Design and Implementation of Solar and Wind Hybrid Energy Dispatch System

Project Title

Design and Implementation of Solar and Wind Hybrid Energy Dispatch System

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

The main objective of this project is to propose a “Solar and Wind Hybrid Energy Dispatch System” as a solution to the existing flaws in the energy management system of Pakistan. Over a decade, Pakistan has suffered from serious energy crisis and struggled to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of electricity with an ever-growing population has had lasting impacts on the country both economically and environmentally. The world is planning on shifting to eco-friendly means of power generation methods in order to reduce the amount of pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity whereas Pakistan’s power generation relies a great deal upon fossil fuels which is now economically exhausting the country. Renewable Resources are the most environmentally sound solution to fill the energy supply and demand gap and reduce the economic burden. Solar Energy and Wind Energy are the most prominent renewable resources. Pakistan is blessed because the Solar and Wind potential in the country is high and it can produce sufficient electricity in order to fill the gaps. However, the Solar technology in Pakistan has matured and requires upgradation to inexpensive technology to make more use out these energy generation methods. Hybridization of Solar and Wind is the key to overcome the unreliable and weather dependent nature of both these resources.

Hybrid systems have been found to be more economically practical alternatives to fulfil the energy demands. Merging of solar and wind energy into a hybrid generating system can also enervate their individual fluctuations, increase overall energy output, and reduce energy storage requirement remarkably. At times when neither wind nor solar is producing the desired amount of electricity the hybrid systems provide power through batteries or through an engine generator powered by conventional fuels. The method proposed requires the introduction of a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm in the DC-DC Boost converter in order to extract the maximum efficiency individually of both these resources. The design of Multi-Level Inverters to convert DC output of battery to a smooth sinusoidal AC. The working system will be able to hybridize both the sources and generate a smooth sinusoidal output using Harmonics Elimination.

Project Objectives

Key objectives of the project are:

1. To design a DC-DC Boost Converter using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) panels’ output.
2. To design a DC-DC Boost Converter using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm for wind turbine’s output
3. Hybridize the output from PV panels and wind turbines.
4. Design a charge controller to charge the batteries.
5. Integrate a Multi-Level Inverter (MLI) to convert DC to smooth sinusoidal AC (to be dispatched and used by the load).

Project Implementation Method

Implementation steps of the project are as follows.

• Study of literature related to hybrid systems involving solar and wind energy as the generation sources.
• Adaption of best technique or technology to implement our hybrid system to meet the requirements.
• Hardware (Circuit) design that meets the required objectives of the final product to be designed. Hardware design includes,

1. Design of DC-DC Boost Converter to boost the output voltage of PV array and Wind turbine.
2. Implementation of MPPT algorithm with DC-DC converter to maximize the PV Panel and Wind Turbine output. It will keep checking the system for maximum power.
3. DC hybridization of outputs from both the PV array and wind turbine.
4. Design of charge controller to charge the batteries.
5. Integration of Multi-Level Inverter to convert DC output of battery to smooth sinusoidal AC.

• Implementation and testing of the designed circuit on circuit designing tool (Simulink or Proteus)
• Implementation of the designed circuit on hardware.
• Integration of Software and Hardware designs using microcontroller (Arduino) and Hardware in the Loop (HIL)
• Testing of the entire integrated circuit and finalizing the project.
• Writing of thesis and research paper

Benefits of the Project

Following are the some of the benefits of the project:

• The designed system hybridizes two independent renewable energy sources i.e., solar and wind.
• The designed system increases the energy production.
• The designed system is a way to overcome inconsistent nature of solar and wind energy.
• The designed system uses Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm to extract maximum power, thus, increases efficiency.
• The designed system is a test bud for educational and research purposes
• The designed system is a solution to overgrowing energy demands.
• The designed system has very low running cost as it does not require any type of fuel.
• The designed system will reduce the consumption of decaying fossil fuels.
• The designed system is environmentally friendly as it does not produce pollution.
• The designed system encourages the trend of switching to renewable energy resources.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Final deliverable of the project is a prototype of “Solar and Wind Hybrid Energy Dispatch System” with capability to power AC loads as well as DC loads. Final model will consist of PV panels and DC wind turbine connected with DC-DC boost converters. Maximum Power Point Tracking MPPT algorithm will be implemented on these converters to extract the maximum power from these energy sources. Output of these converters will be hybridized at DC point using a DC bus. The designed DC bus will also be used as a hybrid controller to control the switching of output voltage from both the sources. Four switching modes of the hybrid controller depending on the availability of solar energy and wind energy are as follow.

1. When solar energy is available
2. When wind energy is available
3. When solar and wind energy both are available
4. When none of energy source is available

Switching will base on the output of DC-DC converters compared to reference DC voltage of DC bus. DC bus will be connected to charge controller also based on DC-DC converter. Charge controller will be able to charge the batteries and power the DC load connected directly to it. Final and foremost part of the project will be an inverter integrated with charge controller for conversion of DC into smooth sinusoidal AC (~220V) to power AC loads.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry EducationOther Industries Energy Core Technology Clean TechOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Climate ActionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	80000
Solar Panel 80W	Equipment	1	5000	5000
Lead Acid Battery	Equipment	4	4000	16000
Oscilloscope	Equipment	1	4500	4500
DC Power Supply	Equipment	1	3000	3000
Controller (Arduino Mega)	Equipment	2	2000	4000
Voltage Sensor	Equipment	8	100	800
Current Sensor	Equipment	8	350	2800
LUX Meter	Equipment	1	3300	3300
Tachometer	Equipment	1	3500	3500
Anemometer	Equipment	1	2800	2800
Consumeable Electronic Items	Equipment	1	8000	8000
LCD 16x2	Equipment	4	350	1400
I2C Module	Equipment	4	200	800
Digital Multimeter	Equipment	1	1500	1500
Vero Board	Equipment	8	75	600
Soldering Kit	Equipment	1	2000	2000
48V-220V Inverter	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Overheads	Miscellaneous	1	4000	4000
Printing	Miscellaneous	1	1500	1500
Stationary	Miscellaneous	1	1500	1500
Prototype Modelling	Miscellaneous	1	3000	3000