Isofoton Research
PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATION IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS:
Photovoltaic Systems in Buildings:
- Development of new materials to be integrated into buildings: on one hand, technical studies are being made of cell laminates on different materials, which are especially useful in the construction world. And on the other hand, pre fabricated modules are produced (glass-glass modules, laminates on steel, on ceramics, etc.).
- Installation to be integrated into buildings: a repertoire of integration techniques adapted to different building typologies (photovoltaic [enclosures] windows, development of working relationships with architecture studios...).
- Techniques to take advantage of energy synergies between modules and buildings:
investigation into the thermal behaviour of the photovoltaic generator in relation to buildings in order to make the most of bioclimatic architectural techniques (for example, development and testing of software tools which allow the design and quantification of the interaction between a photovoltaic generator and a building).
Decentralized Generation:
- Analysis of the interaction between photovoltaic generators and networks from the point of view of dispersed generation: analysis of the behaviour of groups of photovoltaic generators connected in conventional electrical networks in order to propose designs that will favour positive interactions (analysis of power fluctuations, adaptability using ultracapacitors, forecasting the solar resource, geographic "smoothing", selection of insulations, etc.).
- Analysis of the special conditions of the urban environment: the effect of wind and radiation due to nearby buildings on the photovoltaic generator is studied (such as the development and the proving of ways of calculating radiation and wind models in the urban environment).
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS FOR PUMPING, TREATMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF WATER:
Photovoltaic irrigation: even though there are several different irrigation programs involving the use of photovoltaic systems, no comparative study has been carried out on the synergies between the Solar Systems and the irrigation technologies. This project aims to carry out such an analysis and will test various options in order to propose an optimized solution.
High power pumping: up until now, the majority of the systems are based on static photovoltaic generators. This project will allow the study of the advantages which are offered by tracking technologies (particularly double axis and horizontal axis), bearing in mind the aspects of execution, commissioning, maintenance, and interaction with the community.
Reverse Osmosis: even though there are some reverse osmosis prototypes using Photovoltaic Systems, there is no standardized equipment which does not need electrochemical batteries. This project presents the opportunity to introduce laboratory and field tested equipment for standardization and adaptation to a determined set of local conditions.
SOLAR TRACKERS:
Design of types of followers:
- Project implementation of various types of solar followers.
- Selection of the best alternatives of the types of solar followers bearing in mind a series of propositions.
- Production of construction plans as much for the erectors as for the control equipment.
Building and testing of prototypes:
- Building, installation, commissioning, and testing various prototypes, according to the alternative selected in the previous task.
- Testing of all the prototypes under various working conditions. The time, cost, and resources required for the construction, installation, start up, and exploitation of each of the types.
Calculation methods:
- Calculation methods reviewed and validated against working tracking plants.
- Improvements to tracking control: algorithms as well as alarms.
- Analysis of the monitoring data of tracking plants.
- Revision and validation of calculation methods of the energy produced, effect of shade and behaviour with wind.
- Generating automatic analysis algorithms for monitoring data for the production of "intelligent" alarms.
Operation of followers:
- Installation protocol, commissioning and maintenance of various alternatives of solar followers.
|
