Pico-hydro systems: microgrid-connection approaches
Small hydropower systems are considered an environmentally friendly energy option. They have a huge untapped potential which allows them to make a more significant contribution to future energy demand with many advantages. The integration of pico-hydro systems into microgrids is an emerging solution...
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| Outros Autores: | , , |
| Formato: | conferenceObject |
| Idioma: | eng |
| Publicado em: |
2018
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| Assuntos: | |
| Texto completo: | http://hdl.handle.net/10198/17000 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Oai: | oai:bibliotecadigital.ipb.pt:10198/17000 |
| Resumo: | Small hydropower systems are considered an environmentally friendly energy option. They have a huge untapped potential which allows them to make a more significant contribution to future energy demand with many advantages. The integration of pico-hydro systems into microgrids is an emerging solution for the electrification of remote areas and for self-sustainable power systems. This paper presents and discusses the three main grid connection approaches for pico-hydro systems focused on the integration in small microgrids: using specifically designed power converters, using standard wind inverters and using standard photovoltaic inverters. These latest approaches based on conventional inverters are able to explore a large amount of feasible sites with low-head and very low-head. They improve efficiencies, reduce costs and environmental impacts and improve reliability. Experimental evaluation of the performance in steady-state and in dynamic conditions proves the feasibility of these innovative approaches. |
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