Diversifying the role of distributed generation grid side converters for improving the power quality of distribution networks using advanced control techniques

Diversifying the role of grid side converters (GSC) associated with distributed generation (DG) may have a technical and economic impact. The increasing number of residential photovoltaic rooftop systems can be exploited by distribution network (DN) operators in order to support and improve the power quality of the grid without considerable further investment. GSC can support the grid during abnormal conditions but may also be used to improve the power quality by balancing out asymmetries and alleviating the grid from unwanted harmonics. The proposed advanced control technique and associated sophisticated controllers demonstrate through simulation and experimental results that the role of GSC can be upgraded to improve the power quality of the grid. Furthermore, the proposed controller and advanced control scheme is validated on a realistic low-voltage DN using data from Cyprus Electricity Authority. Consequently, conventional practices by DN operators can be reassessed as the necessary electronic hardware for mitigating grid problems are already present within the GSCs of DG systems.