Evaluation of the intelligent control algorithm's performance for multilevel inverters in EVs

Many power electronic applications utilize Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) Multi-Level Inverters (MLIs) due to their bidirectional control capabilities. Multi-Level Inverters (MLIs) are utilized in Electric Vehicles (EVs) to minimize overall drive losses by reducing Total Harmonic Distortion. Also, MLI is preferred for solar energy generation to attain maximum power point tracking. This research work focuses on reducing drive losses and improving the transient response of induction motor drives for EV applications. For that, three different intelligent control algorithms are proposed. There are PI-PSO, PI-PSO-ANN, and PI-PSO-ANFIS controllers. This work uses the three-phase 15-level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter supplied by a solar energy source. Intelligent control algorithms generate pulses via pulse-width modulation, thereby reducing harmonic distortion. The drive's performance is analysed to investigate the operations of PI-PSO, PI-PSO-ANN, and PI-PSO-ANFIS controllers. The performance of this CHB-MLI-driven 4kW Induction Motor (IM) drive is verified by simulation using MATLAB/Simulink. This approach showed the successful implementation of the suggested design. The PI-PSO-ANFIS controller demonstrated better performance, with lower THD and faster dynamic response, when applied to control the IM drive with a 15-level CHB-MLI. The findings of this comparative analysis focus on features such as drive speed, load torque, and power-quality problems associated with total harmonic distortion (THD).