A Virtual Power Plant with a Power Electronic Based Controller

Zhe Chen, Y. Hu

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

More and more distributed generation (DG) units, including renewable energy based and power electronic interfaced generation units, are being integrated into distribution systems, consequently, conventional passive distribution networks are becoming active networks. An active network may be managed as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), which has the possibility of sending power into a higher level grid like a generator. However, a VPP may have stochastic and non-ideal characteristics, for instance, power fluctuation, unbalance, non-linearity, harmonic distortions and lack of controllability due to the features of the connected load and renewable power sources. This paper studies the performance improvement of a VPP by using a Virtual Power Plant controller (VPPC). The VPPC is constructed by a power electronic voltage source converter (VSC) and an energy storage device, which can make a VPP to present good controllability of active power and reactive power, and can mitigate the unbalance and harmonics associated with the VPP. Furthermore, in dynamic situations, the VPPC can help to stabilize the VPP and support the grid. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the VPPC.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Review of Electrical Engineering
Volume8
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)1144-1155
Number of pages12
ISSN1827-6660
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Virtual Power Plant
  • Virtual Power Plant Controller
  • Energy Storage
  • System Dynamics
  • Power Quality

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Virtual Power Plant with a Power Electronic Based Controller'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this