Exl45. Proposal
Exl45. Proposal
As the need for renewable energy rises, optimizing photovoltaic (PV) systems becomes critical.
Traditional power converters in PV systems frequently encounter issues of efficiency and com-
plexity. The use of power electronics has proven essential to improve the efficiency and reliabil-
ity of power supply. Among these power electronics is the Sparse Matrix Converters (SMCs),
which provides a promising option by combining high power density with low energy losses.
This study investigates the use of SMCs to improve PV system performance, with the implemen-
tation of phase width modulation through analysis of simulations and testing on Matlab. The au-
thors anticipate showing how SMCs can improve the efficiency of solar energy technology.
INTRODUCTION
There has been an increase in the use of photovoltaic modules to produce electricity in recent
years. With the need to find sustainable and renewable energy sources, it is important to find
ways to increase the efficiency of solar PV modules. Various methods can be employed to in-
crease the conversion efficiency of PV modules. The different methods include keeping the pan-
els clean, ensuring proper tilt and orientation, minimizing shade and many others.
One innovative approach to enhancing PV conversion efficiency is through advanced power con-
version technologies. Among these, the Sparse Matrix Converter (SMC) has emerged as a
promising candidate. The SMC is a type of direct AC-AC converter that offers significant advan-
tages over traditional converters, such as reduced losses, improved performance, and greater
flexibility in integration with various energy systems. Improving photovoltaic efficiency sup-
ports the shift to renewable energy by making solar power more affordable and effective, thereby
accelerating the move away from fossil fuels and helping to mitigate climate change.
In conventional photovoltaic (PV) systems, the DC-DC boost converters and DC-AC inverters
are standard technologies used to manage power conversion. DC-DC boost converters step up
the voltage from the PV panels to match grid requirements but can suffer from inefficiencies due
to switch losses and high ripple currents [1] . Similarly, DC-AC inverters, which convert the DC
output of PV panels to AC for grid compatibility, often experience losses related to switching
and harmonic distortion [2].
The Sparse Matrix Converter (SMC) offers a novel approach to power conversion that has gar-
nered attention for its potential to enhance efficiency. Unlike traditional converters, an SMC is
an AC-AC converter that directly connects input and output AC sources without an intermediate
DC stage. This design reduces the number of active and passive components, minimizing losses
and improving overall system efficiency [3]. SMCs are known for their ability to perform high
frequency switching with minimal losses, thanks to their reduced number of power switches,
which lowers switching losses and improves thermal performance [ 4]. Moreover, SMCs exhibit
better performance in terms of harmonic distortion and power factor correction, which are essen-
tial for maintaining grid stability and maximizing PV system output [ 5].
OBJECTIVES
Investigating and developing an improved power conversion architecture for PV systems em-
ploying Sparse Matrix Converters through examining critical elements like modulation tech-
niques, control algorithms, and component integration.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming increasingly popular, which emphasizes the need for
more effective power conversion techniques. Conventional inverters, which are frequently used
to convert DC electricity from photovoltaic panels to AC power, have large component require-
ments and energy loss. By permitting direct AC-AC conversion, eliminating the need for inter-
mediate stages, and decreasing passive components, Sparse Matrix Converters (SMCs) present a
viable solution.
MOTIVATION STATEMENT
The need for more effective photovoltaic (PV) systems is highlighted by the growing need for
sustainable energy alternatives. Conventional converters, like inverters, are less effective because
they require large components and have large energy losses. To minimize system size, reduce en-
ergy losses, and enable direct AC-AC conversion, Sparse Matrix Converters (SMCs) present a
viable alternative. Enhancing PV systems with SMCs can lower system costs, increase power
conversion efficiency, and encourage the global switch to greener energy sources by encouraging
the wider use of renewable energy.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Enhancing energy conversion efficiency and lowering losses are the main goals of current re-
search on integrating Sparse Matrix Converters (SMCs) into photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Table 1. highlights the advantages and difficulties of using SMCs in PV systems by summarizing
important research that addresses developments in modulation techniques, switching strategies
and control algorithms.
T. Friedli, A 100 kHz The paper The experimental re- This study presents the
S. D. SiC Sparse presents the de- sults verified the ma- successful implementa-
Round, Matrix sign and imple- trix operation of the tion of a high-frequency,
and J. W. Converter mentation of a SiC SMC. The con- high-efficiency Sparse
Kolar Sparse Matrix verter achieved an Matrix Converter using
Converter (SMC) efficiency of 94% SiC JFET technology.
using Silicon and a power density The SMC design elimi-
Carbide (SiC) of 1.5 kW/liter. nates the need for large
JFET technology. Turn-on switching energy storage compo-
The SMC is de- times for the SiC nents, enabling compact,
signed as a direct JFET cascode de- lightweight, and efficient
AC-AC converter vices were measured power conversion. The
with no interme- at 30 ns, and the sys- results show that SiC-
diate energy stor- tem produced near- based converters are a
age, operating at sinusoidal output promising solution for
100 kHz. The currents with low aerospace and other ap-
methodology in- harmonic distortion. plications requiring high
volves the use of The heat sink and power density and effi-
SiC JFET cas- electromagnetic in- cient AC-AC conver-
code devices, ca- terference (EMI) fil- sion.
pable of high ter were designed to
switching fre- minimize volume,
quencies, to re- with the total heat
duce switching sink volume reduced
losses and in- to 0.14 liters at 40
crease system ef- kHz
ficiency. A 1.5
kW prototype op-
erating from a
230V AC mains
supply was con-
structed, and both
simulations and
experimental val-
idations were
performed to
demonstrate the
converter’s per-
formance. The
physical con-
struction features
a compact,
tower-like design
to optimize space
and power den-
sity
F. Analyti- The paper fo- The analytical The study successfully
Schafmei cally cuses on devel- method produced develops an analytically
ster, M. Closed Cal- oping an analyti- highly accurate re- closed method to calcu-
Bau- culation of cal method for sults for a wide late the conduction and
mann, the Con- calculating con- range of operating switching losses in
and J.W. duction duction and conditions, showing Sparse Matrix Convert-
Kolar Losses of switching losses less than a 5% devi- ers, offering accurate re-
Three- in three-phase ation from digital sults across various oper-
Phase AC- AC-AC Sparse simulations. The ating conditions. The pa-
AC Sparse Matrix Convert- proposed approach per's approach simplifies
Matrix ers (SMCs). The allowed for a precise the dimensioning of
Converters methodology in- calculation of both components in these
volves simplify- conduction and converters, enabling
ing the complex switching losses, more efficient and reli-
modulation and which were vali- able design
switching pat- dated against practi-
terns typical in cal implementations
matrix convert- of the converters.
ers. By using an This calculation pro-
analytical ap- vided an excellent
proach, the study basis for the dimen-
offers a closed- sioning of compo-
form solution for nents and determin-
the conduction ing the rated output
and switching power and efficiency
losses in the of the SMC, VSMC,
SMC, Very and USMC systems
Sparse Matrix
Converter
(VSMC), and Ul-
tra Sparse Matrix
Converter
(USMC). The pa-
per compares
these results with
digital simula-
tions to verify
their accuracy,
considering wide
modulation
ranges and vari-
able load current
phases.
Rmili, L. Sparse Ma- Focus is on the The simulation re- The study successfully
& Rah- trix Con- modeling of an sults demonstrated modeled the sparse ma-
mani, verter: indirect sparse the performance of trix converter and ap-
Salem & Modeling matrix converter the sparse matrix plied PWM control to
Al-Had- and PWM (SMC) and its converter in reduc- achieve efficient power
dad, Ka- Control modulation using ing total harmonic conversion with mini-
mal. the Pulse Width distortion (THD) of mized harmonic distor-
Modulation input current and tion. The use of input/
(PWM) tech- output voltage. Be- output filters signifi-
nique. The SMC fore filtering, the in- cantly improved the
is an AC-AC put current had a quality of input and out-
converter that THD of 75.45%, and put signals, making the
does not require a the output voltage SMC suitable for appli-
DC-link or en- had a THD of cations requiring high
ergy storage ele- 92.02%. After ap- power quality. The re-
ment, making it plying input and out- sults showed that the
compact and effi- put filters, the THD SMC offers advantages
cient. The indi- of the input current in terms of reduced
rect topology of dropped to 1.8%, semiconductor count,
the SMC, con- and the THD of the improved THD perfor-
sisting of a cur- output voltage de- mance, and efficient AC-
rent-source recti- creased to 0.3%. AC conversion, making
fier and a volt- Similar improve- it a viable option for in-
age-source in- ments were observed dustrial and renewable
verter, is studied across different out- energy applications.
to reduce the put frequencies (25
number of power Hz, 50 Hz, and 100
semiconductors, Hz), with significant
thereby simplify- reductions in both
ing the con- input and output cur-
verter's control. rent and voltage
Simulations were THDs.
performed with
RL loads, and in-
put/output filters
were designed to
minimize har-
monics and im-
prove power
quality. The
PWM technique
was applied to
control the con-
verter switches
and regulate the
power supply to
the load.
M. A. A Cascaded The cascaded DC-AC-
Barrios, DC-AC-AC The paper "A Open-Loop Simula- AC converter with an
V. Cárde- Grid-Tied Cascaded DC- tions: The cascaded AC-link presents a
nas, J. M. Converter AC-AC Grid- converters produced promising solution for
Sandoval for PV Tied Converter a seven-level line-to- PV plants, offering mod-
J. M. Plants with for PV Plants neutral voltage with ularity, efficient grid in-
Guerrero AC-Link with AC-Link" low total harmonic tegration, and reduced
and J. C. proposes a novel distortion (THD). reliance on large trans-
Vasquez cascaded DC- The system per- formers. Simulations and
AC-AC converter formed well under experiments validated
topology for ideal conditions, the system's ability to
grid-tied photo- with the three-phase maintain low THD, han-
voltaic (PV) sinusoidal output dle varying irradiance
plants. The con- voltages properly levels, and produce sta-
verter comprises shifted by 120 de- ble output voltages. The
three stages: a grees. The use of the proposed topology could
medium-fre- medium-frequency enhance the performance
quency (MF) transformer allowed and scalability of utility-
square wave gen- for efficient voltage scale PV systems.
erator, a MF stepping while main-
transformer with taining minimal
multiple wind- switching losses.
ings, and an AC-
AC converter. Closed-Loop Simu-
The methodology lations: The system
involves simula- was tested under
tions and experi- varying solar irradi-
mental valida- ance levels. When
tions to demon- irradiance dropped,
strate the perfor- overshoots in DC-
mance of the pro- link voltage oc-
posed system in curred, but the exter-
both open-loop nal control loop
(off-grid) and quickly regulated the
closed-loop output, stabilizing at
(grid-connected) 1 kV. Power fluctua-
modes. In the tions in the PV ar-
rays were handled
simulations, ideal effectively, and the
power supplies system was able to
were used in inject sinusoidal cur-
place of the PV rent into the grid.
arrays to simplify
the analysis. Experimental Pro-
totypes: Two re-
For the open- duced-scale proto-
loop simulation, types (single-phase
resistive loads and three-phase)
were connected, were built to validate
and the voltage the simulation re-
and current sults. The experi-
waveforms were mental results
analyzed at vari- closely matched the
ous points in the simulations, demon-
system. In the strating the feasibil-
closed-loop sim- ity of the proposed
ulation, actual system.
PV modules were
used to observe
how the system
handles varia-
tions in solar irra-
diance
THEORY
PV systems utilize Power Electronics in their operation, these include dc-dc converters to regu-
late the constant voltage output under various operating conditions of photovoltaic cells. These
dc-dc converters are connected to dc-ac converters, which through the ac output is connected to
the grid. Frequency converters are used to convert AC electrical power of different frequency
into AC electrical power of another frequency. They control load voltage amplitude, the dis-
placement angle between source currents and bi-directional power flow. [51. Gyugi L, Pelly B
(1976) Static power frequency changers: theory, performance and applications. Wiley, New
York]. AC-AC frequency converters can be categorized into three types depending on the type of
AC-AC conversion, this is depicted by figure [1]. Categorizing of ac-ac frequency converters
varies through literature since the topic is still under development. [P. Szcze´sniak, Three-Phase
AC–AC Power Converters Based on Matrix 17 Converter Topology, Power Systems, DOI:
10.1007/978-1-4471-4896-8_2, © Springer-Verlag London 2013]
AC-AC frequency converters are classified as those which do not have dc energy storage, con-
verters containing dc energy storage elements and hybrid converters with small local dc energy
storage elements. Energy storage elements are capacitors, supercapacitors and batteries which
are used to store energy and can supply power when needed. Direct converters are direct fre-
quency converters, they consist of two convert stages and energy storage elements. As such they
convert AC-DC then reconvert DC-AC with a varied amplitude and frequency [P. Szcze´sniak,
Three-Phase AC–AC Power Converters Based on Matrix 17 Converter Topology, Power Sys-
tems, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-4896-8_2, © Springer-Verlag London 2013]. To acquire desired
output current, modulation of the duty cycle of inverters is done. These types of converters in-
clude the Voltage Source inverter and current source inverter which are commonly used. Hybrid
converters, unlike AC-AC converters with dc energy storage, have small-sized DC energy stor-
age elements or an addition of DC-DC converters.
Matrix converters have no dc energy storage elements, and they compose of static power
switches which are connected between the source and load terminals.[P. Szcze´sniak, Three-
Phase AC–AC Power Converters Based on Matrix 17 Converter Topology, Power Systems,
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-4896-8_2, © Springer-Verlag London 2013]. Matrix converters are
energy conversion devices with two operation modes, voltage source matrix converter and cur-
rent source matrix converter depending on the power supply to the device. Most MC are voltage
supplied [P. Szcze´sniak, Three-Phase AC–AC Power Converters Based on Matrix 17 Converter
Topology, Power Systems, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-4896-8_2, © Springer-Verlag London
2013].
They are single-stage converters, with nine bi-directional IGBT power switches to directly con-
nect voltage source (pv voltage source) to a load (grid) [1[pawel], 2, 135, 142]. Indirect Matrix
Converters are matrix converters used for direct ac-ac power conversion instead of ac-dc-ac con-
verters. Ac-dc-ac converters, convert DC power (from batteries or solar panels) to AC power for
household appliances or grid connection, thus they provide backup power in case of a power out-
age however these converters use dc energy storage which are bulky. A three-phase ac/ac indi-
rect matrix converter structure combines a current source rectifier, and a voltage source inverter
connected by virtual dc-link illustrated on figure [3].
Figure 2. IMC power circuit
The rectifier consists of 12 bidirectional IGBT switches and the inverter has 6 IGBT switches.
Indirect matrix converter generates less switching and conduction losses, development of other
configurations with the aim of reducing the number of transistors required which facilitates the
control of the matrix converter includes the SMC. To reduce the number of transistors, one IGBT
from each arm of the rectifier is eliminated as shown in Fig.2. This leaves us with the configura-
tion of the SMC Fig.3.
Figure 3. Modification of the arm structure of the rectifier stage of the IMC (a) into the SMC arm
topology (c) Indirect matrix converter
Utilizing passive filters, which consists of LC tuned to reduce harmonic distortion is used on
SMC. Matrix converters supply discontinuous input current which is injected into alternative
mains. This harmonic results in voltage distortions; to reduce them usage of Lc input passive fil-
ters can be implemented. In addition, the pulse width modulation control technique can be ap-
plied to calculate the duty cycle of IGBT switches used in SMC. This technique applies compari-
son of reference sine wave with a triangular wave to generate pulses with varied duty cycle in ac-
cordance with the frequency of reference sine wave. The PWM signals switch the power
switches and control the power energy supply to the load feeding by matrix converter [[27] K.
Mohapatra, P. Jose, A. Drolia, G. Aggarwal, and S. Thuta, “A novel carrier-based PWM scheme
for matrix converters that is easy to implement”, in Proc. 36th IEEE Power Electron. Spec.
Conf., pp. 2410– 2414, Jun. 2005.]. This technique of modulation when applied to the SMC sys-
tem is shown in Fig.5 [10] L. Rmili, S. Rahmani, H. Vahedi and K. Al-Haddad, “Sparse Matrix-
Converter: Modeling and PWM Control”, In Proc. 23rd IEEEInternational Symposium on Indus-
trial Electronics (ISIE), June 2014].
Figure 5. (b) Zoomed waveforms of one switching cycle (DC link voltage u and current I) with
PWM pulse pattern shown for the grey shaded area in (a).
METHODOLOGY
The objective of this project is to evaluate the impact of replacing a conventional DC-AC in-
verter with a Sparse Matrix Converter (SMC) on the overall conversion efficiency of a photo-
voltaic (PV) system. The project will utilize MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and simulation.
Key aspects of the evaluation include optimizing input and output filters of the SMC, integrating
a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm, and analyzing switching losses, harmonic
distortions, and ripple currents.
PV system design
A PV array is designed to meet the desired voltage and current output. A boost converter is im-
plemented to step up the voltage from the PV array. MPPT is used to ensure optimal power ex-
traction. DC-AC converter is used to convert the DC voltage to meet the grid requirements.
The overall conversion efficiency of the PV system is measured by comparing the electrical
power output from the P V system (after the SMC or conventional inverter) to the power in-
put from the PV panels
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN