526
2, JUNE 2010
Design and Control Strategies of an
Induction-Machine-Based Flywheel Energy
Storage System Associated to a Variable-Speed
Wind Generator
Gabriel Cimuca, Stefan Breban, Member, IEEE, Mircea M. Radulescu, Senior Member, IEEE,
Christophe Saudemont, and Benoit Robyns, Member, IEEE
Abstract—Flywheel energy storage systems (FESSs) improve the
quality of the electric power delivered by wind generators, and help
these generators contributing to the ancillary services. Presently,
FESSs containing a flux-oriented controlled induction machine
(IM) are mainly considered for this kind of application. The paper
proposes the direct torque control (DTC) for an IM-based FESS
associated to a variable-speed wind generator, and proves through
simulation and experimental results that it could be a better al-
ternative. This DTC application entails two specific aspects: 1) the
IM must operate in the flux-weakening region, and 2) it must shift
quickly and repeatedly between motoring and generating opera-
tion modes. DTC improvement for increasing the FESS efficiency,
when it operates at small power values, is discussed. Some aspects
concerning the flywheel design and the choice of the filter used in
the FESS supervisor are also addressed.
Index Terms—DC-link voltage regulation, direct torque control
(DTC), flywheel energy storage, flux-oriented controlled (FOC),
induction machine (IM), power flow supervision, variable-speed
wind generator (VSWG).
I. INTRODUCTION
HE LIBERALIZATION of the European electricity mar-
T ket and the development of the decentralized electricity
production reveal new scientific and technical problems related
to the new type of electricity sources, as well as to the structure
and control of power grids [1].
Manuscript received April 18, 2007; revised December 7, 2007; accepted
October 22, 2008. Date of current version May 21, 2010. This work was sup-
ported in part by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research. The test
bench development was supported by the Regional Council Nord-Pas de Calais,
by the European Regional Development Fund, by the Technological Research
National Center, Lille, by the Forclum Ingénierie Verquin, Innovelect, and by
the Ecole des Hautes Etudes d’Ingénieur. Paper no. TEC-00121-2007.
G. Cimuca is with the Powertrain Control Group, Renault Technologie
Roumanie, Bucharest 077190, Romania (e-mail: gabriel.cimuca@renault.com).
S. Breban and M. M. Radulescu are with the Department of Electric Ma-
chines and Special Electric Machines and Light Electric Traction Group,
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca 400020, Romania (e-mail:
stefan.breban@mae.utcluj.ro; mircea.radulescu@mae.utcluj.ro).
C. Saudemont and B. Robyns are with the Laboratoire d’Electrotechnique
et d’Electronique de Puissance de Lille, Ecole des Hautes Etudes
d’Ingénieur, Lille Cédex 59046, France (e-mail: christophe.saudemont@hei.fr;
benoit.robyns@hei.fr).
Color versions of one or more of the figures in this paper are available online
at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TEC.2010.2045925
0885-8969/$26.00 © 2010 IEEE
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENERGY CONVERSION, VOL. 25, NO.
The actual decentralized electricity sources cannot partici-
pate in the ancillary services of the power grid (voltage and
frequency control, black start, and islanding operation). From
the viewpoint of the power grid, these sources are like nega-
tive charges, i.e., they do not consume the electric energy but
generate it, without participating in the ancillary services. The
mains voltage and frequency control is always reported to the
classical generators. Hence, the penetration rate (i.e., the ratio
of the generated power to the consumed power) of the decen-
tralized electricity production is restricted in order to keep the
power grid’s stability. This is particularly right for the renewable
energy sources, whose primary energy source is very fluctuant
and unpredictable. The wind generators belong to this category
of energy sources, and to give them the possibility to partic-
ipate in the ancillary services, a generating system, which is
able to feed isolated loads or to be integrated in the network,
has to be considered. In order to reach these objectives, an en-
ergy buffer is needed for controlling the power flow between
the wind generator and the power grid [2]–[9]. In this paper, the
energy buffer is represented by a flywheel energy storage system
(FESS).
During the past decade, FESSs have been rediscovered by
the industry due to their advantages in comparison with other
energy storage systems. FESSs have thus found a specific appli-
cation in enhancing the electric power quality, as far as voltage
and frequency are kept within preset limits. By virtue of their
high dynamics, long lifetime, and good efficiency, FESSs are
well suited for short-term storage systems, which are generally
sufficient to improve the electric power quality [10]–[12].
In this paper, a low-speed FESS coupled to a variable-speed
wind generator (VSWG) is investigated. Fig. 1 provides a block
diagram of the VSWG–FESS assembly under study. By means
of power electronic converters, the energy generation and stor-
age systems can be coupled via a dc-link circuit. In such a con-
figuration, the FESS ensures the dc-link voltage control [3], [4],
thus contributing to the generation/consumption balance of en-
ergy. The power converter connected to the network can then
be concerned with the mains voltage and frequency control, and
the wind generator can contribute to the ancillary services.
The FESS contains an induction machine (IM) for which
the direct torque control (DTC) is proposed as an alternative
to the flux-oriented control (FOC) reported in [3]–[9]. Besides,
experimental results with an FESS coupled to a VSWG and
CIMUCA et al.: DESIGN AND CONTROL STRATEGIES OF AN INDUCTION-MACHINE-BASED FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM 527

Fig. 1. VSWG–FESS assembly under study.

Fig. 2. Flywheel geometry.

controlled by both techniques (FOC and DTC) are presented

further in this paper, emphasizing the advantages of the DTC.
In the proposed IM control strategy, the flux reference is
determined as a function of the IM electromagnetic torque. By
accounting for torque variations due to wind power fluctuations,
the flux reference enables to reduce IM iron losses, and thus,
increase the efficiency. It is to be noted that the DTC is achieved
under flux weakening, and the IM continuously shifts between
motor and generator operation modes.
The experimental results were obtained with a 3-kW labo-
ratory test bench for an IM-based FESS built at the Ecole des
Hautes Etudes d’Ingénieur (HEI) Lille, France. The test bench
emulates an FESS associated to a VSWG and generates electric
power into the laboratory power grid. It is fully described in [12]
and [15].
The next two sections deal with the flywheel design and the
control of the FESS. In Section IV, the choice of the filter con-
stant for the FESS supervisor is addressed. Section V presents
the IM DTC and FOC strategies. A method to increase the IM
efficiency is also discussed. Comparative simulation and exper-
imental results are then reported. Finally, Section VI makes a
comparison between energy-efficiency performances of FOC
and DTC.
II. FLYWHEEL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The mechanical part of the FESS is represented by the fly-
wheel itself. When designing a flywheel for an FESS, two con-
straints must be taken into account: 1) the maximum revolution
speed and 2) the energy-storage capacity.
Fig. 2 presents an ordinary flywheel with its geometrical pa-
rameters. The flywheel design must begin by choosing the inner
radius ri . It depends on the mechanical shaft, which must sup-
port the flywheel weight, ensure the coupling between the fly-
wheel and the electric machine, and bear the maximum torque
of the electric machine.
The highest revolution speed of the flywheel Ωfly is propor-
tional to the maximum speed of the electric machine Ωm ax by a
safety coefficient k (greater than unity)
Ωfly = kΩm ax . (1)
The outer radius ro of the flywheel can take any value from
the interval ri < ro ≤ rom ax with rom ax calculated as follows:

For dc-link voltage regulation, a proportional-integral (PI)
1 σadm
ro m ax = (2)
Ωfly ρ necessary to keep this voltage at its reference value Vdc ref . If
or, more accurately, as follows:

4σadm 1−µ 2
ro m ax = − r (3)
2
(3 + µ)ρΩfly 3+µ i
where σadm is the admissible stress of the flywheel material, ρ
is the flywheel density, and µ is the Poisson coefficient.
The inertia of the flywheel of Fig. 2 is expressed by
ρπh  4 
J= ro − ri4 . (4)
2
The thickness h of the flywheel is chosen as a function of the
maximum energy Em ax , which must be stored in it, and can be
calculated as follows:
4Em ax
h= . (5)
ρπΩ2m ax (ro4 − ri4 )
Other different approaches to flywheel design aspects are
given in [17]–[19].
III. CONTROL OF THE FESS
The wind generators are considered as negative charges for
the power grid, since they do not consume, but generate the
electric energy, without participating in the ancillary services.
The drawback of such generators is due to their primary energy
source: the wind. As well known, the wind speed is very fluc-
tuant, and therefore, the wind generator will deliver a variable
electric power. To overcome this drawback, following two main
alternatives are available: 1) acting on the mechanical system or
2) acting on the electric system. The first one is largely used in
the actual wind farm, and provides satisfactory results when the
wind generators are supplying a very strong grid. Nevertheless,
for a weak grid or an isolated load, this type of control is no
more useful. In such cases, a faster and better control must be
implemented on the wind systems.
This is the reason for choosing the second alternative for
the power regulation. An energy buffer is needed in order to
achieve a good power regulation [2]–[9]. Fig. 3 gives a graphical
explanation of the control strategy. The FESS has to accomplish
the following control tasks: 1) to regulate the dc-link voltage
and 2) to regulate the power flow on the grid or on an isolated
load.
voltage controller is used, and gives the value of the power ∆P
528 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENERGY CONVERSION, VOL. 25, NO. 2, JUNE 2010

speed Ωm ax , while the electric machine operates at rated power

Prat . For this case, the following expression can be written:
 
J Ω2m ax − Ω2b
τ Prat = (8)
2
where τ is the filter constant.
From (8), two expressions can be derived for the filter constant
and the flywheel inertia, respectively, which are as follows:
 
J Ω2m ax − Ω2b
τ= (9)
2Pnom

Fig. 3. Graphical representation of the FESS’ control strategy. 2τ Pnom

J= . (10)
(Ω2m ax − Ω2b )
It is obvious that the filter constant depends on the flywheel
inertia. Moreover, the rated power of the FESS must be related
to the filter constant. Greater the filter constant, larger Pref vari-
Fig. 4. Block diagram of the supervisor. ations are, thus more powerful electric machine is needed.

Preg is the power required from the FESS-VSWG assembly, and V. DTC AND FOC FOR THE FESS IM
Pwg is the active power generated by the VSWG, the reference A. DTC Principle
value of the active power exchanged between FESS and dc-link
circuit is determined as follows: In the DTC, IM torque and stator-flux amplitudes are con-
trolled by means of two independent hysteresis controllers (see
Pref = Preg − Pwg − ∆P. (6) Fig. 5), and the feedback signals (T ∗ and Ψ∗ ) are calculated
From (6), the IM reference torque can be computed as follows: from IM stator voltages and currents.
∗
The stator-flux space vector Ψ is obtained from the stator
Pref voltage equation
Tref = + BΩ + Ts (7)
Ω 
∗ ∗
where Ω is the flywheel speed, B is the viscous friction coeffi- Ψ = (V s − Rs I s )dt (11)
cient, and Ts is the load torque.
The Pref value must be limited at the IM-rated power, other- where Rs is the stator resistance, I s is the stator-current space
∗
wise, the torque reference can exceed the IM torque capability; vector. The stator-voltage space vector V s is computed using
moreover, by using the DTC in generator operation mode and the dc-link voltage Vdc and the inverter switch gating signals
flux-weakening region, the IM flux cannot be regulated and falls Sa , Sb , and Sc
to zero [9].
∗ 2Vdc
The IM used on the test bench has four pole pairs. The fly- Vs = (Sa + e2π j /3 Sb + e4π j /3 Sc ). (12)
wheel speed range is from 800 to 3000 r/min, the high-speed 3
limit being imposed by mechanical constraints. Hence, the IM The stator-current space vector is derived from the measured
must operate in the flux-weakening region over an extended currents ia , ib , and ic
flywheel speed range. 2
A fuzzy-logic-based supervisor imposes the value of the (ia + e2π j /3 ib + e4π j /3 ic )
Is = (13)
3
power delivered to the power grid, i.e., the value of Preg in
(6). The supervisor prevents the flywheel speed from reaching and the IM electromagnetic torque results from the dot product
∗
its upper limits and, depending on the supervisory method and of I s and Ψ :
the flywheel capacity, the power delivered to the grid is much 3p ∗
more smoothed than the wind-generated power. Fig. 4 shows the T∗ = (I s · jΨ ) (14)
2
diagram of this supervisor, whose description is given in [12]. where p is the IM pole-pair number.
The power converter can deliver only eight voltage vectors,
IV. CHOICE OF THE FILTER CONSTANT which are selected with reference to the flux sector and the
The aforementioned supervisor uses filtered values of the hysteresis controllers’ outputs. Fig. 6 shows the variations of the
generated power Pwgf as input. The choice of the filter constant stator flux corresponding to the first sector, and Table I provides
is of paramount importance for the FESS design, being related all the possible voltage-vector selections. The principle of the
to the flywheel capacity. This constant can be determined for two hysteresis controllers is presented in Fig. 7, and it can be
the highest charging (or discharging) rate of the FESS, i.e., the seen that the torque controller is a three-level comparator, while
flywheel is accelerated from the base speed Ωb to the maximum the flux controller is a two-level comparator.
CIMUCA et al.: DESIGN AND CONTROL STRATEGIES OF AN INDUCTION-MACHINE-BASED FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
Fig. 5. FESS control scheme using DTC for the IM.
Fig. 6. IM stator-flux variations in sector 1.
TABLE I
SELECTION OF THE VOLTAGE VECTORS IN THE BASIC DTC
The analog hysteresis controllers have the well-known dis-
advantage of a variable switching frequency. However, it can
be avoided by using discrete hysteresis controllers; in con-
trast with its analog counterpart, the discrete controller oper-
ates at fixed sampling time Ts , involving a constant switching
frequency [19]. Fig. 8 shows the operation mode of the discrete-
hysteresis torque controller.
B. FOC Principle
In the FOC, the d–q reference frame is locked to the rotor-flux
vector. Hence, the flux and torque can be separately controlled
529
Fig. 7. Hysteresis controllers for (a) torque and (b) flux.
Fig. 8. Operation of a discrete hysteresis controller.
by the stator direct-axis current id and the quadrature-axis cur-
rent iq , respectively (see Fig. 9).
The q-axis stator-current reference is computed from the
torque reference as follows:
Tref L∗r
iq ref = (15)
pM ∗ Ψref
where M ∗ and L∗r are the estimated mutual and rotor induc-
tances, respectively, and Ψref is the rotor-flux reference value.
The d-axis stator-current reference id ref is obtained using a
flux controller (see Fig. 9), and the rotor-flux position results
530 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENERGY CONVERSION, VOL. 25, NO. 2, JUNE 2010

Fig. 9. FESS control scheme using FOC for the IM.

from the rotor speed ωm and slip frequency ωsl where Tp.u. is the IM reference torque and Ψp.u. is the IM’s
 stator flux, both expressed in p.u. It should be noted that the
θr = (ωm + ωsl ) dt (16) stator-flux reference has a lower limit at 0.3 Wb; this is due to
the fact that when the IM flux is too small, the IM operation
and becomes unstable.
M ∗ Rr∗ iq ref Simulation and experimental results clearly showed that us-
ωsl = (17)
L∗r Ψref ing (19) for the stator-flux reference computation, a notable
improvement of the energy efficiency is obtained when the IM’s
where Rr∗ is the estimated rotor resistance.
load is much smaller than the rated load; however, if the IM’s
As readily seen, the aforementioned equations refer to a par-
load is closer to the rated load, the classical method of the flux
ticularly case of the FOC, i.e., the rotor flux-oriented control.
reference computation leads to better IM efficiency. By com-
bining the advantages of both methods, a real-time dynamic
C. Flux Reference Determination for the DTC
selection of the stator-flux reference was adopted
From (7), the torque reference of the IM is a function of
FESS’ reference power and flywheel speed. Ψref = kΨref 1 + (1 − k)Ψref 2 (20)
In the case of the classical DTC, the stator-flux reference is
computed as follows: where k = Tref Ω/PIM and PIM is the IM-rated power. Further
 in the paper, the DTC using (20) will be called “energy-efficient
Ψrat , if |Ω| ≤ Ωb
Ψref1 = Ωb (18) DTC” to distinguish it from the “classical DTC,” which uses
Ψrat , if |Ω| > Ωb (18).
|Ω|
Simulations were performed in MATLAB/Simulink environ-
where Ωb is the IM base speed and Ψrat is the IM-rated stator ment to validate the proposed method for computing the IM flux
flux. This strategy offers good results when the IM’s load is close reference. As the rated power of the IM is 3 kW, the simula-
to the rated load. However, as it can be seen from Fig. 3, the tions were performed for 11 different power values from 500 W
IM’s load is steadily changing, and the IM frequently operates to 3 kW, with a step of 250 W. Therefore, the IM operates
below its rated load. at constant power and accelerates the flywheel from 1500 to
If the IM is under-load, a smaller flux is sufficient for its 3000 r/min (charging mode). After reaching the speed of
operation; moreover, a smaller flux yields less core losses in 3000 r/min, the flywheel decelerates to 1500 r/min (discharging
the IM. Based on this observation, the following method for mode).
determining the stator-flux reference is proposed: In order to evaluate the FESS efficiency, simulations were
 Tp.u. performed for a charge/discharge cycle (CDC). By measuring

 Ψrat , if |Ω| ≤ Ωb
Ψp.u. the input/output energy, the FESS efficiency can be determined
Ψref2 = (19)

 Ψrat Ωb Tp.u. , if |Ω| > Ωb
for each CDC [8]. The FESS efficiency results obtained from
|Ω| Ψp.u. simulations are given in Fig. 10 and Table II.
CIMUCA et al.: DESIGN AND CONTROL STRATEGIES OF AN INDUCTION-MACHINE-BASED FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
Fig. 10. Simulation results of FESS efficiency for one CDC with IM operating
at constant power in flux-weakening region.
TABLE II
FESS EFFICIENCIES FOR ONE CDC—SIMULATION RESULTS
Fig. 11. FESS simulated energies when IM power is 500 W.
TABLE III
FESS EFFICIENCIES FOR ONE CDC—EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Simulation results in Fig. 11 reveal 18% efficiency improve-
ment in the case of energy-efficient DTC, for the IM power
operated at 500 W.
Experiments were carried out on the test bench in order to
check the simulation results. The same conditions were set, but
for IM power values ranging from 500 to 1750 W; this is because
the IM encounters a power step twice of reference power, when
the FESS is changing its operation modes, for example, if the
IM operates at 1750 W and the FESS shifts from the charging
mode to the discharging one, the IM power suddenly drops to
−1750 W; therefore, the IM must bear a 3.5-kW power shock,
which will cause notable dc-link voltage variations.
Table III and Fig. 12 provide experimental results for FESS
efficiency during one CDC, and Fig. 13 displays the measured
FESS energy outcome for IM operating at 500 W.
By comparing Figs. 10 and 12, it can be observed that 18%
efficiency improvement at 500 W is gained in both simulation
and experiment, thus validating the energy-efficient method for
stator-flux reference computation. Nevertheless, for higher IM
531
Fig. 12. Experimental results of FESS efficiency for one CDC with IM oper-
ating at constant power in flux-weakening region.
Fig. 13. FESS measured energies when IM power is 500 W.
powers, the FESS efficiency obtained through simulations is
greater than that resulting from experiments; this is due to the
simplifications adopted in the simulation model (e.g., core losses
were disregarded, albeit they increase with the stator-flux level).
Lastly, it should be noted that the IM always operates in
the flux-weakening region, at a speed ranging from 1500 to
3000 r/min.
D. Flux Reference Determination for the FOC
In the FOC case, the rotor-flux reference was computed from
the IM power equation as follows:
M
PIM ≈ Tem IM ΩIM = p Ψr d isq ΩIM (21)
Lr
where PIM is the IM output power, Tem IM is the IM electro-
magnetic torque, ΩIM is the IM mechanical speed, p is the
pole-pair number, M is the mutual inductance, Lr is the rotor
inductance, and Ψr d is the d-axis rotor-flux component. From
(21), the rotor-flux reference value can be calculated as follows:
PIM rat L∗r 1
Ψref (ΩIM ) = ∗
(22)
pM isq m ax ΩIM m es
where PIM rat is the IM rated power and ΩIM m es is the IM
measured speed. In (22), the IM parameters marked with asterisk
define the estimated parameters. The experimental results have
proven that PIM rat value has a notable influence on the FESS
efficiency [8].
VI. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Fig. 14 provides the wind speed, which was measured in the
northern part of France, where a wind farm was installed. These
wind speed values were used to control a wind turbine emulator
(WTE) that drives the VSWG [12].
532
Fig. 14. Wind speed.
Fig. 15. Speed of the wind generator, without FESS.
Fig. 16. Power delivered into the power grid, without FESS.
Fig. 17. (Continuous curve) Generated power and (pointed curve) delivered
power for the FOC case.
Fig. 15 provides the speed of the VSWG, which is similar to
the WTE speed, and Fig. 16 shows the power delivered by the
VSWG to the power grid. It can be seen from Fig. 16, that the
power grid receives a variable power. The aim of the FESS is to
smooth this power.
Figs. 17–22 present some experimental results obtained with
the two IM control methods. By comparing the powers delivered
to the grid (see Figs. 17 and 19) as well as the flywheel speeds
(see Figs. 18 and 20), better efficiency in the case of the DTC can
be observed; this can be partly attributed to the flux-reference
improved computation by means of (20).
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENERGY CONVERSION, VOL. 25, NO. 2, JUNE 2010
Fig. 18. Flywheel speed for the FOC case.
Fig. 19. (Continuous curve) Generated power and (pointed curve) delivered
power for the DTC case.
Fig. 20. Flywheel speed for the DTC case.
Fig. 21. DC-link voltage for the FOC.
Fig. 23 clearly emphasizes that, in the DTC case, more power
is delivered to the network, thus proving again that DTC could
be a better choice for controlling the IM of the FESS.
Moreover, the DTC needs a sample time of 125 µs when
using dSPACE control card, while the FOC needs 250 µs. The
difference is due to the fact that FOC method, being more com-
plex, needs additional time to make all the computations during
a sampling period, in contrast with the simpler DTC method
CIMUCA et al.: DESIGN AND CONTROL STRATEGIES OF AN INDUCTION-MACHINE-BASED FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
Fig. 22. DC-link voltage for the DTC case.
Fig. 23. Electric power delivered by the VSWG-FESS assembly into the
power grid for the two IM control methods.
requiring less computation. About 40 µs from both sample times
are used for implementing the supervision strategy.
Another aspect to be pointed out concerns the switching fre-
quency. It is well known that the FOC operates at constant
frequency, while the classical DTC operates with a variable fre-
quency. This apparent disadvantage of the DTC can be removed
by using discrete hysteresis controllers [9] and [13]. For the
experiments reported in this paper, the DTC has been operated
at 8 kHz, while the FOC at 9.5 kHz.
VII. CONCLUSION
Simulation and experimental results for an IM-based FESS
associated to a VSWG have been presented. Two IM control
strategies, i.e., DTC and FOC, have been implemented. It has
been emphasized that the DTC is a better choice for this kind
of application. An energy-efficient method to compute the IM
stator-flux reference value has been incorporated in the DTC,
and its effectiveness has been validated through simulations and
experiments.
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Gabriel Cimuca received the M.S. degree from the
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca,
Romania, in 2001, and the Ph.D. degree jointly from
the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and the
Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers de Lille,
Lille, France, in 2005, both in electrical engineering.
Between March 2006 and April 2007, he was
in the Powertrain Department, Siemens VDO Auto-
motive, Timisoara, Romania. Since April 2007, he
has been with the Powertrain Control Group, Renault
Technologie Roumanie, Bucharest, Romania. He is
author or coauthor of more than 15 technical papers and reports.
534
Stefan Breban (M’09) received the M.S. degree
from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-
Napoca, Romania, in 2005, and the Ph.D. degree
jointly from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers
de Lille, Lille, France, in 2008, both in electrical en-
gineering.
He is currently an Assistant Lecturer in the De-
partment of Electric Machines, Technical University
of Cluj-Napoca, where he is also a Researcher in the
Special Electric Machines and Light Electric Trac-
tion Group.
Mircea M. Radulescu (M’94–SM’99) received the
Dipl.Ing. (with Hons.) degree from the Technical Uni-
versity of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in
1978, and the Ph.D. degree from the Polytechnic Uni-
versity of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania, in 1993,
both in electrical engineering.
Since 1983, he has been with the Faculty of
Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-
Napoca, where he is currently a Full Professor in the
Department of Electric Machines and also the Head
of the Special Electric Machines and Light Electric
Traction Group. He was an Invited Professor at Helsinki University of Technol-
ogy, Espoo, Finland, in 1997, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule
Aachen, Aachen, Germany, in 1999, University of Akron, Akron, OH, in 1999
and 2001, the Université “Pierre et Marie Curie” (Paris VI), Paris, France, in
2002, Université de Picardie “Jules Verne” Amiens, France, in 2003, and Ecole
Centrale de Lille, Lille, France, in 2006, 2007, and 2008. He is an Associate Ed-
itor of the international scientific quarterly Electromotion. He is author or coau-
thor of more than 100 published scientific papers in refereed technical journals
and international conference and symposium proceedings. His research interests
include computer-aided design of electromechanical devices, field analysis of
electromagnetic structures, design and control of small electric motors, actua-
tors and mechatronic drives, light electric traction systems.
Prof. Radulescu is a member of the International Steering Committee of sev-
eral conferences and symposia in the field of electric motor drives and electric
traction. His biography is listed in several editions of “Who’s Who in the World”
and “Who’s Who in Science and Engineering.”
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENERGY CONVERSION, VOL. 25, NO. 2, JUNE 2010
Christophe Saudemont received the Ph.D. degree
in electrical engineering from the Université des Sci-
ences et Technologies de Lille, Lille, France, in 1999.
Since 2001, he has been in the Electrical En-
gineering Department, Ecole des Hautes Etudes
d’Ingenieur, Lille. Since 2002, he has also been a
Researcher with the Laboratoire d’Electrotechnique
et d’Electronique de Puissance de Lille, Lille. His
current research interests include the renewable en-
ergies, decentralized electric energy production, and
integration of dispersed renewable energy sources.
Dr. Saudemont is a member of the Société Française des Electriciens et des
Electroniciens.
Benoit Robyns (M’96) received the Ingénieur Civil
Electricien and Docteur en Sciences Appliquées
degrees from the Université Catholique de Lou-
vain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, in 1987 and 1993,
respectively, and the Habilitation à Diriger des
Recherches degree from the Université des Sciences
et Technologies de Lille, Lille, France, in 2000.
From 1988 to 1995, he was an Assistant in the Lab-
oratory of Electrotechnics and Instrumentation, Fac-
ulty of Applied Sciences, Université Catholique de
Louvain. Since 1995, he has been with the Ecole des
Hautes Etudes d’Ingénieur, Lille, where he is currently the Director of Research.
Since 1998, he has been a Researcher in the Laboratoire d’Electrotechnique et
d’Electronique de Puissance de Lille, Lille, and is currently the Head of the
Electrical Networks and Power Systems research team. He is the author or
coauthor of more than 150 papers and one book in the fields of digital control
of electric machines, renewable energies, and distributed generation.
Prof. Robyns is a member of the Société Française des Electriciens et des
Electroniciens, the Société Royale Belge des Electriciens, and the European
Power Electronics Association.