Performance Analysis of Simplified Seven-Level Inverter using Hybrid HHO-PSO Algorithm for Renewable Energy Applications

Multi-Level Inverters (MLIs) are the most promising and significant applications in grid-connected renewable energy systems. This research article proposed a novel 7-level MLI with fewer switches that produce the voltage levels required for photovoltaic (PV) applications using hybrid Harris-Hawks Optimization with the Particle Swarm Optimization (HHO-PSO) algorithm. Modulation techniques play a vital role in MLI filtering output voltage harmonics. The Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) modulating methodology has been used in this research. This SHE method eliminates the lower-order harmonics by the hybrid HHO-PSO technique,which generates the optimized switching angles. The proposed MLI topology is developed and validated by comparison with other recent 7-level MLI topologies. The PSO, HHO, and hybrid HHO-PSO algorithms are developed in Matlab using m-file coding, which produces the optimized switching angle. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) analysis on the inverter outer voltage has been carried out, and the results are briefed. The simulation results show that the suggested HHO-PSO approach can yield superior performance with low total harmonic distortion compared to existing approaches. The experimental results for the proposed MLI provide lower THD (2.82%) and minimum switching losses compared to the conventional PSO and HHO algorithms.