Power quality and efficiency improvements for transformerless grid connected PV inverters

PhD Thesis

Bowtell, Leslie. 2010. Power quality and efficiency improvements for transformerless grid connected PV inverters. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland.
Title

Power quality and efficiency improvements for transformerless grid connected PV inverters

TypePhD Thesis
Authors
AuthorBowtell, Leslie
SupervisorAhfock, Tony
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Qualification NameDoctor of Philosophy
Number of Pages154
Year2010
Abstract

There is currently significant growth in the number of residential scale grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. Generally, if environmental costs are not accounted for, the cost of generation from PV sources remains high compared to conventionally generated electricity. There is, therefore, a strong incentive to reduce the cost of PV systems and improve their efficiency while satisfying injected power quality standards. The focus has been on the power electronic single phase converter bridge which is typically used as interface between the DC output of the
PV panels and the terminals of the AC network. One of the two main objectives was to investigate the possibility of operating an inverter connected to the AC grid
without an interfacing power transformer, while keeping DC injection into the grid below levels specified by Australian and International Standards. A low cost
method of controlling the DC offset content of the current injected into the AC mains has been proposed. A mathematical model of the DC offset controller has
been developed and experimentally validated. A design procedure for the controller has also been developed. The second objective was to investigate the dependence of efficiency on inverter switching strategies such as bipolar and unipolar switching. It was confirmed by specially designed tests that unipolar switching meant significantly lower switching losses when compared with bipolar
switching. However, the quality of current injected into the AC mains in the case of unipolar switching was not considered acceptable because of significant current
distortion near the AC mains voltage zero crossing. A new method of inverter switching has been proposed which exploits the efficiency advantage of unipolar
switching while avoiding the problem of current distortion. The main outcomes of this project are a DC offset controller which allow transformerless operation and
an inverter switching strategy that results in significantly reduced switching losses
while maintaining the quality of injected current. Implementation of the proposed DC offset controller and inverter switching strategy will result in both capital cost
savings and higher conversion efficiency.

Keywordsgrid connected; photovoltaic systems; transformerless
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020400803. Electrical energy generation (incl. renewables, excl. photovoltaics)
Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q0wv9/power-quality-and-efficiency-improvements-for-transformerless-grid-connected-pv-inverters

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
Bowtell_2010_whole.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 2652
    total views
  • 2464
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 3
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Pyrolytic Pathway of Wheat Straw Pellet by the Thermogravimetric Analyzer
Nath, Bidhan, Bowtell, Les, Chen, Guangnan, Graham, Elizabeth and Nguyen-Huy, Thong. 2024. "Pyrolytic Pathway of Wheat Straw Pellet by the Thermogravimetric Analyzer." Energies. 17 (15). https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153693
CFDs Modeling and Simulation of Wheat Straw Pellet Combustion in a 10 kW Fixed-Bed Downdraft Reactor
Nath, Bidhan, Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Les and Mahmood, Raid Ahmed. 2024. "CFDs Modeling and Simulation of Wheat Straw Pellet Combustion in a 10 kW Fixed-Bed Downdraft Reactor." Processes. 12 (5). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050863
An investigation of thermal decomposition behavior and combustion parameter of pellets from wheat straw and additive blends by thermogravimetric analysis
Nath, Bidhan, Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Les and Graham, Elizabeth. 2024. "An investigation of thermal decomposition behavior and combustion parameter of pellets from wheat straw and additive blends by thermogravimetric analysis." International Journal of Thermofluids. 22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2024.100660
Pyrolysis of wheat straw pellets in a pilot-scale reactor: Effect of temperature and residence time
Nath, Bidhan, Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Les and Nguyen-Huy, Thong. 2024. "Pyrolysis of wheat straw pellets in a pilot-scale reactor: Effect of temperature and residence time." Energy Science and Engineering. 12 (8), pp. 3524-3539. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.1833
Kinetic mechanism of wheat straw pellets combustion process with a thermogravimetric analyser
Nath, Bidhan, Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Les and Graham, Elizabeth. 2023. "Kinetic mechanism of wheat straw pellets combustion process with a thermogravimetric analyser." Heliyon. 9 (10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20602
Investigation of Gas Release from Recycled Plastic Shopping Bags during Melting at Low Temperatures
Eberhard, Susette, Bowtell, Les, Lenske, Brian and Islam, Mainul. 2023. "Investigation of Gas Release from Recycled Plastic Shopping Bags during Melting at Low Temperatures." Advances in Materials Science and Engineering. 2023, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2378231
Assessment of Densified Fuel Quality Parameters: A Case Study for Wheat Straw Pellet
Nath, Bidhan, Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Les and Mahmood, Raid Ahmed. 2023. "Assessment of Densified Fuel Quality Parameters: A Case Study for Wheat Straw Pellet." Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts. 8 (1), pp. 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2022.10.001
Addition of Activated Carbon into a Cattle Diet to Mitigate GHG Emissions and Improve Production
Al-Azzawi, Mohammed, Bowtell, Les, Hancock, Kerry and Preston, Sarah. 2021. "Addition of Activated Carbon into a Cattle Diet to Mitigate GHG Emissions and Improve Production." Sustainability. 13 (15), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158254
Innovative capacitive deionization-degaussing approach for improving adsorption/desorption for macadamia nutshell biochar
Al-juboori, Raed A., Bakly, Salam, Bowtell, Les, Alkurdi, Susan S.A. and Altaee, Ali. 2022. "Innovative capacitive deionization-degaussing approach for improving adsorption/desorption for macadamia nutshell biochar." Journal of Water Process Engineering. 47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.102786
Power effect of ultrasonically vibrated spacers in air gap membrane distillation: Theoretical and experimental investigations
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Naji, Osamah, Bowtell, Les, Alpatova, Alla, Soukane, Sofiane and Ghaffour, Norreddine. 2021. "Power effect of ultrasonically vibrated spacers in air gap membrane distillation: Theoretical and experimental investigations." Separation and Purification Technology. 262, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118319
Biochar effects on nutrients retention and release of hydroponics growth media
Haraz, Mohammed Taha, Bowtell, Les and Al-Juboori, Raed. 2020. "Biochar effects on nutrients retention and release of hydroponics growth media." Journal of Agricultural Science. 12 (7). https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v12n8p1
Inorganic arsenic species removal from water using bone char: A detailed study on adsorption kinetic and isotherm models using error functions analysis
Alkurdi, Susan S. A., Al-juboori, Raed A., Bundschuh, Jochen, Bowtell, Les and Marchuk, Alla. 2021. "Inorganic arsenic species removal from water using bone char: A detailed study on adsorption kinetic and isotherm models using error functions analysis." Journal of Hazardous Materials. 405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124112
A review of measuring, assessing and mitigating heat stress in dairy cattle
Ji, Boyu, Banhazi, Thomas, Perano, Kristen, Ghahramani, Afshin, Bowtell, Les, Wang, Chaoyuan and Li, Baoming. 2020. "A review of measuring, assessing and mitigating heat stress in dairy cattle." Biosystems Engineering. 199, pp. 4-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.07.009
Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 4: Time constant and cumulative effects of heat stress
Ji, Boyu, Banhazi, Thomas, Ghahramani, Afshin, Bowtell, Les, Wang, Chaoyuan and Li, Baoming. 2020. "Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 4: Time constant and cumulative effects of heat stress." Biosystems Engineering. 199, pp. 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.07.014
Effect of pyrolysis conditions on bone char characterization and its ability for arsenic and fluoride removal
Alkurdi, Susan S. A., Al-juboori, Raed A., Bundschuh, Jochen, Bowtell, Les and McKnight, Stafford. 2020. "Effect of pyrolysis conditions on bone char characterization and its ability for arsenic and fluoride removal ." Environmental Pollution. 262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114221
Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 3: rumination and milking performance
Ji, Boyu, Banhazi, Thomas, Ghahramani, Afshin, Bowtell, Les, Wang, Chaoyuan and Li, Baoming. 2020. "Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 3: rumination and milking performance." Biosystems Engineering. 199, pp. 58-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.02.006
Direct contact ultrasound for fouling control and flux enhancement in air-gap membrane distillation
Naji, Osamah, Al-juboori, Raed, Bowtell, Les, Alpatova, Alla and Ghaffour, Noreddine. 2020. "Direct contact ultrasound for fouling control and flux enhancement in air-gap membrane distillation." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 61, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104816
Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 2: identifying the specific thresholds with production factors
Ji, Boyu, Banhazi, Thomas, Ghahramani, Afshin, Bowtell, Les, Wang, Chaoyuan and Li, Baoming. 2020. "Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 2: identifying the specific thresholds with production factors." Biosystems Engineering. 199, pp. 43-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2019.11.005
Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 1: thermal comfort indices as the indicators of production loss
Ji, Boyu, Banhazi, Thomas, Ghahramani, Afshin, Bowtell, Les, Wang, Chaoyuan and Li, Baoming. 2020. "Modelling of heat stress in a robotic dairy farm. Part 1: thermal comfort indices as the indicators of production loss." Biosystems Engineering. 199, pp. 27-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2019.11.004
Macadamia Nutshell Biochar for Nitrate Removal: Effect of Biochar Preparation and Process Parameters
Bakly, Salam, Al-juboori, Raed A. and Bowtell, Les. 2019. "Macadamia Nutshell Biochar for Nitrate Removal: Effect of Biochar Preparation and Process Parameters ." C: journal of carbon research. 5 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/c5030047
Pulsed ultrasound as an energy saving mode for ultrasound treatment of surface water with terrestrial aquatic carbon
Al-juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal and Bowtell, Les. 2018. "Pulsed ultrasound as an energy saving mode for ultrasound treatment of surface water with terrestrial aquatic carbon." Desalination and Water Treatment. 135, pp. 167-176. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2018.23173
Effect of air gap membrane distillation parameters on the removal of fluoride from synthetic water
Naji, Osamah, Bowtell, Les, Al-juboori, Raed A., Aravinthan, Vasantha and Ghaffour, Noreddine. 2018. "Effect of air gap membrane distillation parameters on the removal of fluoride from synthetic water." Desalination and Water Treatment. 124, pp. 11-20. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2018.22694
Face-to-face instruction combined with online resources improves retention of clinical skills among undergraduate nursing students
Terry, Victoria R., Terry, Peter C., Moloney, Clint and Bowtell, Les. 2018. "Face-to-face instruction combined with online resources improves retention of clinical skills among undergraduate nursing students." Nurse Education Today. 61, pp. 15-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2017.10.014
Investigation of ethanol production potential from lignocellulosic material without enzymatic hydrolysis using the ultrasound technique
Kandasamy, Manoj, Hamawand, Ihsan, Bowtell, Leslie, Seneweera, Saman, Chakrabarty, Sayan, Yusaf, Talal, Shakoor, Zaidoon, Algayyim, Sattar and Eberhard, Friederike. 2017. "Investigation of ethanol production potential from lignocellulosic material without enzymatic hydrolysis using the ultrasound technique." Energies. 10 (1), pp. 62-73. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10010062
Gasification of non-woody biomass: a literature review
Widjaya, Elita R., Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Les and Hills, Catherine. 2018. "Gasification of non-woody biomass: a literature review." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 89, pp. 184-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.023
Energy conversion efficiency of pulsed ultrasound
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal and Bowtell, Leslie. 2015. "Energy conversion efficiency of pulsed ultrasound." The 7th International Conference on Applied Energy - ICAE2015. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 28 - 31 Mar 2015 Netherlands. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.340
Investigating natural organic carbon removal and structural alteration induced by pulsed ultrasound
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Investigating natural organic carbon removal and structural alteration induced by pulsed ultrasound." Science of the Total Environment. 541, pp. 1019-1030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.143
Insights into the scalability of magnetostrictive ultrasound technology for water treatment applications
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Bowtell, Leslie A., Yusaf, Talal and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2016. "Insights into the scalability of magnetostrictive ultrasound technology for water treatment applications." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 28, pp. 357-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.08.013
Online intravenous pump emulator: as effective as face-to-face simulation for training nursing students
Terry, Victoria R., Moloney, Clint, Bowtell, Leslie and Terry, Peter C.. 2016. "Online intravenous pump emulator: as effective as face-to-face simulation for training nursing students." Nurse Education Today. 40, pp. 198-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.03.004
Tracking ultrasonically structural changes of natural aquatic organic carbon: chemical fractionation and spectroscopic approaches
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Aravinthan, Vasantha and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Tracking ultrasonically structural changes of natural aquatic organic carbon: chemical fractionation and spectroscopic approaches." Chemosphere. 145, pp. 231-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.11.079
Assessing the application and downstream effects of pulsed mode ultrasound as a pre-treatment for alum coagulation
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Aravinthan, Vasantha, Yusaf, Talal and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Assessing the application and downstream effects of pulsed mode ultrasound as a pre-treatment for alum coagulation." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 31, pp. 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.11.028
A preliminary assessment of cotton gin waste-mixture co-gasification performance
Widjaya, Elita R., Chen, Guangnan, Bowtell, Leslie and Hills, Catherine. 2015. "A preliminary assessment of cotton gin waste-mixture co-gasification performance." 2nd International Conference on Agriculture, Environment and Biological Sciences (ICAEBS'15). Bali, Indonesia 16 - 17 Aug 2015
Investigating the feasibility and the optimal location of pulsed ultrasound in surface water treatment schemes
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Aravinthan, Vasantha, Pittaway, Pamela A. and Bowtell, Leslie. 2016. "Investigating the feasibility and the optimal location of pulsed ultrasound in surface water treatment schemes." Desalination and Water Treatment. 57 (11), pp. 4769-4787. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.996771
Energy characterisation of ultrasonic systems for industrial processes
Al-Juboori, Raed A., Yusaf, Talal, Bowtell, Leslie and Aravinthan, Vasantha. 2015. "Energy characterisation of ultrasonic systems for industrial processes." Ultrasonics. 57, pp. 18-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultras.2014.10.003
Improving clinical practice outcomes for nurses with an interactive emulator
Bowtell, Les, Kist, Alexander A., Osbourne, Daniel and Parker, Victoria. 2013. "Improving clinical practice outcomes for nurses with an interactive emulator." 2013 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON). Berlin, Germany 13 - 15 Mar 2013 United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/EduCon.2013.6530246
Student focus groups
Gibbings, Peter and Bowtell, Les. 2013. "Student focus groups." Lemckert, Charles, Jenkins, Graham and Lang-Lemckert, Susan (ed.) 24th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2013). Gold Coast, Australia 08 - 11 Dec 2013 Brisbane, Australia.
Interactive emulator system to aid clinical practice outcomes for nurses
Bowtell, Les, Kist, Alexander A., Osbourne, Daniel and Parker, Victoria R.. 2013. "Interactive emulator system to aid clinical practice outcomes for nurses." International Journal of Online Engineering. 9 (S5), pp. 32-37. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v9iS5.2771
Enhancing nursing education with remote access laboratories
Bowtell, Les, Moloney, Clint, Kist, Alexander A., Parker, Victoria, Maxwell, Andrew and Reedy, Natasha. 2012. "Enhancing nursing education with remote access laboratories." International Journal of Online Engineering. 8 (Special Issue), pp. 52-59. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v8iS4.2279
Using remote access laboratories in nursing education
Bowtell, Les, Moloney, Clint, Kist, Alexander A., Parker, Victoria, Maxwell, Andrew and Reedy, Natasha. 2012. "Using remote access laboratories in nursing education." 9th International Conference on Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV 2012). Bilbao, Spain 04 - 06 Jun 2012 Piscataway, NJ. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/REV.2012.6293148
Comparison between unipolar and bipolar single phase grid-connected inverters for PV applications
Bowtell, Les and Ahfock, Tony. 2007. "Comparison between unipolar and bipolar single phase grid-connected inverters for PV applications." AUPEC 2007: 17th Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference. Perth, Australia 09 - 12 Dec 2007 Australia. https://doi.org/10.1109/AUPEC.2007.4548098
Dynamic analysis of a DC offset controller for grid-connected inverters
Bowtell, L. A. and Ahfock, A. L.. 2010. "Dynamic analysis of a DC offset controller for grid-connected inverters." Duke, Richard (ed.) AUPEC 2010: Power Quality for the 21st Century. Christchurch, New Zealand 05 - 08 Dec 2010 United States.
Direct current offset controller for transformerless single-phase photovoltaic grid-connected inverters
Bowtell, L. and Ahfock, A.. 2010. "Direct current offset controller for transformerless single-phase photovoltaic grid-connected inverters." IET Renewable Power Generation. 4 (5), pp. 428-437. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-rpg.2009.0043
DC offset elimination in a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system
Ahfock, Tony L. and Bowtell, Leslie. 2006. "DC offset elimination in a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system." AUPEC 2006: 16th Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference. Melbourne, Australia 10 - 13 Dec 2006 Melbourne, Australia.