Optimization of P& PI controller parameters for variable speed drive systems using a flower pollination algorithm

In this study, a novel flower pollination algorithm (FPA) has been suggested for optimal tuning of P and PI controllers included in a variable speed drive VSD system control circuit. In addition to the manual tuning of controllers’ parameters, several optimization algorithms like GA, PSO, GWO have been used for controllers optimal tuning in different studies. In this study, the errors caused by grid side current harmonic distortion in the VSD system have been used depending on SPWM technique to generate switching signals for a four-quadrant chopper circuit that acts like a filter and compensates the harmonic content in the grid current and smooth ripples in both DC-link current and voltage. The studied drive system and control circuit have been modeled using Matlab/Simulink, then it was linked with the proposed algorithm and tested under different operation conditions. A hardware laboratory model has been built and tested in order to confirm the validity of this study. Comparing the proposed algorithm with other optimization algorithms shows that the suggested algorithm outperforms other algorithms in improving the time response of the VSD system, reducing total harmonic distortion THD of grid current, and reducing ripple factor PF.