published_or_final_version / Physics / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Στη παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία γίνεται ανάλυση και μοντελοποίηση ενός μικροδικτύου, που αποτελείται από μία φωτοβολταϊκή και μία αιολική μονάδα που τροφοδοτούν ένα ωμικο-επαγωγικό φορτίο και είναι συνδεδεμένες στο δίκτυο σε κοινό κόμβο εναλλασσόμενης τάσης. Το φωτοβολταϊκό σύστημα περιλαμβάνει έναν αντιστροφέα και έναν μετατροπέα συνεχούς τάσης σε συνεχή που ανυψώνει την τάση και παράλληλα είναι ανιχνευτής του σημείου μέγιστης ισχύος, ώστε να είναι μέγιστη η παραγόμενη ισχύς του συστήματος. Το αιολικό σύστημα μεταβλητών στροφών χρησιμοποιεί μια σύγχρονη μηχανή μόνιμου μαγνήτη (PMSG) και ένα σύστημα δύο μετατροπέων, πλήρους κλίμακας, πλάτη με πλάτη. Στις εξόδους των μετατροπέων χρησιμοποιήθηκαν κατάλληλα φίλτρα RL με στόχο την μείωση του αρμονικού περιεχομένου των τάσεων και των ρευμάτων εξόδου. Έγινε προσπάθεια να εφαρμοστεί μια στρατηγική ελέγχου, ώστε να ελεγχθούν κατάλληλα τα συστήματα με σκοπό την επίτευξη μέγιστης παραγωγής ισχύος. Τέλος, υλοποιήθηκε το παραπάνω σύστημα σε περιβάλλον Matlab/Simulink και έγινε προσομοίωση για διάφορες μεταβολές στην ακτινοβολία, την ταχύτητα του ανέμου και το φορτίο. Σκοπός ήταν η μελέτη της συμπεριφοράς της δεδομένης στρατηγικής ελέγχου που εφαρμόστηκε και η εξαγωγή συμπερασμάτων. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο ορίζεται η κατανεμημένη παραγωγή μέσω της διαφοροποίησής της από την κεντρικοποιημένη και παρουσιάζονται οι λόγοι της πρόσφατης επανεμφάνισής της. Επίσης, αναλύονται τα πλεονεκτήματα και τα μειονεκτήματα αυτών και τέλος εισάγεται η έννοια του μικροδικτύου και τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά του. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο γίνεται αναφορά στις μονάδες παραγωγής ενός μικροδικτύου και τις διαθέσιμες τεχνολογίες. Δίνεται έμφαση στις ανεμογενήτριες, τα φωτοβολταϊκά και συστήματα συμπαραγωγής αναλύοντας τα τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά και την αρχή λειτουργίας τους. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο ορίζονται οι μονάδες μετατροπής ενέργειας, δηλαδή οι ηλεκτρονικοί μετατροπείς ισχύος. Εξετάζονται οι διάφορες κατηγοριοποιήσεις αυτών και αναφέρονται τα διάφορα είδη των ημιαγωγών ισχύος από τα οποία αποτελούνται. Τέλος, αναλύονται οι τύποι των ηλεκτρονικών μετατροπέων ισχύος που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν στο υπό μελέτη σύστημα. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται η εξαγωγή των μαθηματικών εξισώσεων που περιγράφουν το σύστημα καθώς και αναλυτική περιγραφή των τεχνικών και μεθοδων που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για τον έλεγχο. Τέλος, στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο δίνονται τα αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης υπό τη μορφή διαγραμμάτων καθώς και τα συμπεράσματα της μελέτης. / In the current thesis an analysis and modeling of a microgrid is conducted. The microgrid consists of one photovoltaic and one wind unit which are feeding an R-L load and are connected in a common node to the grid. The photovoltaic system includes an inverter and a Dc to Dc converter that elevates the voltage and at the same time is a maximum power point tracker. The variable speed wind turbin uses a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and a system of two full scale, back to back converters. Proper RL filters were used in the outputs of the converters in order to reduce the harmonic content of the voltage and current output. An attempt was made to implement a control strategy in order to control the system appropriately with the aim of achieving production of maximum power. Finally, this particular system was implemented in a Matlab/Simulink environment and simulated for various changes in radiation, wind speed and load. The aim was to study the behavior of the given control strategy applied and to come to a conclusion. In the first chapter the distributed generation is defined through its diversification from the centralized one and the reasons for its recent revival are presented. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these are analyzed, and finally the concept of microgrid is introduced along with its main characteristics. In the second chapter a reference of the production units of a microgrid and the available technologies is made. Emphasis is placed on wind turbines, photovoltaic and cogeneration systems by analyzing their technical features and their principal of operation. In the third chapter there is the specification of the energy conversion units, namely the electronic power converters. Their various classifications are examined and the different types of power semiconductors of which they consist are mentioned. Finally, there is an analysis of the types of converters used in the system being tested. In the fourth chapter the extraction of the mathematical equations that describe the system is made, along with a detailed description of the techniques and methods used for its control. Finally, in the fifth chapter the results of the simulation are provided in the form of diagrams along with the conclusions of the study.

The research focus of this thesis is on modelling techniques for river kinetic turbines, to develop predictive numerical tools to further the design of this emerging hydro technology. The performance benefits of enclosing the turbine in a shroud are quantified numerically and an optimized shroud design is developed. The optimum performing model is then used to study river kinetic turbines, including different anchoring systems to enhance performance. Two different turbine numerical models are studied to simulate the rotor. Four different computational fluid dynamics (CFD) turbulence models are compared against a series of particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments involving highly-separated diffuser-flow and nozzle-flow conditions. The risk of cavitation is briefly discussed as well as riverbed boundary layer losses. This study is part of an effort to develop this emerging technology for distributed power generation in provinces like Manitoba that have a river system well adapted for this technology.

The global growth in electricity consumption and the shortcomings of renewable electricity generation technologies are some of the reasons why it is still relevant to evaluate the performance of power conversion technologies that are used in fossil fuel power stations. The power conversion technology that is widely used in fossil fuel power stations is the Rankine cycle. The goal of this study was to determine if the efficiency of a typical Rankine cycle can be improved by adding a heat pump as a bottoming cycle. Three simulation models were developed to perform this evaluation. The first is a simulation model of a Rankine cycle. A quite detailed Rankine cycle configuration was evaluated. The simulation model was used to determine the heating requirements of the heat pump cycle as well as its operating temperature ranges. The efficiency of this Rankine cycle was calculated as 43.05 %. A basic vapour compression cycle configuration was selected as the heat pump of the combined cycle. A simulation model of the vapour compression cycle and the interfaces with the Rankine cycle was developed as the second simulation model. Working fluids that are typically used in vapour compression cycles cannot be used for this application, due to temperature limitations. The vapour compression cycle’s simulation model was therefore also used to calculate the coefficient of performance (COP) for various working fluids in order to select a suitable working fluid. The best cycle COP (3.015 heating) was obtained with ethanol as working fluid. These simulation models were combined to form the simulation model of the Rankine-heat pump combined cycle. This model was used to evaluate the performance of the combined cycle for two different compressor power sources. This study showed that the concept of using steam turbine or electrical power to drive a compressor driven vapour compression cycle in the configuration proposed here does not improve the overall efficiency of the cycle. The reasons for this were discovered and warrant future investigation. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The global growth in electricity consumption and the shortcomings of renewable electricity generation technologies are some of the reasons why it is still relevant to evaluate the performance of power conversion technologies that are used in fossil fuel power stations. The power conversion technology that is widely used in fossil fuel power stations is the Rankine cycle. The goal of this study was to determine if the efficiency of a typical Rankine cycle can be improved by adding a heat pump as a bottoming cycle. Three simulation models were developed to perform this evaluation. The first is a simulation model of a Rankine cycle. A quite detailed Rankine cycle configuration was evaluated. The simulation model was used to determine the heating requirements of the heat pump cycle as well as its operating temperature ranges. The efficiency of this Rankine cycle was calculated as 43.05 %. A basic vapour compression cycle configuration was selected as the heat pump of the combined cycle. A simulation model of the vapour compression cycle and the interfaces with the Rankine cycle was developed as the second simulation model. Working fluids that are typically used in vapour compression cycles cannot be used for this application, due to temperature limitations. The vapour compression cycle’s simulation model was therefore also used to calculate the coefficient of performance (COP) for various working fluids in order to select a suitable working fluid. The best cycle COP (3.015 heating) was obtained with ethanol as working fluid. These simulation models were combined to form the simulation model of the Rankine-heat pump combined cycle. This model was used to evaluate the performance of the combined cycle for two different compressor power sources. This study showed that the concept of using steam turbine or electrical power to drive a compressor driven vapour compression cycle in the configuration proposed here does not improve the overall efficiency of the cycle. The reasons for this were discovered and warrant future investigation. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The research focus of this thesis is on modelling techniques for river kinetic turbines, to develop predictive numerical tools to further the design of this emerging hydro technology. The performance benefits of enclosing the turbine in a shroud are quantified numerically and an optimized shroud design is developed. The optimum performing model is then used to study river kinetic turbines, including different anchoring systems to enhance performance. Two different turbine numerical models are studied to simulate the rotor. Four different computational fluid dynamics (CFD) turbulence models are compared against a series of particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments involving highly-separated diffuser-flow and nozzle-flow conditions. The risk of cavitation is briefly discussed as well as riverbed boundary layer losses. This study is part of an effort to develop this emerging technology for distributed power generation in provinces like Manitoba that have a river system well adapted for this technology.

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Most current space robotics vehicles use solar energy as their prime energy source. In spherical robotic vehicles the use of solar cells is very restricted. Focusing on the particular problem, an improved method to generate electrical power will be developed; the innovation is the use of an internal pendulum-generator mechanism to generate electrical power while the ball is rolling. This concept will enable spherical robots on future long-duration planetary exploration missions. Through a developed proof-of-concept prototype, inspired by the Russian thistle plant, or tumbleweed, this thesis will demonstrate power generation capabilities of such a mechanism. Furthermore, it will also present and validate a parametric analytical model that can be used in future developments as a design tool to quantify power and define design parameters. The same model was used to define the design parameters and power generation capabilities of such a system in Martian environment.

Most current space robotics vehicles use solar energy as their prime energy source. In spherical robotic vehicles the use of solar cells is very restricted. Focusing on the particular problem, an improved method to generate electrical power will be developed; the innovation is the use of an internal pendulum-generator mechanism to generate electrical power while the ball is rolling. This concept will enable spherical robots on future long-duration planetary exploration missions. Through a developed proof-of-concept prototype, inspired by the Russian thistle plant, or tumbleweed, this thesis will demonstrate power generation capabilities of such a mechanism. Furthermore, it will also present and validate a parametric analytical model that can be used in future developments as a design tool to quantify power and define design parameters. The same model was used to define the design parameters and power generation capabilities of such a system in Martian environment.

As the science and technology advance, people are looking for new discoveries to solve the existing problems and improve the quality of life. In this processes of development, nanoscience and nanotechnology have attracted technologists' attention and turned out to be one of the most promising technologies that could have a revolutionary impact. Znic Oxide (ZnO) nanostructures, in particular nanowires (NWs), have the potential to be one of such revolutionary material. ZnO is a piezoelectric, transparent and semiconducting material. With a direct band gap of 3.37eV and large excitation binding energy (60meV), ZnO exhibits near-UV emission, and transparent conductivity. ZnO NWs, with all of the properties of bulk ZnO, have other properties that are distinct to nanoscale material. All of these make ZnO NWs a very unique material that has many potential applications in system miniaturization. System-on-package (SOP) technology is a new concept developed to solve the integration problem in microelectronic industry. SOP technology paradigm provides system-level miniaturization in a package size that makes today's hand-held devices into multi-functional systems, with applications ranging from computing, wireless communications, health care to personal security. The SOP is a system miniaturization technology that ultimately integrates nanoscale thin film components for batteries, thermal structures, active and passive components in low cost organic packaging substrates, leading to micro to nanoscale modules and systems. The goal of this research is to investigate and utilize the unique properties of ZnO NWs and apply them to the fabrication of devices that can be integrated with SOP platform. The issues include developing techniques to manipulate and align ZnO NWs; developing contact preparation method to improve the contact conductance for the fabrication of ZnO NW based devices. Also, the investigation of the oxygen diffusion coefficient in ZnO NWs is carried out, which serves as the basis of ZnO NWs for sensing applications. Two practical applications, which include fabricating and characterizing SOP compatible ZnO NW based bio-sensor and SOP compatible ZnO NW based nano-generator, are evaluated. Finally the remaining work beyond the scope of the thesis is outlined.