System Configuration Research Articles

Data-driven study/optimization of a solar power and cooling generation system in a transient operation mode and proposing a novel multi-turbine modification concept to reduce the sun's intermittent effect

This study explores the integration of solar energy via parabolic trough collectors (PTC) with the Goswami cycle, focusing on evaluating life cycle costs (LCC) and energy performance in both steady-state and transient conditions. A suitable system configuration of a single-turbine Goswami cycle is designed for integration with PTC. Then, in the system's steady-state, a parametric study is performed based on the change in the design components. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimization method using energy and lifetime cost objectives are defined to identify the best system performance. This optimization technique utilizes artificial neural network (ANN) and the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm. Accordingly, the transient performance of the system is investigated during its optimal operating point using the TRNSYS software. Suitable controllers are considered for regulating power production and cooling system. Annual transient performance graphs of the systems are obtained. Following these investigations, a novel multi-turbine system is proposed. This configuration aims to enhance system reliability and diminish the reliance on storage devices by optimizing performance. The proper configuration of the five-turbine system with the required controllers is also provided. Hence, the method of dividing the turbine into similar turbines with lower capacity is a new concept proposed in this study. In the optimal state, it is observed that for 100 kW of net power output, 161 kW of effective cooling load can be achieved. At this configuration, the system's LCC amounts to 2.91 M. Moreover, during transient operation, an average power of 90 kW is attainable with a cooling load of 120 kW. The findings indicate that modifying the system from single turbine to five-turbines incurs an additional cost of approximately 9.2 % and reduces power output by 6 %. However, this modification significantly mitigates the transient impact of solar fluctuations.

Blockchain Technology Communication Technology Model for the IoT

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT), effective communication and security are paramount. Blockchain technology offers a transformative solution by providing a decentralized, transparent, and immutable ledger for managing and securing IoT interactions. By leveraging blockchain, IoT systems can enhance data integrity, improve trustworthiness, and streamline communication processes. This paper investigates the integration of blockchain technology within the SYMHIOT framework, focusing on the performance evaluation of various scenarios using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to manage IoT networks. The study analyzes key metrics such as transaction success rate, blockchain latency, energy consumption, packet delivery ratio (PDR), and throughput across multiple scenarios and time intervals. The results demonstrate that State 1 consistently yields optimal performance, with an average transaction success rate of 94.0%, blockchain latency as low as 115 ms, and energy consumption of 0.42 J. In contrast, State 3 exhibited the most challenging conditions, with a transaction success rate dropping to 85.3%, latency increasing to 140 ms, and energy consumption rising to 0.52 J. The highest packet delivery ratio of 99.0% and throughput of 260 kbps were also observed in State 1. Scenario 4, representing an optimized system configuration, achieved the best overall performance with minimal network delay (9.7 ms) and the lowest blockchain overhead (12.9%). These findings underscore the potential of leveraging blockchain in IoT environments, offering enhanced security, reduced latency, and improved resource efficiency, making it a robust solution for dynamic and resourceconstrained IoT networks.

A hierarchical k-out-of-n optimization model for enhancing reliability of fire alarm systems

Fire alarm systems are crucial for mitigating the risks and damages associated with fires in process industries. These systems heavily depend on the performance of fire detection sensors to provide early detection and warnings, facilitating prompt evacuation and intervention measures. In order to improve the reliability of sensor systems typically requires the use of redundancy allocation techniques, such as a k-out-of-n configuration. In k-out-of-n configuration, the signals from all sensors are directed to a voter, which compares them and transmits a final signal once at least k signals are matched. However, challenges arise due to diverse failure modes with distinct impacts on the system. Integrating sensors through a single-layer k-out-of-n configuration, when there is only one voter, fails to fully highlight the potential advantages of redundancy in sensor systems. This paper addresses the limitations of the conventional configurations by introducing a hierarchical k-out-of-n system in which sensors can be integrated across multiple layers. In the k-out-of-n hierarchical system, sensors are organized into distinct groups, each employing its own k-out-of-n sub-system. Subsequently, the outputs of these sensor groups can be integrated with other groups through their respective voters in higher layers of the hierarchy. Ultimately, at the top layer, all the voters from the preceding layers must be connected to a top voter to transmit a final signal. Furthermore, an optimization model is developed to minimize the system cost while maximizing reliability, considering the best selection of sensors and the system configuration. The proposed optimization model takes into account a multi-sensor system with two competing failure modes and incorporates the probability of sensors' failure modes in the system. The hierarchical k-out-of-n system provides an opportunity to validate sensors by comparing them within their designated groups, allowing for the identification of the location of a failure and the planning of appropriate actions accordingly. The proposed optimization model is applied to a case of a fire detection system in storage warehouse to demonstrate its advantages over the conventional model.

A novel multi-objective decision-making model to determine optimum resource and capacity configuration for hybrid electricity generation systems: A comparative case study in Türkiye

The rapid depletion of fossil fuels, their negative environmental impacts due to harmful carbon emissions, and the drawbacks of the sole use of intermittent renewable energy resources on system reliability necessitate the use of more advanced energy system technologies. As a result, hybrid electricity generation systems offer an innovative alternative to conventional energy systems. However, the technical complexity and variability of these systems require the application of multi-objective optimization techniques to determine the optimal sizing and system design. Therefore, in this study, we suggest a multi-objective decision-making (MODM) model that involves five conflicting objectives to find the optimal resource configuration and auxiliary source capacity allocation within the framework of the multi-source electricity production method in Türkiye. The MODM model aims to maximize the utilization of resource potentials and the jobs created, while simultaneously minimizing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), construction duration, and carbon emissions. The MODM model was solved using fmincon and fgoalattain multi-objective optimization algorithms using the Goal Attainment Method in MATLAB and the model results were subsequently compared to the real-world data. According to the model results, the optimal capacity to be allocated for the auxiliary source units is 13,749.58 MWm, while the capacity allocated according to the real-world data as of March 2024 is 2495.49 MWm. In contrast to the model's prediction of 90.8 % solar-based auxiliary unit installations, 99.8 % of auxiliary units are based on solar PV in the actual case. Furthermore, hydro or geothermal-based auxiliary sources are not allocated any capacity, which is consistent with the actual situation. The capacity allocated for the wind (primary source) + solar (auxiliary source) configuration is 76.2 %, whereas in reality, it accounts for 65.6 % of the total installations. Consequently, the model findings suggest that the maximum capacity allocation is for the wind (primary source) + solar (auxiliary source) type hybrid electricity generation system.

Bed, ridge and planting configurations influence crop performance in field-transplanted hybrid potato crops

Current cultivation practices for field transplanted potato crops grown from nursery-raised hybrid potato seedlings are mostly borrowed from the tuber-based conventional system. Most studies on field performance of field transplanted seedling crops have largely reported the use of ridged rows and in exceptional cases, the use of beds. It is therefore critical to assess the feasibility of the use of alternative ridge or bed systems for cultivation of field-transplanted nursery-raised potato seedlings considering the differences in physiological behaviour of crops grown from different starting materials. This study assessed the effects of six systems which included bed and ridge systems of different dimensions and planting configurations for field transplanted seedling crops. Field crop establishment, canopy growth and development as well as yield and yield components were assessed. In general, systems that boasted high plant densities resulted in faster canopy development and higher number of tubers and tuber yield. Bed systems (raised and flat beds; 8.0 plants m−2) therefore gave the highest numbers of tubers and tuber yield across all treatments. These systems also produced the most tubers in all tuber size classes resulting in the highest yields in all classes. Standard ridge systems (full- and half ridges; 0.75 m row distance), had the lowest plant populations (5.3 plants m−2) which resulted almost always in fewer tubers and lower yield. Other ridge systems (0.9-m and 0.5-m ridge systems), although having higher plant densities than the standard ridge systems (8.9 and 8.0 plants m−2, respectively) still performed poorer than the bed systems. The small and compact ridges in the 0.5-m ridge system and the compact arrangement of plants in the 0.9-m ridge system caused these effects. Conclusively, based on this study, productivity in field transplanting systems is highly influenced by plant density. Further, cultivation systems boasting higher planting densities should be recommended when the goal for production is to produce large quantities of seed tubers (> 35; ≤ 50 mm).

The Role of Apttus CPQ in Modern CRM Systems: Implementation Challenges and Solutions

The advent of Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solutions has significantly transformed the landscape of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, enhancing their ability to streamline sales processes, improve accuracy, and boost overall efficiency. Apttus CPQ, a prominent player in the CPQ market, offers a robust solution that integrates seamlessly with modern CRM systems to address complex pricing and quoting challenges. This research paper explores the role of Apttus CPQ in contemporary CRM environments, focusing on its implementation challenges and potential solutions. Apttus CPQ provides an advanced framework for managing product configurations, pricing strategies, and quote generation processes. By automating these critical aspects, Apttus CPQ aims to reduce manual errors, accelerate sales cycles, and improve the accuracy of quotes. Its integration with CRM systems, such as Salesforce, leverages existing customer data to generate accurate and customized quotes, enhancing the overall sales experience. However, despite its advanced capabilities, the implementation of Apttus CPQ presents several challenges that organizations must navigate.

Generation of second-order sidebands and slow–fast light in cavity magnomechanics with a parametric amplifier

In this work, we theoretically investigate the optical second-order sideband (OSS) efficiency and group delay of an output probe field in a two-coupled cavity magnomechanics (CMM) system. The setup comprises a gain (active) cavity and a passive (loss) cavity, which simultaneously includes an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) and a yttrium iron garnet sphere to facilitate magnon–photon coupling. Employing experimentally attainable parameters, we show that the presence of an OPA can significantly enhance the optical transmission rate and OSS efficiency. We show that photon–magnon strong coupling can enhance OSS efficiency substantially when compared to weak photon–magnon coupling. Our results, in particular, show that the OSS’s efficiency may be significantly improved for active–passive-coupled cavities as compared to the passive–passive cavities system. Furthermore, we demonstrate that modifying the system configurations may change the group delay, affecting the transition from rapid to slow light propagation, and vice versa. Our results provide a novel and easy approach to designing CMM devices for altering light propagation, with possible applications including optical switching, information storage, and accurate measurement of weak signals.

Bracing systems for three-ribbed arch bridges against out-of-plane buckling

This paper is concerned with the design of bracing systems for three-ribbed parabolic arch bridges against out-of-plane buckling. Typical bracing systems for the three-ribbed arch bridges include K-bracing system and X-bracing system as well as transverse bracing system. The buckling criterion of the braced funicular three-ribbed arch bridge is derived from an exact matrix stiffness method (MSM) with a 14 × 14 s-order element stiffness matrix of three-dimensional beam-column elements that allows for torsional and warping deformations. The lateral torsional buckling load and mode are given by the lowest eigenvalue and eigenvector associated with the assembled structural stability stiffness matrix. A comparison study between different bracing system configurations suggests that the three-ribbed arches with the integral K- or X-bracing system (a K/X-bracing across the three arch ribs) have lower lateral torsional buckling loads than their arch counterparts with the independent K- or X-bracing system (the adjacent arch ribs are connected by K/X-bracing respectively), because the latter ones could provide more restraint on the middle arch rib to avoid early lateral torsional instability. Further, a bracing utilization efficiency index (defined as the normalized buckling capacity over material usage for bracing system) is proposed to quantify the effect of bracing systems in improving the lateral torsional buckling capacity of arch bridges. Highly efficient bracing systems that maximize the lateral torsional buckling load of three-ribbed arch structures with the lowest bracing material usage are then recommended.

Construction of SuperKEKB vacuum control system and its eight years operation experience

SuperKEKB has two main rings (MRs), namely low- and high-energy rings, with circumferences of 3 km; beam transport (BT) lines; and a positron damping ring (PDR). We upgraded the MRs and BT line vacuum control systems and designed a new PDR vacuum control system for upgrading KEKB to SuperKEKB.Here, we describe the basic configuration of the vacuum control system, which includes the interlock logic (gate valve open/closed control, non-evaporable getter pump activation, and beam abortion). We subsequently present the collimator driving system and the cooling water control system for the beam pipe of the final focusing superconducting quadrupole magnet as examples of special SuperKEKB vacuum control systems. Examples of problems in the SuperKEKB vacuum control system, including the discharge at the high-voltage connector of the ion pump, stoppage of the cooling water pump for the vacuum system, and failure of the collimator position measurement device are described.

Distributed photovoltaic supportability consumption method considering energy storage configuration mode and random events

In order to improve the control capability of distributed photovoltaic support, a distributed photovoltaic support consumption method based on energy storage configuration mode and random events is proposed. A networked and constrained parameter analysis model for distributed photovoltaic power supply control was constructed. Based on the direct flexible mode of optical storage, an AC/DC voltage level control model for distributed solar power supply control was constructed. In the operation mode of DC hybrid distribution network, the demand response tracking identification method was used to analyze the uncertain characteristic parameters of distributed solar power supply load, and combined with the planned energy storage capacity parameters, the distributed solar power supply load and photovoltaic output were estimated. By configuring the optimal energy storage capacity, adjusting the power distribution of the microgrid, and integrating the analysis of uncertain factors and random events in the energy storage configuration mode, the design of distributed photovoltaic support consumption has been achieved. The experimental results show that the distributed photovoltaic absorption control using this method has lower load requirements, can effectively reduce the exchange power of the interconnection line, and improve the configuration scale, system reliability, and economy of the photovoltaic energy storage system.

U-control – a universal platform for control system design with inversion/cancellation of nonlinearity, dynamic and coupling through model-based to model-free procedures

This paper presents the key components in the Universal(U)-control framework for designing dynamic control systems from model-based to model-free paradigms, in which the pillars include U-control system configuration, open-loop dynamic inversion, closed-loop dynamic inversion, general model-free cancellation of nonlinear-dynamic-coupling effect, model-free-sliding-mode control (MFSMC) and model-free composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) control. This paper is devoted to delivering intuitive and easy-to-understand explanations for the involved approaches with a series of schematic diagrams. Readers can refer to the corresponding publications for more details on the theoretical analyses. In addition, some showcase examples are provided in this paper to facilitate the understanding of certain important concepts.

Large-scale energy cost optimization and performance analysis for dedicated outdoor air system: simulation results from ASHRAE RP-1865

This is the first journal article from the ASHRAE research project RP 1865, “Optimizing Supply Air Temperature Control for Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems,” focusing on the large-scale energy performance evaluation of the optimal control of dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS). DOAS is a type of air handling system that is installed in buildings to ensure proper ventilation for the built environment. It is acknowledged that DOAS with proper operation strategies can provide sufficient ventilation and dehumidification while achieving energy efficiency. In this regard, there have been efforts to develop advanced control sequences (e.g., optimal control) for DOAS. Still, limited studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of such DOAS controls on a larger scale under varying climate zones with different DOAS configurations. To fill the research gap, this study aims to quantify the energy-saving potentials of applying an optimal supply air temperature (SAT) control strategy for DOAS considering diverse configurations of HVAC systems in various climate conditions across the United States. For this study, we first developed a total of 180 EnergyPlus models accommodating different types of buildings (i.e., detailed medium-sized office and primary school) and HVAC systems (i.e., DOAS types, DOAS sizes, and terminal units) under varying ASHRAE climate zones (i.e., 2A, 3B, 4A, 4C, 6A, and 6B). Next, genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimizations were conducted to determine the optimal DOAS SAT control that would minimize the energy cost of the entire HVAC system operation. Our study of comparing the optimal control to a typical rule-based control (i.e., outdoor air temperature-based reset control) revealed approximately 4–34% of energy cost saving potential by optimizing the DOAS SAT control sequence.

A hybrid intelligent system for protection of transmission lines connected to PV farms based on linear trends

Conventional relays face challenges for transmission lines connected to inverter-based resources (IBRs). In this article, a single-ended intelligent protection of the transmission line in the zone between the grid and the PV farm is suggested. The method employs a fuzzy logic and random forest (RF)-based hybrid system to detect faults based on combined linear trend attributes of the 3-phase currents. The fault location is determined and the faulty phase is detected. RF feature selection is used to obtain the optimal linear trend feature. The performance of the methodology is examined for abnormal events such as faults, capacitor and load-switching operations simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC on IEEE 9-bus system obtained by varying various fault and switching parameters. Additionally, when validating the suggested strategy, consideration is given to the effects of conditions such as the presence of double circuit lines, PV capacity, sampling rate, data window length, noise, high impedance faults, CT saturation, compensation devices, evolving and cross-country faults, and far-end and near-end faults. The findings indicate that the suggested strategy can be used to deal with a variety of system configurations and situations while still safeguarding such complex power transmission networks.

Modelling energy consumption in a Paris supermarket to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions using EnergyPlus

New refrigeration system configurations and other innovating technologies in retail supermarkets need to be considered to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. In supermarkets, there is a strong interaction between the refrigerated display cases, supermarket structure, internal machinery, customers, and the store's HVAC system. The impact of these interactions on the energy and carbon emissions of a medium sized supermarket in Paris was modelled using EnergyPlus™. The results were calibrated against a typical UK store and validated against the Paris store. The effects of applying the technologies identified to have the greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions (changing the refrigerant to R-744, switching from gas to electrical heating and adding doors to chilled cabinets) were modelled. The impact of climate change on ambient temperature and the impact of changes to the grid conversion factor were predicted for the store in Paris from 2020 to 2050.

Design and optimization of power conversion system for a steady state CFETR power plant

A promising magnetic fusion steady state reactor is Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR) and a different power conversion system is required than tokamak reactor. The control and utilization of high outlet temperature and thermal power generated by the fusion reactor efficiently are the main challenges in the field of thermo-fusion technology. An efficient and optimized power conversion system is an urge for the thermo-fusion energy system with a candidate working fluid under high temperature and pressure. Five cycle topologies based on the Brayton cycle have been designed such as multi stage expansion and recompression cycle with intercooling, recompression cycle with intercooling, partial expansion with multistage compression, partial expansion and partial recompression with cooling across range of turbine and compressor inlet temperatures. Brayton cycle with different system configurations have been simulated with He-gas and supercritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to conceive high outlet temperature of CFETR about 500 °C and thermal power of 200 MWth for better thermal performance by using REFPROP, EES and analytical model has been developed with MATLAB. The supercritical CO2 has better thermal performance about 36.18 % as compared to He-gas has 29.81 % under same thermal conditions. The Schematic-I with addition of preheat and recompression enhance the thermal performance about 2 % and has been proposed for CFETR. The effect of change in pressure of the system, effect of the working fluid, isentropic efficiency, heat rate and back to work ratio on the thermal performance and network output have been analyzed and optimized based on analytical model with the MATLAB. The system net power is increased from 69.20 MW to 79.71 MW, heat rejected by the system is decreased from 134.46 MW to 127.06 MW and thermal performance is increased about 34.62 %–39.85 % with pressure from 24 MPa to 28 MPa. Using multi stage expansion and recompression cycle with intercooling instead of other topologies can improve the thermal performance up to 6.1 % depends upon the operation conditions and working fluid. The heat rate of the system decreased while back work ratio increased with the pressure and it reveal that calculations are correct.

Thermodynamic analysis and multi-objective optimization of different gas turbine configuration strategies for an atmospheric SOFC system

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) play a critical role as a key technological component in the utilization of hydrogen energy. Extensive research has been conducted on pressurized SOFC hybrid systems, focusing on performance enhancement and novel system configurations, etc. However, the planar SOFC suitable for commercial application exists limitations that confine its operation solely to atmospheric pressure. Moreover, SOFC exhaust contained considerable potential for energy recovery. In light of these limitations, two hybrid power generation systems of SOFC and GT have been proposed: direct and indirect utilization of SOFC cycle exhaust. Parameter and exergy analysis has been conducted to investigate the characteristic of SOFC-GT system. Multi-objective optimization is performed by setting exergy efficiency and output power as objective. The results reveal that the combustion process contributes significantly to system losses, with exergy efficiency reaching a maximum of 49.48% and 41.61%, respectively. Additionally, the system's maximum output power reaches 92 kW. Notably, the indirect SOFC-GT system demonstrates an 8% increase in exergy efficiency compared to the direct SOFC-GT system at the same output power. To improve the overall system fire efficiency, it is recommended to develop planar SOFCs suitable for high pressure and slow down the reaction process inside the combustion chamber.

Robust Sequence Design Space for the Isothermal Exponential Amplification of Short Oligonucleotides.

Advances in isothermal amplification techniques have accelerated development in biosensing applications and the design of complex molecular devices. The exponential amplification reaction technique, or EXPAR, is uniquely positioned to process molecular information from short oligonucleotide strands (≈10nucleotides length) typically encountered in molecular computing or microRNA detection. Despite its conceptual simplicity (requiring only a template strand and two enzymes), the issue of nonspecific background amplification has hindered broader adoption. In this work, a new system configuration is established at 37 °C to achieve significantly improved performance. Critical sequence motifs responsible for the excellent signal-to-background profile are identified and generalized as a universal adapter design framework. Orthogonal template sequences generated from the framework are implemented for a triplex reaction and successfully evaluated mixtures of multiple-target inputs in a single-step, one-pot format without the need for exogenous agents.

Multi-objective optimization of combined heat and power system integrated with multi-energy storage systems for rural communities

Renewable-based combined heat and power system (CHPS) benefit communities by enhancing energy resilience and reducing energy costs and emissions. Considering its reliability issues, previous studies integrated two or more energy sources or employed energy storage systems, compromising emission reduction or imposing an economic burden. To address this challenge, this study introduces three energy system schemes (ESSs) based on renewable, non-renewable, and hybrid energy resources. Each ESS includes various feasible configurations integrated with energy storage systems, such as batteries and hydrogen, resulting in 22 configurations modeled, optimized, and systematically investigated using HOMER software, considering energy-economic-environmental (3E) criteria to select the optimal system configuration (OSC). The introduced CHPS configurations are presented in a practical case study of a remote community in Pakistan. Results showcased that OSC belongs to a hybrid ESS with the following characteristics: (a) COE (0.127 $/kWh) and NPC (0.192 M$) are minimum among other configurations, (b) capacity shortage and unmet electric load are 0.21 % and 0.14 %, and (c) CO2 is reduced by 67.49 % compared to the base case. Furthermore, the 3E effect of adding a thermal load controller and batteries to the OSC is explored. The 3E results are inclusively compared with the existing literature, revealing that OSC is economical, reliable, and eco-friendly.

Feasibility Study on MHEV Application for Motorbikes: Components Sizing, Strategy Optimization through Dynamic Programming and Analysis of Possible Benefits

Reducing CO2 emissions is becoming a particularly important goal for motorcycle manufacturers. A fully electric transition still seems far away, given the difficulties in creating an electric motorcycle with an acceptable range and mass. This opens up opportunities for the application of hybrid powertrains in motorcycles. Managing mass, cost, and volume is a challenging issue for motorcycles; therefore, an MHEV architecture represents an interesting opportunity, as it is a low-complexity and low-cost solution. Firstly, in this work, an adequate sizing of the powertrain components is studied for the maximum reduction in fuel consumption. This is performed by analyzing many different system configurations with different hybridization ratios. A 1D simulation of the motorcycle traveling along the homologation cycle (WMTC) is performed, and the powerunit use strategy is optimized for each configuration using the Dynamic Programming technique. The results are analyzed in order to highlight the impact of kinetic energy recovery and engine load-point shifting on fuel consumption reduction. The results show the applicability of MHEV technology to road motorcycles, thus providing a useful tool to analyze the cost/benefit ratio of this technology. The developed methodology is also suitable for different vehicles once a specific test cycle is known.

Capacitor voltage balancing, capacitance monitoring, and fast fault detection in a nested neutral point clamped (NNPC) converter with the reduced number of sensors

In multilevel converters (MCs), system components such as capacitors and semiconductor switches are very susceptible to damage. Furthermore, utilizing voltage sensors to balance capacitor voltages increases the system's cost and complexity while decreasing reliability. This paper presents methods for voltage balancing of capacitors, capacitance monitoring and open-circuit fault detection in nested neutral point-clamped (NNPC) converter with a reduced number of voltage and current sensors. In the proposed method, converter capacitors' voltage and current sensors are eliminated, and only the output sensors are employed to control the converter. In order to balance the voltage of capacitors, their voltages are estimated in three cases without using individual sensors. Comparing the capacitors' measured and estimated voltage change ratios is used to assess their health in the monitoring method. Thus, the capacitors' status can be checked by considering the system's health indicator during each period. Furthermore, the open-circuit fault detection method can identify defective switches within one processing cycle by comparing the converter's measured and standard output voltages in all switching states. The proposed methods have been evaluated in an experimental study of the system, and the results confirmed the effectiveness of the methods based on the new system configuration.© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.