Functional Description

Project:  Alternative Energy System
Team:  Jeremy Tresenriter and Jim Williamson
Advisor:  Mr. Steve Gutschlag
 
 

Project Overview

    The Alternative Energy System is a control system which regulates the power from two variable direct current (DC) sources to a direct current (DC) load.  The system regulates the power coming from both a solar cell (or solar array) and a wind generator so that a constant DC voltage is applied to a load and a battery backup, independent of the current (and hence power) provided by the two variable sources. 
 

 

Functional Description of the Project

    The inputs and outputs for the Alternative Energy System are given in the following table (Table #1). 
 
Inputs: Wind generator voltage 
Wind generator current 
Solar cell voltage 
Solar cell current 
Battery voltage 
Load voltage
Outputs:  Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD's) 
Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) 
Load voltage 
Battery voltage
Table #1
 
 
 
Inputs: 

Wind generator power:  A wind generator will provide a DC voltage and current to the system. 

Solar Cell power: A solar cell or solar cell array will also provide a DC voltage and current to the system. 

Battery Voltage: The battery voltage will be viewed as a system input and an output.  The system monitors the battery voltage to provide a proper charging voltage and battery current and to detect possible overload and under-voltage conditions. 

Load Voltage: The load voltage, like the battery voltage, is a system input and an output.  The system monitors the load voltage to provide a constant DC voltage and current and to detect for possible overload conditions. 

 
 
 
Outputs: 

Battery Voltage: The system outputs a DC voltage to an array of batteries for the purpose of charging the batteries. 

Load Voltage: The system outputs a DC voltage to a load by means of a voltage regulator connected between the batteries and the load . 

LCD's: Displays used to monitor the currents and voltages within the system. These voltages and currents include the battery voltage, load voltage, and any voltages and currents that provide power to the more delicate components, such as the microcontroller. 

LED's: Indicators for short circuit and current overflow conditions as well as indicators for under-voltage conditions on the battery and over-current conditions on the battery and load. 

 
 
 
Block Diagram: