Harsh Vardhan

17/IEE/015

Renewable Energy Resources

Assignment – 3

1) Explain the I-V and P-V characteristics of solar PV system ?

Ans:

A Current (I) versus Voltage (V) Curve of a PV / Solar Module shows the possible combinations
of its current and voltage outputs. A typical I-V curve for a 12 V Module is shown at Fig. above.

The power in a DC electrical circuit is the product of the voltage and the current.
Mathematically,

Power (P) in Watts (W) = V X I

A Solar (PV) Cell or a Panel / Module produces its maximum current when there is no resistance
in the circuit, i.e. when there is a short circuit between its Positive and Negative terminals. This
maximum current is known as the Short Circuit Current and is abbreviated as Isc. When the Cell
/ Panel (Module) is shorted, the voltage in the circuit is zero.

Conversely, the maximum voltage occurs when there is a break in the circuit. This is called the
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc). Under this condition, the resistance is infinitely high and there is no
current, since the circuit is incomplete. These two extremes in load resistance, and the whole
range of conditions in between them, are depicted on the I-V Curve. Current, expressed in
Amps, is on the vertical Y-axis. Voltage, in Volts, is on the horizontal X-axis.

The power available from a photovoltaic device at any point along the curve is just the product
of Current (I) in Amps (A) and Voltage (V) in Volts (V) at that point and is expressed in Watts. At
the short circuit current point, the power output is zero, since the voltage is zero. At the open
circuit voltage point, the power output is also zero, but this time it is because the current is
zero.
2) Explain the basic principle of wind energy conversion system?
Ans: Wind possesses energy by virtue of its motion. Any device capable of slowing down the
mass of moving air, like a sail or propeller, can extract part of the energy and convert is into
useful work.
There are three factors determine the output power generated from the wind mill, they are
(1) The wind speed
(2) The cross section of wind swept by rotor, and
(3) The overall conversion efficiency of rotor, transmission system and generator or pump.
No device, however well-designed, can extract all of the wind’s energy because the wind would
have to be brought to a halt and this would prevent the passage of more air through the rotor.
The most that is possible is for the rotor to decelerate to whole horizontal column of
intercepted air to about one-third of its free velocity.
The power in the wind can be computed by using of Kinetics (Kinetic means relating to or
resulting from motion). The wind mill works on the principle of converting Kinetic energy of the
wind to mechanical energy.

When air mass is flowing through an area A with speed v, the power of that air movement at
time t is given by:

where ρ is the density of air, which is around 1.22kg/m³. The energy (kWh) is the product of
power and time:
3) Differentiate between off grid and grid connected wind energy conversion
system?
Ans:
i) With grid tie wind turbines you can avail the best of both the worlds as you get power from
the power system as well as the wind system. When wind power is harnessed wind power will
be utilized. When there is no wind power then the power which is baled up in the inverter will
be utilized. Hence when there is no wind or slow wind then the turbine will provide regular
power supply.

ii) In case the turbine has generated more power than required then the excess power can be
sold to the power company which will give you credit for the same. You can leverage your costs
by buying backup batteries which can store excess power. In case of any power outrage, the
inverter will simply start using the power of the backup batteries. Grid tie wind turbines are the
best choice in case of blackouts. The inverter will automatically switch itself off when normal
power comes back.

iii) The off grid is the second type of wind turbine that is extremely self reliant. You can
supplement power from off grid with solar power. There is no electrical system connected to
the off grid like the grid tie.

iv) The wind power generated by the off grid system is stored in battery cells.

v) The off grid system has low maintenance costs. There is no need of an expensive grid
connection and hence you can save on your costs.

vi) However the off grid wind turbines cannot be relied on throughout the year.
4) Distinguish single basin arrangement and double basin arrangement for
generation of electricity from water power with relevant sketches?
Ans:
SINGLE BASIN TIDAL ENERGY SYSTEM:-
• Power house is situated at the mouth of single basin

• Hydraulic turbine only operates during discharge of water from basin during ebb tide. During
high tidal basin is again filled.
• Power generation is intermittent.
• It cannot meet peak power demands.
DOUBLE BASIN TIDAL ENERGY SYSTEM:-
• System has two basins at two different levels and sluice gates are provided in tha dam.

• Upper basin is filled during high tide and lower basin is emptied during low tide. Therefore, it
creates a permanent head for turbine to operate continuously.

• Power generation is continuous.

• The peak power demands can be met by pumping water by other means from lower basin to
upper basin.
5) What are the main types of OTEC power plants? Describe their working in
brief?
Ans: Ocean Thermal Energy also called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) refers to a
method of using the temperature difference between the deep parts of the sea which are cold
and the shallow parts of the sea which are cold to run a heat engine and produce useful work.
Basically, Ocean thermal energy conversion is an electricity generation system.

Types of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Systems:-

Closed Cycle OTEC system

• Closed Cycle: Closed cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion systems use a working
fluid with a low boiling point, Ammonia for example, and use it to power a turbine to
generate electricity. Warm seawater is taken in from the surface of the oceans and cold
water from the deep at 5o. The warm seawater vaporizes the fluid in the heat exchanger
which then turns the turbines of the generator. The fluid now in the vapor state is
brought in contact with cold water which turns it back into a liquid. The fluid is recycled
in the system which is why it is called a closed system.
 Open System OTEC system

• Open Cycle: Open cycle OTEC directly uses the warm water from the surface to make
electricity. The warm seawater is first pumped in a low-pressure chamber where due to
the drop in pressure, it undergoes a drop in boiling point as well. This causes the water
to boil. This steam drives a low-pressure turbine which is attached to an electrical
generator. The advantage this system has over a closed system is that, in the open cycle,
desalinated water in the form of steam is obtained. Since it is steam, it is free from all
impurities. This water can be used for domestic, industrial, or agricultural purposes.