Engineering topics

Andrade, Fabio (ORCID:0000000288597336)

Publications and source records attributed to Andrade, Fabio (ORCID:0000000288597336).

2 records

DOE OSTI2022

Benchmarking Real-Time Control Platforms Using a Matlab/Simulink Coder with Applications in the Control of DC/AC Switched Power Converters

In the control of DC/AC switched power converters (SPC), one of the most important aspects to be considered is the selection of the real-time control platform. The real-time control platform must be able to meet the high performance efficiency and regulation requirements of the DC/AC SPC, as these typically operate at switching frequencies in the order of kHz to MHz. For this reason, the hardware characteristics of the ADC and PWM, and the processing capacity of the real-time control platform are of vital importance when implementing advanced digital controllers that maintain voltage and current levels within regulatory standards. In this context, we aimed to perform a comparative study of the computation times of different real-time control platforms when implementing different control strategies for DC/AC switched power converters. We also analyzed the impact of the real-time control platforms on the THD of the voltages generated by the DC/AC switched power converters. With the help of this paper, researchers and developers will have criteria to select which real-time control platform to use in real-time control for DC/AC SPC applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2022

Methodology to Implement a Microgrid in a University Campus

This paper presents the method we followed to design a microgrid at a university campus based on available resources. Due to introduction of renewable resources to produce energy, a methodology that allows design a microgrid in a university campus is very useful. Hence, we present a series of steps that must be carried out to estimate the resource to be used, the installation, area needed, and the capacity of the systems needed are also described. In addition, the models of the distributed resources that constitutes the microgrid are presented and explained. To validate the proposed methodology, simulations were performed using Opal-RT-LAb. As a test scenario we selected the Mayagüez campus of the University of Puerto Rico where we conducted analysis of the available resource and capacity of the systems is needed to satisfy demand of critical loads, considering a predetermined number of days of austerity. Our study results in determination of dimensions, cost and effectiveness of the microgrid. Simulations results also show that the proposed microgrid satisfy demand with the same reliability, or better, than the traditional electrical network. Additionally, the best options for this purpose are photovoltaic, batteries, and combined heat and power, if the technological advances and availability of resources to the date for Puerto Rico are considered.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗