Distributed power-generation systems (DPGS) contribute significantly to the power generation in modern power systems. Wind and solar photovoltaics (PVs), as representative renewable energy sources, are two major resources for DPGSs. However, owing to their inherent characteristics, the large-scale adoption of DPGSs poses challenges. To resolve these issues and leverage renewable-energy DPGSs, this paper presents DPGS technologies based on wind and solar PVs, as well as their impacts on the distributed grid. Moreover, schemes for enhancing the integration and connection of DPGSs are introduced, and protection issues are discussed in order to increase the robustness of the connection.ABSTRACT | Continuously expanding deployments of distributed power-generation systems (DPGSs) are transforming the conventional centralized power grid into a mixed distributed electrical network. The modern power grid requires flexible energy utilization but presents challenges in the case of a high penetration degree of renewable energy, among which wind and solar photovoltaics are typical sources. The integration level of the DPGS into the grid plays a critical role in developing sustainable and resilient power systems, especially with highly intermittent renewable energy resources. To address the challenging issues and, more importantly, to leverage the energy generation, stringent demands from both utility operators and consumers have been imposed on the DPGS. Furthermore, as the core of energy conversion, numerous power electronic converters employing advanced control techniques have been developed for the DPGS to consolidate the integration. In light of the above, this paper reviews the power-conversion and control technologies used for DPGSs. The impacts of the DPGS on the distributed grid are also examined, and more importantly, strategies for enhancing the connection and protection of the DPGS are discussed.

voltage ride-through of single-phase transformerless photovoltaic inverters," IEEE Trans. Industry Applications, in press.

Abstract-Power quality and voltage control are among the most important aspects of the grid-connected power converter operation under faults. Non-sinusoidal current may be injected during unbalanced voltage sag and active or/and reactive power may include double frequency content. This paper introduces a novel control strategy to mitigate the double grid frequency oscillations in the active power and dc-link voltage of the two-stage three-phase grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) inverters during unbalanced faults. With the proposed control method, PV inverter injects sinusoidal currents under unbalanced grid faults. In addition, an efficient and easy-to-implement current limitation method is introduced, which can effectively limit the injected currents to the rated value during faults. In this case, the fault-ride-through operation is ensured and it will not trigger the overcurrent protection. A Non-MPPT operation mode is proposed for the dc-dc converter. The mode is enabled under severe faults, when the converter cannot handle the maximum PV power. Finally experimental validation is provided by implementing method in an experimental setup including a 2kW PV inverter.

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Resonant poles of LCL filters may challenge the entire system stability especially in digital-controlled Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) inverters. In order to tackle the resonance issues, many active damping solutions have been reported. For instance, a notch filter can be employed to damp the resonance, where the notch frequency should be aligned exactly to the resonant frequency of the LCL filter. However, parameter variations of the LCL filter as well as the time delay appearing in digital control systems will induce resonance drifting, and thus break this alignment, possibly deteriorating the original damping. In this paper, the effectiveness of the notch filter based active damping is firstly explored, considering the drifts of the resonant frequency. It is revealed that, when the resonant frequency drifts away from its nominal value, the phase lead or lag introduced by the notch filter may make itself fail to damp the resonance. Specifically, the phase lag can make the current control stable despite of the resonant frequency drifting, when the grid current is fed back. In contrast, in the case of an inverter current feedback control, the influence of the phase lead or lag on the active damping is dependent on the actual resonant frequency. Accordingly, in this paper, the notch frequency is designed away from the nominal resonant frequency to tolerate the resonance drifting, being the proposed robust active damping. Simulations and experiments performed on a 2.2-kW three-phase grid-connected PWM inverter verify the effectiveness of the proposed design for robust active damping using digital notch filters.