Inverter grid synchronization-A review and Simulation

Ms. Prajakta R. Narkhede, Dr.P.J.Shah

Department of Electrical Power System
SSBT’s College of Engineering and Technology,
North Maharashtra university,425001, Jalgaon, Maharashtra
[email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract

This paper represents the review, simulation and results of inverter grid synchronization. Three-phase
voltage source inverters are key parts to integrate renewable energy resources into the electrical grid. The
focus is on designing inverter which will synchronize with grid. To achieve grid synchronization, a Phase
Locked Loop (PLL) is used. The MATLAB SIMULINK is used for the simulation of single phase
inverter to synchronize it with the grid, in terms of voltage, frequency and phase. This paper also
summarizes and compares different methods of synchronization in literature review section. This paper
describes about the Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation(SPWM) technology which overcomes the low
performance of conventional pulse width modulation technique use for active filter. Computer
simulations results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control
method.

Keywords - PLL, SPWM, Grid synchronization.

Introduction

With rapid growth of population on the earth, the growth of energy requirement is raising so high that, it
made engineers bound to think alternative to fossils and other natural resources. Our present world is
demanding the use of green energy. Photovoltaic (PV) energy has great potential to supply energy with
minimum impact on the environment, since it is clean and pollution free [1]. The thought of using the PV
or solar energy for producing electricity has already become acceptable throughout the world. Grid tie
Photovoltaic inverter is now the possible solution to the energy crisis of the world. Grid tie inverters or
GTI are capable of feeding large power to the grid. Another fact is photovoltaic GTI has to be compatible
with existing grid. Major function is to convert DC energy of the photo voltaic cells to AC energy, which
will allow the system to connect with the grid. This attempt will take the use of green energy to a level
must for near future. These inverters are capable of producing energy from solar energy without any
environmental pollution.

In literature, several methods have been proposed for controlling the grid tied inverter that can be
designed as current source inverter (CSI) or voltage source inverter (VSI). Even though CSI has
advantages such as blocking reverse voltage and showing high impedance to short circuits, VSI are used
more frequently in many applications by means of easier control and less conduction losses [1],[5]. The
methods used in inverter control are hysteresis current control (HCC), sinusoidal pulse width modulation
(SPWM), and space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM). This paper describes about the Sinusoidal
Pulse Width Modulation(SPWM) technology which overcomes the low performance of conventional
pulse width modulation technique use for active filter[2].
Literature Review

Muhammad Ramadan, R.T. Naayagi, Woo Li Vee presents the modeling, simulation and hardware
evaluation of a grid tied inverter suitable for wind energy conversion systems. The grid-tied wind power
converter converts the energy harvested from wind to DC through a permanent magnet synchronous
generator using a simple diode rectifier and then converts it back to AC using a pulse width modulated
inverter before coupling the wind turbine technology to the power grid. A closed loop simulation of the
proposed set-up is modeled in PSIM environment. The hardware implementation of the proposed system
is constructed using the Lab volt home energy production system and the experimental results are
presented for various operating conditions. Experimental results on the grid measurements confirm that
the system is able to supply the harvested energy from the wind to the grid for all wind speeds[3].

Abdeldjabar Benrabah, Farid Khoucha, Khoudir Marouani, Abdelaziz Kheloui, Ali Raza, Dianguo Xu
explains the grid synchronization. Three-phase voltage source inverters are key parts to integrate
renewable energy resources into the electrical grid. In order to achieve an acceptable attenuation of
current harmonics in grid tied inverters and meet grid interconnection recommendations, an inductor-
capacitor-inductor (LCL) type filter is commonly used as an interface between the inverter and the grid.
However, this filter exhibits a resonant peak that should be properly damped to ensure system stability.
Moreover, grid impedance variations, mainly under weak grid conditions, may shift the resonance
frequency which compromises the controller design. This paper proposes a systematic approach to
actively damp the LCL filter resonance using the notch filter-based control. An adaptive approach is also
considered to improve the control performance under grid impedance variations. Computer simulations
results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control method[4].

V. Boscaino, G. Cipriani, V. Di Dio, R. Lauricella, A. Marcotulli, R. Miceli explained the various

synchronization methods. Distributed power generation units are experiencing an impressive growth.
Consequently, the amount of energy injected by non-linear loads as power converters is expected to
increase. Stability and quality of the overall grid are heavily affected by performances of grid-side
converters. In this paper, an overview of grid-synchronization technique is proposed. The grid-side
inverter is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink environment including current control and grid-
synchronization section. Both Synchronous Reference Frame (SRF) and Decoupled Double Synchronous
Reference Frame (DDSRF) PLL algorithms are implemented. A performance comparison is carried out
under ideal and unbalanced utility conditions. A modify of DDSRF architecture is proposed to enhance
performances of DDSRF under distorted conditions [5].

Ines Bourguiba, Azeddine Houari, Hamed Belloumi, Ferid Kourda explained the control of single-phase
current source inverter-based grid tie photovoltaic (PV) system. An intermediate DC/DC buck converter
interfaces the PV source and the DC-AC inverter. A complete control structure for the single-phase PV
system is presented. In source side, a Perturb and Observe algorithm is used to match the maximum
power available in the PV panels. In grid side, to control the injected current into the grid, a Proportional-
Resonant (PR) controller is proposed. The synchronization of the injected current with the grid is ensured
by a SOGI phase-locked-loop (SOGI-PLL). Simulation results under Matlab Simulink are provided to
show the effectiveness of the PR controller. In this simulations, a comparison with a classical proportional
integral (PI) under clean and disturbed grid voltage conditions is performed[6].

Overview of the implemented Renewable Energy system

In Figure 1, grid tied inverter block scheme is shown. In this scheme, the PLL is used as the grid
synchronization algorithm in real time. With the angle and amplitude information of grid voltages
obtained from the PLL, the measured line currents and the DC link voltage (which is produced by wind
turbine, PV, etc.) are transferred to digital controller for the control of the inverter. Then, appropriate
control signals are obtained by the digital controller to drive the switches in the VSI. Finally, the filtered
synchronized inverter output voltages are transmitted to the grid via a step-up transformer[2].

Figure 1: Grid tied inverter scheme of RES

Synchronous reference frame PLL (SRF PLL)

The basic function of the PLL is to measure Phase angle (θ) from the angular frequency (ɷ) of the grid
Voltage. In the SRF PLL [10] the voltages of the three phases of the Grid ( Ea , E b , Ec ) which are
separated in phase by an angle of 120 degree from each other are converted into dq reference frame in a
two stage transformation process i.e abc frame to αβ reference frame to dq reference frame [13]. The
transformation block diagram is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2: SRF Phase locked Loop

The Three phase voltages of the grid is given in equation (1)

Ea = Em cosɷ grid t

Eb = Em cos¿t-2π/3 ) (1)
Ec = Em cos¿t+2π/3 )

Where ɷ grid t = θ grid

Appling the Clark Transformation (abc → αβ Transformation) we get equation (2).

−1 −1
Eα 2
[ ]=
Eβ 3
0
2
√3
2
[ 1
2
−√3
2
Ea
Eb
Ec][ ] (2)

Substituting the values of Ea , Eb , Ec in equation (2) we get equation (3) as follows

Eα co sθ grid
[ ] [
Eβ
= Em
−sinθ grid ] (3)

Applying the Parks Transformation (αβ → dq Transformation) we get equation (4).

Ed cosθ −sinθ Eα
[ ][
Eq
=
sinθ cosθ Eβ ][ ] (4)

Here the αβ is the stationary two dimensional reference frame and the dq is the two dimensional
reference frame rotating with some angular velocity. To achieve the Grid synchronization [11] we will
have to synchronize the rotation of the dq axis to that of the three phase voltages of the grid which are
rotation at an angular speed of ɷ grid .

Simplifying the Parks transformation we get equation (6).

Ed = Em cos (θ grid –θ) (5)

Eq = Em sin (θ grid –θ) (6)

To achieve grid synchronization the θ must be equal to θ grid [14] and thereby equalizing the inverter
output voltage frequency and phase with that of the grid voltage. So if θ grid =θthen

Ed = Em and Eq = 0 (7)

But it if a very small error persists i.e if (θ grid −θ) is very small and nearly equal to zero then

sin (θ grid –θ) = (θ grid –θ) (8)

So Eq = Em (θ grid –θ) (9)

So we can get the angular frequency as given in equation (10).

 dθ
ɷ= =C Eq (10)
dt

Where C is the transfer function of the PI controller.

Hence by designing the proper controller we can successfully track the grid utility Frequency ( ɷ grid ) and
phase (θ grid).

Taking the Laplace transformation of equation (10) we get equation (11).

Sθ(s) = C(s) Em (θ grid(s) – θ(s)) (11)

Representing this expression in Block Diagram form we get fig 7.

Figure 3: Linearized model of the PLL

From the above equation we can see that for grid synchronization Eq must be set to Zero. [12] Doing this
we get the overall PLL control structure as given in the following block diagram in Fig 8. Here ɷ 0is the
fundamental frequency of the grid in rad/s. Here Eq is the reference set point voltage of Eq [7 ].
¿

Figure 4: Overall PLL control structure

Control technique use for inverter

There are several PWM techniques available for giving switching pulses to VSI. Among other techniques,
the Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) is used in this design since it can directly control the
inverter output voltage and output frequency according to the sine functions. Generally, three sinusoidal
waves are used for the three-phase inverter. The sinusoidal waves are called the reference signals and
have 120° phase difference with each other. The frequency of these sinusoidal waves is chosen based on
the required inverter output frequency. The carrier triangular wave is usually a high frequency (in several
KHz) wave.

The switching signal is generated by comparing the sinusoidal waves with the triangular wave. The
comparator gives out a pulse when the sine voltage is greater than the triangular voltage and this pulse is
used to trigger the respective inverter switches. In order to avoid undefined switching states and
undefined AC output line voltages in the VSI, the switches of any leg in the inverter cannot be switched
off simultaneously. The phase outputs are mutually phase shifted by 120° angles [10]. The ratio between
the triangular wave and the sine wave must be an integer N, the number of voltage pulses per half-cycle,
such that, 2N= f c/ f m. Fig.7.2 shows the conventional SPWM signal generation technique for the three
phase voltage source inverter. If the reference voltages generated by the detection and control block are
given as the modulating waveforms for the inverter then the fundamental component of the output of the
inverter will be same as the reference voltages generated by the detection and control block.

In the most straightforward implementation, the desired output voltage is generated by comparing the
desired reference waveform (modulating signal) with a high-frequency triangular ‘carrier’ wave, as
depicted schematically in Figure7.2. Depending on whether the signal voltage is larger or smaller than the
carrier waveform, either the positive or negative dc bus voltage is applied at the output. Over the period
of one triangle wave, the average voltage applied to the load is proportional to the amplitude of the signal
(assumed constant) during this period. The resulting chopped square waveform contains a replica of the
desired waveform in its low frequency components, with the higher frequency components being at
frequencies of close to the carrier frequency.

The root mean square value of the ac voltage waveform is still equal to the dc bus voltage, and hence
the total harmonic distortion is not affected by the PWM process. The harmonic components are merely
shifted into the high frequency range and are automatically filtered due to inductances in the ac system.

When the modulating signal is a sinusoidal of amplitude Am , and the amplitude of the triangular
carrier is Ac , the ratio m= Am / A c is known as the modulation index. Controlling the modulation index
controls the amplitude of the applied output voltage. With a sufficiently high carrier frequency, the high
frequency components do not propagate significantly in the ac network (or load) due the presence of the
inductive elements. However, a higher carrier frequency does result in a larger number of switching per
cycle and hence in an increased power loss. Typically switching frequencies in the 2-15 kHz range is
considered adequate for power systems applications. The Basic Principle of Pulse Width Modulation is
shown in Figure.7.2.
 Fig.7.2: Principle of Pulse Width Modulation

Where, v triis the carrier wave signal, V control is the control signal, V AO , V BO , V COare the inverter output line
to neutral voltages, V AB, V BC , V CA = inverter output line to line voltages, the frequency of the V tri= f s, the
frequency of the V control is f 1, f s= PWM frequency and f 1= fundamental frequency.

The inverter output voltages are determined by Equations (12)-(13).

When V control >V tri, V AO= V dc / 2(12)

When V control < V tri, V AO= −V dc/ 2(13)

where, V AB=V AO−¿V BO ¿,

V BC = V BO −¿V ¿,CO

V CA = V CO –V AO (14)

For an odd ratio for f c/ f m, the waveform is anti-symmetric over a 360 degree cycle. With an even
number, there are harmonics of even order, but in particular also a small dc component. Hence an even
number is not recommended for single phase inverters, particularly for small ratios of f c/ f m [8].

A. Advantages of SPWM:
• Easy to implement and control,

• No temperature variation-and ageing-caused drifting or degradation,

• Linearity,
 • Compatible with today’s digital microprocessors,

• Lower power dissipation,

• Allows linear amplitude control of the output voltage/current from previously not present,

• Lower switching losses,

• Better utilization of the DC power supply that is to deliver a higher output voltage with the same
DC supply,

• Low harmonic contents in the output voltage and air currents, especially in the low-frequency
region.

System configuration

The simulation of inverter grid synchronization is completed using simulink. Figure 6 shows the simulink
model of Grid Tied Inverter. Here the PI controller is used to reduce the error. Two loads are connected after
the V- I measurement block. The V-I measurement block measures the three phase voltage and current. The
system parameters utilized in simulation are listed in Table1.

Figure 6: MATLAB simulink model of grid tied inverter

Table 1: Simulation Parameters

Sr.No
Parameters Value
.
1. Three phase peak voltage 330V
2. DC supply 650V
3. Supply frequency fs 50HZ
4. Filter Inductance Lf 3mH
5. Inductor internal resistance Rf 0.05Ω
6. Filter capacitance 30μF
7. Capacitor resistance 0.5Ω
8. Load 1 R=30Ω, L=75mH
9. Load 2 R=10.29Ω, L=25.86mH
Simulation Results

Because of the tracking ability of PLL and PI controller the inverter output current is in phase with grid

voltage when the q axis current reference is set to zero as shown in figure 7. In addition the synchronizing

algorithm also compensates for the phase shift caused by LC filter. the inverter output current is

synchronous with grid voltage. It can be seen that grid voltage is in phase with output converter
current, it means that the control algorithm satisfies the condition of zero value of the reactive power.

Figure 8 shows the inverter output and grid voltage. From waveform it is observed that the voltage of
inverter and grid are same both in magnitude and phase. This is the condition for inverter grid
synchronization. Therefore by using dq PLL method proper synchronization can be achieved.
 Conclusion

In this paper the method use for synchronization i.e. dq-PLL method, its review and SPWM technique is
discussed. From this paper the inverter and grid voltage, inverter output voltage and grid current waveforms
are observed. Then we used PI controller and SPWM Technique for controlling of inverter. The advantage of
PI controller is that there is no remaining steady state error after a set point changed. The advantages of
SPWM are easy to implement and control, Lower power dissipation, lower switching losses etc. The dq PLL
method is used for real time following of grid phase angle and voltage. All simulation results confirmed that
the output voltage of the SPWM controlled grid tied inverter are balanced with the grid and grid
synchronization is successfully achieved.

References
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