Hybrid ANN based Incremental Conductance MPPT-Current Control Algorithm for Constant Power Generation of PV fed DC Microgrid

High penetration of Photovoltaic (PV) system interfaced with the microgrid witness issues of instability in microgrids due to intermittency in generation amidst environmental variations. The regulation of the generated power from the PV below maximum power prevents overloading and provides stability to the grid while encouraging higher penetration of PV systems. The paper proposes a new hybrid algorithm incorporating dual mode operation, viz. Constant Power (CP) Mode and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Mode, where it regulates the generation of PV in accordance to the reference power limit under CP mode while seamlessly transitioning to MPPT mode to facilitate evacuation of maximum power from the PV panel. The ANN based supervisory nature of the proposed algorithm enables accurate prediction of reference limit under variation both in the insolation and temperature, while facilitating the generation of constant power. The algorithm maintains smooth operation under both the modes with low steady state power oscillations coupled with fast dynamics. The algorithm is tested with PV interfaced boost converter feeding the 48V DC microgrid under different environmental conditions and is simulated under MATLAB Simulink environment.