Improving Performance of Solar Array Fed BLDC Drive Using Firefly Algorithm Based High Gain Converter

Abstract

The improved transient response of PID controller for improved Luo converter supplied Brushless DC (BLDC) motor using solar energy source is extensively investigated. The BLDC drive uses a hybrid PV system and battery-based power generation as a power source to assure continuous power supply to pump water regardless of solar insolation. The PV system serves as the main energy source, and the battery providing as a backup source that discharged its power only during inclement weather or at night if the photovoltaic panel is insufficient to operate the centrifugal pump. The solar panel feeds power into the battery, whenever water to the field is not required, thus there is no need for an extra power source to charge the batteries. The high output voltage gain DC-DC converter does not make any discomfit to the system performance in regards to irradiance variation, switching loss, or power loss by converter or motor side respectively. Moreover, current sensor, voltage sensor, and control circuits are completed excluded which enhance performance and the cost of the system get reduced effectively. A bidirectional charging control allows a bi-directional converter to alter the battery operation mode automatically. The overall system performance is validated using simulation and experimental setup.