Engineering Applications of Power Electronics in Renewable Energy Systems

A special issue of Eng (ISSN 2673-4117). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrical and Electronic Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2595

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Polytechnic School of Pernambuco, University of Pernambuco, Recife 50720001, Brazil
Interests: renewable energy systems; energy storage; BESS; EVs; time series forecasting; electrical power engineering; computational intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The accelerating global transition to renewable energy demands innovative solutions in power electronics to ensure efficient, reliable, and flexible integration into modern energy systems. Power electronics are essential for harnessing and managing energy from solar photovoltaics, wind power, biomass, and emerging hydrogen-based technologies; enabling advanced storage solutions; and enhancing power quality and grid stability.

This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore cutting-edge applications of power electronics in renewable energy systems and sustainable energy systems at large. Topics include, but are not limited to, advanced converter topologies, integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) and hybrid storage, control and protection strategies for grid-tied inverters, reliability assessment of converters, and AI-driven approaches for fault diagnosis and predictive maintenance. Contributions exploring the role of electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructures, and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies as dynamic resources for renewable energy and energy system integration are especially encouraged.

We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that address both theoretical advances and practical implementations, including field validations, experimental studies, and deployment experiences. By fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to sustainable, resilient, and intelligent energy systems in the future.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Manoel H. N. Marinho
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • power electronics
  • renewable energy systems
  • sustainable energy systems
  • energy storage
  • electric vehicles
  • vehicle-to-grid
  • BESS
  • hydrogen energy
  • converter reliability
  • grid integration
  • AI applications

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1966 KB  
Article
An Integrated TCN-GRU Deep Learning Approach for Fault Detection in Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Drivetrains
by Yangdi Luo, Yaozhen Han, Fei Song, Bingxin Xue and Yanbin Yin
Eng 2025, 6(12), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6120333 - 22 Nov 2025
Viewed by 211
Abstract
In the complex operational environment of offshore wind turbines, the drivetrain system faces multiple uncertainties including wind speed fluctuations, wave disturbances, and dynamic coupling effects, which significantly increase the difficulty of fault identification. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a deep learning [...] Read more.
In the complex operational environment of offshore wind turbines, the drivetrain system faces multiple uncertainties including wind speed fluctuations, wave disturbances, and dynamic coupling effects, which significantly increase the difficulty of fault identification. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a deep learning model integrating Temporal Convolutional Networks (TCN) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) to enhance fault detection capability. The TCN module extracts multi-scale temporal features from vibration signals, while the GRU module captures long-term dependencies in drivetrain degradation patterns. The study utilizes a publicly available Zenodo dataset containing simulated acceleration signals from a 5-MW reference drivetrain under three offshore conditions, covering healthy and faulty states of the main shaft, high-speed shaft, and planet bearings. Experimental validation under different operational conditions demonstrates that the proposed TCN-GRU model outperforms baseline models in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall. Full article
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14 pages, 3384 KB  
Article
A Nonlinear Extended State Observer-Based Load Torque Estimation Method for Wind Turbine Generators
by Yihua Zhu, Jiawei Yu, Yujia Tang, Wenzhe Hao, Zhuocheng Yang, Guangqi Li and Zhiyong Dai
Eng 2025, 6(10), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6100264 - 4 Oct 2025
Viewed by 326
Abstract
As global demand for clean and renewable energy continues to rise, wind power has become a critical component of the sustainable energy transition. However, the increasingly complex operating conditions and structural configurations of modern wind turbines pose significant challenges for system reliability and [...] Read more.
As global demand for clean and renewable energy continues to rise, wind power has become a critical component of the sustainable energy transition. However, the increasingly complex operating conditions and structural configurations of modern wind turbines pose significant challenges for system reliability and control. Specifically, accurate load torque estimation is crucial for supporting the long-term stable operation of the wind power system. This paper presents a novel load torque estimation approach based on a nonlinear extended state observer (NLESO) for wind turbines with permanent magnet synchronous generators. In this method, the load torque is estimated using current measurements and observer-derived acceleration, thereby eliminating the need for torque sensors. This not only reduces hardware complexity but also improves system robustness, particularly in harsh or fault-prone environments. Furthermore, the stability of the observer is rigorously proven through Lyapunov theory using the variable gradient method. Finally, simulation results under different wind speed conditions validate the method’s accuracy, robustness, and adaptability. Full article
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Review

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44 pages, 8586 KB  
Review
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Off-Grid Electrification: A Comprehensive Review of Storage Technologies, Metaheuristic Optimization Approaches and Key Challenges
by Kamran Taghizad-Tavana, Ali Esmaeel Nezhad, Mehrdad Tarafdar Hagh, Afshin Canani and Ashkan Safari
Eng 2025, 6(11), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6110309 - 4 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) are a practical solution for providing reliable, low-carbon electricity to off-grid and remote communities. This review examines the role of energy storage within HRESs by systematically comparing electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, and hydrogen-based technologies in terms of technical performance, [...] Read more.
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) are a practical solution for providing reliable, low-carbon electricity to off-grid and remote communities. This review examines the role of energy storage within HRESs by systematically comparing electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, and hydrogen-based technologies in terms of technical performance, lifecycle cost, operational constraints, and environmental impact. We synthesize findings from implemented off-grid projects across multiple countries to evaluate real-world performance metrics, including renewable fraction, expected energy not supplied (EENS), lifecycle cost, and operation & maintenance burdens. Special attention is given to the emerging role of hydrogen as a long-term and cross-sector energy carrier, addressing its technical, regulatory, and financial barriers to widespread deployment. In addition, the paper reviews real-world implementations of off-grid HRES in various countries, summarizing practical outcomes and lessons for system design and policy. The discussion also includes recent advances in metaheuristic optimization algorithms, which have improved planning efficiency, system reliability, and cost-effectiveness. By combining technological, operational, and policy perspectives, this review identifies current challenges and future directions for developing sustainable, resilient, and economically viable HRES that can accelerate equitable electrification in remote areas. Finally, the review outlines key limitations and future directions, calling for more systematic quantitative studies, long-term field validation of emerging technologies, and the development of intelligent, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven energy management systems within broader socio-techno-economic frameworks. Overall, this work offers concise insights to guide researchers and policymakers in advancing the practical deployment of sustainable and resilient HRES. Full article
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