Editorial

4 pages, 177 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources

by Hamidreza Nazaripouya

Clean Technol. 2022, 4(1), 149-152; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol4010010 - 01 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2125

The increase in the population growth rate and the motivation to overcome issues such as environmental concerns and air pollution have made distributed renewable energy resources (DRER) the most popular option for providing the required energy [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

Research

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23 pages, 11282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hardware Implementation of Composite Control Strategy for Wind-PV-Battery Hybrid Off-Grid Power Generation System

by Miloud Rezkallah, Hussein Ibrahim, Félix Dubuisson, Ambrish Chandra, Sanjeev Singh, Bhim Singh and Mohamad Issa

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(4), 821-843; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3040048 - 16 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2674

Abstract

In this paper, a composite control strategy for improved off-grid configuration based on photovoltaic (PV array), a wind turbine (WT), and a diesel engine (DE) generator to achieve high performance while supplying nonlinear loads is investigated. To operate the WT efficiently under variable [...] Read more.

In this paper, a composite control strategy for improved off-grid configuration based on photovoltaic (PV array), a wind turbine (WT), and a diesel engine (DE) generator to achieve high performance while supplying nonlinear loads is investigated. To operate the WT efficiently under variable speed conditions and to obtain accurate and fast convergence to the maximum global operating point without a speed sensor, an iterative interpolation method is integrated with the perturbation and observation (P&O) technique. To ensure the balance of power in the system and to achieve the maximum power from the PV array without using any maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method, and ensuring stable operation during the disturbance, a double-loop control strategy for a two-switches buck-boost converter is developed. Furthermore, to protect the synchronous generator of the diesel generator (DG) from the 5th and 7th order-harmonics created by the connected nonlinear loads and to solve the issue of the filter resonance, the interfacing three-phase inverter is controlled using an improved synchronous-reference frame algorithm (SRF) with virtual impedance active damping. The presented work demonstrates effective and efficient control along with improved performance and cost-effective option as compared to the similar works reported in the literature. The performance of the presented off-grid configuration and its developed composite control strategy are tested using MATLAB/Simulink and validated through small-scale hardware prototyping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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27 pages, 842 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resilient Predictive Control Coupled with a Worst-Case Scenario Approach for a Distributed-Generation-Rich Power Distribution Grid

by Nouha Dkhili, Julien Eynard, Stéphane Thil and Stéphane Grieu

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(3), 629-655; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3030038 - 30 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2327

Abstract

In a context of accelerating deployment of distributed generation in power distribution grid, this work proposes an answer to an important and urgent need for better management tools in order to ‘intelligently’ operate these grids and maintain quality of service. To this aim, [...] Read more.

In a context of accelerating deployment of distributed generation in power distribution grid, this work proposes an answer to an important and urgent need for better management tools in order to ‘intelligently’ operate these grids and maintain quality of service. To this aim, a model-based predictive control (MPC) strategy is proposed, allowing efficient re-routing of power flows using flexible assets, while respecting operational constraints as well as the voltage constraints prescribed by ENEDIS, the French distribution grid operator. The flexible assets used in the case study—a low-voltage power distribution grid in southern France—are a biogas plant and a water tower. Non-parametric machine-learning-based models, i.e., Gaussian process regression (GPR) models, are developed for intraday forecasting of global horizontal irradiance (GHI), grid load, and water demand, to better anticipate emerging constraints. The forecasts’ quality decreases as the forecast horizon grows longer, but quickly stabilizes around a constant error value. Then, the impact of forecasting errors on the performance of the control strategy is evaluated, revealing a resilient behaviour where little degradation is observed in terms of performance and computation cost. To enhance the strategy’s resilience and minimise voltage overflow, a worst-case scenario approach is proposed for the next time step and its contribution is examined. This is the main contribution of the paper. The purpose of the min–max problem added upstream of the main optimisation problem is to both anticipate and minimise the voltage overshooting resulting from forecasting errors. In this min–max problem, the feasible space defined by the confidence intervals of the forecasts is searched, in order to determine the worst-case scenario in terms of constraint violation, over the next time step. Then, such information is incorporated into the decision-making process of the main optimisation problem. Results show that these incidents are indeed reduced thanks to the min–max problem, both in terms of frequency of their occurrence and the total surface area of overshooting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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16 pages, 3012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Operation of Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Parking Lots Considering Different Photovoltaic Technologies

by Mahsa Z. Farahmand, Sara Javadi, Sayyed Muhammad Bagher Sadati, Hannu Laaksonen and Miadreza Shafie-khah

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(2), 503-518; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3020030 - 16 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3821

Abstract

The performance of electric vehicles and their abilities to reduce fossil fuel consumption and air pollution on one hand and the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels in energy production, on the other hand, has encouraged parking lot operators (PLO) to participate in the [...] Read more.

The performance of electric vehicles and their abilities to reduce fossil fuel consumption and air pollution on one hand and the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels in energy production, on the other hand, has encouraged parking lot operators (PLO) to participate in the energy market to gain more profit. However, there are several challenges such as different technologies of photovoltaic panels that make the problem complex in terms of installation cost, efficiency, available output power and dependency on environmental temperature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to maximize the PLO’s operational profit under the time of use energy pricing scheme by investigating the effects of different PV panel technologies on energy production and finding the best strategy for optimal operation of PVs and electric vehicle (EV) parking lots which is achieved by means of market and EV owners’ interaction. For the accurate investigation, four different PV panel technologies are considered in different seasons, with significant differences in daylight times, in Helsinki, Finland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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15 pages, 4894 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Hybrid Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Allocation of Renewable DGs in Distribution Network

by Ayman Awad, Hussein Abdel-Mawgoud, Salah Kamel, Abdalla A. Ibrahim and Francisco Jurado

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(2), 409-423; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3020023 - 01 May 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2734

Abstract

Distributed generation (DG) is becoming a prominent key spot for research in recent years because it can be utilized in emergency/reserve plans for power systems and power quality improvement issues, besides its drastic impact on the environment as a greenhouse gas (GHG) reducer. [...] Read more.

Distributed generation (DG) is becoming a prominent key spot for research in recent years because it can be utilized in emergency/reserve plans for power systems and power quality improvement issues, besides its drastic impact on the environment as a greenhouse gas (GHG) reducer. For maximizing the benefits from such technology, it is crucial to identify the best size and location for DG that achieves the required goal of installing it. This paper presents an investigation of the optimized allocation of DG in different modes using a proposed hybrid technique, the tunicate swarm algorithm/sine-cosine algorithm (TSA/SCA). This investigation is performed on an IEEE-69 Radial Distribution System (RDS), where the impact of such allocation on the system is evaluated by NEPLAN software. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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12 pages, 5635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Renewable Energy at Home: A Look into Purchasing a Wind Turbine for Home Use—The Cost of Blindly Relying on One Tool in Decision Making

by Sheridan Ribbing and George Xydis

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(2), 299-310; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3020017 - 01 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4478

Abstract

Small-scale wind turbines simulations are not as accurate when it comes to costs as compared to the large-scale wind turbines, where costs are more or less standard. In this paper, an analysis was done on a decision for a wind turbine investment in [...] Read more.

Small-scale wind turbines simulations are not as accurate when it comes to costs as compared to the large-scale wind turbines, where costs are more or less standard. In this paper, an analysis was done on a decision for a wind turbine investment in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. It was revealed that a decision taken based only on a software tool could be destructive for the sustainability of a project, since not taking into account specific taxation, net metering, installation, maintenance costs, etc., beyond the optimization that the tool offers, can hide the truth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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15 pages, 1038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Different References When Assessing PV HC in Distribution Networks

by Samar Fatima, Verner Püvi and Matti Lehtonen

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(1), 123-137; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3010008 - 01 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2719

Abstract

The burgeoning photovoltaics’ (PVs) penetration in the low voltage distribution networks can cause operational bottlenecks if the PV integration exceeds the threshold known as hosting capacity (HC). There has been no common consensus on defining HC, and its numerical value varies depending on [...] Read more.

The burgeoning photovoltaics’ (PVs) penetration in the low voltage distribution networks can cause operational bottlenecks if the PV integration exceeds the threshold known as hosting capacity (HC). There has been no common consensus on defining HC, and its numerical value varies depending on the reference used. Therefore, this article compared the HC values of three types of networks in rural, suburban, and urban regions for different HC reference definitions. The comparison was made under balanced and unbalanced PV deployment scenarios and also for two different network loading conditions. A Monte Carlo (MC) simulation approach was utilized to consider the intermittency of PV power and varying loading conditions. The stochastic analysis of the networks was implemented by carrying out a large number of simulation scenarios, which led towards the determination of the maximum amount of PV generation in each network case. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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22 pages, 3879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interphase Power Flow Control via Single-Phase Elements in Distribution Systems

by Piyapath Siratarnsophon, Vinicius C. Cunha, Nicholas G. Barry and Surya Santoso

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(1), 37-58; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3010003 - 13 Jan 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3617

Abstract

The capability of routing power from one phase to another, interphase power flow (IPPF) control, has the potential to improve power systems efficiency, stability, and operation. To date, existing works on IPPF control focus on unbalanced compensation using three-phase devices. An IPPF model [...] Read more.

The capability of routing power from one phase to another, interphase power flow (IPPF) control, has the potential to improve power systems efficiency, stability, and operation. To date, existing works on IPPF control focus on unbalanced compensation using three-phase devices. An IPPF model is proposed for capturing the general power flow caused by single-phase elements. The model reveals that the presence of a power quantity in line-to-line single-phase elements causes an IPPF of the opposite quantity; line-to-line reactive power consumption causes real power flow from leading to lagging phase while real power consumption causes reactive power flow from lagging to leading phase. Based on the model, the IPPF control is proposed for line-to-line single-phase power electronic interfaces and static var compensators (SVCs). In addition, the control is also applicable for the line-to-neutral single-phase elements connected at the wye side of delta-wye transformers. Two simulations on a multimicrogrid system and a utility feeder are provided for verification and demonstration. The application of IPPF control allows single-phase elements to route active power between phases, improving system operation and flexibility. A simple IPPF control for active power balancing at the feeder head shows reductions in both voltage unbalances and system losses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Control of Distributed Renewable Energy Resources)

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