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This paper introduces an innovative approach for achieving optimal energy management (OEM) in renewable-based hybrid microgrids (HMGs). The HMGs exhibit enhanced efficiency, minimizing power loss while maximizing generated power, making them advantageous over traditional MGs. This new approach consists of a modified model predictive control based improved Firefly1to3 algorithm (MMPC-IFA1to3). Here, MMPC adeptly regulates converter switching phenomena, ensuring stability during uncertain conditions in HMG. On the other hand, FA1to3 states that for each member movement of a firefly population, occurs towards three members. Here, the improved nature of FA1to3 is achieved by using the chaotic function to fine-tune the regulation parameter. This unified method generates the best power references for both active and reactive powers, making switching operations in voltage source converters simpler. This paper mainly emphasizes active and reactive power management through objective function minimization. The proposed IFA1to3 approach effectively incorporates constraints to minimize costs, ensure power availability, and mitigate voltage deviations in renewable-based HMGs. Moreover, charging/discharging of energy storage devices and power exchange between the utility grid and DC MG are carried out through the MMPC-IFA1to3 algorithm by monitoring active and reactive loads simultaneously. The corresponding converters are modeled based on the bidirectional power flow to cope with active and reactive power management. Further, the robustness of the proposed approach is verified under different operating conditions, and outcomes are compared with benchmark techniques in a MATLAB/Simulink environment to evidence its superior EM in HMG. Finally, the proposed MMPC-IFA1to3 approach is validated in a real-time environment through the dSPACE DS 1104 embedded processor to evidence its industrial applications through its robustness and OEM during various case studies. • In the hybrid MG, MPC regulates converter of the connected sources, while MMPC controls the VSC converter. • A novel FA, combining FA1to3 with chaotic logistic function, optimizes power references generation in this study. • Proposed MMPC-IFA1to3 approach ensures voltage stability and effectively manages ARP during uncertainties in MG. • The proposed IFA1to3 is more effective for multi-objective functions optimization. • Real-time validation of the proposed approach in dSPACE DS1104 evidences its practical applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Study of microgrid with energy-stored quasi-Z-source cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter and PV system. • Development of energy management system based on model predictive control (MPC-EMS). • Results compared with proportional sharing algorithm based on SOC level (SOC-EMS). • Best results obtained from MPC-EMS. This paper presents a new energy management system (EMS) based on model predictive control (MPC) for a microgrid with solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants and a quasi-Z-source cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter that integrates an energy storage system (ES-qZS-CHBMLI). The system comprises three modules, each with a PV power plant, quasi-impedance network, battery energy storage system (BESS), and voltage source inverter (VSI). Traditional EMS methods focus on distributing the power among the BESSs to balance their state of charge (SOC), operating in charging or discharging mode. The proposed MPC-EMS carries out a multi-objective control for an ES-qZS-CHBMLI topology, which allows an optimized BESS power distribution while meeting the system operator requirements. It prioritizes the charge of the BESS with the lowest SOC and the discharge of the BESS with the highest SOC. Thus, both modes can coexist simultaneously, while ensuring decoupled power control. The MPC-EMS proposed herein is compared with a proportional sharing algorithm based on SOC (SOC-EMS) that pursues the same objectives. The simulation results show an improvement in the control of the power delivered to the grid. The Integral Time Absolute Error, ITAE, achieved with the MPC-EMS for the active and reactive power is 20 % and 4 %, respectively, lower than that obtained with the SOC-EMS. A 1,3 % higher charge for the BESS with the lowest SOC is also registered. Furthermore, an experimental setup based on an OPAL RT-4510 unit and a dSPACE MicroLabBox prototyping unit is implemented to validate the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]