International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS)

Vol. 13, No. 2, June 2022, pp. 908~917

ISSN: 2088-8694, DOI: 10.11591/ijpeds.v13.i2.pp908-917  908

A performance comparison of series power flow control

structures in a smart microgrid

Qusay Salem1, Khaled Alzaareer2, Salman Harasis3

1
Department of Electrical Engineering, King Abdullah II School of Engineering Electrical Engineering,
Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Amman, Jordan
2
Faculty of Engineering, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan
3
Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan

Article Info ABSTRACT

Article history: This paper investigates the performance of various power control structures
on a series power flow controller comprised as transformerless H-bridge
Received Sep 18, 2021 inverter under different operating conditions. This power flow controller
Revised Mar 2, 2022 connects the main grid with the microgrid as it is seriesly attached with the
Accepted Apr 20, 2022 distribution line. Three different control strategies are implemented to
regulate the power flow at the interface point using the series power flow
controller. The feasibility of the regulation approaches is verified by varying
Keywords: the modulation index and the reference DC-link voltage during different
operation modes. Also, the performance of the control strategies is verified
Injected quadrature voltage under load divergence condition during two different operation modes. The
control strategy results showed the efficacy of the developed regulation methods in injecting
Line current control strategy series voltage at point of common coupling (PCC) either during the
Low-voltage smart microgrid capacitive or the inductive operation mode. Also, the obtained results reveal
Reactive power control strategy the stability and reliability of the regulation methods and the microgrid
Series power flow controller operation when either the reference DC-link voltage or the modulation index
are increased.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license.

Corresponding Author:
Qusay Salem
Department of Electrical Engineering, King Abdullah II School of Engineering Electrical Engineering
Princess Sumaya University for Technology
Khalil Al-Saket St., Amman, Jordan
Email: q.salem@psut.edu.jo

1. INTRODUCTION
An alternative power sources to the traditional ones can be accommodated into the distribution
network by the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) using power converters-based power
electronic interfaces. However, the increasing perception of RES into the distribution network leads to some
concerns regarding the stability and reliability of the entire power system [1]–[4]. Dividing the distribution
network into zones in which each zone is termed as a microgrid is the best way to minimize the pressure on
the utility grid to control these distributed resources. These microgrids have their own regions and control
units and they can operate without the help of the utility grid [5]–[9]. However, to optimize the flow of real
power (forward and reverse) between both the main supply and the microgrid without reliance on
communication systems which might have full shutdown in case of network failure, installing an in-between
device or controller between both networks is necessary, and would facilitate the microgrid operation.
Several power flow controller-based power-electronic arrangements have been engaged to satisfy this target.
Most used are the back-to-back converter [10], the static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) [11] the
distributed static synchronous series compensator (DSSSC) established by cascaded H-bridge inverter [12],

Journal homepage: http://ijpeds.iaescore.com

Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst ISSN: 2088-8694  909

the single phase transformerless H-bridge inverters [13], and the smart transformer [14]. However, the cost,
size and complexity, operationality of the control strategy and its appropriacy on the intended controller are
the main challenges encountered in power flow control studies. Different control strategies have been applied
on these controllers where each control strategy is chosen according to the system requirements, needs, and
suitability of its structure on the proposed power flow controller [15], [16].
A methodology to control the active power between the utility and the microgrid using back-to-back
converters which eases the flow of real and reactive power between both networks have been proposed
in [17]. The proposed system can work in two distinct modes according to the microgrid power requirement.
Besides, two new control structures for most favorable series compensation which are indirect and direct
control have been proposed to evaluate the robustness of a SSSC linked to a 230 kV grid during both modes
of operation either capacitive or inductive [18]. Several modelling approaches for the SSSC have been also
proposed for Newton power flow analysis [19], [20]. Furthermore, two control methods which are the
variable and fixed DC bus voltage are introduced to control the DSSSC based cascaded H-bridge inverter
which connects two distinct feeders from different substations together [21]. An active power point of
common coupling (PCC) control method has been introduced in [14] by installing a smart transformer at the
interface point between the main network and the microgrid to control the active power exchange between
both networks using voltage-based droop control concept. Two novel control strategies applied on a
transformerless H-bridge inverter connecting the main grid and the microgrid have been implemented for
power flow control between both of them, where their feasibility is verified during different operation
modes [13]. A new control methodology has been evolved to run the H-bridge inverter as a power flow
controller between the main network and the microgrid [22]. A control method for the line current has also
been applied on the same H-bridge inverter which is developed in [23] to control the real power transfer
between a grid connected-microgrid. A new active power control method in the stationary reference frame
has been applied on a series visual studio code (VSC) which represents an H-bridge inverter to regulate the
transfer of active power at the interface point [24].
In this work, a series power-flow control (SPFC) comprised of transformerless H-bridge inverter is
introduced as decentralized controller between the smart microgrid and the main grid. Three distinct control
strategies among the existing ones are enforced on the series power flow controller to perform the power
flow. A performance comparison between the applied control strategies have been presented. The dynamic
behavior of the developed series power flow controller is achieved under three different regulation methods.
The developed regulation methods are divided as: i) reactive power control method, ii) line current control
method, and iii) injected quadrature voltage control method. The voltage of the series power flow controller
is proportional to the line current in the first two control strategies. However, it is independent of the line
current in third control strategy. All the regulation methods are verified in different operation modes
(capacitive and inductive). A discrimination criterion between the control strategies have also been
investigated. This work uses Simulink piecewise linear electrical circuit simulation (PLECS) toolbox to
model the power network. The SimPowerSystems toolbox is also equipped to perform the regulation
methods of series power flow controller.

2. CONTROL STRATEGIES OF THE SPFC

A transformerless H-bridge inverter running as a series controller for real power is connected
between the microgrid and the main grid. A voltage with changeable magnitude and phase angle with
reference to the current in the line is introduced by this inverter for controlling the PCC power flow. The
inverter determines its operation depending on the power flow direction. If the voltage injected in series is
lagging with reference to the line current, it performs as a series capacitive impedance. However, it performs
as a series inductive impedance when the voltage is leading. Varying the output voltage of this inverter
results in controlling the active and reactive power flow through the line. Thus, the bidirectional real power
flow between both networks can be regulated. Power flow control is considered as the primary function of
the proposed series power flow controller. Besides, investigation of the power flow with the series power
flow controller has been fulfilled by applying the direct and indirect control of the line current. The direct
control includes the control of the reactive power and line current, whereas the indirect control comprises the
injected quadrature voltage control. A fixed DC-link voltage reference has been adjusted for all control
methods. This DC-link voltage reference has been chosen so that the microgrid voltage level is within
acceptable limits and the power flow control is reasonable.

2.1. Reactive power control method

The power flow at PCC is regulated by controlling either the active or reactive power as the
proposed series power-flow controller didn’t include a DC source to preserve the DC-link voltage. The
control strategy which is based on reactive power injection from the series power flow controller is presented

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910  ISSN: 2088-8694

in Figure 1. In this control strategy, the in-phase voltage 𝑢𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 is extracted by comparing the reference of
the DC-link voltage 𝑉𝑑𝑐,𝑟𝑒𝑓 with the capacitor measured voltage 𝑉𝑑𝑐 and then inserting this difference into a
proportional integral (PI) controller. A saturation block is provided to keep the resultant in-phase voltage
within the acceptable limits ±𝑢𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 .
The quadrature voltage 𝑢𝑞,𝑚𝑎𝑥 which represents the modulation index of this voltage is extracted by
comparing the reactive power reference value with the measured reactive power of the series power flow
controller and then inserting this difference into another PI controller. Also, in this loop, a saturation block is
used to maintain the modulation index in a proper range so that the generated voltage varies in its linear
region. The series power flow controller performs an inductive mode of operation if the PI controller output
is negative. In this case, a phase shift of +90° with the line current is established. However, the series power
flow controller performs a capacitive mode of operation if the PI controller output is positive and
consequently a phase shift of −90° with the line current is established. Finally, the phase of the line (or PCC)
current is extracted by a phase locked loop (PLL) engagement.

Figure 1. Structure of the reactive power control strategy [25]

2.2. Line current control method

The line current regulation method is presented in Figure 2. The concept of this regulation method is
similar to the one presented for reactive power regulation method since the line current is expressed as a
function of the reactive voltage injected into the line. However, the reference value of investigating the power
flow is a reference current determined by network operators instead of introducing reactive power reference
into the system. Indeed, the reference current magnitude (𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑓 ) supported by system operator can control the
series power-flow controller operation. This means that the magnitude of line current will not follow the
reference value of the current [23]. The reference current is responsible only of injecting series voltage into
system grid.
The control of the series power flow controller can be synchronized with system line current with
the aid of PLL. Moreover, the voltage injection in the line is (±90° ) phase-shifted. The line current
magnitude is compared with the reference current determined by system operators and using an integral (I)
controller, the reference quadrature voltage is produced. Besides, by dividing the measured DC-link voltage
over the reference quadrature voltage, the modulation index of quadrature voltage injection (𝑢𝑞,𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) can be
determined. The controller is represented as an integrator so that the output value will never overpass the
reference value and the controller will behave smoothly as oscillations is eliminated. The DC-link voltage
control and the limiters of 𝑢𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 , 𝑢𝑞,𝑚𝑎𝑥 are the same as in the reactive power control method.

2.3. Injected quadrature voltage control strategy

This control strategy has no link to the line current and is regulated by varying the modulation index
resulted from the pulse width modulation technique. The series power flow controller employs the pulse
width modulation (PWM) technique to generate a sinusoidal wave from the DC-link capacitor voltage. This
control strategy is realized as depicted in Figure 3. A phase locked loop is used to synchronize with the line
current positive sequence component. 𝜔𝑡 is the PLL output, which is employed to make the necessary
transformation of the AC voltages into direct and quadrature components.

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Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst ISSN: 2088-8694  911

The difference between the quadrature voltage measured and the quadrature voltage reference is
inserted into a PI controller, so the quadrature component of the series power flow controller voltage is
delivered. Likewise, the difference between the reference DC-link voltage and the capacitor measured
voltage results in an error which is inserted into a PI controller to provide the d-axis component of the
proposed converter voltage. The dq components of the series inverter voltage are utilized to adjust the
modulation index which is altered as (0 < 𝑀 < 1). Subsequently, the injected quadrature voltage of the
series power flow controller can be controlled according to the desirable DC-link voltage and the reference
quadrature voltage (𝑉𝑞,𝑟𝑒𝑓 ).

Figure 2. Structure of the line current control strategy

Figure 3. Control strategy for injected quadrature voltage

3. DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE SPFC

Figure 4 shows a single line diagram of the study system. A controlled voltage source is used to
model the microgrid and the load included in the microgrid is presumed to be resistive. The system data and
parameters values are stated in [13]. The behavior of the developed series power flow controller is
investigated in different operation modes (capacitive and inductive) for each type of the control methods. The
real power transfer between the main grid and the microgrid is minimized by changing the references of the
reactive power, line current, and quadrature voltage control strategies. Thus, the operation of the series power
flow controller is switched from the capacitive to the inductive mode. The significance and novelty of the
proposed work are explicit by the performance of the three control methodologies to control the power flow.
Moreover, the acquired results confirm the robustness and validity of the control structures during both
inductive and capacitive operation modes.

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Figure 4. Study system diagram

3.1. Results of the reactive power control strategy

A variation in the reactive power reference from (−1000 volt-ampere reactive (VAR) to +1000
VAR) at t=1 s as shown in Figure 5(a) is performed. Before (t<1 s), the series power flow controller behaves
as a capacitive impedance, whereas after (t>1 s), it behaves like an inductive impedance. The controller
tracks the step change successfully without any transients. Figure 5(b) demonstrates the series voltage
injection which appears at the controller’s terminals during both modes of operation. Figures 5(c) and 5(d)
show the angle and magnitude for the voltage phase of the series power flow controller in both modes of
operation. As seen from the subfigures, the magnitude of voltage injection of the series power flow controller
is varied between its capacitive and inductive operation modes. Also, the angle was −90° with reference to
the line current in the capacitive mode and +90° in the inductive mode. Figure 5(e) shows the modulation
index variation of the series injected voltage during the capacitive and inductive mode, respectively.
Furthermore, the DC-link voltage is controlled to its reference value (100 V) as demonstrated in Figure 5(f).
The root mean square (RMS) voltage of the grid and microgrid during both operation modes is represented in
Figure 5(g). It is noticed how the injected voltage of the series converter affects the microgrid voltage, where
it is decreased and increased during different modes of operation, respectively. In Figure 5(h), the microgrid
real power is decreased in the inductive mode at (t>1 s) because of the series inductive voltage which
increases the voltage of the microgrid. Besides, since the real power control of the microgrid voltage source
is dependent on P-V droop control then the active power is changed based on the droop characteristic applied
on its reference real power loop generation. Consequently, the grid real power is also decreased. The real
power of the series power flow controller (P-inv) has a zero value during both modes of operation since its
angle with reference to the line current is (±90° ) as represented in Figure 5(d). Figure 5(i) shows the line
current in both inductive and capacitive modes of operation. The line current is also reduced when
transferring from capacitive to inductive mode due to the reduction of active power transfer from the
microgrid to the utility network after switching to inductive mode of operation.

3.2. Results of the line current control strategy

Figure 6(a) shows the step change in the reference line current which changes the measured line
current magnitude. When the reference line current is lower than the measured line current, the series power
flow controller operates in capacitive mode. However, when the grid operator increases the reference current
to be greater than the measured line current magnitude, then the series power flow controller operates in
inductive mode. In both cases, a series capacitive or inductive voltage is generated depending on the sign of
the difference between the reference current and measured line current. At t > 1 s, the line current magnitude
is decreased because of injecting series inductive voltage. Figure 6(b) depicts the power of the series power
flow controller. The null value of real power during both modes of operation is because the angle is (±90° )
with reference to the line current. The reactive power produced from the series converter is a consequence of
capacitive and inductive voltage injection, respectively. The DC-link voltage is controlled to its reference
value as presented in Figure 6(c). In Figures 6(d)-(f), the injected series voltage of the series power flow
controller is appeared as 100 V peak to peak and the magnitude of the same voltage is around 60 V during
both operation modes. The angle of the voltage is appeared as ±90° with reference to the line current during
both modes of operation, respectively. The RMS voltage of the grid and microgrid voltage sources is
demonstrated in Figure 6(g). The RMS voltage of the microgrid is varied because of injecting capacitive and
inductive voltage into the line, respectively. This voltage variation in the microgrid side has changed its
generated real power as shown in Figure 6(h). In accordance with the P-V droop characteristic, the microgrid
real power is reduced as a result of the voltage increase. Also, the real power at the main grid is reduced since
the real power export from the microgrid is reduced. Figure 6(i) shows the series injected voltage modulation
index during the capacitive and inductive modes, respectively.

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(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

(g) (h) (i)

Figure 5. System performance under the reactive power control strategy (a) reference and measured reactive
power of the inverter, (b) inverter peak to peak voltage, (c) inverter voltage magnitude, (d) inverter phase
angle, (e) modulation index, (f) inverter DC-link voltage, (g) RMS voltage of the grid and the microgrid,
(h) real power of the inverter, microgrid, and the grid, and (i) line current

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

(g) (h) (i)

Figure 6. System performance under the line current control strategy (a) reference and measured line current,
(b) real and reactive power of the inverter, (c) inverter DC-link voltage, (d) inverter peak to peak voltage,
(e) inverter voltage magnitude, (f) inverter phase angle, (g) RMS voltage of the grid and the microgrid,
(h) real power of the microgrid and the grid, and (i) modulation index

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3.3. Results of the quadrature voltage control method

In this regulation method, the quadrature voltage injected is regulated by using the modulation index
as it has no relation to the line current. A variation in the quadrature voltage reference (𝑉𝑞,𝑟𝑒𝑓 ) from (+40 V
to −40 V) at t = 1 s is represented in Figure 7(a). Before (t<1 s), the series power flow controller operates in
capacitive mode, whereas after (t>1 s), it operates in inductive mode. The measured injected quadrature
voltage tracks the step change reference successfully in both operation modes. Figure 7(b) shows how the
voltage of the DC-link is kept constant and regulated to its reference value during both operation modes. In
accordance with the quadrature voltage reference, the injected voltage is controlled by altering the
modulation index during the capacitive and inductive modes as presented in Figure 7(c). Figure 7(d) shows
the voltage which takes shape at the series converter terminals during both operation modes. Figure 7 (e)-(f)
depict the series power flow controller magnitude and angle of the voltage phase in both modes of operation
with reference to the line current. The magnitude of the injected voltage at the series power flow controller is
raised at (t>1 s) as a consequence of the step change in the reference quadrature voltage and consequently the
modulation index, in which the series power flow controller switches from capacitive to inductive operation
mode. Also, the phase angle was −90° with respect to the line current in the capacitive mode and +90° in the
inductive mode. The RMS voltage of the grid and microgrid during both operation modes are within
acceptable limits as depicted in Figure 7(g). The injected voltage of the series power flow controller
decreases the microgrid RMS voltage in the capacitive mode, whilst it increases the microgrid RMS voltage
in the inductive mode. In Figure 7(h), the microgrid real power is increased in the capacitive mode at (t<1 s)
as a result of the decreased RMS voltage. However, the microgrid real power is decreased in the inductive
mode at (t>1 s) as a result of the increased RMS voltage. The variation in microgrid active power is a result
of the droop characteristic between the produced real power and the RMS voltage of the microgrid voltage
source. Besides, the grid real power is also reduced due to the reduced real power import from the microgrid.
Figure 7(i) shows the real and reactive power of the series power flow controller. The null value of real
power during both operation modes is attained since the angle is (±90° ) phase shifted as depicted in (f). The
reactive power generated from the series power flow controller is a result of varying the injected quadrature
voltage reference, and consequently the modulation index of the voltage injection.

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

(g) (h) (i)

Figure 7. System performance under the injected quadrature voltage control strategy (a) reference and
measured injected quadrature voltage, (b) inverter DC-link voltage, (c) modulation index, (d) inverter peak to
peak voltage, (e) inverter voltage magnitude, (f) inverter phase angle, (g) RMS voltage of the grid and the
microgrid, (h) real power of the microgrid and the grid, and (i) real and reactive power of the inverter

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4. DISCRIMINATION CRITERIA BETWEEN THE CONTROL STRATEGIES

When regulating the power-flow in 400 𝑉 low-voltage distribution system using the power flow
controller, some limitations should be considered. The RMS voltage of the microgrid should maintain an
acceptable range according to EN 50160 standard [26] so that the microgrid can still function in its grid-
connected mode. Otherwise, the microgrid will be disconnected and worked in island mode. Therefore, the
injected voltage modulation index or the DC-link voltage reference should be assigned, in which they will
not lead to exceed the specified limits of the microgrid voltage and malfunction of the control strategy as
well. Furthermore, the PLL cannot accurately track the phase of current and the control strategies might
misoperate if the voltage injected is greater than a determined value.
In accordance with the reactive power control method, the effect of increasing the modulation index
(𝑢𝑞,𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) and the DC-link voltage reference on the microgrid RMS voltage during either capacitive or
inductive operation mode is shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b). As the modulation index is increasing, the RMS
voltage is stable and within acceptable limits during the capacitive mode (𝑡 < 1 𝑠). However, higher
oscillations and limits overshoot are noticed during the inductive mode (𝑡 > 1 𝑠). In another simulation, the
modulation index is assigned as fixed value and the reference DC-link voltage is increased to investigate the
influence on the microgrid RMS voltage. During the capacitive mode, the RMS voltage is again stable and
running within the boundaries. However, the RMS voltage is getting unstable and has also higher oscillations
as the reference DC-link voltage is increasing in the inductive mode.
The same procedure is applied with the line current control strategy as demonstrated in Figures 8(c)
and 8(d). When 𝑀 = 1, the RMS voltage oscillates beyond acceptable limits and depicts large oscillations
during the capacitive mode (𝑡 < 1 𝑠). In the inductive mode (𝑡 > 1 𝑠), the RMS voltage has exceeded the
boundaries without large oscillations. Furthermore, increasing the reference DC-link voltage causes the RMS
voltage to deviate from the normal operation during the inductive and capacitive modes of operation. In the
capacitive mode, the RMS voltage is within limits but with unstable voltage oscillation. However, in the
inductive mode it exceeds the limits with stable voltage oscillation.
In the control method of injected quadrature voltage, the modulation index is increased by means of
increasing the quadrature voltage reference (𝑉𝑞,𝑟𝑒𝑓 ) and the increasing ratio of the reference DC-link voltage
is chosen as 100 𝑉 so that the influence on the RMS voltage is more obvious. As demonstrated in Figures
8(e) and 8(f), the RMS voltage exhibits stable oscillation in both modes of operation as the modulation index
is increasing. However, it goes beyond acceptable limits during the inductive operation mode. With
increasing the reference DC-link voltage, the RMS voltage stays within limits as the reference DC-link
voltage is between (100 𝑉 < 𝑉𝐷𝐶,𝑟𝑒𝑓 < 200 𝑉) during both modes of operation. If 𝑉𝐷𝐶,𝑟𝑒𝑓 > 200 𝑉, then the
control strategy is malfunctioned, and the RMS voltage oscillates out of the range with large transients.

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

Figure 8. Microgrid RMS voltage with increasing the modulation index and the reference DC-link voltage
(a) RMS voltage by increasing the modulation index in the reactive power control method, (b) RMS voltage
by increasing the DC-link voltage in the reactive power control method, (c) RMS voltage by increasing the
modulation index in the line current control method, (d) RMS voltage by increasing the DC-link voltage in
the line current control method, (e) RMS voltage by increasing the modulation index in the quadrature
voltage control method, and (f) RMS voltage by increasing the DC-link voltage in the quadrature voltage
control method

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Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show the comparison between the three control strategies in the capacitive and
inductive modes, respectively when a load divergence is occurred between (1 𝑠 < 𝑡 < 1.5 𝑠). The three control
strategies have shown good performance for regulating the series power flow controller either in the capacitive
or inductive mode under the load divergence condition. In the capacitive mode, the transported real power is
better promoted by the injected quadrature voltage control strategy than the reactive power and the line current
control strategies. However, in the inductive mode, it is notable that the transmitted power is better promoted by
the line current control strategy than the reactive power and injected quadrature voltage control strategies.

(a) (b)

Figure 9. Comparison of the control strategies under load divergence (a) transmitted real power under load
divergence during the capacitive operation mode and (b) transmitted real power under load divergence during
the inductive operation mode

5. CONCLUSION
In this paper, modeling, and analysis of a smart microgrid connection to the utility network including
the series power flow controller is investigated. In accordance with this modeling, three control strategies were
developed to control the power flow at PCC and their performance were evaluated during either the capacitive
or the inductive mode of operation. It was clear from the attained results that the microgrid RMS voltage was
exceeding the limits and the control strategies were malfunctioned when either the modulation index or the
reference DC-link voltage is increased. Furthermore, it was observed that the transported real power is better
promoted by the injected quadrature voltage control strategy during the capacitive mode. However, the line current
regulation method has shown better performance than the other control strategies during the inductive mode.

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BIOGRAPHY OF AUTHORS

Qusay Salem has been awarded the Ph.D degree in Electrical Power and Energy
Engineering from University of Ulm–Germany, in 2020. He received the B.Sc. and M.Sc.
Degree both in Electrical Power Engineering from University of Mutah and Yarmouk
University–Jordan, in 2009 and 2013, respectively. Currently, he serves as an assistant professor
with the Department of Electrical Engineering at Princess Sumaya University for Technology.
His research interests include power control and energy management in low-voltage smart
microgrids. He can be contacted at email: q.salem@psut.edu.jo.

Khaled Alzaareer received the Ph.D degree in Electrical Engineering/Power

Systems from Quebec University (ETS), Montreal, QC, Canada in December 2020. He also
received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical power engineering from Yarmouk
University, Irbid, Jordan, in 2010 and 2012, respectively. His research interests are smart grid,
sensitivity analysis, renewable energy integration, voltage stability and control. He can be
contacted at email: kalzaareer@philadelphia.edu.jo.

Salman Harasis received the B.Sc. degree in electrical power engineering from
Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan, in 2009. Received the M.Sc. degree in electrical
engineering from Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania, in 2013. Received
the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Akron, OH, USA in 2020. He
is currently an assistant professor with the Department of Electric power and Mechatronics
engineering, Tafila Technical University. His research interests include control of power
systems and microgrids, renewable energy, power electronics, and motor drives for transportation
electrification applications. He can be contacted at email: Salmanharasis@ttu.edu.jo.

A performance comparison of series power flow control structures in a smart microgrid (Qusay Salem)