Modeling and control co-design of a standalone wind-powered pumping system for sustainable off-grid irrigation applications

Abstract The integration of renewable energy sources into irrigation systems offers a promising pathway toward sustainable agriculture while contributing significantly to the water–energy nexus. This study focuses on developing a standalone wind-powered water pumping system designed for off-grid and rural irrigation applications. The proposed system primarily employs a centrifugal water pump mechanically driven by a wind turbine through a continuously variable transmission. The system development involves the optimal design of key parameters using a control co-design approach. By simultaneously optimizing both design and control parameters, this engineering approach enhances overall system performance under variable wind speeds and variable pumping requirements. A mathematical model of the system is developed and evaluated in a simulation environment under various operating scenarios. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the control co-design approach in improving system performance and demonstrate the capability of the optimized system to meet the desired operational objectives. Consequently, the developed system represents a viable and sustainable candidate for irrigation in rural areas with sufficient wind energy potential.