Multifunctional Distributed MPPT Controller for 3P4W Grid-Connected PV Systems in Distribution Network with Unbalanced Loads

Emad M. Ahmed, Mokhtar Aly, Ahmed Elmelegi, Abdullah G. Alharbi and Ziad M. Ali
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Emad M. Ahmed: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
Mokhtar Aly: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aswan University, Aswan 81542, Egypt
Ahmed Elmelegi: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aswan University, Aswan 81542, Egypt
Abdullah G. Alharbi: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia
Ziad M. Ali: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aswan University, Aswan 81542, Egypt

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 24, 1-19

Abstract: The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems with three-phase four-wire (3P4W) distribution networks has imposed several challenges related to existing unbalanced loads, reactive power generation and harmonics content. In this paper, a multifunctional distributed maximum power point (MPPT) controller for grid integration of PV systems is proposed. The proposed distributed MPPT controller is developed based on employing a four-leg three-level T-type multilevel inverter. The proposed inverter performs multifunctionalities, including distributed MPPT, neutral current compensation for the unbalanced loads, supplying reactive power into the grid and the grid integration. Moreover, the proposed inverter overcomes the stochastic behavior of both the PV generation with partial shading problems and its operation with unbalanced loads as well. Furthermore, the new proposed controller injects sinusoidal output currents with decreased levels of total harmonic distortion (THD) into the grid. The tested case study is investigated for the various operating scenarios of PV generation and load demands. The results and tabulated performance comparisons have proven the superior performance of the proposed multifunctional PV generation system. The results show the ability of the proposed controller to efficiently extract distributed MPPT for all PV modules at all the tested scenarios. Additional improvement of the energy efficiency is achieved through the elimination of the neutral current due to existing unbalanced loads.

Keywords: distributed maximum power point tracking (MPPT); four-wire distribution networks; grid-connected photovoltaic (PV); renewable energy sources; T-type multilevel inverter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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