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Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.

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Main Author: Wacira, Joseph Muthui
Other Authors: Bah, Bubacarr
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2023
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access_status_str Open Access
author Wacira, Joseph Muthui
author2 Bah, Bubacarr
author_browse Bah, Bubacarr
Wacira, Joseph Muthui
author_facet Bah, Bubacarr
Wacira, Joseph Muthui
author_sort Wacira, Joseph Muthui
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University,
description Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/128889
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:41:09.576Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
publishDateSort 2023
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
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source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/128889 Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy Wacira, Joseph Muthui Bah, Bubacarr Vargas, Alessandro Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Applied Mathematics. Photovoltaic power systems Maximum Power Point Tracking PID controllers Nonlinear systems Algorithms Renewable natural resources Reinforcement learning Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2023. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques play a pivotal role in optimizing the performance of photovoltaic systems within renewable energy. Traditional MPPT methods, often reliant on Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controllers, face challenges when applied to nonlinear systems with dynamic operating conditions, typical in photovoltaic systems where temperature and irradiance continually fluctuate. The inherent static nature of the PID parameters leads to power losses, thereby reducing their efficiency. Additionally, they rely on trial-and-error approaches to determine the actual Maximum Power Point (MPP). This study introduces two novel MPPT approaches: the Gradient Descent Approach and the Deep Q-Network (DQN) approach. These methods share a common feature: they require knowledge of the maximum power point (MPP). An ANN was employed to predict the MPP under current operating conditions. Once the MPP is known, the Gradient Descent Approach aims to minimize the mean squared error by adjusting the duty cycle, whereas the DQN Approach employs a state-action-reward system that penalizes deviations from the MPP and large actions. To evaluate the effectiveness o f t hese a pproaches, s imulations were conducted under uniform operating conditions using MATLAB/Simulink, with data sourced from the NSRBD website for Brazil. The results were compared with those of the conventional Perturb and Observe algorithm with a PI controller tuned using the Ziegler-Nichols method under Standard Test Conditions. Simulations revealed that the proposed methodologies exhibited significantly higher efficiency than the benchmark algorithm. Furthermore, they demonstrate fast response times and minimal steady-state errors. Although these findings underscore the promise of the proposed approaches, further validation in real-world environments is necessary to confirm their superiority and practical applicability. AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Maksimum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) tegnieke speel ’n deurslaggewende rol in die optimalisering van die werkverrigting van fotovoltaïese stelsels binne hernubare energie. Tradisionele MPPT-metodes, wat dikwels afhanklik is van proporsionele integrale en afgeleide (PID) beheerders, staar uitdagings in die gesig wanneer dit toegepas word op nie-lineêre stelsels met dinamiese bedryfstoestande, tipies in fotovoltaïese stelsels waar temperatuur en bestraling voortdurend fluktueer. D ie i nherente s tatiese a ard v an d ie PID-parameters lei tot kragverliese, wat hul doeltreffendheid v erminder. Daarbenewens maak hulle staat op proef-en-fout-benaderings om die werklike maksimum kragpunt (MPP) te bepaal. Hierdie studie stel twee nuwe MPPT-benaderings bekend: die Gradient Descent Benadering en die Deep Q-Network (DQN) benadering. Hierdie metodes deel ’n gemeenskaplike kenmerk: hulle vereis kennis van die maksimum kragpunt (MPP). ’n ANN is gebruik om die MPP onder huidige bedryfstoestande te voorspel. Sodra die MPP bekend is, poog die Gradient Descent Benadering om die gemiddelde kwadraatfout te minimaliseer deur die dienssiklus aan te pas, terwyl die DQN Benadering ’n staat-aksie-beloningstelsel gebruik wat afwykings van die MPP en groot aksies penaliseer. Om die doeltreffendheid van hierdie b enaderings t e e valueer, i s simulasies uitgevoer met behulp van MATLAB/Simulink, met data afkomstig van die NSRBD-webwerf vir Brasilië. Die resultate is vergelyk met dié van die konvensionele Perturb en Observe algoritme met ’n PI kontroleerder wat ingestel is met behulp van die Ziegler-Nichols metode onder Standaard Toets Voorwaardes. Simulasies het aan die lig gebring dat die voorgestelde metodologieë aansienlik hoër doeltreffendheid as die maatstafalgoritme getoon het. Verder toon hulle vinnige reaksietye en minimale bestendige toestandfoute. Alhoewel hierdie bevindinge die belofte van die voorgestelde benaderings beklemtoon, is verdere validering in werklike omgewings nodig om hul meerderwaardigheid en praktiese toepaslikheid te bevestig. Masters 2023-11-29T05:04:56Z 2024-01-08T14:43:29Z 2023-11-29T05:04:56Z 2024-01-08T14:43:29Z 2023-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/128889 en_ZA Stellenbosch University, xii, 94 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Photovoltaic power systems
Maximum Power Point Tracking
PID controllers
Nonlinear systems
Algorithms
Renewable natural resources
Reinforcement learning
Wacira, Joseph Muthui
Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
title Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
title_full Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
title_fullStr Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
title_full_unstemmed Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
title_short Intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
title_sort intelligent control for processing solar photovoltaic energy
topic Photovoltaic power systems
Maximum Power Point Tracking
PID controllers
Nonlinear systems
Algorithms
Renewable natural resources
Reinforcement learning
url https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/128889
work_keys_str_mv AT wacirajosephmuthui intelligentcontrolforprocessingsolarphotovoltaicenergy