Artificial Intelligence-Based Weighting Factor Autotuning for Model Predictive Control of Grid-Tied Packed U-Cell Inverter

The tuning of weighting factor has been considered as the most challenging task in the implementation of multi-objective model predictive control (MPC) techniques. Thus, this paper proposes an artificial intelligence (AI)-based weighting factor autotuning in the design of a finite control set MPC (FCS-MPC) applied to a grid-tied seven-level packed U-cell (PUC7) multilevel inverter (MLI). The studied topology is capable of producing a seven-level output voltage waveform and inject sinusoidal current to the grid with high power quality while using a reduced number of components. The proposed cost function optimization algorithm ensures auto-adjustment of the weighting factor to guarantee low injected grid current total harmonic distortion (THD) at different power ratings while balancing the capacitor voltage. The optimal weighting factor value is selected at each sampling time to guarantee a stable operation of the PUC inverter with high power quality. The weighting factor selection is performed using an artificial neural network (ANN) based on the measured injected grid current. Simulation and experimental results are presented to show the high performance of the proposed strategy in handling multi-objective control problems.

• finite control set model predictive control
• packed U-cell inverter
• grid-connected inverter
• artificial neural networks
• total harmonic distortion
• capacitor voltage balancing
• multi-objective control
• power quality
• sinusoidal current injection

• 7 — Affordable and clean energy
• 9 — Industry, innovation and infrastructure

• Multilevel Inverters and Converters
• Advanced Control Systems Optimization
• Microgrid Control and Optimization
• finite control set model predictive control
• packed U-cell inverter
• grid-connected inverter
• artificial neural networks
• total harmonic distortion
• capacitor voltage balancing
• multi-objective control
• power quality
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Control and Systems Engineering
• Engineering