Module – 5: Green Energy Sources and Electric vehicles

Green Energy Sources: Solar and Wind energy generation systems.

Introduction to Electric vehicles: Overview and block diagram approach toelectric vehicles.
Earthing: Necessity of Earthing and Types of Earthing.

• Energy is one of the major parts of the economic infrastructure, being the basic input needed to
sustain economic growth. There exists a strong relationship between economic development
and energy consumption.
• The more developed is a country, the higher is the per capita of energy consumption and vice-
versa. Human civilization relies on different sources of energy.
What is Green Energy?
• Green energy is any energy type that is generated from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind
or water.
• It often comes from renewable energy sources
• To be called green energy, a resource should not produce pollution, such as is found with fossil
fuels
• This means that, not all sources used by the renewable energy industry are green
• For example, power generation that burns organic material from sustainable forests may be
renewable, but it is not necessarily green, due to the CO2 produced by the burning process
itself.

• The two major sources of energy can be classified under

o Non-Renewable Energy Resources
o Renewable Energy Resources

Difference Between Renewable and Non-renewable Sources of Energy

Renewable Energy Sources Non-renewable Energy Sources

Wind, Solar, Biomass, Biogas, Tidal, Wave Coal, Oil, Natural gas, Nuclear energy etc.
etc.
Natural local environment Concentrated stock.
Fluctuating Steady
Mild Local hazards possible in operation May be dangerous when faulty
Little environmental impact confining the Massive environmental pollution: air
region water, soil, common and wider sped
Rural, decentralized system Urban, Concentrated system
cannot be exhausted Can be exhausted due to over consumption.
 Photovoltaics (PV)
• Photovoltaics directly convert solar energy into electricity.
• They work on the principle of the photovoltaic effect.
• When certain materials are exposed to light, they absorb photons and release free
electrons. This phenomenon is called as the photoelectric effect.
• Photovoltaic effect is a method of producing direct current electricity based on the
principle of the photoelectric effect.
• Photovoltaics directly convert solar energy into electricity.
• They work on the principle of the photovoltaic effect.
• When certain materials are exposed to light, they absorb photons and release free
electrons. This phenomenon is called as the photoelectric effect.
• Photovoltaic effect is a method of producing direct current electricity based on the
principle of the photoelectric effect.

Solar Power Plant

• The solar power plant is also known as the Photovoltaic (PV) power plant.
• Photovoltaic Solar Power System
• It is a large-scale PV plant designed to produce bulk electrical power from solar radiation.
• The solar power plant uses solar energy to produce electrical power.
• Components of a Solar Power Plant:
• Photovoltaic (PV) Module
• Inverter
• Energy storage devices

A photovoltaic array is a linked collection of photovoltaic modules. Each photovoltaic (PV) module is
made of multiple interconnected PV cells. The cells convert solar energy into direct current electricity.
Individual solar cells provide a relatively small amount of power, but electrical output can be significant
when connected together. Crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide are typical choices of materials for
solar cells. The cells, modules, and arrays can be connected in series or parallel, or typically a
combination, to create a desired peak voltage output. PV modules are sometimes called solar panels,
The application and study of photovoltaic devices is known as photovoltaics.

• PV panels or Photovoltaic panel is a most important component of a solar power plant.

 • It is made up of small solar cells. This is a device that is used to convert solar photon energy
into electrical energy.
• The output of the solar panel is in the form of DC.
• The most of load connected to the power system network is in the form of AC. Therefore, to
convert DC output power into AC power, an inverter is used in solar power plants.
• For a large-scaled grid-tied power plant, the inverter is connected with transformer to assure
the output voltage and frequency as per the standard supply.
• The batteries are used to store electrical energy generated by the solar power plants. The storage
components are the most important component in a power plant to meet the demand and
variation of the load.
• If excess power is produced, output of the inverter is connected to the main grid also.
• Sometimes solar power plants are only connected to grid without any storage devices.

Advantages of solar energy

• Most clean and renewable source of energy.
• It is available in abundance and endless.
• It provides electricity at low cost, as fuel is free.
 • Solar energy systems generally require low maintenance.
• Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements will
intensify in the future.
• Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can potentially increase the effectiveness
of solar panels.

Disadvantages of solar energy

• It requires a lot of land to be captured forever.
• The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. This includes paying for solar panels,
inverter, batteries, wiring, and the installation.
• Solar energy storage options are expensive.
• Power production is quite low as compared to nuclear or other resources to produce power.
• There is a problem if it is cloudy for a few days.
• Transportation and installation of solar power system may be associated with the emission of
greenhouse gases.
Applications
• Solar water pumps
• Solar vehicle
• Solar panels on spacecraft
• Grid connected photovoltaic power systems
• Cathodic protection systems
• Electric fences
• Remote lighting systems
• Telecommunications and remote monitoring systems
• Rural electrification
• Solar cooker
• Solar distiller
 Wind Power Plant
Wind power has been utilized for several centuries. The invention of sail boats is the first and most
important example of driving them by using wind energy. The earliest known wind -powered grain
mills and water pumps were used by the Persians, the Indians and the Chinese. Wind turbines convert
the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical power.

Working of wind power plant

• When the wind strikes the rotor blades, blades start rotating.
• The turbine rotor is connected to a high-speed gearbox.
• Gearbox transforms the rotor rotation from low speed to high speed.
• The high-speed shaft from the gearbox is coupled with the rotor of the generator.
• An exciter is needed to give the required excitation.
• The generated voltage at output terminals of the alternator is proportional to both the speed and
field flux of the alternator.
• To maintain uniformity of the output power from the alternator, excitation must be controlled

Wind Energy – Advantages

• Wind energy is far more ecofriendly than the burning of fossil fuels for electricity.
• Wind energy don't produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain, smog, or greenhouse
gases.
• Wind Energy is an inexhaustible source of energy and is virtually a limitless resource.
 • Energy is generated without polluting environment.
• This source of energy has tremendous potential to generate energy on large scale.
• Like solar energy and hydropower, wind power taps a natural physical resource.

Wind Energy – Disadvantages

• Wind energy requires expensive storage during peak production time.
• It is unreliable energy source as winds are uncertain and unpredictable.
• There is visual and aesthetic impact on region.
• Requires large open areas for setting up wind farms.
• Noise pollution problem is usually associated with wind mills.
• Wind energy can be harnessed only in those areas where wind is strong enough and weather is
windy for most parts of the year.
• Usually places, where wind power set-up is situated, are away from the places where demand
of where demand of electricity is there.
• Higher maintenance cost

Earthing and its types

Earthing is defined as the process in which the instantaneous discharge of the electrical energy takes
place by transferring charges directly to the earth through low resistance wire. Low resistance earthing
wire is chosen to provide the least resistance path for leakage of fault current. The electrical earthing is
done by connecting the non-current carrying part of the equipment or neutral of supply system to the
ground.
How is Earthing done
• To ensure safety, earthing can be done by connecting the electrical appliance to earthing
systems or electrodes placed near the soil or below the ground level.
• The electrode or earthing mat equipped with a flat iron riser is installed under the ground level.
• It helps to connect all the non-currentcarrying metallic parts of the equipment.
• When the overload current is passed through the equipment or when the fault occurs in the
system due to the current, the fault current from the equipment flows through the earthing
system.

Advantages of Earthing
• Earthing is the safe and the best method of offering safety. We know that the earth’s potential
is zero and is treated as Neutral.
• Metal can be used in electrical installations without looking for its conductivity, proper earthing
 ensures that metal does not transfer current.
• A sudden surge in voltage or overload does not harm the device and person if proper earthing
measures are done.
• It prevents the risk of fire hazards that could otherwise be caused by the current leakage.

Methods of Earthing
• Plate Earthing
• Pipe Earthing
• Rod Earthing
Plate Earthing

• The plate material is of either copper or galvanized iron is used in the plate earthing system
• This plate selected should of certain specified dimensions, which is placed inside the earth at a
depth not less than 3 meters from the bottom.
• This plate is connected to the electrical conductors to divert the electric charge inside the earth.
• There are two pipes are connected to the plate. One is to lay the conductors and another is for
watering which is connected to the funnel. This funnel will help to put the water into the
 earthing.

• The salt soaks the alkali of the ground and the Coal makes the soil to hold the moisture. This
increases the overall conductivity of the earthing system. When the conductivity increases, the
leakage current easily flows to the ground. It increases the efficiency of the overall earthing
system.

Pipe Earthing

• A galvanized iron pipe is selected should be such that it has holes pierced at regular intervals
and the pipe is narrow at the bottom end.
• A clamp is attached to the G.I pipe to which an earth wire is connected. This pipe diverts the
electrical conductance inside the earth.
• The pipe is placed in the earth pit at a depth not less than 3 meters. The space inside the G.I
pipe is filled by the alternate layers of salt and charcoal up to the clamp level.
• The top portion of the G.I pipe is left open for maintenance when required by constructing a
 chamber with bricks.
• Water is poured into the G.I pipe to maintain earthing resistance within the specified limits.
• Galvanized steel and a pipe that has holes at regular intervals are kept inside the earth.

• Keeping in view its low-cost Pipe earthing is commonly used for all domestic purposes.

Rod Earthing

• This type of earthing is similar to pipe earthing, but a rod is used.

• A copper rod with galvanized steel pipe is placed upright in the ground physically or using a
hammer.
• The embedded electrode lengths in the earth decrease the resistance of the earth to a preferred
value.
• As it is of low resistive material, the short circuit current will be diverted to the ground safely.

• This system of earthing is suitable for area which are sandy in character.
Introduction to Electric Vehicles

• An EV is a shortened acronym for an electric vehicle. EVs are vehicles that are either partially
or fully powered by electric power.
• An electric vehicle (EV) is one that operates on an electric motor, instead of an internal-
combustion engine that generates power by burning a mix of fuel and gases. Compared to an
internal combustion engine, battery powered electric vehicles have fewer moving parts that
need maintenance.
• The Engine of a conventional IC Engine Car is replaced by an electrical Motor and the fuel
tank is replaced by the Battery Pack.

Advantages of Electric Vehicle

• Creates very little noise
• No exhaust, spark plugs, clutch or gears
• Doesn't burn fossil fuels, instead uses rechargeable batteries, therefore no carbon emissions.
• Low maintenance.
• The cost of the electricity required to charge an EV is around 40% less than the cost to use
petrol for a similar sized vehicle driving the same distance.

Major Components in EV

Battery Pack:
• Stores electricity for use by the electric motor.
• Batteries are the fuel source for Electric Cars, but it is also important to know that batteries are
not the only source of fuels.
• There are other alternatives to power an EV like a Fuel cell or Super capacitors but both of
them are still in development stage and no commercial cars on the road use them.
• It is the fuel source of the car, since there are hundreds of cells arranged in series and parallel
 to form a battery pack.
Battery Management System:
• A battery management system (BMS) is any electronic system that manages a rechargeable
battery (cell or battery pack).
• It protects the battery from operating beyond its voltage / current ratings and temperature.
• BMS is also used for some computational purpose, like measuring the SOC and SOH of a
battery. SOC stands for Sate of Charge and SOH stands for State of health.
• SOC indicates how far we can drive before recharge and SOH indicates the time to replace
batteries.
CONTROLLER
• The DC voltage from battery cannot be used to drive a motor so a controller is required to drive
the motor.
• This unit manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the battery, controlling the speed
of the electric motor and the torque it produces.
• A controller includes circuits like a DC-DC converter, Speed controller, Inverter etc.
• The DC-DC converter is used to needed to run vehicle accessories, like the Headlights and
other low level electronic devices.
• Apart from this the controller also takes care of regenerative braking.
MOTOR:
• Using power from the traction battery pack, this motor drives the vehicle's wheels.
• There are many types of Motors used in EV and the one used for Scooters and bikes is totally
different from the one that is used in cars. The commonly used ones are BLDC motors, Brushed
DC motors and AC Induction Motor.
TRANSMISSION:
• The transmission transfers mechanical (rotational) power from the electric motor to drive the
wheels
• This transfer of power is achieved through some gear arrangements, in order to maximize
efficiency of the vehicle.

What is electric shock?

• Our bodies conduct electricity. If any part of your body meets live electricity an electric current
flows through the tissues, which causes an electric shock. People sometimes call it
electrocution.
• Depending on the length and severity the electric shock, injuries can include:
o burns to the skin
 o burns to internal tissues
o electrical interference or damage (or both) to the heart, which could cause the heart to
stop or beat erratically.
• It is important to seek medical attention for mild electric shock to assess whether the heart has
been affected.
What causes electric shock?

• Some causes of electric shock include:

• faulty appliances
• damaged or frayed cords or extension leads
• electrical appliances in contact with water
• incorrect, damaged or deteriorated household wiring
• lightning strike.

Safety Precautions
• Avoid water at all times when working with electricity. Never touch or try repairing any
electrical equipment or circuits with wet hands. It increases the conductivity of the electric
current.
• Never use equipment with frayed cords, damaged insulation, or broken plugs.
• Always use insulated tools while working.
• Always use appropriate insulated rubber gloves and goggles while working on any branch
circuit or any other electrical circuit.

• Never try repairing energized equipment. Always check that it is de-energized first by using a
tester.
Question Bank
1. Briefly explain the basic working principle of solar power plant with schematic diagram.
2. Briefly explain the basic working principle of wind power plant with schematic diagram.
3. Describe the various applications of Solar Energy.
4. What are Electric Vehicles? List their advantages over combustion engine based vehicles.
5. Explain the main components of an Electric Vehicle with a neat block diagram.
6. What is earthing? Explain types of earthing.
7. Explain electric shocks, What safety precautions are to be taken to avoid electric shock.
8. List the advantages and disadvantages of a) Solar Energy b) Wind Energy