Fast Power Emulation Approach to the Operation of Photovoltaic Power Plants Made of Different Module Technologies

• Main Authors: Denis Pelin, Matej Žnidarec, Damir Šljivac, Andrej Brandis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: PV power emulation; PV module; power plant; algorithm; current–voltage characteristic
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/5957

This paper gives a comprehensive approach to the emulation of photovoltaic (PV) plants made of different module technologies as well as varying peak power through the advanced fast PV power emulation technique. Even though PVs are recognized as a technology for CO₂ emissions mitigation, the proposed emulation technique provides the opportunity to replicate PV plant operation without a carbon footprint because of its working principle. The process of PV power plant emulation consists of several stages which are described in detail. An algorithm for determining PV power plant configuration based on the technical characteristics of the PV emulation system equipment is developed and presented, as well as an algorithm for preparing data on the current–voltage (<i>i–v</i>) characteristics used as input data into programmable sources that mimic the power plant PV array. A case study of a single day operation of PV power plants made of two different topologies and technologies was carried out with the fast PV power emulation approach and the results are evaluated and presented.