Manel Merchaoui

Bio: Manel Merchaoui is an academic researcher from University of Monastir. The author has contributed to research in topics: Maximum power point tracking & Particle swarm optimization. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 13 citations.

Fuzzy logic adaptive particle swarm optimisation based MPPT controller for photovoltaic systems

Abstract: Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers are a key element in photovoltaic (PV) conversion systems since they allow extracting the maximum power from PV generators. Metaheuristic algorithms such as the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) are nowadays widely adopted and have shown their superiority to many other techniques. However, conventional PSO (CPSO) algorithms still suffer from the problem of long convergence time when the range of the search area is large. To overcome this issue, this study proposes a fast fuzzy logic PSO (FL-PSO) based MPPT controller for PV systems. Unlike CPSO algorithm running with constant key parameters (inertia weight and acceleration coefficients), the proposed method includes a fuzzy inference system that dynamically adjusts these parameters. The effectiveness and rapidity of the proposed FL-PSO algorithm is validated trough numerical simulations and experimental tests. The obtained results show the superiority of the proposal as compared to CPSO, Jaya and hill climbing algorithms even under partial shading conditions and abrupt change of solar irradiation.

Improved fast particle swarm optimization based PV MPPT

Abstract: The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is one of the most utilized algorithm in swarm intelligence to deal with different optimization tasks, such as photovoltaic maximum power point tracking (MPPT). In this paper, an improved variant of the PSO is proposed including a nonlinear decreasing inertia weight in order to enhance the search process of the particles. A comparative study among the PSO with a linear and a nonlinear weight is carried out for MPPT under different partial shading conditions. The simulation results confirm that the developed algorithm is faster and more accurate.

Fuzzy adaptive particle swarm optimization basec maximum power point tracking

Abstract: The principal issue of the PSO is the early convergence because of the use of constant and linear inertia weight. To deal with this problem and to enhance the exploitation and exploration search of PSO, this research work present a new PSO based MPPT method including fuzzy reasoning for inertia weight adaptation (FPSO). The performance of the suggested method in terms of speed convergence and global search are evaluated through simulation using MATLAB software under constant irradiation and partial shading conditions (PSC).

Artificial Intelligence Based MPPT Techniques for Solar Power System: A review

Abstract: In the last decade, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been extensively used for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the solar power system. This is because conventional MPPT techniques are incapable of tracking the global maximum power point (GMPP) under partial shading condition (PSC). The output curve of the power versus voltage for a solar panel has only one GMPP and multiple local maximum power points (MPPs). The integration of AI in MPPT is crucial to guarantee the tracking of GMPP while increasing the overall efficiency and performance of MPPT. The selection of AI-based MPPT techniques is complicated because each technique has its own merits and demerits. In general, all of the AI-based MPPT techniques exhibit fast convergence speed, less steady-state oscillation and high efficiency, compared with the conventional MPPT techniques. However, the AI-based MPPT techniques are computationally intensive and costly to realize. Overall, the hybrid MPPT is favorable in terms of the balance between performance and complexity, and it combines the advantages of conventional and AI-based MPPT techniques. In this paper, a detailed comparison of classification and performance between 6 major AI-based MPPT techniques have been made based on the review and MATLAB/Simulink simulation results. The merits, open issues and technical implementations of AI-based MPPT techniques are evaluated. We intend to provide new insights into the choice of optimal AI-based MPPT techniques.

A novel musical chairs algorithm applied for MPPT of PV systems

Abstract: Due to the multiple peaks generated in the power to voltage characteristics of partially shaded photovoltaic (PV) arrays there is an urgent need for an effective optimization algorithm to capture its global peak instead of the local peaks. The required optimization algorithm should converge very fast and accurately capture the global peak. Many metaheuristic optimization algorithms have been introduced to tackle this problem and balance exploration and exploitation performances. These algorithms use a constant number of searching agents (swarm size) through all iterations. The maximum power point tracker (MPPT) of the PV system requires high numbers of searching agents in the initial steps of optimization to enhance explorations, whereas the final stage of optimization requires lower numbers of searching agents to enhance exploitations, which are conditions that are currently unavailable in optimization algorithms. This was the research gap that was the main motive of creating the new algorithm introduced in this paper, where a high number of searching agents is used at the beginning of the optimization steps to enhance exploration and reduce the convergence failure. The number of searching agents should be reduced gradually to have a lower number of search agents at the end of searching steps to enhance exploitation. This need is inspired by the well-known musical chairs game in which the players and chairs start with high numbers and are reduced one by one in each round which enhances the exploration at the start of the search and exploitation at the end of the search steps. For this reason, a novel optimization algorithm called the musical chairs algorithm (MCA) is introduced in this paper. Using the MCA for MPPT of PV systems considerably provided lower convergence times and failure rates than other optimization algorithms. The convergence time and failure rate are the crucial factors in assessing the MPPT because they should be minimized as much as possible to improve the PV system efficiency and assure its stability especially in the high dynamic change of shading conditions. The convergence time was reduced to 20%–50% of those obtained using five benchmark optimization algorithms. Moreover, the oscillations at steady state is reduced to 20%–30% of the values associated the benchmark optimization algorithms. These results prove the superiority of the newly proposed MCA in the MPPTs of the PV system.

African Vulture Optimization Algorithm-Based PI Controllers for Performance Enhancement of Hybrid Renewable-Energy Systems

Abstract: An effective maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency and performance of grid-connected renewable energy sources (RESs). This paper uses the African Vulture Optimization Algorithm (AVOA), a metaheuristic technique inspired by nature, to tune the proportional–integral (PI)-based MPPT controllers for hybrid RESs of solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind systems, as well as the PI controllers in a storage system that are used to smooth the output fluctuations of those RESs in a hybrid system. The performance of the AVOA is compared with that of the widely used the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique, which is commonly acknowledged as the foundation of swarm intelligence. As a result, this technique is introduced in this study to draw a comparison. It is observed that the proposed algorithm outperformed the PSO algorithm in terms of the tracking speed, robustness, and best convergence to the minimum value. A MATLAB/Simulink model was built, and optimization and simulation for the proposed system were carried out to verify the introduced algorithms. In conclusion, the optimization and simulation results showed that the AVOA is a promising method for solving a variety of engineering problems.