Performance analysis of hybrid metaheuristic assisted collateral FO controller for HRES system integrated UPQC

Due to the fluctuating characteristics of the environment, it is advisable to connect a minimum of two renewable energy sources (RES) to the grid to mitigate unreliable power supply. The integration of Hybrid Renewable Energy Storage (HRES) with nonlinear loads introduces harmonics and other power quality issues, which are significant concerns for both utility providers and customers. Power quality challenges, such as real power fluctuations, voltage interruptions, and reactive power imbalances, can be mitigated through the use of a Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC). For optimal performance, the series and shunt compensators within the UPQC rely on precise PWM signals to control the converters' outputs. These signals are correctly tuned by controllers using updated algorithms. The paper develops an optimized Hybrid Meta- heuristic assisted Collateral Controller for the improvement of the 3-phase HRES system-based Distribution Grid incorporated with UPQC. It consists of a Fractional order Proportional Integral derivative (FOPID) controller combined with a proportional integral (PI) controller. As a consequence, the DC link voltage regulation and controller optimization are achieved with the optimal tuning of gain parameters by using a hybrid Metaheuristic Algorithm named Amplified Slime Mould with WildeBeest Herd Optimization (ASM-WHO) Algorithm. The optimization of the weights (W1 and W2) and parameters of the Collateral Fractional Order Controller is achieved using an innovative hybrid metaheuristic method that combines the Wildebeest Herd Optimization (WHO) and Slime Mould Algorithm (SMA). The proposed system is implemented in MATLAB Simulink to analyze the compensation efficiency during voltage sag/swell. The proposed controller showcases robust performance, emphasizing its potential for enhancing power quality and distribution stability in Three-Phase Hybrid Renewable Energy Storage systems integrated with UPQC, outperforming or matching the performance metrics of conventional methods such as PI, FOPID controller, FOPID-PI with various optimization algorithms (CSO,SOA, WHO, SMA, AQO, HBA). The settling minimum and maximum of 170.5668 and 189.4736 for the proposed FOPID-PI controller with ASM - WHO is notably superior to that of the controller without optimization, the proposed collateral controller method (using SOA or CSO), WHO optimization, and the PI controller, improving by 1.7 %, 13.78 %, 1.338 %, and 13.66 %, respectively. The ASMWHO algorithm shows robust performance and improved convergence, as validated by benchmark function tests, and surpasses competing algorithms.