Grid-Integrated SRM-Driven Solar Water Pump With Power Flow Management

This work presents a unidirectional power flow control for a solar-assisted water supply system with grid support. The solar photovoltaic (PV) array acts as a primary source whereas the grid is operated as a reserve supply to ensure an uninterruptable water supply irrespective of working conditions. The present system has a reduced payback period and an efficient solution of water pumping in the present energy scenario. An online dwell angle optimization technique with a fundamental switching operation of switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive is employed in this work. A second-ordered generalized integrator (SOGI)-based single directional power flow control is developed to achieve the required nature of grid parameters following the IEEE recommendations. Additionally, this controller also offers the PV array power optimization and voltage balancing across split dc-link capacitors at all situations. The developed system is tested for both volumetric and centrifugal pumps. A unique way of emulating the characteristic of the centrifugal pump using a dc generator and buck-boost converter is also discussed in this work. The authenticity of this system with developed unidirectional grid control is examined through both MATLAB-based simulation and experimental responses. Overall, the developed system provides a cost-effective, efficient, and maintenance-free PV array energized water pumping system with the grid support.