System Analytics
Agents: system analysts, business analysts, scientists, engineers;
Objects / entities: sustainable smart cities, smart villages,
Moves : requirements engineering, system design, prototype testing, erection, installation, testing, commissioning;
Emerging technologies: innovate a set of emerging technologies based on global security parameters and sustainable development goals.
Food and beverage security
o Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) system
o Sourcing
o Warehouse management system (WMS)
o Transportation management system (TMS)
o Pricing system
Home security (disaster proof nano-housing schema, roof-top solar panels, civil, mechanical, metallurgical, virtual reality);
Garments and consumer goods security : chemical (jacket, rain coats), textile, agriculture, process manufacturing, retail;
Dr, Kallis and Dr. Swaminathan are exploring the system associated with smart villages and smart cities. The key focus areas are solar water pump for agriculture and nano housing schema. They are analyzing the technology of solar water pumps. What is a solar pump and how is it different from conventional pumps? What are various types of solar water pump? What are the differences between surface and submersible pumps? Is a DC pump more efficient than AC pump? What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages such as impact of cloudy and foggy days and natural disaster? What are the basic working principles, irrigation capacity and average discharge? What is the procedure of site selection, erection, testing, and commissioning and relocation procedures of solar pump? What is the outcome of cost-benefit analysis? What are the marketing, promotion, advertising, sales and distribution strategies? What are the outcomes of technology life-cycle analysis?
Figure 3.1: Solar water pump for agriculture
A solar water pump is a system powered by renewable solar energy [Figure 3.1]. It is used to extract water from various sources of water (e.g. lake, pond, river, borewell) for agriculture, irrigation and domestic drinking water applications (0.1-5 HP), municipal and rural community applications (15 - 100 litres of water per peak watt). For example, 2 HP and 7.5 HP pump may supply water to 2 and 10 acres of land respectively but this data may vary depending on the level of ground water and the type of irrigation required for a particular crop. A solar water pump can be used effectively for domestic application and irrigation (e.g. submersible, surface or deep well) in agriculture. It gets electrical power from solar array wherein a number of solar modules are connected in series or parallel. The array converts solar radiation into electrical energy which is controlled by a variable frequency driver and enables the connected pump to draw water from ponds, rivers or bore- wells and distribute the same to green fields directly for agriculture or to tanks for storage through pipeline. Solar power can be used as the energy supply of cold storage or warehouses which are generally used to store food grains, fruits and vegetables and can reduce the cost of storage and wastage of perishable items significantly.
A solar pump may be of different types such as AC/DC and submersible / surface pumps. A submersible pump is used in a borewell having water level deeper than 15 meters; a surface pump may be used in an open well, pond and water level less than 10 meter. The basic components of the system include solar panels, motor pump set, electronic controllers and inverters. Solar panels supply DC to the motor; AC pump requires an inverter to convert DC into AC. DC pumps may have higher efficiency over AC pumps and do not have inverter for operation. But, DC pumps may have constraints in terms of cost, repair and maintenance services. The discharge rate may vary 15-20 Litres of water per peak watt depending on solar intensity, location and seasonal factors.
Solar water pumps offer many advantages as compared to conventional nonrenewable energy driven pumps such as cost of fuel and maintenance, low voltage regulation, power cut and environmental pollution (e.g. air, water, soil) problems. It can be installed at remote areas; it has fewer moving parts and less chance of wear and tear; the system needs minimal maintenance like cleaning of the panels on a regular basis. It is easy to operate and do not require lubricants. But, the pump may not work effectively during cloudy and foggy days; it need to the conventional grid. Solar panels may be damaged due to hail storm, cyclones and direct lightning strike (if no lightning arrester is used). Solar panels should be installed in areas free of shade, dust and dirt; should be easily accessible for cleaning and should be as close as possible to the pump and water source. It is interesting to exercise a comparative analysis on the cost of AC and DC solar water pumps of various suppliers, subsidies and promotional efforts initiated by the state and central governments of various countries globally.
Solar microgrid for rural electrification: Let us consider the application of solar power for rural electrification: how solar power can illuminate the life of poor rural people. The innovative business model of solar power can save energy cost of rural people in domestic applications and agriculture. The peasants and farmers can reduce the cost of energy used in water pumps for irrigation in agriculture. It can improve the productivity required for green revolution. A smart microgrid is an interesting option of rural electrification. It consists of solar panels, power condition unit (PCU), distribution box (DB), battery system and loads. Its size depends on the load estimation and the number of PV panels and rating of solar cells. The PV panels comprise of a set of solar cells connected in series or parallel; they convert solar radiation into electrical power; the power flows from PV panels to PCU or power inverter; PCU controls, regulates and directs the power to various loads (e.g. domestic load, water pumps in Greenfield). The surplus power generated in the daytime is stored in the battery bank and may be utilized after the sunset. The typical energy demand of a rural house is approximately 3 units. For a village of 100 houses, a 5 KW microgrid may be useful. It can generate annual energy of Rs. 50000. It is an approximate calculation.