Transmission and Distribution Applications of Voltage Sourced Converters
Spring 2013
Brian Johnson and Herb Hess
Course Description: Introduce basic ac-dc voltage source converter topologies, switching
schemes and control options for high power transmission and distribution applications.
Applications include converter interfaces for type 3 and type 4 wind turbines, photovoltaic
systems, VSC high voltage dc transmission, flexible ac transmission systems and other
generation and storage application. Introduce modeling and simulation methods for normal and
abnormal operating conditions.
Textbook: Combination of:
(1) N. Mohan, First Course on Power Electronics, Wiley, 2011.
(2) A. Yazdani and R. Irvavani, Voltage-Sourced Converters in Power Systems, Wiley-IEEE
Press, 2010.
Prerequisites: ECE 420 or ECE 421 or permission of instructor
Day/Time: M,W,F, 1:30-2:20pm
Draft Outline
1. Introduction/overview (1 session)
2. Basic Concepts/review of transient circuit analysis (3 sessions)
3. Generation overview of voltage sourced converter (4 sessions)
i. Phase Leg and H-Bridge
1. Topology description
2. Appropriate power electronic devices and their behavior
3. Basic Switching Schemes
4. Analysis of switching behavior
4. Generic models for simulation—introduction (3 sessions))
i. Fundamental component models
ii. Switching models and limitations
iii. Issues/limitations with ATP, PSCAD/EMTDC and RTDS
1. Integrate examples into discussions that follow via examples
5. Converter topologies (4 sessions)
i. Single phase bridge
6.
7.
8.
9.
ii. Single phase half bridge
iii. Three phase bridge
iv. Multilevel converter
v. Bridge of bridges/chain link converter
Switching schemes (3 sessions)
i. Phase control
ii. PWM (for example sine-triangle PWM)
iii. Space vector PWM
iv. Current regulated PWM
Inner control schemes (2 sessions)
i. Synchronization
ii. Generation of basic commands for switching scheme
Basic concepts for outer control schemes (3 sessions)
i. Power control
ii. AC and DC voltage control
iii. Reactive power control
iv. Response to system disturbances
Applications (includes case studies with normal and abnormal operation,
simulation models and results)
i. Challenges with getting model data (0.5 session)
ii. Modeling the rest of the system (1.5 session)
iii. Wind turbines
1. Type 3 (3 sessions)
2. Type 4 (3 sessions)
iv. Photovoltaic generation (2 sessions)
v. VSC HVDC (3 sessions)
vi. FACTS/Custom Power (5 sessions)
vii. Energy Storage (2 sessions)
1. Flywheels
2. Battery and ultracapacitor
viii. DG sources (2 sessions)