Integrating hybrid power source into islanded microgrid using ant colony optimization

This paper presents a control strategy for an islanded micro grid to coordinate Hybrid Power Source (HPS) units. Micro grid usually consists of multiple distributed generation units interfaced to the system through power electronic inverters. Usage of power electronic inverters results in harmonic generation and leads to power quality issues. In the proposed method multiple photo voltaic arrays are considered. When PV arrays are partially shaded there is failure in finding global maximum power point. To overcome the inadequacy Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) scheme is adopted in this work. Using Ant Colony Optimization maximum power point can be tracked and this is given as duty cycle to boost converter to boost voltage. Hence voltage fluctuations can be minimized and there by power quality can be enhanced. The proposed method has been simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK in power system block set.