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A smart home power management system is critical for stand-alone home-photovoltaic (HPV) with battery energy storage. Existing approaches often focus on maximizing power extraction from PV systems without considering real-time power adjustments or battery state of charge (SoC), which can lead to over-current or over-voltage issues that damage the battery. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a home power management algorithm that dynamically adjusts the power flow between the PV system, home loads, and the battery based on real-time system power measurements and battery SoC. This dynamic adjustment ensures an uninterrupted power supply to the home loads while maintaining battery safety. The proposed home manager algorithm features multiple operating modes: Maximum power point (MPP) charging, partial charging, fast charging, float charging, and partial discharging. Each mode is integrated with its dedicated model predictive controller (MPC) to achieve its specific control objective. Finally, through a semi-experimental simulation using a process-in-the-loop (PIL) test approach with the embedded board eZdsp TMS320F28335, testing under various irradiance levels shows that the home manager achieves significant improvement over conventional approaches. For instance, over the MPP mode it achieve a power efficiency of 99.36% with a 2.05% SoC increase, while fast charging mode resulted in 87.44% efficiency with an 11.2% SoC increase. However, float charging mode maintained an 87.27% efficiency with a 2.6% SoC increase, and partial discharging led to a 1.3% SoC decrease. The overall battery efficiency reached 96.45%, demonstrating the algorithm’s ability to optimize power flow, ensure a reliable energy supply, and maintain battery safety under varying weather conditions.

This paper presents a novel station manager algorithm for grid-connected PV-EV charging stations, designed to address key challenges in current systems. Existing charging stations often encounter issues such as unstable PV power generation and dependence on grid stability, which can interrupt the EV charging process during grid faults. Additionally, PV arrays are typically designed to extract maximum power, leading to over-current or over-voltage situations that compromise the safety of the charging infrastructure and the EV. Furthermore, these systems often require multiple power electronics converters, increasing complexity and costs while reducing overall system efficiency. To overcome these limitations, the proposed algorithm dynamically switches between on-grid and off-grid modes based on real-time weather conditions, grid availability, and the state of charge of the battery electric vehicle (BEV). This approach maximizes PV power utilization, minimizes grid dependency, and enhances BEV charging performance while prioritizing EV safety and ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. It also provides flexibility in BEV power sizing, optimizing the use of power electronics converters to reduce costs and complexity. Two distinct operating modes, adaptive charging and fast charging, are introduced, each integrated with dedicated model predictive controllers (MPC) to achieve specific control objectives. Semi-experimental simulations using a process-in-the-loop (PIL) test approach with the embedded board eZdsp TMS320F28335 demonstrate that the station manager significantly improves performance over conventional methods under various irradiance levels. Moreover, numerical results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed MPC-based approach over traditional controllers such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) and Sliding Mode Control (SMC) in different charging modes. For instance, the MPC controller achieved an Integral Absolute Error (IAE) of 11.45%, lower than that of the PID controller, and 4.3% lower than the SMC controller.

This article presents the complete design of a nonlinear control system for multiple stationary bikes connected to a mechanical energy conversion system equipped with squirrel cage induction generators (SIGs) linked to AC/DC converters. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of powering multiple treadmills using the DC bus via DC/AC converters. The novelty of our approach lies in the integration of a new strategy of control system to achieve multiple control objectives within a gym microgrid environment, and an energy management algorithm to ensure the energy flow between intermittent generation and the considered, somewhat random, demand. The system is composed of several subsystems: i) stationary bikes connected to the DC bus via inverters acting as intermittent power sources; ii) a Li-ion battery-based energy storage system interfaced through a Buck-Boost converter; iii) electromechanical loads, including treadmills, powered by DC/AC converters, in addition to other DC loads. The main control objectives are as follows: a) each stationary bike extracts energy from the DC network by regulating the torque applied by the athlete, ensuring that the torque follows the reference torque; b) the treadmill’s speed must follow the reference generated based on the athlete’s condition; c) ensuring the protection of the energy storage system by monitoring its current and voltage; d) all mentioned objectives are achieved while maintaining the DC bus voltage at a reference value. To achieve these objectives, a nonlinear control approach based on Lyapunov theory is used to design the controllers. A formal analysis is conducted to assess the performance of the studied system. The system’s performance is demonstrated using the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Numerous simulations demonstrate that every control objective is achieved. Specifically, the system maintained the DC bus voltage at 500 V with a maximum deviation of 1 V, and the treadmill speed followed the reference within a margin of 0.1 m/s.

Voltage source converter-based high-voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) transmission systems are becoming increasingly popular for long-distance power transmission due to their numerous advantages. However, the fault ride-through (FRT) capabil-ity of VSC-HVDC systems during AC faults remains a key challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure their uninterrupted operation under challenging grid conditions. This paper presents and analyzes a novel nonlinear control scheme based on a robust sliding mode control approach to improve the FRT capability of VSC-HVDC systems. The proposed control scheme based on the modification of the converter’s active power to make it more sensitive to any changes in voltage magnitude at the points of common coupling (PCCs) on the AC side. This helps to maintain the DC voltage sta-bility and prevent the converter from tripping during AC faults. The performance of the proposed control scheme is evaluated using a series of ex-perimental investigations using a digital signal processor (DSP) within Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) quasi-real-time simulation. The PIL simulations closely examine the system’s response to AC faults with varying remaining voltages and durations. The results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme can effectively improve the FRT capability of VSC-HVDC systems and ensure their stable operation during AC faults.

Single Point Mooring (SPM) 165,000 DWT (Deadweight Tonnage) is a facility at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional RU VI Balongan that is used for unloading crude oil from tankers to storage tanks. This SPM is about 15 km from the jetty of PT KPI RU VI Balongan which is connected to two parallel 32 inch diameter submarine pipelines. The SPM is connected to 2 floating hoses of 16 inch diameter and 2 submarine hose strings using a turred system connected to 32 inch submarine pipelines through a PLEM. The PLEM is equipped with valves that can be controlled from the SPM using a control umbilical. The existing condition of the 165,000 DWT SPM was idle and unattended. During this period, two strings of floating hose tangled with each other and damaged the floating hose due to abrasion from overlapping. The occurrence of tangling on the floating hose at the same time and repetitive caused to lose and the 165,000 DWT SPM could not be operated and had an impact on the supply of crude oil to the PT KPI RU VI Balongan. In addition, floating hose leaks cause oil spills and pollute the surrounding aquatic environment and require large recovery costs to clean up the oil spills. This research aims to reduce the risk of tangling between 2 floating hoses by applying a floating hose stabilizer at several floating hose joints. The research method begins with a survey of existing floating hose conditions that experience tangling. Furthermore, analysis and modeling of the floating hose system is carried out. Then design and fabrication of floating hose stablizer for tangling prevention. And the results of the analysis and field conditions after the installation of the floating hose stabilizer are reduced potential tangling on 2 floating hoses thereby reducing the risk of losses both financial and environmental.

This paper presents a study on the application of nonlinear control and optimal power management techniques in a grid-connected wind energy conversion system with battery storage. The objective is to efficiently supply power to a load while considering performance constraints. The energy system under investigation comprises a wind turbine, battery, AC-grid, and load. Power is delivered to the load through various converters and a DC-link. However, the intermittent nature of wind energy and frequent load fluctuations can negatively impact the battery's lifetime and charging performance. To address these challenges, a nonlinear controller and a novel energy management system are designed. The energy management system generates multiple energy flow scenarios to achieve equilibrium in energy distribution between the load and energy sources. This equilibrium aims to minimize overall system costs, ensure DC-grid stability, and enhance power quality. Two distinct operation modes are identified: i) MPPT mode, which utilizes an optimizer to maximize power extraction, and ii) adaptive power point tracking (APPT) mode, which considers demand-driven production and the state of charge (SOC) of the storage system. The convergence of the closed-loop control is formally analyzed, and simulation results confirm the improved performance of the proposed multi-criteria design for energy management.

This research work addresses the challenge of controlling a wind energy conversion system (WECS) connected to the grid, which incorporates a battery energy storage system and operates under varying real wind speed profiles. The system comprises a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) connected to the grid through an AC/DC/AC converter, along with a Li-ion battery pack storage unit linked to the Back-to-Back converter DC via a DC/DC converter. The study highlights that internal parametric variations and the non-linear behavior of the wind turbine negatively affect the energy quality produced, as well as the battery charging performance and its overall lifespan. To overcome these issues, the research proposes a robust control strategy based on Integral action Sliding Mode Control (ISMC) to independently manage the powers of the WECS, particularly the DFIG, to enhance dynamic performance. Furthermore, effective battery charging and discharging controllers are crucial for efficiently distributing the generated power to both the grid and the storage unit, ensuring proper energy extraction and battery charging/discharging. Depending on the battery’s State of Charge (SOC), the available extracted energy, and the power injected into the grid, two current regulation modes are employed: buck charging mode and boost discharging mode. A storage system energy management algorithm is then utilized to determine the appropriate charging mode, ensuring battery safety. To validate the system’s performance, a 1.5 MW wind power conversion system is tested using Matlab/Simulink simulations. The results demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed control approach in enhancing the overall system’s performance.

This paper addresses the problem of output feedback control for high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems based on voltage source converters (VSC). Specifically, the system under study consists of two power grids and two VSC stations connected via a long HVDC cable. The primary goal of this paper is to propose a different approach for the online estimation of the grid voltage placed at a great distance from the control unit which is considered generally known, moreover the proposed technique aims to online estimation of the grid pulsation and the HVDC cable states, generally considered available. A nonlinear observer is intended to address these concerns. Only the line current measurements are used to estimate all state variables. Furthermore, utilizing the estimation offered by the proposed observer, an output feedback control strategy is formulated, using the backstepping design technique, to meet the three control objectives: 1) tight output voltage regulation of the HVDC cable; 2) ensuring a perfect power quality at both sides of the HVDC system; 3) regulation of the active power at the inverter station. The high effectiveness of the proposed output feedback controller’s performance is highlighted via a semi-experimental platform that includes a Processor In the Loop (PIL) on the embedded board eZdsp. Extra numerical simulations show that The proposed output feedback performance enjoys additional robustness properties and meets all control objectives.

The purpose of this study was twofold; (1) to establish the direct influence of Entrepreneurial competencies and Firm capability on SME Performance and (2) to examine the mediating role of Firm capability between Entrepreneurial competencies and SME Performance. A cross-sectional and explanatory design was utilized to collect and analyze data from 314 SMEs in Uganda. The sample size was proportionally distributed amongst three SME subsectors; manufacturing, trade, and restaurants. A positive and significant influence of entrepreneurial competencies and firm capabilities on SME performance was established. Among the seven entrepreneurial competencies understudy, innovative competency is highly associated with SME performance than other competencies. Interestingly, firm capabilities were found to be a powerful predictor of SME performance than entrepreneurial competencies. In addition, a partial and significant mediating role of firm capabilities was also found. Theoretically, the study provides maiden evidence of the indirect influence of a firm’s capabilities on the association between entrepreneurial competencies and SME performance. In practice, managers and SME owners should address their competency deficiencies to develop more capabilities like management and marketing capabilities which could enhance SME performance. The study provides initial evidence for the mediating role of firm capabilities in the association between entrepreneurial competencies and firm performance.

This research paper addresses the issue of enhancing the operational availability of NPC three-level converter-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transport systems during alternating current (AC) grid fault conditions. During short-circuit faults in power transmission lines, voltage sags can occur, causing fluctuations in the DC link voltage of converter systems. These voltage sags have the potential to induce a reversed power flow and trip the VSC-HVDC transmission system. The objective of this paper is to develop a nonlinear control technique that investigates the fault ride-through (FRT) capability of VSC-HVDC transmission system characteristics during voltage sag events. To achieve this, we conduct semi-experimental investigations using Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulations and analyze the results. Symmetrical and asymmetrical voltage sag events with different remaining voltages are applied to an AC grid, and their effects are observed for varying durations. The proposed nonlinear control technique aims to mitigate the impact of voltage sags on the operational availability of HVDC transport systems. By analyzing the semi-experimental results, we aim to gain insights into the FRT capability of the VSC-HVDC transmission system.

Glucose biosensors based on porous material of alginate cryogel has been developed, and the cryogel provides a large surface area for enzyme immobilization. The alginate cryogel has been supplemented with NiFe2O4 nanoparticles to improve the electron transfer for electrochemical detection. The fabrication parameters and operational conditions for the biosensor have also been optimized. The results showed that the optimum addition of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles to the alginate solution was 0.03 g/mL. The optimum operational conditions for the electrochemical detection were a cyclic voltammetry scan rate of 0.11 V/s, buffer pH of 7.0, and buffer concentration of 150 mM. The fabricated alginate NiFe2O4 nanoparticles cryogel-based glucose biosensor showed a linear response for glucose determination with a regression line of y = 18.18x + 455.28 and R² = 0.98. Furthermore, the calculated detection limit was 0.32 mM and the limit of quantification was 1.06 mM.

Les hémoglobinopathies sont des affections constitutionnelles conséquentes à des anomalies des hémoglobines. Elles sont souvent graves dans leurs formes majeures, leur prise en charge est lourde avec un grand impact psycho-social sur les patients et leur famille. Classées parmi les maladies rares, elles sont encore insuffisamment connues des professionnels de santé. Cette méconnaissance est à l'origine d'une errance diagnostique, d'un retard dans leur prise en charge et par conséquent une morbidité et une mortalité élevée chez ces patients. L'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a publié en 2008 des données concernant l'épidémiologie des hémoglobinopathies: plus de 330000 cas naissent chaque année avec une hémoglobinopathie (83% des cas de drépanocytose, 17% des cas de thalassémie). Les troubles de l'hémoglobine sont responsables d'environ 3,4% des décès chez les moins de 5 ans. A l'échelle mondiale, 7% environ des femmes enceintes seraient porteuses d'une forme de la thalassémie et 1% des couples sont à risque. Toutefois, elles sont relativement fréquentes dans certaines régions du globe où les mariages consanguins sont communs. Afin de décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des familles à risque d'hémoglobinopathies (étude autour du cas) dont les cas index sont suivis au service de pédiatrie à l'Hôpital Provincial El Idrisi de Kenitra au Maroc, une étude transversale descriptive a été réalisée durant deux enquêtes la première en mai 2015 et la deuxième en juin de la même année lors des journées de vaccination des cas index contre le pneumocoque. Après avoir recueilli les données épidémiologiques de nos patients, nous avons réalisé une étude biologique comportant: l'hémogramme avec étude morphologique des globules rouges en coloration MGG et numération automatique des réticulocytes; les électrophorèses de l'hémoglobine à pH alcalin (8.8) et secondairement à pH acide (5.4) sur gel d'agarose avec intégration densitométrique. 275 patients ont présenté des profils compatibles à une hémoglobinopathie. La majorité de ces malades étaient issus de mariages consanguins (83.1%) et originaires de régions situées dans le nord du Maroc. L'enquête familiale a permis de retrouver les familles à risque, chez lesquelles on note une fréquence élevée de drépanocytose. Nos résultats confirment l'existence de différents types d'hémoglobinopathies dans la population marocaine.

In this paper, we consider the Nemytskii operator (Hf)(t) = h(t, f(t)), generated by a given function h. It is shown that if H is globally Lipschitzian and maps the space of functions of bounded (p,2,α)-variation (with respect to a weight function α) into the space of functions of bounded (q,2,α)-variation (with respect to α) 1

La drépanocytose homozygote, fait partie des hémoglobinopathies les plus fréquentes au Maroc. La drépanocytose est caractérisée par une grande variabilité d'expressions clinique et biologique qui dépendent des facteurs génétiques modulateurs et environnementaux. Elle se manifeste par une anémie régénérative de gravité très variable selon les individus. L'évolution spontanée en l'absence de traitement est le décès précoce. La drépanocytose est caractérisée par une grande variabilité d'expression clinique et biologique qui dépend des facteurs génétiques et environnementaux. Un tableau clinique sévère marqué par une fréquence de transfusion élevée et précoce, des complications infectieuses graves et une mortalité précoce. Un état inflammatoire constant caractérisé par des protéines inflammatoires élevées et état nutritionnel compromis. L'objectif est de déterminer le profil des paramètres hématologiques du drépanocytaire homozygote (SS) marocain au cours des stades stationnaires. Nous avons fait une étude descriptive transversale de 87 patients drépanocytaires (SS). Nous avons réalisé une étude biologique comportant: l'hémogramme avec étude morphologique des globules rouges en coloration MGG et numération automatique des réticulocytes. Les électrophorèses de l'hémoglobine à pH alcalin (8.8) sur gel d'agarose avec intégration densitométrique. L'âge moyen est de 13.22 ans 16.36 avec un sex- ratio (H/F) de 1.175 et des extrêmes allant de 0.6 à 36 ans. La répercussion de l'anémie sur le plan biologique, est intense chez 88.5% des patients, 67.8% ont une anémie normocytaire contre 29.9% présentant une microcytose, et 2.3% qui présentaient une macrocytose. Le degré d'anisocytose est lié au degré d'anémie, très évocatrice chez les drépanocytaires homozygotes S/S (95,4%). Une réticulocytose était observée chez nos patients (81,6%) et 52.9% présentaient une thrombocytose. Une leucocytose était observée chez 64.4% des patients et 80.5% ont présenté une neutropénie. Les paramètres de l'hémogramme serviront de base de comparaison lors des crises et permettront d'évaluer l'efficacité de la prise en charge par le clinicien. Les valeurs élevées des globules blancs, plaquettes et CCHM semblent déterminants dans l'expression sévère de la drépanocytose au Maroc. Le profil hématologique du drépanocytaire marocain montre des données semblables à celles rapportées en littérature chez ceux de l'Afrique centrale, avec une leucocytose. Les résultats de notre étude suggèrent que, la drépanocytose est un problème de santé le plus fréquent chez les marocains et que nos résultats sont comparables à ceux décrits dans le syndrome drépanocytaire majeur.

Background. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a novel method of assessing a patient’s volume status. Objective. We sought to determine the feasibility of using vector length (VL), derived from bioimpedance analysis (BIA), in the assessment of postresuscitation volume status in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis. Method. This was a prospective observational single-center study. Our primary outcome was feasibility. Secondary clinical outcomes included ventilator status and acute kidney injury. Proof of concept was sought by correlating baseline VL measurements with other known measures of volume status. Results. BIA was feasible to perform in the ICU. We screened 655 patients, identified 78 eligible patients, and approached 64 for consent. We enrolled 60 patients (consent rate of 93.8%) over 12 months. For each 50-unit increase in VL, there was an associated 22% increase in the probability of not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (p=0.13). Baseline VL correlated with other measures of volume expansion including serum pro-BNP levels, peripheral edema, and central venous pressure (CVP). Conclusion. It is feasible to use BIA to predict postresuscitation volume status and patient-important outcomes in septic ICU patients. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov NCT01379404 registered on June 7, 2011.