Project Objective

To develop an efficient energy distribution system with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), optimized for energy storage and power delivery.

Task 1: Energy Storage Strategy

Goal:
Define the required energy storage capacity based on:

• Solar cell power output
• Size, weight, and temperature range of the storage unit
• Lifecycle, cost, average and peak load power
• Safety requirements and energy loss tolerances

Activities:

• Theoretically evaluate and test different battery types
• Select the most suitable battery type based on minimum and maximum required storage capacity

Expected Result:
Defined energy storage requirement and selected battery type.

Key Questions:

• Do different applications require different battery capacities?
• Should modular battery systems with varying characteristics be used?

Task 2: Supercapacitor Module Integration

Goal:
Assess the potential of integrating a parallel supercapacitor module to support short-term high load demands.

Expected Result:
A designed and tested supercapacitor module for peak power delivery.

Key Questions:

• Is a supercapacitor module necessary?
• What power capacity should it have to work efficiently with the selected battery type?

Task 3: MPPT Converter Requirements

Goal:
Based on preliminary cost and efficiency estimates, define technical requirements for the battery charging MPPT converter.

Activities:

• Build and evaluate prototypes of converters with different architectures
• Analyze their energy efficiency

Expected Result:
Defined technical requirements for the converter.

Key Questions:

• How flexible should the system be?
• Is it economically reasonable to widen the converter’s input/output voltage range and increase power?

Task 4: Monitoring System Requirements

Goal:
Define the monitoring requirements for photovoltaic (PV) elements and batteries.

Expected Result:
Technical requirements for the converter controller.

Key Questions:

• How much do monitoring features increase system cost?
• Do they negatively affect performance under low PV generation?

Task 5: MPPT Converter Development

Goal:
Design and manufacture an MPPT converter with integrated monitoring functions.

Expected Result:
A fully functional prototype of the converter.

Performance Evaluation:

• Determine energy efficiency curves depending on input power
• Measure performance at various input voltages