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ES37_Advanced Control Group (GCA)_Oscar Barambones

Oscar Barambones

+34 945 01 3235

oscar.barambones@ehu.eus

https://www.ehu.eus/es/web/gca

Group description

The Advanced Control Group focuses on the application of modern techniques to control complex systems implemented over the state of the art technologies in computing.

For example, robust real-time schemes with vector control techniques were applied successfully at induction machines. In particular, oriented field controllers based on variable structure compensators (with stochastic dynamics) were developed. Their stability was ensured by means of the Lyapunov theory and the invariant set theorems. These designs incorporated motor flux observers, avoiding the use of Hall cells to measure it. Also, the use of speed estimators allowed eliminating the encoder, necessary in traditional control schemes. In addition, these approach includes a parameter adaptation algorithm for both the model and the gain in order to ensure a fast but smooth transient response. These controllers have been validated both in simulation and implemented on 10 HP industrial induction motors in real time, using Motorola and dSPACE digital signal processors (DSPs). The aforementioned implementations provide asymptotic path following in the presence of uncertainties such as parameter errors and unmodeled dynamics and show a robust behavior against load torque variations. On the other hand, various intelligent control techniques were theoretically developed by designing an expert network to derive discrete parametric models from input-output samples of systems to be modeled. These techniques are of special interest when the system to be modeled is unknown (black box) or its analytical expression is very complex or difficult to obtain, as is the case of some induction machines or the dynamic modeling of a wind turbine, among others.

Other control techniques aimed at maximizing the power at renewable plants were explored. For example, different intelligent control strategies were used at wind turbines in a wide range of wind speeds. These works have given rise to several publications in international conferences and journals.

Another research line has been the control of photovoltaic generation systems optimizing energy production in both solar radiation and the load connected to the system. The use of intelligent controllers, capable of facing the system uncertainties in a robust way, made possible to improve its performance compared to traditional controllers.

Finally, the group is involved in building distributed systems for monitoring and control of industrial processes, by integrating different communication technologies at fog, edge and cloud levels. In particular, wireless technologies are being introduced in industrial applications since they provide certain benefits, such as the flexibility to modify the layout of the nodes, improving connectivity with monitoring and decision nodes, adapting to mobile devices and reducing or eliminating cabling. However, companies are still reluctant to use them in time-critical applications, and consequently, more research is needed in order to be massively deployed in industrial environments. The group has analyzed its application in real-time monitoring and control industrial applications.

Keywords

  • Nonlinear Control
  • Robust Control
  • Wind Turbine Control
  • PEM Fuel Cell control
  • Photovoltaic Systems Control
  • Smart sensors
  • Wireless Sensor Networks
  • Industrial communications

Team Description

  • Oscar Barambones (Principal Investigator)

    ORCID: 0000-0002-4430-8088

  • Isidro Calvo (Research staff)

    ORCID: 0000-0002-5256-353X

  • José Antonio Cortajarena (Research staff)

    ORCID: 0000-0002-2864-8357

  • Patxi Alkorta (Research staff)

    ORCID: 0000-0003-0734-0326

  • Jose Antonio Ramos (Research staff)

    ORCID: 0000-0001-9706-4016

  • Pablo Fernandez (Research staff)

    ORCID: 0000-0002-6881-8357

  • José Miguel Gil-García (Research staff)

    ORCID: 0000-0002-8328-2327

Projects

  • Digitalización en la industria aeronáutica inteligente y sostenible para el avión cero emisiones

    Pl: Oscar Barambones

    Funding Agency*: Gobierno Vasco

    Ongoing: yes

    Project reference: ELKARTEK21/61

  • Utillaje adaptable, inteligente y dinámico en la industria aeronáutica 4.0

    Pl: Oscar Barambones

    Funding Agency*: Gobierno Vasco

    Ongoing: no

    Project reference: ELKARTEK19/63

  • Utillaje inteligente para grandes componentes aeroestructurales en la industria 4.0

    Pl: Oscar Barambones

    Funding Agency*: Gobierno Vasco

    Ongoing: no

    Project reference: ELKARTEK17/17

  • Caracterización fluidodinámica y control robusto de los sistemas de generación olamotrices OWC

    Pl: Oscar Barambones

    Funding Agency*: Gobierno Vasco

    Ongoing: no

    Project reference: SAI13/16

  • Optimización del Rendimiento de los Aerogeneradores de Velocidad Variable utilizando estrategias de Control Robusto.

    Pl: Oscar Barambones

    Funding Agency*: Gobierno Vasco

    Ongoing: no

    Project reference: SAI09/75

* INT - International EU - European NAT - National RE - Regional

Publications

  • Asma Charaabi, Abdelaziz Zaidi, Oscar Barambones, Nadia Zanzouri, Implementation of adjustable variable step based backstepping control for the PV power plant, Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 2022
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2021.107682

  • Oscar Barambones, José A. Cortajarena, Isidro Calvo, José M. Gonzalez de Durana, Patxi Alkorta and Ali Karami, Real time observer and control scheme for a Wind Turbine System based on a high order sliding modes, Journal of the Franklin Institute, 2021
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117473

  • Cristian Napole, Mohamed Derbeli, Oscar Barambones, A global integral terminal sliding mode control based on a novel reaching law for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, Applied Energy, 2021
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117473

  • Isidro Calvo, Eneko Villar, Cristian Napole, Aitor Fernández, Oscar Barambones and José Miguel Gil-García, Reliable Control Applications with Wireless Communication, Sensors, 2021
    https://doi.org/10.3390/s21217107

  • Patxi Alkorta, José Antonio Cortajarena, Oscar Barambones, Fco. Javier Maseda, Effective generalized predictive control of induction motor, ISA Transactions, 2020
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isatra.2020.04.008

Research Lines

DIGITAL AND CONNECTED FACTORY

This research line is aimed at introducing wireless communications in factories for monitoring and control industrial processes in real time.

Since several devices may cause interferences in industrial facilities, it has become necessary to adapt the communication protocols to minimize these problems.

The introduction of complex control algorithms (e.g. by means Artificial Intelligence techniques) sometimes requires powerful computers that cannot be located closed to the processes. This problem also arises when the devices are moving parts. In this scenario, wireless communications may be used for carrying out control signals close to the processes.

Unfortunately, the degradation or loss of the communication links may produce undesired effects or even producing that the controlled plants became uncontrolled. For this reason, it may be necessary to define procedures to switch between different control algorithms executed remotely or locally.

Currently, the research team are testing their approaches in several industrial scenarios.

Industry 4.0 and 5.0 are introducing new paradigms in Industry which involve the introduction of more connected devices. The integration of the information acquired by all these devices produces complex information systems that typically operate in a hierarchical way to separate their tasks.

Frequently, complex control algorithms may require to be executed in powerful computers, whereas other devices must interact with the physical world processes.

In this scenario, it is necessary to define domain architectures that go beyond the typical cloud/Fog/Edge hierarchy allowing both monitoring and control tasks in real time.

The research team is applying this kind of architectures to different processes involving manufacturing processes and energy generation and management.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The research group is working on a differentiated and innovative line of research based on the application of more advanced control techniques to improve the performance of photovoltaic and wind turbine systems.

It is also proposed to use tools based on the latest trends in the field of ICTs (information technologies information and communications), using the modern concepts of cyber physical systems (CPS). The members of the group have extensive experience in these areas of research developed over several years. The main objective of this research is to improve the performance and the efficiency of the processes of generating electrical energy from the renewable energies. It should be noted that this is an emerging and active area of research where there is currently a large number of unsolved control problems. Thus, this research contemplates among its objectives the modelling of systems, simulation of systems and advanced control of processes and systems, topics on which the proposed work focuses

The research group is working on a differentiated and innovative line of research based on the application of more advanced control techniques to improve the performance of PEM fuel cell systems.

The main objective of this research is to improve the performance and efficiency of the processes of generating electrical energy from the hydrogen. It should be noted that this is an emerging and active area of research where there is currently a large number of unsolved control problems. Thus, this research contemplates among its objectives the modelling of systems, simulation of systems and advanced control of processes and systems, topics on which the proposed work focuses.