Now showing 1 - 10 of 12
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Improving the performance of solar panels by the used of dual axis solar tracking system with mirror reflection

2020-01-07 , Mohd Alif Ismail , Ramanathan K.A. , Muhd Hafizi Idris , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Mazwin Mazlan , Nur Fairuz Mohamed Yusof

This work proposes the dual axis solar tracker with mirror reflection for optimum output of solar panel by using arduino unoR3 as the control unit. The objectives of this work are to track and optimize the maximum output power of the solar panel by designing and developing a dual axis solar tracker with mirror reflection. The system includes a 10 watt solar panel, an arduino unoR3 and a customized mechanical body to carry the solar panel. This system will track and detect the angle of the sun to locate the surface of solar panel at the position and the angle where it can get maximum amount of energy. The sensors will detect the position of the sun and servo motors act as free moving neck to make it easier to move freely depending on the angle detected. The Light Depending Resistor (LDR) will be used in tracking system. These LDR will detect the existence of sunlight and therefore the mechanical hardware will move horizontal and vertical axis depending on the value of LDR detected to follow the angular degree of sun in order to get maximum and best result of absorbing energy. The final result obtained from dual axis solar tracker showed that the output power has been maximized compared to stationary panel. Based on the experimental result, it show that the designed system successful improve the performance of the solar panel.

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Performance analysis of smart lighting control system for sustainable campus operation

2021-01-01 , Tunku Muhammad Nizar Tunku Mansur , Rosnazri Ali , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao

Global warming is a growing issue today due to the concerns of carbon emissions to the environment. Meanwhile, learning institutions such as university could play a significant role in promoting energy conservation and sustainable campus operations. The objective of this paper is to highlight the performance of smart lighting control system for restrooms where the project has been carried out at the Faculty of Electronic Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. The methodology processes include the initial study and field measurement of the energy consumption for lighting system during pre-retrofit condition, design, and development of the lighting control system and lastly analysis of the designed system in post-retrofit condition after installation. On the overall, 58 motion sensors have been installed at 30 restrooms where the result shows that in average 77.5% of reduction in energy consumption per day for each restroom. This situation has given tremendous benefits to the university operation where the university could save 9377 kWh per year and reduced RM 3423 from electricity bill per annum. In addition, this project also contributes to the environmental sustainability where the amount of electrical energy that has been successfully reduced is equivalent to 6508 kg of CO2 avoidance to the environment.

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Comparative Study of Three Methods for Determining Weibull Parameters in Pauh Putra, Perlis

2021-06-11 , Thiraphorn B.L. , Leow Wai Zhe , Mohd Irwan Yusoff , Safwati Ibrahim , Muhammad Irwanto Misrun , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Amelia A.R.

This paper studied about analysis characteristics of wind speed at Pauh Putra, Perlis, where nearest to Chuping station, Perlis, Malaysia. The wind speed characteristics consist of monthly and annual wind speed in Perlis, Malaysia. By using Weibull distribution, three different methods to calculate the potential of wind power generation and analysis the characteristics of wind speed at Pauh Putra, Perlis. The results present the means wind speed is 1.0790 m/s and 1.1321 m/s for 2018 and 2019, respectively. The highest monthly mean wind speed occurred in February for both years, 2018 and 2019. Besides, the lowest monthly wind speed for 2018 in May and for 2019 in October. The Weibull distribution summarized the highest probability density is 120% in the wind speed, 1.1 m/s using the Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) method for these two years. Furthermore, this research found that the Energy Pattern Factor (EPF) Method is stretched to the right, and its height decreased from other methods for both years based on the graph of the wind speed of probability density function. The Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) for these two years is higher because its shape parameters are relatively higher based on the graph of the wind speed of probability density function.

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Design of MPPT charge controller using zeta converter for battery integrated with solar Photovoltaic (PV) system

2020-01-07 , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Matar Y. , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Mohd Alif Ismail , Muiez Abdullah A.

In this work, the advantage of using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm in solar Photovoltaic (PV) system was investigated. By simulation, the performance and efficiency of the system with and without the tracking algorithm was analyzed. By using MATLAB's SimPower System block set, a model compromised of KC130TM solar panel powering a Zeta converter controlled by MPPT algorithm driving a lead acid battery as a load was designed. The main objective was to track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the solar PV module by modulating the zeta converter's duty cycle, thereby, optimizing the power output of the panel. The Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm preformed with higher overall efficiency compared with the system without MPPT. Additionally, the tracking algorithm was able to track the MPP quickly. The analysis of the algorithm led to a greater understanding of where the inefficiencies of this type of system are located, allowing improvement in future work on this field.

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Performance of a Single-phase Grid-integrated Photovoltaic based DSTATCOM using Modified p-q Theory Control Algorithm.

2022-01-01 , Ridzwan M.A.H. , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Tunku Muhammad Nizar Tunku Mansur , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Surina Mat Suboh

This paper investigates the performance of a single-phase grid-integrated photovoltaic based DSTATCOM by using modified p-q theory control algorithm. Previously, p-q theory controller has been employed for a three-phase DSTATCOM system. Thus, this paper employs a modified p-q theory control algorithm for a single-phase grid-integrated solar PV (GCPV) based DSTATCOM. Thus, the GCPV system has improved with DSTATCOM capabilities such as harmonic reduction for a single-phase distribution system under varying solar irradiances. The simulation results have been obtained by using MATLAB/SIMULINK software in accordance with IEEE Standard 519:2014, which stated that the THD should be less than 8% for the line current at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). The performance of the single-phase GCPV based DSTATCOM has been analysed for dynamic and steady-state conditions under varying solar irradiances.

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DSP based Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Simulation for GCPV-based DSTATCOM using Frequency Domain Controller

2023-01-01 , Sobri N.F.A. , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Tunku Muhammad Nizar Tunku Mansur , Syahril M. , Rosnazri Ali , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Surina Mat Suboh , Abdullah A.M.

This study presents a comprehensive simulation of digital control applications for a grid-connected photovoltaic (GCPV) system using a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation approach that incorporates a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The simulation is carried out using the MATLAB Simulink block set and employs a frequency domain controller as the control algorithm. The simulation inputs, which consist of voltage and current sensor readings, are processed by an ADC idealizer block that produces output based on a real-time DSP-based HIL system. The output is then utilized to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, which drives the voltage source inverter (VSI). The simulation's primary objective is to demonstrate the simplicity and efficacy of the proposed frequency domain controller design for the GCPV-based DSTATCOM system. The simulation results validate the performance of the controller under various operating conditions, including steady-state, unbalanced loads, variable solar insolation, and day-to-night transitions.

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Output Power Maximization of DFIG Wind Turbine using Linear MPC Technique

2021-06-11 , Surina Mat Suboh , Hassan M.S. , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Ahamad N.B. , Ernie Che Mid , Othman M. , Sardi J.

Wind energy conversion systems have been attracting wide attention as a renewable energy source. To extract maximum energy from the wind turbine, an efficient controller plays an important role. The target of this paper is to develop a Linear Model Predictive Control (MPC) to maximize power production according to wind speed. Firstly, the DFIG wind turbine model was linearized at a specific operating point by using the Jacobian method. The MPC then was developed based on the linearized model where wind speed equal to 8 m/s is chosen as its operating area. The controller was tested to deal with different wind speed. A presence of a certain range of wind speed errors was included to evaluate the controller efficiency. Numerical simulation was done by using MATLAB software. The proposed controller has shown great performances when within its operating area but downgraded when moving away from its operating area. Imprecise wind speed measurement has shown a significant impact on the controller efficiency.

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Battery energy storage system assessment in a designed battery controller for load leveling and peak shaving applications

2017-07-01 , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Rosnazri Ali , Steven Taniselass

This paper presents an assessment of three types of battery in a designed battery controller for a battery energy storage system (BESS) integrated with a solar photovoltaic system for load leveling and peak shaving applications. Three types of battery - lead acid, lithium ion, and nickel metal hydride - are discussed in detail and assessed in this work, focusing on small-scale integration. The controller was designed using Matlab Simulink to monitor consumer load demand, control the charging and discharging process of the BESS, and regulate while fulfilling the load demand, in addition to prolonging the BESS lifetime. From the simulation results, the nickel metal hydride battery is the best option for development of a battery controller. It achieved an average 37.45% leveled load profile and a 35.75% reduction of the load peak. However, the lead acid battery is still the dominant choice among consumers, in spite of average performance, because it has the best cost performance.

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Control of a multi-functional grid-connected solar PV system using instantaneous reactive power (PQ) theory for current harmonic alleviations

2020-01-07 , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Tunku Muhammad Nizar Tunku Mansur , Rosnazri Ali , Azahid W.N.A. , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Muhammad Irwanto Misrun , Abdullah A.M. , Surina Mat Suboh

In recent years, the advance usages of non-linear loads have led to the serious power quality problem in the distribution system. Non-linear load will inject the current harmonics and cause power quality problem at Point of Common Coupling (PCC). This problem can be improved by using power filter. Power filter can be divided into passive power filter and active power filter. Passive filter is an appropriate solution to solve power quality problem in term of harmonic mitigation due to a simple circuit, low cost and less energy requirement. However, active power filter (APF) is more suitable due to better performance to solve power quality problem for current harmonics issue. This paper focuses in designing the application of a multi-functional grid-connected solar PV system integrated with DSTATCOM by using Instantaneous Reactive Power (PQ) theory controller to mitigate the current harmonics injected by non-linear load at the distribution system. MATLAB/SIMULINK software is used to simulate the performance of the multi-functional GCPV based SAPF according to IEEE Standard 519:2014 which THD of the line current at the Pont of Common Coupling (PCC) should be less than 8%.

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Design and Performance Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) based DSTATCOM for Power Quality Improvements

2021-06-11 , Nor Hanisah Baharudin , Ridzwan M.A.H. , Tunku Muhammad Nizar Tunku Mansur , Rosnazri Ali , Kumuthawathe Ananda-Rao , Ernie Che Mid , Surina Mat Suboh , Abdullah A.M.

Solar energy has become the most prominent renewable energy for electrical power generation of the sustainable development agenda. This project focuses on power quality improvement in the low voltage distribution network by using a three-phase three-wire Distributed Static compensator (DSTATCOM) supplied by a single-stage grid-connected solar photovoltaic (GCPV) system. The instantaneous reactive power theory (IRPT) or P-Q theory will be used as the control algorithm of the PV based DSTATCOM to eliminate the harmonic current caused by the non-linear loads in the distribution system. This control method has great impact on the accuracy of the harmonic current and reactive power compensation for harmonic current elimination according to the requirement of THD limit set by IEEE 519-2014. Sizing of the grid-connected solar PV system based DSTATCOM will be presented and capable to deliver the active power demand to the utility grid under variation of solar irradiances. This system is modelled and simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink environment.