Enhancing Energy Efficiency through Predictive and Direct Torque Control: An Experimental Study on Induction Motor Drives

Abstract

This study presents an experimental comparison between Direct Torque Control (DTC) and Finite Control Set–Predictive Torque Control (FCS-PTC) for a three-phase induction motor (IM) drive, emphasizing their implications for energy efficiency and sustainable industrial operation. Both control methods aim to regulate torque and stator flux yet differ in voltage-vector (VV) selection principles. DTC employs a fixed look-up table with hysteresis controllers, while FCS-PTC evaluates all inverter states through a cost-function-based prediction. Experimental implementation using a dSPACE DS1104 platform was carried out at three operating speeds—286 r/min, 764 r/min, and 1432 r/min—to quantify torque and flux ripples using statistical analysis. At low speed (286 r/min), FCS-PTC achieved a torque ripple of 0.0948 N·m and a flux ripple of 0.0072 Wb, compared with DTC’s 0.2350 N·m and 0.0109 Wb. Similar improvements were observed at medium and high speeds, confirming FCS-PTC’s superior ability to minimize electromagnetic ripple. Voltage-vector analysis revealed that DTC’s avoidance of radial vectors contributes to higher flux variation, whereas FCS-PTC’s balanced use of tangential and radial vectors yields smoother electromagnetic response and improved control accuracy. From a societal perspective, the enhanced efficiency of FCS-PTC supports reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions in motor-driven systems, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The experimental framework also provides a practical platform for engineering education and workforce training in advanced control methods. The findings demonstrate that predictive torque control not only improves technical performance but also contributes to broader objectives of sustainable industrial development and capacity building.