V/F based multi-phase induction motor drive for PV powered boat applications

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed discussion about single stage inverter to drive the multi-phase V/F induction motor to propel boat fed from stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system, increases compactness, reliability and economical features to the entire system. To drive the boat using non-linear multi-phase induction motor from a non-linear PV source, under maximum power point condition is a tedious task. Though, single stage systems seem to simple, obtaining various control functionalities such as MPPT operation, model reference speed estimation, V/F speed control methods along with controller design and modulator functions from only one power electronics converter increases the design complexity to the designer. While performing MPPT and speed estimation operations in closed loop, re-checking ability is integrated to the inverter fed V/F control induction motor initiative for superior exactness results improves the dynamic performance, and also energy saving to end-user. Closed-loop (CL) boat sailing operation with load torque and model reference adaptive based speed estimation using multi-phase induction motor model along with the MPPT P&O algorithm, is used to generate reference command to the controller, and designed controller ensure to track this reference by producing controller voltage to modulator. Simple Sine PWM is adopted for the generation PWM pulses to the inverter in this drive to enhance the design simplicity. Proposed method is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK and closed loop solution at both different irradiations and load torque conditions presented. The simulation marks illustration that planned method is inexpensive, efficient, performance is reliable and superior.