Design, implementation and evaluation of a control system to optimize the performance of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) supplied by a stand-alone Photovoltaic System without batteries

Abstract

This paper lays out the problem of powering a Permanent Magnet Synchronous  Motor  (PMSM)  by  means  of  a  photovoltaic  (PV) generator   without   any   battery   or   any   other   kind   of   energy accumulation system and develops a simple and efficient solution for it. The   solution   has   been   made   by   the   implementation   of   a Proportional-Integral  Controller  (PI)  based  on  Arduino  platform as well as an appropriate tuning of its control parameters utilizing the   tuning   method   known   as   AMIGOf   (Approximate   M-constrained  Integral  Gained  Optimization  based  on  frequency response). The  controller  allows  the  motor  to  rotate  at  a  speed  range  from repose state to the maximum speed that can be reached when the photovoltaic  generator  operates  at  its  maximum  power  point (MPP). In  order  to  assess  the  system  operation,  it  has  been  built  up  an experimental  system  composed  on  the  motor,  an  e-bike  inverter and  a  small  photovoltaic  generator.  Start-up  and  sudden  drop  of the available PV power tests have been carried out. The obtained results  show  a  successful  system  behaviour,  providing  quick start-up  without  oscillations  and  a  fast  response  to  a  drop  of  the available power. The generator voltage is always kept close to the control setpoint value, avoiding sharp voltage drops which could turn out the system to be unstable.