Modeling and simulation to optimize direct power control of DFIG in variable-speed pumped-storage power plant using teaching–learning-based optimization technique

The issues related to the optimal control of large-scale storage systems in electric power systems such as pumped storage (PS) plant have turned into vital challenges in the way of integrating renewable energy sources into power systems to provide reliable and economical electric energy. In this regard, this paper uses the direct power control strategy to model and simulate a variable-speed PS plant, which includes a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG). The active and the reactive power of the stator would be able to be controlled, separately. This approach has a better dynamic performance compared to other methods, while it would be quite simple to implement. But there are some shortfalls with this method, such as high ripple relating to the active power as well as reactive power together with the current harmonics. In this respect, the space vector modulation (SVM) is applied to eliminate these shortfalls. In the proposed control technique, including SVM, the dynamic performance of the studied DFIG unit is controlled using the proportional–integral (PI) controller. It should be noted that the teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) method is employed to tune the PI controller for controlling the DFIG system in the PS plant. Finally, in order to validate the performance of the suggested framework, a comparison is made between the results obtained by the TLBO and the ones reported by other optimization methods. The obtained results using the TLBO algorithm indicate better performance of the PI controller to reduce the ripples of the active and reactive power of the stator as well as the harmonic power.