Blackbox Small-Signal Modeling of Grid-Connected Inverters in Asymmetrical Power Grids

Abstract

Power electronic converters are envisaged to be key enablers of modern electric power distribution systems. Grid-connected three-phase inverters are widely used in Smart Grids and microgrids, but also in standard grids. They provide controllability and dynamic decoupling capabilities, which are fundamental in the integration of renewable sources and storage systems and in specialized applications such as FACTS. Nevertheless, power electronics-based systems can exhibit dynamic interactions, which may lead to power quality issues. Although the electrical model of each element of these systems is important for their system-level analysis, they are rarely available. Blackbox modeling strategies are useful for obtaining behavioral models of commercial electronic converters. Most blackbox modeling strategies are focused on dc-dc electronic converters; however, some works have extended these concepts to three-phase converters by means of the dq framework, under the assumption of symmetrical and balanced conditions. This work proposes a new structure in the sequence domain to represent the dynamic behavior of grid-connected commercial converters in asymmetrical conditions. Experimental tests have been performed on a three-phase inverter to identify its blackbox model and its performance has been validated during an asymmetric voltage sag.