Course info

Welcome to Photovoltaic Power Systems - in theory and practice


Description: The objective of this course is to give an understanding of the operation, design and control of Photovoltaic Power Systems, and to provide insight into some of the key challenges for higher penetration of photovoltaic energy into the electricity network. The target audience is PhD students and practicing engineers but also researchers who aim to receive a comprehensive overview of modern photovoltaic systems. The course is structured in four days, covering topics from PV panels through power electronics and their control to PV plant design and grid integration challenges. The mornings are dedicated to lectures, while the afternoons are spent with exercises. No less than 40% of the course time is spent in the state-of-the-art Photovoltaic Systems laboratory at the Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University. The participants will make design, simulations and experimental tests, using the following advanced setups:

• Grid-connected PV inverter systems, with real-time control using dSpace® platform. The participants will be able to design, experimentally test, and tune parameters of grid controllers, PLL, voltage support, using the real-time graphical user interface Control Desk®
• Real-time simulation platform on dSpace® system, to design and analyse PLL MPPT
• High performance Spi-Sun 5600 SLP Solar simulator from Spire. Demonstration of PV panel measurements and characterisations will be provided
• Detailed Simulink®, PLECS® and Matlab® GUI models for designing and analysing PV inverter topologies, grid synchronisation and PV array modelling
• PVSyst Software platform for designing PV plants.
Selected simulation models will be included in the course material for the participants.
The mornings are dedicated to lectures, while the afternoons are spent with off-line application examples and exercises in Matlab/Simulink, and laboratory exercises focusing on Real Time implementation, where the students will apply the models and methodology in practice.

Day 1: PV panels and arrays
The theme this day focuses on different types of PV panels, their modelling and performance.
• L1A2 - PV Systems Overview, Technology & Trends
• L1B – Photovoltaic panels and systems – performance
• L1C– PV systems Modelling
• E1D1 – PV Modelling (SIM – Matlab GUI)
• E1D2 – Spire Demo (EXP – Spi-Sun 5600SLP

Day 2: PV inverters
The theme this day focuses on PV inverter structures, topologies and control techniques.
• L2A – PV Inverters Structures, Topologies and Filter Design
• L2B – Inverter Control & Harmonic Compensation
• E2C1 – Converter Topologies (SIM - PLECS)
• E2D1 – Current Control Design (SIM - MATLAB)
• E2D2 - Current Control (EXP)

Day 3: Grid interaction
The theme this day focuses on control algorithms needed specifically for PV and grid connection.
• L3A – Maximum Power Point Tracking
• L3B – MV Grid Requirements & Support with PV inverters
• E3C – MPPT (SIM - dSpace)
• E3D – Control of PV Inverters under Grid faults

Day 4: PV plants and Grid integration
The theme this day focuses grid integration and design of PV plants.
• L4A1 – Grid Synchronization
• L4A2 – Design of PV Plants
• L4B1 - LV Grid Connection & Support Requirements
• L4B2 – Grid Support in LV network with PV inverters
• E4C1 – PLL (SIM - dSpace)
• E4C2 - Design of PV Plants (SIM)
• E4D1 – Voltage Support (EXP)

Prerequisites: A degree in electrical engineering or control engineering and Matlab/Simulink knowledge is strongly recommended. The course language is English.

Form of evaluation: The evaluation is assignment based. Every day the afternoon session is dedicated to laboratory sessions, where the course participants will complete exercises based on the lectures from the morning session. A report from each laboratory exercise (10 in total) is to be submitted (uploaded to Moodle).
Passing the course requires completion of all lab exercises, as well as positive assessment of the uploaded lab reports.

Organizer: Associate Professor Tamas Kerekes, tak@et.aau.dk, Aalborg University

Lecturers: Associate Professor Tamas Kerekes, tak@et.aau.dk, Aalborg University,
Associate Professor Yongheng Yang, yoy@et.aau.dk, Aalborg University, 
Assistant Professor Ariya Sangwongwanich, ars@et.aau.dk, Aalborg University,
Associate Professor Sergiu Spataru, sersp@fotonik.dtu.dk, DTU FOTONIK

ECTS: 4

Time: 13 – 16 October 2020

Place: Aalborg University - PON

Zip code:  9220

City: Aalborg East

Number of seats: 25

Deadline: 22 September 2020

Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 5,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.