High-Fidelity Simulation-Driven Control Framework for Robust Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Systems

Abstract

The reliable integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into modern power grids requires control solutions that balance dynamic performance, power quality and implementation complexity. This paper presents a modular, simulation-driven control framework for grid-connected hybrid photovoltaic–wind systems. The framework organises conventional PI-based loops in a hierarchical structure with power, DC-link voltage and dq-current layers, and augments them with a mode-switching decision-logic module capable of transitioning between passive (load-following) and active (grid-support) operation in real time. Implemented entirely in MATLAB/Simulink, the framework includes automated disturbance emulation and a script-based benchmarking workflow that allows fair comparison between the proposed Simulation-Driven Hierarchical Mode-Switching Control (SDHMC) and reference PI, MPC, SMC and FLC controllers under identical plant and scenario settings. For the studied hybrid PV–wind case, SDHMC reduces settling time by about 58% and lowers current THD by around 53% compared to a conventional PI design, while maintaining DC-link voltage deviations within ± 1.2% during severe grid-voltage sags. The contribution is thus a reusable high-fidelity simulation benchmark and control architecture at converter level; experimental and hardware-in-the-loop validation are identified as essential next steps.