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In wind energy systems, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the used generator and its parameters. Despite the motor manufacturer's specifications, accurately estimating the machine parameter reference values is critical for the perfect control system. In this context, off-line identification tests of a 3 kW permanent magnet synchronous machine were conducted to determine the mechanical and electrical parameters. In addition, this research exploits a meta-heuristic optimization technic dubbed grey wolf optimizer in the on-line parameter's identification field. The estimate method is focused on the parameter's estimation linked to a reference model. The rule is based on the cancelation of the current error among the measured and the associated estimated current. For each measurement, the grey wolf estimator adapts the reference model parameters until the model response and the accurate response be similar. All were implemented using the real-time interface of the DSpace DS1104 Controller card while using the ControlDesk graphical user interface and the Simulink/MATLAB environments. Results from hardware simulation confirm the efficacy and benefits of the suggested strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sun-tracking system (STS) is a key factor for solar photovoltaic (PV) future and new answers for the solar market. It will expand large-scale PV projects (PV farms) worldwide, and it is possible to collect more energy from the sun. PV farms consist of thousands of STS that are subject to dynamic loads (wind, snow, etc.), vibrations, and gravitational loads. This paper presents the structural dynamic analysis of a 24 m² bi-axial STS (azimuth-elevation) at different elevation angles based on its modal parameters (natural frequencies, modal shapes, and modal damping ratios) and dynamic performance indices (modal participation factors (MPF), forcing frequencies, and mechanical quality factors) by means of the finite element analysis (FEA). The simulation results show that the structural dynamic design of the STS meets the desired structural requirements and agrees well with structural dynamic standards (EN 1991-1-4 and ASHRAE). These results can be used for further analysis on optimal design and vibration safety verification for the bi-axial STS (PV applications). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, both the permanent magnet synchronous generators and the electrically excited synchronous generator are used in the direct-drive wind turbine technology to produce electrical energy. Aiming at the high cost of permanent magnets, the commercial availability, mainly in African, and the difficulty of the magnetic field weakening operation of the PMSG machine, the work studied a novel design of a direct-drive H-Darrieus wind turbine (H-DWT) based on doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) using MATLAB/Simulink software. The stator topology is connected directly to the grid while the rotor is connected to grid with back to back converters. The study includes the sizing, modeling, and control of the proposed system. A sliding mode control (SMC) approach is selected in order to achieve robust control of active/reactive power injected into the grid. The real wind speed spanning a period of one year of the province of Adrar city located in the south of Algeria is used to test the complete system. The simulation results illustrate the operating efficiency of a DFIG and the performance of the SMC method in stator powers tracking in direct-drive wind energy conversion systems. • The design of the direct-drive vertical axis wind turbine system is realized through a well detailed dimensioning. • A detailed modeling of DFIG under fewer hypotheses is introduced. • Sliding-mode control approach is designed for Stator power regulation of DFIG. • The proposed SMC presented the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]