Tutorials
Power Electronics in Renewable Energy Systems
Abstract: Renewable energy systems are presently undergoing a rapid change in technology and use. Both the wind turbine and photovoltaic (PV) technology have an almost exponential growth in installed capacity. Now renewable energy systems are a major contributor to the grid power and they have to contribute to the overall grid control. Such a feature is enabled clearly by power electronics. This presentation will discuss the development in renewable energy systems (Mainly wind and PV), how power electronics is enabling the technologies to become a real power source for the grid system and also which demands can be expected in the future for such systems. Finally the expected trends in power electronics technology for renewable energy systems will be discussed.
Image Pattern Recognition Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques and Applications to Learning
Abstract: This talk deals with some fundamental aspects of biometrics and its applications. It basically includes the following: Overview of Biometric Technology and Applications, Importance of Security: A Scenario of Terrorists Attack,, What are Biometric Technologies? Biometrics: Analysis vs Synthesis, Analysis: Interactive Pattern Recognition Concept, Importance of Measurement and Ambiguity, How it works: Fingerprint Extraction and Matching, Iris, and Facial Analysis, Authentication Applications, Thermal Imaging: Emotion Recognition. Synthesis in biometrics, Modeling and Simulation, and more Examples and Applications of Biomedical Imaging in Interactive Fuzzy Learning Environment. Finally, some future research directions are discussed.
Electric and hybrid electric vehicles: development and technologies
Abstract: Better efficiency and less contamination are today two of the most important tasks to decrease environmental problems. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) come first, but in the near future pure electric vehicles (EV) or hydrogen-fueled vehicles (HFV) may be the unique option.
This tutorial shows some of the most common technologies under development today, related with HEV and EVs. For HVEs, the different topologies existing today and for EVs, the different options related with their implementation: type of traction motors, type of power inverters, energy storage systems and operational aspects. It also explores the future of electric vehicles, according with new technologies under development today.
Model Predictive Control - A Simple and Powerful Method to Control Power Converters
Abstract: Up to now the control of electrical power using power converters has been based on the principle of mean value, using pulse width modulation with linear controllers in a cascaded structure.
Recent research works have demonstrated that it is possible to use Predictive Control to control electrical energy with the use of power converters, without using modulators and linear controllers. This is a new approach that will have a strong impact on control in power electronics in coming decades.
The main advantages of predictive control are:
- Concepts are very intuitive and easy to understand.
- It can be applied to a great variety of systems.
- The multivariable case can be easily considered.
- Dead times can be compensated.
- Easy inclusion of non-linearities in the model.
- Simple treatment of constraints.
- The resulting controller is easy to implement.
- This methodology is open to include modifications and extensions depending on specific applications.
The participants of this tutorial will learn:
- The basic concepts and ideas.
- Different types of predictive controllers.
- Detailed examples of predictive controllers.
- Several applications in different converter topologies.
Multilevel Converters: Current Developments and Future Trends
Abstract: Multilevel converters have emerged as a very important alternative in the area of high-power medium-voltage applications. Voltage operation above classic semiconductor limits, lower common mode voltages, near sinusoidal outputs together with small dv/dt's, are some of the characteristics that have made this power converters popular for industry and research. In this tutorial, most recent multilevel converter research from the proposers will be included, specifically in the areas of multilevel converters modeling, capacitor voltages balancing methods and operation under faulty conditions.
This tutorial presents the most important topologies: the Neutral Point Clamped, Flying Capacitor, and Cascaded H-bridge inverters. Emerging topologies like asymmetric hybrid cells and other hybrid topologies are also addressed. Special attention is devoted to the most relevant control and modulation methods developed for multilevel inverters: multilevel sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation (Phase Disposition or Level Shifted and Phase Shifted), Space Vector Modulation, Hybrid modulation, multilevel Selective Harmonic Elimination and multilevel Space Vector Control. Another objective is to introduce modulation algorithms that drastically simplify the computation of switching times and vector selection in complex multilevel systems; also practical problems as voltage unbalance are solved using control algorithms. In addition a special part of the tutorial is dedicated to rectifiers for multilevel inverters, covering both regenerative and non-regenerative topologies. Technical issues like fault detection and operation under faulty conditions are also included. Finally, a review of important applications is presented to highlight the practical impact of this converter family. Simulation and experimental results will be presented.
Soft Computing For Control Applications: A Comprehensive Overview
Abstract: In contrast to hard computing, soft computing attempts to accommodate the uncertainty, which is common in the real world. The goal of soft computing is to create systems, which can handle imprecision, uncertainty, and partial information while preserving robustness, tractability, and low solution cost. The ideal model for such a system is the human brain.
Three of the principal components of soft computing are fuzzy systems, neural computing, and genetic algorithms. Different combinations of these principals can be used in a complementary fashion to produce powerful systems for modeling, diagnosis, and control.
All concepts covered are illustrated with examples of industrial control systems applications.
Mechatronics - Modeling, Component Interconnection, Sensors, Actuators, Control, and Integrated Design
Abstract: Mechatronics is a synergistic combination of precision mechanics, electronics, controls, and computer engineering, combined through a process of integrated design. A mechatronics engineer needs to be able to handle a wide range of technologies in sensors, actuators, interface hardware, control systems, analog and digital electronics, software engineering, and concurrent design. It is not possible to provide an in-depth coverage of all these technologies in a single short course. The course will introduce key topics of the field of Mechatronics, as useful for both students and practicing professionals. Various concepts will be illustrated through worked examples and exercises. Case studies of Mechatronics will be provided to illustrate the integrated design process, which is involved.
