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In this paper, the bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) method is developed to track the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) of a partially shaded PV system for a standalone PV system. This heuristic method emulates the behavior of E.coli bacteria and can be used to solve various complex problems. Voltage and current measured data are used as input to evaluate the operation point of the PV system and the BFO method can reach the GMPP within an appropriate time. Simulation results confirm the performance of the BFO method for GMMPT for different partial shading profiles of a PV system.

In Earth Observation (EO) applications, the new trend moves toward using small satellites architectures like constellations and swarms. These architectures are low-cost, simple, and have relatively short development time. The Blockchain proved high efficiency in terrestrial systems due to its reliability, security, and latency reduction. In mobile satellite communication system, Blockchain represents a revolution in how to validate data integrity and create secure prioritized data exchange. In this paper, we present a survey about the adoption of Blockchain in space industry and its applications. This study presents challenges, suggested solutions and open research points in building satellite systems based on blockchain.

This paper presents a coordinated control strategy for a cost-effective, hybrid off-grid configuration based on a variable-speed diesel generator. The development of a coordinated control strategy is aimed at fuel efficiency and running cost reduction with AC voltage and system frequency regulation, power quality improvement, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), and battery protection. To reduce fuel consumption, the diesel engine driven variable speed doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG), is controlled using indirect stator flux-oriented technique. The dynamic model of the DC-DC boost converter is integrated with the perturbation and observation (P&O) method for obtaining smooth and efficient MPPT. A Simple PI controller is used for DC link voltage control, the power balance in the system, and the battery overcharging protection. The performance simulation is obtained using MATLAB/Simulink and validated on real-time hardware to demonstrate the effectiveness of the coordinated control under variation of loading and weather conditions.

In this paper, the Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) algorithm is proposed for real-time calculation of active and reactive power references estimation. This method emulates the behavior of E.coli bacteria to find the global minimum of a cost function. Using this technique, one estimates the power references of the system to use as input parameters for the developed predictive control strategy for the three-phase inverter. The comportment of the BFO and the predictive control, are tested using Matlab/Simulink under load variation. In addition, a detailed comparison between the BFO method and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is provided.

This paper deals with the power management strategy for standalone DC microgrid based on variable speed wind turbine (VSWT) based on permanent magnetic brushless DC generator (PMBLDCG) Rule based state flow is developed to manage the critical and non-critical electrical loads in DC microgrid. To achieve high performance from the VSWT without using any MPPT technique, and ensure stable operation during the transition, simple control algorithm based on PI controller with anti-windup feedback is developed to control the buck boost converter. The performance of the proposed for standalone DC microgrid configuration and their control strategies are tested by simulation using MATLAB/Simulink and in real time through prototyping laboratory.

In this paper, implementation of power management technique for DC off-grid system based solar photovoltaic system (SPS) is presented. To ensure an uninterruptible power supply to the critical loads, power management control technique based on state flow technique and fuzzy logic controller, is developed. Furthermore, to balance the power in the system and achieve high performance from the SPS without using any maximum power point tracking techniques (MPPTs), dc-dc buck boost converter supported by battery energy storage system (BES) is controlled using simple control technique based on fuzzy logic system. Furthermore, Human-Computer Interface (HCI) is investigated. The performance of the proposed control and HCI are tested using MATLAB/Simulink and through prototyping using DSP card.

In this paper decentralized control for distributed generation based off-grid system to realize a save and optimal operation under perturbation problems, is presented. However, perturbation and observation (P&O) technique is reinforced by iterative interpolation method to realize accurate and fast convergence toward the maximum global operating point without speed information. Furthermore, enhanced indirect control is developed to operate the solar photovoltaic system (SPVS) without any MPPT technique. To achieve high performance during the transition, as well as to mitigate the 5th and 7th order-harmonics, a simple robust control, is employed, where the AC source current is estimated using the generated and consumed power in the system. Optimal gain design of the AWPI and AWPRC controllers are given. The behavior of the developed concept for the distributed generation based off-grid system is tested under presence of several conditions.

In this paper, control of hybrid diesel-battery standalone power generation system is investigated. Power management and power quality improvement at the point of common coupling (PCC) are achieved by controlling the three- phase inverter which is supported by a battery energy storage system (BESS) using predictive based control algorithm. The predicted output filter voltage and current based on the behavior of the inverter switches are used as inputs for the developed control algorithm while the diesel generator (DG) is connected or not. The developed control algorithms are validated with Matlab/Simulink under severe conditions such as sudden connection and disconnection of the DG in presence of non-linear load.

In this paper hybrid Wind/Solar/Diesel configuration as the solution to minimize the diesel fuel consumption in isolated Telecom tower base stations, is studied. To achieve high performance from wind turbine (WT) and solar panels (PVs), DC-DC boost converters are controlled using perturbation and observation (P&O) technique. All DC loads are fulfilling from the DC bus through controlled DC-DC buck converter. To balance the power in the system, lead acid batteries are connected to the DC bus through controlled DC-DC buck/boost converters. The AC-DC interfacing voltage source converter (VSC) is controlled to maintain constant the AC voltage and frequency using the symmetrical components technique-based control. Diesel generator (DG) is connected to the AC bus through static transfer switch. The performance of the proposed configuration, as well as, the control strategies are tested using Matlab/Simulink under load and weather conditions change.

This paper investigates two-level control coordinate and enhanced phase locked loop (EPLL) for a seamless transition between modes of operation under presence of nonlinear loads in standalone Microgrid (SMG). Two-level coordinating control approach for voltage, frequency regulation and power quality improvement at the point of common coupling (PCC), are proposed. Furthermore, the saturation issue, and mitigation of the 5th and 7th order-harmonics, are taken on considered in design of the proportional resonant and proportional integral controllers. To ensure soft and fast transition between mode of operation in SMG, enhanced phased looked loop (PLL), is employed. The proposed concept for standalone microgrid is validated by simulation using MATLAB/ Simulink and in the laboratory using a small ratings prototype of 2 kW.

Internet of Things (IoT) is the conversion of everyday tangible devices or machines to smart objects. This means that these objects would be able to think, sense and feel. For example, your home devices will be able to detect and feel your absence to turn off the lights of empty rooms, close doors, lock the gates, and other tasks. Thus, would it be acceptable to find intruders who might mess up your daily life style or control your home appliances? Absolutely not! The same idea for factories, they definitely reject to detect any unacceptable access from any foreigner to their logical/physical assets or machines who might be able to locally or remotely control, for example, any machine operation. This would cause a significant loss for their reputation or investments, since any vulnerability or attack can produce, for example, fault products. So far, IoT is considered as one of the most essential areas of future technologies, especially for the industries. Hence, finding an environment full of smart devices needs a smart security methodology to prevent any illegal access. In this domain, various researches are conducted to find Access Control (AC) models to enforce security policies that prevent any unauthorized detection of sensitive data and enable secure access of information. For this purpose, we present a new dynamic Smart-AC model methodology to enforce security policy in IoT layers.

In this paper, a composite control strategy is investigated for a photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT) and diesel engine (DE) generator based off-grid power generation system to achieve high performance while supplying unbalanced nonlinear loads. To operate the WT efficiently under variable speed condition and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) without speed sensors, a root-finding algorithm (secant method) is integrated with perturbation and observation (P&O) technique. A DC/DC buck-boost converter is controlled for bidirectional power flow through battery energy storage system (BESS) and to obtain maximum power from PV system without using any MPPT method. Power management, synchronization and the power quality improvement at the point of common coupling (PCC) are achieved by controlling the four-leg voltage source converter (VSC) using AC source current estimation from the generated and consumed power in the system. The robustness of the developed composite control strategy is tested by performance simulation of the proposed off-grid configuration using Matlab/Simulink and validated through hardware prototyping.

In this paper, control and simulation of standalone microgrid (SMG) for mine site, are investigated. To achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) from wind turbines (WTs) and solar photovoltaic systems (SPVs), power signal feedback and perturbation and observation (P&O) method, are used. Three phase voltage source converter (VSC) with LCL filter is controlled to regulate AC voltage and improve its power quality at point of common coupling (PCC) using new active power control (APC) strategy based on proportional resonant controller (PRC) with anti-windup and active damping. For efficient and safe parallel operation with perfect synchronization of two diesel engine based generators (DGs) to the PCC, new control approach is developed. Performance of the proposed configuration and their control approaches, are validated using Matlab Simulink.

Anew control strategy to achieve high performance from solar photovoltaic system using single stage inverter interfacing grid without maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques is investigated in this paper. Sinusoid-tracking algorithm and adaptive filter is proposed to improve the power quality and to regulate constant AC voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC). Proportional integral controllers for the both outer loops are reinforced by antiwindup strategy to prevent saturation issue when system is subjected to sudden variation. The effectiveness of the developed control algorithm and the proposed configuration are tested using Matlab/Simulink.

Diesel generators are the main source of electrical energy that supply most of the remote isolated areas in the world. Unfortunately, these motors still pose enormous technical, financial, and environmental challenges. Therefore, the combination of these generators with renewable sources like wind energy in a wind-diesel hybrid system (WDS) could reduce these deficits by reducing the fossil fuel consumption and the operating time of diesel engines, and by reducing the operation costs and environmental harm. In addition, because the intermittency of wind energy and its dissipation during windy periods require an energy storage system, the WDS combined with compressed air energy storage (CAES) seems to be a good solution for this problem. Many recent studies have shown that the optimal management of the stored air reserve would be to overcharge an existing diesel engine with compressed air. Based on this concept, a new wind-diesel hybrid system with adiabatic air compression and storage at constant pressure has been proposed (ACP-WDCAS). This concept combines CAES and hydro-pneumatic energy storage technologies with a wind-diesel system. In this paper, we will present the operative principle of this system and propose a numerical model of each of its components. Moreover, we studied the effect of the pressure intake and temperature on the thermodynamic cycle of the diesel engine to determine the optimal values of the parameters that will optimize fuel consumption. Finally we will compare this system with available technologies in order to demonstrate its performance.

In this paper, the control design of new Eco-friendly microgrid based on Wind/Diesel/Battery is investigated. Wind turbine (WT) driven variable speed permanent magnet brushless DC generator (PMBLDCG) is tied to the DC bus through three phase diode bridge rectifier and a DC/DC boost converter. Perturbation and observation technique (P&O) is used to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) from WT without rotor speed sensing. Diesel engine (DE) driven variable speed permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is connected to the DC bus through three phase diode bridge rectifier and DC/DC boost converter. It is controlled to operate according to the load power demand and the state of charge of battery (SOC%). The measured power at the DC bus is used to estimate the reference rotor speed by using reel power-speed curve. A neutral point 3-phase 4-wire inverter topology is considered as interfacing power converter. To regulate the system frequency and AC voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC), control strategy based on decomposition in symmetrical components of the load voltages and currents is developed. To protect battery energy storage system from overcharging, dump load is used. Performance of the proposed system and its developed control strategies, are tested under presence of severe conditions using Matlab/Simulink.

Nowadays the studies of diesel generators are limited to present mechanical dynamic of the process or the electrical one, this is due to the complexity and the high no linearity of the DG. This paper gives a revue of different model which can describe the total dynamic process of the diesel generator. Then a developed model is proposed to study the interaction between the mechanical and electrical aspects in a DG. The validity of the proposed model is verified by an application in a study case. The developed model has been implemented in Matlab/Simulink, and the simulation result confirms the dynamic performances of the system compared with the operational data of the DG of TechnoCentre eolien (TCE).

In remote sites (north Canada, islands …); diesel generators are used to produce electricity. This method is relatively inefficient, very expensive and responsible for the emission of large amounts of greenhouse gases. The development and use of a wind-solar-diesel-battery hybrid system will eliminate the main barriers to the deployment of renewable energy in remote locations and decrease production costs. The originality of this system consist in optimizing its overall performance by designing an intelligent algorithm and optimized strategy for power flow management which meet the operational constraints and the user's requirement. The main objective of this study is to determine the most efficient operation strategy for the power supply of isolated sites. This strategy should be characterized by an ability to reduce the use of diesel generator and integrate optimally the renewable resources while providing a significant reduction in fuel consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases. In order to validate the proposed strategies under real conditions, measurements of real weather conditions and power consumption for the months of February and may 2013 are considered. Once the assessment and analysis of results are complete, optimization will be done on the best strategy found with varying the number and size of the diesel generators. Simulations results are highlighted showing the impact of this approach.

In this paper control design for safe and effective operation of small-scale hybrid wind/diesel/Battery standalone power generation system (WT-DG HSPGS) employing fixed speed generators is investigated. To compensate the fluctuation of wind power, reduce the run-time of the diesel generator (DG), regulate the AC voltage and the system frequency, as well as, to improve the power quality at the PCC, STATCOM supported by battery energy storage system (BESS) is controlled employing synchronous reference frame (SRF) theory and estimated in-phase and quadrature unit AC voltage templates. To synchronize the DG to the PCC, breaker switch is controlled using the estimated voltage phase angle and the system frequency. To protect BESS from overcharging, dump loads is controlled using simple approach based on BESS limit charging voltage. To test the performance of the proposed WT-DG HSPGS and their developed control algorithms under presence of balanced/unbalanced, linear/nonlinear loads and change in climate conditions, simulations are carried out using MATLAB/Simulink.

Energy storage has been discussed in the electricity industry for many years. Today, energy storage enjoys a growing sense of promise, as many expect it will become a viable part of the electric system over the next decade. However, there are still very real challenges to the cost-effective deployment of storage solutions. The work described in this paper highlights the advantages of techno-economical & operational of energy storage in wind-diesel hybrid system in order to strengthen power networks and maintain load levels. There are various types of storage methods, some of which are already in use, while others are still in development. We have taken a look at the main characteristics of the different electricity storage techniques and their field of application (permanent or portable, long- or short-term storage, maximum power required, etc.).

An overview of the impact of the equalization process on performance and behavior of Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) batteries, which are a generally used in Hybrid Power Systems (HPS) is given in this paper. In order to extend the life time and runtime of batteries, an equalization process, with a good precision is required. Indeed, as mentioned in prior works, to achieve voltage equalization, the process must have a precision around 10 mV/cell. We have focused the impact of an unbalanced cells voltage on their lifetime. Typically, there are two equalization systems: While the active cell equalization processes remove charge from higher energy cell(s) and deliver it to lower energy cell(s), the passive methods, based on resistor element, remove the excess charge until the charge matches those of the lower cells in the same pack. It shows that the performance of active systems is significantly better than passive systems. Experimental results show that even for maintenance free batteries, a periodic equalization process is needed in order to extend their lifespan.

The aim of this paper is to present the benefits of the use of Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for the deployment of a micro-grid supplied by hybrid energy system in remote sites and unconnected grids. A microgrid, based in the experimental test site of TechnoCentre eolien (TCE) at Riviere-au-Renard (Quebec), and equipped by a SCADA system has been selected as case study for this paper. An overview on the SCADA communication system of micro-grids is presented and several validations by using the SCADA system of the TCE's microgrid are studied and analyzed. Indeed, the SCADA system used in, allows studying different behavior of the TCE's microgrid and it offers effective methods for improving the control systems, equipment performance and the management of remote areas.

This paper presents a control strategy for solar energy conversion system for DC microgrid. The energy system includes a storage device for standalone applications. Incremental conductance method has been adopted for maximum power point tracking in order to improve the efficiency of the system. The bidirectional converter, placed between the battery and the DC-link voltage, is controlled to charge/discharge the battery according to the generated power and to keep the DC-link voltage constant. Real time simulator has been used for parallel and distributed computing to maximize the controller efficiency. The proposed system is experimentally tested using OPAL-RT real time simulator.

This paper deals with the issue of the reactive power compensation in microgrid (MG) based on Wind Turbine Generator driving a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG). Wind generators such as the majority of Distributed Generation (DG) systems are sensitive to the disturbances of the frequency and/or voltage. Subsequently, these systems must to be disconnected in case of voltage dip, typically where the voltage is less than 80% of rated value. DG which contributes to reduce energy loss during transmission can increase the capability of the voltage control in the power system by generating the reactive power support. In the case of the off-grid applications, sources of production may participate to the voltage control by providing or absorbing reactive power. In this work, a new strategy for determining the reference of reactive power in order to contribute to the correction of the grid voltage deviation during low or high voltage ride through is proposed. Then, the performances of both active and reactive power control of the DFIG under grid faults are analyzed through Matlab/Simulink software.

A feedback linearization controller with a sliding mode disturbance compensator for a permanent magnet synchronous generator based wind energy conversion system is proposed in this paper. The feedback linearization is based on Lie derivatives, input and disturbance relative degrees of the nonlinear generator system. The turbine torque is considered as unknown disturbance to the controller and its effects is rejected by a sliding mode compensator based on the speed tracking error. This compensator ensures the disturbance rejection and the robustness to the uncertainties present in the system. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is experimentally verified by a wind energy conversion system driven by the Opal-RT real-time simulator (OP5600).

A sliding mode control strategy for speed tracking problem in variable speed wind turbine system is proposed in this paper. It is developed from the mechanical equation of the turbine-generator rotor. The validation of the proposed control is done using OPAL-RT real-time simulator and electrical modules from Lab-Volt. The proposed control strategy provides robustness to the parametric uncertainties of the wind turbine and generator.

This paper describes a fault detection system strategy, which is suitable for wind generators, and may contribute to prevent failures occurring in wind energy conversion systems such as short-circuit. Indeed, the reliability of wind turbines is important in order to capture the maximum power. The proposed strategy is based on the recursive least square method for on-line identification of the generator parameters. Moreover, this approach helps to improve the model-based controller performance. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is established through Matlab/Simulink environment.

This paper addresses a new fully green solar-pumped hydroelectricity storage system as a way to effectively store the energy through the gravitational potential energy of stored water and uses it during peak demand hours. Electric energy produced by the photovoltaic system will be used to pump water during the day from a lower reservoir, in our case the Litany River, to an upper reservoir which is usually an artificial or semi-artificial dam. Water is released back through Francis turbines & alternators to meet the energy commitments.

Fossil energy is a major problem that disturbs the world. So replacing this kind of energy with another cheapest, harmless and that last forever become a strategic question. A big question still running the minds of the workers and investors in this sector, which type of renewable energy we should apply? At which cost? What will be the payback period and the return on investment? The aim of this paper is to highlight on the reduction of the energy profile for facilities from the Lebanese context by a case study for a residential complex.

Control system developed for hybrid wind diesel system (HWDS) operating as standalone power system is presented. The HWDS consists of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based wind turbine generation system and a diesel generation system (DGS) with synchronous machine. Control system developed for both machine side and load side power converter is simulated. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control system is developed and simulated for machine side power converter to track the optimum rotor shaft speed for achieving maximum power extraction through wind turbine. The transition from wind-diesel to wind-only mode of operation is simulated. A dynamic model of HWDS is developed to study the system operating behavior under standalone condition. The complete HWDS is modeled and simulated in MATLAB Simulink environment. Simulation results to validate the performance of developed control system are presented.

The search is on for alternative ways for novel method to electrify electrical and electronic devices as telecom infrastructures. In north-eastern America, these infrastructures are installed in areas correspond to locations where the population is very sparsely distributed and climatic conditions extreme. Thus, these sites are both hard to access, especially in the winter time, and are not linked to the electric grid. Nevertheless, telecom infrastructures require continuous, stable, and 100% safe current supply. As a result, in most — if not all-locations, diesel generators are used. Whereas these generators require frequent maintenance or service, they also continuously emit carbon dioxide. In this paper, the anatomy, design and modeling of a small scale compressed air hybrid system is presented. To investigate the effectiveness and overall performance and issues of the proposed hybrid system for stand-alone off-grid applications, a case study was considered.

Hybrid wind-diesel-compressed air generator with pneumatic hybridization of diesel generator (DG) represents an innovative concept to overcome most of the technical, economic and social barriers that faces the deployment of wind energy in isolated sites. Adding compressed air energy storage (CAES) to the hybrid system increases the wind energy penetration rate in the overall production and further improves fuel savings. The CAES has numerous advantages for wind-diesel systems due to its high power density and reliability. The pneumatic hybridization of the Diesel engine consists to introduce the CAES through the admission valve. The combustion efficiency and the fuel consumption are improved by optimizing air/fuel ratio thanks to the CAES assistance. With limited tank volume, the pressure becomes an influent factor. As the pressure increase inside the tank, more power is required to introduce the same quantity of air. The goal of this study is to find the optimum tank volume, associated with the minimum mass of the tank and the maximum time of feeding DG with CAES.

Classification of brain tumor using Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) is a difficult task due to the variance and complexity of tumors. This paper presents Neural Network techniques for the classification of the magnetic resonance human brain images. The proposed Neural Network technique consists of three stages, preprocessing, dimensionality reduction, and classification. In the first stage, we The MR image will obtain and convert it to data form (encoded information that can be stored, manipulated and transmitted by digital devices), in the second stage have obtained the dimensionally reduction using principles component analysis (PCA), then In the classification stage the Back-Propagation Neural Network has been used as a classifier to classify subjects as normal or abnormal MRI brain images. In the experiment 3×58 datasets of MRI Brain segital images (www.cipr.rpi.edu/resource/sequences/sequence01) have been used for tainting and testing the proposed method. The result of the proposed technique was compared with the results of baseline algorithms, and it presents validity as competitive results quality-wise, and showed that the classification accuracy of our method is 96.33%.

The main purpose of this study is to develop the mathematical model of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and to simulate its behavior. The study includes the performance analysis of a 250W PV module and its behavior on different temperature conditions, irradiance levels. It also focuses on the effects of varying shunt and series resistances. The model has been developed considering possible environmental effects on solar PV generation. The results of the characteristics curves in this paper are compared to the curves provided by the CS6P-250M PV module datasheet. Using this model it is possible to simulate the behavior of any large scale PV array or solar Photovoltaic Energy Conversion Systems (PVECS). The model was developed by using Matlab®/Simulink” software. This model can be used for further simulation based research and analysis on PVECS.

A control strategy developed for hybrid wind-diesel system (HWDS) is presented in this paper. The proposed system consists of the induction generator based wind turbine generation (WTG) system, IGBT based power electronics converters, diesel generator (DG) unit and dump load (DL) system. Developed control strategy shares the required power generation between the WTG and DG unit. The control system operates the wind turbine to achieve maximum power extraction using maximum power point tracking (MPPT) scheme, and simultaneously controls the dump load to absorb excessive power generation, in turn regulates the frequency of power supply. The DG unit is controlled for supplementing the generated power from WTG to supply the complete load power demand. The complete system is modeled and simulated using SimPowerSystems toolbox from Matlab-Simulink software package.

Traditionally, electricity networks are dimensioned on peak demand. This is inevitable due to the fact that storage of substantial amounts of electricity is technically and economically infeasible. As a result, a vast amount of currently unused network capacity is available. When this could be used, much more energy could be transported with the same network so that investments on network reinforcements could be postponed or omitted. To this end, it must be possible to shift demand for electricity in time or, more precisely, to shift the transport of electricity in time. In principle, this can be done by incorporating (distributed) electricity storage in the networks. This paper attempts to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding energy storage technologies for electric power grid. It is intended to serve as a reference for policymakers interested in understanding the range of technologies and applications associated with energy storage, comparing them, when possible, in a structured way to highlight key characteristics relevant to widespread use.

Logic based power management system for automatic switching of lights' banks is presented in this work. This system is developed based on a generated power from a wind turbine, a profile of the banks' states provided by the user, and a sequence of priorities. The generated power is controlled to track the reference power profile by a pitch angle control strategy. In order to maintain a consistent brilliance of the lights and reduce the activity of the pitch actuator, a modified PI controller is presented to deal with fluctuation problems. Experimental results are provided to show the proposed power management system for a pitch controlled wind turbine.

Various aspects must be taken into account when working with wind-diesel hybrid systems for the generation of electricity especially in remote areas. Reliability and cost are two of these aspects. On the other hand, various mathematical models of the elements that make up these systems can be used, as well as various design and simulation models. This paper will review the simulation and design models of the hybrid systems that have been used up to this moment in time, indicating which tools have been developed for this purpose.

The icing causes energy losses for wind turbines. Impact of ice is difficult to quantify without experimental tests and numerical simulations due to the lack of real data from the field. The high cost of wind tunnel testing, conducted to the necessity to develop a numerical approach that can accurately evaluate the energy losses for different configurations of wind turbine and weather conditions at lower cost and over a shorter period. PROICET is a numerical model to calculate the annual energy production of a wind turbine considering the icing events. This model can elsewhere quantify the energy losses induced by the ice.

In the context of global campaign to mitigate climate change effects, researches on wind turbines industry have known a constant growth during the last few years. Wind velocity is so important for wind turbine productivity and very significant wind resources are available in cold regions where icing effects are also significant. Ice accretion increases the risks of unbalanced mass resulting in losses of annual power production, in vibration problems and in security risks. This coincides with the most abundant days of wind in the year. At the WERL (Wind Energy Research Laboratory), in collaboration with the TechnoCentre Eolien and the AMIL (Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory), numerous studies have been conducted to avoid this problem. In this paper we made use of these studies to simulate a test case of icing around a cylinder as described in Lozowski et al. [1]. We emphasize on the fact that these studies cannot provide very accurate local results due to numerous simplifications. We, therefore, developed at the WERL an interactive interface to simulate the trajectory of water droplets in an airstream until collision on a cylinder. This interface is based on MS-Excel worksheets supported with VBA code (Visual Basic for Applications) using a fourth order Runge-Kutta resolution scheme. The interface provides flexibility to demonstrate various scenarios that can help to validate the subsequent evaluation of collection efficiency based on multiphase CFX simulation.

Several research activities have been realized to improve the design of turbines and their resistance to extreme conditions like ice accretion. This phenomenon triggers the degradation of turbine performance and increases vibration problems. In an aim to mitigate this problem, it is important to predict the shape, type and extent of ice accretion in order to apply optimised de-icing strategies. This article proposes one such upstream study inscribed in a more global study being conducted at the Wind Energy Research Laboratory on ice accretion - CFX based modelling of water droplets flow in an airstream until impingement on a cylinder. This model makes part and parcel of a more elaborate project whereby thermodynamics and phase change equations will be applied on each water droplet to simulate the new geometry due to ice accretion. This article emphasis on the intrinsic parameters in multiphase modelling, the factors affecting local and global water droplets collection, models simplifications, the analytical equations used in the model, the obtained results and the options for further improvement of the model.