Paper Title :Study On Using Maximum Power Point Algorithms To Improve The Efficiency Of Solar Energy Storage For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Author :Alekhya Tumma, Viraja Gade, P Balasubramanian

Article Citation :Alekhya Tumma ,Viraja Gade ,P Balasubramanian , (2013 ) " Study On Using Maximum Power Point Algorithms To Improve The Efficiency Of Solar Energy Storage For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles " , International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication (IJEEDC) , pp. 49-54, Volume-1,Issue-8

Abstract : Aerial surveillance has its inherent advantages due to its large field of view with minimal obstructions in the view path. Currently systems such as manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), lighter than air (LTA) platforms and satellites are used for surveillance and reconnaissance. To have a continuous and effective surveillance the system need to be airborne for as much as long duration hours as possible. However in practical situations this is limited to the amount of fuel present to drive the system. To overcome this situation, researchers are working on several energy harvesting techniques to extract energy from its available environment worldwide. Of all the renewable energy sources solar power proves to be a potential alternative due to its abundant availability, low cost per watt power generation compared to power generation using fossil fuels and low maintenance. The efficiency in the overall energy conversion from solar to electric power primarily depends on two factors viz., efficient conversion of solar power in PV cell and subsequent storage of solar power. Presently using multi-crystalline PV cell up to a maximum of 14 to 19% conversion efficiency can be arrived for commercial applications. The process of increasing the efficiency attributes to increase in cost. However, the increase in cost is not proportionate to the power delivered. The overall efficiency also depends on the efficient storage. There are many techniques available worldwide to increase the efficiency of the solar power storage. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is one among the widely used techniques used to improve the solar power storage efficiency. This study paper summarize the study on using maximum power point tracking (MPPT) incremental conductance charge control algorithm to maximize the efficiency in storage of the power generated from the solar panel. The efficiency of the storage with and without MPPT has been studied and results are presented. The efficiency is derived by creating equivalent models of photovoltaic cell, Buck Boost DC-DC Convertor and MPPT algorithm in MATLAB SIMULINK using Sim Power Systems blocks. MPPT derives and extracts the maximum power from the photovoltaic and feeds it to the load via the Buck Boost converter. From the study results it is briefed that by adding MPPT incremental conductance algorithm the storage efficiency can be improved.

Type : Research paper

Published : Volume-1,Issue-8

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