Optimization of solar power system for electric vehicle
Ndyamukama, Fred Edwin (2017)
Diplomityö
2017
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2017110650527
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2017110650527
Tiivistelmä
Recent studies confirm that fossil fuel consumption accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions which have largely contributed to global warming. Therefore, utilisation of renewable sources is vital today. A step towards increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix is the design of a solar powered vehicle which is discussed in this research. The basic principle of a solar vehicle is to utilise the energy generated by the solar panel and stored in the battery. The charged battery acts as a fuel tank and is used to supply electricity to the drive train and move the vehicle both in the forward or reverse direction.
However, utilisation of solar energy is not free of disadvantages. It is almost impossible to build a reliable electric power system depending on solar energy alone because of its high volatile nature. This is because it is difficult to balance generation and consumption of solar plants. Solar energy generated in certain periods would not be sufficient to cover consumers’ needs while large amounts of electricity generated by solar panel in certain periods will go to waste. The solution to overcome this problem is to control our consumption and utilisation of batteries and vehicle-to-grid technology so the excess electricity is not wasted.
In this thesis, a solar powered system was studied for an electric vehicle so as to utilise solar energy to move the car rather than electricity from the grid. The system predicts solar panels’ generation based on the geographical location and weather forecast. This solar energy is used to meet the energy demand for passenger vehicles in selected locations, and the system is forced to purchase electricity from the grid if the solar energy is not sufficient to cover the demand. The results of the system designed confirms an increase in the utilisation of solar power, and a decrease of energy use from the grid. The test of the system shows further increase in the usage of solar power in the future with increase in efficiency of solar panels. In summary, the system designed decreases the total cost of electricity and increases system effectiveness of solar panels.
However, utilisation of solar energy is not free of disadvantages. It is almost impossible to build a reliable electric power system depending on solar energy alone because of its high volatile nature. This is because it is difficult to balance generation and consumption of solar plants. Solar energy generated in certain periods would not be sufficient to cover consumers’ needs while large amounts of electricity generated by solar panel in certain periods will go to waste. The solution to overcome this problem is to control our consumption and utilisation of batteries and vehicle-to-grid technology so the excess electricity is not wasted.
In this thesis, a solar powered system was studied for an electric vehicle so as to utilise solar energy to move the car rather than electricity from the grid. The system predicts solar panels’ generation based on the geographical location and weather forecast. This solar energy is used to meet the energy demand for passenger vehicles in selected locations, and the system is forced to purchase electricity from the grid if the solar energy is not sufficient to cover the demand. The results of the system designed confirms an increase in the utilisation of solar power, and a decrease of energy use from the grid. The test of the system shows further increase in the usage of solar power in the future with increase in efficiency of solar panels. In summary, the system designed decreases the total cost of electricity and increases system effectiveness of solar panels.