Barchowsky, Ansel
(2015)
Design and Testing of High Frequency Converters for Photovoltaic System Integration.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
This thesis presents simulation, modelling, and testing for the complete photovoltaic (PV) system, including the PV panels themselves, the converters necessary for grid connection, and the testbed environments required for their testing. Investigating such systems is crucial, as PV systems are becoming increasingly prevalent. Converters are evolving and so too are the semiconductor devices of which they are comprised. Advanced topologies such as the modular multilevel converter (MMC) are allowing for radical changes in converter design and control, raising performance and efficiency ever higher. Buoying that growth is the development of wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, which are enabling faster, smaller, and more efficient converters.
In light of these advancements, significant room for modeling and analysis of the various phenomena that occur in PV systems is critical. In order to address this need, this thesis will present analysis, simulation, and testing of a number of key elements within the PV system, such that the whole may be better understood. It will begin with the DC-DC converter itself, modeling transient events in synchronous buck converters, as well as demonstrating the implementation of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in boost converters. Next, the inverter portion of the system will be examined, focusing on development of a single phase, low voltage version of the MMC topology that has been previously demonstrated in high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. Finally, a design for a test bank and workbench will be discussed, shedding light on the laboratory apparatus necessary for proper evaluation and testing of new power electronic devices and systems. In short, the complete PV system is presented, its individual components are modeled and analyzed, and the conditions and materials necessary for testing are established, such that the understanding of PV integration in modern power systems can be better understood.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
| Title | Member | Email Address | Pitt Username | ORCID |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Reed, Gregory | gfr3@pitt.edu | GFR3 | | | Committee Member | Stanchina, William | | | | | Committee Member | Mao, Zhi-Hong | zhm4@pitt.edu | ZHM4 | | | Thesis Advisor | Reed, Gregory | gfr3@pitt.edu | GFR3 | |
|
| Date: |
28 January 2015 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
24 November 2014 |
| Approval Date: |
28 January 2015 |
| Submission Date: |
25 November 2014 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
116 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Swanson School of Engineering > Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Power Systems, Photovoltaic, Wide Bandgap Semiconductor, Power Electronics, Modular Multilevel Converter, Testbed |
| Date Deposited: |
28 Jan 2015 16:12 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 14:25 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23664 |
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