Power Optimizer based on Model Predictive Control for a Cascaded Multilevel Impedance Source Inverter

This paper presents a power optimization mechanism for photovoltaic (PV) cascaded multilevel impedance source inverter (CMISI) at the grid-edge. The energy harvested for PV cells are maximized by a model predictive control based distributed maximum power point tracking technique. The proposed technique features reserve power capability and utilization of the reserve power for ancillary services requirement from the inverter to the grid such as frequency and voltage regulations. Predictive control framework is leveraged for the proposed multi-objective control of the CMISI without requirement of cascaded multi-nested loop control schemes and complex modulation schemes. Thus, the proposed control scheme takes full advantage of CMISI to maximize power harvesting and provide ancillary services in a reliable, robust, and simple manner. The presented case studies verifies the theoretical expectation of the proposed power optimization mechanism and control scheme for grid-interactive CMISI.