Particle swarm optimization, genetic Algorithm and grey Wolf optimizer algorithms performance comparative for a DC-DC boost converter PID controller

Abstract

Power converters are electronic devices widely applied in industry, and in recent years, for renewable energy electronic systems, they can regulate voltage levels and actuate as interfaces, however, to do so, is needed a controller. Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) are applied to power converters comparing output voltage versus a reference voltage to reduce and anticipate error. Using PID controllers may be complicated since must be previously tuned prior to their use. Many methods for PID controllers tunning have been proposed, from classical to metaheuristic approaches. Between the metaheuristic approaches, bio-inspired algorithms are a feasible solution; Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithms (GA) are often used; however, they need many initial parameters to be specified, this can lead to local solutions, and not necessarily the global optimum. In recent years, new generation metaheuristic algorithms with fewer initial parameters had been proposed. The Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm is based on wolves' herds chasing habits. In this work, a comparison between PID controllers tunning using GWO, PSO, and GA algorithms for a Boost Converter is made. The converter is modeled by state-space equations, and then the optimization of the related PID controller is made using MATLAB/Simulink software. The algorithm's performance is evaluated using the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). Results show that the proposed GWO algorithm is a feasible solution for the PID controller tunning problem for power converters since its overall performance is better than the obtained by the PSO and GA.