Objective
Prove the concept of maintenance free and easy to install independent energy modules.
To demonstrate that closed Ni/Cd batteries are better suited to longtime inattented operation than lead/acid batteries.
To prove that vented Ni/Cd batteries of a new type require only after five years a control of the water level.
Draft of Final Project Report is available.
The installation and start-up were made on 10th. Oct. 89, followed by unattented operation with low consumption until March 90 when a lightning stroke caused some damage to the motor drives and some monitoring converters.
Along with the repair, thermal protection devices were installed on the batteries, because they were overheating, when no consumption occured.
After repair of a further lightning damage in 1993 another measurement campaign was made in summer 1994.
It turned out that unattented operation without battery regulation is not feasible, even with Ni-Cd batteries. It was necessary to replace some of the batteries and to add a thermal battery protection. Also the low maintenance batteries with high electrolyte level need some attention from time to time.
The cost of electricity is around 20 ECU/kWh for the present system and would be around 7 ECU for a replication.
Five small (80 W) and three larger (320 W) independent energy units for the lighting needs and the motor of the astronomic observatory. The old CNRS observatory is now used as tourist and training center.
Nr. of subsystems : 6
Power of subsystems : 5 x 80 + 1 x 320 Wp
Total power : 720 Wp
Backup : none
Number of modules : 18 (14 on main building, 4 on observatory)
Module description : Photowatt, type BPX 47451, 40 Wp
Connection : two in series (four parallel for type 320 W)
Support : Racks, mounted to the walls, 60 deg. from horizontal.
Max power tracker : none
Charge controller : type ECM 350
Battery : SAFT, Ni/Cd, tight, maintenance free 3000 charge/discharge cycles.
Batt. (V) : 24
Capacity (Ah) : 5 x 14 + 1 x 280
Inverter : none
Load description : 32 high efficiency fluorescent lamps, two small motors. Some telemetering equipment.
Monitoring: amperehour meters with NAPAC - TBC and MAD data logger.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
93504 Pantin
France