Artificial neural network-polar coordinated fuzzy controller based maximum power point tracking control under partially shaded conditions

The one of main causes of reducing energy yield of photovoltaic systems is partially shaded conditions. Although the conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control algorithms operate well under uniform insolation, they do not operate well in non-uniform insolation. The non-uniform conditions cause multiple local maximum power points on the power?voltage curve. The conventional MPPT methods cannot distinguish between the global and local peaks. Since the global maximum power point (MPP) may change within a large voltage window and also its position depends on shading patterns, it is very difficult to recognise the global operating point under partially shaded conditions. In this paper, a novel MPPT system is proposed for partially shaded PV array using artificial neural network (ANN) and fuzzy logic with polar information controller. The ANN with three layer feed-forward is trained once for several partially shaded conditions to determine the global MPP voltage. The fuzzy logic with polar information controller uses the global MPP voltage as a reference voltage to generate the required control signal for the power converter. Another objective of this study is to determine the estimated maximum power and energy generation of PV system through the same ANN structure. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated under the experimental real-time simulation technique based dSPACE real-time interface system for different interconnected PV arrays such as series-parallel, bridge link and total cross tied configurations.     

Highly efficient maximum power point tracking using DC–DC coupled inductor single-ended primary inductance converter for photovoltaic power systems

Solar photovoltaics (PVs) have nonlinear voltage–current characteristics, with a distinct maximum power point (MPP) depending on factors such as solar irradiance and operating temperature. To extract maximum power from the PV array at any environmental condition, DC–DC converters are usually used as MPP trackers. This paper presents the performance analysis of a coupled inductor single-ended primary inductance converter for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in a PV system. A detailed model of the system has been designed and developed in MATLAB/Simulink. The performance evaluation has been conducted on the basis of stability, current ripple reduction and efficiency at different operating conditions. Simulation results show considerable ripple reduction in the input and output currents of the converter. Both the MPPT and converter efficiencies are significantly improved. The obtained simulation results validate the effectiveness and suitability of the converter model in MPPT and show reasonable agreement with the theoretical analysis.     

A new approach in MPPT for photovoltaic array based on Extremum Seeking Control under uniform and non-uniform irradiances

This work presents a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) based on analyzing the output characteristics of PV array under uniform irradiance and partial shading conditions. In order to carry out MPPT in PV panels, under partial shading conditions a method based on Extremum Seeking Control (ESC) is introduced. In contrast with classic ESC, in this method the double of dithering signal frequency is not used, consequently PV output power has a ripple of a lower frequency. Also the drop which occurs when MPPT system starts to operate in classic ESC method is minimized in this paper. The ESC approach for MPPT in this paper uses a series combination of a Low Pass Filter (LPF) and a High Pass Filter (HPF). These two filters act as a Band Pass Filter (BPF) and let a specific frequency of input power which includes the derivative of PV with respect to its voltage pass through. Finally, the system does not operate in local optimal points for efficient point will be global. The algorithm adds partial shadow judging conditions in ESC method. The system runs the variable step ESC method to realize MPPT when photovoltaic array is under uniform irradiance. Under Partial Shading Condition (PSC), the control method can eliminate the interference of local maximum power point (MPP) to make 23 the PV array running at global MPP. In addition, unlike other methods, the proposed MPPT operates on the global MPPs. The proposed MPP tracker does not add any extra complexity compared to the classical ones. However, it increases significantly the efficiency of the PV installation under PSC. We will show that under uniform irradiance, the proposed MPPT leads to faster performances than classical approaches.     

An improved maximum power point tracker using a step-up converter with current locked loop

It is well known that for a given solar radiation intensity and solar cell temperature there exists a Maximum Power Point at which the power generated from the PV panel is at its maximum. A system designer is interested in optimal matching of the load to the PV generator so that the maximum power can be obtained during operating period. A Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) using a step up converter with a current locked loop is developed. Its performance is compared with the literature (the step down power converter using PWM technique), under different solar irradiance and ambient temperatures. It showed an improvement in the output power by 22.5% (average) over a wide range of solar irradiation in a day.     

Modeling and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for PV array under partial shade conditions

Influenced by partial shade, PV module aging or fault, there are multiple peaks on PV array's output power–voltage (P–V) characteristic curve. Conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods are effective for single peak P–V characteristic under uniform solar irradiation, but they may fail in global MPP tracking under multi-peak P–V characteristics. Existing methods in literature for this problem are still unsatisfactory in terms of effectiveness, complexity and speed. In this paper, we first analyze the mathematical model of PV array that is suitable for simulation of complex partial shade situation. Then an adaptive MPPT (AMPPT) method is proposed, which can find real global maximum power point (MPP) for different partial shade conditions. When output characteristic of PV array varies, AMPPT will adjust tracking strategies to search for global peak area (GPA). Then it is easy for conventional MPPT to track the global MPP in GPA. Simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed AMPPT method is able to find real global MPP accurately, quickly and smoothly for complex multi-peak P–V characteristics. Comparison analysis results demonstrate that AMPPT is more effective for most shade types.     

Adaptive maximum power point tracking control of fuel cell power plants

A fuel cell's output power depends nonlinearly on the applied current or voltage, and there exists a unique maximum power point (MPP). This paper reports a first attempt to trace MPPs by an extremum seeking controller. The locus of MPPs varies nonlinearly with the unpredictable variations in the fuel cell's operation conditions. Thus, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is needed to continuously deliver the highest possible power to the load when variations in operation conditions occur. A two-loop cascade controller with an intermediate converter is designed to operate fuel cell power plants at their MPPs. The outer loop uses an adaptive extremum seeking algorithm to estimate the real-time MPP, and then gives the estimated value to the inner loop as the set-point, at which the inner loop forces the fuel cell to operate. The proposed MPPT control system provides a simple and robust control law that can keep the fuel cell working at MPPs in real time. Simulation shows that this control approach can yield satisfactory results in terms of robustness toward variations in fuel cell operation conditions.     

An improved maximum power point tracking method for photovoltaic systems

In most of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods described currently in the literature, the optimal operation point of the photovoltaic (PV) systems is estimated by linear approximations. However these approximations can lead to less than optimal operating conditions and hence reduce considerably the performances of the PV system. This paper proposes a new approach to determine the maximum power point (MPP) based on measurements of the open-circuit voltage of the PV modules, and a nonlinear expression for the optimal operating voltage is developed based on this open-circuit voltage. The approach is thus a combination of the nonlinear and perturbation and observation (P&O) methods. The experimental results show that the approach improves clearly the tracking efficiency of the maximum power available at the output of the PV modules. The new method reduces the oscillations around the MPP, and increases the average efficiency of the MPPT obtained. The new MPPT method will deliver more power to any generic load or energy storage media.     

Synchronized pulsed dc-dc converter as maximum power position tracker with wide load and insolation variation for stand alone PV system

This paper investigates the interest focused on employing parallel connected dc-dc converter with high tracking effectiveness under wide variation in environmental conditions (Insolation) and wide load variation. dc-dc converter is an essential part of the stand alone PV system. Paper also presents an approach on how duty cycle for maximum power position (MPP) is adjusted by taking care of varying load conditions and without iterative steps. Synchronized PWM pulses are employed for the converter. High tracking efficiency is achieved with continuous input and inductor current. In this approach, the converter can he utilized in buck as well in boost mode. The PV system simulation was verified and experimental results were in agreement to the presented scheme.     

Analysis and implementation of an adaptative PV based battery floating charger

In a system composed of a photovoltaic (PV) cell, a converter and a resistive load, the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques are applied at the output of the PV panel and not at the level of the load. In this study, the considered load is a battery at different States Of Charge (SOC) that is charged by the PV panel. The power consumed by the battery is related to its SOC. Consequently, an empty battery consumes more current than a charged one. At full state of charge, the battery does not call for more energy and thus it is not rewarding to extract more power from the PV panel.Besides, in a stand-alone photovoltaic system, the size of the PV panel and the battery should be respected. Thus, the PV current at different irradiances should be compatible with the charging current required to charge the battery at different SOC. A critical situation occurs at high irradiance when the PV panel delivers a high current at Maximum Power Point (MPP) that exceeds the tolerated charging current. The current reaches the top limit when the battery is totally empty, caused by the big difference in potential between the converter output and the battery voltages. In this case, the battery starts to gas when attempts are made to charge it faster than it can absorb the energy. On the other hand, in a fully charged battery, the difference in potential between the converter and the battery is zero. In this case, there is no need to track the MPP.In this study, we will focus on the load type and suggest new methods to reach the MPP depending on the load state. In the proposed designs, the components of the stand-alone system are protected even if they are not well sized. In addition, we will focus on the development of the PV array mathematical model. The results achieved with the system, as well as the experimental results of a laboratory prototype, will be given.     

Displacement of the maximum power point caused by losses in wind turbine systems

The energy yield of wind turbines is to a large extent determined by the performance of the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm. Conventionally, they are programmed to maximize the turbines power coefficient. However, due to losses in the generator and converter, the true optimal operating point of the system shifts. This effect is often overlooked, which results in a decreased energy yield. Therefore, in this paper, the wind turbine system is modeled including the dominant loss components to investigate this effect in detail. By simulations and experiments on a wind turbine emulator, it is shown that the location of the maximum power point is significantly affected for low wind speeds. For high wind speeds, the effect is less pronounced. The parameter of interest is the increase in yearly energy output with respect to the classical MPPT method, which is calculated in this paper by including a Rayleigh wind speed distribution. For typical average wind speeds, the energy yield can increase with 1–2%. There is no cost associated with operating the turbine in the overall MPP, making it worthwhile to include this effect. The findings are implemented in an MPPT algorithm to validate the increased performance in a dynamic situation.     

基于模糊自适应PI控制的光伏发电MPPT

介绍了光伏发电过程中最大功率点跟踪(MPPT)原理,并简要分析了常规控制算法在最大功率跟踪控制中的优缺点,提出将模糊自适应PI控制算法应用到光伏系统最大功率点跟踪的控制中,该控制方法能快速响应外界环境的变化,获得系统最大功率点,且可以有效消除系统在最大功率点附近的振荡现象,提高系统的稳定性。仿真结果表明,该方法能使系统稳定地工作在最大功率点,并且控制精度高,能灵敏反应外界环境的变化。     

A maximum power point tracking control strategy with variable weather parameters for photovoltaic systems with DC bus

In photovoltaic (PV) system, the most commonly used DC/DC converter is the basic buck or boost circuit to implement the maximum point power tracking (MPPT) due to their simple structure and low cost while there are some MPPT constraint conditions. By contrast, the conventional buck/boost DC/DC converter without MPPT constraint condition is seldom used because of its high cost or poor performance. To keep the advantages of these three DC/DC converters while overcoming their shortcomings, in this paper, the constraint conditions of capturing the maximum power point (MPP) of PV systems with direct-current (DC) bus are found out. Then, on the basis of this work, a MPPT control strategy with variable weather parameters is proposed. In this strategy, a new buck/boost DC/DC converter is proposed, which not only avoids the MPPT constraint conditions of basic buck or boost DC/DC converter but also overcomes the shortcomings of conventional buck/boost DC/DC converter. Finally, lots of simulated experiments verify the accuracy of MPPT constraint conditions, test the feasibility and availability of proposed MPPT control strategy, analyze the MPPT performance of proposed PV system and compare the output transient-state performance with conventional perturb and observe (P&O) method.     

An on-line MPPT algorithm for rapidly changing illuminations of solar arrays

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is usually used for a solar power system. Many maximum power tracking techniques have been considered in the past. The microprocessors with appropriate MPPT algorithms are favored because of their flexibility and compatibility with different solar arrays. Although the efficiency of MPPT algorithms is usually high, it drops noticeably in case of rapidly changing illumination conditions. The authors have proposed an improved MPPT algorithm based on the fact that the maximum power point (MPP) of solar arrays can be tracked accurately. The principle of energy conservation is used to develop the large- and small-signal model and transfer function for the solar power system. The work was carried out by both simulation and experiment on a current converter, by the digital signal processor (DSP) control, in MPPT mode under different illuminations. The results show that the proposed MPPT algorithm has successfully tracked the MPP in rapidly changing illumination conditions.     

Adaptive maximum power point tracking based on Kalman filter for hydrogen fuel cell in hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle applications

In this paper, an adaptive real-time estimation method based on Kalman filter is proposed for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of a hydrogen fuel cell (FC) in hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. To achieve the adaptive MPP tracking (MPPT), a mathematical model for the hydrogen FC is established. Then, the recursive least square method is employed to identify the initial values of model parameters. On this basis, the MPP of the hydrogen FC under steady conditions can be derived. Furthermore, the state and observation equations based on Kalman filter are introduced to adaptively estimate the model parameters in real-time. Moreover, the real-time model parameters would be used to optimize the MPP in accordance with the operating conditions such that the adaptive MPPT can be achieved. Finally, various simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the adaptive MPPT for the hydrogen FC in hybrid UAV applications. Results show that the adaptive MPPT can not only track the MPP accurately in real-time, but also reduce the oscillation of the hydrogen FC. Compared with the MPPT methods based on perturb and observe (P&O) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), the maximum power tracking error of the adaptive MPPT can be improved by 2.83% and 1.10%, respectively.     

Maximum power point traking controller for PV systems using neural networks

This paper presents a development and implementation of a PC-based maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for PV system using neural networks (NN). The system consists of a PV module via a MPPT supplying a dc motor that drives an air fan. The control algorithm is developed to use the artificial NN for detecting the optimal operating point under different operating conditions, then the control action gives the driving signals to the MPPT. A PC is used for data acquisition, running the control algorithm, data storage, as well as data display and analysis. The system has been implemented and tested under various operating conditions.The experimental results showed that the PV system with MPPT always tracks the peak power point of the PV module under various operating conditions. The MPPT transmits about 97% of the actual maximum power generated by the PV module. The MPPT not only increases the power from the PV module to the load, but also maintains longer operating periods for the PV system. The air velocity and the air mass flow rate of the mechanical load are increased considerably, due to the increase of the PV system power. It is also found that, the increase in the output energy due to using the MPPT is about 45.2% for a clear sunny day.     

Maximum photovoltaic power tracking for the PV array using the fractional-order incremental conductance method

This paper proposes maximum photovoltaic power tracking (MPPT) for the photovoltaic (PV) array using the fractional-order incremental conductance method (FOICM). Since the PV array has low conversion efficiency, and the output power of PV array depends on the operation environments, such as various solar radiation, environment temperature, and weather conditions. Maximum charging power can be increased to a battery using a MPPT algorithm. The energy conversion of the absorbed solar light and cell temperature is directly transferred to the semiconductor, but electricity conduction has anomalous diffusion phenomena in inhomogeneous material. FOICM can provide a dynamic mathematical model to describe non-linear characteristics. The fractional-order incremental change as dynamic variable is used to adjust the PV array voltage toward the maximum power point. For a small-scale PV conversion system, the proposed method is validated by simulation with different operation environments. Compared with traditional methods, experimental results demonstrate the short tracking time and the practicality in MPPT of PV array.     

Power quality improvement of solar photovoltaic transformer-less grid-connected system with maximum power point tracking control

This paper presents a transformer-less single-stage grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system with active reactive power control. In the absence of active input power, grid-tied voltage source converter (VSC) is operated in the reactive power generation mode, which powers control circuitry and maintains regulated DC voltage. Control scheme has been implemented so that the grid-connected converter continuously serves local load. A data-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) has been implemented at maximum power which performs power quality control by reducing total harmonic distortion (THD) in grid-injected current under varying environmental conditions. Standards (IEEE-519/1547) stipulates that current with THD greater than 5% cannot be injected into the grid by any distributed generation (DG) source. MPPT tracks actual variable DC link voltage while deriving maximum power from PV array and maintains DC link voltage constant by changing the converter modulation index. Simulation results with the PV model and MPPT technique validations demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed system.     

High-accuracy maximum power point estimation for photovoltaic arrays

Quantitative information regarding the maximum power point (MPP) of photovoltaic (PV) arrays is crucial for determining and controlling their operation, yet it is difficult to obtain such information through direct measurements. PV arrays exhibit an extremely nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristic that varies with many complex factors related to the individual cells, which makes it difficult to ensure an optimal use of the available solar energy and to achieve maximum power output in real time. Finding ways to obtain the maximum power output in real time under all possible system conditions are indispensable to the development of feasible PV generation systems. The conventional methods for tracking the MPP of PV arrays suffer from a serious problem that the MPP cannot be quickly acquired. Based on the p-n junction semiconductor theory, we develop a prediction method for directly estimating the MPP for power tracking in PV arrays. The proposed method is a new and simple approach with a low calculation burden that takes the resistance effect of the solar cells into consideration. The MPP of PV arrays can be directly determined from an irradiated I-V characteristic curve. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by examining the characteristics of the MPP of PV arrays depending on both the temperature and irradiation intensity, and the results are discussed in detail. Such performance is also tested using the field data. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method helps in the optimization of the MPP control model in PV arrays.     

New algorithm using only one variable measurement applied to a maximum power point tracker

A novel algorithm for seeking the maximum power point of a photovoltaic (PV) array for any temperature and solar irradiation level, needing only the PV current value, is proposed. Satisfactory theoretical and experimental results are presented and were obtained when the algorithm was included on a 100 W 24 V PV buck converter prototype, using an inexpensive microcontroller. The load of the system used was a battery and a resistance. The main advantage of this new maximum power point tracking (MPPT), when is compared with others, is that it only uses the measurement of the photovoltaic current, I_PV.     

Maximum power tracking for photovoltaic power system: Development and experimental comparison of two algorithms

This work presents an experimental comparison of two algorithms developed in order to maximize the output power from a photovoltaic (PV) system for the same given set of conditions. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods proposed in this study are two extended algorithms: Perturb and Observe and Incremental Conductance. The numerical modelling of the PV system shows the MPPT interest and then the extended MPPT algorithms are highlighted. In this paper, a PV system based on a boost converter as MPPT device is considered. A programmable DC electronic load is fed by two identical PV systems in which the MPPT control converter algorithms are different. This experimental platform operates under the same conditions such as changing solar radiation and cell temperature. The experimental results obtained with a dSPACE controller board show the MPPT energy efficiency of the proposed algorithms.