Design and Control of an Agricultural Microgrid for Grid-Connected and Off-Grid Applications

Date

2026-1-06

Author

Mokhtare, Mohammad Hossein

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Microgrids offer a viable solution for integrating distributed energy resources to electrify agricultural farms. However, designing and controlling such systems is complex and requires consideration of various technical and economic parameters. This thesis analyzes an agricultural microgrid topology that incorporates solar PV and hybrid storage, comprising water and battery energy storage systems. In the design phase, an optimal sizing method is developed that is applicable to grid-connected and off-grid applications. The rated power of the solar PV array and the capacities of storage systems are optimized using techno-economic evaluation metrics. The methodology includes a water-energy management system to model microgrid operation and utilizes a straightforward approach to represent irrigation requirements. The battery cycle life and nonlinearities of electric water pump operation are also incorporated. The simulation results of a case study validate the proposed sizing method. In the control phase, a supervisory control system is proposed that coordinates the hybrid solar inverter and the variable frequency drive within the agricultural microgrid. The developed control system enables simultaneous pumping of water and charging of batteries, ensures efficient and fast maximum power point tracking, and provides precise control over power distribution between the pump and the battery energy storage system. The proposed control strategy is validated through extensive experiments on an agricultural microgrid test bench installed within the scope of this research. In summary, this research provides a framework for the design and control of agricultural microgrids and identifies key points for practical implementation.

Subject Keywords

Agricultural Microgrid, Solar Photovoltaic, Hybrid Energy Storage System, Optimal Sizing, Supervisory Control System

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/118358

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis