IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF A RENEWABLE POWER SYSTEM USING SOLAR POWER PANEL

1.1 Introduction

Renewable energy is defined as energy that is collected from natural resources. Recently there has been growing interest in renewable energy and it has become one of the main sources of energy generation (Azocleantech, 2021). According to Shoewu et al., (2011), a solar panel is a device that is able to absorb sun rays and convert it into electrical energy precisely DC. The photovoltaic panel comprised of silicon crystals, which reacts with sun ray and under this process, converts the sun rays into electricity. They supply the electricity for charging the batteries and for use by the appliances either directly or through an inverter. Multiple modules where used to produce more electricity and then any excess energy that was produced was stored in the batteries for use during the cloudy/ rainy weather (Shoewu et al., 2011). The panels are available in different sizes, voltages and amperage. They can be wired in series or in parallel depending on how the system is designed.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Renewable energies represent a broad and diverse array of energy resources- biomass, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar and ocean energy as well as range of conversion processes and application such as combustion, thermal, mechanical, photovoltaic processes, etc. Apart from obvious emission control advantages, renewable energy technologies can also make a significant contribution to domestic energy security and spur economic development (Sawin, Adib & Chawla 2012).

The use of renewable energy increased greatly just after the first big oil crisis in the late seventies. At that time, economic issues were the most important factors, hence interest in such processes decreased when oil prices fell. The current resurgence of interest in the use of renewable energy is driven by the need to reduce the high environmental impact of fossil-based energy systems. Harvesting energy on a large scale is undoubtedly one of the main challenges of our time. Future energy sustainability depends heavily on how the capacity of renewable energy is improved in the next few decades.

Although in most power-generating systems, the main source of energy (the fuel) can be manipulated, this is not true for solar and wind energies (Valenzuela, et al, 2004). The main problems with these energy sources are cost and availability, wind and solar power are not always available where and when needed. Unlike conventional sources of electric power, these renewable sources are not “dispatchable” the power output cannot be controlled. Daily and seasonal effects and limited predictability result in intermittent generation. Some manufacturers has released products to facilitate the integration of renewable energy but the researcher is examining ways of improving the capacity of renewable power system using solar power panel (Camacho et al, 2007).

Industry must overcome a number of technical issues to deliver renewable energy in significant quantities. Control is one of the key enabling technologies for the deployment of renewable energy systems. Solar power requires effective use of advanced control techniques. In addition, reliable electric supply cannot be achieved without extensive use of control technologies at all levels.

Solar power plant exhibit changing dynamics, nonlinearities, and uncertainties challenges that require advanced control strategies to solve effectively. The use of more efficient control strategies would not only increase the performance of these systems, but would increase the number of operational hours of solar and wind plants and thus reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour (KWh) produced.

The solar have tremendous potential for fulfilling the world's energy needs (White House, 2010). One of the greatest scientific and technological opportunities researchers are faced with is approaches to developing efficient ways to collect, convert, store, and utilize solar energy at an affordable cost. The solar power reaching the earth's surface is about 86,000 TW. Covering 0.22% of our planet with solar collectors with an efficiency of 8% would be enough to satisfy the current global power consumption. Estimates are that an energy project utilizing concentrating solar power (CSP) technology deployed over an area of approximately 160 x 160 km in the Southwest U.S. could produce enough power for the entire U.S. consumption.

Solar-sourced electricity can be generated either directly using photovoltaic (PV) cells or indirectly by collecting and concentrating the solar power to produce steam, which is then used to drive a turbine to provide the electric power (CSP).

Concentrating solar thermal systems use optical devices (usually mirrors) and sun-tracking systems to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a smaller receiving area. The concentrated solar energy is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant. A wide range of concentrating technologies exists, the main ones being parabolic troughs, solar dishes, linear Fresnel reflectors and solar power towers.

The primary purpose of concentrating solar energy is to produce high temperatures and therefore high thermodynamic efficiencies. Parabolic trough systems are the most commonly used CSP technology. A parabolic trough consists of a linear parabolic mirror that reflects and concentrates the received solar energy onto a tube (receiver) positioned along the focal line. The heat transfer fluid is pumped through the receiver tube and picks up the heat transferred through the receiver tube walls. The parabolic mirror follows the sun by tracking along a single axis. Linear Fresnel reflectors use various thin mirror strips to concentrate sunlight onto tubes containing heat transfer fluid. Higher concentration can be obtained, and the mirrors are cheaper than parabolic mirrors, but a more complex tracking mechanism is needed.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation reveals that the uncertainty and intermittency of solar generation are major complications that must be addressed before the full potential of this renewable power system can be reached. The researcher provides an overview of a solar power panel with an evolution of electricity networks toward greater reliance on communications, computation, and control which is a way aimed at improving it.

The application of advanced digital technologies (i.e., microprocessor-based measurement and control, communications, computing, and information systems) which are expected to greatly improve the reliability, security, interoperability, and efficiency of the electrical grid, while reducing environmental impacts and promoting economic growth will be considered.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to determine the process of Improving the Capacity of a Renewable Power System Using Solar Power Panel. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine ways of improving the capacity of renewable power system using the solar power panel;
2. To provide an overview on renewable power system and its capacity; and
3. To identify the limitations and the factors affecting the effective implementation of solar power system.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What are renewable power system and its capacity?
• What are the ways of improving the capacity of renewable power system using the solar power panel?
• What are the limitations and the factors affecting the effective implementation of solar power system?

1.6 Significance of Study

The transition to renewable energy is of utmost importance for the world at the moment as the issue of global warming has arisen. The population of the world has been increasing and developing countries are becoming more and more developed, the standards of living are rising, at the same time energy use and demand are increasing bringing about a climatic change and the inevitability of adopting renewable energy.

The findings from this study will educate students on renewable power system with emphasis on solar power system. Also, it will educate researchers on methods of improving the existing solar power technology.

This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on Improving the Capacity of a Renewable Power System Using Solar Power Panel using Computer Science and Software Lab as a case study.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent Power Failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.9 Definition of Terms

Solar Power:

It is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photo-voltaic (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power.