Renewable Energy & Advanced Power Electronics Research Lab
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Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper at the SGRE conference in Doha, QATAR
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper co-authored with Dr. Robert Balog, Ph.D. student Mr. Aaqib Ahmad Peerzada, and Dr. Miroslav M. Begovic entitled “Fault-Tolerant D-STATCOM Based Matrix Converter” at the 2nd International Conference on Smart Grid and Renewable Energy SGRE 2019 in Doha, Qatar on 19th November 2019.
In this paper, four-leg fault-tolerant capacitor-less power quality compensator based matrix converter topology is proposed for use in low voltage distribution networks to mitigate power quality issues. The proposed system has a reconfigurable structure and adaptive switch control schemes to allow fault-tolerant operation of the converter. Fault detection is based on the output voltage measurement error. Finite control set model predictive control is used to control the converter. This fault-tolerant capacitor-less topology is well-suited for long-life applications under hot environmental conditions. Simulation results in different open-switch fault conditions verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed solution.
Ph.D. Final Examination: Dr. Morcos Metry
REAPER Lab congratulates Dr. Morcos Metry for successfully defending his Ph.D. dissertation, “Model Predictive Control Methods for Photovoltaic Electrical Energy Conversion Systems.” Dr. Metry’s research studied the theory of finite control set model predictive control (MPC) and the application to power electronics for photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. He developed novel control algorithms based on MPC for sensorless maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the PV cells, control of single and three-phase grid-interactive inverters, and active filtering of the double-frequency power ripple within the single-phase inverter. His research resulted in a US patent application in addition to many scholarly conferences and journal publications.
Dr. Metry received his B.S. from Texas A&M University at Qatar in electrical and computer engineering, with honors, in May 2014. Then he joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA to pursue his Ph.D. in Power Electronics. Morcos is also a research trainee in the Research and Development department of Qatar Foundation. His interest areas are in photovoltaic integration with the power grid using advanced control methods.
Minjeong Kim presented her research during the Texas A&M Energy and Power Research Day, College Station, TX, USA
Ph.D. student Ms. Minjeong Kim gave a presentation entitled “Control of capacitorless ac link inverters ” at the Texas A&M Energy and Power Group Research Day in College Station, Tx, USA on November 8, 2019.
In the presentation, Minjeong discussed the advantages of an ac-link inverter over the traditional dc-link topology and presented new control methods that she developed to ensure safe and proper commutation. The dc-link capacitor is well-known to be an Achilles heel, causing reliability problems and reducing the lifetime of inverters. The ac-link inverter eliminates the rectification step in a conventional two-stage inverter and processes the square-wave link voltage directly into grid-compatible sinusoidal voltage. Ms. Kim discussed new control methods for the three-phase voltage sourced high-frequency ac link inverters and presented results from her research.
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper at the GCC Power 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Muscat, OMAN
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper co-authored with Dr. Robert Balog, Ph.D. student Mr. Aaqib Ahmad Peerzada, and Dr. Miroslav M. Begovic entitled “Use of D-STATCOM for Solid State LED Lamp Harmonic Power Mitigation” at the GCC Power 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Muscat, Oman on 29th October 2019.
In this paper, a matrix converter topology-based distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM) is proposed for use in the low voltage distribution network to compensate the harmonics generated from the LED lamps. The D-STATCOM is controlled using a finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC). This capacitor-less topology is well-suited for long-life applications under hot environmental conditions. Experimental studies were performed, and the results obtained showed the effectiveness of the proposed technology in harmonics power mitigation.
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper at the GCC Power 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Muscat, OMAN
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper co-authored with Dr. Robert Balog, Ph.D. student Mr. Aaqib Ahmad Peerzada, and Dr. Miroslav M. Begovic entitled “Capacitor-less D-STATCOM for Voltage Profile Improvement in Distribution Network with High PV Penetration” at the GCC Power 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Muscat, Oman on October 28, 2019.
In this paper, Distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM) based matrix converter (MC) is proposed for use in a low voltage distribution network to provide the necessary voltage support. This technology is reliable and has long service life as it employs inductive energy storage instead of the capacitive elements which will improve the system reliability, controlled by finite-set model predictive control. Experimental results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed technology.
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper at the GCC Power 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Muscat, OMAN
Dr. Wesam Rohouma presented a paper co-authored with Dr. Robert Balog, Ph.D. student Mr. Aaqib Ahmad Peerzada, and Dr. Miroslav M. Begovic entitled “Impact of High Capacity Distributed Photovoltaic Systems on the Mechanical Assets in Distribution Systems” at the GCC Power 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Muscat, Oman on October 28, 2019.
The paper studies the impact of the high photovoltaic penetration on the electromechanical devices present on a distribution feeder for voltage regulation. The results of the paper indicate that the tap operations of voltage regulators follow an increasing trend with the PV penetration and saturate at about 90% PV penetration on the feeder. The simulation is based on the standard IEEE 34 node feeder model, which is modified to include a high penetration of PV power.
Morcos Metry presented a paper at the GCC-CIGRE conference in Muscat, OMAN
Ph.D. student Morcos Metry presented his paper titled “Sensorless current MPPT technique for PV energy harvesting systems in the GCC” at the Gulf Corporation Countries International Council on Large Electric Systems (GCC-CIGRE) on October 28, 2019
The paper presents an MPC based framework for sensorless current maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This paper illustrates how the sensorless current MPPT reduces the hardware cost of the dc optimizer and alleviates the issues of temperature and aging drift associated with the current sensor. Such work is of particular significance to the GCC region, where soaring desert heat poses special challenges to the PV power processors. The results of this paper are analyzed in light of irradiance and temperature data collected from the city of Doha. Data for the study was provided by the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) from the outdoor test facility.
Dr. Balog attends Industry Advisory Board meeting for NSF I/UCRC and gives an update on the Texas A&M Site, Fort Collins, Colorado USA
REAPERlab hosts visit by Joint Advisory Board
The Renewable Energy and Advanced Power Electronics Lab were pleased to hosted members of the Joint Advisory Board of the Texas A&M University at Qatar for a lab tour. Research Scientist Dr. Wesam Rohouma, Research Assistant Ms. Sawsan Shukri, and Ph.D. student Morcos Metry presented their research projects. Undergraduate students Mr. Seif Elgazar, Mr. Abdelrahman Amer, and Ms. Nabila Elbeheiry presented their senior design project.
Dr. Balog gives a talk at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado USA
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