Date of Award

6-2019

Document Type

Union College Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Electrical Engineering

First Advisor

Luke Dosiek

Keywords

Microgrid

Abstract

A microgrid is a small network of electricity users with a local source of supply that is usually attached to a centralized national grid but can function independently. Microgrids can be supplied with different types of power generation like natural gas or renewable power generation. A shift towards using renewable power generation leads to cleaner emissions into the earth’s atmosphere. This project aims to successfully integrate a power generation of solar and wind power into a microgrid. The system should be able to provide 10 volts to a load using solar and wind generation. The controller should receive a percent power variable which can either curtail or amplify the input power generation. The controller should also be able to stabilize the voltage within ten seconds and react to any changing voltages. The controller will monitor the incoming power, regulate the power, and provide power to the load. The controller will regulate the power by controlling the voltage at the input of the load. The controller uses buck converters, current and voltage sensors, as well as a closed loop feedback proportional integral (PI) controller. The PI controller has an input of the desired power and a current feedback signal at the load. The PI controller has an output of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal which will be filtered to produce an analog signal. The analog signal controls the buck converters to allow more or less voltage into the load.

As a result of this design, the controller was able to receive power generation from an optimized solar panel as well as an optimized wind turbine. The controller received this power generation, ran it through its control structure, and was able to keep a steady voltage of 10 volts at the load. It was also able to stabilize the voltage at 10 volts within ten seconds. The controller also was able to maintain the desired percent power. The system altogether was able to power a load and acted as a larger scale microgrid

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