This paper presents a different Finite Control Set – Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) for grid-connected three-phase bidirectional power inverters. These are typically used in dc or ac renewable-based microgrids (MGs), where bidirectional operation and fast dynamic response is required. The bidirectional grid-connected inverters are an essential part of MG, which inject energy into the ac grid or demand energy from it. The dynamic behavior of the system is a major concern since the current can suddenly change depending on the hierarchical controller. This paper proposes a different cost function using sliding mode theory, which offers a good dynamic response, reduced computational burden, and a parameter-free control model. The operation principle of the proposed controller is given and evaluated using a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) system, but also experimentally with a 1kW laboratory prototype. The final results demonstrate the advantages of using this approach in grid-connected three-phase bidirectional power inverters in terms of dynamic response and reduced computational burden, making this solution technically attractive and viable.

In this brief, a sliding mode (SM) decentralized excitation controller for multimachine power systems is designed to stabilize the speed and regulate the terminal voltage of each generator in the system. To achieve the speed stabilization, a sliding manifold is designed using the passivity technique. An integral SM controller is proposed to reject internal and external perturbations, taking advantage of the energy properties of the power systems, in the SM motion on the designed manifold. Then, an SM voltage regulator is included in the control scheme, and a logic control is formulated to manage two proposed control laws for the speed and terminal voltage. Finally, to estimate the unmeasured rotor fluxes a nonlinear observer is designed. The proposed control scheme was tested through simulation on an equivalent of the Western System Coordinating Council under small and large perturbations.

Renewable energy sources in DC microgrids require high-performance conversion systems to increase their capacity and reliability. Among other characteristics in conversion systems, the current ripple is a characteristic that must be considered since it affects the performance of PV panels and batteries. In this paper, a high-voltage-gain DC–DC boost converter for performing current ripple elimination that is based on a variable inductor is proposed. The topology is composed of a diode–capacitor voltage multiplier and a modified cascaded boost converter. To achieve voltage regulation, a reduced-order switched model is obtained considering the switched capacitor’s dynamics. To address the inductance variation and external disturbances, the $H_{\infty }$ control theory is adapted to systematically design a robust proportional–integral (PI) controller. Details of the working principles and the sizing of passive components are presented. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the input current ripple of the proposed converter can be removed in both transitory and steady states.

A zero-ripple input current is known to improve the lifetime of battery sets and fuel cells and to assure maximum power point tracking in PV panels. To perform current ripple elimination in a floating interleaved boost converter (FIBC), one of the typical linear inductors is substituted by a variable inductor, and phases of the converter have complementary duty cycles. This variable inductor is controlled using a switched current-source converter, which adjusts the input current ripple. An equivalent model for the variable inductor is presented, including uncertainties in the component description. To achieve current stabilization, a variable inductor controller was designed using the sliding modes approach via fixed frequency. An experimental prototype is implemented and tested with an output voltage controller to compare with the conventional FIBC. The results demonstrate that the input current ripple of the proposed converter is eliminated without significantly decreasing the efficiency.

Several approaches have demonstrated the effectiveness of project-based learning in the acquisition of students’ academic outcomes and development of practical professional skills. In addition to academic engineering outcomes, professional skills such as teamwork, leadership, decision-making, entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and social commitment are considered crucial in this line of work. Taking the project-based learning technique and research development and innovation approaches as a starting point, a novel methodology is proposed, introducing students through extracurricular activities to a multidisciplinary methodology. The main objective is to facilitate the acquisition of professional skills that are useful in the professional life of every student, while high-quality engineering prototypes are produced. Multidisciplinary teams, including not only science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors, business management, and accounting majors, are also considered to generate significant learning with a strong connection to the environment. Students can apply theoretical and technical knowledge to the development of engineering projects while also acquiring professional skills. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through academic results and a survey.

This paper presents a control scheme for a machine used to make thin films, with a brushless direct current motor, based on the spin-coating method. The nonlinear brushless motor model is included, which corresponds to a three-phase synchronous machine, with rotor flux linkages and stator currents, as the electric dynamics, and the rotor speed, as the mechanical dynamics. In order to achieve the speed regulation, the block control technique was used to obtain a sliding manifold. The sliding mode control technique was applied to ensure that the chosen manifold is attractive and to obtain robustness in the closed - loop system. To complete the control scheme, an observer is included to estimate the unmeasurable states, in this case, the rotor flux linkages. The proposed control scheme was implemented in a machine to make thin films, as well as a controller based on a gain scheduling PID, to perform the comparison of both controllers. The proposed sliding mode control scheme shows some advantages over the PID controller, since the rotor speed regulation is obtained, without steady state error, considering parameter variations. En este artículo se presenta un esquema de control para una máquina utilizada para fabricación de películas delgadas, con un motor de corriente directa sin escobillas, basada en el método de centrifugación. Se incluye el modelo no lineal del motor sin escobillas, que corresponde a una máquina síncrona trifásica, con los flujos del rotor y las corrientes en el estator, como las dinámicas eléctricas, además de la velocidad en el rotor, como la dinámica mecánica. El objetivo de control es la regulación de la velocidad del rotor. Se utilizó la técnica de control por bloques y así obtener una variedad deslizante. Se eligió la técnica de control por modos deslizantes para garantizar que la variedad elegida sea atractiva y obtener robustez en lazo cerrado. Para completar el esquema de control se incluye un observador para estimar los estados no medibles, en este caso, los flujos del rotor. Se implementó el esquema de control propuesto en la máquina para fabricación de películas delgadas, además de un controlador basado en un PID con ganancias programadas, lo anterior para realizar la comparación de ambas técnicas. El esquema de control por modos deslizantes propuesto presenta ventajas sobre el controlador PID, ya que se obtiene la regulación de la velocidad del rotor, sin error en estado estacionario, considerando variaciones paramétricas.