Tow-Thomas-Controlled Single-Phase Solar Powered Microgrids: Performance Evaluation in Grid-Tied and Standalone Operations

The following paper proposes a well-planned microgrid system aimed at damping harmonics and enabling smooth transitions from grid-tied to standalone operation. The setup comprises a photovoltaic (PV) solar generation system, a voltage-fed converter, and a battery driven energy storage unit. To control a voltage fed converter, we use gate pulses generated by the Tow-Thomas algorithm, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. For optimal solar power tracking, system uses the Perturb and Observe (P&O) method with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system to regulate the duty cycle of the DC-DC step up converter. During grid failures, a switch transition logic (STL) based controller, transitions the system from grid-reliant to self-sufficient operation, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to critical loads. Shunt compensation is connected to the microgrid for harmonic damping, load current balancing, and better power quality control at the point of common interfacing (PCI) . The effectiveness and reliability of the outlined system is implemented and analyzed under various loads and different irradiation conditions.