Microprocessor system for controlling the

operation of renewable energy sources

Rhogy I. Centeno*, and Miracle Rose A. Bantug**
Electrical Engineering
Technological University of the Philippines-Manila
* rhogy.centeno@tup.edu.ph
** miraclerose.bantug@tup.edu.ph

Abstract--The current resurgence of
interest in the use of renewable energy is
driven by the need to reduce the high
environmental impact of fossil-based energy
systems. Harvesting energy on a large scale is
undoubtedly one of the main challenges of the
present time. Future energy sustainability
depends heavily on how the renewable energy
problem is addressed in the next few decades.
Industry must overcome a number of technical
issues to deliver renewable energy in
significant quantities. Microprocessor-based
energy management system for Renewable
Energy Sources (RES) has its own
distribution, controlling, and monitoring
system.
Keywords—Energy Management System,
Renewable Energy Sources (RES)
manipulated, this is not true for solar and
wind energies. The main problems with these
energy sources are cost and availability: wind
and solar power are not always available
where and when needed. Unlike conventional
sources of electric power, these renewable
sources are not “dispatchable”—the power
output cannot be controlled. Daily and
seasonal effects and limited predictability
result in intermittent generation.
Control is one of the key enabling
technologies for the deployment of
renewable energy systems. Solar and wind
power require effective use of advanced
control techniques. In addition, smart grids
cannot be achieved without extensive use of
control technologies at all levels.

II. MICROPROCESSOR IN RES

I. INTRODUCTION
Due to the increasing interest for friendlier
to the environment energy sources compared
to fossil fuels and more sustainable the world
has turned their eyes on the renewable ones
and yet it has not been taken advantage all
their potential. The main problems with these
energy sources are cost and availability.
Although in most power-generating systems,
the main source of energy (the fuel) can be
The energy need has always been one of the
essential requirements in the lives of human
beings. It is apparent that classical energy
sources are nonrenewable and they have
negative effects on the environment.
Therefore, it has been easily observed that the
interest in renewable resources has been
increasing each passing day. The use of
renewable energy systems has become
widespread, and thus, the collaborative
workspace of renewable energy systems has
increased. It is seen that when different
energy generating resources are used
collaboratively, the rates of effective and
efficient use of energy increase.
Microprocessor system gives the
management system to control, monitor and
supervisory of renewable energy resources,
energy storages and loads. System can also
be implemented as management controller
for local grid, which may cooperates with
distribution networks.
III. APPLICATIONS
A. Microcontroller and solar power based
electrical energy management system for
renewable energy applications - has its own
distribution, controlling and monitoring
system for the amount of electrical energy
(kWh) and this system is based on smart
energy metering. This hardware project
measures the electrical energy (kWh) as well
as controls the amount of electrical energy
from supply to load during day and night
automatically. It is also equipped with the
control of alternative source of electricity
(solar energy).
B. Energy Flow Control with Using Arduino
Microcontroller in Off-Grid Hybrid Power
Generation System Including Different Solar
Panels and Fuel Cell – the study included a
practice for efficient and effective energy use
when control algorithms related to energy
flow of hybrid energy generation system
consisting of different types of solar panels
(monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin
film) and fuel cell were performed. An
Arduino microcontroller–based control
system was designed in order to use the
energy generated efficiently and effectively
in hybrid power generating systems which
consist of solar panels, battery packs, fuel cell
and direct current and alternating current
loads.
C. Microprocessor based solar photovoltaic
tracking systems - The current photovoltaics
have significant drawbacks (high costs, low
efficiency & intermittency) and yet it has not
been taken advantage all their potential.
Capturing sun’s maximum energy using
photovoltaics is challenging because several
factors affect their energy output including
the photovoltaic material, geographical
location, ambient temperature and weather,
orientation of the panel and angle of sun
incidence. Microprocessors use algorithms
and mathematical equations to determine
sun’s exact position, either use sensors.
Economic microprocessors like PIC, Arduino
etc. are used and this type is widely used.
Solar trackers are systems designed and
developed to enlarge the amount of solar
radiation received by the PV panel,
maintaining the optimum angle towards the
sun to produce the best power output. The
microprocessor based. Intelligent driver
systems are the most promising among these
due to their capability to predict the exact
position of the sun by using learning
algorithms.
IV. OPERATIONS
A. Tracking
Solar trackers are systems designed and
developed to enlarge the amount of solar
radiation received by the PV panel,
maintaining the optimum angle towards the
sun to produce the best power output.
This system tracks the sun’s position and
maintains the solar PV modules at an angle
that produces the best power output. Several
principles and techniques have been
proposed to track the sun efficiently. This
requires extensive mathematical calculations
and detailed measurements of different solar
parameters.
B. Monitoring
Equipment in the renewable energy industry
is being maintained in new ways, made
possible by semiconductors. Drones are
being used for wind-turbine inspections,
supplementing ground observation, cutting
costs, and reducing risks for inspectors.
Drones equipped with high-definition and
thermal imaging cameras are also being used
to carry out aerial inspections of solar panels,
while in Japan, autonomous robots are being
used to clean them.
C. Processing
Wind turbines use semiconductors to convert
power and couple the generator with the grid.
Output from the turbine is converted to DC
power by an AC/DC converter, and then
converted to commercial frequency AC
power through an inverter.
Solar inverter systems (DC/AC) and
converter systems (DC/DC) use
microcontrollers to maximize the power
production from solar panels, as well as
converting low voltages into usable higher
voltages.
V. CONCLUSION
Progressing concerns about climate change
have made sustainable power sources a
significant part of the world energy
utilization portfolio. Due to a few negative
and irreversible externalities in conventional
energy production, it is important to develop
and promote sustainable power supply
innovations and interest for environmentally
friendly energy. Power generation utilizing
sustainable power sources ought to be
expanded to diminish the unit cost of
generation. Energy utilization relies upon a
few elements including financial
advancement, population, energy costs,
weather, and innovation.
There can be no doubt that when we think of
renewable energy resources, the first thing
that comes to mind is solar power. To
eliminate the present circumstance, battery
systems, which supply continuous and
persistent energy, are required. In addition to
the batteries, they have a limited lifetime due
to charge and release cases, they are systems
that require maintenance and cost. As the
progression occurs, drones recently joined
the environmental industry, providing
promising future aid to renewable energy
development and maintenance. Drones may
use their imaging abilities to survey and map
the land and detect renewable energy system
issues. In the long run, Microcontroller helps
to maximize the power production from the
renewable resources energy, as well as
converting the low voltage into usable
energy.
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