Power capability of Multi-Function Grid connected Converters

Multi-Function Grid connected Converters (MFGcCs) can be considered as a potential and adequate solution able to address power quality and grid support issues - on one hand - and to interface the renewable energy resources (RERs) with the utility grid-on the other hand. This kind of converters has the same power topology as the Grid connected Converters (GcCs) and extended controls compared to GcCs standard controls, which include only basic functions (grid voltage synchronization, current control, dc-link voltage control). In fact, MFGcC extended controls include new auxiliary functions such as active filtering, reactive power compensation, grid voltage and frequency supports, micro-grid dynamic stability enhancement. Within this context, MFGcCs power rating is considered as a crucial point since the available power is limited and has to suffice the RERs interfacing with the utility grid and at the same time the grid support and power quality issues. To this purpose, this paper aims to evaluate the MFGcC power capability for various operating modes. Also, simulations under Matlab-Simulink environment tool were made to sweep the MFGcC operating modes for a case study.