Article
Version 1
Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Open-source Hardware Design of Modular Solar DC Nanogrid
Version 1
: Received: 31 July 2024 / Approved: 1 August 2024 / Online: 2 August 2024 (00:06:34 CEST)
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Rahman, M.M.; Khan, S.; Pearce, J.M. Open-Source Hardware Design of Modular Solar DC Nanogrid. Technologies 2024, 12, 167. Rahman, M.M.; Khan, S.; Pearce, J.M. Open-Source Hardware Design of Modular Solar DC Nanogrid. Technologies 2024, 12, 167.
Abstract
The technical feasibility of solar photovoltaic (PV) direct current (DC) nanogrids are well-established, but the components of nanogrids are primarily commercially focused on alternating current (AC)-based systems. Thus, DC converter-based designs at the system level require personnel with high degree of technical knowledge and this results in high costs. To enable a democratization of the technology by reducing the costs this study provides a novel modular plug-and-play open source DC nanogrid. The system can be customized according to consumer requirements, enabling the supply of various voltage levels to accommodate different device voltage needs. The step-by-step design process of the converter, controller, data logger, and assembly of the complete system is provided. A time-domain simulation and stability analysis of the designed system were conducted in MATLAB/Simulink as well as experimental validation. The results show transforming the nanogrid from a distribution network to a device makes it suitable for various user-specific applications, such as remotely supplying power to campsites, emergency vehicles like ambulances, and small houses lacking grid electricity. The modular DC nanogrid includes all the features available in a DC distribution network as well as data logging, which enhances the user experience and promotes the use of solar-powered DC grid systems.
Keywords
photovoltaic; open source; open hardware; microgrid; nanogrid; DC nanogrid; modular PV system hardware; solar energy; renewable energy
Subject
Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comments (0)
We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.
Leave a public commentSend a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment