SELF ASSESMENT WATER PUMPING BY RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Contents

Introduction
Design

Solar Panel Charge controller

Inverter
Variable Frequency Drive PID controller Submersible pump

Storage
Advantages & Disadvantages Conclusion

Introduction

Agriculture is the main occupation of our country and farmers are the backbone of our country. One of the main problem for them is scarcity of electricity. Electric energy is used to draw underground water necessary for crops. We use directly coupled PV system to run water pump, which will be useful for farmers. As we use renewable energy source for this, we can decrease dependence on conventional energy sources for electrical energy. Its lifespan is very long and works efficiently for more than 20 years.

Design
Charge Controller

Inverter

VFD

PID Controller

Solar Panel

A solar panel is a set of solar photovoltaic modules electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure. Solar panel converts solar energy directly to electrical energy.

Life time of solar panels are high.

We are getting electricity from solar energy which is renewable and ecofriendly.

Charge controller

A charge controller is a controlling device which gives out put as a constant one.
The output of solar panels is variable dc and depends on time of day. So this variable dc is given to charge controller. Variable dc input is made constant by the charge controller.

Inverter

It is a converter which converts fixed dc to variable ac. The constant dc output coming from charge controller is given to input side of the inverter. Inverter converts that constant dc power to variable ac power. We are using 3phase inverters because power rating is high.

VFD(Variable Frequency Drive)

VFD is a device which gives constant ac output of variable frequency with input as a variable ac. Variable ac coming from inverter circuit is given to VFD. Constant output power is required because we are giving this power to our pump used in the system.

We know that any machine can runs at high efficiency only when constant input is given.
So VFDs are used in our design.

PID Controller

The proportional integral derivative control is used in closed loop control mechanism. A PID controller calculates an "error" value as the difference between a measured process variable and a desired set point.

It is connected between input of motor and input of VFD.

When the output of VFD is less than the rated value of motor then PID controller sens an error signal to input of VFD which gives specified output.

Submersible pump

A 3 phase submersible pump works efficiently in drawing underground water. The power input to the pump is obtained from the VFD and is controlled by the PID controller. This pump is setup in the ground at water table and water was drawn.

The pump is operated in such a way that it draws water whole day continuously for 6-8 hours and stored.

Storage

The water drawn during day time was stored in ponds or tanks constructed at a high level land. When water is not necessary to the crop directly, it is stored on ponds or tanks constructed for this purpose. Storage may reduce the water from being drawn from ground for a day.

Advantages

Consumption of electric energy from conventional energy sources is reduced, in fact made zero. Lifetime of the solar panels is very high.

Maintenance of the entire circuit and panel is very low and easy.
Efficiency of the entire system and its individual circuits is very high. As we use storage water tanks, water can be used according to need even at night time and in low sunlight condition.

Disadvantages

The only disadvantage is that the initial cost of the solar panel is high. It should be well planned s it is difficult to move from one place to another if once installed.

Conclusion

This is very economical and can save power for a lifetime. As electricity scarcity is a major problem for farmers in rural areas, this is most helpful for them. The maintenance and working cost of solar water pump is quiet cheaper when compared to other conventional sources of energy.

Problems are not involved in this system when the system is properly installed. So proper installation of the system is sufficient for efficient operation.