Dustin Schutz

Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Abstract

Islanding occurs when a distributed generator (DG) source energizes a portion of the grid after a loss of mains event has taken place. Unintentional islanding can pose a danger to both equipment and maintenance personnel. Numerous studies have been done on photovoltaic DG's to develop islanding prevention algorithms and assess their effectiveness at eliminating these undesired islands. Though single inverter islands have been rigorously analyzed, very little research has been done on multi-inverter cases. This work focused on experimentally validating simulation results generated for the Teslaco method in multi-inverter islands. To do this, six inverters were designed, built, and programmed with the Teslaco islanding prevention algorithm. Multi-inverter islanding tests in the AC array configuration were conducted and results were compared to simulation results generated from a Teslaco Simulink model. Simulations were also conducted for the solar subdivision configuration using first the Teslaco method and then using the Sandia Frequency Shift (SFS) method. Experimental results in general agreed with simulation results for the Teslaco method in the AC array case in terms that neither showed a significant loss in effectiveness. Based on these results, the model was considered validated. It was also found that the Teslaco method seemed to remain effective in the AC array case but was less effective in the solar subdivision case. The SFS method remained effective in both configurations with only slight increases in run-on times (ROT' s) for islands up to ten inverters.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Distributed generation of electric power -- Safety measures

Photovoltaic power systems

Interconnected electric utility systems

Electric power system stability

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

129

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS