Technical and Vocational Institute

Centre No.: 91043

BTEC
RQF – Assignment Brief (16)

Qualification BTEC Level 5 HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Mahmoud Safwat 221010842
Student Name/ID Number

Unit Number and Title Unit 44: Industrial Power, Electronics and Storage

Academic Year 2nd Semester: Feb. 2024

Assessor Dr. Shady A. El-Kashlan

Assignment Title Power electronics applications and smart grid technology

Issue Date 8 / 5 / 2024

Submission Date 6 / 6 / 2024

IV Name Eng. Albert Anis Tawfik

Verification Date 1 / 5 / 2024

Student Declaration

“I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my own work, and I fully understand the consequences of
plagiarism. I understand that making a false declaration is a form of malpractice.”

Student Signature:

Submission Format

The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise, formal
form. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections, as appropriate, and all work
must be referenced.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO3: Analyse the control techniques of power electronics for renewable energy systems

LO4: Investigate the impacts of renewable resources to the grid and the various issues associated with
integrating such resources to the grid

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Transferable skills and competencies developed

Use of computer-based exercises to simulate power electronics devices module units with
applications on industrial application of power converters;
Use of MATLAB/Simulink to model, simulate and analyse the dynamic behaviour of a selected
renewable energy system;
Applying technological concepts on smart grid infrastructure.

Vocational scenario

Currently, the power grid is changing continuously and the current energy scenario is becoming increasingly
complex; therefore the need for an intelligent grid is ever more urgent. This has introduced several challenges
to be solved, such as the interconnection of different sub-grids, the improvement of grid stability, the
integration of clean energy generation and the use of efficient high power and energy storage systems (ESSs).
Your mission is to analyse the control techniques of power electronics for renewable energy
systems; in addition to investigating the impacts of renewable energy resources to the grid and the various
issues associated with integrating such resources to the grid.

Assignment activity and guidance

Task 1
Renewable energy resources such as hydro, wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal are environmentally
clean (called “green energy”) and abundant in nature, and are therefore receiving very strong
emphasis throughout the world.
Meanwhile, power electronics is the application of solid-state electronics to the control and
conversion of electric power. In modern systems, the conversion is performed with semiconductor
switching devices such as diodes, thyristors and transistors.
 Analyse the applications of power electronics (converters, inverters and choppers) in renewable
energy applications (hydro, wind, solar, biofuels, and geothermal).
Power electronics converters, inverters, and choppers play a critical role in renewable energy
applications, as they enable the efficient conversion, conditioning, and control of electrical power
from renewable energy sources. Here are some examples of how power electronics are used in
various renewable energy applications:

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One of the core aspects in modern electrical engineering, greatly facilitated by advancement
power electronics is to integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid. Power electronics
is the use of semiconductor devices such as diodes, thyristors and transistor to control electric
power efficiently. Here’s an analysis of how power electronics are applied in various renewable
energy systems
Hydro Energy Systems
In a hydroelectric power plant, power electronics devices such as converters and inverters are used
to convert the AC power generated by the hydro turbine into DC power, which is then conditioned
and converted into high-quality AC power that can be fed into the grid. Power electronics devices
are also used to enable reactive power control for grid stability.
Converters
Change the variable frequency and voltage output from hydroelectric generators to a stable
frequency and voltage that would be used in residential applications or sent into grid.
Inverters
Can also be applied in the small hydro systems that produce DC power to rectify it into AC.

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Wind Energy Systems

Converters
In wind energy systems, especially those based on variable speed turbines converters play

important role of delivering the variac current output by the canoe to DC power input. Ver 7
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Figure (1) solar powered residential home with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
(PHEV)

Task 2
Power electronics has now emerged as a major area in electrical engineering and considering the
saturating trends of the technology, the present century finds significant emphasis on its
applications.
 Determine an industrial application of power electronic converters.
In the world of EVs, power electronics that control and convert electrical energy are fundamental
components like converters, inverters or choppers. These elements play an important role in the
smooth, safe and optimal performance of EVs. Let's delve into more detail about each
component and its role in the EV ecosystem:

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An engine (57 kW at 5000 rpm) or an IPM synchronous motor (IPMSM) (50 kW, 500 V) may
provide the axle drive power, or both may do so. A Ni-Mh battery (201.6V, 1.2 kWh, 21 kW)
provides the drive power for the motor via an IGBT inverter, which also provides the braking
power.
from the engine. To increase the DC voltage, the battery has a boost DC–DC converter (not
shown).
Although there is no EV driving mode, the battery helps with hill climbing and motor
acceleration.
absorbs the braking energy (partially). The engine or generator (not a plug-in type) powers it.

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Pure Electrical

Plug in series

Plug in parallel

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Plug in Series & parallel

Converters in EVs
DC-DC Converters:
- These components reduce DC voltages from the EV battery to supply lower voltages needed by
auxiliary systems such as climate control, vehicle lighting or entertainment.
- They guarantee the smooth operation of these systems by delivering a stable voltage that meets
each subsystem’s power needs.
- In order to maximize efficiency and reduce energy waste, the conversion process must be very
efficient so that it is possible for an EV to have a large driving range.

AC-DC Converters (Onboard Chargers):

- Under direct charge, the AC-DC converters of the onboard charger regulate how AC power is
transformed for storage in an EV’s battery.
- These type of charger controls the charging cycle to provide better rates higher battery life and
keep safety in mind o disallow overcharging as well as prevent it from heating up.

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Inverters in EVs
- The inverter is used to convert DC power from the battery into AC so that it can be converted
by an electric motor.
- Exactly, it controls motor speed and torque by controlling the output AC frequency voltage.
- Sophisticated algorithms and modulation techniques used in advanced inverters, improve the
performance of motor’s efficiency.

Choppers (Switches) in EVs

- Choppers are used to control energy flow in the vehicle especially during regenerative braking.
Bidirectional Power Flow
- In the case of modern EV power electronics, it is usually bidirectional not only for consumption
from battery but also possible to regenerate energy back into the system.
- When regenerative braking, the inverter’s role gets reversed and running AC from motor is
converted to DC for recharging battery.

Thermal Management
- Heat energy must be controlled in order to maintain power electronic components’ efficiency
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and lifespan.
- The thermal system, which is commonly combined with the vehicle’s cooling system dissipates
heat from power electronics to avoid overheating.

System Integration
- To make an effective EV, it is important for these power electronic components to come
together as a system.
- There are design considerations such as minimizing electromagnetic interference, ensuring
component reliability and perfecting the physical layout for load distribution and space usage.

Savings in components’ mass thanks to developments for power electronics greatly contribute to
the overall vehicle weight reduction, which directly affects EVs’ range and dynamics. In
addition, these systems have to be reliable for the reason that they are essentials in ensuring
safety as well as operability of EV.

Task 3

 Analyse the power electronic converter topologies and their principles of operation with respect to

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the following items:

 Single-phase and three-phase uncontrolled rectifier circuits (both with resistive and highly-
inductive loads) ;
Rectification is the process of converting electrical power from ac to dc. The essential
component of a rectifier circuit is semiconductor devices like a diode, thyristor, etc. The ac to dc
power conversion will be accomplished by means of these semiconductor devices acting as
switches.

Typically, a rectifier circuit produces pulsating DC as its output rather than pure DC. Filters are
therefore used at the rectifier's output side in order to produce pure DC. Rectifier circuits are
classified into two categories based on the switching devices used in the ac to dc power
conversion process:

Un Controlled Rectifiers
Controlled Rectifiers

In this configuration, whenever the supply voltage vs is positive, the diode conducts (becomes
forward biassed). This indicates that the diode conducts and functions like a closed switch
connecting the supply to the load during the positive half cycle, (0 < t < π). Because the load is
resistive, current I will flow through it with a value of io vo / R, and the load current waveform
will resemble the voltage wavefor.

Single-Phase Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier with R-L Load

In case the load comprises an inductor and a series resistor, the current will also pass through the
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negative cycle:

SINGLE-PHASE FULL-WAVE UNCONTROLLED RECTIFIERS

Case of Resistive Load

provides the circuit diagram for a bridge rectifier that is loaded with a resistive load and operates
in single phase full wave. It's also known as the full-wave bridge rectifier at times. In this
configuration, a closed loop for the current is provided by two diodes that conduct at the same
interval every time. As shown by Fig. (b), D3 and D₁ conduct whenever the supply voltage (vs)
is negative, while D₁ and D₂ conduct whenever the supply voltage (vs) is positive.
Considering that the load is resistive. After that, the load voltage and load current will have the
same waveform.

Single-Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier Loaded with Highly Inductive Load

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presents the circuit connection for a single-phase, full- wave, rectifier loaded with a highly
inductive load. Highly inductive loads are basically R-L loads where L >>> R. Therefore, the
load time constant t = L/R is very high and can be considered infinity. Consequently, the load
current is assumed constant. For one total period of operation of this circuit, the corresponding
waveforms are

POLY-PHASE UNCONTROLLED RECTIFICATION

The majority of industrial applications employ circuits with polyphase rectifiers. Either half-
wave or full-wave, controlled or uncontrolled rectifier circuits can be obtained from the circuit in
use. The communication processes in these rectifier circuits are entirely natural and result from
the supply-side voltages cycling. Therefore, there's no need to use gate turn-off

Three-Phase Half-Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier

shows a three-phase half-wave uncontrolled rectifier with resistive load. Through a delta-star
three-phase transformer, the rectifier receives power from an ideal three-phase supply.

Three-Phase Full-Wave Uncontrolled Bridge Rectifier

demonstrates an uncontrolled, full-wave, three-phase bridge rectifier with a resistive load.
Through a delta-star three-phase transformer, the rectifier receives power from an ideal three-
phase supply.

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USES OF POLY-PHASE UNCONTROLLED RECTIFIERS

DC-AC Conversion Using Uncontrollable

Many power electronic-based converters make extensive use of uncontrolled rectifiers. They are
typically used to supply an intermediate unregulated direct current voltage source, which is then
processed to produce an a.c. or d.c. output that is regulated. They have generally shown to be
reliable and effective power stages. They do, however, have a few notable drawbacks. The
primary one is that when the input AC voltage and load parameters stay constant, they are unable
to regulate the output DC voltage or current magnitude. Additionally, they are unidirectional in
that they only permit the flow of electrical power from the a.c. side to the d.c. side. The use of
power diodes in these converters directly results in these .

 Single-phase and three-phase controlled rectifier circuits (both with resistive and highly-
inductive loads):
If controllable power semiconductor switches are used in place of the diodes in the uncontrolled
rectifiers covered in the previous chapter, the drawbacks of those converters are mitigated,
leading to what are known as controlled converters. The generated d.c. power in controlled
rectifications is variable and controllable. SCRs are typically used by them as power switches.
Fast switching is accomplished by using IGBTs and MOSFETs. The fundamental workings of a
few types of controlled rectifiers are covered in the sections that follow, beginning with the most
basic kind—a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier loaded with a resistive load.
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demonstrates the fundamental circuit for a half-wave, single-phase, controlled rectifier that is
loaded with a resistive load. In this setup, the anode of the supply voltage vs occurs during the
positive half cycle.
The cathode is connected to the supply's positive terminal, and the thyristor
connected to negative terminal of supply, and the thyristor is forward biassed
The thyristor will therefore only conduct when gate pulses are used to trigger it.
When αt = α, the thyristor fires, and the input voltage appears across the
load. Nearly zero voltage is present across the thyristor, and the full
Supply voltage is visible throughout the load. Moving forward from this point, the load
voltage is in line with the supply voltage. Since the load is only resistive, the
load current I is correlated with the

Work within the initial quadrant. Typically, this converter is not utilised in th
industrial use due to its low ripple and high ripple current regularity

Single-Phase, Half-Wave, Controlled Rectifier Loaded

voltage across the load will be the instantaneous value of the supply
voltage at this firing angle. At this instant, because of the existence of the
inductor, the current will increase slowly in the same manner as the diode
case discussed in Chapter Two. The load voltage and current waveforms

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SINGLE-PHASE, FULL-WAVE, FULLY-CONTROLLED BRIDGE RECTIFIER

The single-phase, fully-controlled full-wave rectifier bridge is shown in Fig. (a). In this circuit,
two thyristors must be triggered simultaneously to permit current to flow. For example, with the
instantaneous polarity of the sinusoidal supply voltage indicated

Case of highly inductive load (L >> R)

shows the circuit connection for a single-phase, full-wave, controlled rectifier loaded with a highly
inductive load. For one total period of operation of this circuit, the corresponding waveforms are
shown.

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 Half bridge inverter circuit (with highly-inductive loads):

The power electronic converting topology used to convert DC power to AC power is called a half
bridge inverter circuit. It consists of two switches, typically insulated-gate bipolar transistors
(IGBTs) or metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), that are connected in a
half-bridge configuration.

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Energy is stored in the inductor L when Q1 is activated, resulting in a linear increase in voltage

across the load. The energy stored in the inductor is transferred to the capacitor C1 and output
voltage Vout when Q1 is turned off, which causes a sharp drop in voltage across the load. Energy
is stored in the inductor L when Q2 is activated, resulting in a linear drop in voltage across the
load. The voltage across the load quickly rises when Q2 is turned off, releasing the stored energy

energy stored in the inductor is transferred to the output voltage Vout and capacitor C1. It is
possible to create a sinusoidal output voltage across the load by alternating between turning on
and off Q1 and Q2.

All things considered, a half-bridge inverter circuit is an easy and affordable way to convert DC
power to AC power. It can also be used with highly-inductive loads by including a snubber circuit
to lessen ringing and voltage spikes. The switching frequency of the switches determines the
output frequency, which can be adjusted to produce a sinusoidal output voltage across the load.

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 Full bridge inverter circuit (with highly-inductive loads):

The power electronic converting topology used to convert DC power to AC power is called a full
bridge inverter circuit. It is made up of four full-bridge-connected switches, usually insulated-gate
bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs).

The voltage across the load rises linearly when Q1 and Q4 are turned on and Q2 and Q3 are turned
off, storing energy in the inductor L. When Q1 and Q4 are turned off and Q2 and Q3 are turned on,
the voltage across the load decreases linearly, causing the stored energy in the inductor to be
transferred to the capacitor C1 and output voltage Vout. The pairs of switches can be turned on and
off alternately to produce a sinusoidal output voltage generated across the load.
High levels of inductance in the load can cause voltage spikes and ringing in the circuit because the
current lags behind the voltage. It is possible to address these problems by adding a snubber circuit
in parallel with the switches.
By dissipating the energy stored in the inductor and capacitor when the switches are turned off, the
snubber circuit helps to lessen voltage spikes and ringing. The resistor R and capacitor C3 are
selected to offer adequate damping without unduly lowering the circuit's efficiency.

The power electronic converting topology used to convert DC power to AC power is called a full
bridge inverter circuit. It is made up of four full-bridge-connected switches, usually insulated-gate
bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs).
The voltage across the load rises linearly when Q1 and Q4 are turned on and Q2 and Q3 are turned
off, storing energy in the inductor L. When Q1 and Q4 are turned off and Q2 and Q3 are turned on,
the voltage across the load decreases linearly, causing the stored energy in the inductor to be
transferred to the capacitor C1 and output voltage Vout. The pairs of switches can be turned on and
off alternately to produce a sinusoidal output voltage.

 Three-phase bridge inverters (with highly-inductive loads):

Power electronic converting topologies that transform DC power into three-phase AC power are
called three-phase bridge inverters. They are made up of six switches connected in a bridge
configuration, usually insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or metal-oxide-semiconductor field-
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effect transistors (MOSFETs).

The voltage across the load rises linearly when Q1, Q3, and Q5 are turned on and Q2, Q4, and Q6
are turned off. This causes energy to be stored in the inductors L1 and L2. The voltage across the
load drops linearly when Q1, Q3, and Q5 are turned off and Q2, Q4, and Q6 are turned on. This
results in the stored energy in the inductors being transferred to the capacitors C1, C2, C3, and C4
and the output voltage Vout. By turning the pairs of switches on and off in turn, a sinusoidal output
voltage can be generated across the load.

To sum up, while three-phase bridge inverters are a more sophisticated and costly way to convert
DC power into three-phase AC power, they also offer better efficiency and power factor, as well as
more control over the output voltage and current. A sinusoidal output voltage across the load can be
produced by a three-phase bridge inverter by incorporating a snubber circuit to address the
problems associated with highly-inductive loads. Numerous applications are possible due to the
switches' ability to be controlled to change the output frequency and voltage. The choice of
conduction mode depends on the specific requirements of the application.
 Buck, boost and buck-boost converters (all configurations with continuous mode only):
Power electronic converting topologies such as buck, boost, and buck-boost converters are used to
change the DC voltage level of DC power. The following describes the various characteristics and
operating principles of each topology.

Buck Converter:

A buck converter is a type of step-down converter that lowers the output voltage level to that of the
input voltage. It consists of a switch (usually a MOSFET), an inductor, a diode, and a capacitor.
The current passes through the inductor and stores energy when the switch is turned on. A lower
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output

voltage is the result of the inductor's stored energy being released to the load through the diode and
capacitor when the switch is turned off. The duty cycle of the switch can be changed to control the
output voltage. The buck converter is most frequently utilised in situations where a lower voltage is
needed, like in electronic circuit DC-DC voltage regulators.

In a DC-DC circuit, a thyristor necessitates an additional commutation that uses

a different thyristor, but power MOSFETs and IGBTs can be disabled by just
possessing the voltage across a Power MOSFET's GATE and SOURCE terminals,
or the IGBT's GATE and COLLECTOR terminals become zero.
The second switch used is a diode. A low-pass LC filter, suitably engineered to minimize current
and voltage ripples, is connected to the switch and the diode.
The load is entirely resistive, meaning that both the input voltage and the current flowing through it
are always the same.
Operating principle:
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is used to turn on and off the controlled

The phenomenon can also be explained by the inductor current dropping below zero.
causes the output capacitor to discharge during each cycle, leading to higher

Boost Converter:

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A boost converter elevates the input voltage to a higher output voltage level, acting as a step-up
converter. It consists of a switch (usually a MOSFET), an inductor, a diode, and a capacitor. The
current passes through the inductor and stores energy when the switch is turned on. A higher output

Buck-Boost Converter:
In buck–boost converter, the output voltage magnitude that is either greater than or less than the
input voltage magnitude.

The topology that is inverted

The polarity of the input and output voltages are different.
The switching transistor's duty cycle determines the output voltage that can be changed.
Because the switch on this converter lacks a terminal at ground, the driving circuitry becomes more
complex, which could be a drawback. However, this drawback is of no consequence if the power
supply is isolated from the load circuit (if, for example, the supply is a battery) because the supply
and diode polarity can simply be reversed.
The switch can be on the supply side or the ground side when they are reversible.

Principle of operation:

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The "reluctance" of the inductor to permit a quick change in current is the best way to understand
how the buck-boost converter operates, just like the buck and boost converters. The current flowing
through the resistor is zero from the initial state, where the switch is open and nothing is charged.
The blocking diode stops current from entering the circuit's right side when the switch is initially
closed, forcing all of the current to pass through the inducer. Nevertheless, the inductor will
initially maintain the current low by reducing the majority of the voltage supplied by the source
because it

Continuous mode:

 Critically analyse the impact of renewable energy sources and their integration to the grid using a
standard industrial based software such as Matlab/Simulink © software simulation program (or
equivalent).

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Task 4
A smart grid as verified in figure (2) is a modernized electrical grid that uses information and
communications technology to gather and act on information, such as information about the
behaviours of suppliers and consumers, in an automated fashion to improve the efficiency,
reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity.

Figure (2) smart grid architecture

 Investigate the safe operation of a smart power system.

1. Safety Disconnects:
In the event of an emergency or malfunction, safety disconnectors also referred to as safety
switches or circuit breakers are devices used to cut off the electrical power supply to a system or
device. As they aid in preventing overloading, short circuits, and other electrical hazards that could
cause harm to people or damage to the system, these devices are an essential safety feature in
electrical systems, including those powered by renewable energy sources.
There are several types of safety disconnectors available, including
A- Manual Disconnectors:
Usually utilised in small-scale renewable energy systems, manual disconnectors are operated by
hand. They are typically found close to the control panel of the renewable energy system and are
made to be easily accessible.
B- Remote Disconnectors:
A remote control system, like a switch or computer programme, is used to operate remote
disconnectors. Larger-scale renewable energy systems frequently use them, and they are made to be
conveniently accessible from a control room or other remote location.

Conversely, an over relay is a protection relay that is intended to identify when a system's current
exceeds a predetermined threshold. This threshold will be crossed by the over relay, which will
then activate and cut off the system's power supply. This is crucial because an excessive current
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could overload the system and cause damage. In severe circumstances, an overload may also put
nearby users' safety in danger.

2. Grounding Equipment:
This device guards against lightning strikes and avoids electrical shock. It is made up of a
grounding rod or plate that is buried in the ground and connected to the metal parts of the
renewable energy system, like the wind turbines, solar panels, and battery bank. By offering a low-
resistance path to ground, the grounding equipment helps dissipate electrical energy and guards
against harm to people or damage to the system.
susceptible to. To identify and stop such attacks, the system needs to have strong intrusion
detection and prevention mechanisms in place. Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and
intrusion detection systems (IDS) can all be used to accomplish this.

 Analyse how power electronic converters are used in smart grid networks.
Smart grid networks rely heavily on power electronic converters. Among the principal applications
for them are:

1. Connecting renewable energy sources to the grid:

In order to interface wind turbines, solar panels, battery storage systems, and other renewable
energy sources with the main AC power grid, power electronic converters are required. They match
the voltage and frequency of the main grid and convert the DC power produced by these sources to
AC. This makes it possible to incorporate renewable energy into the smart grid.
2. Controlling the grid's power flow:
Power electronic devices, such as Flexible AC transmission systems, are used to regulate the
transmission lines' power flows. They maximize power flow within the network, manage power
factor, and regulate voltage. This enhances the overall stability and efficiency of the power grid
overall stability and efficiency of the power grid.

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Task 5
Connecting renewable energy sources (RESs) with the grid become a challenging task if the
number of generators and users is very large. Therefore, operations can be achieved by
addressing suitable functional issues.
 Investigate the principle of operation of standalone and grid connected renewable energy
systems.

From an operational principle standpoint, standalone and grid-connected renewable energy

systems function differently.
1. Independent Systems for Renewable Energy
Off-grid systems are another name for standalone renewable energy systems. In remote locations,
these systems are intended to run independently of the utility grid and supply electricity to
individual residences, companies, or small towns. A renewable energy source (like solar panels,
wind turbines, or hydropower), energy storage (like batteries),

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Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems

As the name implies, grid-connected renewable energy systems are linked to the utility grid. These
systems produce electricity from renewable sources that are fed into the utility grid so that other
grid-connected customers can use it. A renewable energy source (like solar panels or wind
turbines), an inverter (which converts DC power to AC power), and a grid-tie inverter (which
synchronises the AC power with the utility grid) are the fundamental
The excess energy is fed back into the utility grid when the renewable energy source generates
more energy than the connected loads require. Lower electricity bills may arise from the utility
company crediting the customer's account for this excess energy. The client has the option to use

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 Evaluate the issues associated with integrating renewable energy sources to the grid.

To maintain the stability and dependability of the grid, a number of difficulties and concerns
related to the integration of renewable energy sources must be resolved. The following are some
of the main problems with incorporating renewable energy sources into the grid
1- Intermittency and variability:
The output of renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, is subject to change based on
the weather and the time of day. This can lead to instability in the grid, especially if the proportion
of renewable energy sources in the grid is high.
2- Grid balancing:
The incorporation of renewable energy sources may result in imbalances between the demand and
production of electricity, which may cause variations in voltage and frequency. This means that
energy storage technologies or varying the output of traditional power plants must be used to
balance the grid.
3- Policies and regulations governing the grid:
The integration of renewable energy sources may necessitate modifications to the policies and
regulations governing the grid. To guarantee the seamless and effective integration of renewable
energy sources, modifications to the pricing structure, grid codes, and interconnection standards
may be necessary.

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Task 6
A smart grid is an electrical grid that includes a variety of operational and energy
measures including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and
energy efficient resources.
Meanwhile, the smart power system involves connection of a great number of large
renewable energy schemes and other new low-carbon generators that is be needed to reduce
emissions and maintain the continued security of supply. These new connections and
subsequent bulk power flows requires network reinforcement by using power electronics
devices and energy storage elements; hence electronic power conditioning and control of
the production and distribution of electricity are important aspects of the smart grid.
 Discuss the features of a smart grid network.
1- Distributed energy resources (DERs):
Energy storage systems, solar panels, wind turbines, and other DERs can be integrated into the
electrical grid thanks to smart grid networks. As a result, the electrical system can become more
flexible and decentralised, improving its ability to adapt to fluctuations in supply and demand.

2- Energy efficiency:
Smart grid networks enable energy efficiency measures such as dynamic pricing, which
incentivizes consumers to shift their energy usage to times when electricity is cheaper. As a result,
consumers' electricity bills are lowered and energy waste is decreased.

"HVDC "is an abbreviation for" High Voltage Direct Current " and refers to the technology of
high-voltage direct current electricity transmission. This technology is used to transmit electricity
over long distances with high efficiency, as it minimizes the losses that occur in the transmission
of energy via alternating current over long distances.
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"FACTS "is an acronym for" Flexible AC Transmission Systems " and refers to a set of
technologies that are used to improve controllability and increase the power transmission capacity
in AC transmission networks. These technologies help to improve the stability of the electrical
network and its better control over the flow of energy.

 Determine the importance of power electronics in smart grid and energy storage.

The development and functioning of energy storage systems and smart grids depend heavily on
power electronics. In these situations, power electronics is crucial for a number of reasons,
including:
1- Effective Energy Conversion:
Power electronics makes it possible to convert electrical energy from one form to another in an
effective manner. Power electronics components like transformers, inverters, and converters are
used in smart grids to modify voltage levels and convert AC to DC and DC to AC. Power
electronics components like flywheels, supercapacitors, and batteries are used in energy storage
systems to effectively store and release energy.
2- Energy Efficiency:
By cutting down on energy waste and optimising energy use, power electronics devices can raise
the grid's energy efficiency. This is crucial in smart grids because the incorporation of renewable
energy sources may cause fluctuations and intermittency.
3- Energy Storage Integration:
Integrating energy storage systems into the power grid requires power electronics. Power
electronics components like inverters, converters, and charge controllers are needed by energy
storage systems in order to communicate with the grid and control the flow of energy between the
storage system and the grid

 Critically evaluate the dynamic performance of integrating renewable energy sources to

the smart grid network using a standard industrial based software, such as
Matlab/Simulink© software simulation program (or equivalent).

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Recommended Resources
Please note that the resources listed are examples for you to use as a starting point in your research
– the list is not definitive.
Useful reference(s):
Rashid M.H.(Editor) (2023) Power Electronics Handbook (Hardback). Elsevier.
Kumar N., Guerrero J.M., Kastha D., and Saha T.K. (Editors) (2022) Power Electronics for Next-Generation Drives
and Energy Systems. Volume 1: Converters and control for drives. IET Digital Library.
Useful website:
http://www.nrel.gov/ National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction
LO3 Analyse the P7 Analyse the M5 Simulate a simple D3 Critically evaluate
control techniques applications power converter for the dynamic
of power of power a typical renewable performance of
electronics for electronics in energy system integrating
renewable energy renewable energy using renewable energy
systems applications a standard software sources to the smart
P8 Determine the package such as grid network using a
industrial Matlab/Simulink standard industrial
application of (or equivalent) based software, such
power electronic M6 Critically analyse as Matlab/Simulink
converters the use of the software (or
P9 Analyse the power power converter equivalent)
electronic converter selected above for
topologies and their a renewable
principles of energy application
operation

LO4 Investigate the P10 Investigate the M7 Analyse how D4 Critically analyse
impacts of Safe operation of a Power electronic the impact of
renewable smart power converters are renewable energy
resources to the system used in smart grid sources and their
grid and the P11 Investigate the networks integration to the
various issues principle of grid using
associated with operation of M8 Evaluate the issues
a standard
integrating such standalone and associated with
industrial based
resources to the grid connected integrating
renewable software such as
grid renewable
energy systems energy sources Matlab/Simulink
P12 Discuss the to the grid (or equivalent)
features of a
smart grid
network
P13 Determine the
importance of
power electronics
in smart grid
and energy
storage

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