Projects / Power electronics and energy conversion
Research three-phase inverter for microgrids: grid-forming and grid-following modes, dq control, droop control, parallel operation and open TI C2000 firmware.
The task was to develop a power platform for microgrid research. The inverter had to work in grid-following and grid-forming modes, control active and reactive power, share load between several units and pass transient scenarios correctly.
A hardware and software complex for a three-phase inverter was developed: power stage, measurements, DSP controller, firmware, local interface and laboratory setup. Three units were built, and scenarios with two inverters and external grid disconnection were checked.
Project materials
Engineering context
A grid-interactive inverter is both a power device and a grid-control system.
In grid-forming mode it generates voltage and frequency for an islanded grid.
In grid-following mode it synchronizes with an external grid and controls current.
Droop control is needed to share power between several inverters without rigid central control.
Work done
Three-phase inverter power architecture.
DC/DC boost stage and DC link.
Three-phase bridge with a neutral branch.
Output filtering and measurement system.
IGBT driver stage.
Local control panel, USB and Wi-Fi interfaces.
Firmware for a dual-core TI C2000 controller.
Grid-forming, grid-following, dq control loops, PLL and droop control.
Assembly of three units and laboratory testing.
Details
The inverter can work as a voltage source in islanded mode or as a controlled current source when connected to an external grid. This matters for energy storage, distributed generation and microgrid research.
The project includes dq transformations, current and voltage loops, PLL, active and reactive power control, and droop control. Open firmware makes it possible to change algorithms and repeat experiments.
The project was used as a research platform. Laboratory scenarios checked parallel inverter operation and the system response when the external grid was disconnected.
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