Power Generation Unit
The Power Generation Unit contains a wind turbine and a solar PV array which act as the primary renewable energy sources for the RETMS. The unit supports experiments in energy capture, conversion, and integration.
Weather Station
Real-time weather monitoring provides the RETMS with accurate ambient data. Typical sensors included are:
- Pyranometer — solar irradiation measurement
- Humidity & Temperature Sensor — ambient conditions
- Anemometer — wind speed and direction
The station allows users to set safety thresholds and trigger alarms or protective actions when weather readings go beyond configured limits.
Central Control Unit
The Central Control Unit provides monitoring, switching and automation for standalone, grid-tied and hybrid operation modes. It includes relays, contactors, measurement modules, and an editable software layer for experiment customization.
Load Unit
Smart House
Miniature smart home kit with relay-based control, energy monitoring and RS-485 communication for supervised experiments.
Load Analysis Kit
AC load configurations and EMI filters for power quality studies.
Control & Automation
Arduino-based relay switching demonstrations with voltage sensing and automatic control logic.
RETMS Lab Setup Overview
Complete lab installation illustrating the arrangement of renewable sources, control, storage, and user interfaces.
Technical Characteristics
- Dual Mode Operation: Manual and automated modes supported.
- Open-Source Software: Editable GUI and logic for customization.
- Versatile Integration: Solar PV and wind turbine support individually or combined.
- Automated Switching: Relays/contactors for source switching.
- Active Measurement: Real-time voltage, current and power acquisition.
- Graphical Interface: Touchscreen GUI with RS-485 communication.
- Grid Compatibility: Works with actual grids or simulated grid environments.
- Expandable & Protected: Scalable architecture with hardware/software safeguards.
- 24/7 Datalogging: Continuous monitoring and storage.
Technical Advantages
- Supplementary Supply: Can act as an auxiliary energy source for institutions.
- High Availability: Designed for continuous operation with reduced downtime.
- Low Maintenance: Engineered for ease of ownership.
- Comprehensive Manual: Includes detailed procedure guides and schematics.
- Flexible Specs: Configurable to specific institutional needs.
- Training Support: On-site demonstration and commissioning support available.
Experiments & Research Options
- Solar PV Studies: I–V and P–V curve analysis in different operating modes.
- Wind Turbine Studies: Performance evaluation in standalone tests.
- Hybrid Integration: Dynamics of combined solar–wind systems, with and without storage.
- Smart Home Monitoring: Energy use and control experiments.
- Remote Control: RS-485 and GUI-based remote monitoring tests.
- Load Switching: Study automatic switching impacts between sources and loads.
- Power Quality: Linear vs non-linear load behavior and filtering experiments.
Specifications
Components and sub-components (example configuration):
1. Power Generation Unit
- Solar PV Array: 2 kW, polycrystalline, 24 V system
- Wind Turbine: 1 kW, 3-blade, 24 V system
- Battery Bank: 24 V, 120 Ah (Lead Acid example)
2. Weather Station
- Pyranometer, Humidity sensor, Wind speed/direction sensor, Rain gauge, Temperature sensor
3. Power & Control Unit
- PV charge controller (24 V, 60 A PWM)
- Wind AC–DC converter (0–40 A, 1 kW)
- PV grid-tied inverter (2 kW MPPT)
- PV hybrid inverter (2 kW)
4. Central Control Unit
- Sections: PV, charge controllers, wind, DC link, battery, inverters, AC mains, AC loads
- Switching: Relays & contactors
- Measurements: PV voltage/current, inverter power, PCC analyzer, battery monitoring
- Communication: RS-485
5. Load Unit
- Smart house kit, Control & Automation kit, Load analysis kit with EMI/EMC filters
The RETMS offers a flexible and extendable platform tailored for training, experimentation and research in renewable energy.