Analysis of the Effectiveness of a Two-Stage Three-Phase Grid-Connected Inverter for Photovoltaic Applications

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mohan Babu University (Erst while Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College), Tirupati, India.

2 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Christ University, Bangalore, India.

3 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mohan Babu University (Erst while Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College), Tirupati, India.

10.22059/jser.2023.357025.1285

Abstract

This paper proposes a two-stage three-phase grid-connected inverter for photovoltaic applications. The proposed inverter topology consists of a DC-DC boost converter and a three-phase grid-connected inverter. The DC-DC boost converter is used to boost the low voltage DC output of the PV array to a high voltage DC level that is suitable for feeding into the grid-connected inverter. The three-phase grid-connected inverter is used to convert the high voltage DC output of the boost converter into a three-phase AC output that is synchronized with the grid voltage. The proposed inverter topology offers several advantages over traditional single-stage inverters. Firstly, the DC-DC boost converter allows for the use of a smaller, more efficient inverter in the second stage, reducing the overall cost of the system. Secondly, the use of a boost converter allows for the maximum power point tracking of the PV array, which can increase the overall efficiency of the system. The proposed inverter topology offers improved control of the grid current, reducing the impact of the PV system on the grid. The proposed topology has been simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and the results show that the system is capable of delivering a high-quality three-phase AC output with low harmonic distortion.

Keywords

[1] Yao, Z. and Zhang, Y. (2021). A Doubly Grounded Transformerless PV Grid-Connected Inverter Without Shoot-Through Problem. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 68(8), 6905-6916.
[2] Xu, S. Shao, R., Cao, B. and Chang, L. (2021). Single-phase grid-connected PV system with golden section search-based MPPT algorithm. Chinese Journal of Electrical Engineering, 7(4), 25-36.
[3] Mondal, S., Biswas, S.P., Islam, M.R. and Muyeen, S.M. (2023). A Five-Level Switched-Capacitor Based Transformerless Inverter with Boosting Capability for Grid-Tied PV Applications. IEEE Access, 11, 12426-12443.
[4] Krishnan, S. and Ezhilvannan, P. (2022). Design and Implementation of Universal Converter. IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 45(3), 272-278.
[5] Lu, Y., et. al. (2019). A Three-Port Converter Based Distributed DC Grid Connected PV System with Autonomous Output Voltage Sharing Control. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics. 34 (1), 325-339.
[6] Zhao, Y., An, A., Xu, Y. et al. (2021). Model predictive control of grid-connected PV power generation system considering optimal MPPT control of PV modules. Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems, 6, 32, 245-259.
[7] Perera, T. and Udayakumar, C. (2023). Voltage Unbalance Assessment of Solar PV Integrated Low Voltage Distribution System in Sri Lanka Using Monte Carlo Simulation. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 8(2), 1357-1366.
[8] Zhu, Y. and Fei, J. (2018). Disturbance Observer Based Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control of PV Grid Connected Inverter. IEEE Access, 6, 21202-21211.
[9] Sangwongwanich, A. and Blaabjerg, F. (2019). Mitigation of Inter harmonics in PV Systems with Maximum Power Point Tracking Modification, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 34(9), 8279-8282.
[10] Mirzakhani, A. and Pishkar, I. (2023). Finding The Best Configuration of an Off-Grid PV-Wind-Fuel Cell System with Battery and Generator Backup: A Remote House in Iran. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 8(2), 1380-1392.
[11] Azamian, A. (2023). Improved Low Voltage Ride-through Capability of PV Connected to the Unbalanced Main Grid. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 8(1), 1328-1344.
[12] Parimalasundar, E., Kumar, N.M.G., Geetha, P. and Suresh, K. (2022). Performance investigation of modular multilevel inverter topologies for photovoltaic applications with minimal switches. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics, (6), 28–34.
[13] Janardhan, G., Surendra Babu, N.N.V. and Srinivas, G.N. (2022). Single phase transformer less inverter for grid connected photovoltaic system with reduced leakage current. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics, (5), 36–40.
[14] Jafari, H. and Vaez-Zadeh, S. (2022). Investigation of a New Topology for Multilevel Inverters Fed by Photovoltaic System for Linear Induction Motor. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 7(3), 1081-1094.
[15] Ali Khan, M.Y., Liu, H., Yang, Z. and Yuan, X. (2020). A Comprehensive Review on Grid Connected Photovoltaic Inverters, Their Modulation Techniques, and Control Strategies. Energies, 2020, 13(16), 4185.
[16] K, S. and P, E. (2022). IPWM Based IBMSC DC-AC Converter Using Solar Power for Wide Voltage Conversion System. IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 45(4), 394-400.
[17] Sheikhlari, A.M. and Sarvi, M. (2022). A Multilevel Inverter Structure Based on the Development of Full-Bridge Cells with the Minimum Number of Switches for Renewable Energy Applications. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 7(1), 971-982.
[18] Sun, M., Jia, Q., Pei, Z. et al. (2019). Advanced Frequency Support Strategy of Double-Stage Grid-Connected PV Generation. Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology, 14, 2239-2250.
[19] Nkambule, M.S., Hasan, A.N., Ali, A. et al. (2021). Comprehensive Evaluation of Machine Learning MPPT Algorithms for a PV System Under Different Weather Conditions. Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology, 16, 411-427.
[20] Zhang, Q., Hu, W., Liu, Y. et al. (2022). A novel smooth switching control strategy for multiple photovoltaic converters in DC microgrids. Journal of Power Electronics, 22, 163-175.
[21] Bu, F., Cheng, R. and Wang, Z. (2023). A Two-Layer Approach for Estimating Behind-the-Meter PV Generation Using Smart Meter Data. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 38(1), 885-896.
[22] Uno, M., Sasaki, Y. and Fujii, Y. (2023). Fault Tolerant Modular Differential Power Processing Converter for Photovoltaic Systems, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 59(1), 1139-1151.
[23] Samadi, M., Rakhtala, S. M. and Ahmadian, M. (2019). Boost converter topologies, hybrid boost and new topologies of voltage multiplier in photovoltaic systems, Journal of Solar Energy Research, 4(4), 287-299.
[24] Tian, H., Chen, M., Liang, G. and Xiao, X. (2022). A Single-Phase Transformerless Common-Ground Type PV Inverter with Active Power Decoupling, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 70(4), 3762-3772.
[25] Mazaheria, A., Barati, F. and Jamil, M. (2019). A Simulation-Aided LCL Filter Design for Grid-Interactive Three-Phase Photovoltaic Inverters. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 4(4), 229-236.
[26] Prasad, D. and C, D. (2022). Solar PV-Fed Multilevel Inverter with Series Compensator for Power Quality Improvement in Grid-Connected Systems. IEEE Access. 10, 81203-81219.
[27] Ghaffarzadeh, N. Azadian, A. (2019). A Comprehensive Review and Performance Evaluation in Solar System Fault Classification and Fault Detection Techniques, Journal of Solar Energy Research, 4(4), 252-272. 
[28] Nabati, Y., Niasar, A. H. and Mohammadi, H.R. (2022). A New L-C-D Cell Based Non-Isolated Single Switch High Step-Up DC-DC Converter for Photovoltaic Applications. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 7(2), 1027-1036.
[29] Ebrahimnaza, R. and Sarvi, M. (2022). A Novel Interleaved DC-DC Converter with High Voltage Gain for Photovoltaic System Applications. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 7(2), 1056-1066.
[30] Souri, V., Ketabi., A. and Niaser, A.H. (2021). Control of Three-Phase Buck-Type Dynamic Capacitor Using the Model Predictive Control Method for Dynamic Compensation of the Reactive Power and Load Current Harmonics. Journal of Solar Energy Research, 6(2), 898-913.