Analysis and Improvements to the Green Falcon Solar Powered UAV

There has recently been a rapidly increasing interest in solar powered UAVs. With the emergence of high power density batteries, long range and low-power micro radio devices, airframes, and powerful micro-processors and motors, small/micro UAVs have become applicable in civilian applications such as remote sensing, mapping, traffic monitoring, search and rescue. The Green Falcon UAV is an innovative project from Queensland University of Technology and has been developed and tested during these past years. It comprises a wide range of subsystems to be analyses and studied such as Solar Panel Cells, Gas sensor, Aerodynamics of the wing and others. Previous test however, resulted in damage to the solar cells and some of the subsystems including motor and ESC. This report describes the repair and verification process followed to improve the efficiency of the Green Falcon UAV. The report shows some of the results obtained in previous static and flight tests as well as some of recommendations.

Solar rechargeable battery—principle and materials

A brief survey of the historical development of a photoelectrochemical solar cell is given. The principle and future of solar chargeable battery is compared with a wet and a dry type photovoltaic cell. A solar chargeable battery, with or without a membrane and with an aqueous solution or with solid-state electrolytes is discussed. A new unique type of configuration “Sharon-Schottky” junction solar cell is described which can be used either as a charger for any secondary batteries or could be used for photoelectrolysis of water. All these configurations and their relative merits are discussed. A review on the various semiconductors and types of solar chargeable batteries is made. Finally, a conclusion is drawn for future direction of research for developing an economically viable photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cell based on either the principle of a solar charger (to charge a Ni---Cd battery or lead—acid battery) and/or solar chargeable battery with or without without a membrane. Some new innovative ideas for the preparation of materials is discussed. The entire discussion is geared towards answering a relevant question: what has gone wrong to result in the stagnation and failure in commercialization of a PEC based solar cell?

Detection methods for common problems in solar home systems

Gemstone Team SHINE (Students Helping to Implement Natural Energy)

Triggering Solar-Powered Vehicle Activated Signs using Self Organising Maps with K-means

Solar-powered vehicle activated signs (VAS) are speed warning signs powered by batteries that are recharged by solar panels. These signs are more desirable than other active warning signs due to the low cost of installation and the minimal maintenance requirements. However, one problem that can affect a solar-powered VAS is the limited power capacity available to keep the sign operational. In order to be able to operate the sign more efficiently, it is proposed that the sign be appropriately triggered by taking into account the prevalent conditions. Triggering the sign depends on many factors such as the prevailing speed limit, road geometry, traffic behaviour, the weather and the number of hours of daylight. The main goal of this paper is therefore to develop an intelligent algorithm that would help optimize the trigger point to achieve the best compromise between speed reduction and power consumption. Data have been systematically collected whereby vehicle speed data were gathered whilst varying the value of the trigger speed threshold. A two stage algorithm is then utilized to extract the trigger speed value. Initially the algorithm employs a Self-Organising Map (SOM), to effectively visualize and explore the properties of the data that is then clustered in the second stage using K-means clustering method. Preliminary results achieved in the study indicate that using a SOM in conjunction with K-means method is found to perform well as opposed to direct clustering of the data by K-means alone. Using a SOM in the current case helped the algorithm determine the number of clusters in the data set, which is a frequent problem in data clustering.

Empowering the smart grid : can redox batteries be matched to renewable energy systems for energy storage?

The charging of an undivided cerium–zinc redox battery by various current waveforms some of which mimic the output of renewable energy (solar, wind, tidal, biofuel burning) to electricity transducers is considered in this work, where the battery operates through diffusion-only conditions, and is discharged galvanostatically. Under reasonable assumption, the mathematical model developed enables the observation that the performance characteristic of the cells charged with a constant power input differentiates between the various current–charge waveforms, with cell geometry and electrode kinetics playing subtle, but significant, roles; in particular, high efficiency is observed for sunlight-charged batteries which are thin and suffer no corrosion of the sacrificial electrode, and which have already experienced a charge–discharge cycle. The performance characteristics of the systems are interpreted in the light of consequences for smart grid realisation, and indicate that, for a constant power input, the most matched renewable is biofuel burning with a current output that linearly increases with time.

An organic ionic plastic crystal electrolyte for rate capability and stability of ambient temperature lithium batteries

Reliable, safe and high performance solid electrolytes are a critical step in the advancement of high energy density secondary batteries. In the present work we demonstrate a novel solid electrolyte based on the organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC) triisobutyl(methyl)phosphonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (P1444FSI). With the addition of 4 mol% LiFSI, the OIPC shows a high conductivity of 0.26 mS cm-1 at 22 °C. The ion transport mechanisms have been rationalized by compiling thermal phase behaviour and crystal structure information obtained by variable temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction. With a large electrochemical window (ca. 6 V) and importantly, the formation of a stable and highly conductive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), we were able to cycle lithium cells (LiLiFePO4) at 30 °C and 20 °C at rates of up to 1 C with good capacity retention. At the 0.1 C rate, about 160 mA h g-1 discharge capacity was achieved at 20 °C, which is the highest for OIPC based cells to date. It is anticipated that these small phosphonium cation and [FSI] anion based OIPCs will show increasing significance in the field of solid electrolytes.

Desenvolvimento de um modelo fuzzy para otimização da energia gerada por um sistema híbrido (solar-fotovoltaico e eólico)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Análise e modelagem geométrica da potência gerada por um sistema híbrido solar fotovoltaico eólico

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Sistema autônomo de iluminação utilizando energia solar

This work presents a self-sustainable lighting system using ultracapacitor as a storage device, replacing the conventional battery, using solar energy as the only energy supplier. A detailed study of solar panels, switched mode converters and ultracapacitors was made, in order to design a circuit capable of capturing solar energy and transfer it efficiently to a bank of ultracapacitors. Later, at nighttime, this energy is used for lighting in LED luminaires which have high luminous efficiency and high reliability index. This work presents the design of the solar panel, ultracapacitors bank, the development of the voltage converter circuit and charger working at the maximum power point of the solar panel. All subsystems were simulated and it was shown that the use of ultracapacitors is feasible to feed a LED lamp with enough brightness for a person to walk at night, for two night shifts, using a capacitive bank with twenty-four ultracapacitors. Replacing the battery by an ultracapacitor allows a faster recharge, with low maintenance costs, since ultracapacitors have a lifetime bigger than batteries; beyond reducing the environmental impact, as they don't use potentially toxic chemical compounds

Sistema autônomo de iluminação utilizando energia solar

This work presents a self-sustainable lighting system using ultracapacitor as a storage device, replacing the conventional battery, using solar energy as the only energy supplier. A detailed study of solar panels, switched mode converters and ultracapacitors was made, in order to design a circuit capable of capturing solar energy and transfer it efficiently to a bank of ultracapacitors. Later, at nighttime, this energy is used for lighting in LED luminaires which have high luminous efficiency and high reliability index. This work presents the design of the solar panel, ultracapacitors bank, the development of the voltage converter circuit and charger working at the maximum power point of the solar panel. All subsystems were simulated and it was shown that the use of ultracapacitors is feasible to feed a LED lamp with enough brightness for a person to walk at night, for two night shifts, using a capacitive bank with twenty-four ultracapacitors. Replacing the battery by an ultracapacitor allows a faster recharge, with low maintenance costs, since ultracapacitors have a lifetime bigger than batteries; beyond reducing the environmental impact, as they don't use potentially toxic chemical compounds

An ice machine adapted into an autonomous photovoltaic system without batteries using a variable-speed drive

The adaptation of a commercially available ice machine for autonomous photovoltaic operation without batteries is presented. In this adaptation a 1040 W(p) photovoltaic array directly feeds a variable-speed drive and a 24 V(dc) source. The drive runs an induction motor coupled by belt-and-pulley to an open reciprocating compressor, while the dc source supplies a solenoid valve and the control electronics. Motor speed and refrigerant evaporation pressure are set aiming at continuously matching system power demand to photovoltaic power availability. The resulting system is a simple integration of robust, standard, readily available parts. It produces 27 kg of ice in a clear-sky day and has ice production costs around US$0.30/kg. Although a few machine features might be specific to Brazil, its technical and economical guidelines are applicable elsewhere. Copyright (C); 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The first batteryless, solar-powered cardiac pacemaker

BACKGROUND: Contemporary pacemakers (PMs) are powered by primary batteries with a limited energy-storing capacity. PM replacements because of battery depletion are common and unpleasant and bear the risk of complications. Batteryless PMs that harvest energy inside the body may overcome these limitations. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to develop a batteryless PM powered by a solar module that converts transcutaneous light into electrical energy. METHODS: Ex vivo measurements were performed with solar modules placed under pig skin flaps exposed to different irradiation scenarios (direct sunlight, shade outdoors, and indoors). Subsequently, 2 sunlight-powered PMs featuring a 4.6-cm2 solar module were implanted in vivo in a pig. One prototype, equipped with an energy buffer, was run in darkness for several weeks to simulate a worst-case scenario. RESULTS: Ex vivo, median output power of the solar module was 1963 μW/cm2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1940-2107 μW/cm2) under direct sunlight exposure outdoors, 206 μW/cm2 (IQR 194-233 μW/cm2) in shade outdoors, and 4 μW/cm2 (IQR 3.6-4.3 μW/cm2) indoors (current PMs use approximately 10-20 μW). Median skin flap thickness was 4.8 mm. In vivo, prolonged SOO pacing was performed even with short irradiation periods. Our PM was able to pace continuously at a rate of 125 bpm (3.7 V at 0.6 ms) for 1½ months in darkness. CONCLUSION: Tomorrow's PMs might be batteryless and powered by sunlight. Because of the good skin penetrance of infrared light, a significant amount of energy can be harvested by a subcutaneous solar module even indoors. The use of an energy buffer allows periods of darkness to be overcome.

Operational costs and reliability in a large rural electrification programme based on solar home systems

Experiences in decentralized rural electrification programmes using solar home systems have suffered difficulties during the operation and maintenance phase, due in many cases, to the underestimation of the maintenance cost, because of the decentralized character of the activity, and also because the reliability of the solar home system components is frequently unknown. This paper reports on the reliability study and cost characterization achieved in a large photovoltaic rural electrification programme carried out in Morocco. The paper aims to determinate the reliability features of the solar systems, focusing in the in-field testing for batteries and photovoltaic modules. The degradation rates for batteries and PV modules have been extracted from the in-field experiments. On the other hand, the main costs related to the operation and maintenance activity have been identified with the aim of establishing the main factors that lead to the failure of the quality sustainability in many rural electrification programmes.

In-field assessment of batteries and PV modules in a large photovoltaic rural electrification programme

Assuring the sustainability of quality in photovoltaic rural electrification programmes involves enhancing the reliability of the components of solar home systems as well as the characterization of the overall programme cost structure. Batteries and photovoltaic modules have a great impact on both the reliability and the cost assessment, the battery being the weakest component of the solar home system and consequently the most expensive element of the programme. The photovoltaic module, despite being the most reliable component, has a significant impact cost-wise on the initial investment, even at current market prices. This paper focuses on the in-field testing of both batteries and photovoltaic modules working under real operating conditions within a sample of 41 solar home systems belonging to a large photovoltaic rural electrification programme with more than 13,000 installed photovoltaic systems. Different reliability parameters such as lifetime have been evaluated, taking into account different factors, for example energy consumption rates, or the manufacturing quality of batteries. A degradation model has been proposed relating both loss of capacity and time of operation. The user e solar home system binomial is also analysed in order to understand the meaning of battery lifetime in rural electrification.

Electrical energy balance contest in Solar Decathlon Europe 2012

Solar Decathlon Europe (SDE) is an international multidisciplinary competition in which 20 universityteams build and operate energy-efficient solar-powered houses. The aim of SDE is not only scientificbut also educational and divulgative, making visitors to understand the problems presented by realengineering applications and architecture. From a research perspective, the energy data gathered dur-ing the competition constitutes a very promising information for the analysis and understanding of thephotovoltaic systems, grid structures, energy balances and energy efficiency of the set of houses. Thisarticle focuses on the electrical energy components of SDE competition, the energy performance of thehouses and the strategies and behaviors followed by the teams. The rules evaluate the houses? electricalenergy self-sufficiency by looking at the electricity autonomy in terms of aggregated electrical energybalance; the temporary generation-consumption profile pattern correlation; and the use of electricityper measurable area. Although the houses are evaluated under the same climatological and consump-tion conditions, production results are very different due to the specific engineering solutions (differentelectrical topologies, presence or absence of batteries, diverse photovoltaic module solutions, etc.)