Renewables

Single-Phase, Grid-Connected PV Inverter with Partial Shading (Equation-Based PV Cell, P&O and dP/dV MPPT)

This PLECS demo model illustrates a grid-connected solar panel system with a boosted front end and a single-phase inverter back end. The boost converter is designed to operate the panel at its maximum power point (MPP). A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is implemented to improve the performance of the solar panel under partial shading conditions. Further, the inverter is operated with an outer voltage loop to control the DC-link voltage and a synchronous regulator to maintain unity power factor.

DFIG Wind Turbine System

The doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) system is a popular system in which the power electronic interface controls the rotor currents to achieve the variable speed necessary for maximum energy capture in variable winds. Because the power electronics only process the rotor power, typically less than 25% of the overall output power, the DFIG offers the advantages of speed control with reduced cost and power losses. This PLECS demo model demonstrates a grid-connected wind turbine system using all of PLECS' physical modeling domains. The system model includes a mechanical model of the blades, hub, and shaft, a back-to-back converter including thermal loss calculations, a magnetic model of the three-phase transformer, and the transmission line and grid.

Photovoltaic String Model

PV modules are often connected in series strings to increase the DC input voltage for a PV inverter. In this example, a PV string comprising an arbitrary number of series-connected modules is modeled. The PV string model is based on a non-linear current source that accurately models the non-linear VI characteristic.