Battery Storage Element Research Articles

Unified fuzzy logic controller and power management for an isolated residential hybrid PV/diesel/battery energy system

Abstract Hybrid systems based on renewable energies for the electrification of remote sites controlled by power management systems (PMSs) aim to reduce fossil fuels and increase the efficiency of renewable energy sources to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The influential role of the PMS contributes to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems by ensuring a balance between the different sources and loads in all operating modes. However, the abrupt transitions between the various operational modes selected by the PMS generate power loss and imbalance. To handle this issue, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC)-based PMS controlling a photovoltaic (PV) and diesel hybrid system with a battery storage element connected to a DC bus is proposed in this paper. The proposed PMS is wholly based on FLC to ensure a smooth transition between the different modes of the system. The success of using the suggested PMS lies in how well the FLC parameters are chosen before the system is processed. For this purpose, the particle swarm optimization algorithm is adapted to tune the FLC parameters. The resulting optimal intelligent PMS is tested and compared with a classical one using comprehensive simulations performed in a Simscape ElectricalTM MATLAB® environment. The obtained results show an overshoot attenuation at the DC-bus voltage of 2% when changing the mode and an improvement in the PV generator efficiency by 99.5%.

Photovoltaic cell electrical heating system for removing snow on panel including verification.

Small photovoltaic plants in private ownership are typically rated at 5kW (peak). The panels are mounted on roofs at a decline angle of 20° to 45°. In winter time, a dense layer of snow at a width of e.g., 10cm keeps off solar radiation from the photovoltaic cells for weeks under continental climate conditions. Practically, no energy is produced over the time of snow coverage. Only until outside air temperature has risen high enough for a rather long-time interval to allow partial melting of snow; the snow layer rushes down in an avalanche. Following this proposal, snow removal can be arranged electrically at an extremely positive energy balance in a fast way. A photovoltaic cell is a large junction area diode inside with a threshold voltage of about 0.6 to 0.7V (depending on temperature). This forward voltage drop created by an externally driven current through the modules can be efficiently used to provide well-distributed heat dissipation at the cell and further on at the glass surface of the whole panel. The adhesion of snow on glass is widely reduced through this heating in case a thin water film can be produced by this external short time heating. Laboratory experiments provided a temperature increase through rated panel current of more than 10°C within about 10min. This heating can initiate the avalanche for snow removal on intention as described before provided the clamping effect on snow at the edge of the panel frame is overcome by an additional heating foil. Basics of internal cell heat production, heating thermal effects in time course, thermographic measurements on temperature distribution, power circuit opportunities including battery storage elements and snow-removal under practical conditions are described.

Performance Analysis of Hybrid PV/Diesel Energy System in Western Region of Saudi Arabia

The potential implementation of hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/diesel energy system in western region of Saudi Arabia is analyzed in this paper. The solar radiation intensity considered in this study is in the range of 4.15–7.17 kWh/m2/day. The HOMER software is used to perform the technical and economical analysis of the system. Three different system configurations, namely, stand-alone diesel system, and hybrid PV/diesel system with and without battery storage element, will be evaluated and discussed. The analysis will be addressed to the impact of PV penetration and battery storage on energy production, cost of energy, number of operational hours of diesel generators, fuel savings, and reduction of carbon emission for the given configurations. The simulation results indicate that the energy cost of the hybrid PV/diesel/battery system with 15% PV penetration, battery storage of 186.96 MWh, and energy demand of 32,962 MWh/day is $0.117/kWh.

Performance Analysis of PV Energy System in Western Region of Saudi Arabia

The potential implementation of photovoltaic (PV) energy system in western region of Saudi Arabia was analyzed in this paper. HOMER (hybrid optimization model for electric renewable) software was used to perform the technical feasibility of the system. The feasibility of PV energy system was analyzed based on solar irradiances. Stand-alone PV systems with battery storage element will be evaluated and discussed. The analysis will be addressed to the impact of PV and battery storage on electric energy production.