We present a nonlinear equivalent resistance tracking method to optimize the power output for solar arrays. Tracking an equivalent resistance results in nonlinear voltage step sizes in the gradient descent search loop. We introduce a new model for the combined solar module along with a DC-DC converter which results in a highly nonlinear dynamical system due to the inherent non-linearity of the PV cell topology and the switched DC-DC converter system. To guarantee stability over a range of possible operating regimes, we utilize a feedback linearization control approach to exponentially converge to the setpoint. Simulations are presented to illustrate the performance and robustness of the proposed technique.
Recent advances in steady-state analysis of power systems have introduced the equivalent split-circuit approach and corresponding continuation methods that can reliably find the correct physical solution of large-scale power system problems. The improvement in robustness provided by these developments are the basis for improvements in other fields of power system research. Probabilistic Power Flow studies are one of the areas of impact. This paper will describe a Simple Random Sampling Monte Carlo approach for probabilistic contingency analyses of transmission line power systems. The results are compared with those from Monte Carlo simulations using a standard power flow tool. Lastly, probabilistic contingency studies on two publicly available power system cases are presented.
Due to the increasing proportion of distributed photovoltaic (PV) production in the generation mix, the knowledge of the PV generation capacity has become a key factor. In this work, we propose to compute the PV plant maximum power starting from the indirectly-estimated irradiance. Three estimators are compared in terms of i) ability to compute the PV plant maximum power, ii) bandwidth and iii) robustness against measurements noise. The approaches rely on measurements of the DC voltage, current, and cell temperature and on a model of the PV array. We show that the considered methods can accurately reconstruct the PV maximum generation even during curtailment periods, i.e. when the measured PV power is not representative of the maximum potential of the PV array. Performance evaluation is carried out by using a dedicated experimental setup on a 14.3 kWp rooftop PV installation. Results also proved that the analyzed methods can outperform pyranometer-based estimations, with a less complex sensing system. We show how the obtained PV maximum power values can be applied to train time series-based solar maximum power forecasting techniques. This is beneficial when the measured power values, commonly used as training, are not representative of the maximum PV potential.
Power-to-gas (P2G) can be employed to balance renewable generation because of its feasibility to operate at fluctuating loading power. The fluctuating operation of low-temperature P2G loads can be achieved by controlling the electrolysis current alone. However, this method does not apply to high-temperature P2G (HT-P2G) technology with auxiliary parameters such as temperature and feed rates: Such parameters need simultaneous coordination with current due to their great impact on conversion efficiency. To improve the system performance of HT-P2G while tracking the dynamic power input, this paper proposes a maximum production point tracking (MPPT) strategy and coordinates the current, temperature and feed rates together. In addition, a comprehensive dynamic model of an HT-P2G plant is established to test the performance of the proposed MPPT strategy, which is absent in previous studies that focused on steady states. The case study suggests that the MPPT operation responds to the external load command rapidly even though the internal transition and stabilization cost a few minutes. Moreover, the conversion efficiency and available loading capacity are both improved, which is definitely beneficial in the long run.
In this note we deal with a new observer for nonlinear systems of dimension n in canonical observability form. We follow the standard high-gain paradigm, but instead of having an observer of dimension n with a gain that grows up to power n, we design an observer of dimension 2n-2 with a gain that grows up only to power 2.
This paper proposes a fully distributed robust state-estimation (D-RBSE) method that is applicable to multi-area power systems with nonlinear measurements. We extend the recently introduced bilinear formulation of state estimation problems to a robust model. A distributed bilinear state-estimation procedure is developed. In both linear stages, the state estimation problem in each area is solved locally, with minimal data exchange with its neighbors. The intermediate nonlinear transformation can be performed by all areas in parallel without any need of inter-regional communication. This algorithm does not require a central coordinator and can compress bad measurements by introducing a robust state estimation model. Numerical tests on IEEE 14-bus and 118-bus benchmark systems demonstrate the validity of the method.