Improving the Economics of Photovoltaic Power Generation with Innovative Direct Current

Quarterly Report

Improving the Economics of Photovoltaic Power Generation with Innovative Direct Current Applications

Utility Name and Address (other participants under "Additional Notes")

Electric Power Research Institute

3412 Hillview Avenue

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Key Personnel & Phone Numbers

EPRI: Terry Peterson (650) 595-1469, project managing consultant

Dave Crudele (518) 374-4699 x18, project manager

BGSU: Don Scherer (419) 372-7142, project manager

Tony Palumbo (419) 372-7602, principal investigator

Description

1.1 Hardware Installation

The BGSU project team, in conjunction with Bowling Green Municipal Utilities, will work with EPRI Solutions and suitable subcontractors to design the site installation and complete installation of the PV-dc equipment. One of the existing arena brine-pump motors will serve as a constant test load in operation 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. The new 10-kW addition to the arena's existing 31-kW photovoltaic array will be wired to provide at least 5 kW for the PV-dc demonstration system. This involves some engineering to determine the best way to section the array without harming the performance of either the remaining array or the portion being used for the PV-dc demonstration. Furthermore, an ac utility grid connection needs to be made to the intercon¬nection electronics and to the existing load.

1.2 Performance Monitoring

For a period of 12 months following installation of the demonstration system, the BGSU team members, in consultation with the EPRI Solutions team leader, will monitor its performance to evaluate its reliability, energy contribution from the PV array, and impact on the load. Monitoring equipment will allow the power generation to be measured and compared to the performance of the traditional inverter-connected adjacent portion of the arena PV system. Also, the relative contribution of ac power from the UTILITY source and dc power from the PV system will be assessed. Any unusual problems will be documented. BGSU, in consultation with the EPRI Solutions team leader, will thoroughly analyze and document the system performance data such that the results may be published in an EPRI report, as well as in peer-reviewed publications. It is anticipated that the information gained through this study will be presented at one or more technical conferences. Additional technical publications are desired to disseminate knowledge of this new opportunity to the relevant industries. Furthermore, the existing PV-dc system design will be reviewed to identify refinements for improving performance and lowering costs.

Dates

The project hardware installation was completed in September 2006. Performance monitoring will last for 12 months from installation completion, through September 2007.

Results to Date

The NexTek apparatus was installed at BGSU's Ice Arena to interface a portion of its BGMU PV array with a brine pump and BGMU grid power. The schedule slipped by approximately two months from the last quarterly report because of delays caused by unanticipated rewiring for equipment connections. The final connections to the brine pump and switchover to power from the NexTek unit were completed on 26 September.

Future Plans

The system will be monitored for 12 months by BGSU Professor Tony Palumbo, concluding with a draft report next fall. We anticipate providing a project final report on the demonstration by November 2007.

Budget

EPRI funds, including all TC and cofunding totalling $155,000, were allocated to a feasibility study in phase 1, developing the system hardware in phase 2, and preparing the project final documentation in phase 3. The phase 1 and 2 expenses are complete. BGSU has provided funding for the project monitoring to be conducted by Prof. Palumbo. Details of the funding sources and allocations for phases 2 and 3 are in Section 3.0 of the final BGSU-EPRI agreement attached to the July 2006 quarterly report.

Additional Notes

Current participants in EPRI funding:

APPA -- American Public Power Association CEC -- California Energy Commission ComEd -- Commonwealth Edison KCPL -- Kansas City Power and Light SRP -- Salt River Project TVA -- Tennessee Valley Authority

If you have any questions about the project, please contact me at the below coordinates.

Sincerely,

Terry M. Peterson, Ph.D.

Consultant, Solar Power & Green Power Marketing EPRI

3412 Hillview Ave.

Palo Alto CA 94304

email:

tel.: +1 (650) 595-1469