Preface to Volume 1 Issue No. 3

Excerpt

In issue no. 3 emphasis is given again in robotic and electric power systems. Actually, in the area of autonomous robotic systems two significant control methods are presented. The first one is a nonlinear control approach for the steering of autonomous vehicles which is based on local linearization of the vehicle’s dynamic or kinematic model and on the application of H-infinity control on the linearized equivalent model of the system. The second one is an adaptive control approach for autonomous vessels and submersibles which is based on global linearization of the vessel’s dynamics with the use of differential flatness theory and on the development of an adaptive control scheme which assures stability without any need for prior knowledge of the system’s dynamics. Moreover, in the area of electric power systems the issue provides significant results on optimal allocation and use of power storage devices in microgrids and on improved power management in buildings and in residences. Besides, it analyzes methods for the dynamic trading of electric power within an open energy market and under the presence of multiple energy providers. The trading of electric power takes place between distributed power suppliers on the one side and residential/industrial customers and owners of electric vehicles on the other side. It is shown how a balance in the electricity market can be reached through dynamic auction procedures. …