Why This Topic Matters
A hybrid AC/DC microgrid that coordinates a diesel generator, solar photovoltaic source, battery energy-storage system and bidirectional interlinking converter to supply mixed AC and DC loads.
For academic work, the model should connect every claimed improvement to a measurable output. A reliable workflow begins with a validated baseline, introduces one controlled modification at a time and uses repeatable scenarios for comparison.
Project Objective
Maintain stable AC frequency, AC voltage and DC-bus voltage while coordinating renewable generation, diesel dispatch and BESS charge/discharge across changing generation and load conditions.
Recommended MATLAB Simulink Blocks
- AC microgrid with diesel synchronous generator and AC loads
- DC microgrid with PV source, DC–DC converter and DC loads
- Battery energy-storage system with bidirectional converter
- Bidirectional AC/DC interlinking converter
- PV MPPT, DC-bus voltage, frequency and power-control loops
- Supervisory energy-management and source-priority logic
Step-by-Step Modelling Workflow
- Define AC/DC load profiles, PV rating, diesel limits and BESS capacity.
- Validate each source and converter independently before interconnection.
- Set interlink-converter control for active-power exchange and bus support.
- Implement source-priority, SOC limits and diesel start/stop or power-reference rules.
- Apply irradiance changes, load steps and islanding transitions while logging bus and source variables.
Simulation Cases to Include
- High PV generation with battery charging
- Low PV generation with diesel and BESS support
- AC-load and DC-load steps
- BESS SOC upper/lower limit transition
- Interlink-converter power reversal and islanded operation
Graphs and Results to Discuss
- AC-bus voltage and frequency
- DC-bus voltage and ripple
- Diesel, PV, BESS and interlink-converter power
- Battery SOC, current and charge/discharge state
- Power balance, load supply continuity and transient response
Do not report a curve only as “improved.” State the event time, compare the reference and measured signals, calculate relevant indices and explain the physical reason for the change.
PhD Novelty and FYP Extension Ideas
- Droop-free centralized energy management
- Model-predictive or fuzzy supervisory control
- Hydrogen/fuel-cell addition and diesel minimization
- Black-start and seamless islanding/reconnection
- Techno-economic sizing and emissions analysis
Where This Project Can Be Used
- Microgrid PhD and master’s research
- Renewable-energy FYP and final-year projects
- Remote, campus and industrial microgrid studies
- Hybrid AC/DC converter-control evaluation
- Energy-management and source-sizing studies
Common Modelling Mistakes
- Using inconsistent base values, units or sign conventions across subsystems.
- Tuning all control loops simultaneously instead of validating the inner loops first.
- Comparing controllers under different initial conditions or disturbances.
- Ignoring actuator, converter, current, SOC, temperature or power limits.
- Presenting scope screenshots without quantitative result interpretation.
Related Project Demonstration
The dedicated project page includes the uploaded MATLAB Simulink video, project scope, expected outputs and related research links.