Recognizing the critical need for sustainable energy solutions to combat environmental issues and depleting fossil fuels, IIT Kanpur has set up the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering. This novel department is poised to become a cornerstone of sustainable energy research and development in India and beyond.
Ecosense installed a Renewable Energy Lab: A Nexus of Learning and Innovation at the newly established department.
As part of its commitment to providing a holistic learning experience, IIT Kanpur has joined hands with Ecosense, to establish the Renewable Energy Lab. This cutting-edge lab is designed to bolster hands-on learning, experimentation, and research in various renewable energy technologies including Solar Thermal, Solar PV, Wind Energy and Fuel Cell.
Ecosense offered Tailored Solutions for Renewable Energy lab as per the recommendation of associated faculty members of Sustainable Energy Engineering Department.
As part of the Renewable Energy Lab Ecosense installed the following equipments:
1. Solar PV Training and Research System
2. Thermal Energy Storage system
3. Solar Thermal Training System
4. Wind Energy Training System
5. Fuel Cell Training System and
6. Microgrid System
1. Solar PV Training and Research System
Ecosense’s Solar PV Training and research system enables user to learn about Solar PV standalone technology. Using this system, a user gains knowledge in three fields of Solar PV Standalone system:
a.) Physics of Solar PV Panels — I-V and P-V characteristics, series, and parallel connection of solar panels effect of irradiation, effect of temperature, effect of shadow, effect of tilting of panels, effect of geographical location etc.
b.) Components and Assembly of standalone system — use of blocking diode, use of bypass diode, use of solar charge controller, use of solar inverter, difference between MPPT and PWM charge controllers, AC load, DC load, battery charging/ discharging characteristics, assembly of several components and power flow calculations in each branch.
c.) Research in PV systems — Ecosense separately provides a research unit along with standalone experimental system. User can initiate research in the area of maximum power point tracking using this unit. It has provision of providing automatic as well as manual gate signals to charge controller. User can use his/ her own MPPT algorithm with any of the controller to provide manual gate signals.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
2. Thermal Energy Storage System
The system is designed for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) experiments using Phase Changing Materials (PCMs). It can work with at least two types of PCMs separately and study the combined effect of cascading two PCMs for thermal energy storage. The setup includes stainless steel cylinders containing PCMs, equipped with spiral-type copper heat exchangers for charging and discharging the PCMs. Insulation with polyurethane foam prevents heat loss from the PCM. Additionally, transparent containers made of acrylic allow visualization of the phase-changing process. Water serves as the heat transferring fluid (HTF), with hot water charging the PCM and cold-water absorbing heat during discharging. The system has three tanks to supply water for different purposes and uses ½ inch G.I pipes with gate valves to control fluid flow. Strategic sensor placement measures variables such as temperature and flow rate, with a control unit displaying readings and operational controls. Overall, the system provides a versatile and efficient setup for exploring thermal energy storage using PCMs.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
3. Solar Thermal Training System
The Solar Thermal Training System is a small-scale model of a real-time water heating system designed for educational purposes. It enables the characterization and analysis of heat transfer, efficiency, overall heat loss coefficient, and heat removal factor. With the ability to perform experiments under varying conditions, such as different wind speeds, fluid temperatures, and flow rates, students can gain practical understanding of technical parameters in solar thermal systems. The system consists of a main collector system with a Flat Plate collector and sensors, a measuring unit with a display panel, and an artificial light unit using a Halogen lamp to provide consistent illumination in a lab setting. Its modular and scalable design allows easy movement in and out of the lab and offers the flexibility to conduct experiments with both artificial lights and actual sunlight. Inbuilt sensors and a datalogging device ensure accurate data recording and analysis for learning and research purposes. Overall, this training system enhances students' comprehension of solar thermal technology and its applications.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
4. Wind Energy Training System
The Wind Energy Training System is a downsized replica of a standalone wind turbine power plant, designed to offer students a practical and adjustable model of a wind turbine. It allows students to comprehend the various components and explore the consequences of altering operating points concerning wind speed and pitch angle. Fundamental concepts like I-V characteristics, cut-off speed, and cut-in speed can be studied using this system.
The system is designed to function within an enclosed laboratory, weatherproofed with an artificial wind generator. A large fan controlled by a Variable Frequency Drive simulates different wind speeds, allowing the wind turbine to convert wind energy into electrical energy and produce a three-phase electrical output. This output is transformed from AC to DC through a three-phase rectifier, connected to a charge controller and battery. The system also enables experimentation with different pitch angles and Aerofoil blade profiles, providing an interactive and informative learning experience for students. By facilitating hands-on exploration in a controlled setting, the Wind Energy Training System offers valuable insights into wind energy conversion and its applications, enabling users to access and utilize its capabilities independently of actual weather conditions.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
5. Fuel Cell Training system
The Fuel Cell Training System at the SEE department is an excellent educational setup for students. It includes a rebuildable single cell PEM Fuel Cell and a rebuildable single cell PEM Electrolyser. The system produces Hydrogen and Oxygen gases through electrolysis and then feeds them into the fuel cell to generate electricity. A variable resistive load is used to test the fuel cell's characteristics.
The unique feature of this system is that the fuel cell and electrolyser are rebuildable, allowing students to disassemble and assemble them. This hands-on approach enables students to study the materials and mechanisms involved in making a fuel cell work. They can also replace the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) when needed, making the experimentation process more interactive and practical. Overall, this setup offers a valuable learning experience, allowing students to gain in-depth knowledge about fuel cells and their functioning.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
6. Microgrid system
The Ecosense Microgrid lab offers researchers the opportunity to investigate and understand microgrid systems' performance in various scenarios. The setup incorporates essential components like PV Emulator, Wind Turbine Emulator, Battery bank, and AC/DC Loads, allowing researchers to analyze the microgrid's response to solar and wind energy generation, energy storage dynamics, and the influence of different loads. The modular and scalable design of the system enables easy expansion with additional energy sources, while its grid-connected and standalone configurations provide flexibility for conducting experiments according to specific research needs. The system's continuous sensing of grid-side voltage and currents allows for the implementation of advanced control algorithms for better grid integration and control.
The Microgrid lab's compact design makes it suitable for university campuses with limited space, and its user-friendly setup and maintenance procedures, detailed in the experiment manual, enable university staff to perform routine maintenance and repairs without requiring extensive technical expertise. The system's reliability and continuous operation further contribute to its value as a reliable source of research equipment for the university. Overall, the Ecosense Microgrid lab serves as an excellent platform for researchers to explore and study the behavior and performance of microgrid systems in a wide range of conditions and applications.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
Demonstration and Training
After successful installation of system, Product Demonstration is conducted. The Product Demonstration was focused on how to efficiently utilize the system and explaining the different features of the system.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department
The Road Ahead
The faculty at NIT Delhi was overjoyed with the installation of the Microgrid Lab and they are committed to make it even smarter with their ongoing research activities.
Ecosense installed Renewable Energy Lab at IIT Kanpur’s newly established SEE Department