Modelling and Control of MPPT Converters for DC Microgrids

Abstract

To tackle the effect of climate change while meeting the ever-growing demand of energy, a high scale of integration of renewable energy resources has been performed in the past decade. Solar Photovoltaics have played a monumental role in this process, thus contributing in the fulfillment of the energy demand. The scalability and the flexibility of use has led to a significant development in the technologies implemented for assimilation of Solar PV. In addition, the development in power electronics has made the process of integration seamless. Due to Solar PV's dependency on irradiation there is an ever growing need for establishment of an improved control on power converters.
The aim of this thesis is to implement Maximum Power Point Tracking and Droop control algorithms on PV powered DC-DC Converters while considering the dynamics of Solar PV. Mathematical modelling is used to model the PV generator to consider its dynamics along with the dynamics of the converters to establish control. The output of these converters is connected to a DC Microgrid. After completion of the modelling process, the internal control design was performed followed by the implementation of both the algorithms. The project was performed at the lab of the company DC-Opportunities.
The findings of this research are presented in the current document. Its goal is to outline the procedure taken from the start of the project and the literature review all the way through the design and testing of the power electronic converters. Finally, suggestions for the future are offered, which might serve as a roadmap for more advancements.