Energy Flow Control with Using Arduino Microcontroller in Off-Grid Hybrid Power Generation System Including Different Solar Panels and Fuel Cell

Abstract

This study included a practice for efficient and effective energy use when control algorithms related to energy flow of hybrid energy generation system consisting of different types of solar panels (monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film) and fuel cell were performed. An Arduino microcontroller–based control system was designed in order to use the energy generated efficiently and effectively in hybrid power generating systems which consist of solar panels, battery packs, fuel cell and direct current and alternating current loads. Routing of energy was performed by relays, and the processes such as monitoring and saving of data belonging to the energy generating system and manual control of the relays optionally were performed via a LabVIEW program on the computer. The electrical energy produced by each solar panel, energy demand of the load and charge–discharge conditions of the batteries were monitored through the control system designed for energy flow control. The data were analyzed and the performances of these three control algorithms were compared. It was determined which of these three different control algorithms had the most effective and efficient energy usage.