ICSET 2008

Application of the dq0 Transformation in the Three-

Phase Grid-Connected PV Systems With Active And
Reactive Power Control
Mateus F. Schonardie and Denizar C. Martins
Federal University of Santa Catarina, UFSC
Power Electronics Institute, INEP
Florianpolis, SC, BRAZIL
E-mails: {mateus, denizar}@inep.ufsc.br
Abstract This paper presents a three-phase grid-connected
photovoltaic generation system with unity power factor for
any situation of solar radiation. The model of the PWM
inverter and a control strategy using dq0 transformation are
proposed. The system operates as an active filter capable of
compensate harmonic components and reactive power,
generated by the other loads connected to the system. An
input voltage clamping technique is proposed to control the
power between the grid and photovoltaic system, where it is
intended to achieve the maximum power point operation.
Simulation results and analyses are presented to validate the
proposed methodology for grid connected photovoltaic
generation system.
I. INTRODUCTION
The works on photovoltaic distributed generation
systems, such as photovoltaic solar cells connected to the
power grid, has increased in the last decades due to need of
supplying the world rise demand for electric power.
Several papers have been published with varied
topologies and control strategies for three-phase systems
[1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6]. There are some advantages that have been
motivating grid-connected photovoltaic system
applications, which are:
- Reduction in the costs of the PV panels [7];
- Operation does not pollute the atmosphere (it
does not harm any ecosystem) [8];
- Capability to supply AC loads and inject
active power, from the photovoltaic system
to the grid, relieving the grid demand
(distributed generation).
The researches developed in this area have shown
another great advantage, which is the possibility to
accomplish a reactive power control originated from linear
and non-linear loads also connected to the system [9]. This
fact is so attractive, since a single system is able to realize
two different functions:
1 - Energy generation to supply AC loads;
2- Active Filter
Following this research line, this work presents a three-
phase PWM inverter modeling and a control strategy using
dq0 Transformation to be employed in a grid-connected
photovoltaic generation system (Fig. 1). The proposed
system also operates as an active filter capable of
compensate harmonic components and reactive power,
generated by the other loads. Therefore, the control
strategy has the following advantages:
- Operation near unity power factor to any
solar radiation;
- UPS function for any kind of load.
- Control of the energy flux between
photovoltaic and grid.
E
n
e
r
g
y

F
lu
x
E
n
e
r
g
y

F
lu
x
E
n
e
r
g
y

F
lu
x
Figure 1. Proposed Three-Phase Power Photovoltaic System.
In order to achieve the maximum power point (MPP)
operation an input voltage clamping technique is proposed
for the inverter. To validate the proposed methodology
some simulation results are presented.
II. MODELLING CONVERTER
A. The Three-Phase Converter
The converter proposed in this work is a three-phase bi-
directional DC-CA converter with PWM modulation using
six power switches. The simplified electrical diagram of
the converter studied is shown in Fig. 2.
The bi-directional characteristic of the converter is very
important in this proposed photovoltaic system, because it
allows the processing of active and reactive power from
the generator to the load and vice versa, depending on the
application. Thus, with an appropriate control of the power
switches it is possible to control the active and reactivate
power flow.
18
978-1-4244-1888-6/08/$25.00 c 2008 IEEE
Vi
C
i
V3(t)
V2(t)
V1(t) L1
L
2
L3
S3a
S6a
S2a
S5a
S1a
S4a
R
1
R2
R
3
Figure 2. Bi-directional DC-AC PWM Converter.
B. Current Control Modelling
The converter modeling is relatively simple and is
accomplished through dq0 Transformation. The model for
the currents control is obtained considering the AC output.
When the circuit is observed from the AC output, it is
possible to make some initial considerations that result in a
simplified circuit [10], shown in Fig. 3. The line voltages
are presented in (1) considering L1=L2=L3=L,
R1=R2=R3=R and D are the duty cycle.
Figure 3. Simplified circuit to output AC.
12
12 12 12
23
23 23 23
31
31 31 31
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
i
i
i
dI t
V t L D t V R I t
dt
dI t
V t L D t V R I t
dt
dI t
V t L D t V R I t
dt

= + +

= + +

= + +

(1)
Applying dq0 Transformation and developing the
equations, it is possible to find the differential equations
(2), that describe the currents behavior in axis d and q.
( ) 3
( ) ( )
2
( )
( ) ( )
p
d i d
q d
q q
i
d q
V
dI t V R I
I t D t
dt L L L
dI t R I
V
I t D t
dt L L
e
e

= +

(2)
The direct axis current depends on the quadrature axis
current and vice-versa. In order to decouple this
dependence, a new duty cycle was defined and it is
presented in (3).
' ( ) ( ) ( )
' ( ) ( ) ( )
d d q
i
q q d
i
L
d t d t i t
V
L
d t d t i t
V
e
e

=

(3)
Developing appropriately this equations, it is possible to
obtain the differential equations that show the behavior of
the currents in axis d and q as functions of the duty cycles.
So, the transfer functions used in the design of the current
controllers are shown in (4).
( )
' ( )
( )
' ( )
d i
d
q
i
q
i s V
d s s L R
i s
V
d s s L R

(4)
In this current control modelling, the line duty cycles
(D
12
(t), D
23
(t) e D
31
(t)) are used in equations. But, to satisfy
the PWM modulation, it is necessary to determinate the
phase duty cycles (D
1
(t), D
2
(t) e D
3
(t)). This is made by
A/Y transformation shown in (5).
1 1
1 12 3 3
1 1
2 23 3 3
1 1
3 31 3 3
( ) 0 ( )
( ) 0 ( )
( ) 0 ( )
D t D t
D t D t
D t D t

( ( (
( ( (
=
( ( (
( ( (

(5)
C. Voltage Control Modelling
The purpose of this model is to accomplish the active
input voltage clamping V
i
(t). This active clamping brings
the following advantages:
- Control the power flow between the grid and the
PV system;
- Possibility to realize the Maximum Power Point
Tracking (MPPT) of the PV panels.
The possibility of MPP operation is based on The
Constant Voltage Method that is achieved by keeping the
voltage in the PV terminals constant and close to the MPP
[11], [12]. In Fig. 4 an example of the current and voltage
characteristics of a PV cell for different values of solar
irradiation is presented.
Figure 4. Example of the current and voltage characteristics of a PV
cell.
Observing the MPP points (MPP Line), it is possible to
observe that the voltage values vary very little even when
the intensity of the solar irradiation suffers great
alterations.
With the voltage clamped in a value inside of the
MPP Region, when a variation of the solar irradiation
happens, the current of PV cell will change of intensity,
however the output voltage of the PV will not be altered.
Thus, it is necessary to obtain the transfer function of
19
input voltage V
i
as functions of axis d and q currents.
The control voltage across capacitor C
i
is obtained
considering the DC input shown in Fig 2. The equivalent
circuit in dq0 axis seen by the DC side is shown in Fig. 5.
Figure 5. Equivalent circuit seen by the DC side.
In this equivalent circuit, I(t) represent the current
supplied by PV panels (6) and I
i
(t) represents the input
inverter current (7). The transfer function between the
voltage v
i
(s) and the input current of the inverter i
i
(s) is
shown in (8).
( ) ( ) ( )
Ci i
I t I t I t = + (6)
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
i d d q q
I t I t D t I t D t = + (7)
( ) 1
( )
i
i i
v s
i s s C
=

(8)
Developing and substituting appropriately the equations,
it is possible to obtain the desired voltage control model.
The equations v
i
(s) as function of currents in axis d and q
are shown in (9) and (10), respectively.
( )
( ) 1 3
2
( ) 2
p
i
d i i
V
v s
K L s K R
i s s C V
(
= +
(

(

(9)
( ) 2 2
( ) 3
i
q i p i
v s Q L s R
i s V V s C
( +
=
(


(10)
Where:
L, R - Equivalent Resistances and Inductances
C
i
- Input Capacitor
V
p
- Voltage peak of grid
V
i
- Input Voltage
i
d
, i
q
- Currents of the axis d and q.
P - Active Power
Q - Reactive Power
2
3
p i
P
K
V V
=

III. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTROL METHODOLOGY

Fig. 6 shows the diagram of the control methodology
and the modulation of the proposed utility connected PV
system. The practical implementation of this control
strategy will be implemented with DSP (Digital Signal
Processing) and a zero cross detector circuit will be used to
make the synchronism method with the grid.
As can been seen from Fig 6, the inverter output
currents (I
1
, I
2
and I
3
) and the load currents (I
1c
, I
2c
and I
3c
)
are acquired through sensors. In the line currents it is
applied dq0 Transformation.
A. Current Control Strategy
To control the currents of the axis d, the current I
d
(t)
and the reference currents I
dref1
(t) and I
dref2
(t) are used,
according to Fig. 7. The sign I
dref2
(t) represents the current
load I
dc
(t) alternate portion of the direct axis d and it is
obtained through a High-Pass Filter (Fig. 8) [13]. This is
necessary to compensate possible power unbalances in the
system, and it has negative sign so that the power flows in
opposition to the load.
Figure 6. Diagram of the control system.
20
Figure 7. Block Diagram of the current control in the d axis.
Figure 8. Idref2(t) obtaining.
To control the currents of axis q (Fig. 9), a reference
signal I
qc
(t) is used to compensate the reactive power
caused by the load connected to the system.
Figure 9. Block Diagram of the current control in the axis q.
In the output of both controls (d and q axis) its
necessary to accomplish a uncoupling in order to obtain
the duty cycles d
d
(t) as function of i
d
(d) and d
q
(t) as
function of i
q
(t).
B. Voltage Control Strategy
The voltage in the capacitor C
i
is compared with the
reference voltage V
iref
and the error signal enters in the
voltage controller resulting in the signal I
dref1
(t) (Fig. 10).
Voltage
Control.
Hv
+
-
V
iref
V
i
(t) I
dref1(t)
Sensor
Figure 10. Diagram of the voltage regulator
This signal I
dref1
(t) is used as one of the references in
the current control loop of the direct axis d, guaranteeing
that voltage V
i
(t) keeps clamped at the desired value, as
shown in Fig. 11.
Figure 11. Block Diagram of the voltage control.
IV. SIMULATIONRESULTS
A. PV Array Project
To validate the proposed methodology for grid PV
generation system, a 12 kilowatts PV array was design
using Kyocera KC50, connected in a proper series-parallel
configuration.
The following Table 1 shows the main characteristics of
the PV array, that was design to 700 Volts photovoltaic
output voltage and 18 Amperes of current. The equivalent
circuit simulated is shown in Fig. 12.
TABLE I. PVARRAY ESPECIFICATIONS USING KYOCERA KC50
PANELS
Total peak power 12,6 kW
No. of series strings panels - Ns 42
No. of paralel - Np 6
No. of PV panels 252
Corrent peak 18 A
Voltage in maximum power 701,4 V
Corrent: short circuit 18,6 A
Voltage: open circuit 903 V
Figure 12. PV Array simulated circuit.
B. Simulation Results
Several numeric simulations of the proposed system
were accomplished for different situations of load
connected in this system (linear and non-linear). The most
important parameters of the converter are shown in Table
II.
TABLE II. SIMULATION PARAMETERS
Parameter Description
P = 12 kVA - Converter Power
Vi= 700 V - Input Voltage (DC)
Voutt= 220 V - Output voltage rms (grid)
fr= 60 Hz - Grid Frequency
Fs = 20 kHz - Commutation Frequency
R = 0,57 - Output inverter equivalent resistor
L = 1,92 mH - Output inverter inductance
Ci= 2,7 mF - Input Inverter capacitor
The simulation with linear loads was done and good
results were obtained to several load parameters. But to
show a better performance of the system proposed, only
the results considering non-linear loads connected to the
system are presented. The performance of the reactive
power compensation and harmonics current elimination is
better observed when the non-linear load tests are done.
The non-linear load presented in this work is a three-
phase bridge rectifier with unbalanced input current and
RC output, shown in Fig. 13.
21
Figure 13. Non-linear load simulated
The Fig. 14 presents the three grid currents and the input
voltage V
i
(t) behavior for several situation of abrupt
variations of the current supplied by the PV panels. It is
seen that the grid input currents always has a sinusoidal
shape.
Figure 14. Three grid currents and the input voltage.
Fig. 15 shows the Phase 1 the grid voltage, grid current,
load current, output inverter current and input voltage V
i
(t)
behavior, when a variation of the current supplied by the
PV panels occurs at the instant t=150ms. Even with the
non-linear load, the grid currents are sinusoidal and the
voltage control maintain the desired level of 700V. The
grid input current waveform is sinusoidal and is 180 out
of phase to the grid voltage. This situation means that the
grid is receiving energy.
Figure 15. Grid Voltage and Current (Phase 1), Load Current and Output
inverter current (Phase1); and Input Voltage.
The Fig. 16 shows the behavior of the current and
voltage in Phase 1 of the grid, when an abrupt variation of
the current supplied by PV panels occurs. In this test the
energy supplied by the PV panels become null at the
instant t=300ms and it returns to the nominal value at
instant t=450ms. In this absence of energy supplied by the
PV panel, the converter only acts as an active filter. The
inverter output current and the PV current are also shown
in Fig. 16.
Figure 16. Current and Voltage in Phase 1 PV Current and Output
Current Inverter of Phase 1.
Even with this abrupt variation, the power factor in
Phase 1 is very high in both cases; when there is solar
irradiation (grid receiving energy) and in the periods when
there is no energy supplied by the PV panels.
To prove the structure operation as active filter, the Fig.
17 shows the grid and load current harmonic spectrum in
the Phase 1. It has been verified that using the control
strategy propose, it is possible to eliminate the harmonic
components of the grid current.
Figure 17. Current spectrum harmonic: Grid and Load in Phase 1.
Fig. 18 shows the active power flux in grid, load, PV
and converter to verify the strategy control efficiency for
several solar conditions. At the same figure it is possible to
observe that the load active power remains constant and
can be supplied by PV array or by the grid. The grid active
power is negative when the it is receiving energy.
22
Figure 18. Active Power: Grid, Load, PV and converter to several solar
conditions.
V. CONCLUSION
This paper presented in a simple way the modelling
and the control strategy using dq0 transformation of a
three-phase PWM inverter to be employed in a grid
connected photovoltaic generation system. The main focus
of this work is to realize a design of a dual function system
that would provide solar generation and works as an active
filter, compensating unbalances of power and the reactive
power generated by other loads connected to the system.
It is important to observe that for both situations the
Power Factor is always high and the currents present low
harmonic distortion.
An input voltage clamping technique is used to assure
the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the PV panel.
To prove the structure operation, some simulation
results were presented and they show theoretical viability
of the proposed model, as well as the control strategy used
for PV systems. A laboratory prototype is being
assembled.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank the CNPq -National Council
for Scientific and Technological Development by the financial
support.
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