Abstract
Reliable electricity supply is essential for development. As a result, demand for electricity has continued to increase globally, occasioned by the fact that electricity is highly portable and can be transformed from one form to another to meet needs. In Nigeria and most developing countries, electricity supply from the public utility is not only insufficient but highly erratic. The effect of this is adverse on critical and sensitive infrastructure that depend on uninterrupted power supply. Hence, many domestic, industrial and commercial consumers are compelled to acquire one form of alternative source of power supply or another. With this however, when different power schemes are interconnected, there arises the challenge of switching between the power sources not only smoothly, but in a manner that optimizes their use. Solving these challenges forms the focus of this work. This design monitors three independent power sources: Utility Grid of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), solar and generator and engages them following preset conditions in a microcontroller. A software program in assembly language drives the microcontroller. Preference is given to the PHCN line, but in the event of failure or abnormal conditions in the PHCN line, the system will effect a changeover automatically to the solar source through contactors, provided the output of the solar source is acceptable, else the system will initiate the starting of the generator and transfer of load to same. This system finds application wherever there is unreliable power supply and interconnected power schemes.
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.0 Project Background
Electricity is of enormous importance to the society today. It is indispensable to social and economic development. Modern industrial systems depend on regular supply of electricity. Quality of life and standard of living today depend much on electricity. People need energy in one form or the other (heat, light, sound etc) and electricity is most convenient in that it can be converted with ease from one form to another.
However, in many developing nations steady availability of electricity is yet to be realized. In Nigeria, for instance, the supply of electricity from the public utility (PHCN) is unreliable, marked by incessant outages, and therefore inadequate for any meaningful advancement in industrial, commercial and domestic activities.
Generators are commonly used in Nigeria but the cost of running diesel or other fuel for running generators all the time is not feasible for both home and business concerns. Renewable sources like solar are also used but so far there is yet room for improvement before solar power can be utilized without some form of backup. Thus, multi-tier power supply, a system of more than one power source, has gradually become the norm in our society.
This project “Monitoring and Control of 3-tier Power Supply” provides a way of monitoring and switching between three different power sources in order to optimize their use.
1.1 Statement of Problem
The demand for energy especially electrical energy is on the increase globally and power utilities strive to match supply with demand. A lot of large-scale industrial critical loads suffer from voltage interruptions and sags which can cause a significant financial loss [1]. In Nigeria the actual generating capacity falls short of the installed capacity and the country’s peak demand due to problems in the power systems network [2]. The country requires over 6000 MW of electricity to meet present demand. Current output is around 3000MW, much of which is not put to use due to poor power transmission and distribution infrastructure [3]. The effect is that supply from the national grid has been very low and unsteady over the years with the result that people have resorted to integrating multiple power sources as a remedial measure.
The problem is the need to monitor these power sources and switch between them in a manner that ensures safety of personnel and equipment. There is also a need to optimize their use by setting the preferred power source as default through some device.
1.2 Project Objectives
The objectives of this project include:
1. To monitor and control a three tier power supply system.
2. To automate the power changeover process to ensure a smooth transfer of load for the purpose of safety and convenience.
3. To implement a system of power change over with minimal time wastage.
4. To optimize power use in a system of 3 power sources by setting the most economical power source as default in the system.
1.3 Significance of the Project
Electricity which is an essential tool to development and indeed civilization is a necessity that should be readily available. As stated earlier the demand for electricity is on the increase globally. However, the shortfall in supply from the national grid creates a need which this project seeks to fill.
This project is significant because it seeks to provide a cost effective way of using multitier power supplies which are common in developing societies like Nigeria. In addition, it ensures a smooth and safe means of power changeover during outages through an automated process.
Further it is expected that this work will benefit power system managers, public policy analysts, policy makers, scholars and the general public.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
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