Low order harmonics mitigation in grid connected, parallel PV inverters

PhD ThesisThis research is concerned with the problem of network power quality when grid connected systems are used to feed the network distribution grid. A parallel connection of photovoltaic (PV) system is the main interest of study for this research. This type of PV system uses power electronic components such as inverter and current controller that produce harmonics which adversely affect the power quality of the distribution network. Development and simulation of current controller using the proportional resonance (PR) scheme is considered to overcome the harmonic problems in single and parallel PV inverters. This scheme eliminates specific harmonic in the low order part. The control parameter randomisation technique is added to the scheme to produce a more efficient current controller system. Thus, the inverter harmonic performance (inverter output current) is improved. This concept is extended to parallel inverter based systems, where opportunities for harmonic cancellation improve the inverter harmonic performance further. Experimental hardware setup using TMS320F2812 is also developed to verify the promising simulation results

Effect of Randomized PI Controller in Off Grid Network

A stand- alone connection of photovoltaic (PV) system use power electronic components such as inverters and supply a non-linear load as users. This produce harmonics which adversely affect the power quality of the distribution network. A sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) of the voltage source inverter (VSI) is proposed to act as a switching pulse.  The scheme to mitigate the harmonic problem and phase error in single-phase full bridge inverter is considered using low pass filter and current controller. The current control parameter using a conventional Proportional Integral (PI) is simulated. This is extended with the modification of control method where randomization control parameter technique is added to produce a more efficient current controller system by use random integral gain to the system. Result show the latter technique is better for reduction of harmonic rather than conventional PI controller techniqu

Single phase inverter system using proportional resonant current control

This paper presents the harmonic reduction performance of proportional resonant (PR) current controller in single phase inverter system connected to nonlinear load. In the study, proportional resonant current controller and low pass filter is discussed to eliminate low order harmonics injection in single phase inverter system. The potential of nonlinear load in producing harmonics is showed and identified by developing a nonlinear load model using a full bridge rectifier circuit. The modelling and simulation is done in MATLAB Simulink while harmonic spectrum results are obtained using Fast Fourier Transfor. End result show PR current controller capability to overcome the injection of current harmonic problems thus improved the overall total harmonic distortion (THD)

Automated Mixing Process for Solar Powered Fertigation System Using IoT Application

The rising population globally, along with the need to maintain sustainable food production, has increased demand for efficient agricultural practices. Fertigation is the combination of fertilization with irrigation, has emerged as an effective method for increasing harvests while using less resources. The problem of traditional method are inefficiency and inaccuracy of manual fertilization methods in agriculture. The traditional methods of fertilization rely on manual application of fertilizers, which can be time- consuming and labor-intensive. Additionally, manual methods can lead to over- or under-fertilization, which can negatively impact plant growth and yield. As a solution, an automated mixing process for fertigation system powered by solar using IoT application was developed to solve the problem. This system can be controlled using a smartphone and all the process from flowing the fertilizer to a mixture tank and watering the plant can be automatically implemented. The nutrient for each type of plant can be established using Blynk application such that the plant could grow properly. This prototype can also help the user monitor the level of fertilizer in the tank in which the user gets a message from the smartphone if the fertilizer level is decreased or low. The data collected is the time taken by the system to mix the setup value of the solution using Electrical Conductivity (EC) sensor. It can be concluded that if the setup EC value in Blynk is large, the time taken to mix the solution increases. Another result is monitoring the fertilizer level of fertilizer in two tanks. In this case, the ultrasonic sensor detects the distance of fertilizer in both tanks and if the level of fertilizer in the tank is low, a notification will appear in Blynk application, stating that the tank level is low. All the output from this system is proven to be successful in this work

Performance enhancement of solar powered floating photovoltaic system using arduino approach

This paper presents Performance Enhancement of Solar Powered Floating Photovoltaic System using Arduino Approach. In the project, an Arduino nano as a main controller of the system. The objective of this project to monitor performance of the voltage, current and power output respectively. Furthermore, the prototype of the research is testing in two conditions: on water surface and on a land area. Based on the results, the power of the photovoltaic on the water surface is increased compared on the land area. The conclusion for this project is it can generate electricity using floating photovoltaic and the same time to monitor output of the system

Smart Fish Feeder Using Solar Energy

Smart fish feeder is an emerging concept of the current trend which use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to operate, monitoring and provides crucial information and status to the whole farming system. This project aims to provide such essential proof of concept that utilized IoT technology combine with the solar energy to power up servo motor and temperature sensor that connect from NodeMCU for the agriculture system. The main objectives of this project are specifically focused on the development of a smart fish feeder by using solar system with charging capability and controlled by the IoT system. Such a fish feeder system was powered up by 12V battery using 10W solar panel controlled by solar charger controller. The solar energy was stored to 12 V rechargeable battery. IoT controlled sensors were also attached to the fish feeder system for providing essential information on temperature and fish feeder timer via the Blynk platform. The results of the developed system successfully proved the concept is workable and could be extended to a larger scale of the farming industry. Owing to its energy autonomy and low cost, the system has the potential to be useful in smart farming technology

Prototype development of PV powered barrier gate system

Nowadays we can see the development of technology rapidly increased in order to fullfill the needs of world community. Despite the rapid of this development, it required a large energy source. The most energy source that have been used around the world was fossil fuel. Energy source are divide into two categories, renewable energy and non-renewable energy. Renewable energy is the energy source that can be use continuously without limit, such as solar energy from the sun, hydropower from flowing water, wind energy, biomass from plants, and geothermal energy from heat inside the earth. Non-renewable energy is the energy source that is used for a certain period, depends on its availability and they cannot easily replenished, like fossil fuel such as petroleum product, hydrocarbon gas liquids, natural gases, coal and so on. Renewable energy and non-renewable energy sources usually act as primary energy source to produce other energy such as heat or secondary energy source such as electricity [1]. Malaysia has high potential to build a large scale of solar power due to strategic location at the equatorial region. Malaysia's climate has relatively high levels of temperature and humidity. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges between 22˚C and 33 ˚C (72-91˚F) and the average daily temperature is 26.5˚C. Averaging 4.96 kWh/m² annual solar irradiance and with the range of 4.8 to 6.3kWh/m² irradiance monthly except for December due to the monsoon season ..

Investigation of Multilevel Inverter for the Next Distributed Generation Using Low-Cost Microcontroller

Nowadays, more research projects have described a converter that is widely used at the distributed generation (DG) level in order to increase the amount of electrical power generation. The converter is known as an inverter when only one DG source is used or as a multi-inverter when several DGs are used. Here, the application of a multilevel inverter with a C2000 microcontroller (Texas Instruments (TI) TMS320F28335 microcontroller), which can be implemented with a current feedback loop, is investigated. This microcontroller acts as a communication interface between MATLAB SIMULINK and the multilevel inverter. Meanwhile, the current control model is modeled in MATLAB for designing the control strategy. It is where the multilevel inverter switches are triggered by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals generated by the microcontroller output. At the same time, the proportional integral derivative (PID) current control is used in order to allow the load current to follow the reference current. Based on the results, it can be summarized that the multilevel inverter is a very useful device for the next DG sources when it is combined with current control for load current distribution. From this investigation, it can be seen that in the future DGs could be connected to a multilevel inverter structure, where it will reduce the dependency on filter design and have a more sinusoidal output to the load for different DG power rating

Voltage control in Z-source inverter using low cost microcontroller for undergraduate approach

This paper is focussing on controlling the output voltage of Z-Source Inverter (ZSI) using a low cost microcontroller with MATLAB-Simulink that has been used for interfacing the voltage control at the output of ZSI. The key advantage of this system is the ability of a low cost microcontroller to process the voltage control blocks based on the mathematical equations created in MATLAB-Simulink. The Proportional Integral (PI) control equations are been applied and then, been downloaded to the microcontroller for observing the changes on the voltage output regarding to the changes on the reference on the PI. The system has been simulated in MATLAB and been verified with the hardware setup. As the results, the Raspberry Pi and Arduino that have been used in this work are able to respond well when there is a change of ZSI output. It proofed that, by applying/introducing this method to student in undergraduate level, it will help the student to understand more on the process of the power converter combine with a control feedback function that can be applied at low cost microcontroller

Modelling of micro hydropower system for small load application

The implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of covid-19 in Malaysia has resulted in an increased financial burden on the people especially those from the low-income group. Therefore, taking advantage of the promising renewable energy as the free source of electricity could subsequently reduce the financial burden borne by this group. Hence, this paper conducts an analysis using MATLAB/Simulink software, to assess the viability of small-scale hydro turbines in converting potential energy of water heads into electricity for powering small load appliances. The analysis consists of several parts such as the DC generator, converter and charge controller. The data regarding volume of water usage in this study is based on water usage by the author. The result from simulation through the MATLAB software demonstrate a convincing reading in recorded voltage, current and power which indicate this system is feasible for electrification of small load appliances and indicate the potential for future improvement and research