High-Accuracy Impedance Detection to Improve Transient Stability in Microgrids

The advancements in dc microgrids and the increase in distributed generation systems have led to a new trend toward the coexistence of multiple power converters from different sources (renewable, storage, etc.) supplying a variety of loads of different natures in a weak network. The loads can behave as passive loads (resistances) or be implemented by tightly regulated power converters, leading to constant power load (CPL) behavior. The CPLs present a characteristic negative incremental resistance that can alter the response of the system, even causing instability. In this work, a novel embedded technique based on a digital lock-in amplifier is proposed that enables the real-time detection of the dynamic impedance present in a power converter. The proposed technique uses a very efficient algorithm, along with standard sensors available in the converter, to measure the magnitude and phase of the dynamic load, and uses this information to improve the performance of the converter. A sample application of the proposed technique in an adaptive control system is described. Although the total output power of the converter is independent of the nature of the load, the converter's dynamic response is not. The interaction of the CPL, passive load, and control loop will determine not only the stability but also the transient response. The proposed instrument allows the incremental load of the converter to be accurately measured while reducing the complexity and sensor requirements, and improving the performance of the controller. Simulations of the proposed technique are presented to illustrate its behavior. Experimental results for different kinds of loads are presented to validate the proposed strategy.