Design and control of standalone and hybrid standalone power generation systems

Abstract

Many remote areas, such as télécommunications infrastructures, mining facilities and isolated residential areas depend only on diesel generators (DGs) to support their electricity requirements. However, this energy source is based on diesel fuel, which is costly and pollutant. Considering the cost, availability and reliability of the electricity provided by DGs, it is very important to find a new solution based on clean energy sources available locally, which are inexpensive and environmentally friendly, such as, wind, solar, biomass or hydro. Nevertheless, to ensure a stable and uninterruptible power supply in these remote areas, hybrid standalone power generation system based on various renewable energy sources is advised. This solution is effective and cost-efficient, however, it requires a complex design, planning, and control optimization methods. Beside, most of those renewable energy sources are intermittent and either alternative or continue by nature. Therefore, power converters are required to ensure power conversion, to get the maximum power point tracking, as well as to regulate the voltage and the system frequency at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). Unfortunately, using several power converters introduces cost and reliability concerns. Battery energy storage system (BESS) and dump loads are key-elements in those types of installations. They ensure uninterruptible power supply to the connected load during transition and maintain the voltage and frequency constant at the PCC by dissipate the extra produced power in the system. Unfortunately, dump loads is not able to maintain the voltage and frequency constant if is not purely resistive. Its control affects the power quality by injecting harmonics in the system. To get high efficiency with reduced cost from different energy sources, to minimize the use of the diesel generator, and to ensure clean, stable and uninterruptable power supply to the local loads, many topologies employing different electrical generators are proposed in this research work. For optimal and safe operation of standalone and hybrid standalone power generations systems, many control approaches are developed. Furthermore, for all topologies, dump load is placed at the DC side instead of AC side in order to protect the BESS from the overcharging and to minimize the risk of the deterioration of the power quality. Modeling and stability analysis are investigated. The suitability of proposed SPGSs and HSPGSs at practical operating conditions is demonstrated through simulation results using MATLAB/ Simulink. Experimental validations of two proposed topologies have been performed on a prototype developed in the laboratory.

Date	25 Apr 2016
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Ambrish Chandra (Supervisor)