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Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition
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Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2026 | Viewed by 3949

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Juan P. Torreglosa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Electrical Engineering Department, University of Huelva, Carretera Palos-Huelva, s/n, 21071 Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain
Interests: energy management systems; control systems; microgrids; transportation electrification; charging infrastructures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue is a continuation of our previous Special Issue "Control systems for next-generation electric applications".

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/5ILSMPS51W

The rapid proliferation of next-generation electric applications, such as electric vehicles, microgrids, and charging infrastructures, is heralding a transformative shift in energy consumption patterns. As these technologies become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the need for efficient control systems to optimize their operation becomes paramount. These systems ensure reliable performance and maximize energy utilization and grid stability. In light of this, we invite authors specializing in control theory, power electronics, and renewable energy integration to contribute their research findings to our journal's proposed Special Issue on Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications. Let us collectively drive innovation towards a sustainable energy future.

Prof. Dr. Juan P. Torreglosa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • control systems
  • microgrids
  • transportation electrification
  • charging infrastructures

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 1411 KB  
Article
Practical Considerations for the Development of Two-Stage Deterministic EMS (Cloud–Edge) to Mitigate Forecast Error Impact on the Objective Function
by Gregorio Fernández, J. F. Sanz Osorio, Roberto Rocca, Luis Luengo-Baranguan and Miguel Torres
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 1844; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16041844 - 12 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 443
Abstract
The growing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)—such as photovoltaic generation, battery energy storage, electric vehicles, hydrogen technologies and flexible loads—requires advanced Energy Management Systems (EMS) capable of coordinating their operation and leveraging controllability to optimize microgrid performance and enable flexibility provision to [...] Read more.
The growing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)—such as photovoltaic generation, battery energy storage, electric vehicles, hydrogen technologies and flexible loads—requires advanced Energy Management Systems (EMS) capable of coordinating their operation and leveraging controllability to optimize microgrid performance and enable flexibility provision to the grid. When the physical, electrical, and economic system model is properly defined, the main sources of performance degradation typically arise from forecast uncertainty and temporal discretization effects, which propagate into sub-optimal schedules and infeasible setpoints. This paper proposes and tests a two-stage deterministic EMS architecture featuring rolling-horizon planning at an upper layer and fast local setpoint adaptation at a lower layer, jointly to reduce the impact of forecast errors and other uncertainties on the objective function. The first stage can be deployed either on the edge or in the cloud, depending on computational requirements, whereas the second stage is executed locally, close to the physical assets, to ensure timely corrective action. In the simulated cloud-executed planning case, moving from hourly to 15 min granularity improves the objective value from −49.39€ to −72.12€, corresponding to an approximate 46% reduction in operating cost. In our case study, the proposed second-stage local adaptation can reduce the mean absolute error (MAE) of the EMS performance loss by approximately 50% compared with applying the first-stage schedule without local correction. Results show that this two-stage hierarchical EMS effectively limits objective-function degradation while preserving operational efficiency and robustness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 15443 KB  
Article
A Study on the Reduction of Light Load Loss in the Standalone Operation of LDC in Integrated Charging System for Electric Vehicles with 2-Transformer
by Yeongseon Lee, Seungmin Kim, Min-Jung Kim, Hee-Keun Shin and Dong-Hee Kim
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16041751 - 10 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 415
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel 2-transformer (2-Trans)-based integrated on-board charger (OBC) and low-voltage DC/DC converter (LDC) system for electric vehicles. Conventional integrated OBC–LDC systems employing a three-winding transformer suffer from reduced light-load efficiency during standalone LDC operation because core losses dominate when designers [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a novel 2-transformer (2-Trans)-based integrated on-board charger (OBC) and low-voltage DC/DC converter (LDC) system for electric vehicles. Conventional integrated OBC–LDC systems employing a three-winding transformer suffer from reduced light-load efficiency during standalone LDC operation because core losses dominate when designers size the transformer for high-power operation. In addition, concentrating multiple windings on a single magnetic core limits transformer design flexibility and causes complex magnetic coupling among the windings. To effectively reduce light-load losses and enhance transformer design freedom, this paper introduces a new integrated charging architecture that utilizes two independent transformers. The proposed system adopts a dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter for high-voltage battery charging and a phase-shift full-bridge (PSFB) converter for low-voltage battery charging. The system supports both simultaneous high- and low-voltage battery charging and standalone low-voltage battery operation, and a dual-phase-shift (DPS) control strategy enables independent and proper power flow control. Experimental results obtained from an 11 kW OBC and a 3 kW LDC prototype demonstrate up to a 33% reduction in light-load losses during standalone LDC operation and confirm the feasibility of improving power density through the proposed 2-Trans-based architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 303 KB  
Article
Flexibility by Design: A Methodological Approach to Assessing Electrical Asset Potential Inspired by Smart Readiness Concepts
by Luis Carlos Parada, Gregorio Fernández, Rafael Camarero Rodríguez, Blanca Martínez, Nikolas Spiliopoulos and Paula Hernamperez
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11334; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111334 - 22 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
The growing integration of distributed energy resources and electrification of end users is driving the need for greater system flexibility in modern power grids. Various electrical assets can contribute to this flexibility, either inherently or through external control mechanisms, although their suitability varies [...] Read more.
The growing integration of distributed energy resources and electrification of end users is driving the need for greater system flexibility in modern power grids. Various electrical assets can contribute to this flexibility, either inherently or through external control mechanisms, although their suitability varies even within the same category of assets. This paper presents a novel methodological approach to assess the flexibility potential of electrical assets based on their inherent technical characteristics and their intended installation context. Inspired by the principles of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) for buildings, the proposed method employs a scoring system to evaluate a set of key functionalities that determine an asset’s readiness to contribute to system flexibility, then through a weighted sum a final index is obtained. These scores are combined through a weighted aggregation to produce a single, easy-to-interpret index that synthesizes multiple characteristics, enabling comparisons across different technologies. Unlike the SRI, this approach is not focused on certification but rather on providing a decision-support tool for end-users. The applicability of the method is demonstrated through a case study evaluating a photovoltaic inverter, followed by a sensitivity analysis to assess the robustness of the weighting scheme. Results indicate that the proposed index provides a transparent and replicable means of quantifying flexibility potential, supporting more informed planning and investment decisions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition)
34 pages, 550 KB  
Article
System Requirements for Flexibility Markets Participation: A Stakeholder-Centric Survey from REEFLEX Project
by Gregorio Fernández, Ahmed Samir Hedar, Miguel Torres, Nena Apostolidou, Nikolaos Koltsaklis and Nikolas Spiliopoulos
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10426; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910426 - 25 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 920
Abstract
The transition of electric systems from a centralized, fossil-based model toward a decentralized, renewable-powered architecture is reshaping the way electricity is generated, managed and consumed. As distributed energy resources (DERs) proliferate, grid management becomes increasingly complex, especially at the distribution level. In this [...] Read more.
The transition of electric systems from a centralized, fossil-based model toward a decentralized, renewable-powered architecture is reshaping the way electricity is generated, managed and consumed. As distributed energy resources (DERs) proliferate, grid management becomes increasingly complex, especially at the distribution level. In this context, flexibility emerges as a key enabler for more stable and efficient grid operation, while also facilitating greater integration of DER and supporting the electrification of energy demand. Local flexibility markets (LFMs) are gaining importance as structured mechanisms that allow grid operators to procure flexibility services from prosumers, aggregators and other actors. However, to ensure widespread participation, it is essential to develop digital tools that accommodate users of different profiles, regardless of their size, technical background or market experience. The REEFLEX project addresses this challenge by designing and developing 14 interoperable flexibility tools tailored to diverse stakeholder needs. To ensure that these tools are aligned with real market conditions and user expectations, REEFLEX conducted extensive stakeholder-centric surveys. This paper presents the methodology and key findings of those surveys, providing insights into user perceptions, technical requirements and adoption barriers. Results are contextualized within existing literature and other funded initiatives, highlighting implications for the design of inclusive and scalable flexibility markets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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34 pages, 3795 KB  
Review
Advances in Technologies for Energy Harvesting from Pavements: A Comprehensive Review
by Devika Priyanka and Lu Gao
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3634; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083634 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 454
Abstract
Pavement energy harvesting has been investigated as a means of converting traffic loading, solar radiation, and pavement thermal gradients into usable electricity or heat. This paper reviews 135 publications available through March 2026 and evaluates the field from a pavement engineering perspective. The [...] Read more.
Pavement energy harvesting has been investigated as a means of converting traffic loading, solar radiation, and pavement thermal gradients into usable electricity or heat. This paper reviews 135 publications available through March 2026 and evaluates the field from a pavement engineering perspective. The literature is organized into six technology families: piezoelectric systems, mechanical-electromagnetic systems, triboelectric systems, thermoelectric systems, hydronic/geothermal/solar-thermal pavements, and photovoltaic or pavement-integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems. The review considers not only reported energy output, but also structural compatibility, durability, constructability, maintenance requirements, safety, and deployment conditions. The synthesis shows that the most credible near-term roles of piezoelectric and triboelectric systems are self-powered sensing and other localized low-power functions rather than bulk electricity generation. Mechanical-electromagnetic systems can produce larger event-level output, but their practicality is limited to low-speed and highly controlled settings because they rely on deliberate surface displacement. Thermoelectric systems are mechanically compatible with pavements, yet their performance remains constrained by weak and transient temperature gradients. Hydronic and solar-thermal pavements are presently the most infrastructure-compatible option for large-area energy recovery because they deliver useful heat and align with snow-melting, seasonal storage, and adjacent building-energy applications. Photovoltaic and photovoltaic-thermal pavements offer direct electrical generation, but continued challenges with transparent cover layers, surface friction, durability, fouling, and maintenance still limit broad roadway deployment. Overall, the review indicates that future progress will depend less on maximizing peak output in isolated prototypes and more on integrated pavement-energy design, standardized performance reporting, durability assessment, techno-economic evaluation, and corridor-scale demonstration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control Systems for Next Generation Electric Applications, 2nd Edition)
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