Self-governing single-stage photovoltaic water pumping system with voltage balancing control for a four-phase SRM drive

This work deals with an efficient and reliable solution of a standalone solar water pumping system using a 4-phase SRM (Switched Reluctance Motor) drive. Only a mid-point converter is used to drive the SRM as well as to achieve the MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm) operation. The elimination of DC-DC converter offers a fast dynamic response with enhanced system efficiency. An online flux optimization with single pulse mode of SRM drive is developed and implemented. The developed control scheme eliminates the need of any phase current sensor, and the motor speed is fully governed by the available PV array power. The developed control technique removes the need for any phase current sensor and the speed of the motor is regulated through available solar power. A deviation free MPPT technique is also implemented in this system to overcome the drift problem present in the conventional P&O (Perturb and observe) technique. The appropriateness of the proposed system with developed control is demonstrated through its performance assessment utilizing simulation and test results obtained through an experimental prototype.