Smart Solar Energy Systems

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are inviting submissions for the Topic on “Smart Solar Energy Systems”.

To satisfy energy demand with the maximum quality and reliability of service and simultaneously achieve the minimum economic and environmental costs, the power network is unavoidably experiencing an evolution that entails state-of-the-art decentralized RES and smart systems empowered by computing and information technologies. The growing use of clean energy sources along with the efforts of improving energy efficiency are two essential pillars that are driving the path of power system evolution. Smart solar energy systems can play a significant role in the success of power systems evolution as they embody an important and environmentally friendly technology that is already being incorporated into the electricity mix and can prove to be a decisive factor in reaching the energy transformation in meeting future demand targets. Attempts are underway for improving various aspects related to the operation and design of smart solar energy systems. These aspects concern energy efficiency, cost, power quality, reliability, decentralized operation, ease of installation, compatibility with other power/network technologies, grid integration, hybridization with other energy sources, modularity, system stability, sustainability, neural networks, blockchain ready, internet of things ready, adaptive communication, software-defined networks ready, and much more. The integration of smart solar energy systems into the future power network should continue without obstacles and with the best prospects; therefore, research and development is still required to unveil the full potential and capabilities of the specific power generation technology.

Based on the above, the topics of interest in this Topic may include and not be limited to the following:

• Power System Planning and Operation in the presence of high concentrations of distributed Solar Energy Systems.
• Control/Coordination Strategies in managing energy flows to satisfy the energy demand while maintaining good levels of power quality.
• Establishment of approaches to cope with Disturbances and Events.
• Protection of Distribution Grids with High Penetrations of Solar Energy Systems.
• Cybersecurity and Data Protection approaches applying for interconnected power system components.
• Incorporating energy storage for balancing the energy production/demand.
• Integration of Solar Energy Systems with other technologies such as Electric Vehicles, Demand Response, etc.
• Solar energy production forecasting and advanced modelling methods
• Zero energy buildings/zone with integrated Solar Energy Systems.
• Business models involving Solar Produced Energy.
• Preserving continuity of energy generation with on board quality control.

Dr. Venizelos Efthymiou
Dr. Minas Patsalides
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Clean Technologies cleantechnol	4.1	6.1	2019	33.5 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Solar solar	-	-	2021	23.4 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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All Clean Technol. Energies Materials Solar Sustainability

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18 pages, 2838 KiB  

Open AccessReview

New Approaches in Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Inverters: State of the Art

by Shakil Mirza and Arif Hussain

Solar 2024, 4(3), 491-508; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4030023 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1449

Abstract

Grid-connected PV inverters require sophisticated control procedures for smooth integration with the modern electrical grid. The ability of FCS-MPC to manage the discrete character of power electronic devices is highly acknowledged, since it enables direct manipulation of switching states without requiring modulation techniques. [...] Read more.

Grid-connected PV inverters require sophisticated control procedures for smooth integration with the modern electrical grid. The ability of FCS-MPC to manage the discrete character of power electronic devices is highly acknowledged, since it enables direct manipulation of switching states without requiring modulation techniques. This review discusses the latest approaches in FCS-MPC methods for PV-based grid-connected inverter systems. It also classifies these methods according to control objectives, such as active and reactive power control, harmonic suppression, and voltage regulation. The application of FCS-MPC particularly emphasizing its benefits, including quick response times, resistance to changes in parameters, and the capacity to manage restrictions and nonlinearities in the system without the requirement for modulators, has been investigated in this review. Recent developments in robust and adaptive MPC strategies, which enhance system performance despite distorted grid settings and parametric uncertainties, are emphasized. This analysis classifies FCS-MPC techniques based on their control goals, optimal parameters and cost function, this paper also identifies drawbacks in these existing control methods and provide recommendation for future research in FCS-MPC for grid-connected PV-inverter systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Solar Energy Systems)

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18 pages, 5313 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Method for Photovoltaic Water-Pumping Systems under Partial Shading and Changing Pump Head

by Perla Yazmín Sevilla-Camacho, José Billerman Robles-Ocampo, Sergio De la Cruz-Arreola, Marco Antonio Zúñiga-Reyes, Andrés López-López, Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz, Marcos Avilés and Horacio Irán Solís-Cisneros

Clean Technol. 2024, 6(2), 732-749; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6020037 - 11 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1258

Abstract

Photovoltaic systems for pumping water, based on direct current powered motor pumps, have great application in small rural regions without electrical networks. In addition, these systems provide environmental benefits by replacing fossil fuels. However, these systems reduce their performance due to partial shading, [...] Read more.

Photovoltaic systems for pumping water, based on direct current powered motor pumps, have great application in small rural regions without electrical networks. In addition, these systems provide environmental benefits by replacing fossil fuels. However, these systems reduce their performance due to partial shading, which is magnified by the internal mismatch of the PV modules. This work proposes an intelligent, low-cost, and automatic method to mitigate these effects through the electrical reconfiguration of the PV array. Unlike other reported techniques, this method considers the pump head variations. For that, the global voltage and current supplied by the PV array to the motor pump subsystem are introduced to an artificial neural network and to a third-order equation, which locates the shaded PV module and detects the pump head, respectively. A connection control implements the optimal electrical rearrangement. The selection is based on the identified partial shading pattern and pump head. Finally, the switching matrix modifies the electrical connections between the PV modules on the PV array without changing the interconnection scheme, PV array dimension, or physical location of the PVMs. The proposed approach was implemented in a real PV water pumping system. Low-cost and commercial electronic devices were used. The experimental results show that the output power of the PV array increased by 8.43%, which maintains a more stable level of water extraction and, therefore, a constant flow level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Solar Energy Systems)

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30 pages, 6050 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Statistical Framework for Optimal Sizing of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic–Battery Systems for Peak Demand Reduction to Flatten Daily Load Profiles

by Reza Nematirad, Anil Pahwa and Balasubramaniam Natarajan

Solar 2024, 4(1), 179-208; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4010008 - 14 Mar 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7948

Abstract

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems plays a pivotal role in the global shift toward renewable energy, offering significant environmental benefits. However, the PV installation should provide financial benefits for the utilities. Considering that the utility companies often incur costs for both energy and peak [...] Read more.

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems plays a pivotal role in the global shift toward renewable energy, offering significant environmental benefits. However, the PV installation should provide financial benefits for the utilities. Considering that the utility companies often incur costs for both energy and peak demand, PV installations should aim to reduce both energy and peak demand charges. Although PV systems can reduce energy needs during the day, their effectiveness in reducing peak demand, particularly in the early morning and late evening, is limited, as PV generation is zero or negligible at those times. To address this limitation, battery storage systems are utilized for storing energy during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak times. However, finding the optimal size of PV and the accompanying battery remains a challenge. While valuable optimization models have been developed to determine the optimal size of PV–battery systems, a certain gap remains where peak demand reduction has not been sufficiently addressed in the optimization process. Recognizing this gap, this study proposes a novel statistical model to optimize PV–battery system size for peak demand reduction. The model aims to flatten 95% of daily peak demands up to a certain demand threshold, ensuring consistent energy supply and financial benefit for utility companies. A straightforward and effective search methodology is employed to determine the optimal system sizes. Additionally, the model’s effectiveness is rigorously tested through a modified Monte Carlo simulation coupled with time series clustering to generate various scenarios to assess performance under different conditions. The results indicate that the optimal PV–battery system successfully flattens 95% of daily peak demand with a selected threshold of 2000 kW, yielding a financial benefit of USD 812,648 over 20 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Solar Energy Systems)

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17 pages, 3174 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Transient Behavior Analysis of Microgrids in Grid-Connected and Islanded Modes: A Comparative Study of LVRT and HVRT Capabilities

by Abrar Shahriar Pramanik and Saeed Sepasi

Clean Technol. 2023, 5(4), 1287-1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol5040065 - 10 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3018

Abstract

Microgrids, with integrated PV systems and nonlinear loads, have grown significantly in popularity in recent years, making the evaluation of their transient behaviors in grid-connected and islanded operations paramount. This study examines a microgrid’s low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) and high-voltage ride-through (HVRT) capabilities in [...] Read more.

Microgrids, with integrated PV systems and nonlinear loads, have grown significantly in popularity in recent years, making the evaluation of their transient behaviors in grid-connected and islanded operations paramount. This study examines a microgrid’s low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) and high-voltage ride-through (HVRT) capabilities in these operational scenarios. The microgrid’s behavior was analyzed using both electromagnetic transient (EMT) and RMS simulation methods. Two operational modes, grid-connected and islanded, were considered. A three-phase diesel generator acted as a reference machine in islanded mode. Findings highlighted distinct behaviors in the two operational modes. The EMT simulation revealed in-depth characteristics of electrical parameters, showing high-frequency oscillations more precisely than the RMS simulation. Additionally, the transient recovery times were longer in islanded mode compared to grid-connected mode. The EMT simulation offers a more detailed portrayal of transient behaviors than the RMS simulation, especially in capturing high-frequency disturbances. However, its completion time becomes significantly extended with longer simulation durations. Microgrids showcase distinct transient behaviors in grid-connected versus islanded modes, especially in LVRT and HVRT scenarios. These findings are critical for the design and operation of modern microgrids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Solar Energy Systems)

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