Solar photovoltaic array dependent dual output converter based water pumping using switched reluctance motor drive

Abstract

A non-inverted dual output buck-boost DC-DC converter is proposed in this paper for solar fed water pumping employing SRM (Switched Reluctance Motor) drive. The utilized DC-DC converter provides a symmetrical dual output supply to the split DC capacitors of a mid-point converter and balanced voltages across DC link capacitors. The continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation of dual output buck-boost converter reduced current and voltage stress on converter components and nullifies the EMI (electromagnetic interference) problem. The electronic commutation of SRM converter enhances the efficiency of water pumping system by lowering the switching losses. A P and O (Perturbation and Observe) algorithm for highest power tracing is used in the present system to regulate the duty cycle of DC-DC converter and to ensure the efficient operation of solar array arrangement. The appropriate execution of MPPT controller eases the soft starting of proposed drive for water pumping by restricting the large starting inrush current in windings of SRM. From the analysis of simulated performance of proposed system, it is revealed that the system operates efficiently at all possible environmental conditions.