Harmonic current prediction by impedance modeling of grid-tied inverters: A 1.4 MW PV plant case study

Heverton A. Pereira, Francisco D. Freijedo, M. M. Silva, V. F. Mendes, R. Teodorescu

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Grid-tied inverters are the main responsible for the successful integration of photovoltaic (PV) plants in the power grid. Two important challenges are the integration of power plants based-inverters and their contribution to the power system quality. This work analyzes the features of inverter impedance models when used in harmonic integration studies. It is aimed to estimate the harmonic current contribution as a function of the background harmonic voltages components. Time domain simulations based on detailed and average models are compared with the impedance model developed in frequency domain. In grids with harmonic voltages, impedance models can predict the current distortion for all active power injection scenarios. Furthermore, measurements in a 1.4 MW PV plant connected in a distributed grid are used to validate the simulation based on impedance models during different power injections and harmonic voltage profiles. Results reinforce that impedance models can represent with relatively accuracy the harmonic current emitted by the PV plants at the point of common coupling (PCC). Lastly, a stress test is performed to show how a variation in the harmonic voltage phase angle impacts the PV plant harmonic emission.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems
Volume93
Pages (from-to)30-38
Number of pages9
ISSN0142-0615
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Distributed system
  • Grid-tied inverter
  • Harmonic current emission
  • Impedance model
  • Photovoltaic (PV) plant
  • Voltage-source converter (VSC)

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