Reverse Electrodialysis Cell Model and Its Grid-Connection With Isolated SEPIC

This paper deals with a reverse electrodialysis (RED) cell model and its grid-connection. A RED cell model is constructed with the I-V characteristics, which are achieved with a laboratory-scale RED cell. Isolation between the utility-grid and the RED cell is essential in the grid-connected inverter with the RED cell because seawater and river water are used in the RED cell. An isolated single ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) is used to connect the RED cell to the utility-grid. The RED plants are located on downstream in distribution feeders because seawater and river water are required. Reactive current control is a key technology in the grid-connected inverter with the RED cell to avoid a voltage-rise at the point of common coupling (PCC). A grid-connected inverter with a proposed reactive-current control including the isolated SEPIC is constructed, and then confirmed using PSIM software. Simulation results demonstrate that the power generated by the RED cell is injected into the utility-grid achieving the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the RED cell. Simulation results also demonstrate that the grid-connected inverter with the proposed reactive-current control can suppress the voltage-rise at the PCC.