A Survey of Cyber-Physical Advances and Challenges of Wind Energy Conversion Systems: Prospects for Internet of Energy

Abstract

Wind energy has the biggest market share of renewable energy around the world. High growth and development rates of wind energy lead to a massive increase in complexity and scale of wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). Therefore, it is required to upgrade methods and strategies for design and implementation of WECS. Considering WECS as cyber-physical systems (CPSs) will enable wind energy for the Internet of Energy (IoE). IoE is a cloud network where power sources with embedded and distributed intelligence are interfaced to smart grid and mass of consumption devices like smart buildings, appliances, and electric vehicles. Research trends of CPS for energy applications are mainly focusing on smart grids and energy systems for demand-side management and smart buildings with less attention given to generation systems. This paper introduces potentials of cyber-physical (CP) integration of next-generation WECS. In addition, this paper surveys the advances and state-of-the-art technologies that enable WECS for IoE. Challenges and new requirements of future WECS as CPS like abstractions, networking, control, safety, security, sustainability, and social components are discussed.