Hybrid PV-Wind Micro-Grid Development Using Quasi-Z-Source Inverter Modeling and Control –Experimental Investigation

This research work deals with the modeling and control of a hybrid photovoltaic (PV)-Wind micro-grid using Quasi Z-source inverter (QZsi). This inverter has major benefits as it provides better buck/boost characteristics, can regulate the phase angle output, has less harmonic contents, does not require the filter and has high power performance characteristics over the conventional inverter. A single ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) module used as DC-DC switched power apparatus is employed for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) functions which provide high voltage gain throughout the process. Moreover, a modified power ratio variable step (MPRVS) based perturb & observe (P&O) method has been proposed, as part of the PV MPPT action, which forces the operating point close to the maximum power point (MPP). The proposed controller effectively correlates with the hybrid PV, Wind and battery system and provides integration of distributed generation (DG) with loads under varying operating conditions. The proposed standalone micro grid system is applicable specifically in rural places. The dSPACE real-time hardware platform has been employed to test the proposed micro grid system under varying wind speed, solar irradiation, load cutting and removing conditions etc. The experimental results based on a real-time digital platform, under dynamic conditions, justify the performance of a hybrid PV-Wind micro-grid with Quasi Z-Source inverter topology.