Ecosense, a leading provider of renewable energy solutions, has taken a significant step toward fostering education and innovation in sustainable energy by establishing a state-of-the-art Renewable Energy Lab at Kathmandu University, Nepal. This milestone project is aimed at equipping students, researchers, and educators with hands-on training and research capabilities in cutting-edge renewable energy technologies.
The Renewable Energy Lab is designed to serve as a platform for advancing knowledge and practical skills in clean energy solutions. The lab features three advanced systems that cater to diverse aspects of renewable energy: the Solar PV Training and Research System, the Thermal Energy Storage System, and the Solar Concentrator Training System. Each of these systems is tailored to address specific educational and research needs, making the lab a comprehensive hub for renewable energy studies.
A. Solar PV Training and Research System
Solar PV Training and Research system is a compact miniaturised version of an actual Solar PV standalone power plant. The system enables user to study wiring and interconnections of different components involved in the system to develop basic understanding of working and operation of a Standalone PV system. Through the help of experiments a student can understand underlying principles of solar PV, its applications in standalone system and challenges like sizing of system, MPPT, installations etc. by doing various experiments. The system also provides scope for further research.
The system is an indoor system which utilises halogen lamps to act as artificial sun to illuminate to solar panels which can be configured in series or parallel depending upon experiments and requirements of users. The experiments are divided into 3 sections: a) Solar PV characteristics, b) Standalone PV system and c) Research experiments. In the first section i.e., Solar PV characteristics there are 5 experiments through which a user can study about Solar PV characteristics, interconnection of solar panel, effect of tilt, radiation and temperature on solar panels and usage of diodes in a solar panel. In second section there are 4 experiments through which user can study about the different components involved in solar PV standalone systems, their interconnection and usage. In third section user can research on maximum power point tracking of the solar panels.
The system consists of individual plug-in units each with components for different experimental arrangement. The conception of system facilitates indoor as well as outdoor experiments.
B. Thermal Energy Storage System
The thermal energy storage (TES) can be defined as the temporary storage of thermal energy at high or low temperatures. The TES is not a new concept, and at has been used for centuries. Energy storage can reduce the time or rate mismatch between energy supply & demand and it plays an important role in energy conservation. Energy storage improves performance of energy systems by smoothing supply and increasing reliability. For example, storage would improve the performance of a power generating plant by load levelling. The higher efficiency would lead to energy conservation and improve cost effectiveness. Some of the renewable energy sources can only provide energy intermittently. Although the sun provides an abundant, clean and safe source of energy, the supply of this energy is periodic following yearly and diurnal cycles; it is intermittent, often unpredictable and diffused. Its density is low compared with the energy flux densities found in conventional fossil energy devices like coal or oil-fired furnaces. The demand for energy, on the other hand, is also unsteady following yearly and diurnal cycles for both industrial and personal needs. Therefore, the need for the storage of solar energy cannot be avoided.
This system has been designed to perform TES related experiment by using PCM materials. As there are several types of PCM, the system has been designed to perform experiment with at least two PCM separately. Provision is also kept to examine the combine (known as cascading) effect of two PCMs in thermal energy storage. To visualize the phase changes in the material another set of arrangement are there in the system.
C. Solar Concentrator Training System
The Solar Concentrator Training System is a compact and miniaturized version of Solar parabolic trough collector-based water heating system. The system consists of parabolic reflectors, absorber tube, sun tracker, piping, storage tanks and a heat exchanger. A control panel would control different devices and also measure the different parameters of the system. The system can be used to perform experiments on heat transfer, parabolic trough characteristics and heat loss at different parts of the system. The system is highly flexible – it can be used with different working fluids, different absorbing materials, different piping insulation thickness and different types of storage tanks. This gives a lot of scope for research in heat transfer and related fields. Wind speed variation and flow velocity are other parameters which can be changed to show their impact on heat transfer and heat loss.
The system can be broadly divided into three parts a) Heat generating unit with tracking system, b) Storage unit and c) control unit. Heat generating unit consists of a parabolic reflector focusing sunlight on absorber tubes. Storage unit consists of two supply tanks one with heat exchanger and other without heat exchanger and control unit consists of measurement panel and sensors.
The system enables user to study and learn about Solar thermal technologies in easy and interactive manner. It educates the user about basics on solar thermal Solar Parabolic Trough Collector technology, basic terminologies used for solar thermal technology like temperature, pressure, flow measurement install collector/receiver mounting structures on the foundations etc.
Training and Demonstration
To maximize the potential of the system, Ecosense conducted a detailed demonstration and training program for the faculty, researchers, and technical staff at Kathmandu University. This hands-on orientation equipped the participants with the skills needed to operate the system effectively and explore its full range of capabilities. The trained personnel will further mentor students and professionals, cascading the knowledge and ensuring its wide dissemination across the academic community.
Ecosense Installs Advanced Renewable Energy Lab at Kathmandu University, Nepal
A Partnership for Sustainable Progress
The collaboration between Ecosense and Kathmandu University reflects a shared vision of promoting sustainable energy practices and advancing renewable energy research. By introducing this cutting-edge system, Kathmandu University is not only enriching its academic offerings but also contributing significantly to the development of renewable energy technologies.
This milestone underscores the role of academia in driving innovation and sustainability. As students, researchers, and educators harness the potential of the Solar PV Training and Research System, they are laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future.