Enhancement of Microgrid Efficiency through Strategic Management of Distributed Energy Resources Integrated Unified Power Quality Conditioner

The research work illustrates a grid-interfaced PV and battery integrated UPQC for performance improvement of low inertia low voltage remotely placed microgrid. The primary focus of the application of UPQC is to enhance the inertia and efficiency of the system by mitigating non-ideal circumstances such as weak grid condition, poor power quality, dependency on conventional energy source, RERs intermittency, transient current etc. Implementation of a PV and BESS-fed UPQC, validated through both simulation and experimental analysis, not only enhances power quality (reducing the high THD content of grid current from 27.61% to 2.47%, ensures UPF operation at P.C.C and maintains rated load voltage during sag) but also serves as an interface to supply power, reduces burden on grid and supports sustainable energy management. Additionally, the incorporated switch protection scheme in the control algorithm activates within 10 ms to 20 ms of the occurrence of transient due to simple method of evaluation of current limiting factors.   Estimation of various load current components based on N-CF-SOHO and notch filter, with execution speed of around 20 ms makes the whole process faster. The system and its control approach have performed efficiently in simulation as well as experimental under load induced transient, varying battery SOC, grid disturbance and load unbalance. Proposed PV and BESS fed UPQC can be a feasible solution for the remotely placed low voltage industrial loads which are sensitive to voltage variation and additionally, it will provide green energy support. Further, the proposed work can be studied under various types of faults such as single line to ground fault, line to line fault etc as the future scope of the presented work.

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