Renewable Energy
Current
Click image to enlarge
Figure1: The test circuit used for all turn-off measurements Lcomm= 3.2 µH
Configuration 1: Cclamp = 10 µF, Rclamp = 0.625 Ω, Lσ = 330 nH
Configuration 2: Cclamp = 20 µF, Rclamp = 0.37 Ω, Lσ = 325 nH
A 4.5 kV IGCT (Integrated Gate Commutated Thyristor) with extraordinary high Safe Operating Area (SOA) at 140°C is presented. The improvements for the IGCT were achieved by optimizing the corrugated p-base doping profiles of the original IGCT design.
IGCT high power switches are considered
. . . Read More
Date:
2/2/2012
Click image to enlarge
A new solar carport transforms the parking space into a provider
of green power that should delight designers and owners of electric cars alike.
Fitted with innovative lightweight solar modules featuring PLEXIGLAS® from Evonik, it will now be mass produced by the manufacturer, MAGE SUNOVATION
. . . Read More
Date:
2/2/2012
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Typical solar power system diagram
Increasing demand for clean electrical power has led to a focus on renewable energy sources such as solar power.
Solar power systems are independent power generation systems meant to power an individual structure or an entire community. The solar power block diagram in Figure 1 describes
. . . Read More
Date:
2/2/2012
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Typical off-grid PV system
Photovoltaic cell technology over the last few years has reached levels of cost and efficiency that enable its use in new markets.
Due to the varying sunlight conditions, energy storage in batteries is essential. Also, the need to extract the maximum amount of energy possible from a PV system
. . . Read More
Date:
2/1/2012
Click image to enlarge
At least two power reactors are needed for solar inverters: one in the boost converter (step-up chopper) and one at the ouput of the inverter for EMC filtering. Besides the IGBTs, the losses in the reactors are a major determining factor of the overall efficiency of the inverter
Low-loss and high saturation flux density core materials in reactors and transformers are a key determining factor for the efficiency of inverters.
The new TDK PE90 ferrite is a cutting-edge material that minimizes reactor losses in the step-up chopper and smoothing circuits of inverters
. . . Read More
Date:
2/1/2012
Click image to enlarge
National Wind Energy Centre
NEL is a world-class provider of technical consultancy, research, testing, flow measurement and programme management services to the energy, oil & gas manufacturing industries and government.
The number of small and micro wind turbines is increasing steadily throughout Europe as they contribute
. . . Read More
Date:
2/1/2012
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Typical Solar Panel Output Current & Power vs. Output Voltage Curve
The influence of clouds, trees, dirt, on the solar cell panel and the rotation of the sun causes problematic fluctuations in the amount power generation.
The typical output current and output voltage characteristics for solar cell panels are shown in Figure 1. An interesting trend emerges
. . . Read More
Date:
1/31/2012
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Single-phase anti-tamper smart meter
DC tolerant current transformers have long been used to sense ac currents in smart energy meters, but they have drawbacks and can be expensive.
For some applications, resistive shunts make better current sensors as they are inexpensive, highly linear, and immune to magnetic influences. Unfortunately,
. . . Read More
Date:
1/31/2012
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Offshore wind park “Lillgrund” in Sweden is connected to the main land via a 138kV high-voltage DC link (picture: Siemens)
With 7 billion human beings living on this planet, and at the same time, the energy consumed by human beings is shifting more and more from oil to electricity
Improving power density and efficiency in power electronics subsystems
It comes as no surprise that power electronics subsystems
. . . Read More
Date:
1/7/2012
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: LTC4070 Typical Application Circuit
Energy harvesting ICs can convert an appropriate transducer’s output into an electric current for a battery charger device. Recent technology developments have pushed energy harvesting to the point of commercial viability.
Many energy harvesting applications inherently have intermittent or
. . . Read More
Date:
6/29/2011
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: National Semiconductor’s diverse analog IC product offering for PV
To succeed in today’s competitive solar market, system designers and OEMs require a system solution which may include energy-efficient analog ICs, tools, evaluation boards, and reference designs.
As the photovoltaic (PV) market has evolved over the past thirty years, system solutions providers
. . . Read More
Date:
6/28/2011
Click image to enlarge
Figure 1: Power-Voltage Curve of a photovoltaic cell for differing light levels
In the utilization of solar panels, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is the automatic adjustment of electrical load to achieve the greatest possible power harvest, during dynamic variations of light level, shading, temperature, and photovoltaic module characteristics.
Photovoltaic (PV)
. . . Read More
Date:
6/27/2011
Click image to enlarge
Efficiency Chart
Solar industry insiders have declared this “The Year for Power Optimization.” Distributed electronics like maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizers and microinverters are growing in popularity because of their ability to increase the energy-generating capacity, or energy harvest, of
. . . Read More
Date:
6/27/2011
Click image to enlarge
Recognising, defining and dealing with renewable energy risks have never been more of a priority. Projects tend to be complex, innovative and often pioneering, which is why it pays to have insurance in place.
The EU’s binding target to source 20% of the Continent’s energy needs from renewables
. . . Read More
Date:
6/18/2011