COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Penrose Cofie

COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR: Dr. John Fuller

TITLE: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH PLATFORM FOR POWER GENERATION

ABSTRACT: Over the past century or two, the interest in energy efficiency, Renewable Energy (RE) generation in the power grid, energy cost, environmental protection, cyber-security, and the development of electric vehicles (EVs) technology has been increasing. A research study on the air pollution regulations in the US, Asia, and Europe, as well as other major countries in the world, shows that fossil-fueled vehicles have been chosen as the significant source of emissions that create air pollution leading to the global warming crisis. The oil resources on the earth are decreasing, and the new-fangled discoveries of it are at a more sluggish stride than the increase in demand in the world population. Therefore, the need for alternatives is becoming extremely critical. This research discusses the design and implementation of a RE generation platform (solar power generation system). The design analysis and computation employed the Newton-Raphson load flow method, curve fitting, and other heuristics approaches.

The design procedure is also outlined in the body of the dissertation. The research study further describes an RE platform that consists of a network of devices that collaborate to produce clean energy employing real-time measurements for dynamic optimization techniques. The important components of the designed platform are highlighted in the dissertation. These are various parallel and series combinations of solar cells, DC to DC converters including Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) that are required to fine tune the DC output of the solar cells to charge the batteries and to activate the DC to AC inverters, e-Gauge data loggers, communication networks, parallel and series batteries configurations, buses, breakers, and 200 Amp panels. The partial designed blueprint of the overall system is also included.

The design system mitigates losses due to shading of the solar cells and overloads, maintaining voltage levels, increasing reliability, decreasing power outage occurrences and improving the power management. The daily data collected on the system through the designed communication network allows system operators to identify quickly, the best power management and security strategy against cyber-attacks. The dissertation displays a working model for analysis of crises condition, battery discharging and charging current, and predictable model for solar efficiency. Principally, this dissertation may assist in addressing the future of redesigning the EV systems with solar technology, RE solar system, the implementation of a web security management, and analysis systems for remote data collections. The physical and cyber security of any power grid are very difficult due to their density and the enormous parts of the system that are connected to the cloud. A well-structured defense mechanism against cyber threats can only be effective if the whole power grid is deeply known by its Industrial control systems (ICS). This dissertation recommends the solution to address cybersecurity attacks.

Room Location: The New Electrical and Computer Engineering Building Conference

Room 315D.

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Zoom Meeting (if needed):

https://pvpanther.zoom.us/j/97448063179?pwd=ZlBnNXJYMXphdk5jZU5QRlZHT3Vidz09

Meeting ID: 974 4806 3179

Password: 322806