Analysis and Mitigation of Interaction Dynamics in Active DC Distribution Systems With Positive Feedback Islanding Detection Schemes

The direct current (DC) technology has gained significant momentum in modern distribution systems due to the high penetration levels of dc loads and dc-based distributed generators (DGs). Unlike conventional ac distribution systems, dc distribution systems have the following distinct features that challenge the system stability. 1) The high penetration level of tightly regulated converters used to interface both DGs and loads yields a destabilizing constant power load (CPL) effect in a considerable range of frequencies. 2) The filtering inductors and capacitors form poorly damped LC networks that interact negatively with the CPLs leading to further deterioration of the system stability. 3) Because islanding in a dc system can be hardly detected with passive methods due the absence of the frequency and reactive power terms, DGs are usually equipped with active islanding detection methods to detect the grid disconnection state; however, the islanding detection schemes could negatively impact the distribution system stability. The analysis and mitigation of undesirable interaction dynamics in a dc distribution system considering the aforementioned practical characteristics are not reported in the current literature. In this paper, the interaction dynamics of a dc distribution system characterized by a high penetration level of CPLs, and DGs equipped with positive feedback islanding detection scheme are investigated. The factors affecting the system stability with a single and multiple DGs are thoroughly addressed. Further, a stabilizing compensation loop is proposed to mitigate the stability problems and poor damping capability. Detailed time-domain nonlinear simulations and experimental results validate the analytical results.