Solar Electric Power Generation Research Articles

Energy yield database management system based on solar photovoltaic cell using internet of things technology

This study investigates the performance of solar cell electric power generation, focusing on data collected from Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, analyzing the Mean Squared Error (MSE) for each phase consisting of Phase A: 0.00133, Phase B: 0.00137, and Phase C: 0.00216. Through linear regression analysis, we establish the correlation between current and electrical energy in each phase, facilitating the prediction of photovoltaic power generation system performance and timely maintenance alerts. This predictive analysis aids in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, preventing potential damages from short circuits, and ensuring system safety during installation. Our findings, which are accessible through a user-friendly dashboard interface, address a gap in previous studies by providing empirical data specifically from Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, and by integrating IoT technology for real-time monitoring and analysis, underscoring the novelty of our approach.

Simultaneous Solar‐driven Steam and Electricity Generation by Cost‐effective, Easy Scale‐up MnO2‐based Flexible Membranes

Harvesting solar energy in an effective manner for steam and electricity generation is a promising technique to simultaneously cope with the energy and water crises. However, the construction of efficient and easy scale‐up photothermal materials for steam and electricity cogeneration remains challenging. Herein, we report a facile and cost‐effective strategy to prepare MnO2‐decorated cotton cloth (MCx). The wide adsorption spectrum and excellent photothermal conversion ability of the in situ‐formed MnO2 nanoparticles make the MCx to be advanced photothermal materials. Consequently, the hybrid device integrated with MCx as the photothermal layer and the thermoelectric (TE) module for electricity power conversion exhibits an extremely high evaporation rate of 2.24 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 kW m−2 irradiation, which is ranked among the most powerful solar evaporators. More importantly, during solar evaporation, the hybrid device produces an open‐circuit voltage of 0.3 V and a power output of 1.6 W m−2 under 3 Sun irradiation, and outperforms most of the previously reported solar‐driven electricity generation devices. Therefore, the integrated device with synergistic solar‐thermal utilization opens up a green way toward simultaneous solar vapor and electric power generation in remote and resource‐constrained areas.

Independent Active and Reactive Power Control for Single Stage H8 Transformer-less Solar PV Inverter

With the rapid development in power electronics technologies and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, the interest in solar PV cell-based electric power generation and other applications is increasing more incredibly. For low power grid or direct load applications, single-stage solar PV inverters without transformers are advantageous. Based on this concept solar single-stage eight switch H8 based transformerless solar PV inverter is proposed. The objective of the work is to present a control scheme for the H8 inverter to have better power handling capability and for independent active and reactive power control. For this, the test system is studied using MATLAB/ SIMULINK software under three cases (i) constant active power and varying reactive power, (ii) varying active power and constant reactive power, and (iii) varying both active and reactive power. The proposed inverter is compared with single-stage solar PV with two switches boost and six switches inverter topology. It is found that power flow ripples and surges are lesser for proposed H8 than with single-stage topology.

Thermodynamic Analysis and Comparison of Two Small-Scale Solar Electrical Power Generation Systems

In this study, two schemes of solar electrical power generation are designed and compared according to solar collection area minimization. The one comprises the parabolic trough collector, dual-tank of molten salt heat storage, and Organic Rankine cycle. The other consists of photovoltaic cell, polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzer, and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The effects of irradiation value, environmental temperature, and energy storage type on thermodynamic performance were investigated. The results indicated that the solar irradiation value had a more obvious effect on the PV (photovoltaic) cell performance than environmental temperature, and the PTC (parabolic trough concentrator) performance was improved with the increases of solar irradiation value and environmental temperature. The environmental temperature effect was negligible; however, the influence of irradiation value was obvious. Irradiation value had a positive effect on the former system, whereas it demonstrated the opposite for the latter. The latter system had much lower efficiency than the former, due to the low conversion efficiency between hydrogen energy and electrical energy in the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzer and fuel cell. Stated thus, the latter system is appropriate for the power generation system with non-energy storage, and the former system is promising in the power generation system with energy storage.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY TRANSITION: A REVIEW OF ITS STATUS ON SEVERAL CONTINENTS

Many of the more developed countries and other members of the United Nations organization are already working hard on energy transition issues, which is nothing more than the independence of fossil energy sources and the technological foray into clean energy sources. This independence is generally achieved by replacing conventional energy sources with alternative renewable sources, and because of this, it is also necessary to adapt or replace systems using these conventional sources with systems using alternative sources. In the United States of America, they have set to work seeking to reduce dependence on oil and increasing the production of natural gas and biofuel, which will save eighteen hundred barrels of oil. In England, decarbonization and energy efficiency increase plans are carried out that proposes an 80% reduction in emissions. Likewise, efforts are made in the European Union to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as CO2 capture and nuclear energy generation, as well as cost reductions of all renewable energies of up to 53%. For its part, China represents almost half of the world's investment in renewable energy in something they call the energy revolution, despite the fact that it has also been a major importer of oil. In Latin America, Brazil is aiming at decarbonization by designing adequate mechanisms and policies for sustained development in the use of renewable energy sources, in addition to increasing the use of solar electric power generation sources, among others. In this paper, you can find the efforts made and projections on energy transition in some countries.Keywords: Energy transition, Consumption Reduction, Energy Efficiency, Decarbonization, Renewable Sources.JEL Classifications: L78, L90, O31, Q20DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.10116

Performance Evaluation of Combined Photovoltaic Thermal Water Cooling System for Hot Climate Regions

Solar electric power generation utilizing photovoltaic (PV) modules is associated with low electrical efficiency that substantially decreases as its surface temperature exceeds an appropriate limit, particularly in hot climate regions. Consequently, it is required to keep PV modules relatively under a condition of low temperature using a cooling system as possible. The present experimental study evaluates the performance of the combined photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) module employing a water cooling system attached to the back surface during June for the city of Sohag in Egypt. The experimental results show that utilizing a water cooling system decreases the average surface temperature of the PV module from 44.8 °C to 30.3 °C on the back side and from 46.6 °C to 36.9 °C on the front side. The maximum value of the thermal heat gain of the PV/T module that is maintained at noon equals 230 W, and the corresponding value of the electrical power output is 34.4 W. Furthermore, the electrical efficiency of the PV/T module is 8% higher than that of the PV module without a water cooling system. Finally, the maximum and average values of the overall efficiency of PV/T module are 76.4% and 68.9%, respectively.

Design and Optimization of Solar Carport Canopies for Maximum Power Generation and Efficiency at Bahawalpur

In recent years, the upturn demand of electricity and the generation of electrical power demand from fossil fuels are increasing day by day which results in environmental impacts on the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, and a high cost of electric power from these sources makes it unaffordable. The use of renewable energy sources can overcome this problem. Therefore, in this work, we present a solution by implementing the solar car parking lots. A detailed work has been done for solar car parking site selection and maximum solar electric power generation and its capacity effects with the shading of nearby trees and buildings by using the HelioScope online software developed by Folsom Labs. A detailed optimization and selection of car parking canopies are performed at different standard tilt angles to produce maximum solar photovoltaic energy, and it is analyzed that the monopitch canopy is the best to mount at solar car parking lots at a tilt angle of 10°. We have done a detailed economic analysis which shows that 14% electricity cost was offset by the installation of a solar car parking lot with 17% reduction in annual energy consumption from the grid at the proposed site. The total investment cost of the parking structure and the photovoltaic (PV) system can be paid back in 6-7 years.

Heliostat Cluster Control for the Solar Tower Power Plant Based on Leader-Follower Strategy

As one of the most promising power generation technologies using renewable energy sources, and the solar thermal electric power generation may be developed to alleviate the energy crisis. But it still faces the obstacles of excessive cost and low energy efficiency nowadays. To this end, a method of using heliostats cluster control is proposed to solve the main contradiction in solar tower power plants. In this approach, the entire heliostats field will be divided into a few groups, and a leader heliostat with high-precision closed-loop control is arranged in each group while the remaining heliostats as follower heliostats. On this basis, a leader heliostat tracking model is established and a leader-to-follower heliostat conversion mode is designed. Meanwhile, the posture information of adjacent leader heliostats is communicated to guarantee the tracking reliability. According to the simulation results of this paper, this method not only improves the automation level of solar tower power plants at this stage, but also reduces the computing complexity of the heliostats field control algorithm. Moreover, the proposed method improves the precision of the control, and also reduces the control cost, making the closed-loop control of the heliostats field possible.

Identifying Characteristic of Power Quality Problems on Solar Electric Power Generation

The influence of connected electrical load will cause significant problems on Solar Electric Power Generator (SEPG). The problems are extremely important to be identification in order to provide electrical energy optimally. The objective of this paper is tantamount to investigate the impact of household electrical load on SEPG with variation and continuous electrical load. The identification of power quality was made by marking several test point on each output of SEPG unit. The level quality of voltage and frequency system needed to be measured and observed its performance indicator level. Furthermore, it compared by existing standard. To variation electrical load test, the results showed that the frequency of the system changed from 52 Hz to 262 Hz. In other hands, the frequency rose about five times against normal frequency. The continuous load test, that frequency of system fluctuated around 52 Hz to 156 Hz that also showed abnormal operation of SEPG.

Biofuels and food security

The major source of energy comes from fossil fuels. The current situation in the field of fuel and energy is becoming more problematic as world population continues to grow because of the limitation of fossil fuels reserve and its pressure on environment. This review aims to find economic, reliable, renewable and non-polluting energy sources to reduce high energy tariffs in Russian Federa- tion. Biofuel is fuel derived directly from plants, or indirectly from agricultural, commercial, domestic, and/or industrial wastes. Other alternative energy sources includ- ing solar energy and electric power generation are also discussed. Over 100 Mt of biomass available for energy purposes is produced every year in Russian. One of the downsides of biomass energy is its potential threatens to food security and forage industries. An innovative approach proved that multicomponent fuel (80% diesel oil content for motor and 64% for in stove fuel) can remarkably reduce the costs. This paper proposed that the most promising energy model for future is based on direct solar energy conversion and transcontinental terawatt power transmission with the use of resonant wave-guide technology.

A New Study for Hybrid PV/Wind off-Grid Power Generation Systems with the Comparison of Results from Homer

This article presents the development of a computational model for the sizing optimization of an off-grid hybrid solar wind electric power generation system. The model includes a PV model, wind power model, and a model for the required battery. The developed mathematical model also comprises a model for a diesel generator as an alternative for the storage battery. A simulation code has been developed using MATLAB to solve the mathematical model and simulate the performance of the hybrid system with different configuration for performance analysis and optimal sizing purpose. The mathematical model and the computer code have been developed using a general approach. This approach can be used to simulate, analyze and optimize any hybrid solar/wind/battery/diesel off-grid electric power generation systems. Also, it can be utilized for any remote area in the world depending on the weather data used as input to the developed simulation code. The results obtained via the presently developed model and code have been validated against previously published work and also against that obtained via the widely used software (HOMER). The model is used for the sizing optimization and assessment of a hybrid solar wind system based on the weather conditions for Dhahran city in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dynamic simulation and analysis of ancillary service demand response strategies for variable air volume HVAC systems

Output variability and low generating inertia associated with solar and wind electric power generation resources increase the requirement of grid-scale ancillary service capacity and add strain to existing firm generators that provide these services. Buildings consume the majority of electricity in the United States and can play a significant role in helping to meet these challenges by using their HVAC systems as a link to thermal energy storage. However, predicting a building's ancillary service demand response performance continues to be a challenge, particularly for complex multi-zone systems, such as the variable air volume. A dynamic model of a representative variable air volume system was developed and simulated to investigate the response of the system to implementation of four common demand response strategies over a range of cooling loads and implementation intensities: zone air dry-bulb temperature adjustment, duct static pressure adjustment, supply air temperature adjustment, and chilled water temperature adjustment. Curves are presented that map power reduction as a function of cooling load and implementation intensity on a 10-min spinning reserve timescale. A study of these maps along with simulated data reveal that terminal unit damper position is a significant determining factor of performance effectiveness for each strategy.

Evaluation of distributed building thermal energy storage in conjunction with wind and solar electric power generation

Energy storage is often seen as necessary for the electric utility systems with large amounts of solar or wind power generation to compensate for the inability to schedule these facilities to match power demand. This study looks at the potential to use building thermal energy storage as a load shifting technology rather than traditional electric energy storage. Analyses are conducted using hourly electric load, temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation data for a 5-state central U.S. region in conjunction with simple computer simulations and economic models to evaluate the economic benefit of distributed building thermal energy storage (TES). The value of the TES is investigated as wind and solar power generation penetration increases. In addition, building side and smart grid enabled utility side storage management strategies are explored and compared. For a relative point of comparison, batteries are simulated and compared to TES. It is found that cooling TES value remains approximately constant as wind penetration increases, but generally decreases with increasing solar penetration. It is also clearly shown that the storage management strategy is vitally important to the economic value of TES; utility side operating methods perform with at least 75% greater value as compared to building side management strategies. In addition, TES compares fairly well against batteries, obtaining nearly 90% of the battery value in the base case; this result is significant considering TES can only impact building thermal loads, whereas batteries can impact any electrical load. Surprisingly, the value of energy storage does not increase substantially with increased wind and solar penetration and in some cases it decreases. This result is true for both TES and batteries and suggests that the tie between load shifting energy storage and renewable electric power generation may not be nearly as strong as typically thought.

Solar electric power generation - photovoltaic energy systems: modeling of optical and thermal performance, electrical yield, energy balance, effect on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Photovoltaics.- Inverters.- Storage.- PV-Systems in the Tropics.- Energy Consumption for the Set-up of a PV Power Plant.- Energy Yield.- Energy Input by Dumping and Recycling.- Total Energy Balance.- Optimization.- Summary.

Application of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for storage of solar electricity in stand-alone photovoltaic systems in the northwest areas of China

Photovoltaic (PV) installations for solar electric power generation are being established rapidly in the northwest areas of China, and it is increasingly important for these power systems to have reliable and cost effective energy storage. The lead-acid battery is the more commonly used storage technology for PV systems due to its low cost and its wide availability. However, analysis shows that it is the weakest component of PV power systems. Because the batteries can be over discharged, or operated under partial state of charge (PSOC), their service life in PV systems is shorter than could be expected. The working conditions of batteries in remote area installations are worse than those in situations where technical support is readily available. Capacity-loss in lead-acid batteries operated in remote locations often occurs through sulfation of electrodes and stratification of electrolyte. In northwest China, Shandong Sacred Sun Power Sources Industry Co. Ltd. type GFMU valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are being used in PV power stations. These batteries have an advanced grid structure, superior leady paste, and are manufactured using improved plate formation methods. Their characteristics, and their performance in PV systems, are discussed in this paper. The testing results of GFMU VRLA batteries in the laboratory have shown that the batteries could satisfy the demands of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for PV systems.

The potential of solar chimney for application in rural areas of developing countries

Solar chimney electric power generation is one of the concepts in renewable energy technology (RET) application. The power station is based simply on the principle that warm air rises. Air underneath a glass ceiling is heated by solar radiation and rises through a chimney. The warm air which has just risen is replaced by air from the edge of the glass ceiling which flows inward, and will then itself begin to heat up. In this way the Sun’s heat radiation is converted into kinetic energy of constantly rising air to drive turbine built into the chimney. The turbine then converts the wind power by means of a generator into electrical energy. We have considered the appropriateness of a solar chimney to rural villages and highlight some features of such a power generating plant. The calculations carried out show that the power that can be generated by a solar chimney of specific dimension exhibit a minimum threshold value of τ = 2.9, the temperature ratio of the difference between the collector surface temperature and the temperature at the turbine ( T s– T H) to the difference between the air mass temperature under the roof and the collector surface temperature ( T m– T s). Our calculations show that for τ = 2.9, an appreciable electric power (⩾10 3 W) can be generated by a sturdy and physically viable solar chimney whose dimension has been determined to be L = 150 m, H = R = 1.5 m. This the minimum dimension of a practical solar chimney electric power station would serve approximately fifty (50) households in a typical rural setting.

Full-energy-chain analysis of greenhouse gas emissions for solar thermal electric power generation systems

Renewable energy generation of electricity is advocated as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with the generation from fossil fuels. Whilst it is true that renewable sources do not generate significant carbon dioxide whilst producing electricity, as with fossil-fuelled plants they do embody significant emissions in their materials of construction. The “full-chain” environmental impacts of wind, hydro, solar-thermal and photovoltaic conversion are quite different and the likely trend in future reduction of embodied energy of next generation systems reflects the relative maturity of each technology. There has been much recent development of solar thermal electricity generation options for which there is a wide divergence in embodied CO 2 emissions.

Integrated high-concentration PV near-term alternative for low-cost large-scale solar electric power

Large-scale photovoltaic electric power generation deployment and utilization is no longer dictated by limitations in technology, but rather by the economics of PV systems vs. other renewable or traditional options. This paper describes a near-term alternative option for cost-effective solar electric power generation based on a novel sunlight concentrating technology: integrated high-concentration PV(IHCPV). The advantages of high-concentration systems have been well analyzed, but development was constrained by the lack of solar cell capable of withstanding the rigors of concentrated sunlight. The development of a stable, high-concentration back-junction, point-contact cell, by Amonix, paved the way for high-concentration system development. System designers had to insure that the cost savings inherent in concentration systems through the reduction of costly solar cell content were not over-shadowed by the ancillary costs of structure and tracking elements used in concentrating arrays. The IHCPV system has met these goals. Economic factors specific to the IHCPV system are presented including (1) low cost of entry, (2) enhanced energy production, (3) reduced and utilization, and (4) accelerated benefits of volume production.

97/02975 Optimization of solar pond electrical power generation system

97/02975 Optimization of solar pond electrical power generation system

Optimization of solar pond electrical power generation system

This paper investigates the potential of using a solar pond for the generation of electricity in Jordan. A solar pond power plant model is presented to simulate and optimize such a system under the Jordanian climatic conditions. A Rankine cycle analysis is carried out using an environmentally friendly working fluid, Refrigerant 134a. It was found that using a solar pond for the generation of electricity in Jordan has the potential, with the cost of 0.234 JD/kWh when using a pond of surface area of 1.5 km 2, to generate 5 MWe.