Application of a Solar Conversion Chain Based on a 3-Level NPC Inverter for an Hospital Electrical Network

Abstract

Morocco aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 12 gigawatts by 2030, aligning with global efforts to combat environmental impacts of electricity production. This article focuses on solar energy's pivotal role in Morocco's renewable energy strategy, particularly in small-scale installations like hospitals. Hybridizing hospital electrical networks can reduce costs and emissions. However, ensuring uninterrupted and high-quality electrical supply, as mandated by standards, presents a challenge. Properly sizing solar inverters is crucial. Researchers are exploring control strategies and inverter structures to maximize energy conversion efficiency. This study introduces a novel hardware solution by using a multi-level three-phase inverter of NPC type, demonstrating potential for enhancing grid-injected current quality. The study employs a Genetic Algorithm (GA) along with the abc/dq coordinate transformation paradigm for PID controller synthesis. The proposed architecture shows promising results compared to conventional approaches, providing insights for renewable energy integration in critical facilities.