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Research Publications (Engineering and Built Environment)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/215

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Solar

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    Renewable energy technologies in the global south : Sub-Saharan Africa trends and perspectives
    (IJETAE Publication House, 2022-01-01) Ebhota, Williams S.; Tabakov, Pavel Y.
    Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and other parts of the Global South are richly endowed with renewable energy resources (RERs) that are grossly untapped. The integration of these resources, such as hydro, wind, solar, and biomass will facilitate the desired net zero-CO2-emissions economy. If these RERs are adequately harnessed, the perennial power supply challenges in the region will be resolved, and the negative power supply narrative changed. Presently, a greater percentage of the population without access to electricity live in the Global South with SSA having the highest share. This inadequacy has been attributed to many factors, which include lack of connection to the national grid; lack of adequate technical capacities to design and manufacture efficient power generation and transmission components and systems; insufficient funds; unreliable, limited, and poor energy data. A comprehensive study of the renewable energy potential (REP) and technologies in the Global South is imperative to the management, regulation, and policies concerning energy, in this era of energy transition (ET). This study presents - a summary of REP of SSA; statistical analysis of the proposed and installed RE capacity across the region; and discussion on the pressing need for renewable energy integration (REI) to mitigate climate change. In addition, to develop RE schemes to facilitate greater access to clean, affordable, and adequate energy supply. Actualization of the integration of RERs into the national portfolio will promote CO2 reduction and improve the socio-economic benefits to the populace in both rural and urban areas of SSA and the Global South generally. Keywords— Renewable energy system; Net-zero-CO2 emissions, renewable energy in Global South; hydro; wind; solar; biomass
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    Design and modeling of the ANFIS-based MPPT controller for a solar photovoltaic system
    (ASME International, 2021-08) Moyo, Ranganai T.; Tabakov, Pavel Y.; Moyo, Sibusiso
    Abstract Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers play an important role in improving the efficiency of solar photovoltaic (SPV) modules. These controllers achieve maximum power transfer from PV modules through impedance matching between the PV modules and the load connected. Several MPPT techniques have been proposed for searching the optimal matching between the PV module and load resistance. These techniques vary in complexity, tracking speed, cost, accuracy, sensor, and hardware requirements. This paper presents the design and modeling of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based MPPT controller. The design consists of a PV module, ANFIS reference model, DC–DC boost converter, and the fuzzy logic (FL) power controller for generating the control signal for the converter. The performance of the proposed ANFIS-based MPPT controller is evaluated through simulations in the matlab/simulink environment. The simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed technique since the controller can extract the maximum available power for both steady-state and varying weather conditions. Moreover, a comparative study between the proposed ANFIS-based MPPT controller and the commonly used, perturbation and observation (P&O) MPPT technique is presented. The simulation results reveal that the proposed ANFIS-based MPPT controller is more efficient than the P&O method since it shows a better dynamic response with few oscillations about the maximum power point (MPP). In addition, the proposed FL power controller for generating the duty cycle of the DC–DC boost converter also gave satisfying results for MPPT.
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    Review of modern solar power satellite and space rectenna systems
    (IEEE, 2020-08) Dakora, Jonas Don-yelee; Davidson, Innocent E.; Sharma, Gulshan
    This paper presents the review and analysis of modern space solar power satellite system and space rectenna. There is a challenge to collect and transmit large amount of energy from space to earth using microwave power transmission technology without the interference with communication satellites such as military operations systems and aircraft radar systems. This study focuses on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) location of the space satellite for maximum efficiency. Microwaves of 5.8 GHz frequency with efficiency of 85% will be used to transmit the electric power from the space satellite to the rectenna. Space-based solar power system is different from the current solar power collection methods. The space solar power method uses a satellite placed on an orbit to collect the solar energy instead of on earth's surface. Research found space-based solar power to be uneconomical but new developments have paved ways for space solar power exploitation. The space-based section of the system consists of a constellation ofsolar energy collecting satellites called SunSats that collect solar power and transmit it through a suitable frequency to earth. The ground station of the system consists of large receiving antennas known as rectennas which convert the microwave frequency into DC power. The DC power is then transformed into AC and injected into the electrical grid.