Generalized, Complete and Accurate Modeling of Non-Ideal Push–Pull Converters for Power System Analysis and Control

Power converters are a basic element for the control and design of any power electronic system. Among the many available topologies, the push–pull converter is widely used due to its versatility, safety and efficiency. For its correct analysis, sizing, simulation and control, models that meet the characteristics of generality, accuracy and simplicity are required, especially if its control is to be optimized by means of some analytical technique. This requires models that consider the practical non-idealities intrinsic to the converter, as well as being intuitive and easy to handle analytically in a control loop. In general, the models reviewed in the scientific literature adopt simplifications in their definition that are detrimental to their accuracy. In response to the posed problem, this work presents a generalized, complete, accurate and versatile model of real (non-ideal) push–pull converters, ideal for the analysis, simulation, and control of power systems. Following the premise of general and complete converters, the proposed model includes all the practical non-idealities of the converter elements, and it is accurate because it faithfully reflects its dynamics. Furthermore, the model is versatile, as its state space formulation allows for its easy adaptability to the converter operating conditions (voltage, current and temperature) for each sampling time. Also, the model is excellent for use in model-based control techniques, as well as for making very accurate simulators. The behavior of the developed model has been contrasted with a real push–pull converter, as well as with reference models present in the scientific literature for both dynamic and steady-state response tests. The results show excellent performance in all the studied cases, with behavior faithful to the real converter and with relative errors that are much lower than those obtained for the reference models. It follows that the model behaves like a digital twin of a real push–pull converter.This work is a contribution of the two following projects: “H2Integration&Control. Integration and Control of a hydrogen-based pilot plant in residential applications for energy supply”, Ref. PID2020-116616RB-C31 supported by the Spanish State Program of R+D+I Oriented to the Challenges of Society; and “SALTES: Smartgrid with reconfigurable Architecture for testing controL Techniques and Energy Storage priority contaminant waste”, Ref. P20-00730 supported by Andalusian Regional Program of R+D+I

Fuzzy logic-based energy management system for grid-connected residential DC microgrids with multi-stack fuel cell systems: A multi-objective approach

Hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) are considered for use in renewable residential DC microgrids. This architecture is shown as a technically feasible solution to deal with the stochasticity of renewable energy sources, however, the complexity of its design and management increases inexorably. To address this problem, this paper proposes a fuzzy logic-based energy management system (EMS) for use in grid-connected residential DC microgrids with HESS. It is a hydrogen-based HESS, composed of batteries and multi-stack fuel cell system. The proposed EMS is based on a multivariable and multistage fuzzy logic controller, specially designed to cope with a multi-objective problem whose solution increases the microgrid performance in terms of efficiency, operating costs, and lifespan of the HESS. The proposed EMS considers the power balance in the microgrid and its prediction, the performance and degradation of its subsystems, as well as the main electricity grid costs. This article assesses the performance of the developed EMS with respect to three reference EMSs present in the literature: the widely used dual-band hysteresis and two based on multi-objective model predictive control. Simulation results show an increase in the performance of the microgrid from a technical and economic point of view.Thisresearchwasfundedby‘‘H2Integration&Control.IntegrationandControlofahydrogen-basedpilotplantinresidentialapplicationsforenergysupply’’SpanishGovernment,grant Ref:PID2020-116616RB-C31’’,‘‘SALTES:SmartgridwithreconfigurableArchitecturefortestingcontroLTechniquesandEnergy Storagepriority’’byAndalusianRegionalProgramofR+D+i,grant Ref:P20-00730,andbytheproject‘‘Thegreenhydrogenvector. Residentialandmobilityapplication’’,approvedinthecallfor researchprojectsoftheCepsaFoundationChairoftheUniversity ofHuelva.Fundingforopenaccesscharge:UniversidaddeHuelva /CBUA

Independent distribution: an approach for multinationals in the overseas market. Impact of market size in segmenting distribution for the eléctrical appliances market. appliances market.

Multinational companies nowadays are acting globally as they attack markets worldwide. In order to deploy their strategy those companies need to build support and front office structures. In a dynamic environment in wyich markets face voatility the requiered structures can harm the performance of the subsidiaries. An local entrepreneurship. The next step to act at country level is transferring the activity to an independent distributor that will follow the strategic guidelines set by the multinational and coordinated from a wider area regional headquarters

Batteries and Hydrogen Storage: Technical Analysis and Commercial Revision to Select the Best Option

: This paper aims to analyse two energy storage methods—batteries and hydrogen storage technologies—that in some cases are treated as complementary technologies, but in other ones they are considered opposed technologies. A detailed technical description of each technology will allow to understand the evolution of batteries and hydrogen storage technologies: batteries looking for higher energy capacity and lower maintenance, while hydrogen storage technologies pursuing better volumetric and gravimetric densities. Additionally, as energy storage systems, a mathematical model is required to know the state of charge of the system. For this purpose, a mathematical model is proposed for conventional batteries, for compressed hydrogen tanks, for liquid hydrogen storage and for metal hydride tanks, which makes it possible to integrate energy storage systems into management strategies that aim to solve the energy balance in plants based on hybrid energy storage systems. From the technical point of view, most batteries are easier to operate and do not require special operating conditions, while hydrogen storage methods are currently functioning at the two extremes (high temperatures for metal and complex hydrides and low temperatures for liquid hydrogen or physisorption). Additionally, the technical comparison made in this paper also includes research trends and future possibilities in an attempt to help plan future policiesThis research was funded by 1) Spanish Government, grant Ref: PID2020-116616RB-C31, 2) Andalusian Regional Program of R+D+i, grant Ref: P20-00730, and 3) FEDER-University of Huelva 2018, grant Ref: UHU-125931

Integration of air-cooled multi-stack polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems into renewable microgrids

Currently, there is a growing interest in increasing the power range of air-cooled fuel cells (ACFCs), as they are cheaper, easier to use and maintain than water-cooled fuel cells (WCFCs). However, air-cooled stacks are only available up to medium power (<10 kW). Therefore, a good solution may be the development of ACFCs consisting of several stacks until the required power output is reached. This is the concept of air-cooled multi-stack fuel cell (AC-MSFC). The objective of this work is to develop a turnkey solution for the integration of AC-MSFCs in renewable microgrids, specifically those with high-voltage DC (HVDC) bus. This is challenging because the AC-MSFCs must operate in the microgrid as a single ACFC with adjustable power, depending on the number of stacks in operation. To achieve this, the necessary power converter (ACFCs operate at low voltages, so high conversion rates are required) and control loops must be developed. Unlike most designs in the literature, the proposed solution is compact, forming a system (AC-MSFCS) with a single input (hydrogen) and a single output (high voltage regulated power or voltage) that can be easily integrated into any microgrid and easily scalable depending on the power required. The developed AC-MSFCS integrates stacks, balance of plant, data acquisition and instrumentation, power converters and local controllers. In addition, a virtual instrument (VI) has been developed which, connected to the energy management system (EMS) of the microgrid, allows monitoring of the entire AC-MSFCS (operating temperature, purging, cell voltage monitoring for degradation evaluation, stacks operating point control and alarm and event management), as well as serving as a user interface. This allows the EMS to know the degradation of each stack and to carry out energy distribution strategies or specific maintenance actions, which improves efficiency, lifespan and, of course, saves costs. The experimental results have been excellent in terms of the correct operation of the developed AC-MSFCS. Likewise, the accumulated degradation of the stacks was quantified, showing cells with a degradation of >80%. The excellent electrical and thermal performance of the developed power converter was also validated, which allowed the correct and efficient supply of regulated power (average efficiency above 90%) to the HVDC bus, according to the power setpoint defined by the EMS of the microgrid.This research was funded by “H2Integration&Control. Integration and Control of a hydrogen-based pilot plant in residential applications for energy supply” Spanish Government, grant Ref: PID2020-116616RBC31,”; and “SALTES: Smartgrid with reconfigurable Architecture for testing controL Techniques and Energy Storage priority” by Andalusian Regional Program of R+D+, grant Ref: P20-00730

Hydrogen-powered refrigeration system for environmentally friendly transport and delivery in the food supply chain

Urban population and the trend towards online commerce leads to an increase in delivery solution in cities. The growth of the transport sector is very harmful to the environment, being responsible for approximately 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. The problem is aggravated when transporting perishable foodstuffs, as the vehicle propulsion engine (VPE) must power not only the vehicle but also the refrigeration unit. This means that the VPE must be running continuously, both on the road and stationary (during delivery), as the cold chain must be preserved. The result is costly (high fuel consumption) and harmful to the environment. At present, refrigerated transport does not support full-electric solutions, due to the high energy consumption required, which motivates the work presented in this article. It presents a turnkey solution of a hydrogenpowered refrigeration system (HPRS) to be integrated into standard light trucks and vans for short-distance food transport and delivery. The proposed solution combines an air-cooled polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), a lithium-ion battery and low-weight pressurised hydrogen cylinders to minimise cost and increase autonomy and energy density. In addition, for its implementation and integration, all the acquisition, power and control electronics necessary for its correct management have been developed. Similarly, an energy management system (EMS) has been developed to ensure continuity and safety in the operation of the electrical system during the working day, while maximizing both the available output power and lifetime of the PEMFC. Experimental results on a real refrigerated light truck provide more than 4 h of autonomy in intensive intercity driving profiles, which can be increased, if necessary, by simply increasing the pressure of the stored hydrogen from the current 200 bar to whatever is required. The correct operation of the entire HPRS has been experimentally validated in terms of functionality, autonomy and safety; with fuel savings of more than 10% and more than 3650 kg of CO2/ year avoided.This work is a contribution of the two following Projects: “H2Integration& Control. Integration and Control of a hydrogen-based pilot plant in residential applications for energy supply”, Ref. PID2020-116616RB-C31 supported by the Spanish State Program of R + D + I Oriented to the Challenges of Society; and “SALTES: Smartgrid with reconfigurable Architecture for testing controL Techniques and Energy Storage priority contaminant waste”, Ref. P20-00730 supported by Andalusian Regional Program of R + D + I. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA

How the BoP configuration affects the performance in an air-cooled polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Keys to design the best configuration

Air Cooled Polymer Electrolyte fuel cells (AC-PEFC) are recently receiving especial attention because they offer the possibility to integrate the oxidant and cooling subsystems in just one. This feature reduces not only the fuel cell weight, volume and cost but also the control complexity. In these fuel cells, the Oxidant/Cooling subsystem along with three others (Fuel, Electrical and Control) make up the Balance of Plant (BoP), which together with the stack comprise the full fuel cell. It is common to find works focused on analysing the influence of the Oxidant/Cooling subsystem on the fuel cell. Nevertheless, studies in which the Fuel subsystem (it is responsible for providing the hydrogen for its reduction–oxidation reaction with oxygen to form water) is investigated are hard to find on the scientific literature. It seems like the Fuel subsystem configuration would not have influence over the whole system performance. Contrary to what one might think, and in basis on experimental results, this paper shows how the fuel cell performance is conditioned by the Fuel subsystem configuration. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive experimental study of an AC-PEFC paying particular attention, so unexplored so far, to Fuel subsystem configuration, giving the keys for the most suitable BoP configuration which guarantees the best performance, with the easiest BoP design and the lowest complexity

H2RES2 simulator. A new solution for hydrogen hybridization with renewable energy sources-based systems

This paper presents a new simulator for Hydrogen hybridization with Renewable Energy based Systems. The aim of this simulator is to provide a new solution for testing different energy management strategies of hydrogen hybridization based on renewable systems, in order to optimize them for implementation. The simulator uses the open architecture philosophy and has been developed in MATLAB®-SIMULINK environment. Its main feature is calculating technical and economical parameters for a deepened analysis of influences on energy management strategies. It considers each element of the hybrid system and the whole system function. A simulation case shows the proper functioning of the simulator

A review of energy management strategies for renewable hybrid energy systems with hydrogen backup

Hybrid systems are presented as a viable, safe and effective solution to minimize the associated problems of the dependence on renewable energies with the environmental resources. In this way different renewable systems such as photovoltaic, wind, hydrogen and so on, can work together to configure hybrid renewable systems. However, to make them work properly in a holistic way by creating synergies among them is not an easy task. Recently hydrogen technology has appeared as a promising technology to hybridize renewable energy systems, since it allows the generation (by electrolyzers) and storage of hydrogen when there is a surplus of energy in the system, and at a later time (e.g. when there are insufficient renewable resources available) using the stored hydrogen to generate electrical energy by fuel cells. The choice of a correct energy management strategy should guarantee an optimum performance of the whole hybrid renewable system; therefore, it is necessary to know the most important criteria in order to define a management strategy that ensures the best solution from a technical and economic point of view. This paper presents a critical review and analysis of different energy management strategies for hybrid renewable systems based on hydrogen backup. In the same way, a review is also presented of the most important technical and economic optimization criteria, as well as problems and solutions studied in the scientific literature

Mejora genética de variedades y patrones de almendro en el CITA de Aragón

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