermore, they can cause instabilities that lead to complete failures. New “smart” power systems are highly dynamic, meaning that a regulated converter thought to be stable under ideal conditions could easily become unstable for reasons well outside of the designer's control. This thesis addresses the issue of improving power quality in networks with high levels of power electronics. The core concept presented here is an effective on-line approach for the estimation of network impedance, a time-varying quantity that plays a key role in reducing power quality. Real-time information about the network impedance at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) can produce more stable power converters and pave the way for new measurement techniques that help to monitor power quality. This thesis also examines the application of network impedance measurements for producing model-based adaptive controllers that allow power-electronic systems to remain stable when connected to “non-stiff” networks. This work can be applied in any system that is heavily dependent on power electronics, including terrestrial “Smart Grids,” all-electric ships, aircraft, and spacecraft.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Engineering
Power resources

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Electrical Engineering

Advisor(s)

Cox, Robert

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2011.

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Rights Holder Information

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Identifier

Tran_uncc_0694D_10273

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:694