Modified puma-optimized novel control strategy for seven-level modular multilevel converter-based static synchronous compensator in grid-connected photovoltaic systems

The use of standalone microgrids has increased because they are more flexible to supply energy as per consumer needs and increase pollution. Integrating renewable energy sources with different loads will increase power quality issues in grid-connected systems. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel control strategy to reduce the power quality problems in microgrids. A standalone solar photovoltaic (PV) system is used in this work for generating input power. The seven-level modular multilevel converter is designed to work with grid-tied renewable sources, with the DC supply powered by a solar-connected power generation system. Power quality issues are solved with the help of a seven-level modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) device. The performance of STATCOM is improved by integrating the tilt integral–tilt derivative (TI-TD) controller with an improved puma optimization algorithm. This controller in a shunt active power filter diminishes current and voltage power quality issues. The Simulink platform is used for the implementation of the proposed work. The performance of the proposed work is validated by including disturbances in the system. The total harmonic distortion (THD) obtained for the proposed model is 0.52%. Performance of the proposed controller is evaluated using different controllers and optimization algorithms. Findings of the simulation and the experiment show better performance of the proposed method.