PROBLEM STATEMENT
About 80% of the global energy supply depends on fossil fuels including coal, oil and gas. Consider that if fossil fuel demands increases, side effects toward the globe are bound to escalate. Hence, to acquire solution to this problem, alternative energy sources are needed to be urgently developed and introduced to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.
The main problem with renewable energy system is its incapability to provide continuous power supply to the end user. Nationwide goal is to improve the usage of renewable energy system; hence the hybrid system is introduced. A Solar Wind Turbine hybrid system is capable to meet the load demand as for basis for continuous supply. By implementing Solar PV and Wind Turbine as a single generation system, the power demand can be supply uninterruptedly.
However, the consumption of electrical power form a hybrid system is often difficult to gauge – consider that there are too many external variables to take into consideration – potentially resulting fluctuation of power. Conventional battery with battery charge or discharge rate is restricted because of low power density, hence capable to supply a steady continuous power, and vice versa.
A supercapacitor that functions to accept and deliver charge much faster than batteries, are well suited to incorporate with hybrid system. Any power fluctuate will be absorbed and supplied by the supercapacitor, in essence allowing control of battery output and ensure battery efficiency.
DESIGN
Hybrid system that includes Solar PV system and a Wind Turbine system is a fairly straight-forward mechanism. A Solar charger controller is attached to the solar system to control the output efficiently, similarly remote monitoring system is attached to the wind turbine system and thereof.
Pertaining to the storage system, a bidirectional DC-DC converter is installed to control the direction of power flow between battery and supercapacitor. A bidirectional DC-to-DC converter allows power flow in both forward and reverse directions, thus increasing the efficiency of the hybrid storage system.
DESCRIPTION
Solar and Wind Turbine hybrid system is a unique system that produces energy with little to no pollution meanwhile ensures continuous supply of energy demand. As for solar PV system, the amount of irradiance and temperature are two major factors needed to take into account. The ideal situation for a solar system is with high amount of irradiance and optimum temperate at 27 degree Celsius.
When hybridizing battery and supercapacitor in a single storage system, the system can gain more benefits as the characteristics of both components oppose one anotherThe battery has a high energy density with a low power density whereas supercapacitor has a high power density with a low energy density The integration of the aforementioned components enable the system to be more efficient as it acquire the ability of high energy density and high power density.
The energy sources of system – Solar and Wind itself compensates one another. When there is a lack amount of irradiance; the wind turbine will act as a main supply. Likewise, when there is no wind, the solar will produce act as the main generation. However when wind and insolation are absent the power storage acts to supply the load demand. Following that, the battery will supply a steady continuous demand while supercapacitor acts to supply any sudden fluctuating power demand. The integration system ensures the continuous and uninterrupted power supply to meet the load demand.
The bidirectional DC-DC converter functions to control the power flow between the battery and supercapacitor. When the power is in steady and uniform state, the power will feed to the battery, and the converter allows power to flow directly to the battery. In contract, when power fluctuates, ,and occur within a very short time, the converter will allow power to flow to the supercapacitor only. This essentially helps to increase the efficiency of the system as well as to extend the battery life span.
BENEFITS
- Continuous power supply
- Little to no pollution as energy source is generated by natural process
- Extended battery life span
- Meet requirement to the peak demand
KEY FEATURES
- System is easy to install
- Clean energy source
- Energy can be stored
- Controlled power flow
SYNERGY’S EXPERIENCE
Synergy Engineering has studied, designed and constructed a Solar and Wind Turbine Hybrid system, and has experience installed it on a wellhead platform project that is based in Malaysia.