Maximum Power Point Tracking of Tidal Generation System via Bald Eagle Search Approach

The operation of a tidal power generation system (TPGS) is susceptible to instantaneous local velocity fluctuations of the tide. Therefore, the use of effective MPPT control methods can maximize energy extraction, improve system efficiency, reduce mechanical loads, and adapt to complex operating environments, thereby significantly enhancing the economics and reliability of tidal power generation. This paper introduces a meta-heuristic optimization framework, termed the Bald Eagle Search (BES) algorithm, to design MPPT controllers for TPGSs subjected to time-varying ocean current conditions. The proposed framework aims to track the global maximum power point (GMPP) consistently. The BES algorithm was chosen because of its ability to explore new search spaces. This mechanism enhances the algorithm’s global search capability by preventing convergence on local optima, thereby elevating the probability of attaining globally optimal solutions. The main control object of the proposed algorithm is the DC-DC boost converter MOSFET at the terminals of the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) driven by the marine current turbine (MCT). Output power maximization is achieved through dynamic optimization of the MOSFET’s duty cycle. The proposed BES-MPPT framework is benchmarked against a conventional particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based approach under both steady-state and transient current conditions. The results obtained validate the effectiveness of the proposed BES-MPPT in extracting the global maximum power.