Development of an Intelligent Electronic Module for Energy Management in Wind/Diesel or Photovoltaic/Diesel Hybrid Systems

An intelligent electronic module for managing battery power in a wind/diesel, solar/diesel or wind/solar/diesel hybrid systems was designed, fabricated and tested. It is made of five blocks mainly a power supply unit, a battery voltage monitor, a programmable interface controller, a battery charger, and a start up monitor block. A computer program inscribed on the module permits it to perform five commands. It connects dump load 1 when battery voltage attains 15V. It connects dump load 2 when battery voltage of 15V persists for some time while dump load 1 is already connected. It starts the backup generator when battery voltage is below 10.5V with no energy from the renewable source. It is also programmed to activate battery charging when only the generator is working. Based on the logical sequence designed, the module was erected on an integrated circuit using the, Advanced Routing and Editing Software, (ARES) of Proteus Professional Laboratory. Simulations using the Isis software for all types of eminent energy hybrid system scenarios in an off grid setting revealed that the module can successfully manage energy supply in a wind/diesel, PV/diesel or wind/PV/diesel system. During field tests the module was inserted in a micro hybrid system made of a small locally made 700watts Hugh Piggott type wind turbine, a 200watts solar module and a 5kw diesel generator. The battery bank was a 2400AH battery bank capacity. The module successful communicated with the all the components connected except dump load 2 due to the fact that dump load one was enough to handle excess voltage. It was concluded that the module can successful manage energy storage and distribution in a small off grid hybrid system of wind/diesel of PV/diesel.