Genetic Algorithm Optimized Fractional Order PI Controller for Enhanced Performance in a Grid-Connected PV System

Metatla Samir, Soufi Youcef, Almaktoof Ali, Bendakir Abdelhakim

Abstract


Maximizing energy yield in large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems requires accurate and fast Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), particularly under rapidly changing irradiance. Classical methods such as Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance (InCond) perform well under steady irradiance but struggle to achieve rapid tracking, low steady?state oscillations, and robustness simultaneously. To address this limitation, a Fractional Order Proportional and Integral (FOPI) controller tuned by a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and coupled with the InCond MPPT technique is proposed. The control architecture comprises three independent FOPI controllers dedicated to the MPPT loop, the DC-link voltage regulation loop, and the grid current control loop. Each loop was optimized separately using a dedicated Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE) criterion evaluated under the EN50530 dynamic irradiance profile. Validation was conducted through comprehensive time-domain implementations in MATLAB/Simulink using the Simscape Electrical™ toolbox, employing a rigorous test regimen that included irradiance ramps, abrupt steps from 250 W/m² to 1000 W/m², and a staircase profile replicating progressive partial shading. The results demonstrate that the GA-FOPI controller achieves an average MPPT efficiency of 99.7% compared to 98.8% for a conventional integer-order Proportional-Integral (PI) controller. DC-link voltage overshoot drops from 3.0% (515 V) to 0.8% (504 V), with settling time reduced from 0.085 s to 0.06 s. Grid current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) falls from 2.23% to 2.15%, well within the IEC?61727 limit of 5%. Both controllers respond identically to irradiance steps (0.017 s), but the FOPI eliminates the power overshoot observed with the integer-order PI. The additional degree of freedom introduced by the fractional integration order ? proves particularly effective in rejecting sudden irradiance disturbances. The tuning procedure described, using a genetic algorithm with loop-specific ITAE criteria, can be directly applied to other utility-scale PV configurations without requiring expert knowledge of fractional-order control.


Keywords


MPPT, fractional-order PI, genetic algorithm, grid-connected PV, ITAE

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References


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DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.20508/ijsmartgrid.v10i3.840.g429

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