Lecture # 1

WIND FARMS:
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines that transform wind energy into electrical energy. They can
be located on land or at sea.

 Source: Energy derived from wind.

 Technology: Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electricity.
 Applications: Electricity generation for residential, commercial, and utility-scale use.
 Advantages: Renewable, low operating costs, reduces carbon emissions.
 Challenges: Weather-dependent, visual and noise impacts, requires large areas.

Wind Turbine Types:

1. Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines: The blades rotate around a horizontal axis, with the turbine's main
housing usually placed on a tall tower.
2. Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines: The blades rotate around a vertical axis, allowing the turbine to catch
wind from any direction without needing to be turned.

Power Output VS Wind Speed:

SOLAR ENERGY:
Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy.

Solar Energy (Photovoltaic Panels)

 Source: Energy from sunlight.

 Technology: Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity through solar cells.
 Applications: Residential rooftops, commercial buildings, and utility-scale solar farms.
 Advantages: Renewable, scalable, reduces carbon emissions.
 Challenges: Weather-dependent, requires large areas, energy storage for nighttime.

Solar Energy Collectors:

1. Flat Plate Collector: Captures solar energy with a flat surface to heat fluids or air for residential and
commercial applications.

2. Flat Plate Collector with Honey Comb Structure: Similar to flat plate collectors, but with a honeycomb
layer to reduce heat loss and increase efficiency.
 3. Concentrating Collectors: Focuses sunlight to a smaller area with mirrors or lenses to generate higher
temperatures, often for electricity production.

Multiple heliostats

MPPT Algorithms: Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is a technique used in solar power systems to
ensure that solar panels operate at their most efficient point, delivering maximum power output.

1. Perturb & Observe

2. Incremental Conductance
3. Hill Climbing Method
4. Current Control Method
5. Voltage Control Method
6. Temperature Gradient Method

Perturb and Observe Algorithm: Solar Current, Power and Voltage Curve: