Electric Renewable Energy Systems

Muhammad H. Rashid

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9780128001189
• eBook ISBN: 9780128006368
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications
• Index: Technology & Engineering

- This derivative volume stemming from content included in our seminal Power Electronics Handbook takes its chapters related to renewables and establishes them at the core of a new volume dedicated to the increasingly pivotal and as yet under-published intersection of Power Electronics and Alternative Energy. While this re-versioning provides a corollary revenue stream to better leverage our core handbook asset, it does more than simply re-package existing content. Each chapter will be significantly updated and expanded by more than 50%, and all new introductory and summary chapters will be added to contextualize and tie the volume together. Therefore, unlike traditional derivative volumes, we will be able to offer new and updated material to the market and include this largely original content in our ScienceDirect Energy collection.- Due to the inherently multi-disciplinary nature of renewables, many engineers come from backgrounds in Physics, Materials, or Chemical Engineering, and therefore do not have experience working in-depth with electronics. As more and more alternative and distributed energy systems require grid hook-ups and on-site storage, a working knowledge of batteries, inverters and other power electronics components becomes requisite. Further, as renewables enjoy broadening commercial implementation, power electronics professionals are interested to learn of the challenges and strategies particular to applications in alternative energy. This book will bring each group up-to-speed with the primary issues of importance at this technological node.- This content clarifies the juncture of two key coverage areas for our Energy portfolio: alternative sources and power systems. It serves to bridge the information in our power engineering and renewable energy lists, supporting the growing grid cluster in the former and adding key information on practical implementation to the latter.- Provides a thorough overview of the key technologies, methods and challenges for implementing power electronics in alternative energy systems for optimal power generation- Includes hard-to-find information on how to apply converters, inverters, batteries, controllers and more for stand-alone and grid-connected systems- Covers wind and solar applications, as well as ocean and geothermal energy, hybrid systems and fuel cells

1

Introduction to electrical energy systems

Bora Novakovic

Adel Nasiri Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

Abstract

This chapter discusses basic electrical energy systems. Concepts of energy and power are defined and fundamentals of energy conversion systems and processes are explained. These concepts are described for direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) systems, including polyphase AC systems. Described conversion systems include thermal, photovoltaic, electrochemical, electromechanical, and thermoelectric. Laws of thermodynamics are reviewed for thermal energy conversion. Fundamental formulas are developed for various forms of energy conversion systems. Pictures and equations are provided where necessary to explain the concepts. Energy storage systems and the concept of loss and efficiency are also briefly discussed. At the end of the chapter, energy resources and potential environmental impacts are explained.

Keywords

electrical energy

direct current

alternating current

AC systems

DC systems

polyphase systems

multiphase systems

photovoltaic systems

laws of thermodynamics

electromechanical energy

thermoelectric energy

Chapter Outline

1.1 Electrical energy systems 1

1.2 Energy and power 3

1.3 AC versus DC supply 6

1.4 Basic energy conversion processes 7

1.5 Review of the laws of thermodynamics 8

1.5.1 Zeroth law of thermodynamics 9

1.5.2 First law of thermodynamics 9

1.5.3 Second law of thermodynamics 10

1.5.4 Third law of thermodynamics 10

1.6 Photovoltaic energy conversion systems 10

1.7 Electrochemical energy conversion systems 12

1.8 Thermoelectric energy conversion systems 14

1.9 Electromechanical energy conversion systems 15

1.9.1 Prime movers for the electric generators 17

1.10 Energy storage 18

1.11 Efficiency and losses 18

1.12 Energy resources 19

1.13 Environmental considerations 19

References 20

1.1. Electrical energy systems

Electrical energy is one of the most commonly used forms of energy in the world. It can be easily converted into any other energy form and can be safely and efficiently transported over long distances. As a result, it is used in our daily lives more than any other energy source. It powers home appliances, cars, and trains; supplies the machines that pump water; and energizes the light bulbs lighting homes and cities.

Any system that deals with electrical energy on its way between energy sources and loads can be considered to be an electrical energy system. These systems vary greatly in size and complexity. For instance, consider a supply system of a computer, large data center, or power system of a country. All these systems include some sort of power conversion to generate electrical energy, power transmission, and distribution. In all cases, some kind of power transformation is also included either to convert between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) systems or to adapt electric supply voltage to the load’s requirements.

All electrical energy systems are characterized by the voltage waveform, rated voltage, power levels, and the number of lines or phases in the case of AC systems. Based on the voltage waveform, electrical energy systems can be divided in two main categories, AC systems and DC systems. AC systems transport and distribute energy using alternating voltages and currents while DC systems use direct currents and voltages for the same purpose. Another classification of low voltage (less than 600 V), medium voltage (600 V–69 kV), high voltage (69–230 kV), and extra-high voltage systems (more than 230 kV) can be done based on the voltage ratings of the system [1]. AC systems exist at all voltage levels. DC systems, on the other hand, are more common at extra-high and low voltage levels. AC systems can be further divided to single-phase and polyphase systems depending on the number of phases used for power transmission. Among polyphase systems, the three-phase system is most commonly used.

Another classification of electrical energy systems can be based on their purpose. Assuming that the electrical energy goes through a chain of systems on its path from sources to the lo...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• List of Contributors
• About the Editor-in-Chief
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• 1: Introduction to electrical energy systems
• 2: Components of electric energy systems
• 3: Solar energy
• 4: Wind energy
• 5: Hydroelectricity
• 6: Fuel cells
• 7: Geothermal energy
• 8: Utilization of bioresources as fuels and energy generation
• 9: Single-phase AC supply
• 10: Three-phase AC supply
• 11: Magnetic circuits and power transformers
• 12: Renewable energy generators and control
• 13: Power semiconductor devices
• 14: AC–DC converters (rectifiers)
• 15: DC–DC converters
• 16: DC–AC inverters
• 17: Electric power transmission
• 18: Electric power systems
• 19: Control of photovoltaic technology
• 20: Integration of distributed renewable energy systems into the smart grid
• 21: Environmental impacts of renewable energy
• Author Index
• Subject Index