Advanced Energy Management Strategy for Tractor-to-Home Electrification in Off-Grid Agricultural Microgrids

This study presents a comprehensive energy management strategy designed for an off-grid agricultural microgrid that integrates a PV array, Home Battery Energy Storage (HBES), and Electric Tractor Battery Energy Storage (TBES). The proposed tractor-to-home (T2H) system coordinates power flows among renewable generation, stationary storage, household loads, and the electric tractor’s battery to maximize renewable energy utilization, extend system autonomy, and enhance operational reliability. Key contributions include a dynamic load prioritization mechanism that adaptively manages demand, and a refined Flexible Power Point Tracking (FPPT) algorithm to optimize solar energy harvesting under variable irradiance. The tractor power emulator is incorporated to realistically replicate traction motor dynamics for Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL). Experimental results obtained using the real-time MicroLabBox control platform confirm the effectiveness of the proposed energy management strategy in sustaining energy balance, minimizing battery degradation, and providing reliable support for both agricultural operations and household power needs over extended durations. Furthermore, the system consistently maintains voltage regulation errors below 0.5% and achieves efficiency levels exceeding 96% across all operating modes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate substantial progress toward sustainable electrification for rural farming contexts, offering a robust and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional off-grid energy solutions.