Module 1 - Small-Scale PV Systems with Electrical Storage

Discover the characteristics and operation of the various steps required to efficiently convert the energy of photons into electricity, in small photovoltaic systems.

This module provides you with practical experience with photovoltaic (PV) modules in small systems. Are you familiar with the theory of  solar cells and modules, with different PV system configurations and topologies, with the behavior of different PV system components, and with the principles of operation of electronic converters and maximum power point trackers (MPPT)? Then in this module you will see – in real time – how all these characteristics and factors affect the operation of a small photovoltaic system.

Part 1: PV Module Characteristics

Characterize and explain the performance of photovoltaic modules.

In part 1 of this module, you will learn the different characteristics of PV modules in different operating conditions. You will experiment with a PV module:

• Illuminated by an artificial light source with varying intensity
• Titled at various angles in relation to the light source
• With different shading configurations
• Illuminated by a light source that simulates the position and path of the sun in different seasons.

Part 2: PV Module Configurations and Systems

The main goal of this part is to investigate and assess PV systems with different module configurations, exposed to partial shading and with different grid topologies. You will characterize the operation of a variety of small PV systems. You will carry out the following experiments:

• Connect modules in different configurations (series/parallel) and compare their performance
• Study the effect of partial shading in the presence or absence of bypass diodes
• Set up off-grid and grid-connected PV systems and analyze similarities and differences.

Part 3: Off-Grid and Grid-Connected PV Systems

Here you will analyze and understand the operation of off-grid and grid-connected PV systems and of all their components. You will investigate the performance of off-grid and grid-connected PV systems. You will also:

• Put together an off-grid PV system and study the performance when using two different charge controllers
• Build a grid-connected PV system and assess its performance and AC characteristics.

Part 4: DC-DC Converters and Maximum Power Point Trackers

You will study the operation of DC-DC buck converters and investigate the logic behind common maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms. You will:

• Build a buck converter and assess its performance;
• Implement an MPPT algorithm to control the buck converter and evaluate its performance.

Module 2 - Large-Scale PV Systems with Hydrogen-Based Storage

Experience the characteristics and operation of the various steps required to efficiently convert solar energy into green hydrogen, in large photovoltaic systems.

This module  provides you with practical experience with large photovoltaic (PV) systems and the production and utilization of green hydrogen. If you are familiar with the functioning of PV systems and with the principles of operation of electrolyzers and fuel cells, in this module you will see – in real time – how all these components can work together in a cohesive system and how they can be scaled up to create a large power plant.

Part 1: A Photovoltaic Power Plant

In the first part of this module, you will study the operation of a typical, large-scale photovoltaic power plant. You will look into various aspects of the design and operation of large-scale PV power plants and will:

• Design an array of PV modules that satisfy specific requirements and analyze its performance in different weather and tilt conditions
• Study the operation of a large PV system in different weather conditions across the year
• Investigate the effects of partial shading of PV arrays on the performance of a large PV system
• Look into the energy flows of a large PV system used to power industrial loads.

Part 2: Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells

Here you will analyze the performance of electrolyzers and fuel cells. You will:

• Familiarize yourself with electrolyzers and fuel cells by performing the filling and purging of the entire system
• Conduct a test-run of hydrogen production to quantify the leakage of the system
• Measure the basic electro-chemical properties of electrolyzer and fuel cell
• Characterize the performance of electrolyzer and fuel cell in storage mode.

Part 3: Green Hydrogen Production and Utilization

In this part you will study the operation of an entire system capable of producing green hydrogen with solar energy. You will investigate the performance of a system that combines a PV module, an electrolyzer and a fuel cell. You will:

• Characterize the performance of the PV module connected to the electrolyzer
• Determine the leakage of the system
• Analyze the performance of the fuel cell and of the entire system in flow mode.

Part 4: A Photovoltaic + Green Hydrogen Power Plant

Upscale gained knowledge so far to an industrial environment! In the last part of this module and the whole course, a large scale PV system will drive industrial electrolyzer and fuel cell to energize specific electric loads. You will:

• Connect and check the different connections of the plant
• Computing and monitoring the gas flow as chemical product of the plant
• Understand and monitor the power flow within the plant as function of the load profile
• Compute the loss of load probability for continuous operation of the plant

Certificates

If you successfully complete this course you will earn a professional education certificate and you are eligible to receive 8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

View sample certificate

To successfully complete this course, learners must know the basic operational principles of photovoltaic modules and systems, and of electrolyzers and fuel cells. The following free online courses offered by TU Delft provide ideal refresher courses for those wishing to prepare for this course:

• Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
• Photovoltaic Technology
• Photovoltaic Systems

For short introduction to hydrogen storage, please review the following two video lectures for TU Delft's MOOC Sustainable Energy:

• Chemical Storage - Hydrogen (part 1)
• Chemical Storage - Hydrogen (part 2)

If you have any questions about this course or the TU Delft online learning environment, please visit our Help & Support page.