Titulo Presentación
Solar Research in Chile
Dr. Luis Morán T.
Vice‐Director SERC
Professor
Electrical Engineering Department
University of Concepción
University of Concepción
Titulo Presentación
Solar Research Centers in Chile:
 Antofagasta Energy Development Center (Univ. de Antofagasta).
 Center for technologies in Solar Energy (PUC).
C
f
h l i i S l E
(PUC)
 Solar Energy Research Center (SERC).
 Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronical Engineering. (UFSM)
Other groups and researchers are working in areas related with
solar
l energy, solar
l applications
li ti
and
d materials
t i l (Paulraj Maniduraj
P l j M id j).
)
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S l E
Solar
Energy R
Research
h
Center
SERC - Chile
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Principal Research Objective of SERC:
“To build a solid base of knowledge on solar energy that
would drive the exploitation of the exceptional conditions of
Northern Chile for solar power development through research
into the scientific, technical and economic challenges it poses
and the opportunities solar technology offers to the Chilean
national energy matrix”.
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Principal Research Lines:
1.‐ Solar Energy in the Industry –
1
S l E
i th I d t
Mi i
Mining
2.‐ Electric Power Systems with High Penetration of Solar Energy
3.‐ Solar Energy Coordination Systems for Urban and Rural Communities
4.‐ Solar Energy Storage
5.‐ Solar Treatment of Water 5.
Solar Treatment of Water
6.‐ Economic/Social/Regulatory Issues for Solar Development
Six universities and Fundación Chile – more than 40
researchers – 11 post docs – more than 10 doctoral students –
15 master students – more than 50 under graduate students.
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SERC Research Results (December 2014):
Publications
63 ISI papers
53 % of ISI papers are at the top level of each discipline (Q1)
7 published papers are Q4
More than 75 publications in Conferences.
More
than 75 publications in Conferences
Book Chapters Titulo Presentación
Research Objectives and achievements of each Line
each Line
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I.‐ Solar Energy in the Industry – Mining:
Research Objective
To increase the p
penetration of solar energy
gy for its use byy industries
located in the Atacama Regions, offsetting fossil fuel dependence and
reducing the carbon footprint.
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Research activities are focused in the following subjects:
1. PV converters to inject dc power to mining processes.
j
p
gp
2. Effects of dust accumulation in PV and CSP systems (soiling).
3. Solar thermal hot air production (food industry, copper concentrate drying).
4. Hydrogen production through high temperature solar conversion.
5. Bifacial PV cell modeling and MPPT analysis under partial shading in direct radiation (no shading in indirect radiation)
direct radiation (no shading in indirect radiation).
6. Photovoltaic material characterization.
7. Modeling, control system design and state estimation, applied to hybrid systems and solar concentrators
hybrid systems and solar concentrators.
PV converters design
Theoretical study and
Conceptual design
Experimental
validation
Design of
prototypes
Some of our prototypes
Boost
NPC
HF H-bridge
Tt
T-type
Dust monitoring station network
Station 6 at UTFSM
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SOILING
Objetives:
• Study the impact due to the dust and dirt on solar energy facilities at Atacama
Desert, North of Chile (optical properties, chemical composition, energy yield,
PR)
• Generation of cleaning and maintenance protocols for the different technologies
Results:
Reflectance degradation
Chemical composition
p
Transmittance degradation
Performance Ratio degradation
Protocols
Dust monitoring station network
Station 11 at Subsole PV PowerPlant
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M t i l characterization
Material
h
t i ti for
f industrial
i d t i l solar
l cells
ll (with
( ith ISC Konstanz,
K
t
Germany)
G
)
Objetives:
• Optimization of the solar cell metallization step
• Interface investigation of the resulting contact in screen printed solar cells
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis
Results:
Selective etching approach
(sequential Aqua regia, HF,
Agua Regia)
Glass covering Ag
contacting points
Ag rests and Ag
crystallites
Contact imprints
(contact places)
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Economic and technical evaluation of solar assisted water pump
stations for mining applications: A case of study
Paper to be presented at IEEE –IAS
IAS Annual Meeting Oct
Oct. 2015
This paper presents a case of study of a solar system to assist the operation of a
water pump station of a mineral operation in Chile.
An economical analysis is carried out with respect to different design variables and
the percentage of the total power required for operating the system in the less
favorable conditions (degree of assistance).
assistance)
It demonstrates that the maximum net present value is obtained for the maximum
assistance, i.e. supplying the full energy in the less favorable conditions.
However, the internal rate of return will be maximized at the point where the system
only supplies the energy to satisfy the full demand at the most favorable conditions.
Finally the study shows that from an economical point of view PV technology is an
attractive alternative to support the mining operation at present time.
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II.‐ Electric Power Systems with High Penetration gy
of Solar Energy
Research Objective:
To develop cost‐effective, secure and reliable connection of large
power solar energy parks in the Chilean interconnected grid System,
covering
i
i
issues
off supply
l quality,
lit power interfaces,
i t f
and
d network
t
k
operation and expansion planning methods.
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Research Areas:
1. Transient and steady state analysis of Interconnected Power
Systems with multiple large power (over 100 MW) solar PV
generating stations.
stations
2. Development of new mathematical models for the analysis
of traditional power systems and large power PV generating
stations.
t ti
3. Design of new topologies and associated control schemes for
large power static converters used to connect PV modules to
AC systems.
4. Power quality issues associated with the integration of large
power PV generation plants to power systems.
systems
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Publications
Improved Active Power Filter Performance for Renewable Power Generation
Systems – in IEEE Trans. on Power Electronics; Feb. 2014.
Decoupled and Modular Harmonic Compensation for Multilevel STATCOMs –
in IEEE Trans.
Trans on Industrial Electronics; June 2014.
2014
A simple Predictive Method to Estimate Flicker – in IEEE Trans. on Industry
Applications, May 2014.
Fast Frequency Response Capability of Photovoltaic Power Plants: The
Necessity of New Grid Requirements and Definitions – Energy Open Access
Journal; September 2014.
Self-Tuning Virtual Synchronous Machine: A Control Strategy for Energy
Storage Systems to Support Dynamic Frequency Control – in IEEE Trans. on
E
Energy
C
Conversion;
i
JJanuary 2015
2015.
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III.‐Solar Energy Coordination Systems for Urban
and Rural Communities
Research Objectives:
i) Will research possibilities for cost
cost‐effective
effective exploitation of existing
solar power potential and propose models for the active participation
of local communities.
ii)
Development of solutions for real‐time control, operation and
operational planning of micro and mini grids, including the
integrated maintenance of both solar technologies and other
system components.
iii) Design
Design, implementation,
implementation and operation of microgrids with solar
energy integration.
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Publications
Smart Microgrids as a Solution for Rural Electrification: Ensuring
Long‐Term Sustainability Through Cadastre and Business Models – in
IEEE Trans. on Sustainability Energy; October 2014.
Fuzzy Predictive Control Strategy for a Distributed Solar Collector Plant
– in IEEE Latin American Trans.; June 2014.
Fuzzy Prediction Interval Models for Forecasting Renewable Resources and Loads in MicroGrids – in IEEE Trans. on Smart Grids; March 2015.
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IV.‐ Solar Energy Storage
R
Research
h Objectives
Obj i
i) To investigate the storage of solar energy through sensitive or
l t t heat
latent
h t storage
t
using
i salts
lt and
d other
th compounds,
d generation
ti
of hydrogen, and optimization of storage systems.
ii)) To generate scientific
f
k
knowledge
l d
about
b
non‐traditional
d
l
applications of molten mixtures for thermal storage uses; to study
inorganic salts, mixtures of salts from northern Chile or other
compounds with a focus on their eventual use as phase change
material; to determine the compatibility of new TES media with
the building materials used in thermosolar plants, among others.
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Research Areas:
 Structurall and Photocatalyst
d h
l Study
d of CdO/ZnO
f d /
Systems
 Characterization of Tetrahydrated Calcium Chloride as PCM
 Characterization oF Astrakanite as Storage Medium of Heat
Sensitive to High Temperatures
 Use of Ionic Liquids to Store Energy
 Development and design of a prototype of lithium‐ion battery aimed to store photovoltaic energy and its use for the p
purification of water by means of membranes
y
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Results:
Studies related to the use of molten salt for storage of solar energy, it has been
proposed a new quaternary molten nitrate mixture composed of 10% LiNO3 + 10%
Ca(NO3)2 + 20% NaNO3 + 60% KNO3.
The corrosive
Th
i
effects
ff t off this
thi mixture
i t
were evaluated
l t d att 390 ºC (the
(th storage
t
temperature of solar plants with parabolic cylindrical collectors) on a carbon steel
(A516) and on low‐Cr alloy steels (T11 and T22). Study of T22 steel revealed a better
behavior under corrosive environment, mainlyy byy identifying
y g the formation of
MgCr2O4 protective spinels.
Regarding the use of inorganic salts as phase change material (PCM), the thermo‐
‐physical characterization of the bischofite was carried out, a by‐product from the
non‐metallic industry (3).
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V.‐ Solar Water Treatment
R
Research
h Objectives
Obj i
i) To investigate methods of decontamination and disinfection of
natural
t l waters,
t
t t
treatment
t off industrial
i d t i l wastewater
t
t
and
d solar
l
desalination of sea and brackish water.
ii)) To contribute
b
to the
h understanding
d
d
off solar
l radiation
d
processes,
elucidating their photochemical mechanisms and identifying the
principal operating factors involved in using solar radiation in
innovative approaches to the treatment of natural, residual and
brackish waters, thus promoting the diversification of solar
applications and the development of technologies.
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Elimination of dangerous substance in water using solar photocatalisis
Caso 1. Eliminación de timerosal a través de la oxidación de la materia
orgánica y la reducción de mercurio (este puede ser recuperado como
amalgama con cobre) Microchem. J. 121 (2015) 938-945
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Caso 2. Oxidación de antibióticos residuales (sulfatiazol) desde aguas
mediante reacción de foto
foto-Fenton
Fenton solar J.
J Environ.
Environ Sci.
Sci Health
Health-A
A, 49 (2014)
661-670
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Green Chemistry:
Síntesis y selección de
sistemas foto catalítico
Radiación
R
di ió
Solar
Energía
electrónica
Modelamiento
CB
e-
Activación de
carbonos alifáticos
O2
R di i t y
Rendimiento
O 2• -
selectividad
Recombinación
de cargas
H2O
E
VB
Semiconductor con
actividad
fotocatalítica
f t
t líti
h+
•OH
OH
O
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Based on previous findings about the role played by mining regulation related to the use of soil and the difficulties that the electric regulation imposes for interconnection of new power sources, new research is being conducted to further explore these issues. For this purpose, we have identified all solar projects that have l
h
i
F hi
h
id ifi d ll l
j
h h
been capable to obtain environmental permits but are not being constructed.
Complementary, new research has been conducted trying to design a different p
y,
y g
g
regulation for providing interconnection and/or expansion of transmission lines for new power sources.
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VI.‐ Economic/Social/Regulatory Issues for Solar p
Development
Research Objective
Examination of economic, social and regulatory models; identification
of barriers to the development of a primary solar technology industry
at the local level, and of barrier mitigation strategies that will facilitate
the emergence of Chile as a global solar energy solution provider,
among others.
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The first issue,
issue is to identify the main barriers that solar energy
faces for its deployment and full integration to the energy
matrix in Chile.
The second one is to try to assess what the right prices for
gy input
p should be. The main idea is that solar
each energy
energy should be profitable, compared to other energy
sources, if negative externalities of fossil energy sources such
as diesel and coal are corrected with the appropriate taxes.
taxes
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 “Chile: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Planning”, Energy S
Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy.
P B E
i Pl
i
d P li
 “Investors’ Perspectives on Barriers to the Deployment of Renewable Energy Sources in Chile”, Energies 8(5).
( )
 “A MILP Model for Optimising multi‐service portfolios of Distributed
Energy Storage”, Applied Energy 137(1).
 “Residential Solar PV Planning in Santiago, Chile: Incorporating the PM10 Parameter”, Sustainability 7(1). Titulo Presentación