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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "F1: Electrical Power System".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 40000

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Najib El Ouanjli

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Applied Physics Department, Université Hassan 1er, Settat, Morocco
Interests: electrical & electronics engineering; rotating electric machines; system modeling; control techniques; optimization techniques; fault diagnosis; wind turbines; solar energy; renewable energy technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Saad Motahhir

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Guest Editor

École Nationale des Sciences Appliquées, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez BP 72, Morocco
Interests: internet of things; design; model-based design; processes; safety critical embedded systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Mustapha Errouha

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Plasma and Energy Conversion (LAPLACE), University of Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
Interests: machines drives; renewable energy systems; electrical power engineering; control theory; adaptive control; solar energy; optimization techniques; artificial intelligence; system modeling.

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to decreasing fossil resources and environmental friendliness, innovative methods in renewable energy generation and utilization are rapidly becoming attractive. Electrical drives and power electronics are one of the most critical components of modern applications of renewable energy systems. The robustness of machines and the increased efficiency of power semiconductor devices enable the improvement of many types of power conversion and generation. Thus, this Special Issue aims to present and disseminate recent advances related to the theory, design, modelling, application, control, and reviews related to the advancement of power electronics in renewable energy, power quality, and electrical drives.

The authors are invited to submit their original work and survey papers for publication in this Special Issue of Energies. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Advanced control strategies for electrical machines in renewable energy applications;
Emerging power electronics for electric drives in renewable energy applications;
Application of power electronic converters in wind and solar systems;
Energy storage for renewable energy applications;
Advanced current and voltage controller’s technology for power converter;
Novel AC/AC, DC/AC, AC/DC, DC/DC converter topologies, including their control techniques;
Multilevel converter topologies and control;
Artificial intelligence techniques in smart grid and renewable energy systems;
Evolutionary and heuristic optimization techniques in renewable energy systems
Smart grid modelling and simulation;
Controls for smart grids: architectures and applications;
PV water pumping system;
Robotic power electronics;
Electric vehicles;
Fault-tolerant methods in power electronic converter systems.

Prof. Dr. Najib El Ouanjli
Prof. Dr. Saad Motahhir
Prof. Dr. Mustapha Errouha
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. Energies 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 2600 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

renewable energy systems
power electronics
electric machines
modeling
control and optimization
fault diagnosis
electric vehicles
smart grids
power system control
standard and new topologies

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 12297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling and Simulation of Modified MPPT Techniques under Varying Operating Climatic Conditions

by Doaa Khodair, Saad Motahhir, Hazem H. Mostafa, Ahmed Shaker, Hossam Abd El Munim, Mohamed Abouelatta and Ahmed Saeed

Energies 2023, 16(1), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010549 - 3 Jan 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3386

Abstract

Enhancing the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems has recently become a key concern because of the market demand for green energy. To obtain the most possible power from the solar module, it is imperative to allow the PV system to operate at its maximum power point (MPP) regardless of the climatic conditions. In this study, a comparison of distinctive Maximum Power-Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques is provided, which are Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Modified Variable Step-Size P&O, as well as Incremental Conductance (INC) and Modified Variable Step-Size INC, using a boost converter for two types of solar panels. Using MATLAB software, simulations have been performed to assess the efficiency of the solar module under several environmental conditions, standard test conditions (STCs), and sudden and ramp variations in both solar irradiance and temperature. The output power efficiency, time response, and steady-state power oscillations have all been taken into account in this study. The simulation results of the improved algorithms demonstrate an enhancement in the PV module performance over conventional algorithms in many factors including steady-state conditions, tracking time, and converter efficiency. Furthermore, a boost in the dynamic response in monitoring the MPP is observed in a variety of climatical circumstances. Moreover, the proposed P&O MPPT algorithm is implemented in a hardware system and the experimental results verified the effectiveness, regarding both fast-tracking speed and lower oscillations, of the proposed Variable Step-Size P&O algorithm and its superiority over the conventional P&O technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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32 pages, 10877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design, Technical and Economic Optimization of Renewable Energy-Based Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Africa: The Case of Nigeria

by Jamiu O. Oladigbolu, Asad Mujeeb, Amir A. Imam and Ali Muhammad Rushdi

Energies 2023, 16(1), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010397 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4032

Abstract

The transportation sector accounts for more than 70% of Nigeria’s energy consumption. This sector has been the major consumer of fossil fuels in the past 20 years. In this study, the technical and economic feasibility of an electrical vehicle (EV) charging scheme is investigated based on the availability of renewable energy (RE) sources in six sites representing diverse geographic and climatic conditions in Nigeria. The HOMER Pro^® microgrid software with the grid-search and proprietary derivative-free optimization techniques is used to assess the viability of the proposed EV charging scheme. The PV/WT/battery charging station with a quantity of two WT, 174 kW of PV panels, a quantity of 380 batteries storage, and a converter of 109 kW located in Sokoto provide the best economic metrics with the lowest NPC, electricity cost, and initial costs of USD547,717, USD0.211/kWh, and USD449,134, respectively. The optimal charging scheme is able to reliably satisfy most of the EV charging demand as it presents a small percentage of the unmet load, which is the lowest when compared with the corresponding values of the other charging stations. Moreover, the optimal charging system in all six locations is able to sufficiently meet the EV charge requirement with maximum uptime. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to check the robustness of the optimum charging scheme. This sensitivity analysis reveals that the technical and economic performance indicators of the optimum charging station are sensitive to the changes in the sensitivity variables. Furthermore, the outcomes ensure that the hybrid system of RE sources and EVs can minimize carbon and other pollutant emissions. The results and findings in this study can be implemented by all relevant parties involved to accelerate the development of EVs not only in Nigeria but also in other parts of the African continent and the rest of the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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17 pages, 4818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dissolved Gas Analysis and Application of Artificial Intelligence Technique for Fault Diagnosis in Power Transformers: A South African Case Study

by Bonginkosi A. Thango

Energies 2022, 15(23), 9030; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15239030 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2640

Abstract

In South Africa, the growing power demand, challenges of having idle infrastructure, and power delivery issues have become crucial problems. Reliability enhancement necessitates a life-cycle performance analysis of the electrical power transformers. To attain reliable operation and continuous electric power supply, methodical condition monitoring of the electrical power transformer is compulsory. Abrupt breakdown of the power transformer instigates grievous economic detriment in the context of the cost of the transformer and disturbance in the electrical energy supply. On the condition that the state of the transformer is appraised in advance, it can be superseded to reduced loading conditions as an alternative to unexpected failure. Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) nowadays has become a customary method for diagnosing transformer faults. DGA provides the concentration level of various gases dissolved, and consequently, the nature of faults can be predicted subject to the concentration level of the gases. The prediction of fault class from DGA output has so far proven to be not holistically reliable when using conventional methods on account of the volatility of the DGA data in line with the rating and working conditions of the transformer. Several faults are unpredictable using the IEC gas ratio (IECGR) method, and an artificial neural network (ANN) has the hindrance of overfitting. Nonetheless, considering that transformer fault prediction is a classification problem, in this work, a unique classification algorithm is proposed. This applies a binary classification support vector machine (BCSVM). The classification precision is not reliant on the number of features of the input gases dataset. The results indicate that the proposed BCSVM furnishes improved results concerning IECGR and ANN methods traceable to its enhanced generalization capability and constructional risk-abatement principle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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11 pages, 992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feedforward Artificial Neural Network (FFANN) Application in Solid Insulation Evaluation Methods for the Prediction of Loss of Life in Oil-Submerged Transformers

by Bonginkosi A. Thango

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8548; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228548 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1547

Abstract

In this work, the application of a feed-forward artificial neural network (FFANN) in predicting the degree of polymerization (DP) and loss of life (LOL) in oil-submerged transformers by using the solid insulation evaluation method is presented. The solid insulation evaluation method is a reliable technique to assess and predict the DP and LOL as it furnishes bountiful information in examining the transformer condition. Herein, two FFANN models are proposed. The first model is based on predicting the DP when only the 2-Furaldehyde (2FAL) concentration measured from oil samples is available for new and existing transformers. The second FFANN model proposed is based on predicting the transformer LOL when the 2FAL and DP are available to the utility owner, typically for the transformer operating at a site where un-tanking the unit is a daunting and unfeasible task. The development encompasses constructing numerous FFANN designs and picking networks with superlative performance. The training and testing procedures databank is based on the dataset of the 2FAL and DP from a fleet of transformers and measured from laboratory analysis. The correlation coefficient of 0.964 was ascertained when the DP was predicted using the 2FAL measured in oil. In the FFANN model, a correlation coefficient of 0.999 against the practical data where one can make a reliable prediction of transformer LOL concerning 2FAL was generated and the amount of DP present produced. This model can be used to predict the DP and LOL of new and existing transformers at the manufacturer’s premises and operating in the field, respectively. To the knowledge of the authors, no research work has been published addressing the methods proposed in this work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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21 pages, 5091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of a Solar Water Pumping System in Varying Weather Conditions by a New Hybrid Method Based on Fuzzy Logic and Incremental Conductance

by Abdelilah Hilali, Najib El Ouanjli, Said Mahfoud, Ameena Saad Al-Sumaiti and Mahmoud A. Mossa

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8518; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228518 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2533

Abstract

The present work consists of developing a new hybrid FL-INC optimization algorithm for the solar water pumping system (SWPS) through a SEPIC converter whose objective is to improve these performances. This technique is based on the combination of the fuzzy logic of artificial intelligence and the incremental conductance (INC) technique. Indeed, the introduction of fuzzy logic to the INC algorithm allows the extraction of a maximum amount of power and an improvement in the efficiency of the SWPS. The performance of the system through the SEPIC converter is compared with those of the direct coupling to show the interest of the indirect coupling, which requires an adaptation stage driven by an optimal control algorithm. In addition, a comparative analysis between the proposed hybrid algorithm and the conventional optimization techniques, namely, P&O and INC Modified (M-INC), was carried out to confirm improvements related to the SWPS in terms of efficiency, tracking speed, power quality, tracking of the maximum power point under different weather changes, and pumped water flow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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21 pages, 13097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid MLI Topology Using Open-End Windings for Active Power Filter Applications

by Abdullah M. Noman, Abdulaziz Alkuhayli, Abdullrahman A. Al-Shamma’a and Khaled E. Addoweesh

Energies 2022, 15(17), 6434; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15176434 - 2 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1715

Abstract

Different multilevel converter topologies have been presented for achieving more output voltage steps, hence improving system performance and lowering costs. In this paper, a hybrid multilevel inverter (MLI) topology is proposed for active-power-filter applications. The proposed MLI is a combination of two standard topologies: the cascaded H-bridge and the three-phase cascaded voltage source inverter. This configuration enhances the voltage levels of the proposed MLI while using fewer switches than typical MLI topologies. The proposed MLI was developed in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, and a closed-loop control technique was used to achieve a unity power factor connection of the PV modules to the grid, as well as to compensate for harmonics caused by nonlinear loads. To demonstrate that the configuration was working correctly and that the control was precise, the proposed MLI was constructed in a laboratory. A MicroLabBox real-time controller handled data acquisition and switch gating. The proposed topology was experimentally connected to the grid and the MLI was experimentally used as an active power filter to compensate for the harmonics generated due to nonlinear loads. This control technique was able to generating a sinusoidal grid current that was in phase with the grid voltage, and the grid current’s total harmonic distortion was within acceptable limits. To validate the practicability of the proposed MLI, both simulation and experimental results are presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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21 pages, 4083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Robust Voltage Control of a Buck DC-DC Converter: A Sliding Mode Approach

by Salah Beni Hamed, Mouna Ben Hamed and Lassaad Sbita

Energies 2022, 15(17), 6128; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15176128 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

This paper deals with voltage control in a buck DC-DC converter. In fact, dynamic mathematical equations describing the principle behavior of the above system have been derived. Due to the nonlinearity of the established model, a nonlinear control algorithm is adopted. It is based on the sliding mode control approach. To highlight the performance of the latter, a comparative study with four control algorithms is carried out. The validity of the model and the performance of the conceived algorithms are verified in simulation. Both the system and the algorithm controls are implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment. Extensive results under different operational conditions are presented and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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29 pages, 3805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Optimal Nonstandard Tripping Protection Scheme for Radial and Meshed Microgrid Systems

by Salima Abeid, Yanting Hu, Feras Alasali and Naser El-Naily

Energies 2022, 15(14), 4980; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15144980 - 7 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1670

Abstract

The coordination of optimal overcurrent relays (OCRs) for modern power networks is nowadays one of the critical concerns due to the increase in the use of renewable energy sources. Modern grids connected to inverter-based distributed generations (IDGs) and synchronous distributed generations (SDGs) have a direct impact on fault currents and locations and then on the protection system. In this paper, a new optimal OCR coordination scheme has been developed based on the nonstandard time–current characteristics (NSTCC) approach. The proposed scheme can effectively minimize the impact of distributed generations (DGs) on OCR coordination by using two optimization techniques: genetic algorithm (GA) and hybrid gravitational search algorithm–sequential quadratic programming (GSA–SQP) algorithm. In addition, the proposed optimal OCR coordination scheme has successfully employed a new constraint reduction method for eliminating the considerable number of constraints in the coordination and tripping time formula by using only one variable dynamic coefficient. The proposed protection scheme has been applied in IEEE 9-bus and IEC MG systems as benchmark radial networks as well as IEEE 30-bus systems as meshed structures. The results of the proposed optimal OCR coordination scheme have been compared to standard and nonstandard characteristics reported in the literature. The results showed a significant improvement in terms of the protection system sensitivity and reliability by minimizing the operating time (OT) of OCRs and demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method throughout minimum and maximum fault modes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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Review

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31 pages, 4881 KiB

Open AccessReview

Comprehensive Review of Recent Advancements in Battery Technology, Propulsion, Power Interfaces, and Vehicle Network Systems for Intelligent Autonomous and Connected Electric Vehicles

by Ghulam E Mustafa Abro, Saiful Azrin B. M. Zulkifli, Kundan Kumar, Najib El Ouanjli, Vijanth Sagayan Asirvadam and Mahmoud A. Mossa

Energies 2023, 16(6), 2925; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16062925 - 22 Mar 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 10939

Abstract

Numerous recent innovations have been achieved with the goal of enhancing electric vehicles and the parts that go into them, particularly in the areas of managing energy, battery design and optimization, and autonomous driving. This promotes a more effective and sustainable eco-system and helps to build the next generation of electric car technology. This study offers insights into the most recent research and advancements in electric vehicles (EVs), as well as new, innovative, and promising technologies based on scientific data and facts associated with e-mobility from a technological standpoint, which may be achievable by 2030. Appropriate modeling and design strategies, including digital twins with connected Internet of Things (IoT), are discussed in this study. Vehicles with autonomous features have the potential to increase safety on roads, increase driving economy, and provide drivers more time to focus on other duties thanks to the Internet of Things idea. The enabling technology that entails a car moving out of a parking spot, traveling along a long highway, and then parking at the destination is also covered in this article. The development of autonomous vehicles depends on the data obtained for deployment in actual road conditions. There are also research gaps and proposals for autonomous, intelligent vehicles. One of the many social concerns that are described is the cause of an accident with an autonomous car. A smart device that can spot strange driving behavior and prevent accidents is briefly discussed. In addition, all EV-related fields are covered, including the likely technical challenges and knowledge gaps in each one, from in-depth battery material sciences through power electronics and powertrain engineering to market assessments and environmental assessments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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21 pages, 5142 KiB

Open AccessReview

Battery Energy Storage for Photovoltaic Application in South Africa: A Review

by Bonginkosi A. Thango and Pitshou N. Bokoro

Energies 2022, 15(16), 5962; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15165962 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5076

Abstract

Despite the significant slowdown of economic activity in South Africa by virtue of the COVID-19 outbreak, load shedding or scheduled power outages remained at a high level. The trend of rising load-shedding hours has persisted throughout most of the year 2022. Operational issues within the South African power utility inflamed the unpredictable nature of generation capacity, resulting in unscheduled outages at several generating units, mostly due to multiple breakdowns. To forestall substantial spikes in energy costs, an increasing number of enterprises and homeowners have started to gradually adopt renewable energy technologies to sustain their operational demand. Therefore, there is an increase in the exploration and investment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to exploit South Africa’s high solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and help alleviate production losses related to load-shedding-induced downtime. As a result, the current work presents a comprehensive and consequential review conducted on the BESS specifically for solar PV application and in the South African context. The research investigations carried out on BESS for PV application are crucially examined, drawing attention to their capacities, shortcomings, constraints, and prospects for advancement. This investigation probed several areas of interest where the BESS-PV scheme is adopted, viz., choice of battery technology, mitigating miscellaneous power quality problems, optimal power system control, peak load shaving, South African BESS market and status of some Real BESS-PV projects. The techno-economic case scenario has been proposed in the current research and results yield that lithium-ion batteries are more viable than Lead–acid batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrical Power Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies)

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