Microcontroller Based Single Axis Intelligent Control Sun Tracker for Parabolic Trough Collectors

2012 ◽  
Vol 562-564 ◽  
pp. 1772-1775
Author(s):  
Shakeel Akram ◽  
Farhan Hameed Malik ◽  
Rui Jin Liao ◽  
Bin Liu ◽  
Tariq Nazir
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Embedded System ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Parabolic Trough

Due to the complex design and high costs of production, solar thermal systems have fallen behind in the world of alternative energy systems. Different mechanisms are applied to increase the efficiency of the solar collectors and to reduce the cost. Solar tracking system is the most appropriate technology to increase the efficiency of solar collectors as well as solar power plants by tracking the sun timely. In order to maximize the efficiency of collectors, one needs to keep the reflecting surface of parabolic trough collectors perpendicular to the sun rays. For this purpose microcontroller based real time sun tracker is designed which is controlled by an intelligent algorithm using shadow technique. The aim of the research project is to test the solar-to-thermal energy efficiency by tracking parabolic trough collector (PTC). The energy efficiency is determined by measuring the temperature rise of working fluid as it flows through the receiver of the collector when it is properly focused. The design tracker is also simulated to check its accuracy. The main purpose to design this embedded system is to increase the efficiency and reliability of solar plants by reducing size, complexity and cost of product.

scholarly journals Minimizing the Cosine Loss in a Solar Tower Power Plant by a Change in the Heliostat Position and Number

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 2302-2304
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Incident Solar Radiation ◽  
Concentrated Solar Energy ◽  
Central Receiver ◽  
Receiver System ◽  
Concentrated Solar Radiation ◽  
Solar Rays

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) focuses sunlight in order to use the heat energy of the sun. In a central receiver system configuration, many mirrors (heliostats) individually track the sun and reflect the concentrated solar energy onto a receiver on top of a tower. The receiver contains the working fluid which is heated by the concentrated solar radiation. The useful energy that absorbed by the water flows through the receiver in solar tower plant depending on the angle between the solar rays and the position of heliostat in the region of work. Heliostat will reflect the incident solar radiation in the direction of the receiver founded in the top of the tower, in order to get a maximum incident solar radiation on the heliostat reflection area. Because of the cosine factor loss effect due to the sun position is variable along the day from sunrise to sunset, which must be in a minimum value, therefore an automated tracking system with dual axes as a control system with sensors had been built and used to stay the sunrays incident on the receiver, and enable the heliostat to flow the sun where it was

Generation of Electricity Utilizing Solar Hot Water Collectors and a Tesla Turbine

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Crowell
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Plate Heat Exchanger ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Gaseous State ◽  
Plate Heat ◽  
Ambient Temperatures

Threats of climate change and depleted petroleum supplies have prompted the need for eco-conscious alternative energy. This paper introduces a ground-breaking concept for harnessing the sun’s power that is significantly more efficient than existing systems. Solar collectors gather the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and heat a propylene glycol to a high temperature that will then transfer the heat to a working fluid (Care30) through a plate heat exchanger. The Care30 then exits the heat exchanger in a gaseous state, and is passed through a Tesla turbine, which in turn rotates a shaft. The shaft is connected to a generator, which transforms the mechanical energy into electricity. The absorption efficiency of the solar collectors allows for mechanical loses while maintaining the overall efficiency at higher levels than any existing PV based system. Ambient temperatures drastically reduce the effectiveness of flat plate solar collectors, cooling the liquids inside before the heat can be efficiently consumed. In contrast, an evacuated tube collector maintains efficiency during such conditions. The collectors are insulated from ambient temperatures by the vacuum pressure inside the tube. A stainless steel flat plate heat exchanger is used to transfer the heat from the glycol/water solution to the refrigerant, which is sent to the turbine after it has been converted to its gaseous state. The solution also provides freeze protection in colder climates. A heat exchanger then cools the gas, returning it to its liquid state, which completes the cycle for the working fluid. The water used in the heat exchanger is then used as a supplementary heating source for the home, for domestic or radiant heating needs. As it is effective even in environments that compromise the functionality of existing PV systems, the proposed system responds effectively to the need for more efficient alternative energy sources.

FEATURES OF DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPECTS OF TRANSFORMATION OF THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY OF THE REGION

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostiantyn Pavlov ◽  
◽  
Olena Pavlova ◽  
Roman Romanyuk ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Electricity Markets ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Electricity Industry ◽  
Heat Losses ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Insulating Materials

The article is devoted to a detailed analysis and a structured approach to the country's electricity industry. The place and significance in the process of reproduction of alternative energy sources are investigated. The reasons that inhibit the development of electricity are identified. The presence of a high level of danger from nuclear power plants is argued. The main investment objects, among the regional electricity markets, which need priority financial recovery, are shown. Steps to reform the electricity sector by strengthening the competitiveness of regional electricity markets are outlined. The forms of ownership are distinguished between separate functional types of works of the electric power branch of the region. The priority directions of electric power development are determined. The directions of increase of energy efficiency are offered, where the leading place belongs to innovations. The main directions of improving energy efficiency should be considered the use of innovative technologies, both domestic and global, including: modernization of small boilers and heat generators, the introduction of boilers with high efficiency; reconstruction of some boiler houses into more efficient mini-CHPs; reduction of energy losses; reduction of the level of heat losses in heating mains during transportation of thermal energy to the consumer due to the use of new insulating materials; wider use of the remainder of the "night failure"; wide use of local fuels, mine methane, biogas of household waste, wider introduction of boilers on peat and biomass; reduction of heat losses by thermal modernization of old buildings and the use of new heat-insulating materials in the construction industry.

Integration Between Gas Turbines and Concentrated Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Cipollone ◽  
Andrea Cinocca
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Fluid Temperature ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Solar Power Plants

Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Power plants (PT-CSP) technology has the capability to give, in the mean future, a strong contribution to the electrical energy generation. In the long term, inside a new framework of relationships concerning energy production, many aspects would justify a significant contribution to the phase out of fossil sources use. The paper concerns about a theoretical modeling aimed at improving the performances of CSP which approaches the energy generation from a system point of view. Thanks to it, the attention is focused on the use of gases as heat transfer fluid inside the solar receivers and on the possibility to use it as working fluid inside unconventional gas turbines for a direct electricity generation. The success of this concept is related to the possibility to increase the fluid temperature above the actual maximum values: this requires that the receiver efficiency has to be recalculated as a function of the fluid temperature. An innovative integration between the solar field and the gas turbine power plant, modified in order to maximize thermal energy conversion, is discussed.

scholarly journals Performance Improvement of the Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Using Different Types of Fluids with Numerical Simulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 332-347
Author(s):  
Saad T. Hamidi ◽  
Fikrat A.K. Fattah ◽  
Mohammed S. Ghanam
Keyword(s):  
Solar Collector ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Solar Concentrators ◽  
Engineering Department ◽  
Useful Heat ◽  
Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

Solar concentrators are an important facility to utilize the solar energy. There are many kinds of solar concentrators. In this work  an experimental has been implemented to improve the thermal performance of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC) using three different fluids as a working fluid (water, nanoparticles of  CuO  mixed with distilled water nanoparticles of   mixed with  distilled water) with concentration ratio 0.01% and mass flow rate 20Lt/hr without tracking system. The experimental tests have been carried out in electro-mechanical engineering department at university of technology in Baghdad city during October 2017 and daytime between (9am -15pm) hours. The obtained results for three different fluids are as follows:  - Using (CuO + distilled water) as a working fluid increases the average of the output temperatures by 10.4%,  the average of useful heat gains   increases  by 11%  and the average of the collector efficiencies increases by15%.    - Using ( +distilled water) as a working fluid increased the average of output temperatures by 4%, the average of useful heat gains is increased by 6.5% and the average of collector efficiencies is increased by 8.2%.  

scholarly journals Vision based solar tracking system for efficient energy harvesting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1431
Author(s):  
Kanhaiya Kumar ◽  
Lokesh Varshney ◽  
A. Ambikapathy ◽  
Inayat Ali ◽  
Ashish Rajput ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
Software And Hardware ◽  
Low Sensitivity

<p>Electricity is a major source of energy for fast growing population and the use of nonrenewable source is harmful for our environment. This reason belongs to devastating of environment, so it is required to take immediate action to solve these problems which result the solar energy development. Production of a solar energy can be maximizing if we use solar follower. The major part of solar panels is microcontroller with arrangement of LDR sensor is used to follow the sun, where the sensors is less efficient to track the sun because of the low sensitivity of LDR. We are proposing a method to track sun more effetely with the help of both LDR sensors and image processing. This type of mechanism can track sun with the help of image processing software which combines both result of sensors and processed sun image to control the solar panel. The combination of both software and hardware can control thousands of solar panels in solar power plants.</p>

scholarly journals Arduino Based Solar Tracking System for Energy Improvement of PV Solar Panel

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (VII) ◽  
pp. 2257-2261
Author(s):  
Smita Dinker
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Maximum Energy ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Servo Motor ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Fixed Panel

Solar energy is a clean, easily accessible and abundantly available alternative energy source in nature. Getting solar energy from nature is very beneficial for power generation. Using a fixed Photovoltaic panels extract maximum energy only during 12 noon to 2 PM in Nigeria which results in less energy efficiency. Therefore, the need to improve the energy efficiency of PV solar panel through building a solar tracking system cannot be over-emphasized. Photovoltaic panels must be perpendicular with the sun in order to get maximum energy. The methodology employed in this work includes the implementation of an Arduino based solar tracking system. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are used to sense the intensity of sunlight and hence the PV solar panel is adjusted accordingly to track maximum energy. The mechanism uses servo motor to control the movement of the solar panel. The microcontroller is used to control the servo motor based on signals received from the LDRs. The result of this work has clearly shown that the tracking solar panel produces more energy compared to a fixed panel.

scholarly journals Аналіз ефективності ежекторних холодильних машин на різних холодоагентах

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Андрій Миколайович Радченко ◽  
Дмитро Вікторович Коновалов ◽  
Сергій Георгійович Фордуй ◽  
Роман Миколайович Радченко ◽  
Сергій Анатолійович Кантор ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Condensation Temperature ◽  
Thermal Coefficient ◽  
Environmental Friendliness ◽  
Maximum Heat

Modern heat-using ejector refrigeration machines used in heat recovery systems for power plants based on gas turbine engines and internal combustion engines have many advantages over absorption refrigeration machines: smaller dimensions and weight; the ability to obtain lower temperatures. However, they are inferior in energy efficiency, and the thermal coefficient is much lower and can be 0.2…0.4. The efficiency of such refrigeration machines largely depends on the choice of the working fluid (refrigerant). Hence the need to choose a refrigerant that would provide the maximum heat factor, and hence the maximum efficiency of heat recovery. Given the relatively low efficiency of the ejector refrigeration machine, the search for a working fluid that will provide, on the one hand, higher thermal coefficients, and on the other hand high environmental friendliness, is one of the promising areas of development of heat recovery technologies in power plants. The study used the software complex developed by the authors to calculate the refrigeration cycles of heat-using refrigeration machines, taking into account the properties of many modern refrigerants, ejector characteristics, as well as basic heat exchangers (condenser, evaporator, generator). The efficiency of ejector refrigeration machines when working on the following working bodies was analyzed: R142b, R134a, R600, R600a, R1234ze(E), R1233zd(E), R1234yf, R227ea, R236fa, R245fa. R142b, R600, R600a, R245fa have the largest values of thermal coefficients. It is established that the most profitable in terms of environmental friendliness (ODP, GWP) and energy efficiency is the use of refrigerant R245fa, which has a condensation temperature range is 25…35 oC and boiling in the evaporator is 0…15 oC thermal coefficient is 0.40…1.03.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the efficiency of enterprises in the transition to alternative (helio) energy sources

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-191
Author(s):  
Iryna Perevozova ◽  
Tetiana Maksimenko ◽  
Svіtlana Bondarenko
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Energy Intensity ◽  
Resource Conservation ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Industrial Enterprises

The aim of the article is to study the main approaches and develop a methodology for assessing the efficiency of enterprises in the transition to alternative (helio) energy sources. The concepts of the ʻenergy efficiencyʼ and the ʻenergy savingʼ are the main characteristics of efficient use of energy resources. The term "energy efficiency" is a resultant indicator that captures the achieved level of efficiency of consumption and use of fuel and energy resources in the process of enterprise activity. The concept of ʻenergy savingʼ is a process indicator that indicates the way to achieve energy efficiency (implementation of a set of measures) of resource conservation in the enterprise. It is established that the key indicator for assessing the efficiency of the energy consumption system is the energy intensity indicator, the reduction of which should be considered as one of the main tasks in order to increase the efficiency of the enterprise. It is proved that the transition of an industrial enterprise to alternative (helio) energy sources is a guarantee of reducing its energy intensity. Therefore, the issues of implementation of energy saving programs are relevant for industrial enterprises. Energy saving measures will help reduce costs at the enterprise, conserve natural resources. The study found that solar energy in Ukraine in 2019 shows a bright positive trend. The ʻgreen tariffʼ was officially received by stations with a total capacity of 3537.382 MW, which is 5.48 times higher than in 2018. In 2019, the capacity of industrial solar power plants was put into operation 3.5 times more than in all previous years. The amount of electricity produced by industrial plants, in 2019, is 2.66 times higher than in 2018. The transition to alternative energy sources for industrial enterprises is a rather complex technological task, which requires methodological developments for the optimization of energy resources to maximize the efficiency of enterprises. A method for assessing the efficiency of the enterprise in its transition to alternative (helio) energy sources based on the use of production functions and factor models, which include the entire evaluation apparatus and a set of indicators of efficiency (appropriateness) of resource use, i.e. resource conservation. This method of assessing the performance of the enterprise is based on the use of the Cobb-Douglas production function, which allows to justify the decision on the feasibility of the use of production resources and to adjust the deviations of the spent resources from the normative values.

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