Operation and Control of Renewable Energy Systems

Mukhtar Ahmad

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781119281689
• eBook ISBN: 9781119281726
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

A comprehensive reference to renewable energy technologies with a focus on power generation and integration into power systems

This book addresses the generation of energy (primarily electrical) through various renewable sources. It discusses solar and wind power—two major resources that are now in use in small as well as large-scale power production—and their requirements for effectively using advanced control techniques.In addition, the book looks at theintegration of renewable energy in the power grid and its ability to work in a micro grid.

Operation and Control of Renewable Energy Systems describes the numerous types of renewable energy sources available and the basic principles involving energy conversion, including the theory of fluid mechanics and the laws of thermodynamics. Chapter coverage includes the theory of power electronics and various electric power generators, grid scale energy storage systems, photovoltaic power generation, solar thermal energy conversion technology, horizontal and vertical wind turbines for power generation, and more.

• Covers integration into power systems with an emphasis on microgrids
• Introduces a wide range of subjects related to renewable energy systems, including energy storage, microgrids, and battery technologies
• Includes tutorial materials such as up-to-date references for wind energy, grid connection, and power electronics—plus worked examples and solutions

Operation and Control of Renewable Energy Systems is the perfect introduction to renewable energy technologies for undergraduate and graduate students and can also be very useful to practicing engineers.

Chapter 1
Sources of Energy and Technologies

1.1 Energy Uses in Different Countries

As demand to meet social and economic development and improve human welfare and health is increasing, the demand for clean energy and associated services is also increasing. All societies require energy to meet basic human needs, for example, lighting, cooking, living comfort, mobility and communication also to run industries for various productive processes. Since around 1850, global use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) has been the most dominant source of energy supply, leading to a rapid growth in CO₂ emissions. The per capita energy consumption which was about 200 W nearly 100 years ago has increased to more than 2000 W per capita now. The energy consumption has almost doubled during last 30 years. Globally, energy consumption grew most quickly in the transport and service sectors, because of rising passenger travel and freight transport and a rapid expansion in the service economy. In 2004, about 77.8% of total energy consumption was through fossil fuels, only 5.4% was nuclear and the rest 16.5% was from renewable resources which was mainly hydroelectric.

The energy consumption in the world is mainly from following six primary sources. These are (i) fossil fuels, ii) nuclear, iii) hydro, iv) wind, v) solar and vi) biomass.

According to Renewables 2010 Global Status Report, the renewable energy share of total energy consumption in 2008 was 19%, as shown in Fig. 1.1. Of this 19%, approximately 13% is used primarily for cooking and heating using traditional biomass which is growing slowly or even declining in some regions. The main reason for this is that now biomass is used more efficiently or is replaced by more modern energy forms. Hydropower represents 3.2% and is growing from a large base. Other renewables account for 2.6% and are growing very rapidly in developed as well as in some developing countries.

Figure 1.1 Renewable energy share of global energy consumption in 2008.

Source: REN21 (2010) [1]. Reproduced with permission from Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century.

Three main sectors that account for approximately 70% of the total energy consumption in an industrialized country are as follows:

• Motors (approximately 40–45%)
• Lighting (15%)
• Home appliances (15%)

Energy consumption in a country is an indication of the level of development and quality of life [1]. The developing and developed countries have striking disparities in per capita annual energy consumption as shown Fig. 1.2. In India, energy use per capita in 2012 was 614 KWh. The electric power consumption kWh per capita was the highest for Iceland 52,374 and minimum in Tanzania which was 92; for the United States, it was 11,919. The share of fossil fuels in primary sources of energy in 1995 and 2005 and the prediction for 2030 are shown in Fig. 1.3.

Figure 1.2 Per capita energy consumption in countries.

Figure 1.3 World energy outlook and future prediction.

1.2 Energy Sources

All major sources of energy can be categorized as non-renewable and renewable. Non-renewable energy is mainly the fossil fuels energy obtained from coal, crude oil, natural gas and nuclear fuel. Renewable energy is obtained from hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, ocean and biomass.

1.2.1 Non-Renewable Energy Resources

Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuels which are non-renewable sources of energy. These sources are non-renewable because they take millions of years to form. In addition, they are being used so extensively that the reserves are being depleted much faster than the new ones are being formed. One of the biggest benefits of using fossil fuels is their low cost. Another advantage is that these resources are available in abundance right now and relatively inexpensive to drill or mine. The estimate at current usage of coal suggests that its supply will last for 1500 years. However, if the consumption grows at 5% per year, the coal supply will last only for 86 years. It is expected that even greater usage of coal will be made in future as other fossil fuels become scarce. Other fuels such as oil and gas reserves are predicted on the basis of only proven reserve estimates. Total oil reserves in 2013 are now estimated at 1.64 trillion bbl, while the world's gas reserves are 7.02 quadrillion, up by 0.4% ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Sources of Energy and Technologies
• Chapter 2: Power Electronic Converters
• Chapter 3: Renewable Energy Generator Technology
• Chapter 4: Grid-Scale Energy Storage
• Chapter 5: Solar Energy Systems
• Chapter 6: Photovoltaic Systems
• Chapter 7: Wind Energy
• Chapter 8: Biomass Energy Systems
• Chapter 9: Geothermal Energy
• Chapter 10: Ocean Energy
• Chapter 11: Fuel Cells
• Chapter 12: Small Hydropower Plant
• Chapter 13: Control of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic and Wind Energy Systems
• Chapter 14: Renewable Energy Sources Integration in Microgrid
• Index
• End User License Agreement