1st Edition

Energy Harvesting Solar, Wind, and Ocean Energy Conversion Systems

By Alireza Khaligh, Omer C. Onar Copyright 2010
    382 Pages 384 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Also called energy scavenging, energy harvesting captures, stores, and uses "clean" energy sources by employing interfaces, storage devices, and other units. Unlike conventional electric power generation systems, renewable energy harvesting does not use fossil fuels and the generation units can be decentralized, thereby significantly reducing transmission and distribution losses. But advanced technical methods must be developed to increase the efficiency of devices in harvesting energy from environmentally friendly, "green" resources and converting them into electrical energy.

    Recognizing this need, Energy Harvesting: Solar, Wind, and Ocean Energy Conversion Systems describes various energy harvesting technologies, different topologies, and many types of power electronic interfaces for stand-alone utilization or grid connection of energy harvesting applications. Along with providing all the necessary concepts and theoretical background, the authors develop simulation models throughout the text to build a practical understanding of system analysis and modeling.

    With a focus on solar energy, the first chapter discusses the I−V characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) systems, PV models and equivalent circuits, sun tracking systems, maximum power point tracking systems, shading effects, and power electronic interfaces for grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems. It also presents sizing criteria for applications and modern solar energy applications, including residential, vehicular, naval, and space applications. The next chapter reviews different types of wind turbines and electrical machines as well as various power electronic interfaces. After explaining the energy generation technologies, optimal operation principles, and possible utilization techniques of ocean tidal energy harvesting, the book explores near- and offshore approaches for harvesting the kinetic and potential energy of ocean waves. It also describes the required absorber, turbine, and generator types, along with the power electronic interfaces for grid connection and commercialized ocean wave energy conversion applications. The final chapter deals with closed, open, and hybrid-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion systems.

    Solar Energy Harvesting

    Introduction

    I–V Characteristics of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

    PV Models and Equivalent Circuits

    Sun Tracking Systems

    MPPT Techniques

    Shading Effects on PV Cells

    Power Electronic Interfaces for PV Systems

    Sizing the PV Panel and Battery Pack for Stand-Alone PV Applications

    Modern Solar Energy Applications

    Wind Energy Harvesting

    Introduction

    Winds

    History of Wind Energy Harvesting

    Fundamentals of Wind Energy Harvesting

    Wind Turbine Systems

    Wind Turbines

    Different Electrical Machines in Wind Turbines

    Synchronous Generators

    Wind Harvesting Research and Development

    Tidal Energy Harvesting

    Introduction

    Categories of Tidal Power and Corresponding Generation Technology

    Turbine and Generator’s Control

    Tidal Energy Conversion Systems

    Grid Connection Interfaces for Tidal Energy Harvesting Applications

    Potential Resources

    Environmental Impacts

    Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting

    Introduction to Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting

    The Power of Ocean Waves

    Wave Energy Harvesting Technologies

    Wave Energy Applications

    Wave Energy in Future

    Ocean Thermal Energy Harvesting

    History

    Classification of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversions (OTECs)

    Technical Obstacles of Closed-Cycle OTEC Systems

    Components of an OTEC System

    Control of an OTEC Power Plant

    Control of a Steam Turbine

    Potential Resources

    Multipurpose Utilization of OTEC Systems

    Impact on Environment

    Index

    A Summary and References appear at the end of each chapter.

    Biography

    Alireza Khaligh is the director of the Energy Harvesting and Renewable Energies Laboratory (EHREL) at the Electric Power and Power Electronics Center (EPPEC) in the electrical and computer engineering department at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

    Omer C. Onar is a doctoral research assistant in the Energy Harvesting and Renewable Energies Laboratory (EHREL) at the Electric Power and Power Electronics Center (EPPEC) in the electrical and computer engineering department at the Illinois Institute of Technology.