Modeling the Combination of UPQC and
Photovoltaic Arrays with Multi-Input
Single-Output DC-DC Converter
M. Davari#1, Graduate Student Member, IEEE, S.M. Aleemran#2, H. Nafisi#3,
I. Salabeigi#4, Graduate Student Member, IEEE, G. B. Gharehpetian#5, Senior Member, IEEE
#
Department of Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
1
masoud_davari@ieee.org, 2 aleemran2000@gmail.com, 3 nafisi@aut.ac.ir, 4 salabeigi@ieee.org, and
5
grptian@aut.ac.ir
Abstract-In this paper analysis results of a cooperation of the
Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) with the photovoltaic
system are presented. The proposed system consists of a series
inverter, a shunt inverter, and some photovoltaic arrays connected
in the dc link through the Multi-Input Single-Output (MISO) DC-
DC converter. A numerical formulation of the proposed control
schemes, which are based on the instantaneous power theory, is
presented. The proposed system can improve the power quality at
the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) on power distribution
systems. The performance of the proposed system was analyzed
using simulations with Power System Computer Aided
Design/ElectroMagnetic Transients DC (PSCAD/EMTDC)
analysis program.
I. INTRODUCTION
The increasing applications of electronic equipment that
cause electromagnetic disturbances, or that are sensitive to
these phenomena, has heightened the interest in power quality
in recent years [1]. The quality of the power leads to a direct
economic impact on utilities, their customers, and suppliers.
Custom power devices including power electronic interface
can be the effective solution for increasing power quality
problems because they can provide fast response and flexible
compensation. Usually, series and shunt inverter integrated
device is called UPQC.
There have been several control schemes of UPQC and the
instantaneous power theory is a well-known effective scheme
that it has been used herein [2-6]. The UPQC has the prominent
capability of improving the quality of voltage and current at the
point of installation on power distribution systems or industrial
power systems.
Therefore, UPQC is expected to be one of the most powerful
solutions to the load which is considered as very important or
sensitive to supply voltage disturbances; however, cannot
supply large active power to customers steadily due to the
limitation of power storage [7].
While, the opening of the energy market under deregulation
brings about the interest in Dispersed Generation (DG) because
it can provide independence and flexibility to the customer in
planning and developing the installation and can give economic
benefits in many cases [8]. Photovoltaic (PV) arrays are one of
the favorable DGs and being increasingly used to tap into the
huge resource of the sun and will play key role in future
sustainable energy systems. They offer consumers the ability to
generate electricity in a clean, quiet and reliable way. However,
PV can cause the negative effects on the existing power
systems. That is, some potential problems might he occurred
such as voltage variation, protection, harmonics, and personnel
safety.
The photovoltaic arrays are interfaced in the AC and DC
distributed system by using power electronic circuits.
Conventional DC-DC converters, such as push-pull, half bridge
and full-bridge converters can be used to boost the low voltage
of the photovoltaic to the required level. However, the
transformers in these converters have considerable turns ratios
(such as 1:20) and hence, high leakage inductances, which
results in low energy efficiency and difficulty in control of DC-
DC converter [9]. Thus, DC-DC boost converters are usually
used to convert the DC output voltage of photovoltaic arrays to
a higher output voltage. In this paper MISO DC-DC converter
for photovoltaic arrays, which provides well-regulated output
voltage, has been presented and analyzed. The advantages of
this converter are its simple configuration, fewer component
numbers, lowest cost and higher efficiency.
This paper proposes a combined operation system of UPQC
and photovoltaic arrays, which is connected to the dc link
through a MISO DC-DC converter. The advantage of the
proposed system over the UPQC is to compensate the voltage
interruption, as well as the voltage sag, voltage swell,
harmonics, and reactive power. The operation of the proposed
system was verified through simulations with power system
computer-aided design/electromagnetic transients dc analysis
program (PSCAD/EMTDC).
II. PROPOSED SYSTEM
Generally, UPQC has two voltage-source converters. The
main purpose of the series converter is harmonic isolation
between a subtransmission system and a distribution system. In
addition, the series converter has the capability of voltage
flicker/imbalance compensation as well as voltage regulation ì p = p + p%
and harmonic compensation at the utility-consumer PCC. The ï
í q = q + q% (1)
main purpose of the shunt converter is to absorb current ï p = p + p%
harmonics, compensate for reactive power and negative- î 0 0 0
sequence current, and regulate the dc-link voltage between both Because the zero sequence power p0 never produces a
converters [10]. But UPQC has no capability in compensating constant DC component without its associated AC component,
the voltage interruption because it has not a energy storage. the proposed system should compensate fully power p 0 when it
This paper proposes a new configuration of UPQC. Fig. 1 applied to the three-phase four-wire networks, and the
shows the topology of the proposed system. MISO DC-DC additional active power component drawn from supply needs to
converter and the two converters of UPQC are connected to a be injected:
DC link that is connected to the Battery Energy Storage System ì pcontrol = p0 + p%
(BESS) as well. The BESS acts as a DC link voltage í (2)
î qcontrol = q + q%
maintainer, especially at the times that there is not sufficient
irradiation of sun such as nights and cloudy weathers. On the where:
p0 is zero sequence of active power.
other hand, the photovoltaic arrays charges BESS during the
day. Each component of the proposed system described in the p% is negative sequence and AC harmonic component of
following sections. active power.
q is direct component of reactive power.
q% is alternative component of reactive power associated to
From the To the
the harmonic reactive component.
Source Loads
If shunt inverter is used simultaneously for reactive, negative
and harmonic component compensation, the α-β axis current
reference is given by the following equation:
UPQC é ic*a ù 1 é va -vb ù é - pcontrol ù
ê* ú= 2 ê úê ú (3)
Shunt Series êëicb úû va + vb2 ë vb va û ë -qcontrol û
Converter
controller
VSC VSC Converter
controller When the series converter of the proposed configuration is
used simultaneously for reactive, negative and harmonic
M u lti-in p u t compensation, the α-β axis voltage reference is given by
S in g le -o u tp u t equation (4).
DC Bus
PV é vc*a ù 1 é ia -ib ù é - pcontrol ù
Array #1 DC ê * ú= 2 2 ê úê ú (4)
êë vcb úû ia + ib ëib ia û ë - qcontrol û
PV Voltage
Array #2
When the shunt converter of the proposed configuration is
Meter used for the charge control of battery, the active reactive power
DC control is becoming the main issue, and the proposed system
PV still satisfy the compensation demand of load such as negative
BESS
Array #n and harmonic compensation. Then the α-β axis current
Control reference is given by equation (5).
Signals
Vdc,ref vdc
é ic*a ù 1 é va -vb ù é pcontrol + p pv ù
DC/DC ê* ú= 2 ê úê ú (5)
Controller êëicb úû va + vb2 ë vb va û ëê qcontrol ûú
Where ppv is the PV power delivered to local loads by shunt
Fig. 1. The configuration of the proposed system (UPQC+PV) converter. It should be noted that, it is so difficult to
compensate reactive power and harmonic current using series
III. CONTROL SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM converter only and because the signals from converter output
The instantaneous power theory is used to control of the terminals must be passed through the filters, the filter design
proposed system. This scheme includes Photovoltaic (PV) strongly depends on the system parameters like load size and
energy resource to deliver PV power to loads and maintaining transformer turns ratio.
DC link voltage as well as other condition tasks. The theory is
based on converting three axis parameters into two axes by IV. MISO DC-DC CONVERTER INTRODUCTION
defining well-known transfer matrix. Since the DC voltage generated by a photovoltaic array varies
The active and reactive instantaneous power can be and is low in magnitude, a step-up DC-DC converter is
decomposed by DC component and AC harmonic components, essential to generate a regulated higher DC voltage. The DC-
which consist of negative sequence component and harmonic DC converter is responsible for absorbing power from the
component [11-13]. photovoltaic array, and therefore should be designed to match
photovoltaic array ripple current specifications and should not Where Dpv is the duty cycle of each boost converter, Vpv is the
conduct any negative current into the photovoltaic array. The low voltage input of each photovoltaic array unit and Vdc is the
MISO DC-DC converter is useful for combining several output voltage of boost converters. The value of capacitor of
distributed generation sources whose power capacity and/or each boost converter can be determined as follows V:
voltage levels are different to obtain well-regulated higher n 2 D pv V pv
output voltage [14]. The converter topology used for the C= (8)
(1 - D pv ) RfΔV pv
combination of DC output of photovoltaic array units is shown
in Fig. 2. The low voltage inputs of photovoltaic array units, Where, fs is the switching frequency, R is the equivalent
resistance of load and ΔVdc is the output voltage ripple of DC-
i.e.,Vpv1, Vpv2, Vpv3 and Vpvn have been connected to the DC bus
DC converter. The value for inductor of each boost converter
by series connected boost converters. The single output of DC-
can be determined by the following (9):
DC converter is fed to the DC/AC voltage source inverter, to
produce the AC output for AC distribution system. The power (1 - D pv ) 2 D pv .R
L= (9)
flow and output voltage of photovoltaic array units have been 2nf s
controlled by controlling the duty cycles of n IGBT switches, In the control system of MISO DC-DC converter, the output
S pv1, S pv2, Spv3, and Spvn. voltage of converter has been compared with a reference value
and the error signal is applied to PI-controller. The output
+ + signal of this controller is the one input of PWM switching for
I
L + I adjusting the duty cycle. In this paper, as an example a Triple-
pv1 dc
V
pv1 S
pv1
C V
dc1 Input Single-Output (TISO) DC-DC converter has been
designed and studied. The component values of TISO DC-DC
converter are listed in table I.
TABLE I
+ + PARAMETERS OF TISO DC-DC CONVERTER
L
I
V pv 2
S C V L 0.112 mH
pv 2 pv 2 dc2
C 138.455 µF
Dpv1= Dpv3=D pv2 0.45 --
V
dc R (Equivalent load) 50 Ω
+ ΔVdc 0.015 kV
I
L + fs 10 kHz
pv3
V C
pv3 S
pv3
V
dc3 Ipv1=Ipv2=Ipv3 0.1 kA
Vpv1= Vpv2=Vpv3 0.14 kV
Vdc1= Vdc2=Vdc3 0.25 kV

+ + V. PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY SIMULATION MODEL INTRODUCTION

L
I
V
pvn
pvn
S
pvn
C V
dcn A photovoltaic system simulation model is developed using
basic circuit equations (Lorenzo mathematical model) of the
photovoltaic solar cells including the effects of insolation and
Fig. 2. Multi-input and single output (MISO) DC-DC converter temperature changes [15-16]. The incremental conductance
(IncCond) method based on the fact that the slope of the PV
The output voltage of MISO DC-DC converter Vdc can be array power curve is used for Maximum Power Point Tracker
expressed by the following (6): (MPPT) [17].
Vdc = Vdc1 + Vdc 2 + ... + Vdcn The model is also tested with rapid various insolation for
V pv1 V pv 2 V pvn (6) performance checking. This model is used to compare the
= + + ... + mathematical analysis of the PV under test conditions with the
1 - D pv1 1 - D pv 2 1 - D pvn SunPower SPR-200-BLK module specification which is shown
where Dpv1, D pv2, Dpv3 and D pvn are the duty cycles of boost in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 3(b) shows that there is a sufficient accuracy in
converters and Vdc1, Vdc2, Vdc3 and Vdcn are the output voltages of the manipulation of the I-V curve because with different current
boost converters. If the converter duty cycles and their inputs values, the curve still followed a similar shape.
are equal, the output voltage of MISO DC-DC converter, i.e., The MISO DC-DC Converter enhances the output voltage of
Vdc, can be determined by the following (7): photovoltaic array to the desired value, which is described in
n the previous section.
Vdc = V pv (7)
1 - Dpv
 Fig. 5 shows the effectiveness of the proposed system for
compensation of current harmonics and unbalanced currents.
Fig. 6 shows the main components of the phase current and
voltage of PCC after power factor correction since both
waveforms are in phase. It should be noted that it also shows
reactive power compensation.

Fig. 3. I-V characteristic of the PV module. (a)

(a) SunPower SPR-200-BLK module (b) Simulation result

VI. TEST SYSTEM SIMULATION

This study analyses the feasibility of protecting sensitive
loads from power quality problems (voltage sags, flicker,
harmonic current compensation, etc) with compensation being
performed at the distribution voltage level (13.8 kV in this
case). The system under study which is introduced in [18]
appears in Fig. 4. The proposed system is installed at the
secondary side of the distribution transformer as shown. An
industrial process which is sensitive to power quality problems
was to be protected. Simulation of the power system and the
proposed system was performed with the PSCAD/EMTDC (b)
Fig. 5. Current compensation. (a) Load currents
package. (b) Compensated currents
A. Compensation of current harmonics, reactive power and
unbalanced currents B. Compensation of voltage sag, swell and flicker
Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 present results of compensating a 3-
phase fault.

.
Fig. 4. Test distribution system.
 Fig. 6. Power factor correction or reactive power compensation.

Fig. 9. Voltage flicker compensation.

(a) Flicker voltage. (b) compensated voltage.

Flicker is caused by sudden, stochastic load current peaks

especially in the 10 Hz region, which cause voltage dips at the
PCC. Fig. 9 shows the proposed system can compensate voltage
flicker successfully.

(a)

(b)
Fig. 7. Voltage sag compensation under 3- phase fault condition.
(a) Load voltages. (b) Compensated voltages.

Fig. 10. Actual and reference output voltage of series inverter

.

Fig. 8. Current compensation under 3- phase fault condition. (a) Load currents.
(b) Compensated currents.

Fig. 11. Voltage sag compensation under SLG fault condition. (a) Load
voltages. (b) Compensated voltages.

Fig. 12. Voltage sag compensation under 2L-G fault condition. (a) Load
voltages (b) Compensated voltages
Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show respectively the case when a single
line to ground (SLG) fault and double line-to ground (2L-G)
fault occur.
C. Compensation of voltage interruption
Fig. 13 shows the simulation results when the source has a
voltage interruption for 0.15 s from 0.3 to 0.45 s. Fig. 13(a) and
Fig. 13(b) shows the source voltage and the load voltage. The
load voltage maintains a constant value by the support of the
shunt inverter voltage. Fig. 13(c) shows the DC voltage
variation of the DC bus. During the voltage interruption, the
shunt inverter only provides power to the load. The voltage of
DC bus maintains a constant value by the support of PV arrays
and BESS during the voltage interruption. Thus, it shows the
stability and the reliability of the proposed system.
Fig. 13. Voltage interruption compensation.
(a) Source voltage. (b) Load voltage. (c) DC voltage variation.
VII. CONCLUSION
This paper proposed a system which is a powerful tool for
power reliability and power quality improvement in distribution
networks due to versatile compensation functions. Moreover, it
integrates all needed compensation characteristics that can be
achieved by a device that is made up from UPQC with a battery
energy storage system (BESS) and some Photovoltaic Arrays
connected in the dc link through MISO DC-DC Converter.
The performance of the proposed system was analyzed using
simulations with PSCAD/EMTDC and validates the
improvement of the power reliability and quality under the
severe disturbances such as voltage sag, harmonic distortion,
and voltage interruption.
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