MIT-World Peace University’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering has taken a significant leap in renewable energy education by incorporating Ecosense's Renewable Energy (RE) Based Smart Energy Management System. This system integrates solar and wind energy, providing students with a practical, hands-on approach to learning about renewable electricity production. The system supports three types of energy systems—standalone, grid-connected, and hybrid—offering students the opportunity to explore different methods of energy generation and management.
This initiative is aligned with the university’s goal of producing industry-ready graduates equipped to tackle energy challenges using sustainable solutions. By implementing this innovative system, MIT-World Peace University strengthens its commitment to preparing students for the future of renewable energy technologies.
Harnessing the Power of Wind and Solar Energy
At the core of Ecosense’s system are two of the most prevalent renewable energy sources: a 1kW wind turbine and a 2kW solar PV array. These units demonstrate how renewable resources can be harnessed to produce electricity. Students are provided with a unique opportunity to engage with both energy sources, exploring their dynamics and understanding how factors such as weather conditions impact power generation. This immersive experience is designed to give students hands-on knowledge that complements their theoretical coursework.
Exploring Different Energy Generation Systems
Ecosense’s RE-Based Smart Energy Management System is designed to teach students about the following three types of energy systems:
1. Standalone Systems: Standalone systems operate independently from the national power grid, ideal for remote locations. However, these systems can produce excess energy that may go unused, leading to waste. Through the system, students will study how to optimize energy usage and storage.
2. Grid-Connected Systems: Grid-connected systems allow excess energy to be fed back into the power grid, reducing wastage. Students can observe how these systems interact with the grid and understand the challenges that come with grid dependency, especially during outages.
3. Hybrid Systems: Hybrid systems offer the best of both standalone and grid-connected approaches. They store excess energy in batteries and only transfer surplus power to the grid once the battery is fully charged. This model provides flexibility and maximizes efficiency, which students can evaluate using real-time data.
Real-Time Weather Data and Control Capabilities
One of the most advanced features of the system is its weather station, which monitors solar irradiation, wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and humidity. This data is crucial for understanding how external factors influence energy production. Students will learn to program upper and lower thresholds for these variables, ensuring the safety of the energy generation equipment under different weather conditions. This capability allows students to apply practical solutions to potential real-world scenarios.
Power Evacuation and System Control
The power evacuation units integrated into the system enable users to manage the energy produced through standalone, grid-connected, or hybrid systems. Students are encouraged to switch between different methods of operation to evaluate which system works best in various conditions. The central control unit provides both manual and remote access, ensuring that students can experience the system’s flexibility firsthand.
Ecosense Installs RE-Based Smart Energy Management System at MIT-World Peace University
Load Units and Smart Homes
The system includes a smart home model and a load analysis kit, offering students insight into energy consumption. The smart home model operates through relays, which students can control via computer, allowing them to simulate real-world residential power consumption scenarios. The load analysis kit enables students to explore the behavior of series and parallel circuits, giving them a better understanding of how energy is distributed in different circuit configurations.
Educational Value and Research Opportunities
This installation offers significant educational and research potential. Students can set up various energy systems, such as solar PV standalone setups, grid-connected systems, wind energy systems, and hybrid configurations. Through these experiments, they can measure efficiency, observe power flow in real-time, and compare the performance of different systems under various loads and weather conditions.
The system’s data logging capabilities allow students to track energy generation metrics over time, providing invaluable data for research and further optimization. This hands-on approach not only enhances their understanding of renewable energy systems but also prepares them for careers in the fast-growing renewable energy industry.
Faculty and Students Training
To ensure the successful integration of this advanced system, Ecosense conducted a detailed training program for both faculty and students. This two-day training program allowed professors to familiarize themselves with the system’s operational features and explore ways to incorporate it into the curriculum. By participating in this training, students gained firsthand experience in operating the system, understanding its technical intricacies, and learning how to troubleshoot real-time issues.
Faculty members will now use the system in lab sessions and research projects, allowing students to experiment with different energy systems and evaluate their efficiency under controlled conditions. This practical exposure will help students bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications, enabling them to gain critical skills in renewable energy technologies.
Glimpses of Demonstration