This paper endeavors to provide the reader with an overview of the various tools needed to forecast photovoltaic (PV) power within a very short-term horizon. The study focuses on the specific application of a large scale grid-connected PV farm. As a matter of fact, the solar resource is largely underexploited worldwide whereas it exceeds by far humans' energy needs. In the current context of global warming, PV energy could potentially play a major role to substitute fossil fuels within the main grid in the future. Indeed, the number of utility-scale PV farms is currently fast increasing globally, with planned capacities in excess of several hundred megawatts. This makes the cost of PV-generated electricity quickly plummet and reach parity with non-renewable resources. However, like many other renewable energy sources, PV power depends highly on weather conditions. This particularity makes PV energy difficult to dispatch unless a properly sized and controlled energy storage system (ESU) is used. An accurate power forecasting method is then required to ensure power continuity but also to manage the ramp rates of the overall power system. In order to perform these actions, the forecasting timeframe also called horizon must be first defined according to the grid operation that is considered. This leads to define both spatial and temporal resolutions. As a second step, an adequate source of input data must be selected. As a third step, the input data must be processed with statistical methods. Finally, the processed data are fed to a precise PV model. It is found that forecasting the irradiance and the cell temperature are the best approaches to forecast precisely swift PV power fluctuations due to the cloud cover. A combination of several sources of input data like satellite and land-based sky imaging also lead to the best results for very-short term forecasting.

Abstract-This paper presents general recommendations on utilizing TMS320F28335 Digital Signal Controller (DSC) as the controller for Voltage Source Converters (VSC). First, a comparison is provided on different DSCs that can be used for such applications and the reasons for selecting this specific Texas Instrument device are discussed. Later, the strategy for realtime algorithm developed in the DSC, also referred to as digital Signal Processor (DSP) is explained and its main features that are used for VSC control are described. Some new functions are developed and their characteristics and specifications are summarized. The paper also presents a discussion on the most probable difficulties when programming the DSC/DSP for VSC control applications followed by some improvement methods proposed for tackling these difficulties.

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This paper presents the general guidelines on developing a laboratory prototype Voltage Source Converter (VSC). One of the main possible reasons behind the limited hardware verification by postgraduate students, carrying out research in the area of power electronics and especially the VSCs, is the lack of knowledge and unavailability of proper tutorials and guidelines for developing hardware prototypes. In this paper, majority of the auxiliary circuits and modules which are required for building up a prototype VSC are introduced. Proper examples are provided at each stage to improve the effectiveness of the developed guideline. The main difficulties of the hardware experiments are mentioned and possible solutions and recommendations are presented throughout the paper. It is believed that this paper will highly benefit the postgraduate students at the early stages of their hardware experiments. Index Terms-Voltage Source Converter (VSC), Laboratory prototype, Printed Circuit Board (PCB), Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA).