Smart switch network for dynamic power routing in building-mounted photovoltaic systems

用于建筑光伏系统动态电力路由的智能开关网络

• 批准号: 445181-2012
• 负责人: Sivoththaman, Siva
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Engage Grants Program
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=511128
• 关键词: Smart; switch; network; dynamic; power

The global market for photovoltaic (PV) technology has been steadily growing at an annual rate of 30-40% over the last several years, and this trend is continuing. The international Energy Agency predicts that PV energy will account for about 5% of world energy consumption in 2030 and 11% in 2050. Building installed PV systems, which is a sector in the overall PV market, is also undergoing high growth and is expected to be a US$ 11 billion market by 2016. Installation of utility-tied PV systems on residential and commercial buildings is undergoing a steady growth in Canada too. A key challenge in such systems is to improve the overall cost-effectiveness of the system by eliminating the post-generation power losses. In addition to the conversion efficiency of the PV panels, how effectively the generated PV power is managed/conditioned also determines the overall system performance. Non-uniform power generation among modules caused by mounting restrictions, different orientation, tilt, shading, debris etc., often result in less than the maximum possible power to be input to the inverter often causing the latter to operate outside the optimal range for best performance. Use of distributed inverters will increase the system cost. It is also important to note that most of these power fluctuation events are unpredictable. Employing intelligent electronic circuitry to dynamically route the power from modules to inverters can solve this problem. AMCorp technologies is seeking a solution through real-time (dynamic) routing of power from individual strings (or even modules) to the inverters. In this Engage project AMCorp and the University of Waterloo will work together, (i) to develop an intelligent network solution that provides dynamic monitoring and routing capabilities to the switching circuitry, (ii) to set up an innovative in-lab test-bed for performance analysis of the router network under forced conditions, and, (iii) to establish the net power gain through evaluation of the PV/router-network system under real solar conditions. The research outcome will provide an efficient, economic, solution to the power-loss problem in building installed PV systems.

在过去的几年里，全球光伏(PV)技术市场一直以每年30-40%的速度稳步增长，而且这一趋势还在继续。国际能源署预测，2030年光伏能源将占全球能源消费的5%左右，2050年将占11%。建筑安装光伏系统是整个光伏市场的一个领域，也正在经历高速增长，预计到2016年将达到110亿美元的市场规模。在加拿大，住宅和商业建筑上安装的公用事业捆绑的光伏系统也在稳步增长。这类系统的一个关键挑战是通过消除发电后的电力损失来提高系统的总体成本效益。除了光伏电池板的转换效率外，光伏发电的管理/调节效率也决定了整个系统的性能。由于安装限制、不同方向、倾斜、阴影、碎片等原因导致模块之间的发电不均匀，通常会导致输入到逆变器的最大功率低于可能的最大值，从而导致逆变器在最佳范围外运行以获得最佳性能。使用分布式逆变器会增加系统成本。同样重要的是要注意，这些功率波动事件中的大多数都是不可预测的。使用智能电子电路动态地将电能从模块传送到逆变器可以解决这一问题。AMCorp Technologies正在寻求一种解决方案，通过将电力从单个串(甚至是模块)实时(动态)路由到逆变器。在这个Engage项目中，AMCorp和滑铁卢大学将合作：(I)开发智能网络解决方案，为交换电路提供动态监控和路由功能；(Ii)建立创新的实验室内测试台，用于在强制条件下分析路由器网络的性能；以及(Iii)通过评估真实太阳能条件下的光伏/路由器网络系统来确定净功率增益。研究成果将为建筑安装光伏系统中的掉电问题提供一个高效、经济的解决方案。