Bidirectional DC/DC converters such as the Split-pi can be used to integrate an energy storage system (ESS) into a DC microgrid providing manifold benefits. However, this integration deserves careful design because the ESS converter must behave like a stiff voltage generator, a non-stiff voltage generator, or a current generator depending on the microgrid configuration. Part I of this work presented a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the Split-pi used as an ESS converter in all the possible DC microgrid scenarios. Five typical microgrid scenarios were identified. Each of them required a specific state-space model of the Split-pi and a suitable control scheme. The present paper completes the study validating the theoretical analysis based on simulations and experimental tests. The chosen case study encompassed a 48 V, 750 W storage system interfaced with a 180 V DC microgrid using a Split-pi converter. It can represent a reduced-power prototype of terrestrial and marine microgrids.... [more]

Extensive modelling and analytical work has been carried out considering the water-cooled lithium−lead breeding blanket (WCLL BB) balance of plant (BOP) configuration of the demonstration power plant (DEMO) using the Apros system code, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. and Fortum. Contributing to the BOP work package of the EUROfusion Consortium, the integral plant model for dynamic analyses of the WCLL BB configuration has been updated with special attention to primary system components. Following trends of relevant neutronics modelling, a new BB model has been implemented in 2020 with the aim to obtain higher resolution output data and a more realistic thermalhydraulic feedback from the primary system. Once-through steam generator user components have been built based on CAD models conceived by BOP partners. Transient analyses have been performed providing a better picture regarding the behaviour of main components, e.g., the BB and the OTSGs, whilst highligh... [more]

Efficient management of energy resources is crucial in smart buildings. In this work, model predictive control (MPC) is used to minimize the economic costs of prosumers equipped with production units, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. To this purpose, the predictive control manages the available energy resources by exploiting future information about energy prices, absorption and production power profiles, and electric vehicle (EV) usage, such as times of departure and arrival and predicted energy consumption. The predictive control is compared with a rule-based technique, herein referred to as a heuristic approach, that acts in an instant-by-instant fashion without considering any future information. The reported results show that the studied predictive approach allows one to achieve charging profiles that adapt to variable operating conditions, aiming at optimal performances in terms of economic cost minimization in time-varying price scenarios, reduction of rms current... [more]

This paper establishes the state-space model of the cup rotor permanent-magnet doubly fed machine in the synchronous reference frame. The feedback-linearization control method is used to realize the decoupling control of flux and torque. Then, the upper and lower load torque boundaries are solved. Furthermore, to minimize the stator current magnitude of the control machine under a certain torque, the maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control is derived. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the good decoupling performance of the feedback-linearization control method and the correctness of the load torque boundaries. In addition, the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control methods are also demonstrated.

Simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorous is a recommended practice while treating wastewater. In the present study, control strategies based on proportional-integral (PI), model predictive control (MPC), and fuzzy logic are developed and implemented on a plant-wide wastewater treatment plant. Four combinations of control frameworks are developed in order to reduce the operational cost and improve the effluent quality. As a working platform, a Benchmark simulation model (BSM2-P) is used. A default control framework with PI controllers is used to control nitrate and dissolved oxygen (DO) by manipulating the internal recycle and oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KLa). Hierarchical control topology is proposed in which a lower-level control framework with PI controllers is implemented to DO in the sixth reactor by regulating the KLa of the fifth, sixth, and seventh reactors, and fuzzy and MPC are used at the supervisory level. This supervisory level considers the ammonia in the las... [more]

This paper presents an algorithm for finding the optimal control for a current controller that operates as a part of a control system of a shunt active power filter. The algorithm is based upon the Karush−Kuhn−Tucker conditions for finding an optimal value where control signal is limited and constraints create a cube. The explicit solution of the Karush−Kuhn−Tucker problem is presented and simplified calculations are given to lower calculation complexity. The presented Karush−Kuhn−Tucker algorithm is compared with a classical PI controller. It is given the algorithm for finding the optimal parameters of the PI controller and the behavior of the PI controller is compared with the presented algorithm. Attention has been paid to the saturation of controllers in commutation states of load currents, which has a negative impact on the final performance of the controllers and the controlled shunt active power filter. The paper also presents the software and hardware platforms applied to run t... [more]

The efficiency and power density improvement of power switching converters play a crucial role in energy conversion. In the field of motor control, this requires an increase in the converter switching frequency together with a reduction in the switching legs’ dead time. This target turns out to be complex when using pure silicon switch technologies. Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices have appeared in the switching device arena in recent years and feature much more favorable static and dynamic characteristics compared to pure silicon devices. In the field of motion control, there is a growing use of GaN devices, especially in low voltage applications. This paper provides guidelines for designers on the optimal use of GaN FETs in motor control applications, identifying the advantages and discussing the main issues. In this work, primarily an experimental evaluation of GaN FETs in a low voltage electrical drive is carried out. The experimental investigation is obtained through two different ex... [more]

In the competitive electricity wholesale market, decisions regarding hydro generators are generally made under uncertain conditions, such as pool price, hydrological affluence, and other players’ strategies. From this perspective, this work presents a computational model formulation with associated market intelligence and game theory tools to support a decision-making process in a competitive environment. The idea behind using a market intelligence tool is to apply a stochastic optimization model with an associated conditional value at risk metric defining a utility function, which calculates the weight that the agents attribute to each stochastic variable associated with the problem to be faced. Subsequently, this utility function is used to emulate the other agents’ strategies based on their previous decisions. The final step finds the Nash equilibrium solution between a player and their competitors. The methodology is applied to the monthly allocation of firm energy by hydro generat... [more]

A sliding mode control (SMC) technique based on a state observer with a Kalman filter and feedforward controller was established for a variable-speed refrigeration system (VSRS) to ensure robust control against model uncertainties and disturbances, including noise. The SMC was designed using a state-space model transformed from a practical transfer function model, which was derived by conducting dynamic characteristic experiments. Fewer parameters affecting the model uncertainty were required to be identified, which facilitated modeling. The state observer for estimating the state variables was designed using a Kalman filter to ensure robustness against noise. A feedforward controller was added to the control system to compensate for the deterioration in the transient characteristics due to the saturation function used to avoid chattering. A genetic algorithm was used to alleviate the trial and error involved in determining the design parameters of the saturation function and select op... [more]

To ensure the continuity of electric power generation for photovoltaic systems, condition monitoring frameworks are subject to major enhancements. The continuous uniform delivery of electric power depends entirely on a well-designed condition maintenance program. A just-in-time task to deal with several naturally occurring faults can be correctly undertaken via the cooperation of effective detection, diagnosis, and prognostic analyses. Therefore, the present review first outlines different failure modes to which all photovoltaic systems are subjected, in addition to the essential integrated detection methods and technologies. Then, data-driven paradigms, and their contribution to solving this prediction problem, are also explored. Accordingly, this review primarily investigates the different learning architectures used (i.e., ordinary, hybrid, and ensemble) in relation to their learning frameworks (i.e., traditional and deep learning). It also discusses the extension of machine learnin... [more]

To enhance vehicle maneuverability and stability, a controller with 4-wheel steering (4WS), electronic stability control (ESC) and a torque vectoring device (TVD) under constraint on the front slip angles is designed in this research. In the controller, the control allocation method is adopted to generate yaw moment via 4WS, ESC and TVD. If the front steering angle is added for generating yaw moment, the steering performance of the vehicle can be further deteriorated. This is because the magnitude of the lateral tire forces are limited and the required yaw moment is insufficient. Constraint is imposed on the magnitude of the front slip angles in order to prevent the lateral tire forces from saturating. The driving simulation is performed by considering the limit of the front slip angle proposed in this study. Compared to the case that uses the existing 4WS, the results of this study are derived from the actuator combination that enhances performance while maintaining stability.

In today’s power systems, the widespread adoption of smart grid applications requires sophisticated control of load variability for effective demand-side management (DSM). Conventional Energy Storage System (ESS)-based DSM methods in South Korea are limited to real-time variability control owing to difficulties with model development using customers’ load profiles from sampling with higher temporal resolution. Herein, this study thus proposes a method of controlling the variability of customers’ load profiles for real-time DSM using customer-installed ESSs. To optimize the reserved capacity for the proposed maximum demand control within ESSs, this study also proposes a hybrid method of load generation, which synthesizes approaches based on Markov Transition Matrix (MTM) and Artificial Neuron Network (ANN) to estimate load variations every 15 min and, in turn reserve capacity in ESSs. The proposed ESS-based DSM strategy primarily reserves capacity in ESSs based on estimated variation in... [more]

Magnetic silence of warships is necessary to prevent damage caused by the magnetic mines detecting the magnetic field of the warship. Anhysteretic and Deperm-ME protocols are used to reduce permanent magnetization among magnetic signals. However, they have some disadvantages. Therefore, this paper proposes an effective deperming protocol that is easily controlled and reduces the demagnetization time. A protocol composed of two Anhysteretic protocols is presented using the Preisach model to easily manage and ensure excellent performance. Each stage has its own advantages by considering the Preisach density distribution. In Stage 1, the existing magnetic history is erased, and the demagnetization time is reduced. In Stage 2, the demagnetization performance is improved. The effectiveness of the protocol was verified via simulations using the Preisach model and experiments using a specimen. When the proposed protocol was applied, the results were excellent when applying Anhysteretic and De... [more]

A fault diagnosis method for wind turbine gearboxes based on undersampling, XGBoost feature selection, and improved whale optimization-random forest (IWOA-RF) was proposed for the problem of high false negative and false positive rates in wind turbine gearboxes. Normal samples of raw data were subjected to undersampling first, and various features and data labels in the raw data were provided with importance analysis by XGBoost feature selection to select features with higher label correlation. Two parameters of random forest algorithm were optimized via the whale optimization algorithm to create a fitness function with the false negative rate (FNR) and false positive rate (FPR) as evaluation indexes. Then, the minimum fitness function value within the given scope of parameters was found. The WOA was controlled by the hyper-parameter α to optimize the step size. This article uses the variant form of the sigmoid function to alter the change trend of the WOA hyper-parameter α from a line... [more]

To solve the problems of frequency and voltage deviation caused by the droop control while meeting the requirements of rapid response, a distributed finite-time secondary control scheme is presented. Unlike the traditional cooperative controllers, this scheme is fully distributed; each unit only needs to communicate with its immediate neighbors. A control protocol for frequency restoration and active power sharing is proposed to synchronize the frequency of each unit to the reference value, and achieve accurate active power distribution in a finite-time manner as well. The mismatch of the line impedance is considered, and a consensus-based adaptive virtual impedance control is proposed. The associated voltage drop is considered to be the compensator for the voltage regulation. Then, a distributed finite-time protocol for voltage restoration is designed. The finite-time convergence property and the upper bound of convergence times are guaranteed with rigorous Lyapunov proofs. Case studi... [more]

The availability of secure, efficient, and reliable communication systems is critical for the successful deployment and operations of new power systems such as microgrids. These systems provide a platform for implementing intelligent and autonomous algorithms that improve the power control process. However, building a secure communication system for microgrid purposes that is also efficient and reliable remains a challenge. Conventional security mechanisms introduce extra processing steps that affect performance by increasing the latency of microgrid communication beyond acceptable limits. They also do not scale well and can impact the reliability of power operations as the size of a microgrid grows. This paper proposes a low latency secure communication architecture for control operations in an islanded IoT-based microgrid that solves these problems. The architecture provides a secure platform that optimises the standard CoAP/DTLS implementation to reduce communication latency. It als... [more]

An internal combustion engine (ICE) is a highly nonlinear dynamic and complex engineering system whose operation is constrained by operational limits, including emissions, noise, peak in-cylinder pressure, combustion stability, and actuator constraints. To optimize today’s ICEs, seven to ten control actuators and 10−20 feedback sensors are often used, depending on the engine applications and target emission regulations. This requires extensive engine experimentation to calibrate the engine control module (ECM), which is both cumbersome and costly. Despite these efforts, optimal operation, particularly during engine transients and to meet real driving emission (RDE) targets for broad engine speed and load conditions, has still not been obtained. Methods of model predictive control (MPC) have shown promising results for real-time multi-objective optimal control of constrained multi-variable nonlinear systems, including ICEs. This paper reviews the application of MPC for ICEs and analyzes... [more]

A new linear regression form is derived for a flux observer and a position observer is designed. In general, the observability of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor is lost at zero speed. In this work, the proposed regressor vector contains current derivative terms in both directions (dq-axis), and it gives the chance for the model-based flux observer to operate at zero speed. When an excitation signal is injected into d and q axes with the proposed flux observer, it helps to satisfy the persistent excitation condition in the low-speed range. Therefore, the sensorless performance of the model-based is improved greatly, even at zero speed. However, it appears with a disturbance term, which depends on the derivative of the d-axis current. Thus, the disturbance does not vanish when an excitation signal is injected. In this work, the disturbance term is also taken care of in constructing an observer. It results in an observer which allows signal injection. Thus, high frequency signal c... [more]

The main objective of this research is to propose an active and reactive power injection control in order to mitigate voltage sags. The proposed control strategy works in conjunction with a modified version of an automatic voltage regulator (AVR), where it will act on the active and reactive powers injected by the inverter to reduce the effects of voltage sags. In this way, the control will avoid possible shutdowns and damage to the equipment connected to the grid. The voltage improvement can be perceived for consumers connected to the power system. Modifications in AVR model and parameters are performed to speed up its performance, thus identifying the short-duration voltage variations (SDVV) and, consequently, the control acts to alter the powers, decreasing the active power injection and increasing the reactive power based on inverter capacity during the momentary voltage dip (MVD). Finally, when the fault is cleared, all values return to the pre-fault condition, so that the inverte... [more]

Dynamic analysis of magnetic fluids with the combined effect of heat sink and chemical reactions based on their physical properties demonstrates strong shock resistance capabilities, low-frequency response, low energy consumption, and high sensitivity. Therefore, the applied magnetic field always takes diamagnetic, ferromagnetic, and paramagnetic forms. The influence of radiation is considered in the temperature profile. This manuscript investigates an analytic solution of incompressible and magnetic Casson fluid in Darcy’s medium subjected to temperature and concentration dependence within a porous-surfaced plate with generalized boundary conditions. The substantial mathematical technique of the Laplace transform with inversion is invoked in the governing equations of the magnetic Casson fluid. The analytic results are transformed into a special function for the plate with a constant velocity, a plate with linear velocity, a plate with exponential velocity, and a plate with sinusoidal... [more]

After the failure of the power system, a large amount of alarm information will flood into the dispatching terminal instantly. At the same time, there are inevitable problems, such as the abnormal operation of the protection and the circuit breaker, the lack of alarm information, and so on. This kind of uncertainty problem brings great trouble to the fault diagnosis algorithm. As a data processing algorithm for an uncertain information set, Top-k Skyline query algorithm can eliminate the data points that do not meet the requirements in the information set, and then output the final K results in order. Based on this background, this paper proposes a power grid fault diagnosis method based on the Top-k Skyline query algorithm considering alarm information loss. Firstly, the fault area is determined by using the information of the electrical quantity and switching value. Then, backward reasoning Petri nets are established for the nodes in the fault area to form the data set of fault hypot... [more]

Line overload is one of the important causal factors of cascading failures and blackouts in power systems. An optimization method for protection and control measures to mitigate line overloads is proposed in this study. The method consists of two main parts, i.e., the modeling process and the solving process. In the modeling process, an optimization model including overload protection and emergency control measures is developed using PFT (Power Flow Tracing). In the solving process, a multi-stage optimization method using IBSO (Improved Brain Storm Optimization algorithm) is proposed to obtain the final result. The aim of this study is to form a coordinated protection and control strategy that reduces the power on the overloaded line within the safety limits and minimizes the load loss of the power system. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

This article describes problems related to the operation of a virtual micro power plant at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE), Czestochowa University of Technology (CUT). In the era of dynamic development of renewable energy sources, it is necessary to create alternative electricity management systems for existing power systems, including power transmission and distribution systems. Virtual power plants (VPPs) are such an alternative. So far, there has been no unified standard for a VPP operation. The article presents components that make up the VPP at the FEE and describes their physical and logical structure. The presented solution is a combination of several units operating in the internal power grid of the FEE, i.e., wind turbines, energy storage (ES), photovoltaic panels (PV) and car charging stations. Their operation is coordinated by a common control system. One of the research goals described in the article is to optimize the operation of these components to minimize c... [more]

The world is moving towards the generation of electricity with renewable energy sources (RES) due to the deterioration of the green environment and trying to replace non-renewable energy resources. The real-time results are achieved with the help of an arm controller, having good controller efficiency with the Waijung toolbox, compatible with MATLAB using STM32ST-link utility. In this paper, the authors are focused on areas such as easy to implement controller efficiency, and real-time solutions for modified direct-control perturbation & observation (DC-P&O) technique based on 32- bit ARM Cortex microcontroller (STM32F407VGT6) with embedded programming using Waijung blocksets, which offers very expected outcomes of the problem to make the stand-alone system efficient with fast-tracking. The observation setup is tested with a 40-watt photovoltaic (PV) panel with resistive load for achieving its stability. The designed algorithm enhances the efficiency of the controller by 84.48% for the... [more]

As a clean fuel combustion technology, the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) has been developed rapidly in recent years, but one of its disadvantages is high N2O emissions. With the implementation of increasingly strict pollution control standards, N2O decomposition and removal technologies have become the main focus of current research. This paper reviews the latest research on noble metals, metal oxides, the molecular sieve and other new catalysts and decomposition methods for N2O removal. The research methods and functions of catalysts are compared and the existing problems are summarized. The future directions of development in N2O decomposition and removal are considered. Noble metals and the molecular sieve show satisfactory activity at relatively low temperatures, but their catalytic efficiency is obviously hindered by O2, NO and H2O. In addition, high costs and insufficient thermal stability limit their widespread industrial application. The metal oxide catalytic technology, espe... [more]