Consensus control of electric springs using a back-to-back converter for voltage regulation with ultra-high renewable penetration

Abstract

Recent advances in a power electronic device called an electric spring (ES) provide feasible solutions to meeting critical customers’ requirements for voltage quality. A new version of the ES was introduced based on a back-to-back converter (ESBC) configuration which extends the operating range and improves the voltage suppression performance to facilitate ultra-high renewable penetration. This paper proposes an efficient control method to facilitate the voltage regulation function of an ESBC with non-critical loads. Particularly, the proposed method is suitable for various load characteristics. We also develop a consensus algorithm to coordinate multiple ESs for maintaining critical bus voltage in distribution systems with ultra-high renewable penetration. The proposed operation of the ESBC is verified by simulation of a modified IEEE 15-bus distribution network. The results show that the ESBC can effectively regulate system voltage and is superior to the original version of the ES.