Assessment Indexes for Converter P-Q Control Coupling

Abstract

This work presents a concise methodology for the calculation of assessment indexes regarding the coupling between active and reactive power control observed on distribution level converters. First, the reader is introduced to the concept of power coupling; when, where and how it appears in power control of converters. A brief summary of the theory and formulation behind it is also included, together with relevant literature. Then, the methodology for the assessment of active and reactive power control performance of any grid-connected converter is presented. The impact of small control disturbances during a testing procedure is monitored, analyzed and converted to meaningful indexes, so that the type and level of coupling is quantified without putting the converter or the grid at risk. The efficiency of the methodology to assess the type and level of coupling is verified experimentally. This is done by assessing several power control approaches with different level of decoupling efficiency on the same power converter connected to a distribution grid. While the assessment is performed with safe, minimal disturbances, its exceptional accuracy is later confirmed by the level and type of coupling observed during significant power step changes.