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Multilevel inverters become very popular in medium voltage applications owing to their inherent capability of reconciling stepped voltage waveform with reduced harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference. They have several disadvantages like more number of switching devices required and devices with high voltage blocking and need additional dc sources count to engender particular voltage. So this paper aims to propose a novel tri-source symmetric cascaded multilevel inverter topology with reduced number of switching components and dc sources.

A novel multilevel inverter has been suggested in this study, offering minimal switch count in the conduction channel for the desired voltage level under symmetric and asymmetric configurations. This novel topology is optimized to prompt enormous output voltage levels by employing constant power switches count and/or dc sources of voltage. The topology claims its advantages in generating higher voltage levels with lesser number of voltage sources, gate drivers and dc voltage sources.

The consummation of the proposed arrangement is verified in Matlab/Simulink R2015b, and an experimental prototype for 7-level, 13-level, 21-level, 29-level, 25-level and 49-level operation modes is constructed to validate the simulation results.

The proposed topology operated with six new algorithms for asymmetrical configuration to propel increased number of voltage levels with reduced power components.

To provide a new and simple inverse rotor time constant identification method which can be used to update an indirect rotor field oriented controlled (IRFOC) induction motor algorithm.

Two different equations are used to estimate the rotor flux in the stator reference frame. One of the equations is a function of the rotor time constant, rotor angular velocity and the stator currents. The other equation is a function of measured stator currents and voltages. The equation that uses the voltage and the current signals of the stator serves as reference model, however, the other equation works as an adjustable model with respect to the variation of the rotor time constant. Voltage signals used in the reference model equation are obtained from the measured DC bus voltage and the inverter gating signals. The proposed scheme is verified using a MATLAB/SIMULINK model for two different motors and experimentally using a DSP development tool (MCK 243) supplied by Technosoft S.A.

The proposed estimator was able to successfully track the actual value of the inverse rotor time constant for different load torque and speed operating conditions. Increased oscillations in the estimated inverse rotor time constant appeared at lower speeds (below 10 per cent of rated speed) due to drift in a PI regulator (used at the estimator side), which was tuned under rated operating conditions and using parameters nominal values.

This estimation scheme is limited when near zero speed operation is demanded; otherwise it gives a simple and practical solution. A suggested way out of this, is to provide a self‐tuning controller that can automatically adjust even for zero speed operation, or to automatically disconnect the estimator and take the most updated value as long as the operating speed is below a predetermined value.

This paper presented a new inverse rotor time constant estimator for an IRFOC induction motor application and in conjunction rotor flux was estimated without voltage phase sensors.

This study aims to propose a modified topology for an asymmetric multilevel inverter as a basic module that generates 13-level output voltage waveform. The basic module consists of eight switches (unidirectional and bidirectional switch) and four DC voltage sources with unequal magnitudes. The proposed topology reduces the number of switches, isolated DC sources, cost and size of the circuit significantly as compared to other topologies. In addition, the proposed circuit provides a modular structure for a multilevel inverter.

The proposed configuration is implemented through simulation and hardware development of a single-phase 13-level inverter prototype. A multicarrier-based pulse width modulation scheme is adopted for generating switching signals by using dSPACE real-time controller.

To demonstrate the advantages of the proposed configuration, a comparative analysis is carried out with other multilevel topologies in terms of number of switches, gate driver circuits, on-state switches and blocking voltage on the switches. The comparison results confirmed that the proposed configuration requires less number of components for the same number of voltage levels. Moreover, the peak inverse voltage on switches and losses is lower in the proposed configuration.

In the available literature, numerous topologies are presented with main emphasis on the reduced components count. In this study, the authors proposed a new topology for an asymmetrical source configuration. The performance of the proposed topology under steady-state and dynamic conditions is evaluated using simulation and experimental implementation.

Traditional level inverter technology has drawbacks in the aspect of Total harmonic distortion (THD) and switching losses for higher frequencies. Due to these drawbacks, two-level inverters have become unprofitable for high-power applications. Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are used to enhance the output waveform characteristics (i.e. low THD) and to offer various inverter topologies and switching methods.

MLIs are upgraded versions of two-level inverters that offer more output levels in current and voltage waveforms while lowering the dv/dt and di/dt ratios. This paper aims to review and compare the different topologies of MLI used in high-power applications. Single and multisource MLI's working principal and switching states for each topology are demonstrated and compared. A Simulink model system integrated using detailed circuit simulations in developed in MATLAB®–Simulink program. In this system, a constant voltage source connected to MLI to feed asynchronous motor with squirrel cage rotor type is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the MLI under different varying speed and torque conditions.

MLI has presented better control and good range of system parameters than two-level inverter. It is suggested that the MLIs like cascade-five-level and NPC-five-level have shown low current harmonics of around 0.43% and 1.87%, respectively, compared to two-level inverter showing 5.82%.

This study is the first of its kind comparing the different topologies of single and multisource MLIs. This study suggests that the MLIs are more suitable for high-power applications.

The aim of this paper is to propose a novel direct torque control (DTC) strategy for induction motor (IM) drives fed by three‐switch three‐phase inverter (TSTPI). The introduced strategy is based on the emulation of the operation of the conventional six‐switch three‐phase inverter (SSTPI).

The proposed strategy has been achieved thanks to suitable combinations of the six unbalanced voltage vectors intrinsically generated by the TSTPI, leading to the synthesis of the six balanced voltage vectors of the SSTPI. This approach has been adopted in the design of the vector selection table of the proposed DTC strategy which considers a subdivision of the Clarke plane into six sectors.

Simulation results have revealed that, thanks to the proposed DTC strategy, TSTPI fed IM drives exhibit interesting performance.

The results obtained by simulation should be validated by experiments.

The drawbacks associated with the application of unbalanced voltage vectors in previous DTC strategies dedicated to TSTPI have been eradicated thanks to the synthesis of six balanced voltage vectors using appropriate combinations of the TSTPI intrinsic ones.

The end-effects is a well-recognized phenomenon occurring in the linear induction motor (LIM) which makes the analysis and control of the LIM with good performance very difficult and can cause additional significant non-linearities in the model. So, the compensation of parameters uncertainties due to these effects in the control system is very necessary to get a robust speed control. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new technique of LIM end-effects estimation using the inverse rotor time constant tuning in order to compensate the flux orientation error in the indirect field-oriented control (IFOC) control law.

First, the dynamic model of the LIM taking into consideration the end-effects based on Duncan model is derived. Then, the IFOC for LIM speed control with end-effects compensation is derived. Finally, a new technique of LIM end-effects estimation is proposed based on the model reference adaptive system (MRAS) theory using the instantaneous active power and the estimated stator currents vector. These estimated currents are obtained through the solution of LIM state equations.

Simulations were carried out in MATLAB/SIMULINK to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of LIM speed control with the proposed MRAS inverse rotor time constant tuning to estimate end-effects value. The numerical validation results show that the proposed scheme permits the drive to achieve good dynamic performance, satisfactory for the estimated end-effects of the LIM model and robustness to uncertainties.

The end-effects causes a drop in the magnetizing, primary and the secondary inductance, requiring a more complex LIM control scheme. This paper presents a new approach of LIM end-effect estimation based on the online adaptation and tuning of the LIM inductances. The proposed scheme use the inverse rotor time constant tuning for end-effects correction in LIM vector control block.

The purpose of this paper is to track the maximal power of wind energy conversion system (WECS) and enhance the search capability for WECS maximum power point tracking (MPPT).

The hybrid technique is the combination of tunicate swarm algorithm (TSA) and radial basis function neural network.

TSA gets input parameters from the rectifier outputs such as rectifier direct current (DC) voltage, DC current and time. From the input parameters, it enhances the reduced fault power of rectifier and generates training data set based on the MPPT conditions. The training data set is used in radial basis function. During the execution time, it produces the rectifier reference DC side voltage that is converted to control pulses of inverter switches.

Finally, the proposed method is executed in MATLAB/Simulink site, and the performance is compared with different existing methods like particle swarm optimization algorithm and hill climb searching technique. Then the output illustrates the performance of the proposed method and confirms its capability to solve issues.

This paper aims to propose a comprehensive methodology for setting up rural electrifications for indigenous villages with minimum budgets and the lowest possible cost of electricity (COE). The electricity accessibility of rural area in Malaysia is not fully covered and the cost of extending the grid to these areas can be high as RM 2.7m per km. Lack of vigorous policies and economic attraction of the rural areas are also the main barriers to rural electrification. Electricity is an essential element of economic activities and the lack of electricity exacerbates poverty and contributes to its perpetuation. Therefore, a hybrid standalone power system can be an alternative solution for the rural electrification. A hybrid standalone power system is studied to investigate the potential of the implementation and the budget required.

A site survey has been carried out in a village in Peninsular Malaysia, namely, Kampung Ulu Lawin Selatan. A standalone hybrid system is modeled in HOMER Pro software and the data collected from the selected site are used to obtain the system configuration with the lowest COE. The load following and cycle charging energy dispatch methods are compared to identify the optimal system configuration that yields the lowest COE. The diesel generator-only system is chosen as a benchmark for comparisons.

The results show that the hybrid system constituted from the diesel generator, photovoltaic (PV), micro-hydro and energy storage using the load following energy dispatch method yields the lowest COE of RM 0.519 per kWh. The COE of the hybrid system is 378 per cent lower than that of the diesel generator-only system. The lead-acid energy storage system (ESS) is able to reduce 40 per cent of COE as compared to the system without ESS.

The results indicate that the COE of the diesel-micro hydro-PV-ESS system with load following dispatch strategy is RM 0.519 per kWh, and this value is 35 per cent higher than the average electricity price in Malaysia. However, it is important to note that the costs of extending the grid to the rural area are not taken into account. If this cost is considered into the electricity price, then the standalone hybrid power system proposed by this study is still a competitive alternative for rural electrification.

The purpose of this study is to see the energy relation to economic growth and find a way to solve the energy crisis for Bangladesh. Bangladesh is facing a high rate depletion of traditional energy sources. Renewable energy technology may be an alternative solution to meeting Bangladesh’s rising energy demand. Despite huge potential, Bangladesh fails to use renewable energy sources properly due to insufficient information and technical knowledge. The present research studied the current energy condition and potentiality of renewable energy with its influence on economic growth in Bangladesh.

This study analyzes the relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic growth of Bangladesh for the period of 2001–2016, based on yearly data, by using multiple regression model where augmented Dickey–Fuller unit root test has been chosen for testing the viability.

The result of this study showed that economic growth of Bangladesh is influenced positively by the consumption of renewable energy.

In addition, SWOT analysis has also done to develop a roadmap, and suggest some policies which will be able to accomplish the country’s climbing energy demands for a short- and long-term solution.

This study is an original work for Bangladesh, showing the results of the relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. Therefore, this research will be useful to contribute to the literature review in the near future.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perception of public sector auditors on performance audit in Malaysian public sector entities. In particular, this study elicits the respondents’ opinions on the elements of performance audit, the need for involvement of auditors in policy making, relevant experts to undertake a performance audit, major constraints in carrying out performance audit and the potential of performance audit to improve public administration.

The study employed a postal questionnaire method to seek the perception of the auditors. The questionnaire was distributed to the population of public sector auditors in the National Audit Department in Malaysia and a total of 503 usable responses were received. The responses were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis including mean score and mean score ranking.

The results reveal that auditors were of the opinion that effectiveness element should be one of the performance audit elements and that public sector auditors should be given the opportunity to influence policy decisions. In addition, the results show that the public auditor is not the only profession that can carry out performance audit, but can team up with other professions. In relation to constraints in performance audit, “Lack of cooperation and commitment from auditees in conducting a performance audit” was claimed to be the topmost constraint. Furthermore, performance audit was claimed to be able to enhance public accountability, as well as to enable more economical, efficient and effective utilising of public resources.

This paper is one of few studies on public sector auditing particularly on performance auditing in the context of a developing country (i.e Malaysia).