ALBERT

Description: This paper describes the reduced capacity of the inrush current suppressor using a matrix converter (MC) in a large-capacity wind power generation system (WPGS) with two squirrel-cage induction machines (SCIMs). These SCIMs are switched over depending on the wind speed. The input side of the MC is connected to the source in parallel. The output side of the MC is connected in series with the SCIM through matching transformers. The modulation method of the MC used is direct duty ratio pulse width modulation. The reference output voltage of the MC is decided by multiplying the SCIM current with the variable control gain. Therefore, the MC performs as resistors for the inrush current. Digital computer simulation is implemented to confirm the validity and practicability of the proposed inrush current suppressor using PSCAD/EMTDC (power system computer-aided design/electromagnetic transients including DC). Furthermore, the equivalent resistance of the MC is decided by the relationship between the equivalent resistance and the capacity of the MC. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed inrush current suppressor can suppress the inrush current perfectly.

Description: This paper discusses harmonic current compensation of the constant DC-capacitor voltage-control (CDCVC)-based strategy of smart chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) in single-phase three-wire distribution feeders (SPTWDFs) under nonlinear load conditions. The basic principle of the CDCVC-based harmonics compensation strategy under nonlinear load conditions is discussed in detail. The instantaneous power flowing into the three-leg pulse-width modulated (PWM) rectifier, which performs as a smart charger, shows that the CDCVC-based strategy achieves balanced and sinusoidal source currents with a unity power factor. The CDCVC-based harmonics compensation strategy does not require any calculation blocks of fundamental reactive, unbalanced active, and harmonic currents. Thus, the authors propose a simplified algorithm to compensate for reactive, unbalanced active, and harmonic currents. A digital computer simulation is implemented to confirm the validity and high practicability of the CDCVC-based harmonics compensation strategy using PSIM software. Simulation results demonstrate that balanced and sinusoidal source currents with a unity power factor in SPTWDFs are obtained on the secondary side of the pole-mounted distribution transformer (PMDT) during both the battery-charging and discharging operations in EVs, compensating for the reactive, unbalanced active, and harmonic currents.

Description: Energies, Vol. 10, Pages 1617: New Hybrid Static VAR Compensator with Series Active Filter Energies doi: 10.3390/en10101617 Authors: Ayumu Tokiwa Hiroaki Yamada Toshihiko Tanaka Makoto Watanabe Masanao Shirai Yuji Teranishi This paper proposes a new hybrid static VAR compensator (SVC) with a series active filter (AF). The proposed hybrid SVC consists of a series AF and SVC. The series AF, which is connected in series to phase-leading capacitors in the SVC, performs for a resistor for source-side harmonic currents. A sinusoidal source current with a unity power factor is obtained with the series AF, although the thyristor-controlled reactor generates harmonic currents. A digital computer simulation was implemented to confirm the validity and high practicability of the proposed hybrid SVC using PSIM software. The simulation results demonstrate that sinusoidal source currents with a unity power factor are achieved with the proposed hybrid SVC.

Description: Energies, Vol. 11, Pages 1604: Improvement in Harmonic Compensation of a Smart Charger with a Constant DC-Capacitor Voltage-Control-Based Strategy for Electric Vehicles in Single-Phase Three-Wire Distribution Feeders Energies doi: 10.3390/en11061604 Authors: Kei Nishikawa Fuka Ikeda Yuki Okamoto Hiroaki Yamada Toshihiko Tanaka Masayuki Okamoto This paper presents an improvement in harmonic compensation performance of a previously proposed smart charger (SC) with a constant dc-capacitor voltage-control (CDCVC) strategy for electric vehicles (EVs) in single-phase three-wire distribution feeders (SPTWDFs). A controller for 3rd harmonic currents in d-q coordinates is added to the previously proposed SC. This addition improves harmonic compensation performance of the source currents. We briefly introduce harmonic current compensation using the previously proposed CDCVC-based algorithm for the SC. Then, the basic principles of the proposed controller for the 3rd harmonic currents in d-q coordinates are discussed in detail. It is shown that synchronization of the current controllers for both the fundamental and 3rd harmonic components is required. The switching frequency of a three-leg pulse-width modulated rectifier with a bidirectional dc–dc converter, which performs the SC, is determined considering the synchronization of the current controllers. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that balanced and sinusoidal source currents with a unity power factor are achieved during both battery charging and discharging operations in EVs, improving the harmonic compensation performance of the previously proposed SC. Experimental results also demonstrate that the total harmonic distortion values of source currents are improved by 8.4% and 3.6% with the proposed controller for 3rd harmonic currents, when the SC is discharging, for example.

Description: Energies, Vol. 11, Pages 397: AC-Chopper-Based Inrush Current Suppressor in a Wind Power Generation System with Squirrel-Cage Induction Machines Energies doi: 10.3390/en11020397 Authors: Sho Shibata Hiroaki Yamada Toshihiko Tanaka Masayuki Okamoto This paper proposes the inrush current suppressor using an AC chopper in a large-capacity wind power generation system (WPGS) with two squirrel-cage induction machines (SCIMs), which are switched over depending on the wind speed. The input side of the AC chopper is connected to the source in parallel. The output side of the AC chopper is connected in series with the SCIM through matching transformers. In the proposed inrush current suppressor, the output voltage of the AC chopper is the same as the receiving-end voltage before connecting the SCIM. By gradually decreasing the output voltage of the AC chopper, the applied voltage of the SCIM is gradually increased without the inrush current. The basic principle of the proposed inrush current suppressor is discussed in detail. A computer simulation is implemented to confirm the validity and practicability of the proposed inrush current suppressor using a power system computer-aided design/electromagnetic transients including DC (PSCAD/EMTDC). Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed inrush current suppressor can suppress the inrush current.

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Description: Energies, Vol. 11, Pages 2237: Design and Experimental Verification of 400-WClass LED Driver with Cooperative Control Method for Two-Parallel Connected DC/DC Converters Energies doi: 10.3390/en11092237 Authors: Tomoharu Yada Yuta Katamoto Hiroaki Yamada Toshihiko Tanaka Masayuki Okamoto Tsuyoshi Hanamoto This paper deals with a design and experimental verification of 400-W class light-emitting diode (LED) driver with cooperative control method for two-parallel connected DC/DC converters. In the cooperative control method, one DC/DC converter is selected to supply the output current for the LED, based on the reference value of the LED current. Thus, the proposed cooperative-control strategy achieves wide dimming range operation. The discontinuous current conduction mode (DCM) operation improves the total harmonic distortion (THD) value on the AC side of the LED driver. The standard of Electrical Applications and Materials Safety Act in Japan has defined the flicker frequency and minimum optical output. The smoothing capacitors are designed by considering the power flow and LED current ripple for satisfying the standard. A prototype LED driver is constructed and tested. Experimental results demonstrate that a wide dimming operation range from 1 to 100% is achieved with a THD value less than 10% on the AC side, by the proposed control strategy. The authors compare the power conversion efficiency between Si- and SiC-metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) based LED driver. The maximum power conversion efficiency by using SiC-MOSFETs based LED driver is 91.4%. Finally, the variable switching frequency method is proposed for improving the power conversion efficiency for a low LED current region.