Methodology for a Renewable Energy Design Dissertation

Chapter 3

Research Methodology

This chapter includes the treatment of conceptual model, research paradigm, block diagram, controls diagram, flow chart, proving and experiment processs, tabulated informations sheets, alongside the measure of stuffs.

1. Conceptual Model

With the array of thoughts from the old parts of this paper, that is, the reappraisal of related literature as discussed, it has been likely to get at a conceptualized construction for the realisation of the projected proposal. Proper constituents must be selected in order to run into the demands of the end product and to fulfill the specifications indicated on the design.

The chief constituents of the proposal are the photovoltaic, thermoelectric generators, charge accountant, battery bank, and the DC motor. As the PV gathers solar beams and the TE gathers heat, the end product electromotive force is governed by the electromotive force of the battery, which is affected by the province of charge of the battery and the charging/discharging current. The charge accountant will be used leting the advocates to track and modulate the maximal electrical power point of the photovoltaic array to present the upper limit available current for its batteries, therefore protracting the vehicle’s battery life.

The battery bank harvests the electrical energy converted by the generators plenty to run the DC motor. The DC motor which has been connected to the vehicle’s wheel will be the cause for the vehicle to run.

The end product should be evaluated and assessed based on the aims of the undertaking and if it met the expected consequence without meeting any job or issues. If of all time a job has occurred, it has to be decently troubleshot to the design and proficient facet for proper action, accommodation, or design alteration.

After the accommodations and alterations, the result will so re-evaluated and re-assessed until it satisfies and run into the aim of the survey.

1. Research Paradigm

Figure 3.1 Research Paradigm

As the Figure 3.1 shows the form in which the whole survey will undergo. With the usage of photovoltaic and thermoelectric generators, solar and heat energy will be harvested. From these solar and heat energy it will be so generated into electricity. Using dc-dc convertor, the electricity generated will be delivered to tonss, which are the vehicle’s batteries and power web needed to run the solar electric vehicle.

2. Block Diagram

Figure 3.2 Block diagram

3. Controls Diagram

Figure 3.3 Controls Diagram

As you can see in Figure 3.3, it shows the constellation of the proposed combined energy system for an electric vehicle. From the two beginnings, PV and TE generators, energy harvested will foremost travel to the charge accountant at the same time. The alternator will merely run if the altimeter detected that the surface degree descend. The MCU will read and react to the measurings made by the altimeter. The MCU is the 1 that gives bid to the charge accountant to unplug the PV and TE generators and so will link the alternator to bear down mechanical energy. If the altimeter so detects that the surface is already at even so it will once more throw signal to MCU that commands the charge accountant to unplug the alternator and once more link the PV and TE generators.

4. Flow chart

Figure 3.4 Flow chart

Figure 3.6 shows the sequence of the events that goes through the proposed energy system for an electric vehicle. It all starts with the energy beginnings. First, the PV and TE generators will bring forth energy every bit long as there is solar and heat energy available. Both will run at the same time. This harvested energy will be directed to the charge accountant. With the alternator, there should be measuring from the altimeter, finding the surface degree whether inclining down or at even. When there is a lapse rate alteration, the MCU commands the charge accountant to unplug the PV and TE generator. Finally, the alternator will so be connected to reap energy. The charge accountant will invariably modulate the current that will travel to the battery Bankss. By so, with adequate charged battery, the DC motor will run that causes the electric vehicle itself to run.

Testing and Experiment Procedures

Mistakes and abnormalcies may originate in completion of the proposed thesis paradigm, which is usually happen. It can be holding a batch of mistakes which proving it is still necessary. The group overlook the possible abnormality that may impact the system.

The first stage to be tested would be how the system works, where the TEG, PV and alternator are in good status. The microcontroller must besides be taken attention of, refering how efficient it analyzes and processes the informations transmitted from the detectors.

In transporting out how the paradigm of the proposed thesis undertaking, upper limit of 10 tests will be done. The experimentation will take topographic point in different location to execute the effectivity of the alternator.

Beforehand, a paradigm should prove ever to hold its safety and attained the chief intent of the survey.

5. Tabulated Data Sheets

The undermentioned tabular arraies will be used for the record the information that will be gathered for the testing of the undertaking.

Table 3.1 Reliability of Photovoltaic Generator ( Output Power )

Time	Day
1	2	3	4	5	Average
07:00 – 08:00
08:00 – 09:00
09:00 – 10:00
10:00 – 11:00
11:00 – 12:00
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:00
14:00 – 15:00
15:00 – 16:00
16:00 – 17:00

Table 3.2 Reliability of Thermoelectric Generator ( Output Power )

Time ( hour )	Change in Temperature ( aµ’C )
D5aµ’C	D10aµ’C	D15aµ’C	D20aµ’C	D25aµ’C	D30aµ’C	D35aµ’C	D40aµ’C
1hr
2hr
3hrs
4hrs
5hrs
6hrs
7hrs
8hrs
9hrs

Table 3.3 Reliability of Alternator ( Output Power )

Test	Revolutions per minute
50	100	150	200	250	300
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average

Table 3.4 Reliability of LCD

Test	Measurements	Percentage Mistake
Actual	LCD Display
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average

*To look into the truth of the LCD

Table 3.5 Charging Time

Test	Percentage ( % )
1	2	3	4	5	Average
Time
07:00 – 08:00
08:00 – 09:00
09:00 – 10:00
10:00 – 11:00
11:00 – 12:00
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:00
14:00 – 15:00
15:00 – 16:00
16:00 – 17:00

*Charging clip in Percentage or power delivered to the battery

Table 3.6 Stand-by Time

6. Statistical Equations

The undermentioned expression will be used by the research worker to hold the needed values needed on informations to be presented.

Accuracy

Accuracy is a measuring on how close the mensural value to the theoretical value. The expression of truth to be usage is:

Percentage Mistake

Percentage Mistake is the difference between approximative values from exact values with regard to demand value. The expression to be usage is:

Efficiency

Efficiency in photovoltaic cell is the ability of a panel to change over sunshine into useable energy for ingestion. The expression to be usage is:

This equation is dependent on how the dependability of the survey resulted in different classs. This equation besides depends on some parametric quantities that the research workers are seeking to carry through.

Wherein:

Harmonizing to Republic of the Philippines Department of Energy, The incident radiation flux here in the Philippines is equal to 161.7.

Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.doe.gov.ph/renewable-energy-res/resource-maps/278-solar

Bill of Materials

Below is the tabulated cost of the stuffs to be used upon the building of the hardware to be used in the undertaking:

	Item	Description	Monetary value	Measure	Entire Price
1	Solar Panel ( Monocrystalline Silicon )	300W	P10,329.00	3	P30,987.00
2	Electric Golf Car ( Second Hand )	Max velocity: 20kph	P10,000.00	1	P10,000.00
3	Body/Shell Modification ( Repair )		P40,000.00	1	P40,000.00
4	Battery Battalions	Deep Cycle Battery	P1,500.00	6	P9,000.00
5	TEG and Switching Module		P5,000.00	2	P20,000.00
				TOTAL =	P109,987.00

The whole undertaking to be done combines the cost of both groups, compromising the complete measure of stuffs. Furthermore, the groups are traveling to hold fiscal aid from patrons. Discounts would besides be availed as aid, such as those covered by purchased stuffs, fix cost and organic structure alteration.

There will be an audit for the measure of stuffs, as all grosss incurred will be collected and documented.