Fuzzy Logic Control Approach of a Maximum Power Point Employing SEPIC Converter for Standalone Photovoltaic System

AbstractThis paper presents a new fuzzy logic controller as a maximum power point tracker employing single-ended primary-inductor (SEPIC) converter. The new controller improves perturb and observe search method with rules to fuzzify and eliminate its drawbacks. An accurate and fast converging to maximum power point is offered by fuzzy logic tracker during both steady-state and varying weather conditions compared to conventional maximum power point tracking methods. The performance of the proposed maximum power point tracker is demonstrated in both simulation and experiment at different operating conditions

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes tailored eutectic composites for solar energy harvesting

Carbonaceous thermal energy storage involving PCMs has gained an increasing research interest owing to their higher thermal conductivity and energy storage density. The current work analyses the thermophysical properties of a nano-enhanced eutectic phase change material (NeUPCM) laden with different concentrations (ranges from 0 wt% - 0.7 wt%) of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Paraffin wax-palmitic acid (PW-PA) binary eutectic was produced initially by facile melt blending, and then MWCNTs were doped via standard two-step nanocomposite synthesis protocol. Nanocomposites showed a slower decomposition rate, and the thermal resistance index improved. MWCNT enhance the thermal conductivity of the eutectic base (140 %), which reaches a maximum value of 0.619 W/(m•K) for 0.5 wt% loadings, and the maximum increment of 13.2 % of latent heat was noted for 0.7 wt% loading of MWCNT (which is having a melting temperature of 53 °C). The sample doped with 0.5 wt% MWCNT(C3) showed the highest thermal effusivity. The NeUPCMs also displayed improved photothermal performance and solar absorptivity. Corrosion analysis against copper revealed that the composite is suitable for long-term usage. The NeUPCMs maintained good reliability even after 500 melt-freeze cycles. In short, the proposed NeUPCMs hold significant potential to be employed for thermal energy storage purposes

Analyzing long-term reliability and potential of organic eutectic Phase Change Material as thermal batteries

The current century is experiencing a notable and expeditious transition toward environmentally sustainable and renewable energy sources to mitigate the effects of climate change. Solar energy is a widely utilized renewable energy source due to its abundance and cleanliness despite its disparate distribution. Integrating Latent Heat Energy Storage (LHES) components into solar energy storage systems can potentially mitigate anomalies in solar radiation. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are widely regarded as the most commonly utilized substance for Thermal Energy Storage (TES). The thermal management potential of a TES system is substantially hindered due to the limited thermal conductivity of PCMs. The present study attempts to create a binary eutectic PCM for employment in desalination systems, electronic thermal management, and other medium-temperature applications. The melt blending approach was used to synthesize a Binary Eutectic PCM (BEPCM), mixing paraffin and palmitic acid, and the composite's thermophysical properties were evaluated. The stability of BEPCM was confirmed by using the techniques of Thermogravimetric Analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The synthesized BEPCM's thermal conductivity was 0.256 W⸱m−1⸱K−1 (an increase of 11.3 % above palmitic acid). The melting point and latent heat values were found to be 55 °C and 160 J/g. An in-depth morphological and thermophysical analysis following 4000 thermal cycles validated the EPCM's long-term reliability. Thus, a cost-effective, robust, and reliable PW-PA-based BEPCM was manufactured. The composite benefits TES systems operating at moderate temperatures due to their improved thermophysical capabilities

Thermal stability and light transmission capability of nano TiO2 enhanced phase change material as thermal energy storage

InPhase Change Material (PCM) already pick up some interests among recent researchers and engineers due to its unique characteristic of storage and releasing high quantity of heat energy during phase transition process. However, there's some disadvantages for this material such as low absorption of irradiance and super cooling phenomena occurred. To overcome this problem high conductive nanoparticles are dispersed in to the PCM resulting a new composite called nano-enhanced PCM (NEPCM). In this present paper, the impact of adding Titanium (IV) oxide nanoparticles (TiO2) on pure paraffin wax also was investigated. Output reveal that NEPCM have greater thermal stability than pure PCM. When increasing the %wt, the thermal stability also increases, as shown clearly when using Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate (SDBS) as surfactant

Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) systems : Recent advancements in clean energy applications, thermal management and storage

Solar spectrum utilization can effectively deliver a significant stake in the next century's energy demand, which lies in tandem with Sustainable Development Goals. Solar energy is a promising, sustainable, and cleaner energy source. The photovoltaic thermal system is a solar spectrum utilization technique that can generate thermal and electrical energy, but the recovered thermal energy can primarily contribute to low-temperature utilizations. This study's motivation lies in the great potential of Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal systems in providing high-grade thermal energy and increasing the overall system efficiency. This paper collectively reviews advanced thermal management techniques such as using phase change materials and nanofluids to avert overheating of the solar panel. A comprehensive review of Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal systems like desalination, greenhouse heating which help in attaining Sustainable Development Goals, is also summarized. Heat transfer fluid selection is critical in thermal management, and accordingly, a comparison of various cooling methods is also made. The current article is a novel attempt to deliver a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in thermal management, commercial applications involving clean energy usage, technical challenges involved, economic and environmental impacts of Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal systems. Multigeneration Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal systems are environment-friendly, and the carbon dioxide emission per kilowatt-hour is almost half for concentrating systems compared with photovoltaic systems. The locational and environmental dependency of these systems makes them unattractive for some general applications. For better validation of analytical results, more experimental researches are essential in this area

A Fiber Bragg Grating—Bimetal Temperature Sensor for Solar Panel Inverters

This paper reports the design, characterization and implementation of a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based temperature sensor for an Insulted-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) in a solar panel inverter. The FBG is bonded to the higher Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) side of a bimetallic strip to increase its sensitivity. Characterization results show a linear relationship between increasing temperature and the wavelength shift. It is found that the sensitivity of the sensor can be categorized into three characterization temperature regions between 26 °C and 90 °C. The region from 41 °C to 90 °C shows the highest sensitivity, with a value of 14 pm/°C. A new empirical model that considers both temperature and strain effects has been developed for the sensor. Finally, the FBG-bimetal temperature sensor is placed in a solar panel inverter and results confirm that it can be used for real-time monitoring of the IGBT temperature

Thermal conductivity, reliability, and stability assessment of phase change material (PCM) doped with functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs)

The thermal properties of Phase Change Material (PCM) can be altered by introducing nanoparticles, and composite formed from the addition of nanoparticles are termed Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials (NEPCM). In the present study, the enhancement of thermal conductivity and feasibility study of dispersing multi-walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) and functionalized MWCNT (FMWCNTs) in various mass fractions (AFMW-0.1, AFMW-0.3, AFMW-0.5, AFMW-0.7, AFMW-1.0) into the Plusice A70 PCM were examined. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and TEMPOS thermal analyzer measured the latent heat storage, melting temperature, and thermal conductivity of the nano PCM composite. The thermal conductivity measured for the prepared nanocomposite showed a 109.5% enhancement for 1.0 wt% of non-functionalized MWCNT and 150.7% enhancement for 1.0 wt% of functionalized MWCNT compared to pristine PCM's thermal conductivity. This statement concluded that 50% enhancement for a 1.0 wt% of functionalized MWCNT compared to non-functionalize MWCNT immersed in A70 PCM. The nano composite PCM was thermally stable up to 200 °C and no chemical reaction takes place between the base PCM and nanoparticles. The result shows that the microscopic structure remained stable for the nanocomposite while the optical transmittance reduced noticeably for the nanocomposite relative to pristine A70 PCM. It can be concluded, the prepared nano composite PCM may be useful for solar thermal, photovoltaic thermal system, and low concentrated photovoltaic thermal system applications

Recent progresses and challenges in cooling techniques of concentrated photovoltaic thermal system: A review with special treatment on phase change materials (PCMs) based cooling

Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) system is one of the efficient and economical photovoltaics (PV) technologies. The fundamental principle of using CPV system is a substitution of expensive cell area with inexpensive optics. Concentrating the solar radiation on small areas enhances the power output. However, operating at high temperatures can potentially impair their life span and performance. Thus, cooling medium plays a crucial role in refining the CPV system's efficiency. The integration of the CPV system with Phase change materials (PCMs) provides a state-of-the-art hybrid design for both thermal and electrical outputs, suggesting a better utilization of solar energy. Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCMs) were demonstrated to be the best combination for optimal behavior, such as storing and releasing energy quicker during the phase transition process without help from external systems. Key objective of this review article is to present the latest works and technical challenges on the application of PCMs and NePCMs in Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) as cooling and thermal energy storage mediums to improve PV cell efficiency. This review leads to the current gaps in the research and recommends future work on developing new PCMs, and NePCMs integrated CPV systems for improved performance, life span and economic feasibility