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- Overvoltage protection for grid-connected picohydro generation using photovoltaic invertersPublication . Scotta, Isabella Cristina; Maidana, Wellington; Leite, VicenteVery small-scale hydropower plants are environmentally friendly and renewable resource-based innovative solutions. The interest in pico-hydro systems (up to 5 kW) has increased significantly from the first stand-alone applications, at remote sites, to the distributed generation, with the injection of generated energy into the grid. Recently, there have been advances in the grid connection of these systems using off-the-shelf components, namely photovoltaic inverters. Therefore, pico-hydro systems have gained an enormous potential in distributed generation, particularly in the context of microgrids. However, in situations of over-power, or whenever the generator is under no load, e.g. when the grid fails, there is a need for effective over-voltage protection, as in small wind turbines. This paper proposes two over-voltage protection circuits, designed to ensure the integration of pico-hydro turbines connected to the grid using conventional photovoltaic microinverters and string inverters, for power ranges of 300 W and some kW, respectively. Extensive tests were performed on an emulation platform and a workbench using these two different over-voltage protection circuits. One is designed to connect the generators of water wheels to the grid and the other to connect 1,500 W generators of water turbines. The experimental results demonstrated the performance of the proposed over-voltage protection circuits in four different situations. Both avoid irreversible damages of generators, photovoltaic microinverters and string inverters in the context of the above-described grid connection approach.
- Analyses of MPPT algorithms in real test conditionsPublication . Guimarães, Thiago Fialho; Leite, VicenteMaximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are of major importance for optimized yield in gridconnected PV systems. Many algorithms have been investigated. However, most of the works compare these algorithms based on a literature review or on simulation. This paper presents an experimental analysis of MPPT techniques: two of the simplest (Perturb & Observe and Incremental Conductance) and two of the most complex (Fuzzy Logic Controller and Particle Swarm Optimization). The results are carried out in real test conditions, with and without shadow. The power converter is based on a boost converter and a voltage source inverter. The control is implemented using Simulink® and dSPACE 1103 real-time controller board. Moreover, the MPPT techniques of three commercial string inverters are also analysed.
- Design of a smart microgrid with small-scale hydro generation: a practical case studyPublication . Leite, VicenteMicrogrids are local electric grids integrating distributed generation and consumption, energy storage and management and power control. They can be an alternative for the energy supply of a house, a building, a small village or a wider region. Small-scale hydropower, in the range of 5 kW, consists of distributed generation systems gaining increasing interest. These so-called pico-hydro systems are becoming popular since they can take advantage of the integration of low-power wind generators and photovoltaic (PV) inverters, which are widely available at competitive prices. Thus, pico-hydro systems are not only relevant for energy generation in off-grid systems in remote areas but also for new contexts where the utility grid is available. This paper presents the design of a smart microgrid with small-scale hydro generation. It is a practical case study with the integration of two grid-connected pico-hydro turbines: a low-head propeller turbine and a water wheel. The microgrid was designed and implemented in a small museum: Casa da Seda (House of Silk). The energy generation is based on the complementarity between hydro and PV. The microgrid can operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes and feeds the House of Silk loads. The connection of both pico-hydro turbines into the microgrid is based on the integration of wind generators and PV inverters.
- Control of grid-connected inverter output current: a practical reviewPublication . Avila, Victor Habermann; Leite, VicenteThe number of grid-connected inverters is growing due to the expansion of the use of renewable energies (RE) systems and this may affect grid power quality and stability. Some control algorithms reduce injected current harmonics and add new possibilities to the converter. This paper implements and analyses the proportional integral (PI) controller in the synchronous frame and the proportional resonant (PR) controller with and without the harmonics compensators (HC). All these control strategies have proven to be effective and robust. However, the PR+HC controller presents better output current quality. The PI and PR controllers have similar performances. This work also compares the harmonic content of the current with the IEEE 1547 reference and with three commercial inverters from different manufacturers.
- Control of a bidirectional single-phase grid interface for electric vehiclesPublication . Breve, Matheus Montanini; Leite, VicenteThe number of electric vehicles is expected to increase exponentially in the next decade. This represents a huge potential for grid support, such as energy storage in their batteries, with advantages for grid operators and for customers. For this purpose, flexible power interfaces are required. This paper presents a simulation of a bidirectional singlephase power interface between an electric vehicle battery and the grid. The proposed system is fully simulated and counts with features such as vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-home and grid-to-vehicle. All power flow and the controllers for these modes of operation are described in detail. The simulation was developed in a Software-in-the-Loop scheme to facilitate a future physical implementation with a Hardware-in-the-Loop platform. The proposed system was extensively tested via simulation, the results proving the system is stable, able to change operation modes smoothly and definition of the exchanged active and reactive powers.
- Effective grid connection approach for an overshot waterwheelPublication . Leite, VicenteInterest in very small-scale hydropower generation has increased over the past few years. These pico-hydro systems range from a few watts to several kW. The exploitation of low head sites does not require expensive civil works and is environmentally sustainable. Pico-hydro systems are attractive not only for remote areas where the grid is not available, but also for grid connection. This is especially relevant in existing infrastructures, used for other activities but which can also be used for energy generation. Waterwheels are emerging with enormous potential in this context. Low speeds and variations in head and water flow are a constraint to their connection to the grid. This study shows that they can be effectively connected to the grid using competitive and widely available technology for other renewable sources, such as photovoltaics. This paper presents an innovative approach for an effective grid connection of a pico-hydro system based on an overshot waterwheel. For this purpose, a permanent magnet synchronous generator and a photovoltaic inverter are used. The compatibility between them is analysed in detail and the analysis is valid for other hydro turbines. The 2 m diameter waterwheel has been installed on an existing infrastructure of an aquaculture centre. With a flow rate of about 13 l/s, it injects an average power of 126 W into a microgrid with a global efficiency of 50%.