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Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power...
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Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Power Electronics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 17747

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luis M. Fernández-Ramírez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Group in Sustainable and Renewable Electrical Technologies (PAIDI-TEP023), Department of Electrical Engineering, Higher Technical School of Engineering of Algeciras, University of Cadiz, Algeciras, Spain
Interests: smart cities; smart grids; microgrids; renewable energy; wind energy; photovoltaic solar energy; energy storage systems; hydrogen and fuel cells; hybrid electric systems; electric vehicles; electric power systems; power converters and energy management/control systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abu-Siada

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Discipline of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Interests: condition monitoring; fault diagnosis; asset management; power electronics; power system stability quality and control; renewable energy; smart grids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jean-Christophe Crebier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
G2ELab, CNRS/UGA, Grenoble, France
Interests: power electronics; eco-design; modular design; design for sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhiwei Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Interests: power conversion systems; machine learning; intelligent optimization; condition monitoring; tolerant control; wind turbine systems; offshore renewable energy; complex systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kai Fu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Interests: GaN; power electronics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Eladio Durán Aranda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Interests: DC-DC converters; DC microgrid; electronic embedded systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is devoted to publishing new solutions and trends in power electronics (including the components, circuits, design, modeling, simulation, control, implementation, reliability, testing, and analysis of power electronics) for electric drives and generators, renewable energy systems, energy storage systems, smart cities, smart grids, power systems, and transport, industrial, medical, military, telecommunication, consumable, and home apparatuses.

In this Special Issue, we encourage our section Editorial Board Members, Topical Advisory Panel Members, and the related outstanding scholars involved in power electronics to discuss key topics in the field and submit innovative articles in emerging technologies for power electronics. We expect these papers to be widely read and highly influential within the field. All papers in this Special Issue will be collected into a printed edition book after the deadline and will be well promoted.

The subject areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Power electronic circuits: DC/DC, DC/AC, and AC/AC power converters.
  • Power electronic components: switching devices, diodes, inductors, capacitors, transformers, filters, sensors, etc.
  • Power electronic control: modulation techniques, control techniques, control systems, etc.
  • Instrumentation, monitoring, and the IoT of power electronics and their applications.
  • EMI/EMC in power electronics.
  • Reliability of power electronics.
  • Artificial intelligence in power electronics.
  • Electric drives and generators.
  • Power electronics for renewable energy systems.
  • Power electronics for energy storage systems.
  • Power electronics for smart cities.
  • Power electronics for smart grids.
  • Power electronics for power systems: FACTS, HVDC systems, etc.
  • Power electronics for transport applications (electric vehicles, trains, aircraft, ships, etc.).
  • Power electronics for industrial applications.
  • Power electronics for medical applications.
  • Power electronics for military applications.
  • Power electronics for telecommunication applications.
  • Power electronics for energy harvesting systems.
  • Power electronics for consumable applications.
  • Power electronics for home appliances.

Dr. Luis M. Fernández-Ramírez
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abu-Siada
Dr. Jean-Christophe Crebier
Dr. Zhiwei Gao
Dr. Kai Fu
Prof. Dr. Eladio Durán Aranda
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • power electronics components
  • power electronics circuits
  • power electronics design
  • power electronics modeling
  • power electronics simulation
  • power electronics control
  • artificial intelligence in power electronics
  • power electronics implementation
  • power electronics reliability
  • power electronics testing and analysis
  • power electronics applications

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3874 KiB  
Article
Effects of Battery Energy Storage Systems on the Frequency Stability of Weak Grids with a High-Share of Grid-Connected Converters
by Pedro Paiva and Rui Castro
Electronics 2024, 13(6), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13061083 - 14 Mar 2024
Viewed by 660
Abstract
To achieve an energy sector independent from fossil fuels, a significant increase in the penetration of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is imperative. However, these sources lack the inertia provided by conventional thermo-electric power stations, which is essential [...] Read more.
To achieve an energy sector independent from fossil fuels, a significant increase in the penetration of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is imperative. However, these sources lack the inertia provided by conventional thermo-electric power stations, which is essential for maintaining grid frequency stability. In this study, a grid resembling Madeira Island’s power generation mix was modeled using the Matlab/Simulink platform. The model included solar, wind, hydro, and thermo-electric generation to accurately represent the energy landscape of Madeira Island. Three scenarios were examined: one reflecting the current power generation on Madeira Island, a future scenario with a substantial rise in the percentage of photovoltaic (PV) generation, and the same future scenario but incorporating a battery energy storage system (BESS). Various analyses were conducted to assess the impact on frequency stability during a ground fault and rapid load/generation changes. In the future scenario without a BESS, the thermoelectric power plant generator desynchronized, leading to system collapse in several simulations. However, with the addition of a BESS, a significant improvement in frequency stability was observed. The thermoelectric power plant generator could return to a steady state after each disturbance. Furthermore, both the maximum frequency deviation and the absolute value of the Rate of Change of Frequency (ROCOF) were reduced, indicating enhanced system performance and stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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21 pages, 7747 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Optimization of a Regenerative Snubber for a GaN-Based USB-PD Flyback Converter
by Fabio Cacciotto, Alessandro Cannone, Emanuele Cassarà and Santi Agatino Rizzo
Electronics 2024, 13(6), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13061045 - 11 Mar 2024
Viewed by 655
Abstract
This paper presents a high-efficiency GaN-based 65 W Quasi-Resonant (QR) Flyback converter. The converter is characterized by a wide input voltage range and a variable output voltage, and it is designed as a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) for high power density USP-Power [...] Read more.
This paper presents a high-efficiency GaN-based 65 W Quasi-Resonant (QR) Flyback converter. The converter is characterized by a wide input voltage range and a variable output voltage, and it is designed as a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) for high power density USP-Power Delivery (USB-PD) applications. To increase the efficiency and power density, a regenerative snubber clamp solution has been used to limit the excursion of the drain voltage during the power switch turn-off. The activity involved the modeling of the converter, the sizing of the regenerative snubber, and the design of the flyback transformer. Furthermore, a dedicated test application board was used to verify the effectiveness of the solution. The results were compared with those obtained using a flyback converter with an RCD snubber. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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21 pages, 3393 KiB  
Article
An Experimental Investigation of an Open-Source and Low-Cost Control System for Renewable-Energy-Powered Reverse Osmosis Desalination
by Evangelos Dimitriou, Dimitrios Loukatos, Eleftherios Tampakakis, Konstantinos G. Arvanitis and George Papadakis
Electronics 2024, 13(5), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13050813 - 20 Feb 2024
Viewed by 690
Abstract
Considering the degradation of water resources and the increase in human population, desalination seems to be a promising method for meeting the global water demand, from potable water to plant irrigation needs. The contribution of desalination to the agricultural sector, through the supply [...] Read more.
Considering the degradation of water resources and the increase in human population, desalination seems to be a promising method for meeting the global water demand, from potable water to plant irrigation needs. The contribution of desalination to the agricultural sector, through the supply of water for plants or animals, is critical because this sector represents 70% of the global water demand. Unfortunately, the desalination process is energy-intensive and subjected to several factors that result in undesirable fluctuations on quality/quantity of product water, and/or energy waste. Renewable energy sources can supply the necessary power, but they amplify these challenges because their availability varies over time. A simple and efficient way to tackle this issue is to control the pressure of the feed water before feeding it to the membrane. Typically, the pairing control systems are quite expensive or lack the necessary customization freedom that could improve their operation. Therefore, this study highlights the feasibility of enhancing a typical desalination control equipment via the incorporation of modern low-cost microcontrollers and flexible open-source software; the potential of these tools has not yet been fully explored. The microcontroller executes customized PID logic, driving an industrial inverter module. Our results indicate that the proposed system can keep pace with the desalination process setpoints, reducing the stress of the electromechanical components and periods of out-of-specification freshwater production. This low-level control function implementation minimizes the need for human intervention while providing a promising foundation for further extensions and customizations in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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22 pages, 2545 KiB  
Article
Diagnosis of Analog Circuits: The Problem of Ambiguity of Test Equation Solutions
by Stanisław Hałgas
Electronics 2024, 13(4), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13040684 - 07 Feb 2024
Viewed by 515
Abstract
Diagnosis of analog electronic circuits is a crucial issue in computer-aided design. During the diagnosis, solving a test equation to identify the values of faulty parameters is usually necessary. The equation is nonlinear to the parameters, even for linear circuits. The nonlinearity of [...] Read more.
Diagnosis of analog electronic circuits is a crucial issue in computer-aided design. During the diagnosis, solving a test equation to identify the values of faulty parameters is usually necessary. The equation is nonlinear to the parameters, even for linear circuits. The nonlinearity of the equation implies the possibility of multiple solutions. No method exists that guarantees the determination of all the solutions of the test equation. However, even information about more than one existing solution is essential for the designer. It allows for the selection of another test at the design step and helps to obtain an unambiguous solution during the diagnosis. Information about the possibility of additional solutions is essential for simulation after test methods (e.g., identification and verification methods) and for simulation before test methods, so-called dictionary methods, especially those targeting multiple fault classification. The paper deals with the problem of multiple solutions of the test equation for nonlinear DC circuits and proposes a method for identifying the solutions using a deflation technique. The outcomes are compared with the results obtained using standard and adaptively damped Newton–Raphson iterative methods. The methods use randomly selected initial guesses to find multiple solutions. The effectiveness of all the methods for identifying multiple solutions was verified numerically and via laboratory tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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22 pages, 10524 KiB  
Article
Implementation of Constant Temperature–Constant Voltage Charging Method with Energy Loss Minimization for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Guan-Jhu Chen, Chun-Liang Liu, Yi-Hua Liu and Jhih-Jhong Wang
Electronics 2024, 13(3), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13030645 - 04 Feb 2024
Viewed by 745
Abstract
Effective charging techniques must consider factors such as charging efficiency, lifecycle, charging time (CT), and battery temperature. Currently, most charging strategies primarily focus on CT and charging losses (CL), overlooking the crucial influence of battery temperature on battery life. [...] Read more.
Effective charging techniques must consider factors such as charging efficiency, lifecycle, charging time (CT), and battery temperature. Currently, most charging strategies primarily focus on CT and charging losses (CL), overlooking the crucial influence of battery temperature on battery life. Therefore, this study proposes a constant temperature–constant voltage (CT-CV) charging method based on minimizing energy losses. The charging process is primarily divided into three stages. In the first stage, a constant current (CC) charging is implemented using a 2C rate that aims to expedite battery charging but may result in a rapid temperature increase. The second stage involves constant temperature charging, where the charging current is regulated based on battery temperature feedback using a PID controller to maintain a stable battery temperature. The third stage is constant voltage (CV) charging, where a fixed current is applied continuously until the current drops below the charging cutoff current. After completion of the charging process, the charging time can be calculated, and charging losses can be determined by incorporating the battery equivalent circuit model (ECM). To determine the optimal transition time, the paper employs Coulomb counting and the battery ECM, considering both CT and losses to simulate the transition time with minimal CL. This approach achieves optimization of transition points by establishing ECM, measuring internal impedance of the battery, and simulating various charging scenarios, and eliminates the need for multiple actual experiments. Experimental results show that the charging time (CT) should be reduced and the maximum temperature rise (TR) should be reduced under the same average TR condition of the proposed method. At the same CT, the average TR and the maximum TR should both decrease. The charging method proposed in this study exhibits the following advantages: (1) simultaneous consideration of the battery’s equivalent circuit model and charging time; (2) the achieved transition point demonstrates characteristics of minimized charging losses; (3) eliminates the need for multiple experimental iterations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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14 pages, 483 KiB  
Article
Disturbance Frequency Trajectory Prediction in Power Systems Based on LightGBM Spearman
by Chao Xing, Mingqun Liu, Junzhen Peng, Yuhong Wang, Yixiong Liu, Shilin Gao, Zongsheng Zheng and Jianquan Liao
Electronics 2024, 13(3), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13030597 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 582
Abstract
Addressing the issue of reduced system inertia and significantly increased risk of system frequency deviation due to high penetration of renewable energy sources, this paper proposes a power system disturbance frequency trajectory prediction method based on light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) Spearman to [...] Read more.
Addressing the issue of reduced system inertia and significantly increased risk of system frequency deviation due to high penetration of renewable energy sources, this paper proposes a power system disturbance frequency trajectory prediction method based on light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) Spearman to provide data support for advanced system stability judgment and the initiation of stability control measures. Firstly, the optimal cluster is determined by combining the K-means clustering algorithm with the elbow method to eliminate redundant electrical quantities. Subsequently, the Spearman coefficient is used to analyze feature correlation and filter out electrical quantities that are strongly correlated with frequency stability. Finally, a frequency trajectory prediction model is built based on LightGBM to achieve accurate prediction of disturbed frequency trajectories. The method is validated using a case study on the New England 10-machine 39-bus system constructed on the CloudPSS 4.0 full electromagnetic cloud simulation platform, and the results show that the proposed method has high accuracy in frequency trajectory prediction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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16 pages, 3546 KiB  
Article
A Novel Three-Dimensional Sigma–Delta Modulation for High-Switching-Frequency Three-Phase Four-Wire Active Power Filters
by David Lumbreras, Jordi Zaragoza, Manel Lamich, Néstor Berbel and Enrique Romero-Cadaval
Electronics 2024, 13(3), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13030553 - 30 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 490
Abstract
This article presents a new modulation technique called three-dimensional sigma–delta (3D-ΣΔ) modulation for high-frequency three-leg four-wire voltage source converters (VSCs) that use wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors. These WBG devices allow for the use of high switching frequencies with a greater efficiency [...] Read more.
This article presents a new modulation technique called three-dimensional sigma–delta (3D-ΣΔ) modulation for high-frequency three-leg four-wire voltage source converters (VSCs) that use wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors. These WBG devices allow for the use of high switching frequencies with a greater efficiency than silicon devices. The proposed 3D-ΣΔ technique enables operation at a variable switching frequency, resulting in a significant reduction in switching losses compared to classical pulse-width modulation (PWM) techniques. Moreover, the 3D-ΣΔ technique uses a fast-processing 3D quantiser that simplifies implementation and considerably reduces computational costs. The behaviour of the 3D-ΣΔ modulation is analysed using MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS. The experimental results performed on an active power filter that uses silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs demonstrate an improvement in converter efficiency compared to the conventional SPWM technique. Additionally, the experimental results show how 3D-ΣΔ allows for the compensation of harmonics and homopolar currents, thereby balancing the electrical grid currents. The experiments also show that the proposed 3D-ΣΔ modulation outperforms an SPWM technique in terms of power quality, since the former achieves a larger reduction in the harmonic content of the power grid. In conclusion, the proposed modulation technique is an attractive option for improving the performance of four-wire converters in active power filter applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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20 pages, 9839 KiB  
Article
Solar-Powered Smart Buildings: Integrated Energy Management Solution for IoT-Enabled Sustainability
by Rubén Muñiz, Raúl del Coso, Fernando Nuño, Pedro J. Villegas, Daniel Álvarez and Juan A. Martínez
Electronics 2024, 13(2), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13020317 - 11 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1275
Abstract
The increasing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable solutions in the building sector has driven the need for innovative approaches that integrate renewable energy sources and advanced control systems. This paper presents an integrated energy management solution for solar-powered smart buildings, combining a multifaceted [...] Read more.
The increasing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable solutions in the building sector has driven the need for innovative approaches that integrate renewable energy sources and advanced control systems. This paper presents an integrated energy management solution for solar-powered smart buildings, combining a multifaceted physical system with advanced IoT- and cloud-based control systems. The physical system includes a heat pump, photovoltaics, solar thermal panels, and an innovative low-enthalpy radiant wall and ceiling, providing self-sufficient heating and cooling. The control system makes use of advanced IoT and communication engineering technologies, using Modbus, HTTP, and MQTT protocols for seamless interconnectivity, monitoring, and remote management. The successful implementation of this solution in an average-sized model house in Paris and a deep energy retrofit of a semidetached single-family house in Oviedo, northern Spain, demonstrates increased energy efficiency, improved thermal comfort, and reduced environmental impact compared with conventional alternatives. This study illustrates the potential of integrating solar energy, IoT, and communication technologies into smart buildings, contributing to the global effort to reduce the environmental impact of the building sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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14 pages, 5127 KiB  
Article
Contextual Rule-Based System for Brightness Energy Management in Buildings
by Vasco Ferreira, Tiago Pinto and José Baptista
Electronics 2024, 13(1), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13010218 - 03 Jan 2024
Viewed by 585
Abstract
The increase in renewable generation of a distributed nature has brought significant new challenges to power and energy system management and operation. Self-consumption in buildings is widespread, and with it rises the need for novel, adaptive and intelligent building energy management systems. Although [...] Read more.
The increase in renewable generation of a distributed nature has brought significant new challenges to power and energy system management and operation. Self-consumption in buildings is widespread, and with it rises the need for novel, adaptive and intelligent building energy management systems. Although there is already extensive research and development work regarding building energy management solutions, the capabilities for adaptation and contextualization of decisions are still limited. Consequently, this paper proposes a novel contextual rule-based system for energy management in buildings, which incorporates a contextual dimension that enables the adaptability of the system according to diverse contextual situations and the presence of multiple users with different preferences. Results of a case study based on real data show that the contextualization of the energy management process can maintain energy costs as low as possible, while respecting user preferences and guaranteeing their comfort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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21 pages, 996 KiB  
Article
A Model Predictive Control Algorithm for the Reconfiguration of Radially Operated Grids with Islands
by Manuel Donsante, Andrea Tortorelli, Alessandro Di Giorgio and Francesco Liberati
Electronics 2023, 12(24), 4982; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12244982 - 12 Dec 2023
Viewed by 647
Abstract
This paper proposes a reconfiguration algorithm for electricity grids, based on Model Predictive Control (MPC). Reconfiguration is dynamically performed to reduce losses, and in reaction to adverse events, such as faults or attacks. Most of the previous works in the literature (including a [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a reconfiguration algorithm for electricity grids, based on Model Predictive Control (MPC). Reconfiguration is dynamically performed to reduce losses, and in reaction to adverse events, such as faults or attacks. Most of the previous works in the literature (including a previous paper from the authors) focus on the reconfiguration of grids while ensuring they are always radially operated and connected (i.e., islands are not allowed to form). At present, including the possibility of performing a dynamic islanding of the network (i.e., where portions of the grid dynamically detach and reconnect to the main grid) is seen as a way to improve the flexibility and resiliency of the grid, especially in the present context, with the increased penetration of digital technologies and renewables. Therefore, by extending the previous work, the algorithm proposed in the present paper also allows for the formation of islands, while still constraining them to radial islands, in line with the operational practice adopted by most electric companies. The mathematical formulation of the grid reconfiguration problem is discussed, and simulation results are presented, showing the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in dynamically managing the grid reconfiguration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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14 pages, 5981 KiB  
Article
Design of Power Supply Based on Inductive Power Transfer System for Medium Voltage Direct Current Sensor
by Seungjin Jo, Guangyao Li, Dong-Hee Kim and Jung-Hoon Ahn
Electronics 2023, 12(22), 4702; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12224702 - 19 Nov 2023
Viewed by 838
Abstract
This paper proposes a medium voltage direct current (MVDC) sensor power supply method based on inductive power transfer (IPT). Given that MVDC distribution networks transmit power at high voltages (several tens of kV), control through sensors is necessary to prevent exacerbating MVDC distribution [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a medium voltage direct current (MVDC) sensor power supply method based on inductive power transfer (IPT). Given that MVDC distribution networks transmit power at high voltages (several tens of kV), control through sensors is necessary to prevent exacerbating MVDC distribution network accidents. Moreover, these high voltages in MVDC distribution networks mean that high voltage insulation is required between the sensor and the distribution line and for any power supply device electrically connected to the sensor. Therefore, this paper proposes a safe and reliable power supply method using the principle of IPT to maintain a suitable insulation distance between the distribution network and the current sensor supply line. After proposing and designing a transmitter/receiver pad and IPT system by considering the current sensor specifications, a 50-W experimental prototype is developed. The experiments demonstrated that the proposed IPT system can resolve concerns about the breakdown of insulation between distribution networks and power supply lines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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14 pages, 5020 KiB  
Article
Active Thermal Control in Neutral-Point-Clamped Multilevel Converters Based on Switching-Cell Arrays
by Salvador Alepuz, Joan Nicolás-Apruzzese, Roya Rafiezadeh, Sergio Busquets-Monge, Mariana Raya and Àlber Filbà-Martínez
Electronics 2023, 12(19), 4055; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12194055 - 27 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 681
Abstract
Neutral-point-clamped multilevel converters are a suitable solution to the implementation of low–medium voltage and power applications at present, thanks to their intrinsic superior voltage and current quality. The conventional configurations of these converters present uneven power loss distribution, causing thermal stress in some [...] Read more.
Neutral-point-clamped multilevel converters are a suitable solution to the implementation of low–medium voltage and power applications at present, thanks to their intrinsic superior voltage and current quality. The conventional configurations of these converters present uneven power loss distribution, causing thermal stress in some power semiconductors, which weakens the power converter reliability. To overcome this, an implementation of the neutral-point-clamped multilevel converter based on a switching-cell array is introduced, adding redundant conduction paths on one side and more options to distribute the switching losses on the other side. An active thermal control is proposed to balance the temperature distribution in the converter. A four-level converter has been implemented to evaluate the proposed solution. The experimental results show that the proposed implementation and active thermal control presents an enhanced temperature distribution in the converter and, therefore, reduced thermal stress and better reliability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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10 pages, 718 KiB  
Article
Redox Flow Batteries: A Glance at Safety and Regulation Issues
by Andrea Trovò, Giacomo Marini, Walter Zamboni and Sebastian Dambone Sessa
Electronics 2023, 12(8), 1844; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12081844 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2329
Abstract
Redox flow batteries (RFB) are considered one of the most promising electrochemical energy storage technologies for stationary storage applications, especially for long duration energy storage services. RFBs are electrochemical energy converters that use flowing media as or with active materials, where the electrochemical [...] Read more.
Redox flow batteries (RFB) are considered one of the most promising electrochemical energy storage technologies for stationary storage applications, especially for long duration energy storage services. RFBs are electrochemical energy converters that use flowing media as or with active materials, where the electrochemical reactions can be reversed. Knowledge of technical standards and other regulations lay the foundations for successful and safe commercialization of products through uniform instructions and generally applicable rules. A small number of papers on safety and regulatory issues of RFBs are reported in the literature, mainly for two reasons. First, because this technology is considered safe; and second, because most of the publications have been limited to short-term characterization studies of materials in chemistry. This paper aims to help fill this gap, providing researchers and students with introductory knowledge on the safety and regulatory aspects of RFBs, mainly from an electrical and hydraulic point of view. The reader is referred to specific regulations for deeper studies and analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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21 pages, 6381 KiB  
Article
Blockchain-Based Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading System Using Open-Source Angular Framework and Hypertext Transfer Protocol
by Mirza Jabbar Aziz Baig, Mohammad Tariq Iqbal, Mohsin Jamil and Jahangir Khan
Electronics 2023, 12(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12020287 - 05 Jan 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3408
Abstract
Renewable energy resources have been gaining ground in recent years and we are on the verge of a decentralized energy market with consumers becoming prosumers. Platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer (P2P) sale or purchase of energy are therefore essential. This paper presents a way [...] Read more.
Renewable energy resources have been gaining ground in recent years and we are on the verge of a decentralized energy market with consumers becoming prosumers. Platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer (P2P) sale or purchase of energy are therefore essential. This paper presents a way to trade energy across P2P networks using blockchain technology. The main server is a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (Pi4B), on which the user interface (UI) as well as the private Ethereum blockchain are configured. The blockchain also implements a smart contract. For the purpose of developing the UI that provides assistance in conducting trading activities, an open-source Angular framework is used. Also explored in the study is the development of an Internet of Things (IoT) server using the latest ESP32-S3 microcontroller. The field instrumentation devices (FIDs) are connected to the microcontroller for the purpose of data acquisition and for subsequent transmission to an IoT server. The blockchain network maintains a record of all transactions in an immutable manner. Assuring security is achieved through a local configuration of the system, hosted on a private network with restricted access. For the purposes of information security and data integrity, additional security measures are also considered, such as a secret recovery phrase, firewalls, login credentials and private key. Among the servers and clients, there is an implementation of a Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The P2P energy trading approach involving renewable energy designed for remote communities is explained and illustrated in this paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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Review

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20 pages, 43883 KiB  
Review
Review of the Legacy and Future of IEC 61850 Protocols Encompassing Substation Automation System
by Shantanu Kumar, Ahmed Abu-Siada, Narottam Das and Syed Islam
Electronics 2023, 12(15), 3345; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12153345 - 04 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1947
Abstract
Communication protocols play a pivotal role in the substation automation system as they carry critical information related to asset control, automation, protection, and monitoring. Substation legacy protocols run the assets’ bulk data on multiple wires over long distances. These data packets pass through [...] Read more.
Communication protocols play a pivotal role in the substation automation system as they carry critical information related to asset control, automation, protection, and monitoring. Substation legacy protocols run the assets’ bulk data on multiple wires over long distances. These data packets pass through multiple nodes, which makes the identification of the location and type of various malfunctions a challenging and time-consuming task. As downtime of substations is of high importance from a regulatory and compliance point of view, utilities are motivated to revisit the overall scheme and redesign a new system that features flexibility, adaptability, interoperability, and high accuracy. This paper presents a comprehensive review of various legacy protocols and highlights the path forward for a new protocol laid down as per the IEC 61850 standard. The IEC 61850 protocol is expected to be user-friendly, employ fiber optics instead of conventional copper wires, facilitate the application of non-conventional instrument transformers, and connect Ethernet wires to multiple intelligent electronic devices. However, deployment of smart protocols in future substations is not a straightforward process as it requires careful planning, shutdown and foreseeable issues related to interface with proprietary vendor equipment. Along with the technical issues of communication, future smart protocols call for advanced personnel and engineering skills to embrace the new technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Section Collection Series: New Horizons and Recent Advances in Power Electronics)
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