A sensor-less control and optimal energy management algorithm for a stand-alone photovoltaic system considering...

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• Control Systems

Background:

• Energy management is critical for stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems.
• Current systems rely on multiple sensors, increasing complexity and cost.
• Optimizing energy management and reducing sensor count are key to enhancing PV system efficiency and reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a comprehensive energy management algorithm for PV systems.
• To develop a complementary sensor-less algorithm for radiation estimation and shading detection.
• To improve PV system efficiency, reliability, and component lifetime without additional costs.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive energy management algorithm is developed to control PV system components based on system state.
• A complementary algorithm estimates solar radiation and detects partial shading conditions without additional sensors.
• A novel mode is introduced for power sharing during radiation absence using unidirectional and bidirectional converters.

Main Results:

• The proposed energy management algorithm effectively controls PV system operation, enhancing reliability and lifetime.
• The sensor-less radiation estimation and shading detection algorithm accurately determines environmental conditions.
• Simulation and experimental results demonstrate close agreement, validating the proposed algorithms' effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The developed algorithms significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of stand-alone PV systems.
• The sensor reduction and optimized energy management contribute to a more robust and cost-effective PV system design.
• The proposed methods offer a practical solution for enhancing PV system performance under various operating conditions, including shading.