Maximum Power Point Tracking Device Research Articles

Osprey optimization algorithm for MPPT of PV system with forward DC to DC converter under partial shading conditions

Abstract Electric power is required anywhere for multiple purposes to do various tasks. Production of electricity from renewable sources such solar energy is feasible solution for many problems. Photovoltaic modules are generally used to produce electricity through solar irradiance. However, a maximum power point tracking device (MPPTD) must be incorporated to Photovoltaic system to ensure its maximum utilization or best efficiency. A forward DC to DC circuit is selected to work as MPPTD in this paper. Many conventional algorithms including incremental conductance, perturb & observe are available to work effectively for MPPTD under uniform solar irradiances. However, non-uniform irradiances will be received by Photovoltaic modules where many are connected to form a power generation system due to trees, shading, dust, birds, clouds, etc Such phenomenon drags the system into Partial Shading Condition (PSC). Under PSC, conventional algorithms cannot identify the best location to harvest more energy. Hence, an optimization technique is required to operate Photovoltaic system at its outfit utilization during PSC. An optimization technique namely ‘Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA)’ is developed in this paper on MPPTD to harvest more energy during PSC. The comparison among OOA, Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), Modified Invasive Weed Optimization (MIWO) and Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is also included in this paper. The Hardware—in the—Loop is establish by using OPAL-RT technology to collect various results for presenting analysis under different operating conditions.

A predictive algorithm for maximum power point tracking in solar photovoltaic systems through load management

In solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is achieved when the impedance of the system load matches that of the PV array. The conventional approach to MPPT is to manage the output power of the PV array to adjust its impedance. This requires power electronics such as an inverter or charge controller, which induces cost and power loss. A PV system can also vary the system load by switching on and off parts of the load to match the impedances and find the maximum power point. It offers an inexpensive and efficient solution to MPPT as it does not require any conventional MPPT device. However, the demonstrated load-matching PV system is subject to power loss due to many unsuccessful switches. The algorithm in that system deployed a trial-and-error approach since the optimum switch points are typically unknown. This paper presents a predictive algorithm that can dynamically estimate the optimum switch points throughout the day using the powers measured from unsuccessful switches. It allows the system to track the maximum power point with minimum switches. The improved load-matching PV system has applications in PV-powered electrolytic hydrogen production.

Whale Optimization Algorithm for PV Based Water Pumping System Driven by BLDC Motor Using Sliding Mode Controller

Water pumping system (WPS) plays a key role in human civilization, including agriculture, drinking, and industrial usage. To decrease the load demand on grid and provide electrical supply to WPS in rural areas, a locally placed standalone photovoltaic (PV)-based WPS is one of the best feasible solutions. Among many motors, brushless direct current motors (BLDCs) are attractive for WPS due to many advantages. However, integrating batteries to WPS will increase the cost and required maintenance, which will not be affordable for farmers. Hence, PV-fed BLDC motor-based WPS without battery is considered and implemented sensorless speed controller with sliding mode controller (SMC) in this article. Generally, power generated by PV systems will be affected by partial shading condition (PSC) and unable to produce maximum availability power due to failure of the conventional perturbed and observe (P&O) algorithm. In order to overcome this condition, a whale optimization algorithm (WOA) has been integrated to the conventional P&O algorithm in this article. A hybrid whale optimization–P&O (WOPO) algorithm can effectively work to extract the maximum possible power from PV during both PSC and normal condition. The results are compared with genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and gray wolf optimization (GWO) for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) under PSC. In order to reduce the cost of system, the inverter is also working as an MPPT device for the PV system by integrating the WOPO algorithm with SMC of inverter. Hence, an extra dc–dc converter will not be required for MPPT. Extensive results are presented with OPAL-RT to validate the proposed system under both steady-state and transient conditions. In addition to this, dSPACE-based hardware results are also presented in this article to validate the proposed system.

The Selective Zero Emission Power Systems Between NaBH4-Based Fuel Cells and Solar Cells for UAVs

The selective zero emission power system using fuel and solar cells is tested on the ground to evaluate if this system can provide continuous power for UAVs. The sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solution with two catalysts, Co/γ-Al2O3 and Co-P/Ni foam catalyst, is adopted as a hydrogen source for the fuel-cell system, so that the volume of required hydrogen gas is readily produced in accordance with hydrogen-consumption rates from the fuel-cell stack by controlling NaBH4 solution flow rates. Thus, two catalysts play a major role to promote the hydrogen production speed. The solar-cell system is formed with a maximum power-point tracking device (MPPT), solar modules, and a lithium-polymer battery. Thus, the power generated from solar arrays flows through the MPPT to the electric load or to the battery simultaneously, charging mode if extra energy is available. The selective power system between two different power sources is achieved using power relays which can allow one system to function, while the other is on standby. In consequence, the selective electric power system can offer continuous power for the high-endurance operation.

Dependence of electric power flow on solar radiation power in compact photovoltaic system containing SiC-based inverter with spherical Si solar cells

A photovoltaic power generation system suitable for mobile applications was developed. A SiC integrated converter with the maximum power point tracking circuit provided the smallest photovoltaic inverter in ~200 W level. The SiC-based inverter exhibited a peak direct current (DC)-alternating current (AC) conversion efficiency higher than that of conventional Si inverters. A Li-ion laminated battery was mounted in the same housing as the inverter. The weight of entire system containing spherical Si solar cell panels was well below 6 kg. Continuous operation measurements of this system were carried out using four solar cell modules connected in parallel under irradiation by natural sunlight. The total inverter efficiencies under realistic operation conditions were slightly decreased compared with the DC-AC converter values because of loss by the maximum power point tracking device. Even under unstable weather conditions, the system provided power stability without ripples. The behaviors of the output powers of the solar cell, storage battery, and inverter modules were analyzed as a function of the solar radiation power density. The substantial efficiencies of the solar cell modules were dependent on the weather conditions and were approximately 10% on cloudy days. The present compact photovoltaic power generation system with SiC device and spherical Si solar cells is viable for sub kW-class inverter.

Robust Direct Adaptive Controller Design for Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking Application

Tracking the maximum output power of a photovoltaic (PV) cell is an important problem to harvest more energy at different weather and load conditions. This paper presents the design and simulation of a robust direct adaptive controller (RDAC) for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device based on boost converter topology. A mathematical model is developed, and a suitable RDAC is designed for MPPT device, and simulations are performed using MATLAB/Simulink to verify the controller’s robustness at varying operating conditions. The real-time irradiance and temperature data are used on an hourly basis to test the suggested MPPT adaptive controller for a typical sunny day in summer and winter. The simulation results show that the RDAC performs excellent tracking under varying conditions such as irradiance, temperature, load, boost converter inductance, and capacitance.

Electrical network of the automotive multi-sectional thermoelectric generator with MPPT based device usage

In this paper, we design a DC/DC converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) function for harvesting maximum output energy from the automotive exhaust thermoelectric generator (AETEG) regardless of the engine operating conditions and values of the connected electrical load. Our developed AETEG has a multi-section structure. Due to non-uniform temperature distribution over the surface of the AETEG each section has its own temperature difference. Application of MPPT devices for such types of thermoelectric generators is accompanied by certain difficulties. Different thermal conditions of each section may cause effectivity losses of MPPT device application. Experiments are conducted with a real car engine and AETEG in order to identify the most suitable connection type between AETEG sections and MPPT device.

Small scale stand-alone photovoltaic pumping system with brushless DC motor for irrigation in agriculture

This paper presents a case study analysis of a solar photovoltaic-powered pumping system with a brushless DC motor. Four circuit configurations are considered: direct coupling of the pump set with a photovoltaic generator, generator with a maximum power point tracking device and with a supercapacitor which stores energy from the low irradiation periods which otherwise would be lost as the power is too low to start the motor. A setup with a supercapacitor and a maximum power point tracking device is also considered. The system is analysed in the Matlab/Simulink environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the chosen setup on the volume of water pumped. The results show that the systems with maximum power point tracking usually outweigh other configurations.

STUDY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY STORAGES SYSTEM USING OF MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING

The uniform solar irradiation in the photovoltaic cells, power-voltage characteristics must be unique and the maximum powers are generated from PV cells. The MPPT Device are an essential part for photovoltaic power generation system. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) are used to optimize photovoltaic cells power.

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.

Evaluation of performance of MPPT devices in PV systems with storage batteries

In the PV system with storage batteries, as a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device is used to enhance battery charging, the enhancement must be greater than the internal loss of the device itself, or there will be no net gain at all. To evaluate the MPPT device benefits under different climate, the theoretical calculation models have been constructed. By simulation, a comparative study between two types of PV charge controllers with and without a MPPT device under different atmospheric conditions was presented. The comparison was made by means of the energy production obtained from the PV generator of each system. The climatic conditons of Beijing and Guangzhou in China have been regarded. From the results obtained it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the MPPT device in Guangzhou is not very obvious, however the MPPT device did greatly enhance the output in Beijing in the winter.