P1567 December 2013

Implementation of the model

of a solar inverter
Revision D

Created for

Austrian Institute of
Technology GmbH

DIgSILENT GmbH
Heinrich-Hertz-Strasse 9
D-72810 Gomaringen
Tel.: +49 7072 9168 - 0
Fax: +49 7072 9168- 88
http://www.digsilent.de
E-mail: mail@digsilent.de

Contact:
Manuel Castillo
Tel.: +49-7072-9168-61
E-mail: m.castillo@digsilent.de

Comments

Rev.

Created

Date

Review

Date

Peter Lilje

August 23, 2012

Sabine Seeger

24.08.2012

Peter Lilje

September 3, 2012

Slight improvements

Peter Lilje

September 26, 2012

Description of
Qcontrol and
Pf_Reduction

C
D

M. Castillo

December 12, 2013

Version 2.1

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Model description................................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Model of the "Converter" plug-in unit ....................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Model of the "Curr_Ctrl" plug-in unit ........................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Model of the "Udc_Control" plug-in unit ................................................................................................. 10
2.4 Model of the "Power-Freq Reduction" plug-in unit ................................................................................... 12
2.5 Model of the "Protection" plug-in unit..................................................................................................... 13
2.6 Model of the "Q Control Mode" plug-in unit............................................................................................. 13
2.7 Model of the plug-in units of measuring instruments ............................................................................... 14
3 Test simulations ................................................................................................................................. 15
3.1 Test 0: Reduction of available power ..................................................................................................... 15
3.2 Test 1: Symmetric short circuit at 0% voltage (MV) ................................................................................. 15
3.3 Test 2: Symmetric short circuit at 30% voltage (LV) ................................................................................ 15
3.4 Test 3: Symmetric short circuit at 77% voltage (LV) ................................................................................ 15
3.5 Test 4: Asymmetric short circuit at 53% voltage (positive-sequence system, LV) ....................................... 15
3.6 Test 5: Asymmetric short circuit at 65% voltage (positive-sequence system, LV) ....................................... 16
3.7 Test 6: Asymmetric short circuit at 88% voltage (positive-sequence system, LV) ....................................... 16
3.8 Test 7:Change of the prescribed reactive power...................................................................................... 16
3.9 Test 8: Change of the prescribed active power ....................................................................................... 16
3.10 Test 9: Change of the mains frequency ................................................................................................ 16
3.11 Test 10: Rise-in-voltage protection....................................................................................................... 16
4 Instruction for using the model ........................................................................................................ 17
5 Sources ............................................................................................................................................... 18

Rev. D

1 Introduction
The Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH has contracted DIgSILENT GmbH to produce a model of a 680 kVA
solar inverter of the Schneider Electric Company. The model must be appropriate for simulating symmetric and
asymmetric errors.
The active power (and consequently the active current) is generated by radiation on the PV cells. The DC-link
voltage is set to the optimum operating point and regulated by changed in the active power. The inverter
controller sets the reactive current based on the current and prescribed reactive power.
In the case of an error (symmetric or asymmetric), current-supporting reactive current is fed in. This additional
reactive current is calculated dependent on the current. There is no function for limiting the current to phases,
which are not affected by an error.
The model has been developed using the standard software PowerFactory Version 14.1. The inverter has been
designed based on a "static generator", which behaves like a power source in the simulation in the time range
(RMS). The controller has been developed in the dynamic simulation language DSL (DIgSILENT Simulation
Language) integrated in PowerFactory.
The model is contained in the PowerFactory file "Schneider_Conext_XC_680kVA_v2_1.pfd". An encrypted version
of the model is contained in "Schneider_Conext_XC_680kVA_v2_1_enc.pfd". It contains the control of the solar
inverter for normal operation and for error cases.
This report describes the model and the result of a few test simulations.

2 Model description
Figure 1 shows the model of the solar inverter incl. connection to an external transformer and an external electric
power system. The results of a load flow calculation are shown as an example. Typical transformer parameters
were used.
Figure 2 shows the wiring diagram, i.e., the connections of the inverter model, control models and measuring
instrument models as they are used for dynamic tests. The blocks are called "plug-in units" and the lines "signals"
in PowerFactory. The signals id_ref and iq_ref create the current target values of the static generator model in a
dq reference system. The dq reference system is defined by the current angle measurement (block "PLL"), so
that current in steady state in the d axis is active current and current in the q axis is reactive current. These
target values are calculated in a controller model, which is contained in the plug-in unit "Curr_Ctrl". A separate
model, which is contained in the plug-in unit "Q Control Mode", calculated the required reactive power for normal
operation. This is either the reactive power Q_user prescribed by the user or the reactive power, which results
from a prescribed power factor and the current active power. The controller models require several measuring
instruments, which are contained in the plug-in units "PQ_Meas", "Ulv_Meas" and "VT_prot". The plug-in unit
"Protection" is designed for a model of the protection relay. This model also requires measurement of the mains
frequency, which is measured in "PLL_prot". The "Power-Freq Reduction" plug-in unit is designed for a model,
which reduces the active power at excessive mains frequency.
The models are described below, which are assigned to the individual plug-in units.

Rev. D

Figure 1: Solar inverter and connection to an external electric power supply

Rev. D

DIgSILENT

Control_Frame:

Spare

id_ref

PQ_Meas
StaPq*
1

Power-Freq Reduction
ElmPf_*
1

P_f

iqref

2
3

iq_ref

Ulv_Meas
StaVmea*

Converter
ElmGenstat*
0

Q_user

Pfactor_user

Spare

Qset
Q Control Mode
ElmQco*

Curr_Ctrl 3
ElmCur*

Spare

Spare

Puser
6

P_dem

0
0

idref

1Udc_Control 1

PLL
ElmPhi*

cosref
sinref

ElmUdc*
Hold
3

PLL_prot
ElmPhi*

Protection
ElmPro*
1

VT_prot
StaVt*

Uar;Uai;Ubr;Ubi;Ucr;Uci

Figure 2: Wiring diagram

2.1 Model of the "Converter" plug-in unit

The inverter has been designed based on the static generator model, which has been configured as power
source: cf. Table 1. The power diagram, which is shown in Figure 3, has been saved in the static generator
model. The power diagram refers to current limitation of 100% (i.e., 1.03 kA) and an apparent power limitation
of 100%. The reactive power limitation is considered in the load flow calculation (if the respective calculation
option is set accordingly).

Table 1: Solar inverter model

Input parameters

Value

Nominal apparent power

680 kVA

Active power

Depending on the operating point

Reactive power

Depending on the operating point

Capability curve

Reference to "ConexctXC_680kVA"

Rev. D

1.2

Active power, p.u.

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.5

-0.4

-0.3

-0.2

-0.1

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

Reactive power, p.u.

Figure 2: Pow er diagram w ith different currents, 100% (green), 95% (orange) and 90% (red)

2.2 Model of the "Curr_Ctrl" plug-in unit

The controller, which calculated the current target values, has been implemented using the PowerFactory
simulation language DSL. Figure 3 displays a diagram of the controller type "Current_Control".
The input "u" shows the measured voltage in the positive-sequence system. "Quser" is the required reactive
power in normal operation. "Qcap" is not used. "P_dem" is the active power required by the voltage regulator of
the DC-link voltage. The active power is limited due to excessive frequency by "P_f". An additional DSL model can
be connected to "Puser" to show an active power limitation by the public utility.
The outputs idr and iqr are the current target values in p.u., which are connected with the inverter model in the
wiring diagram.
The block "Fault" detects an error if the voltage falls below "Umin" or increases above "Umax". The block "Fault"
calculates additional reactive current based on the K factor, which must be fed in case of an error.
The required reactive power "Quser" is transmitted as "Qcorr" to the block "Qlim" in normal operation. The
reactive current of the previous error is to be considered in case of an error after TC2007. Consequently in case
of an error, the signal "Qcorr" receives either the value Qpv*u/Umin or Qpv*u/Umax, depending on whether the
voltage is below Umin or above Umax. The block "Qlim" limits the reactive power "Qreq", so that the maximum
apparent power "Smax" and the maximum "Imax" or "Imax_unbal" are not exceeded. The maximum apparent
power depends on the voltage. This dependency is given in Table 3, in which Smax_x shows the voltage and
Smax_y the apparent power limitation. If there are symmetric errors, the reactive power is limited to "Imax", and
it is limited to "Imax_unbal" in the case of asymmetric errors. Errors are detected as asymmetric if the difference
between maximum phase-to-phase voltage and minimum phase-to-phase voltage is more than 20%.

Rev. D

At substantial power dips, phase measurement is blocked. You can find additional information about this blocking
in Chapter 2.7.
The parameters and typical settings are listed in Table 2. These parameters are entered in the general model
"Curr_Control", which refers to "Current_Control".
The block "Plim" limits the active power to the lowest of the following signals: "P_dem", "P_f", "Puser" and
(Smax*Smax-Qref*Qref).

DIgSILENT

The block PQ_2_idq calculates the outputs "iqr" and "idr". The signal "iqr" follows the signal Qref/u with PT-1
behavior (time constant "Tcc"), which displays the dynamics of the inverter simplified.

Current_Control:

Qcap

Qpv

Qcorr

Quser
u

um

1/(sT+1)
Tm

Qreq

Quser_corr
Umin,Umax

Uai
Ubr

Ubi

Ucr

Uci

2
umin_umax
3Vnom,Tm
4

minU

maxU

Fault
Umin,Umax,Dip,Swell,Tpick,Tdro,K 1

PQ_2_idq
Tcc,Im
ax,Tdro,Ram..
1

Flt

Qref

dQ
Uar

iqr

Qlim
Qmax,Imax,Imax_unbal

Smax

Calc_Smax
array_Smax

Pr
P_dem
9
10
11

P_f
Puser

idr

Plim
Imax

2
3

Figure 3: Controller type "Current_Control"

Rev. D

Table 2: Parameter of the general model "Curr_Control, Part 1

Table 3: Parameter of the general model "Curr_Control, Part 2

Rev. D

Table 4: Parameter of the general model "Curr_Control, Part 3

2.3 Model of the "Udc_Control" plug-in unit

The model "Udc_Control" is shown in Figure 4. It calculates the active power "P_PV" from the available power
"Psun" and the DC voltage "udc" based on a typical characteristic of a PV panel. The available power "Psun" is
initialized based on the load flow calculation, and it is assumed that the inverter is operating at the optimum
operating point at the time. The behavior of a maximum power point tracker is not modeled. The same powervoltage characteristic is used for different active powers, and the DC voltage is always initialized and controlled at
the value 1.0 p.u.
The difference between the power "P_PV" (in p.u.) fed into the DC link and the AC output power "Pout" (in p.u.)
is used to calculate the charging or discharging of the DC link capacity. The inverter losses are not considered.
The deviation in the DC voltage from the target value "udc_ref" is used in a PI controller to calculate the target
active current. The target active power "P_dem" is calculated from this active power based on the the AC voltage.
The signal "Hold" can be used to stop the integrator of the PI controller, but it is not used in this model.
The target active power is not actually determined by a simple PI controller, but instead in a complicated
controller that calculates the saved energy of the capacitor. This controller is not used in this model. Because the
inverter has been designed as power source, the dependency between DC voltage and AC voltage is not
considered at any rate, which means in the end that the design of the DC link is of little importance in this model.

Rev. D

10

DIgSILENT

Udc_Control:

udc_ref

MaxI
1.2

Psun

PV
array_PV

P_PV

dP

Cap
C,Pn,Udcn

udc

dUdc

Pout
2

{K+1/sT}
Kd,Td

Id_dem

P_dem

Hold
3

1/(1+sT)
Tm

um

Figure 4: Controller type "Udc_Control"

The parameters of the general model, which refer to the controller type "Udc_Control", are listed in Table 5 and Table 6.

Table 5: Parameter of the general model "Udc_Control, Part 1

Rev. D

11

Table 6: Parameter of the general model "Udc_Control, Part 2

2.4 Model of the "Power-Freq Reduction" plug-in unit

The "PFC_PowerReduction" model calculates the limiting power "P_f", which takes effect if there is
overfrequency. The power is limited if the frequency increases above "f_enable". The maximum power then drops
from the initial power with the slope "Pf_slope" (p.u. Initial power/s). If the frequency falls below "f_reset", the
limitation is canceled.

Table 7: Parameter of the general model "Power(f)Control"

Rev. D

12

2.5 Model of the "Protection" plug-in unit

The protection relay model disconnects the inverter from the mains if there is overvoltage, undervoltage,
overfrequency or underfrequency. Table 8 lists the typical setting values of the protection relay model.

Table 8: Parameter of the general model "Protection"

2.6 Model of the "Q Control Mode" plug-in unit

This model transmits the target reactive power to the "Curr_Control" model. Table 9 lists the typical settings of
the model. If the controller mode on "Qcontrol_mode" is set to 0, the reactive power is set to the signal
"Q_user". If the controller mode on "Qcontrol_mode" is set to 1, the target reactive power is calculated based on
the "Pfactor_user" and the active power delayed with the PT-1 element (time constant Tpw). The signals
"Q_user" and "Pfactor_user" are initialized based on the load flow calculation, but can be changed either with a
user-defined event of by a system controller (not included).

Rev. D

13

Table 9: Parameter of the general model "Q control"

2.7 Model of the plug-in units of measuring instruments

A total of five PowerFactory measuring instruments are required for the solar inverter model.
The voltage measurement "Ulv_measurement" calculates the positive-sequence voltage at the 380 V terminal.
The voltage transformer "Protection VT" is in the field, which connects the static generator with terminal "LV". It
transmits the phase-to-phase voltage to the protection relay "Protection".
The power measuring instrument "PQ_Measurement" measures the power of the inverter in p.u. with respect to
680 kVA (nominal power of the static generator).
The PLL (phase-locked loop) "PhaseMeas" calculates the phase of the voltage at terminal "LV" and consequently
defines the dq reference system. The PLL parameters Kp and Ki have been set in such a way that the dynamics
of PLL approximate the dynamics of the MATLAB model provided. If the voltage falls below "umin_PLL" (a
parameter of the "Curr_Control"), the phase measurement is stopped. When voltage increases again, phase
measurement is restarted.
The PLL "FreqMeas" calculates the main frequency, which is used in "Protection" and "Power(f)Control".

Rev. D

14

3 Test simulations
The PowerFactory file contains examples of several test simulations. The test simulations and their results are
described below.

3.1 Test 0: Reduction of available power

Sudden reduction of available power was simulated, in that the signal "Psun" of the "Udc_Control" was set from
0.90 p.u. to 0.40 p.u. with an event. The simulation results show that the active power dips for a short time to
0.39 p.u., but then stabilizes at a value of 0.40 p.u. The reactive power changes for a short time, but less than
2%. It levels off again within approx. 100 ms.

3.2 Test 1: Symmetric short circuit at 0% voltage (MV)

A symmetric short circuit on the busbar "MV" lasting 150 ms and a resulting residual voltage of 0% on "MV" was
simulated. At voltage dip, the reactive current fed in increases to 100% after approx. 20 ms. Because the voltage
falls below "umin_PLL", the phase measurement is blocked, which is also reported in the output window. After
the error has been eliminated, phase measurement is restarted.

3.3 Test 2: Symmetric short circuit at 30% voltage (LV)

A symmetric short circuit on the busbar "MV" lasting 250 ms and a resulting residual voltage of approx. 30% on
"LV" was simulated. The reactive power before the error was 200 kVar inductive (underexcited) and the reactive
current before the error approx. 29%. The reactive current increases to approx. 92% during the error, which fits
to the expected reactive current. A manual calculation results in -29% + 2*(90%-30%) = 91%. Because the
voltage falls below "umin_PLL", the phase measurement is blocked.

3.4 Test 3: Symmetric short circuit at 77% voltage (LV)

A symmetric short circuit on the busbar "MV" lasting 1000 ms and a resulting residual voltage of approx. 77% on
"LV" was simulated. The reactive power before the error was 150 kVar capacitive (overexcited) and the reactive
current before the error approx. 22%. The reactive current increases to approx. 51% during the error, which fits
to the expected reactive current. A manual calculation results in 22% + 2*(90%-77%) = 48%. The phase
measurement is not blocked in this case.

3.5 Test 4: Asymmetric short circuit at 53% voltage (positive-sequence system,

LV)
An asymmetric short circuit on the busbar "MV" lasting 150 ms and a resulting positive-sequence voltage of
approx. 53% on "LV" was simulated. The reactive power before the error was 0 kVar. The reactive current

Rev. D

15

increases to approx. 40% during the error, which fits to the expected reactive current. A manual calculation
results in 0% + 2*(90%-53%) = 74%, but the current is limited to 40%. The phase measurement is not blocked
in this case.

3.6 Test 5: Asymmetric short circuit at 65% voltage (positive-sequence system,

LV)
An asymmetric short circuit on the busbar "MV" lasting 250 ms and a resulting positive-sequence voltage of
approx. 65% on "LV" was simulated. The reactive power before the error was 200 kVar inductive (underexcited)
and the reactive current before the error approx. -29%. The reactive current increases to approx. 18% during the
error, which fits to the expected reactive current. A manual calculation results in -29% + 2*(90%-65%) = 21%.
The phase measurement is not blocked in this case.

3.7 Test 6: Asymmetric short circuit at 88% voltage (positive-sequence system,

LV)
An asymmetric short circuit on the busbar "MV" lasting 1000 ms and a resulting positive-sequence voltage of
approx. 88% on "LV" was simulated. The reactive power before the error was 0 kVar. The reactive current
increases to approx. 4% during the error, which fits to the expected reactive current. A manual calculation results
in 0% + 2*(90%-88%) = 4%. The phase measurement is not blocked in this case.

3.8 Test 7:Change of the prescribed reactive power

In this simulation, the prescribed reactive power, i.e., the reactive power target value, was changed from 0% to 50%, to 50% and finally to 20%. The simulation result shows that the reactive power follows the target value,
but that the reactive power is limited between -40% and 40%. With active power of 400 kW, these limits
correspond to the power diagram in Figure 2.

3.9 Test 8: Change of the prescribed active power

In this simulation, the prescribed active power, i.e., the active power target value, was changed from 1 to 0.9
(capacitive), to 1, to 0.9 (inductive) and finally to 0.7 (capacitive). The simulation result shows that the active
power follows the target value, but that the reactive power is limited to 40% after the last event, which
corresponds to the limit in the power diagram in Figure 2.

3.10 Test 9: Change of the mains frequency

The mains frequency was reduced in this simulation. The inertia constant of mains is set temporarily to a small
value, and a load is connected that results in the frequency decreasing. The inverter control reacts to the
decreasing frequency starting from 50.2 Hz, and the active power is reduced.

3.11 Test 10: Rise-in-voltage protection

The mains voltage was increased in this simulation, which resulted in switching off the inverter.

Rev. D

16

4 Instruction for using the model

The model can be used for simulating normal operation and mains errors (symmetric and asymmetric voltage
dips and power reduction at increased mains frequency). In normal operation, the model either sets the required
reactive power (signal "Q_user" of Q Control) or it sets the reactive power based on the required power factor
(signal "Pfactor_user" of Q Control) depending on which controller mode is set. An external system controller (not
included) can be connected with the inverter model and consequently change "Q_user" or "Pfactor_user".

1.

Import the project "Schneider_Conext_XC_680kVA_vx.x_enc" into PowerFactory v14.1.6 (or a newer

version). The letters x.x display the newest version of the model.

2.

Copy the Library\ Schneider_Conext_XC folder and insert it into the library directory of your own project.

3.

Move the "Schneider_Conext_XC_680kVA" template into the template folder of your project.

4.

Move the object "ConexctXC_680kVA" into the Operating data library\power diagrams folder.

5.

Enter a new inverter model into your project by using the template ("General templates" button).

6.

Edit the Curr_Control model, and change the K factor in line with your needs.

7.

Edit the "Q Control" model, and select (after consultation with the manufacturer) either reactive power
default or power factor default.

8.

Edit the "Solar inverter" model, and enter the operating point on the load flow page (e.g., active power
and reactive power).

9.

Calculate the load flow with consideration of the reactive power limits, and ensure that there are not any
warnings or error messages s in the output window.

10. Calculate the initial conditions using the options "Simulation methods: RMS", mains model "Symmetric"
or "Asymmetric" (depending on which error is to be calculated) and a simulation increment of 1 ms (an
increment of 0.1 ms can be used if there are convergence problems).
11. As customary,define the variables as well as the events that are to be recorded.
12. Carry out the simulation, and define the diagrams to display the results.

Rev. D

17

5 Sources
[1] Schneider electric, information concerning inverter control "Questionnaire FGW TR4_rev_B.docx"
[2] Schneider Electric, manufacturer certificate for specific data of the photovoltaic inverter, Manufacturer's
Declaration BDEW XC680 rev B.pdf
[3] E-mail exchange with Schneiderelectric incl. MATLAB models, June-August 2012

Rev. D

18