Performance Comparison of Classical and Intelligent Controllers for a DC-DC Boost Converter

DC–DC converters in renewable energy systems help to control the voltage supplied; therefore, required output within the converter enables operation under multiple input and output sourcing and sinking conditions. The boost converter topology is the most common topology in renewable energy converters, especially in photovoltaic applications, since it can operate at low and variable input voltage levels. Proportional–integral (PI) and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers have been used as classical controllers in a closed loop to stabilize boost converter output; however, due to the nonlinear characteristics of power electronic systems and shifting parameters of systems, performance diminishes. In recent years, intelligent control methods have been developed with superior robustness and dynamics response for such endeavors. This research investigates a simulation comparison of a DC–DC boost converter using classical and intelligent control techniques for renewable energy applications. PI, PID and fuzzy logic controllers are developed and utilized within the same MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and under the same operating parameters.The controllers are evaluated through transient response comparison, steady state specifications and disturbance rejection response under simulated operation. Ultimately this comparison demonstrates that the fuzzy logic controller has dynamic benefits over the PI and PID thereby marking it as the best control method for next-generation renewable energy conversion systems.