Performance Improvement of Microgrid With Strategic Control of Distributed Energy Resources Integrated UPQC

Microgrid has emerged as an effective solution for incorporation of distributed energy resources (DERs) to suffice the intensifying energy demand, meanwhile contributing towards sustainable development of power sector. However, with this progressive transformation, the quality and reliability of power is significantly affected particularly in the remotely placed low voltage small-scale microgrid due to its low inertia. Therefore, the proposed work focuses on the performance improvement of low voltage microgrid by integration of photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) fed unified power quality conditioner (UPQC). The control scheme of UPQC is deliberated to deliver multiple benefits of power quality improvement, maximum deployment of PV by employing BESS, reduced burden on grid and swift regulation of DC-link voltage under various system dynamics. Hence, eliminates the requirement of extra converter for interfacing PV and BESS with grid. Additionally, a switch protection strategy is incorporated in UPQC control algorithm. Without any modification in the system configuration and capacity, it prevents the UPQC switches from damage due to very high magnitude of current during any load induced uncertain scenario. BESS controller operates by using dynamic battery reference power which is updated with respect to the dynamics of load demand, PV power and battery state of charge (SOC). Evaluation of the proposed system is performed through MATLAB/Simulink and experimental prototype by imposing various dynamics conditions.