Intelligent power generation and management algorithm for rural tele-center application

Onabajo Olawale Olusegun and Chong Eng Tan

Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Malaysia

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: victorious_gem@yahoo.com

Accepted 02 March 2013

Abstract

The need to develop resourceful and intelligent power generation and management system to prevent energy wastage in rural telecenters is evident because no grid support is available, and existing system are only functional for short period and specific time of the day. This paper describes the implementation of an algorithm used in power generation and management of rural power supplies: Intelligent Fuzzy-controlled Power Generation and Management Algorithm (IFPGMA). The algorithm development is based on integrating solar PV modules arranged in array, integrated with rechargeable batteries and converter models; with intelligent control of power at PC terminals and device level to drive solar energy generation and management for powering networking equipments. Functionality of IFPGMA is in two parts: (a) energy production, which involves the trapping and conversion of solar energy from the Sun to usable form; and (b) power management of telecenter PCs and networking equipments to eliminate wastage. Cost simulation of the solar PV implementation part was also conducted in order to give stakeholders idea on initial capital cost to setup such project. The proposed system was simulated using MATLAB-Simulink, C++ and Homer energy software. Results show that IFPGMA intelligently monitors idle terminals for 5 minutes and reduce power consumption to 30%, and for another 10 minutes reduce power consumption to 20%. Set point values for battery charging/discharging and the charge controller, maintains circuit voltage supplies at 130V maximum and 2KWh/day at $0.735/KWh with an initial investment cost of $3,090 for the solar project implementation.

Keywords: IFPGMA, Battery, PV Panel, Voltage Regulation