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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.