D. La Cascia

A mathematical model to determine the electrical energy production in photovoltaic fields under mismatch effect

Among the electrical energy production systems from renewable sources, the photovoltaic one represents today one of the most efficient and technically tested choice. In this paper the Authors present a mathematical model that allows the maximization of the generated power of photovoltaic (PV) plants under unequally radiation conditions.

Economical Incentives and Systems of Certification for the Production of Electrical Energy from Renewable Energy Resources

In order to succeed in observing the international agreements undertaken in the Kyoto agreement protocol, today it is necessary to increase the electrical energy production from renewables energy resources (RERs). In this paper a complete description of the Italian incentive systems for the production of electrical energy from photovoltaic (PV) and other RERs is done. Moreover, some considerations about the effects of the incentive actions on the wide spread of RERs to produce electrical energy are reported; particular attention is paid in the economical analysis related to PY and wind systems.

Integrated mathematical model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack (PEMFC) with automotive synchronous electrical power drive

In this work, the mathematical dynamical model of a PEMFC stack has been developed and implemented in Matlab environment. Lots of simulations have been executed in two different load conditions. Firstly with a resistive load and finally with a synchronous electrical power drive in automotive load conditions. The innovation in this field consists in the integration in PEMFC stack mathematical dynamic model of a synchronous electrical power drive one for automotive purposes. As regards the simulations with a synchronous electrical power drive, the complete mathematical model allows to evaluate the PEMFC stack performances and electrochemical efficiency. This represents a useful design tool.

Active power maximizing for Wind Electrical Energy Generating Systems moved by a Modular Multiple Blade Fixed Pitch Wind Turbine

This paper proposes a new solution for wind electrical energy generating system (WEEGS). The system here taken into account is moved by a modular multiple blade fixed pitch wind turbine (MMBFPWT) and foresees a new MPPT algorithm whose main characteristics are low cost, low noise, buildings simplicity and modularity. The mathematical model of the entire WEEGS has been here developed taking into account all the components starting from the wind turbine and ending with the electrical grid. The WEEGS mathematical model has been implemented in Matlab-Simulink in order to carry out the simulations needed to test the effectiveness of the proposed WEEGS. The simulations results show the effectiveness of both the designed MMBFPWT and the conceived MPPT algorithm.

A PV plant simulator for testing MPPT techniques

This paper introduces a versatile and reliable photovoltaic systems simulator. It includes the main components of a photovoltaic plant: a PV string and a PWM controlled boost chooper. The key feature of this simulator is the ability to consider different and non-uniform irradiation and temperature conditions (partial shading and partial heating of the strings). All the different I-V and P-V or P-I characteristics can then be determined in such non-uniform irradiation and temperature conditions, with the aim to try different MPPT algorithms. The simulator also allows to verify an enhanced version of the Incremental Conductance algorithm (IncCond) where, in order to reach the real absolute maximum power condition, the reference control current of the boost chopper are periodically reset to a given percentage of the short circuit current at standard conditions. After this perturbation, the steady state power values are registered and compared to establish the final value of reference current that allows the IncCond algorithm to reach a steady state at the real abolute maximum power transfer.

Integration of distributed on site control actions via combined photovoltaic and solar panels system

A systematic evaluation of the potential energy saving and CO2 emissions reduction on buildings was carried out, when a renewable energy system is locally installed. The exploitation of a combined solar and photovoltaic system and the integration of suitable energy management actions were deeply investigated. A model of these solar and photovoltaic components has been developed and included within a complete house simulator, capable to precisely figure out the daily electric energy consumptions of typical apartments and to measure the positive actions induced by the added renewable energy. Saving up to 40% on the energy consumptions and even more savings on wiring losses seems to be easily obtainable.

An electrochemical route towards the fabrication of nanostructured semiconductor solar cells

This work presents our preliminary results regarding an electrochemical process which allows the growth of nanostructured materials by means of nanopore templates. Also we analyze possible applications of this process to fabricate nanostructured semiconductors, such as CIGS, suitable for photovoltaic devices, and we consider the implications from the perspective of characterization techniques and device modelling when using such a technology.

Environmental benefits through new distributed on site control actions inside European apartments

Energy management control actions inside apartments and detached houses have to be carried out in order to reduce CO2 emissions. In this work, new control actions turned to the reduction of both electrical energy losses and electrical energy consumptions inside typical European (Italian, French, German and United Kingdom) apartments are proposed. These actions are of the ldquoLoad Shiftingrdquo type, that makes the apartment daily load profile as flat as possible, and of the ldquoDistributed on Site (DoS)rdquo type consisting in heating the water needed by dishwashers and washing machines inside instantaneous gas water heaters (IGWHs) instead of inside the household appliances themselves. The work points out that, in order to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, the former are not very performing whereas the latter present benefits except that in French apartments.

A device for PV modules I-V characteristic detection

In this paper an electronic load suitable for the PV module I-V characteristic curve fast detection is presented. This device is designed in agreement with the IEC 82 Techinical Committee Standard since it allows the detection of the characteristic starting from voltage values even lower than 3% of the PV module open circuit voltage. The device main features are short time characteristc detection (2 s), limited ripple of the detected characteristic and low cost. Its validation is carried out by comparing measured data with data from simulations. Simulations are carried out considering two different commercial PV modules and by implementing in Matlab-Simulink environment the four lumped parameters PV cell mathematical model. This comparison sets the device is very reliable. Thanks to the device properties, the device allows the execution of experimental surveys directly on the premises, before the plant installation, optimizing the plants efficiency.

A photovoltaic charging system of an electrically assisted tricycle for touristic purposes

In this paper the design, realization and testing of a photovoltaic charging system suitable for the management of an electrically power assisted tricycle are described. This vehicle uses a photovoltaic module as a source of electric energy for the battery recharging. In this work, an overview on the needs of sustainable mobility and on the commercial electrically power assisted velocipedes is presented. The electrical rickshaw prototype, developed in the SDELab laboratory of the University of Palermo, is presented in detail, underlining the design, implementation and developing phases of the photovoltaic charging system assembled on the velocipede. Moreover, tests oriented on the setting up of the whole system and validation tests on the prototype are described, with the aim of determining the growing up of performances. Particular attention is dedicated to the vehicle autonomy, by using the management system here proposed. The results show how is possible to reach an increase of the 30% of the electrical rickshaw autonomy by using the management system conceived by the Authors. Furthermore, these tests are carried out in order to demonstrate that the electrical rickshaw vehicle supported by the PV charging system could be targeted for touristic purposes.