2004 35th Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference

Aachen, Germany, 2004

A New Power Flow Controller based on a Bridge Converter Topology

D.Soto, R. Pefla, F. Gutierrez
University of Magallanes Punta Arenas, Chile Email: dsoto@ona.fi.umag.cl T. C. Green Imperial College London, UK Email: t.green@ic.ac.uk

Absfrac-This paper proposes a new ACIAC converter topology which eliminates the need of back-to-back topologies in FACTS controllers that exchanges active power with the line. Unlike direct ACIAC converters, the proposed converter is based on the use ofa network ofvariable impedances (either capacitive or inductive) which are implemented by converters acting as reactive compensation units. A bridge configuration can implement a fully controllable voltage source which is suited to control both the active and reactive power flow in a line. The principle of operation of this ACIAC bridge converter topology is explained in detail and a suitable control strategy for the control of the output voltage is developed. Experimental results from a low power prototype validate the proposals and demonstrate its effectiveness to control the flow of active and reactive power in a line.

shunt and series converters, has been proposed. The concept of using networks of reactive elements such as II or T networks, though not based on converter technology, has also been addressed in [5]. Both [3] and [4] reported that, in comparison with the standard UPFC, the series-parallel arrange can compensate over a much restricted operation region (if the overall converter ratings is to be kept practical). In this paper, a converter which comprises four converter modules arranged in a bridge topology, Fig. 1, is proposed. This topology is able to produce a fully controllable output voltage (both in magnitude and angle) independent of the output current, thus overcoming the limitations of [3] and [4]. The concept of AUAC bridge topology proposed here, though originated based on a different approach, is similar to that introduced in [6] for a single-phase, matrix-lie AClAC converter topology for locomotives. In [6], each 1. INTRODUCTION cascade converter module that forms the bridge can be The use of FACTS is potential to overcome, or at least regarded as a new type of converter valve, arranged in this reduce, the limitations of existing transmission facilities. case as a single-input single-output matrix converter. Implementation of this concept has been nevertheless slow In general, like the matrix converter approach, the because of the high cost of high-power power converters. network synthesis approach followed here requires one Thus, the development of a high performance and cost element (impedance in this case) to connect each output effective power Converter is essential to realise the terminal to all the available input terminals. In simple terms, promising use of FACTS technology. In this context, the each module on the bridge behaves like an adjustable cascaded multilevel converter offers many advantages for impedance (inductive or capacitive). Each arm of the bridge the implementation of FACTS controllers when compared can therefore be considered as an adjustable voltage divider. to alternative converters, [I] and [2]. This particularly The output voltage is the difference between these two applies to STATCOMs and SSSCs systems. Implementation voltage dividers and can be adjusted in such a way that the of more versatile FACTS controllers such as the UPFC and bridge is able to produce a fully controllable output voltage. IPFC becomes difficult because the hack-to-back Thus, the cascaded converter becomes attractive for the connection of cascaded converters requires multiple isolated implementation of FACTS controllers which exchange active power with the line. This enables the provision of a DC links. The need of back-to-back connections in FACTS more versatile control to the line when compared to the controllers which exchange active power with the line may STATCOM and the SSSC (which provides only one degree need to be reconsidered. In these applications, power flows of freedom). The proposed topology is potential for the directly from one port of the controller to the opposite port, UPFC (three degrees of freedom) and the IPFC (four neither a source nor a sink is connected on the common DC degrees of freedom). Application areas are not resmcted to link. Thus, the net power exchanged with the line, FACTS, the AC/AC bridge converter is also potential where neglecting the convert= losses, is null. This suggests that it both input and output voltages are too high to be met using may be possible to implement such controllers using standard converter topologies. elements that neither absorbs nor supply active power such Unlike [6],here the principle of operation of the AC/AC as inductors and capacitors. The cascaded converter is bridge converter topology is explained using steady-state specially suited to operate in the reactive compensation concepts. Emphasis is placed on the capability of the bridge mode and therefore is potential to emulate back-to-back to operate as a synchronous voltage source and on its configurations. This has been partially demonstrated in [3] applications as a power flow controller. A suitable control and [4] where a UF'FC-like controller, based on a separate strategy for the control of the output voltage is developed.

07803-8399-0/04/$20.M)E32004 IEEE.

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2o(w 35th Annual lEEE Power Elecrronics Specialists Conference

Aachen, Germany, 2004

Fig. I Proposed ACIAC bridge convener.

Experimental results from a low power prototype validate the proposals and demonstrate its effectiveness to control the flow of active and reactive power in a line.
11.
PRlNClPLE OF OPERATION OF THE AC/AC CONVERTER

(1)

In general, each of the converters in Fig. 1, MLCI to MLG, behaves like a voltage source, therefore its operation is less restricted than that of a simple impedance. Thus, though the concept of the ACIAC bridge converter follows from using variable impedances its operation principle is better explained in terms of the converter voltages. In considering the operation of the bridge, it is first convenient to explain the principle of operation of one ann of the bridge (MLCI and MLC2) and to examine its limitations when producing a specified output voltage VI. From this, the operation of the full converter can be easily described as a way to overcome those limitations. Fig. Za shows a phasor diagram of the converter voltages in one arm of the bridge. This includes the overall input voltage, V , ,and the output voltages of converters MLC,and MLC2, V, and V , , respectively. The latter includes the voltage drop in the input inductor but this is small, therefore the actual output voltage of converter MLC2 has only a small deviation with respect to V2. In Fig. 2, 6,and 6, are the phase angle of converter voltages MLCl and MLCz with respect to the input voltage. In principle, assuming that converters behave as independent voltage sources, the converter MLCl can be set to output a voltage VI with any given voltage magnitude 1 5 1 and angle 6,. The voltage magnitude 1 4 1 should be set according to:

(b) Fig. 2 Phasor diagram ofthe voltages and currents in one arm of the bridge.

From Fig. 2a and (I), it seems that in producing VI there is no obvious limitation other than that dictated by the voltage rating of the converters. In this context, it is convenient to limit the magnitude of VI so as to minimise the voltage rating of MLC2. Restricting with an

lvl<IvqI,

unrestricted voltage angle, results in a maximum Ibl=21V,I, when SI=180. Thus, provision of a fully controllable output voltage requires one converter to be

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2004 35rh Annunl IEEE Power Elecrronics Specialists Conference

Aachen, Germany, 2004

rated at V, while the other twice as much. The above results assumed ideal voltage sources. As anticipated, the current through each converter is restricted to be in quadrature to its corresponding converter voltage. The remaining of this section examines the effect of such a restriction on the output voltage. Figure 2b shows the phasor diagram of the converter currents corresponding to the voltages in Fig. 2a. For simplicity, it is assumed that converter current leads its corresponding voltage by 90" (i.e. capacitive operation mode). Inductive mode can be represented by allowing negative amplitude values. In a two-dimensional system, two linear independent vectors can form a third vector. Therefore, choosing phasor currents I, and I2 as the elementaty vectors to produce the output current I,, it is concluded that the condition 6,= 0"

voltage magnitude,

IVoI, depends on (6,- 6,) while its phase angle, a ,is a function of ( 6,+J3). Choosing 6 ,and 6, according to:

6 --+--n a y I-4 2 2 6 n a 3y ,-4 2 2

with, y = a sin(

(3)

2)

enables control of the output voltage in magnitude and angle independent of the output current. Fig. 3 shows a phasor diagram for the case V. = V, and = 45". This requires y = 90, therefore 6,= 22.5" and

or 6,=180 cannot be attained for an output current with

any given anglePo (V2 would be aligned to VI, therefore I, is constrained to be in quadrature to VI). In general, the current amplitude of each converter is given by:

6,=-61.5'.

In addition to the non feasible operation point at

6,= 0"

and 6, =180", kom (2) it follows that converter currents can be significantly higher than the output current when operating at a condition close to 6,= ' 0 or 6,=180. Thus, to optimise the use of the converters, it is convenient to set VI nearly in quadrature to V,. However, this severely limits the operating region of the output voltage, thus limiting the control capability of converter. Voltage magnitude depends on voltage angle and therefore cannot be set independently. To overcome these limitations a bridge topology is proposed in this paper. The output voltage, V . , is in this case the voltage difference between converters MLC, and MLC3.

Fig. 3 P h m r diagram of converter voltages for the case V , = V, and a = 4s".

A. Control o f the output voltage There are many possible ways to control the converter voltages so as to produce a fully controllable output voltage. However, a control strategy which keeps the converter voltages of each arm of the bridge in quadrature (i.e. VI IV2 and V3I V,) was developed. This has the advantage of requiring converters rated at the input voltage V, and output current I,. The VA rating of the converters is further discussed in section 1I.B. Under the above conditions, the output voltage of all converters of the bridge are dictated by the magnitude of the input voltage, IV,l , and the angles 6, and 6,. Using these
angles as the controlled inputs, it is found that the output

B. VA rating o f the converters In addressing the voltage and current rating of a converter it is useful to express the voltages and currents in a per unit system given by the input and/or the output of the overall , ,and the rated converter. For simplicity, the input voltage, V output current are defined here as the base voltage and base current for the per unit system. As mentioned in section 11, the AC/AC converter can output a voltage as high as the input voltage using internal converters rated at the input voltage, i.e. at a voltage of 1.0 pu. The current through any of the internal converters is at most equal to the output current. Therefore, each internal converter requires, at least, a VA rating of 1.0 pu. Thus, the overall VA rating of the AC/AC converter is 4.0 pu. This is twice as much the VA rating required by a standard back-toback topology, thus suggesting that the proposed converter would not be practical. However, in high power applications

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2004 35th Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference

Aachen. Germany, 2004

such as FACTS, converters may use special topologies such as the multipulse topology. In this scenario, it may be beneficial to eliminate the need for some special components at the expense of extra semiconductor devices. The cascade converter is also atfxactive for AC/AC conversion in power distribution and transportation [7]. In this case, an intermediate DC/DC conversion stage with isolated AC l i s , typically provided by isolation transformers, is required. In comparison to [7] the proposed AC/AC converter has no VA rating disadvantage and it eliminates the need for the isolation transformers of the intermediate conversion stage.
111. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The entire system was simulated in PSCAD and a low power prototype was built to experimentally validate the concept of the AC/AC bridge converter. Results presented here concern the basic operation of the AC/AC converter when it supplies a load from the mains and when it acts as a series compensation controller in a simple transmission system. As the main objective of the paper is to demonstrate the operation of the AC/AC bridge, a single PWM controlled H-bridge converter per module is used. For simplicity, modulation index is set to the unity. Therefore, the amplitude of the PWM voltage waveforms, hence its fundamental component, varies with the DC voltage.

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A. Basic operation

This section presents some results when the converter supplies a resistive load. This test was intended to verify the internal operation of the AC/AC converter. Results include voltage and current waveforms at points of interest. A small inductor is added in series with the load resistor to reduce ripple current. Thus, the resulting load connected to the output is highly resistive (power factor = 0.97). The AC/AC converter is supplied 60m the mains via a step-down transformer. Fig. 4a shows the experimental voltages and currents at the input and output of the bridge when V. = V, L 45". As can be seen the converter is supplying the active power required by the load from the mains. Fig. 4b and 4c show the voltages and currents at each converter module. The voltages VI and V3 are in quadrature to V2 and V,, respectively. As expected, each H-bridge current either leads or lags its corresponding voltage. It should be noted that converter MLCl and MLC, draw a very small current when compared to the current drawn by converters MLCl and MLC3. This is the result of the particular conditions under which the test was performed (angle of the output voltage and load). The voltage across converters MLCl and MLC, are nearly in phase with the output current, therefore the component of the output current in quadrature to these voltages is small. In contrast, I. is nearly in quadrahue to V, and V,, thus MLC2 and MLC3 cany most of the output

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Fig. 4 Experimentd converter voltages and currents a t a) Input (lop traces) and output (bottom traces) b) MLCl (top traces) and MLCz (boltom traces) and c) k C , (top ems) and MLC, (bottom traces). Scales: 20 V/div and 5 Ndiv.

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2004 35th Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference

Aackn, Germany. 2004

Initial verification of the principle of operation of the proposed AC/AC converter was through PSCAD simulations. For comparison, Fig. 5 shows simulation results similar to the experimental results in Fig. 4. As can be seen, there is a good agreement between simulation and experimental results. In general, both experimental and simulation results confirm the ability of the overall converter to exchange active power with the line while restricting the operation of each converter module (H-bridge) to either the capacitive or inductive mode.

B. Series compensation To illustrate the performance of the AC/AC converter as a FACTS controller which is able to exchange both active and reactive power with the line, the AUAC converter was tested as a fully controllable series compensation device in a simplified transmission line. This system comprises two ideal generators (sending-end and receiving-end) connected via a short transmission line. The AC/AC converter is inserted in series with the line at the transmission-end. The sending-end is implemented by the 220 VAC mains voltage. A series transformer injects a 36 VAC voltage in quadrature to the mains voltage to provide the receiving-end voltage. The line is simulated by a 16 mH inductor. During this test the AC/AC converter is set to inject a voltage with a constant magnitude and an angle between - 180" to 1SO". The magnitude of the injected voltage is of 8 VAC. This is approximately 23% of the voltage drop in the transmission line. Before presenting the experimental results, the effect of the series injected voltage on the power flow of the line is briefly discussed. In general, the flow of power through the compensated line depends on the voltage difference between the sending-end and receiving-end, the impedance of the transmission line and the injected voltage. These can be resolved into an uncompensated component, which does not depend on the compensation voltage, and a component due to the compensation voltage. It can be shown that the sending-end active and reactive powers are given by:

(4)

where P, and Q,. are the active and reactive power without compensation and X is the impedance of the line. Fig. 6 plots the sending-end active and reactive powers against the angle of the injected voltage. For comparison, Fig. 6 also includes the active and reactive powers calculated using the system parameters. As expected, measured active and reactive powers vruy in a sinusoidal fashion with the angle of the injected voltage and their values are very close to the calculated values. These results

Fig 5 Simulucd converlcr vollagcr and currcnls at a) Input (lop UacerJ and oulpul (bollom vaces) b) MLC, (lop traces) and MLC, (bnorn traces) and e) tiLC, (lop uaces) and MLC, (banom traces)

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2004 3 5 h A n n u l IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference

A a c k n , Germany, 2w4

are also shown in Fig. 7 but in the form of a P-Q locus. Ideally, this corresponds to a circle with a center given by, the uncompensated active and reactive powers. Deviations from the calculated values are because of the converter losses. Thus, these results demonstrate the ability of the ACIAC converter to act as a series compensation controller which is able to control both the active and reactive power in a line. In principle, like the UPFC, the proposed series compensator can set any combination of active and reactive powers inside the circle of Fig. 7.

form each arm of the bridge should be kept in quadrature with each other. A simple control strategy, which is based on the adjusting of the phase angle of the lower converter voltages, enables control of both the magnitude and phase of the output voltage. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed AUAC converter and illustrate its ability to control both the active and reactive power in a line. The proposed concept extends the applications of the cascade multilevel converter and is potential for high voltage and high power applications such as FACTS. In particular for the implementation of power controllers that involve the exchange of active power with the line such us the UPFC.
REFERENCES [I] [21
I.-S. Lai, and F.Z. Pen& Multilevel wnvertm - A new breed of power wnverters, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 32, No. 3, May/June 1996, pp 509-511. D. Soto and T. C. Green, A Camparison ofHigh-Power Converter Topologies for the Implementation of FACTS Contmllen, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronim, Vol. 49, No. 5, Oct. 2042, pp 1072-iono. D W Sandcllr and T C. G r e w The cham ccll PFC (power Ilaw controller)". Power Elecuonics Specialisls Conference. 2000 PESC 00 2000 IEEL 3IAnnual. Volumc. 2.2000... D=C(SI: 2 - . , 955-Y60 YOI Jin Wang and Fang Z. Peng, ANovelConfiguration ofunified Power Flow Controller, APEC 2003, pp 919-924. W. L. Hughes, Computer Controlled Passive Networks for Control of Power Flow on the Interconnected Grid, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery. Vol. 14, N I, Jan. 1999, pp244-249. M. Glindh and R. Marquardt, A new single phase AC/ACmultilevel converter for traction vehicles operating on AC line voltage. EPE 2003. L. Heinemann, An actively woled high power, high frequency transformer with high insulation capability, APEC 2002, pp 532-537.

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1)-

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Fig. 6 Line active and reactive power as a function ofthe injection angle.

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Fig. 7 P-Q locus corresponding to Fig. 6.

IV.

CONCLUSION

A new non-back-to-back ACIAC converter topology has been introduced. Unlike an standard direct AC/AC converter, the proposed AC/AC converter uses voltage source inverters which operates either in the inductive or capacitive mode. Despite the restrictions on the internal converters, the overall converter is able to exchange both active and reactive power with the line. It was found that to minimise the overall VA rating of the AC/AC converter, the voltage across the upper and lower internal converter that

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