Disturbance-observer based control of voltage-source-converter under unbalanced voltage conditions

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Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/WJE-01-2017-0021

Purpose: This paper aims to propose a novel grid current control strategy for grid-connected voltage source converters (VSCs) under unbalanced grid voltage conditions. Design/methodology/approach: A grid voltage dynamic model is represented in symmetrical positive and negative sequence reference frames. A proportional controller structure with a first-order low-pass filter disturbance observer (DOB) is designed for power control in unbalanced voltage conditions. This controller is capable of meeting the positive sequence power requirements, and it also eliminates negative sequence power components which cause double-frequency oscillations on power. The symmetrical components are calculated by using the second-order generalized integrator-based observer, which accurately estimates the symmetrical components. Findings: Proportional current controllers are sufficient in this study in a wide range of operating conditions, as DOB accurately estimates and feed-forwards nonlinear terms which may be deteriorated by physical and operating conditions. This is the first reported scheme which estimates the VSC disturbances in terms of symmetrical component decomposition and the DOB concept. Originality/value: The proposed method does not require any grid parameter to be known, as it estimates nonlinear terms with a first-order lowpass filter DOB. The proposed control system is implemented on a dSPACE ds1103 digital controller by using a three-phase, three-wire VSC.