In this paper, different types of synergetic controllers (SCs), such as simple SC, piecewise linear function form of SC, linear synergetic controller, improved synergetic controller with terminal SC, and fast terminal SC have been designed and applied to an islanded DC microgrid. To be able to make the design of the controllers independent from system component values, a generalized mathematical method has been derived for all power electronics-based subsystems of the microgrid system. A small-scale DC microgrid has been designed and implemented to verify experimentally the robustness of the control law from the different synergetic controllers. Moreover, a generalized synergetic controller design approach has been derived in this paper for the islanded DC microgrids. The obtained results from both simulation and experiment tests have been compared and included in this paper. It is concluded that definition of macro variables is affecting robustness and tracking performance of the designed controllers.

The integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) is a strategic goal in Saudi Arabia. The energy source diversification plan comprises the penetration of various technologies, including solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy. In this research, an optimal microgrid system design is proposed and analyzed at the Islamic University of Madinah. The research intends to facilitate the decision-making process in the incorporation of RESs in Saudi universities. A pilot project has been established at the Faculty of Engineering and the measured load profile has been incorporated. Three alternatives are investigated, and their technical and economic performance is determined (i.e., PV system, wind system, and hybrid system). To enhance the accuracy of the simulated models, on-the-ground weather data have been utilized to formulate a typical meteorological year profile. The results demonstrate that a PV system of 1.5 MW installed capacity can cover up to 3.03% of the university’s annual electrical consumption, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.051 USD/kWh. The PV alternative can generate annual energy of 2.68 GWh with a capacity factor of 20.2% and a simple payback period of 18.6 years. The wind energy system has a capacity factor of 1.1 MW and yields a higher ratio of energy production to installed capacity, owing to a higher capacity factor at 29.5%, and annual energy of 2.71 GWh. However, due to the higher initial cost and insufficiency of wind resources at the proposed location, this wind energy alternative results in higher LCOE at 0.064 USD/kWh and a simple payback period of 23.6 years. The hybrid alternative facilitates the integration of diverse RESs. It has a capacity factor of 1.37 MW, leading to an annual generation of 3.27 GWh and a renewable fraction of 3.7%. The LCOE of the hybrid option is determined to be 0.061 USD/kWh and the simple payback period at 20.7 years. All alternatives help in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitric oxide (NOx) between 0.11 million kg and 54.6 million kg annually. Each of the systems can provide opportunities at the technical, economic, and environmental levels. The implications of this research facilitate Saudi universities in supporting the integration of RESs, considering the strategic goals of Saudi Arabia.

Climate change and natural resource depletion are likely to affect the future economic development of a country. The generation of power from oil and gas is among the major causes of reserves depletion and global warming. However, renewable energy is also deemed a clean and green choice for power generation to promote sustainability in engineering. The coastal lines of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are widely extended, and wind energy appears to be a viable alternative to traditional sources, which needs to be investigated as it is highly desirable to seek energy from renewable energy sources, for instance, wind. This paper is aimed at addressing the wind energy potential along the Red Sea coast of KSA. Afterward, a suitable wind turbine based upon careful structural analysis has been proposed, which would form a basis, especially during the machine selection and design phases. For this purpose, seven different sites located along the coastal line, namely: Al Wajh, Umluj, Yanbu, Rabigh, Jeddah, Haddad, and Gizan, were initially selected to assess the wind energy availability. After that, a suitable turbine is recommended for yielding maximum output. It has been found from the reconnaissance that Al Wajh has sufficient land availability that receives high perennial wind speed, alongside shallow offshore water depth for monopile installation. Hence, this site is recommended for the development of a wind farm. Furthermore, turbines need to be installed at the height of almost 100 m to produce maximum energy to appropriately utilize the available indigenous wind energy. It is pertinent to mention that the superstructure of the turbines is designed based on the local loading conditions (wind, currents, waves, etc.) of the Al Wajh region. Also, the monopile substructures are proposed in the selected area in accordance with the available bathymetry.

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