Solar PV Battery Research Articles

Feasibility Assessment of a Standalone Hybrid Rural Microgrid Using a Load Following Dispatched Strategy

This research delves into the techno-economic-environmental feasibility and optimal unit sizing of various hybrid power sources for a standalone microgrid serving a remote educational institution in Gujarat, India. Central to the investigation is the adoption of a load-following dispatch strategy to effectively balance energy supply and demand. The study explores different combinations of standalone hybrid sources, including Solar PV, Diesel Generators (DG), and Li-Ion Battery microgrid systems, strategically optimized to meet the institution's energy requirements. Furthermore, the research meticulously examines the overall costs and viability of the hybrid system. Among the studied configurations, the Hybrid PV-DG-Battery standalone microgrid emerges as the most feasible system. It is found to have a Net Present Cost (NPC) of $714,556 and a Cost of Energy (COE) of $0.899 per kWh. Additionally, the Hybrid PV-DG-Battery standalone microgrid exhibits the highest environmental responsiveness compared to other configurations, with the lowest CO2 emissions estimated at 3,356 kg per year.

Sizing of biomass based distributed hybrid power generation systems in India

A methodology for optimum sizing of battery integrated biomass gasifier based distributed power generation systems is discussed. Typically, biomass gasifier systems are sized considering peak demand resulting into lower operational efficiency due to part load operation during low demand period. The proposed methodology using design space approach enables designer with multiple combinations of gasifier engine and battery systems for given load profile from which an appropriate combination may be identified considering specific objective or constraints if any. Two gasifier operational strategies are discussed and compared using cost of energy. The methodology is further extended for sizing of hybrid systems incorporating gasifier, solar PV and battery system. The proposed methodology is illustrated using a realistic load profile generated through a structured household survey of an un-electrified hamlet. For given load profile, battery integrated gasifier engine system in intermittent operation mode has the lowest cost of electricity followed by gasifier engine system alone, hybrid system and solar PV battery system. Sensitivity analysis is done to incorporate uncertainty related to variation in key input parameters. The proposed sizing methodology may be helpful in wider replication of gasification systems by providing cost effective sizing of such systems.

Environmental impacts of small-scale hybrid energy systems: Coupling solar photovoltaics and lithium-ion batteries

One of the benefits of hybrid solar PV-battery systems is that they can reduce grid dependency and help balance electricity supply and demand. However, their environmental impacts and benefits remain underexplored. This study considers for the first time life cycle environmental impacts of domestic-scale PV-battery systems in Turkey, integrating multi-crystalline PV and lithium-ion battery. The impacts were estimated for both individual installations and at the national level, considering different regions across the country and taking into account their insolation and other climatic differences. Electricity generation and storage were modelled on an hourly basis taking into account consumer behaviour. The results show that the system can meet between 12.5% and 18.4% of the household's annual electricity needs. On a life cycle basis, it generates 4.7–8 times more energy than it consumes. Solar PV is the major contributor to most impacts (75%–81%). An exception is human toxicity which is mainly due to the battery (66%). The hybrid system has 1.6–82.6 times lower impacts than grid electricity. Assuming a very modest uptake at the national level (2%–8%), the use of hybrid systems would save 558,000 t CO2-eq./yr compared to grid electricity. Thus, these results demonstrate clearly the environmental benefits of these hybrid systems. Together with the financial and energy security benefits for both the country and the consumer, this provides a strong impetus for their wider deployment. However, this will be difficult to achieve, as there are no incentives for battery storage. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant legislation be introduced to stimulate future uptake of hybrid PV-battery systems.

A new topology with the repetitive controller of a reduced switch seven-level cascaded inverter for a solar PV-battery based microgrid

In this manuscript, a repetitive control approach for the reduced switch seven-level cascaded inverter (RSCI) is proposed for active and reactive power control with enhanced power quality standard for a solar PV-battery based microgrid. The proposed repetitive control approach is applied for the RSCI and the performance is tested on a grid-connected microgrid integrated with photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy sources. To capture maximum power, a control strategy based on incremental conductance method (I&C) is adapted for optimal maximum power point tracking (MPPT) operation. The battery energy storage system in both charging and discharging mode of operation is controlled by repetitive controlled based RSCI as a support to PV for better power management. To show the feasibility and robustness in operation of the proposed approach, a variable irradiance input to the PV unit is considered. To justify the practical applicability of the proposed approach and to satisfy IEEE-1547 power quality constraints, a LCL filter is selected to minimize the harmonic distortion in the grid side current levels. The improved performance of the proposed technique is justified by presenting comparative simulation results with respect to three-level neutral point clamped inverter (NPC) with proportional integral (PI) controller. By using MATLAB software, the validity of the proposed approach is studied by simulation under constant and varying irradiance condition.

Design and Performance Analysis of Solar PV DC Power System for Disaster Relief Centre using PVsyst

One of essential elements at disaster relief camps is electricity supply. Categorized under disaster preparedness, it is required to support humanitarian aids, provide security and convenient for the victims involved. The objective of this project is to design a standalone DC power system for a disaster relief camp at Kota Bharu, a capital for Kelantan State located at east coast of Peninsular Malaysia from renewable energy resource which is solar PV. The methodology of the project are configuring DC load demand, sizing PV array and battery bank from solar energy resource and load demand and lastly simulation of the design system by using PVsyst. In general, a relief camp will consist of basic electrical appliances such as lightings, fans and hand-phone chargers while in common area could be equipped with flood lightings, air-conditioning unit and refrigerator to store foods and medicine. The solar PV array, battery bank and DC bus regulator power rating are designed accordingly to the local meteorological data and load profile based on desired operating schedule. The system operates in stand-alone mode in which the power is fully supplied in DC voltage. The energy generated from solar array will be stored in the battery bank while the operation and management of the system is controlled and coordinated by local controller to ensure energy optimization system. The amount of user’s load demand is 8,820Wh per day. Based on solar energy resource, the optimum PV array size is 3.0kWp while the battery bank size is 900Ah at 48V which is designated for 4 days of autonomy. The system could meet up to 99% of load demand throughout the year except for December with 62.3% performance ratio. The loss to the system is contributed by the temperature effect to the PV module ohmic wiring loss, unused energy because of battery full, converter efficiency and battery efficiency.

Solar-DC micro-grids for multi-storied building complexes in emerging nations

Growing economies like India are likely to construct many homes and buildings over the next 15 years. Since availability of power in these countries is limited and power is expensive, large-scale decentralised solar PVs, with falling solar PV costs and minimal installation costs, are attractive. While DC power line provides considerable advantage for new homes and building complexes, a lot of work on standardisation of voltages, guidelines for wiring practices and making DC-powered appliances available still needs to be done. However, India took the lead, first focusing on off-grid homes. A 48V DC microgrid with a 125W solar PV and effective battery storage of 0.5kWh is now powering about 5,000 off-grid homes in India, resulting in huge energy and cost savings. Similar advantages apply to offices and multi-storied building complexes. This paper is a study of such pilot implementations and ecosystem development that made these building-owners adopt DC power lines. This paper discusses the architecture used for DC power in these buildings, use of combined 230V AC and 48V DC as well as combined 380V DC and 48V DC. It describes an ecosystem for DC appliances, test implementations in three types of buildings and some early results from such deployments.

Electrical power generation and electrical supply performance data: data set collected during Southern Cross University's “Sunflower” prototype mobile solar PV (and connected lithium (LiPo) battery storage) AC mains power generator. Installation at Island Vibes Music Festival, Stradbroke Island 2017

Electrical power generation and electrical supply performance data: data set collected during Southern Cross University's “Sunflower” prototype mobile solar PV (and connected lithium (LiPo) battery storage) AC mains power generator. Installation at Island Vibes Music Festival, Stradbroke Island 2017

Entrepreneurship Through Start-ups in Hill Areas Using Photovoltaic Systems

There is large potential for generating solar power in Uttarakhand (India) endowed with natural resources. The extensive use of solar energy through solar PV panels in Distributed and Renewable Electricity Generation is significant to utilize multi climatic zones of hilly areas. In this regard, UREDA (Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency) targets to achieve a huge boost of solar PV battery backup with approved subsidy budget of INR 6 billion to 50 billion by 2019/20 under JNNSM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission). This investment will increase productivity, enhance employment opportunities and improve quality of education. However, maximization of power output from panels used for same is achieved through use of MPPT (Maximum Power Point Trackers). The commercially installed solar power systems can be made to accomplish higher efficiency by implementing MPPT systems in start ups. In this paper, the effort is made to use MPPT system designed by intelligent controller for implementation in PV based utility systems. The regulated voltage output from MPPT system is obtained irrespective of fluctuations in environment. These variations are tested for changing temperature and irradiance due to shading or partial unavailability of sun. The results of same have been optimized through MATLAB/SIMULINK. The model designed is intended to be a beneficial source for PV engineers and researchers to provide high efficiency with the use of MPPT.

Environmental impacts of microgeneration: Integrating solar PV, Stirling engine CHP and battery storage

A rapid increase in household solar PV uptake has caused concerns regarding intermittent exports of electricity to the grid and related balancing problems. A microgeneration system combining solar PV, combined heat and power plant (CHP) and battery storage could potentially mitigate these problems whilst improving household energy self-sufficiency. This research examines if this could also lead to lower environmental impacts compared to conventional supply of electricity and heat. Life cycle assessment has been carried out for these purposes simulating daily and seasonal energy demand of different household types. The results suggest that the impacts are reduced by 35–100% compared to electricity from the grid and heat from gas boilers. The exception is depletion of elements which is 42 times higher owing to the antimony used for battery manufacture. There is a large variation in impacts with household energy demand, with higher consumption resulting in a far greater reduction in impacts compared to the conventional supply. CHP inefficiency caused by user maloperation can decrease the environmental benefits of the system significantly; for example, the global warming potential increases by 17%. This highlights the need for consumer information and training to ensure maximum environmental benefits of microgeneration. Appropriate battery sizing is essential with the 10–20kWh batteries providing greatest environmental benefits. However, any reduction in impacts from battery storage is heavily dependent on the assumptions for system credits for electricity export to the grid. Effective management of the battery operation is also required to maximise the battery lifetime: a reduction from 10 to five years increases depletion of elements by 45% and acidification by 32%. Increasing the recycling of metals from 0% to 100% reduces the impacts from 46% to 179%. If 90% of antimony is recycled, the depletion of elements is reduced by three times compared to the use of virgin antimony. However, this impact is still 12 times higher than for the conventional system owing to the use of other metals in the system.

Techno-Economic Analysis of PV Battery Charging Station in Kampot, Cambodia

 Abstract—This paper presents the technical and economic analysis of PV battery charging stations in Kampot, Cambodia's situation. The solar radiation reflected by the air molecules, clouds and ground was obtained from the satellite data. The absorption of solar radiation due to water vapor was calculated from precipitable water derived from ambient relative humidity and temperature from Cambodian meteorological stations. The annual solar radiation from January to reach a peak in the summer months of March and April each year and the yearly map showed the features of a high solar radiation pattern in the southeast of Cambodia. The average value is 5.10kWh/m 2 /day can be observed in the southeast of the country. With the highest values of solar radiation, solar PV battery charging stations (PVBCS) will be installed in each village, which are not electrified by national grid or mini-grid projects by 2020, and where no battery charging station is currently operating in order to ensure that the Royal Government of Cambodia's political objective of 100% village having electricity supply by 2020 from different sources of energy. With capacity of 10kW PV battery charging station in Kampot was calculated to evaluate and compare the technical and economic evaluation of c-Si PV modules and diesel battery charging station under the Kampot climate. The present electricity price of rural areas is about 0.22US$/kWh showed that c-Si PV modules present not only high NPV (15,986US$), IRR (0.041%), BCR (1.52) but shorter payback period (8.82 years) than the diesel battery charging station of 0.22US$/kWh with the NPV (7,450US$), IRR (12%), BCR (1.70) and payback period (14.74 years) values. Based on the technical and economic evaluation of c-Si PV battery charging station, in fact, pointed the most suitable technology for people in rural areas in the kingdom of Cambodia.