Transforming Hybrid Micro-Grids from Theory into Reality through Innovative Power Electronics Technology

在全球范围内，能源行业正在放弃使用化石燃料能源，因为它们的供应有限，而且人们对气候变化的担忧日益加剧。这种转变可以在加拿大观察到，在那里，风能和太阳能是增长最快的能源。因此，人们对开发必要的技术以使可再生能源走在前列非常感兴趣。微电网允许可再生能源系统集成到电力系统中，使其成为未来电力系统的主要组成部分。有三种类型的微电网：交流、直流和混合微电网。交流微电网一直是一个活跃的研究课题，因为目前的电网基础设施是基于交流输电的。因此，交流微电网可以用于将可再生能源整合到当前的基础设施中。然而，直流源/负载(例如太阳能、LED、电池、智能手机、充电器、计算机、服务器)的指数增长使得直流微电网的发展变得令人向往。到目前为止，直流微电网的应用仅限于电信等少数几个应用领域，混合型微电网可以有效地将直流源/负载与交流电网基础设施结合起来。因此，它们利用了直流系统的效率，同时也能够使用当前的交流电网基础设施。功率变流器是混合微电网中的关键部件，因为它们控制着微网内部和公用电网的潮流。混合微电网的结构带来了一系列新的挑战，必须由电力转换器来解决。电力变流器应该能够平稳运行混合微电网，并管理交流侧和直流侧之间的相互作用。因此，混合微电网需要具有更先进控制系统的功率变流器来执行其期望的功能。我对这一拟议研究计划的长期愿景是开发新的功率变流器，利用为混合微电网量身定做的先进非线性控制技术，使其能够无缝地将可再生能源集成到当前的交流电网基础设施中。目前，集中控制模式用于通过通信系统协调不同组件。遗憾的是，这种方法是不可靠的，并且极大地限制了混合微电网中每个组件的性能。在这项研究计划中，将开发一种基于多智能体混合控制系统的分散控制范例，以最大限度地提高功率变流器的性能，使混合微电网能够稳健运行。拟议的混合微电网将在人口稠密和偏远地区提供可靠和高效的电力，使其非常适合加拿大广阔的地理环境。这项研究计划将为快速增长的能源行业的高质量工作培训HQP(2个博士和5个硕士)，并将加拿大带入混合微电网技术的前沿。

Globally, the energy industry is shifting away from using fossil-fuel based energies due to their finite supply and rising concerns about climate change. This shift can be observed in Canada, where wind and solar energy are the fastest growing energy sources. As a result, there is a great interest in developing the technology necessary to bring renewable energy to the forefront. Micro-grids allow renewable energy systems to be integrated into the power system, making them the main building blocks of future power systems. There are three types of micro-grids: AC, DC, and hybrid micro-grids. AC micro-grids have been an active research topic, as the current grid infrastructure is based on AC power delivery. Thus, AC micro-grids can be used to integrate renewable energy sources into the current infrastructure. However, the exponential growth of DC sources/loads (e.g., solar power, LEDs, batteries, smartphones, chargers, computers, servers) make the development of a DC micro-grid desirable. Thus far, the use of DC micro-grids has been limited to a few applications such as telecom.Hybrid micro-grids can effectively combine DC sources/loads with the AC grid infrastructure. Thus, they take advantage of the efficiency of a DC system, while also being able to use the current AC grid infrastructure. Power converters are key components used in hybrid micro-grids, because they control the power flow within micro-grids and to the utility grid. The structure of hybrid micro-grids introduces a new set of challenges that must be addressed by power converters. Power converters should be able to smoothly operate hybrid micro-grids and manage the interactions between their AC and DC sides. Thus, hybrid micro-grids require power converters with more advanced control systems to perform their desired functions.My long-term vision for this proposed research program is to develop new power converters that utilize advanced nonlinear control techniques tailored for hybrid micro-grids, which allow them to seamlessly integrate renewable energy sources into the current AC grid infrastructure. Currently, a centralized control paradigm is used to harmonize different components through communication systems. Unfortunately, this approach is unreliable and highly limits the performance of each component within the hybrid micro-grid. In this research program, a decentralized control paradigm will be developed based on the use of a multi-agent hybrid control system that can maximize the performance of power converters and enable hybrid micro-grids to operate robustly. The proposed hybrid micro-grids will provide reliable and efficient electricity in both populated and remote areas, making it well-suited towards the vast geography of Canada. This research program will train HQP (2 PhD, and 5 MSc) for high-quality jobs in the fast-growing energy sector and bring Canada to the forefront of hybrid micro-grid technology.