Study of Electricity Generation From Solar Energy and Energy Storage Methods

 

Shelly Rajput1, Sajid Ali2

1Department of Applied Sciences, Delhi Global Institute of Technology, Haryana, India.

2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Global Institute of Technology, Haryana, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: shelly.rajput@rediffmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Solar energy is the most abundant source of energy. Among all the non-conventional, renewable energy sources, solar power provides great potential for conversion into electrical power. It is well known that solar technologies convert solar energy into electrical power through photo voltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. The present paper is the study of the way electric energy is generated from solar energy by using PV panels and explores, the possibility of storage of energy generated using pumped based and gravity storage system. The operation of this paper is based on storing water in a very large reservoir at some height from ground, by electricity generated from the solar panel. For this purpose, electrical energy generated by the solar energy is used in the pump for storing water in a large reservoir at some height (of about 20 meters) from ground, this reservoir can be used as a charge storage device to produce electricity for future use. Further the gravity battery is also used to store the excess energy produced by solar panel. The whole system can be used for continuous power supply without any interruption.

 

KEYWORDS: Renewable energy, Solar energy, Photovoltaic cell, Electricity, Energy storage.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Now a days renewable energy sources are gaining more importance as the prices of energy resource like fossil fuel are fluctuating, also the fossil fuel alone is not enough to full fill increasing demand of energy. One of the most popular renewable energy sources is solar energy. Sun emits energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Some part of the solar energy causes evaporation of water which leads to rain. Some of it is utilized in the process of photosynthesis, which is essential for the existence of life on the earth. Solar energy can be directly converted into electrical energy by solar cell (Photo voltaic Cell). The amount of electrical energy generated depends on the intensity of sunlight that falls on the photovoltaic cell. Arrays of photovoltaic cells have been used to provide large power for various domestic and commercial purposes. The aim of this paper is to study the use electrical energy generated by solar energy in electric pump to store water in a very large reservoir at some height from ground surface. This reservoir can be used as a battery for further use. In present paper the electrical energy generated by solar panel is used to store water in a very large reservoir at some height from ground. Water when stored at some height in the large reservoir has large amount of potential energy, when water flows or falls from some height through inclined pipe this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. This energy causes the blades of turbine to rotate, which converts the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy. The rotating blades then transfer the mechanical energy to a generator, where it is converted into electricity by a process called hydroelectric power generation. The water used in the process can be stored in underground water reservoir for same operation. The gravity battery is connected to store excess energy produced by the solar panel, when upper reservoir is full (i.e., the pump does not require energy) and solar panel is still generating energy. Gravity battery is the technology that can store power from renewable energy generators.

 

GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY BY USING SOLAR PANEL:

To meet the increasing demand for energy, the raising concern to environment pollution and continuous reduction in existing sources of fossil fuel have inspired to explore the technologies for production of electrical energy using clean and renewable sources like wind energy, tide energy, water energy etc. Rizwan, Santosh et al. (2017) in their work studied that among all the non-conventional, renewable energy sources, solar energy provide great potential for conversion into electric energy is clean, free, inexhaustible and non-polluting resource. Swami and Surat (2013) in their work explained the future role of solar energy in India. India is a tropical country, where sunshine is available for longer time per day with great intensity. Therefore, solar energy in our country has a great potential as a future energy source.

 

Solar energy can be directly transformed into electric energy by solar cell (Photo voltaic cell). Solar cell is made of a semiconductive material like silicon installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. There are usually two layers of semiconducting material. One Si layer is positively charged known as N- type and the other silicon layer is negatively charged known as P- type. In N-type layer there are excess of electrons, and in the P-type layer, there is an excess of positively charged holes. N-side emits electrons while P-type semi-conductor receives the extra electrons. This positive and negative layer compliments the formation of junction and creates an electric field. When the rays from sun (in the form of energy packets called photons) strikes, junction absorbs photons and release electrons and activate them to flow through the material as an electrical charge. This PV charge create an electric current i.e., direct current or DC which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This direct current is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter for domestic or industrial usage.

 

Keskar (2013) in his work introduce the solar tracking system for generation of electricity. He proposed that the solar panel can rotate according to the position of sun with the help of stepper motor and microcontroller. He used light detector sensor to sense the intensity of sun lights and convert it into electricity. By using this tracking system, the conversion efficiency of the solar electric power can increase.

 

ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES:

Energy storage is very important for mankind along the development of energy resources, energy conversion and energy saving. The storage of solar energy becomes critical because of its unsteady nature. Oleg Dimitriev, Tsubasa Yoshida and He sun (2019) in their research work overviewed the main principles of storage of solar energy, for its subsequent long-term consumption. They explained that energy storage can be realized by using simple methods.

 

Yu Hou, Ruxandra Vidu and Pieter Stroeve (2011) proposed that energy storage method can be classified according to capacity and discharge time. They suggested that new development in solar energy storage require advancement in chemical engineering and material science. They also reviewed life cycle assessment as a tool to evaluate energy consumption and environmental impact of renewable energy processes. Yu Hou, Ruxandra Vidu and Pieter Stroeve (2011) divided energy storage methods into two groups i.e., the thermal and photonic methods of energy conversion. They compared the efficiency of energy production and storage through natural and artificial photosynthesis and concluded that artificial technologies of energy storage surpassed the natural photosynthesis.

 

Seada Hussen, Frie Ayalew et al. (2022) analysis about standalone solar power system, advantage of DC, charge controller, various stationary and nonstationary storage system, its advantages, applicability and made comparison between them which indicates research area for future works.

 

Werner Luft (1983) in this his research gave an overview of solar energy storage program, which provide research, systems analysis, and economic assessments of thermal and thermochemical energy storage and transport. His experimental study included research into very high temperature (above 800oC) thermal energy storage and assessment of novel thermochemical energy storage and transport systems. He explained, the storage technologies having the highest value- to- cost ratios are very high temperature molten salt, draw salt / air rock, and metal /phase-change salt. The energy storage methods must be introduced actively is industries and technologies.

 

Ma, T., Yang, H., et al (2015) in their model proposed, the pumped hydro storage system for small autonomous systems in remote areas. In their work, based on mathematical models and operational principle, the power generation and storage system for a remote island in Hong Kong was designed. S. Danehkar and H. Yousefi (2022) in their work studied that solar energy and water medium are well suited to replace fossil fuels for various energy applications.

 

D.K Chaturvedi, Shubham Yadav, et al (2020) in their work explained that gravity batteries store, the electrical energy in the form of potential energy and when needed this potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy and run a generator to produce electrical energy. Prathamesh Natu, Sameer Nadkar and Abhishek Badgujar (2015) successfully conducted the project using a mechanical system that can feasibly generate electricity with the help of gravity. Many other researchers have also explored on the power generation from gravity as it is cheaper, safe and bio efficient.

 

PROPOSED MODEL:

Large photovoltaic cells have been used to provide power for communication system in remote areas, weather and communication satellite, electric pumps etc. In the present model the solar panel is used to generate electricity, which can pump water to fill the large reservoir at some height at least 20m above ground surface. This water reservoir can be used as a battery. For this purpose, a turbine connected to generator is fixed at surface is used. The turbine is connected to water reservoir by an inclined pipe, when water from the reservoir falls on ground through this inclined pipe, it will gain kinetic energy and fall on the blades of turbine, the energy conversion from kinetic energy to mechanical energy take places, which in turn spins a generator that convert mechanical work into electricity. The water used to rotate blades of turbine can again be reused for the same operation, by collecting it, in the large underground water reservoir and by use of electric pump, this water can be again pumped to the upper water reservoir. When the upper reservoir is filled and energy is still generated by solar panel for that situation, we have employed the gravity battery to store excess energy. The excess energy from solar panel is used to derive electric motor, motor is connected to gear box through shaft which decrease its revolution per minute(rpm), that increase the torque which lifts the mass to the certain height, after the mass is lifted it now stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy and when we need to use this stored energy, the mass is lowered to convert potential energy into electric energy, using  gear box connected to a generator to increase its rpm which spins the generator and generate electricity and we will obtain output across load as shown in block diagram below. The energy stored in gravity battery can be used to run electric appliances.

 

The purpose of using water reservoir instead of battery as a charge storing device, is that when we use the large solar panel, we will need battery of large charge storing capacity which will cost more, create pollution, need regular maintenance and the life of battery will be short. The use of gravity battery to store excess charge produced by solar panel, have the great advantage of having a very high efficiency, it allows for large quantities of power to be stored for long periods of time, it can convert stored potential energy back into electricity with minimal losses.

 

Here, upper water reservoir is used as a charge storage device, which works like a dam and generate electricity, this process is clean, non-polluting, maintenance free and will last for many years. The upper reservoir can be construct by cemented which will not form scaling and corrosion like metal reservoir and once constructed will last for many years. The gravity battery is also connected to the solar panel store excess charge generated by it. The whole system is environment friendly and long lasting.

 

BLOCK DIAGRAM:

 

CONCLUSION:

The aim of present work is to study the method of conversion of solar energy into electrical power by using solar panels and store the energy generated in a large water reservoir at some height from ground and also to store excess energy generated by solar panel in gravity battery for future use. In proposed model large water reservoir works as an energy storage device. The water reservoir at the height of about 20m from ground works like a dam to generate electricity by the process called hydroelectric power generation, which is clean and non-polluting process. In this method there is no wastage of water, as the water used in generation of electricity can again be stored in the large underground water reservoir, which can be again pumped to the reservoir at height from ground for the same purpose, also the excess energy generated by solar panel is stored in gravity battery for any emergency usage. The advantage of this method is that, there is no wastage of water and energy, no battery maintenance expenses are required, it is non-polluting and last for long time. The main disadvantage of this model is that it may take too much space as compared to battery storage technologies. Research on solar cell, solar energy and gravity battery has more benefits as compared to the other forms of energy like fossil fuel and petroleum deposits.

 

ADVANTAGES OF USING SOLAR ENERGY:

1.     Solar energy is free and unlimited.

2.     Solar energy is clean and non-polluting resource of energy.

3.     It can be used to generate electricity for low power purposes like calculators, watches etc. as well as for large power purposes like water heater, electric pump etc.

4.     Solar panels require less maintenance and repair and last for long many years.

5.     Solar energy is independent of other energy resources.

 

ADVANTAGES OF GRAVITY BATTERY:

1.     Gravity battery have a very high efficiency as compared to other sources.

2.     It is cheaper and bio efficient.

3.     In gravity storage battery no chemical reaction is involved, and the operation is safe and reliable.

4.     The energy can be stored for long time and there are no self-discharge problems.

5.     Gravity energy storage power generation is clean and low carbon, environmentally friendly, can be flexibly arranged according to needs and suitable for distributed energy storage.

 

REFERENCES:

1.      Mohd Rizwan Sirajuddin Shaikh, Santosh B Waghmare, Suvarna Labade, Pooja Vittal Fuke, Anil Tekale. A Review Paper on Electricity Generation from Solar Energy. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET). 2017;  5(9).

2.      Keskar Vinaya N. Electricity Generation Using Solar Power.  International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT). 2013; 2(2).

3.      Oleg Dimitriev, Tsukasa Yoshida, He Sun. Principles of Solar Energy Storage. Energy Storage. 2019; 2(1).

4.      Yu Hou, Ruxandra Vidu, Pieter Stroeve. Solar Energy Storage Methods.  Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2011; 50(15).

5.      Seada Hussen, Frie Ayalew, Mohit Bajaj, Naveen Kumar, Francisco Jurado, Salah Kamel. An Overview of Recent Advances in Energy Storage for Solar Power Systems.  Conference: IEEE International Conference on Automatica- At Universidad de Talca at Curico Chile.  2022.

6.      Werner Luft. Advanced Research in Solar Energy Storage.  2nd BHRA Engineering International Conference on Energy Storage; Energy storage for Energy Management Stratford – upon- Auon, England. 1983; 24-26.

7.      Swami Prakash Srivastava, Surat Prakash Srivastava. Solar Energy and Its future Role in Indian Economy. International Journal of Environmental Science: Development and Monitoring (IJESDM). 2013; 4(3).

8.      Shaghayegh Danehkar, Hossein Yousefi. A comprehensive overview on water-based energy storage for solar applications. Energy Reports. 2022; 8: 8777-8797.

9.      Ma, T., Yang, H., Lu, L., Peng, J.  Pumped storage- based standalone photovoltaic power generation system. Modeling and techno- economic optimization. Applied Energy. 2015; 137: 649-659.

10.   D.K. Chaturvedi, Shubham Yadav, Tamanna Srivastava, Tanvi Kumari. Electricity storage system: A Gravity Battery. IEEE Xplore 2020.

11.   Prathamesh Natu, Sameer Nadkar and Abhishek Badgujar. Generation of electricity using gravity. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET). 2015; 6(7).

 

 

Received on 07.06.2024            Accepted on 27.07.2024

©AandV Publications all right reserved

Research J. Engineering and Tech. 2024; 15(1):25-28.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-581X.2024.00004