A Review of State-of-the-Art Flexible Power Point Tracking Algorithms in Photovoltaic Systems for Grid Support: Classification and Application
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To maximize conversion efficiency, photovoltaic (PV) systems generally operate in the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mode. However, due to the increasing penetration level of PV systems, there is a need for more developed control functions in terms of frequency support services and voltage control to maintain the reliability and stability of the power grid. Therefore, flexible active power control is a mandatory task for grid-connected PV systems to meet part of the grid requirements. Hence, a significant number of flexible power point tracking (FPPT) algorithms have been introduced in the existing literature. The purpose of such algorithms is to realize a cost-effective method to provide grid support functionalities while minimizing the reliance on energy storage systems. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of grid support functionalities that can be obtained with the FPPT control of PV systems such as frequency support and volt-var control. Each of these grid support functionalities necessitates PV systems to operate under one of the three control strategies, which can be provided with FPPT algorithms. The three control strategies are classified as: ① constant power generation control (CPGC), ② power reserve control (PRC), and ③ power ramp rate control (PRRC). A detailed discussion on available FPPT algorithms for each control strategy is also provided. This paper can serve as a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art FPPT algorithms that can equip PV systems with various grid support functionalities.
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Volt/Var characteristics from the standards of Denmark, Australia, Austria, Italy, and Germany significantly differ from each other: the minimum required reactive power of the inverter varies from 25% to 50% of the rated apparent power, and the deadband width of the characteristic varies from 0% to 15%.
“In [21], it is shown that Volt/Var characteristics from the standards of Denmark, Australia, Austria, Italy, and Germany significantly differ from each other: the minimum required reactive power of the inverter varies from 25% to 50% of the rated apparent power, and the deadband width of the characteristic varies from 0% to 15%.”
From Determining Volt/Var Characteristics of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Inverters for Voltage Regulation in Distribution Networks (2024) · cites this paper as [21]
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Voronin, V., Nepsha, F., & Ilyushin, P. (2024) · World Electric Vehicle Journal · doi:10.3390/wevj15120553 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“In [21], it is shown that Volt/Var characteristics from the standards of Denmark, Australia, Austria, Italy, and Germany significantly differ from each other: the minimum required reactive power of the inverter varies from 25% to 50% of the rated apparent power, and the deadband width of the…”
- Authors
- Haghighat, M., Niroomand, M., Dehghani Tafti, H., D. Townsend, C., & Fernando, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Isfahan (IR)
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- Venue
- Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy
- Published
- 2024
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-21
- ISSN
- 2196-5420 (ISSN-L)
- 2196-5625
- OpenAlex
- W4391296957
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 8
- FWCI
- 2.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Australian Government
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Energy Engineering and Power Technology › Power Systems and Renewable Energy
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Microgrid Control and Optimization
- Keywords
- flexible power point tracking, photovoltaic systems, grid support, frequency support, volt/var control, grid-connected photovoltaic systems, active power control, energy storage reduction
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