Electrical Technology ( EEN115C)

Research Project: Renewable Energy

Student name : Nkululeko Thubane

Student number: 221240391
Higher Certificate in Electrical Engineering
Lecturer: IR Ntsoane
10 May 2021

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 Table of contents
1. Aim………………………………………………………………………………….........3

2. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………3

3. Solar panel electricity operations…………………………………………………….3

4. Hydropower electricity operations……………………………………………………..4

5. Wind power electricity operations……………………………………………………..6

6. Proposed system……………………………………………………………………….7

7. Discussion and conclusion……………………………………………………………..7

8. References……………………………………………………………………………….8

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1. Aim

The aim of this project is to learn on how to construct a renewable resources

generate electricity. This project will help us to design or create our own renewable
source that can back up us when there`s any electrical faulty or load shedding.

2. Introduction

Renewable energy is are clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes
that are constantly replenished. For example, sunlight or wind keep shining and
blowing ,even if their availability depends on time and weather. While renewable
energy is often thought of as a new technology, harnessing nature`s power has been
used for heating, transportation, lighting and more.

3. Solar panels electricity operations

A solar panels collect clean renewable energy in the form of sunlight and convert
that light into electricity which can then be used to provide power for electrical loads.
Solar panels are comprised of several individual solar cells which are themselves
composed of layers of silicon, phosphorous ( which provides the negative charge ),
and boron ( which provides the positive charge). Solar panels absorb the photons
and in doing so initiate an electric current.

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The resulting energy generated from photons striking the surface of the solar panel
allows electrons to be knocked out of their atomic orbits and released into the
electric field generated by the solar cells which then pull these free electrons into a
directional current. This entire process is known as the Photovoltaic Effect. An
average home has more than enough roof area for the necessary number of solar
panels to produce enough solar electricity generated goes onto the main power grid,
paying off in electricity use at night.

Using solar panels is a very practical way to produce electricity for many
applications. The obvious would have to be off-grid living. Living off-grid means living
in a location that is not serviced by the main electric utility grid. Remote homes and
cabins benefit nicely from solar power systems. No longer is it necessary to pay
huge fees for the installation of electric utility poles and cabling from the nearest
main grid access point. A solar electric system is potentially less expensive and can
provide power for upwards of three decades if properly maintained.

4. Hydropower electricity operations

Hydropower is using water to power machinery or make electricity. Water constantly

moves through a vast global cycle, evaporating from lakes and oceans, forming
clouds, precipitating as rain or snows, then flowing back down to the oceans. The
energy of this water cycle, which is driven by the sun, can be tapped to produce
electricity or for mechanical tasks like grinding grain. Hydropower uses a fuel-water-
that is not reduced or uesd up in the process. Because the water cycle is an
endless, constabtly recharging system, hydropower is considered a renewable
energy.

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When flowing water is captured and turned into electricity, it is called hydroelectric
power or hydropower. There are several types of hydroelectic facilities; they are all
powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water as it moves downstream. Turbines and
generators convert the eneryg into electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to
be used in homes, businesses and by industry.

1. Dam. Rasises the water level of the river to create falling water. Also controls the
flow of water. The reservoir that is formed is, in effect stored energy.
2. Turbine. The force of falling water pushing against the turbine`s blades causes
the turbine to spin. A water turbine is much like a windmill, except the energy is
provided by falling water instead of wind. The turbine converts the kinetic energy
of falling water into mechanical energy.
3. Generator. Connected to the turbine by shafts and possibly gears so when the
turbine spins it causes the generator to spins also. Converts the mechanical

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 energy from the turbine into electric energy. Generators in hydropower plants
work just like the generator in other types of power plants.
4. Transmission line. Conduct electricity from the hydropower plant to homes and
business.

5. Wind power electricity operations

Wind ( moving air that contains kinetic energy) blows toward the turbine`s rotor
blades. The rotors spin around, capturing some of the kinetic energy from the
wind, and turning the central drive shaft that supports them. Although the outer
edges of the rotor blades move very fast, the central axle (drive shaft) they`re
connected to turns quite slowly.

Vertical and horizontal axis turbines used for residential electricity generation

In most large modern turbines, the rotor blades can swivel on the hub at the front
so they meet the wind at the best angle ( or “pitch”) for harvesting energy. This is
called the picth control mechanism. On big turbines, small electric motors or
hydraulic rams swivel the blades back and forth under precise electronic control.
On smaller turbines, the pitch control is often completely mechanical. However,
many turbines have fixed rotors and no pitch control at all.

Inside the nacelle ( the main body of the turbine sitting on top of the tower and
behind the blades), the gearbox converts the low-speed rotation of the drive shaft
(perhaps, 16 revolutions per minute, rpm) into high- speed ( perhaps, 1600 rpm)
rotation fast enough to drive the generator efficiently.

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 The generator, immediately behind the gearbox, takes kinetci energy from the
spinning drive shaft and turns it into electrical energy. Runnig at maximum
capacity, a typical 2MW turbine generator will produce 2 million watts of power at
about 700 volts. Anemometer (automatic speed measuring devices) and wind
vanes on the back of the nacelle provide measurements of the wind speed and
direction.

Using these measurements, the entire top part of the turbine (the rotors and
nacelle) can be rotated by a yaw motor, mounted between the nacelle and the
tower, so it faces directly into the oncoming wind and captures the maximum
amount of energy. If it`s too windy or turbulent, brakes are applied to stop the
rotors from turning ( for safety reason ). The brakes are also applied during
routine of maintenance.

A step- up transformer converts the electricity to about 50 times higher voltage so

it can be transmitted efficiently to the power grid ( or to nearby buildings or
communities). If the electricity is flowing to the grid, it`s converted to an even
higher voltage ( 130, 000 volts or more) by a substation nearby, which services
many turbines.

Homes enjoy clean, green energy: the turbine has produced on greenhouse gas
emissions or pollution as it operates.

6. Proposed system

I decided to build or design my own renewable energy which is called Mini solar-
powered car. A mini solar-powered car works solely using the energy from the
sun. It uses a small and lightweight solar panel. This solar module will be tilted
towards the sunlight and convert the sun rays into direct current electricity. This
electricity will give power to the DC motor. Then, as the DC motor operates, it will
drive the wheels of the tiny car and make it run at a certain speed.

7. Conclusion and discussion

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 Renewable energy can generate energy that produces no greenhouse gas
emission from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution. Renewable
energy source is timeless and free.

8. References

(published: November 2015) “US DOE 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book
Chelsea Green publishing Company.
https://www.wartsila.com/energy/solutions.