Research

22 pages, 8989 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Smart ANN-Based Converter for Efficient Bidirectional Power Flow in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

by R.S.Ravi Sankar, Keerthi Deepika.K, Mohammad Alsharef and Basem Alamri

Electronics 2022, 11(21), 3564; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11213564 - 01 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2700

Electric vehicles (EV) are promising alternate fuel technologies to curtail vehicular emissions. A modeling framework in a hybrid electric vehicle system with a joint analysis of EV in powering and regenerative braking mode is introduced. Bidirectional DC–DC converters (BDC) are important for widespread [...] Read more.

Electric vehicles (EV) are promising alternate fuel technologies to curtail vehicular emissions. A modeling framework in a hybrid electric vehicle system with a joint analysis of EV in powering and regenerative braking mode is introduced. Bidirectional DC–DC converters (BDC) are important for widespread voltage matching and effective for recovery of feedback energy. BDC connects the first voltage source (FVS) and second voltage source (SVS), and a DC-bus voltage at various levels is implemented. The main objectives of this work are coordinated control of the DC energy sources of various voltage levels, independent power flow between both the energy sources, and regulation of current flow from the DC-bus to the voltage sources. Optimization of the feedback control in the converter circuit of HEV is designed using an artificial neural network (ANN). Applicability of the EV in bidirectional power flow management is demonstrated. Furthermore, the dual-source low-voltage buck/boost mode enables independent power flow management between the two sources—FVS and SVS. In both modes of operation of the converter, drive performance with an ANN is compared with a conventional proportional–integral control. Simulations executed in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate low steady-state error, peak overshoot, and settling time with the ANN controller. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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25 pages, 7974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Area Microgrid Load-Frequency Control Using Combined Fractional and Integer Order Master–Slave Controller Considering Electric Vehicle Aggregator Effects

by Hossein Shayeghi, Alireza Rahnama, Reza Mohajery, Nicu Bizon, Alin Gheorghita Mazare and Laurentiu Mihai Ionescu

Electronics 2022, 11(21), 3440; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11213440 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1953

Abstract

Because of the lack of upstream grid support and low inertia, independent microgrids are very susceptible to load variations and uncertainty in the generation of renewable energy sources. Disruption of microgrid frequency stability causes severe damage to various system equipment and frequency-sensitive loads. [...] Read more.

Because of the lack of upstream grid support and low inertia, independent microgrids are very susceptible to load variations and uncertainty in the generation of renewable energy sources. Disruption of microgrid frequency stability causes severe damage to various system equipment and frequency-sensitive loads. By taking into account the effects of electric vehicles (EVs), this paper introduces an innovative control strategy with a master-slave configuration for frequency control of interconnected microgrids. In the proposed configuration, an integer-order controller serves as the master, while a merely fractional-order integrator acts as the slave controller. The master and slave controllers are concurrently optimized by the JAYA intelligent algorithm to achieve robust effectiveness. Additionally, nonlinearities in the system are implemented, such as diesel generator operating limits, signal controllers, and sending/receiving time delays. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in a two-area microgrid, six basic scenarios are investigated: sudden load changes, perturbations at the inputs of renewable energy-based units, parametric uncertainties, time-delay effects as a nonlinear factor, complicated working conditions, and EVs impacts. Moreover, the controller’s performance on a simple closed-loop system has been carried out in order to confirm the viability of its practical implementation, and a comparison of experimental and simulation findings has also been provided. Studies demonstrate the proposed controller’s robustness as well as its fast-response capability. Besides, this controller features a simple structure that allows extra design flexibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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21 pages, 4111 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Novel Adaptive PID Controller Design for a PEM Fuel Cell Using Stochastic Gradient Descent with Momentum Enhanced by Whale Optimizer

by Mohammed Yousri Silaa, Oscar Barambones and Aissa Bencherif

Electronics 2022, 11(16), 2610; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11162610 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2159

Abstract

This paper presents an adaptive PID using stochastic gradient descent with momentum (SGDM) for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power system. PEMFC is a nonlinear system that encounters external disturbances such as inlet gas pressures and temperature variations, for which an [...] Read more.

This paper presents an adaptive PID using stochastic gradient descent with momentum (SGDM) for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power system. PEMFC is a nonlinear system that encounters external disturbances such as inlet gas pressures and temperature variations, for which an adaptive control law should be designed. The SGDM algorithm is employed to minimize the cost function and adapt the PID parameters according to the perturbation changes. The whale optimization algorithm (WOA) was chosen to enhance the adaptive rates in the offline mode. The proposed controller is compared with PID stochastic gradient descent (PIDSGD) and PID Ziegler Nichols tuning (PID-ZN). The control strategies’ robustnesses are tested under a variety of temperatures and loads. Unlike the PIDSGD and PID-ZN controllers, the PIDSGDM controller can attain the required control performance, such as fast convergence and high robustness. Simulation results using Matlab/Simulink have been studied and illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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26 pages, 4950 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Application of Fractional-Order PI Controllers and Neuro-Fuzzy PWM Technique to Multi-Rotor Wind Turbine Systems

by Habib Benbouhenni, Nicu Bizon, Ilhami Colak, Phatiphat Thounthong and Noureddine Takorabet

Electronics 2022, 11(9), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11091340 - 22 Apr 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 1590

Abstract

In recent years, the methods of controlling electrical machines have been witnessing increasing development to reduce torque and electric current fluctuations in electrical power generation systems from renewable sources such as wind energy. The generation of electric power from wind plants imposes the [...] Read more.

In recent years, the methods of controlling electrical machines have been witnessing increasing development to reduce torque and electric current fluctuations in electrical power generation systems from renewable sources such as wind energy. The generation of electric power from wind plants imposes the need for an efficient and more robust method in order to obtain fewer ripples in active and reactive power. In this work, a new fractional-order proportional-integral (FOPI) controller and intelligent PWM (IPWM) technique are proposed to control an existing asynchronous generator (AG) in variable-speed multi-rotor wind turbines (VSMRWTs). This proposed method depends on combining or using two methods, namely nonlinear area and fractional calculus, to obtain a more robust method and to reduce current and torque ripples. In the framework of this study, the electric power generation system consists of a 1.5 MW AG and VSMRWTs. The AG is controlled using a simpler and easily accomplished method called direct vector control, based on FOPI controllers and the IPWM technique (DVC-FOPI-IPWM). The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method is used to generate the maximum energy from the VSMRWTs. The proposed DVC-FOPI-IPWM technique is modeled in the Matlab/Simulink platform to obtain good quality current and active power. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy reduces the ripples of torque, current, and active power compared to the classical technique. Moreover, the reduction ratio is about 85%, 99%, and 93.33% for the current, active power, and torque, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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24 pages, 8230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Grid Operation Assessment under a Specific EV Chargers Deployment Plan in the City of Heraklion

by Emmanuel Karapidakis, Antonis Tsikalakis, Alexandros Paspatis, Emmanuel Fotakis, George Stavrakakis, Christina Chatzipoulka and Panagiotis Zervas

Electronics 2021, 10(22), 2831; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10222831 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1609

Abstract

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the electrification of the transportation sector plays a significant role in energy transition to a low-carbon and highly renewable society. The use of EVs has been promoted through the development of inclusive strategies for [...] Read more.

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the electrification of the transportation sector plays a significant role in energy transition to a low-carbon and highly renewable society. The use of EVs has been promoted through the development of inclusive strategies for electromobility in the recent years. Apart from actions directed and funded by the European Union, national strategies have also been employed to support electromobility. Such a strategic plan has already been enacted by the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, funding municipalities to prepare siting and sizing plans for electric vehicle chargers. In this paper, the final study of this strategic plan for the municipality of Heraklion in Crete is used as a case study to investigate the effect of EV chargers on the operation of the Cretan power system. Their selected siting points are evaluated by performing a power flow analysis at the level of 150 kV. Thus, they are aggregated in each 20 kV/150 kV distribution substation of the electrical grid with the aim of investigating their effect on substation loading and transmission line losses. Generally, extensive fast charging should be avoided to minimize the risk of sudden stress of the existing cities’ grids and control strategies should be implemented to mitigate the need for upscale substation equipment or even postpone reinforcements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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25 pages, 4792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adequacy Evaluation of an Islanded Microgrid

by Martin Kjær, Huai Wang and Frede Blaabjerg

Electronics 2021, 10(19), 2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10192344 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1552

Abstract

The reliability of power converters has been extensively examined in terms of component- and converter level. However, in case of multiple generation units, the evaluation of the performance of power systems requires system-level modeling. This paper aims to merge the prior art of [...] Read more.

The reliability of power converters has been extensively examined in terms of component- and converter level. However, in case of multiple generation units, the evaluation of the performance of power systems requires system-level modeling. This paper aims to merge the prior art of reliability modeling of power converters with the adequacy evaluation of power systems through an extensive design and evaluation analysis of a microgrid based case study. The methodology proposed in the paper integrates the device-level analysis into the domain of the conventional power system reliability analysis while outlining the steps needed to deal with non-exponential distributed failures of power electronic-based generation units. A replacement policy of the power electronic-based units is adopted by means of evaluating the system risk of not supplying system loads, and, finally, an approach on how to ensure a desired replacement frequency is outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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23 pages, 5441 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Terminal Synergetic Control for Direct Active and Reactive Powers in Asynchronous Generator-Based Dual-Rotor Wind Power Systems

by Habib Benbouhenni and Nicu Bizon

Electronics 2021, 10(16), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10161880 - 05 Aug 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

A terminal synergetic control (TSC) is designed in this work for a rotor side converter (RSC) of asynchronous generator (ASG)-based dual-rotor wind power (DRWP) systems. The design is based on a novel sliding manifold and aims at improving the ASG performance while minimizing [...] Read more.

A terminal synergetic control (TSC) is designed in this work for a rotor side converter (RSC) of asynchronous generator (ASG)-based dual-rotor wind power (DRWP) systems. The design is based on a novel sliding manifold and aims at improving the ASG performance while minimizing active and reactive power undulations. The method performance and its effectiveness were studied under harmonic distortion (THD) of current, parameter variations and power undulations. Simulation results, carried out using Matlab software, confirmed the system’s robustness against parameter variations and its effectiveness in power undulations. The performance of the designed technique was further compared to that of integral-proportional (PI) controllers in terms of parameter variations, power undulations and THD value of current. While both controllers were able to reduce the effects of power undulations and protect the rotor circuit against over-currents, the proposed TSC was shown to be more effective than the classical PI controller in tracking power and minimizing the undulations effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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12 pages, 2299 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Three-Phase Resonant Boost Inverter Fed Brushless DC Motor Drive for Electric Vehicles

by Prabhat Ranjan Tripathi, Vijaya Laxmi, Ritesh Kumar Keshri, Amitkumar Vidyakant Jha, Bhargav Appasani, Nicu Bizon and Phatiphat Thounthong

Electronics 2021, 10(15), 1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10151799 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2637

Abstract

The present article proposes a three-phase resonant boost inverter (TPRBI) to feed a permanent magnet brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor at the requested torque with low ripples due to the sinusoidal current injected into the PMBLDC motor. PMBLDC motors have the highest torque-to-weight ratio [...] Read more.

The present article proposes a three-phase resonant boost inverter (TPRBI) to feed a permanent magnet brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor at the requested torque with low ripples due to the sinusoidal current injected into the PMBLDC motor. PMBLDC motors have the highest torque-to-weight ratio compared to other motors and are the best choice for electric vehicle applications. Conventionally, these motors are driven by voltage source inverters (VSI) with trapezoidal current injection, introducing unwanted torque ripples. Moreover, due to the buck operation of VSI, an extra power conversion stage is required to elevate the battery voltage level to desired DC-link voltage. This extra stage increases the number of components used, complexity of control and decreases the efficiency and reliability of the overall system. TPRBI injects sinusoidal current in the PMBLDC motor in the proposed method, thus minimizing the torque ripples. The proposed inverter also has an inherent voltage boost characteristic, thus eliminating the extra power conversion stage. The single-stage conversion from DC to boosted sinusoidal AC enhances the system reliability and efficiency and minimizes the cost and weight of the system. A MATLAB/Simulink model is presented along with simulation results and mathematical validation. A comparative evaluation of the proposed system with the conventional VSI-fed PMBLDC motor is presented in terms of induced torque ripples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microgrids Integrating Renewable Energy Sources, Fuel Cells and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)

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