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Solar Research in ChileSolar Research in Chile

Dr. Luis Morán T.Vice‐Director SERC

ProfessorElectrical Engineering Department

University of ConcepciónUniversity of Concepción

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Solar Research Centers in Chile: Antofagasta Energy Development Center (Univ. de Antofagasta).

C f h l i i S l E (PUC) Center for technologies in Solar Energy (PUC).

Solar Energy Research Center (SERC).

Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronical Engineering. (UFSM)(UFSM)

Other groups and researchers are working in areas related with l l li ti d t i l (P l j M id j)solar energy, solar applications and materials (Paulraj Maniduraj).

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S l E R h Solar Energy Research Center

SERC - ChileSERC - Chile

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Principal Research Objective of SERC:

“To build a solid base of knowledge on solar energy thatwould drive the exploitation of the exceptional conditions ofNorthern Chile for solar power development through researchinto the scientific, technical and economic challenges it posesand the opportunities solar technology offers to the Chileanand the opportunities solar technology offers to the Chileannational energy matrix”.

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1 S l E i th I d t Mi i

Principal Research Lines:

1.‐ Solar Energy in the Industry – Mining2.‐ Electric Power Systems with High Penetration of Solar Energy3.‐ Solar Energy Coordination Systems for Urban and Rural 

Communities4.‐ Solar Energy Storage5.‐ Solar Treatment of Water5. Solar Treatment of Water 6.‐ Economic/Social/Regulatory Issues for Solar Development

Six universities and Fundación Chile – more than 40Six universities and Fundación Chile – more than 40researchers – 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):PublicationsPublications63 ISI papers53 % of ISI papers are at the top level of each discipline (Q1)7 published papers are Q4

More than 75 publications in ConferencesMore than 75 publications in Conferences.Book Chapters 

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Research Objectives and achievements  of each Lineeach Line

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I.‐ Solar Energy in the Industry – Mining:

Research Objective

To increase the penetration of solar energy for its use by industriesp gy ylocated in the Atacama Regions, offsetting fossil fuel dependence andreducing the carbon footprint.

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1. PV converters to inject dc power to mining processes.

Research activities are focused in the following subjects:

j p g p2. Effects of dust accumulation in PV and CSP systems (soiling).3. Solar thermal hot air production (food industry, copper concentrate 

drying).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 concentratorshybrid systems and solar concentrators.

Theoretical study and

PV converters design

Conceptual design

Experimental validation

Design of prototypes

Some of our prototypes

NPC

Boost

T tHF H-bridge T-type

Dust monitoring station network

Station 6 at UTFSM

Titulo PresentaciónSOILINGObjetives:• 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 Transmittance degradation Performance Ratio degradation

ProtocolsChemical compositionp

Dust monitoring station network

Station 11 at Subsole PV PowerPlant

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M t i l h t i ti f i d t i l l ll ( ith ISC K t G )Objetives:• Optimization of the solar cell metallization step• Interface investigation of the resulting contact in screen printed solar cells

Material characterization for industrial solar cells (with ISC Konstanz, Germany)

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)

Contact imprints (contact places)

Glass covering Ag contacting points

Ag rests and Ag crystallites

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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 Annual Meeting Oct 2015Paper to be presented at IEEE –IAS Annual Meeting Oct. 2015

This paper presents a case of study of a solar system to assist the operation of awater pump station of a mineral operation in Chile.

An economical analysis is carried out with respect to different design variables andthe percentage of the total power required for operating the system in the lessfavorable conditions (degree of assistance)favorable conditions (degree of assistance).

It demonstrates that the maximum net present value is obtained for the maximumassistance, 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 systemonly 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 anattractive alternative to support the mining operation at present time.

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II.‐ Electric Power Systems with High Penetration of Solar Energy

Research Objective:

gy

To develop cost‐effective, secure and reliable connection of largepower solar energy parks in the Chilean interconnected grid System,

i i f l lit i t f d t kcovering issues of supply quality, power interfaces, and networkoperation and expansion planning methods.

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Research Areas:

1. Transient and steady state analysis of Interconnected PowerSystems with multiple large power (over 100 MW) solar PVgenerating stationsgenerating stations.

2. Development of new mathematical models for the analysisof traditional power systems and large power PV generatingt tistations.

3. Design of new topologies and associated control schemes forlarge power static converters used to connect PV modules toAC systems.

4. Power quality issues associated with the integration of largepower PV generation plants to power systemspower PV generation plants to power systems.

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Improved Active Power Filter Performance for Renewable Power Generation

Publications

Systems – in IEEE Trans. on Power Electronics; Feb. 2014.

Decoupled and Modular Harmonic Compensation for Multilevel STATCOMs –in IEEE Trans on Industrial Electronics; June 2014in IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics; June 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.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 C i J 2015Energy Conversion; January 2015.

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III.‐Solar Energy Coordination Systems for Urbanand Rural Communities

Research Objectives:

i) Will research possibilities for cost‐effective exploitation of existingi) Will research possibilities for cost effective exploitation of existingsolar power potential and propose models for the active participationof local communities.

ii) Development of solutions for real‐time control, operation andoperational planning of micro and mini grids, including theintegrated maintenance of both solar technologies and otherintegrated maintenance of both solar technologies and othersystem components.

iii) Design implementation and operation of microgrids with solariii) Design, implementation, and operation of microgrids with solarenergy integration.

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Smart Microgrids as a Solution for Rural Electrification: Ensuring

Publications

Smart Microgrids as a Solution for Rural Electrification: EnsuringLong‐Term Sustainability Through Cadastre and Business Models – inIEEE 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 h Obj iResearch Objectives

i) To investigate the storage of solar energy through sensitive orl t t h t t i lt d th d tilatent heat storage using salts and other compounds, generationof hydrogen, and optimization of storage systems.

) f k l d b d lii) To generate scientific knowledge about non‐traditionalapplications of molten mixtures for thermal storage uses; to studyinorganic salts, mixtures of salts from northern Chile or othercompounds with a focus on their eventual use as phase changematerial; to determine the compatibility of new TES media withthe building materials used in thermosolar plants, among others.

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Research Areas:

l d h l d f d / Structural and Photocatalyst Study of CdO/ZnO Systems

Characterization of Tetrahydrated Calcium Chloride as PCM

Characterization oF Astrakanite as Storage Medium of HeatSensitive 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 purification of water by means of membranesp y

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Studies related to the use of molten salt for storage of solar energy, it has been

Results:

Studies related to the use of molten salt for storage of solar energy, it has beenproposed a new quaternary molten nitrate mixture composed of 10% LiNO3 + 10%Ca(NO3)2 + 20% NaNO3 + 60% KNO3.

Th i ff t f thi i t l t d t 390 ºC (th tThe corrosive effects of this mixture were evaluated at 390 ºC (the storagetemperature 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 betterbehavior under corrosive environment, mainly by identifying the formation ofy y y gMgCr2O4 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 thenon‐metallic industry (3).

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V.‐ Solar Water Treatment

R h Obj iResearch Objectives

i) To investigate methods of decontamination and disinfection oft l t t t t f i d t i l t t d lnatural waters, treatment of industrial wastewater and solar

desalination of sea and brackish water.

) b h d d f l dii) To contribute to the understanding of solar radiation processes,elucidating their photochemical mechanisms and identifying theprincipal operating factors involved in using solar radiation ininnovative approaches to the treatment of natural, residual andbrackish waters, thus promoting the diversification of solarapplications 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 materiaorgánica y la reducción de mercurio (este puede ser recuperado comoamalgama con cobre) Microchem. J. 121 (2015) 938-945

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Caso 2. Oxidación de antibióticos residuales (sulfatiazol) desde aguasmediante reacción de foto-Fenton solar J Environ Sci Health-A 49 (2014)mediante reacción de foto Fenton solar J. Environ. Sci. Health A, 49 (2014)661-670

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Green Chemistry:

R di ió

Síntesis y selección de sistemas foto catalítico

CB e-Energía

electrónica

RadiaciónSolar

O

Modelamiento

R di i t

Activación de carbonos alifáticos

CB e

Recombinaciónde cargas

O2

O2• -

H O

Rendimiento y selectividad

VB h+E

Semiconductor con actividad

f t t líti

H2O

•OH

OH O

fotocatalítica

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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 

l h i F hi h id ifi d ll l j h hexplore these issues. For this purpose, we have identified all solar projects that have 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 gregulation for providing interconnection and/or expansion of transmission lines for new power sources.

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VI.‐ Economic/Social/Regulatory Issues for Solar Developmentp

Research Objective

Examination of economic, social and regulatory models; identificationof barriers to the development of a primary solar technology industryat the local level, and of barrier mitigation strategies that will facilitatethe emergence of Chile as a global solar energy solution provider,among others.

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The first issue is to identify the main barriers that solar energyThe first issue, is to identify the main barriers that solar energyfaces for its deployment and full integration to the energymatrix in Chile.

The second one is to try to assess what the right prices foreach energy input should be. The main idea is that solargy penergy should be profitable, compared to other energysources, if negative externalities of fossil energy sources suchas diesel and coal are corrected with the appropriate taxesas diesel and coal are corrected with the appropriate taxes.

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“Chile: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Planning”, Energy S P B E i Pl i d P liSources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy.

“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 DistributedEnergy Storage”, Applied Energy 137(1).

“Residential Solar PV Planning in Santiago, Chile: Incorporating the PM10 Parameter”, Sustainability 7(1). 

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