Power and Energy Commons^™

Design And Development Of Laboratory Single-Axis Pv Module Tracker, Helen A. Rice, Delaney Berger, Avishek Maitra

Electrical Engineering

Solar energy is an integral part of the renewable energy industry. Advanced solar farms actively track solar movement and update solar panel angles to maximize the system’s output power. Cal Poly boasts its own Solar Farm that features a single-axis tracking system. Single-axis tracking aims to get panels as close to perpendicular as possible given the panel arrangements and given the time of year. Single-axis tracking is a more robust measurement and tracking option. Single-axis tracking systems usually only have East-West panel arc movement, following the sun’s rotation. Dual-axis trackers have both East-West and North-South panel arc movements. Dual-axis systems …

Efficiency Optimization Of Miso Converter, Gabriel Leonides, Christopher S. Peters, Lauren N. Rotsios

Electrical Engineering

In recent years, there has been a rapidly growing need for sustainable energy sources. This need comes from the increasing threat of climate change, significant population growth, as well as the effort to bring electricity to rural and underdeveloped areas across the world. The DC House project at Cal Poly aims to address these issues. The Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) converter is an integral part of the DC House project. The MISO converter is a system that connects multiple power sources to a DC bus. This allows the DC House to be powered by multiple types of renewable energy …

Electric Motorcycle Lithium-Ion Battery System, Amman Fasil Asfaw, Donald J. Alexander

Electrical Engineering

This project entails the processes of design, construction, implementation, and testing of a lithium-ion battery system, including a battery management system, dedicated to converting a 1999 Honda XR100R motorcycle into a fully functional electric motorcycle. The battery system powers the motorcycle with enough voltage and amperage to sustain the needed power capability for a reasonable range. Providing an estimate of the voltage needed, the two largest loads, the DC motor and controller, draw about 48 to 60 volts from the battery for proper operation. Additionally, different aspects of the design also ensure safe operation, correct sizing, and maximum lifetime of …

Analysis And Design Of An Off-Grid Residential Power System, Christopher Rotsios

Master's Theses

This thesis aims to provide a recommended power system design for optimal efficiency, reliability, and cost in off-grid applications. The power system examined in this project is a residence in an off-grid community called Quail Springs that generates its energy from roof mounted solar panels. The existing system was analyzed to see what equipment can remain, what needs to be upsized, and what needs to be added to the system. Two power systems are considered for the residence: a fully AC power system and a hybrid AC/DC power system. Simulations were run in PSCAD to compare the efficiencies of the …

Cascaded Voltage Clamping And Ldo Offline Power Supply, Elizabeth Davis, Timothy Jeong

Electrical Engineering

Offline power supplies are necessary for any sort of electronic device that utilizes wall power. For offline power supplies, it is a common practice to use the switching mode method where the high voltage AC input is first rectified and then switched at high frequency to a much lower voltage. This method has been known to be very efficient. Also, it’s more efficient than a linear supply method where the AC input is stepped down and then linearly regulated down to a low voltage. Despite the efficiency benefit, the switching method employs a high frequency transformer and inductor. This will …

Bi-Directional Dc-Dc Converter, John W. Hamlin, Oscar Ambriz, Luis Onofre

Electrical Engineering

This project was developed with the purpose of creating an efficient energy management system for the DC House project, with a centralized 12V battery system fed by a 48V Multiple Input Single Output Source (MISO). The energy management system will consist of a bidirectional DC-DC converter. During the day when the renewable sources produce enough energy to fulfill the load’s energy demand, the converter will make use of the excess energy by taking a 48V DC input and stepping it down to a 12V DC output in order to charge a 12V 100 Ah battery. When renewable sources can no …

Lawn Buddy, Jayson Johnston, Andrew Brown, Jacob Maljian

Electrical Engineering

Grass lawns are a common hallmark of the American home. In 2019, a survey from the National Association of Landscape Professionals found that 81% of all Americans owned a lawn [1]. Mowing is a time consuming and costly chore that is part of maintaining a grass lawn. The manual labor in mowing a lawn can exceed 40 hours per year [2]. People commonly incur weekly costs on mowing services to save time. Traditional gas powered mowers are physically demanding and use engines that need routine maintenance. They operate loudly enough that users should be wearing hearing protection and the noise …

Electricity Price Prediction With Computational Intelligence, Toan Hoang

Electrical Engineering

Electricity price depends on numerous factors including the weather, location, time of year/month/day (summer, holidays, day/night, etc.), consumption, and market changes or disruptions. The power loss in the transmission lines and the use of electricity also affect the load's price. Forecasting about the electricity price provides future trends and patterns consumption of the users. Forecasting electricity price is crucially important for producers and consumers in the energy trading markets. It is a complicated task because of the uncertainty behaviors and demand fluctuation. The maximization of profit for participants is highly associated with the bidding strategies. Multiple forecasting electricity price tools …

Energy And Economic Losses Due To Soiling On Utility Scale Pv Systems To Guide Timing Of Cost Effective Cleaning, Jackson P. Puckett, Maximilian M. Sosa, Brandon F. Grossman

Electrical Engineering

The energy and associated economic losses due to soiling on both residential and utility scale PV (photovoltaic) systems can be both significant and avoidable. Losses from 1.2% up to 6% have been reported, which is of interest to system operators [1]. Modules may be cleaned to reduce losses, but this comes with an offsetting economic cost. A quantification of energy losses, and the corresponding economic loss, will allow a determination of a closer to optimal cleaning schedule depending on the level of soiling and corresponding energy loss. Two methods are proposed and compared. Method 1 uses an ARES Soiling Measurement …

Dual Axis Solar Panel Tracker, Xavier Joseph Lugue, Javier Harrison, Nicholas Ryan Wolfe

Electrical Engineering

Photovoltaic systems generate more energy when orthogonally facing the sun where solar cells absorb the most light. By creating an effective, autonomous solar tracking system, the developed solar panels consistently generate maximum energy while using less power. Dual axis solar trackers surpass single axis trackers in energy generation, however, their cost and reliability provide a significant drawback. This project develops different algorithmic implementations designed to provide optimal and efficient behavior for photovoltaic systems. These algorithms adjust the solar panel’s position appropriately with the sun’s location, weather conditions, and selected operating modes. The solar tracking system’s operations include latitudinal axis capability …

Cascaded Linear Regulator With Positive Voltage Tracking Switching Regulator, Brandon K. Nghe

Master's Theses

This thesis presents the design, simulation, and hardware implementation of a proposed method for improving efficiency of voltage regulator. Typically, voltage regulator used for noise-sensitive and low-power applications involves the use of a linear regulator due to its high power-supply rejection ratio properties. However, the efficiency of a linear regulator depends heavily on the difference between its input voltage and output voltage. A larger voltage difference across the linear regulator results in higher losses. Therefore, reducing the voltage difference is the key in increasing regulator’s efficiency. In this thesis, a pre switching regulator stage with positive voltage tracking cascaded to …

An Investigation Of Diode Failure, Nicholas James Adams

Physics

Solar electricity can be used to cheaply cook food and charge electronic devices. We investigate the viability of using diodes as heating elements for insulated solar electric cooking (ISEC). In addition, information on designing and constructing ISEC compatible phone chargers and rechargeable LED lighting systems is included.

Cascaded Linear Regulator With Negative Voltage Tracking Switching Regulator, Ernest Lei

Master's Theses

DC-DC converters can be separated into two main groups: switching converters and linear regulators. Linear regulators such as Low Dropout Regulators (LDOs) are straightforward to implement and have a very stable output with low voltage ripple. However, the efficiency of an LDO can fluctuate greatly, as the power dissipation is a function of the device’s input and output. On the other hand, a switching regulator uses a switch to regulate energy levels. These types of regulators are more versatile when a larger change of voltage is needed, as efficiency is relatively stable across larger steps of voltages. However, switching regulators …

Multiple Input Single Output Converter With Maximum Power Point Tracking For Renewable Energy Applications, Kenneth K. Nguyen, Taufik Taufik

Master's Theses

In this thesis, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for multiple input single output (MISO) converter is presented such that power generated from multiple individual energy sources can be combined to deliver the maximum amount of power to a common resistive load. Typically, MISO converters will employ techniques that yield equal current sharing from each energy source. However, this may not be desirable since each source may be rated at different power ratings and/or may experience different operating conditions, preventing the system MISO converter to acquire the most available total power from the sources. Utilizing MPPT control would therefore be …

Multiple Input Single Output Converter With Uneven Load Sharing Control For Improved System Efficiency, Kristen Y. Chan

Master's Theses

This paper presents the development and study of multiple-input single-output converter (MISO) for the DC House project that utilizes a controller to maximize the overall converter’s efficiency. The premise of this thesis is to create uneven load current sharing between the converters at different loading conditions in order to maximize the efficiency of the overall MISO converter. The goal is to find a proper ratio of current from each converter to the total load current of the MISO system to achieve the greatest efficiency. The Arduino microcontroller is implemented to achieve this goal. The design and operation of the MISO …

A Novel Arc Welding Power Supply With Improved Power Factor Correction, Benjamin H. Tan

Master's Theses

This paper presents the design and development of a novel Arc Welding Power Supply utilizing a modified two-switch forward converter topology. The proposed design improves the power quality by improving power factor to near unity and reducing total harmonic distortion. State space analysis of the proposed circuit showed that the circuit followed a boost-buck input output relationship. Simulation of the circuit was first implemented in LTspice to verify the functionality of the new topology. Hardware implementation of the proposed design was built on a scaled-down prototype for a proof-of-concept of the new topology. The prototype specifications were created for a …

Neca Ghana Project, Michael T. Klee

Construction Management

Cal Poly’s motto is, “Learn by Doing" and for Cal Poly’s NECA Chapter, this isn’t simply a motto, but a directive for proactive change. For my senior project I will be leading the Cal Poly NECA chapter in the design, pre- fabrication and construction of a 5-7kw solar array, community center, ice production room and technology room in the remote fishing village of Agbokpa, Ghana. The solar array will power multiple industrial DC freezers, high efficiency LED lighting and charging stations while additionally powering water filtration and irrigation systems. Like many other fishing villages around the world, Agbokpa has no …

Optimizing Llrf Parameters In The Electron-Ion Collider, William M. Bjorndahl

Physics

To improve particle interaction in the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), we investigated different feedback implementations to control the accelerating voltage and examined the power and beam phase for each instance. Using MATLAB, we studied three feedback mechanisms: Direct, One Turn, and Feedforward. Enacting feedforward yielded the best performance. To minimize the klystron power consumption, we analyzed different Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) parameters such as detuning. Combining theory and simulated results, we found the optimal detuning value that minimizes klystron power consumption.

Pv Mppt Water Pump Controller, Jacob R. Lamkin

Electrical Engineering

The intention of this project is to create a low cost way to extract the maximum useful power from a PV module to power a water pump. This approach will yield maximum financial and technical accessibility for end users. The project was successful in powering a water pump from a PV module as desired, and the microcontroller driven control circuitry was capable of finding and maintaining operation at the maximum power point of the PV module. Due to the low performance of the buck converter used in this project, this approach was not as efficient as desired and would require …

Critical Radius Of Insulation, Maria N. Ambrose, Samuel J. Sayre, Travis W. Martin, Matt T. Sterling

Mechanical Engineering

The critical radius of insulation is a counterintuitive concept within the study of heat transfer. The theory states that adding insulation to a cylindrical or spherical object will increase the rate of heat loss rather than decrease it, if the radius (thickness) of the insulation is at its “critical” value. The Critical Radius of Insulation Senior Project is designed to demonstrate this phenomenon to Heat Transfer students via a portable apparatus. The concept will be demonstrated with a cylindrical object which is heated by way of a separate voltage source. Thermocouples will display the temperature of the cylinder while insulation …

Performance Enhancement And Characterization Of An Electromagnetic Railgun, Paul M. Gilles

Master's Theses

Collision with orbital debris poses a serious threat to spacecraft and astronauts. Hypervelocity impacts resulting from collisions mean that objects with a mass less than 1g can cause mission-ending damage to spacecraft. A means of shielding spacecraft against collisions is necessary. A means of testing candidate shielding methods for their efficacy in mitigating hypervelocity impacts is therefore also necessary. Cal Poly’s Electromagnetic Railgun was designed with the goal of creating a laboratory system capable of simulating hypervelocity (≥ 3 km/s) impacts. Due to several factors, the system was not previously capable of high-velocity (≥ 1 km/s) tests. A deficient projectile …

Weight Controlled Electric Skateboard, Zachary Barram, Carson Bertozzi, Vishnu Dodballapur

Computer Engineering

Technology and the way that humans interact is becoming more vital and omnipresent with every passing day. However, human interface device designers suffer from the increasingly popular “designed for me or people like me” syndrome. This design philosophy inherently limits accessibility and usability of technology to those like the designer. This places severe limits of usability to those who are not fully able as well as leaves non-traditional human interface devices unexplored. This project set out to explore a previously uncharted human interface device, on an electric skateboard, and compare it send user experience with industry leading human interface devices.

Gold Tree Solar Farm - Machine Learning To Predict Solar Power Generation, Jonathon T. Scott

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Solar energy causes a strain on the electrical grid because of the uncontrollable nature of the factors that affect power generation. Utilities are often required to balance solar generation facilities to meet consumer demand, which often includes the costly process of activating/deactivating a fossil fuel facility. Therefore, there is considerable interest in increasing the accuracy and the granularity of solar power generation predictions in order to reduce the cost of grid management. This project aims to evaluate how sky imaging technology may contribute to the accuracy of those predictions.

Heat: Hydraulic And Electric Animation Team, Tyler J. Couvrette, Michael J. Cain, Sara T. Novell, Dexter K. Yanagisawa

Mechanical Engineering

Each New Years’ Day, the Cal Poly Rose Float presents a flower-covered float to the world at the Tournament of Roses parade. This floral display, paired with moving mechanical animations, shows off Cal Poly to the world. This project strove to keep Cal Poly on the cutting edge of technology both in parade floats, and in engineering, by creating a completely electric-powered animation system.

To accomplish this, a group of students set out to make the fully electric animation system that can power both the hydraulic and electric mechanisms on the Float. This was accomplished through months of planning and …

Smart Dc Wall Outlet Design With Improved Load Voltage Detection, Patrick Donovon Granieri

Master's Theses

A standard home in the United States has access to the 120V AC power grid for use with home appliances. Many electronics used at home are powered by a DC power supply, which loses energy in the conversion from AC power. The DC House project avoids any conversion between AC and DC by storing energy in batteries as DC power and supplying it directly to DC appliances. While AC systems feature a standardized output voltage, no such standard exists for DC systems. The Smart DC Wall Outlet solves this by automatically adjusting its output voltage to meet any required DC …

Apollo Photovoltaic Overview And Assessment, Andrew S. Hollis, James P. Tran, Andes Le, Regita Soetandar

Electrical Engineering

This senior project aims to take the various data sheets provided to us by PIVVIR Solar, the organization in charge of Apollo photovoltaic power plant, and perform an overall assessment as well as condensing the information into a more digestible and concise document. Currently, the documents provided to us by PIVVIR Solar are scattered and disorganized. Our goal is to take what we understand about photovoltaic power plants and combine it with the Apollo plant’s datasheets and summarize everything into one focused document that more readers can understand.

Dc-Dc Buck-Boost Converter For Energy Harvesting From Exercise Equipment, David T. Bolla

Electrical Engineering

This senior project helps harvest the excess energy that exercise equipment generates. Sustainable energy acts as the main target for this project, and it attempts this through reusing the energy created when exercising on elliptical machines. An elliptical machine outputs voltages between approximately 5V and 60V, and a micro-inverter requires an input voltage of about 36V. This DC-DC converter takes the variable output voltage of an elliptical machine and brings it to approximately 36V. Re-purposing the excess energy an elliptical user creates for the grid provides a sustainable alternative to dissipating the energy as heat. This project, along with other …

Cal Poly Ee 518 Electric Power Protection Laboratory, Richard Terre, Vincent Tham, Austin Kurth

Electrical Engineering

Facing a rapidly-changing power industry, the electrical engineering department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo proposed Advanced Power Systems Initiatives to better prepare its students for entering the power industry. These initiatives call for the creation of a new laboratory curriculum that utilizes microprocessor-based relays to reinforce the fundamental concepts of power system protection.

The electric power protection laboratory (EPPL) senior project is the validation of lab manuals written for the planned EE-518 power system protections laboratory looking to be offered in Spring 2020 alongside the current lecture class under the same designation. This report evaluates the lab manual, verifies …

Spread Spectrum Buck Converter, Summer Elise Rutherford, Kyle Brandon Halloran, Brian Taylor Arbiv

Electrical Engineering

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is an issue prevalent to DC-DC converters. When a system doesn’t effectively filter out external noise or signals, these signals can cause disturbances to the system at large. The switching technology of DC-DC converters (PWM in particular), lends the system susceptible to EMI because there is a prevalent peaks at the switching frequency, meaning any external signals will not be effectively attenuated at this frequency. This can cause significant issues at the input bus of the DC-DC converters because this bus is likely the input of a multitude of devices; the EMI susceptibility caused by switching technology …

Pv Hybrid Inverter And Bess, Jacob Sussex, William Dresser, Owen Mckenzie, Jonathan Wharton, Derek Seaman

Electrical Engineering

The storage of energy from renewable sources such as photovoltaic based systems is a growing market, with 36 MWh of storage installed in Q1 of 2018. A report from EnergySage earlier this year states that in 2017, 74% of residential solar owners were also interested in energy storage systems. Mainstream systems like Tesla’s Powerwall are competing with other lithium-ion based storage systems from a wide number of providers on the market today. Short term and long term data collection on a system like this could be useful in designing future systems which perform better than the current market offerings. This …