An Important Scientific Precedent for Syrian Researchers at the Global Level in the Field of Energy

An Optimal Photovoltaic Conversion System for Future Smart Grids

Scientific research related to environment affairs has received great attention at present due to the importance of preserving Earth from the different pollutants that cause the global warming. Therefore, specialists and researchers sought to generate electricity depending on other sources which are different from those existed in the ground. These sources are derived mainly from the sources of energy which are available in nature such as wind and sun. These natural resources are considered Energy-efficient, inexpensive and do not cause pollution to the environment.

Thus, Syrian researchers Prof. Dr. Carlo Makdisi from Tishreen University , Syria, Dr. Badia Haidar from Tishreen , Syria and Hassan El-Helou from Isfahan University of Technological Sciences in Iran, showed special interest in solar energy and work on proposing advanced technologies and solar-powered feed systems that connect with smart grids to achieve reliable performance of power supply systems as basic and alternative sources.

They present smart grid infrastructure issues and integrating solar PV sourced electricity in the smart grid. Smart grid has many features , including reliability, flexibility on network topology, efficiency, sustainability and market-enabling.

The researchers select a Photovoltaic Active Power Line Conditioner , as a case study. This Line Conditioner is  a device designed to extract the maximum power of a photovoltaic (PV) system and to compensate the nonlinear and unbalanced loads of the electrical power system. The performance of the PV Conditioner with the neuro-fuzzy control  has been analyzed through a simulation platform.

To know more about the mechanism of this conversion system, the Syria times e-newspaper met Dr. Carlo Makdisi, who said : “In line with global scientific research on sustainable renewable energy and the fact that our country enjoys these sustainable natural resources, we have prepared a research  to study the possibility of finding a hybrid solar system consisting of solar system and turbine system , especially that there are about 300 sunny days in Syria and the wind speed in some areas is enough to produce energy from the wind, this system is connected to Asynchronous induction generator. The simulation of PV system and wind turbine system will be carried out by using MATLAB/ SIMULINK software package depending on Perturb and Observe (PAO) algorithm which is used for (MPPT).

The converters which are used in the hybrid system are simulated by using Matlab/ Simulink such as, DC-DC chopper; double bridge controlled rectifier in addition to the inverter which is connected to the micro grid which has been used to supply the factory block of Tishreen University. The simulated model allows studying the behavior of the proposed model and test it under various operating conditions and achieves the optimum performance of the smart grid”.

Dr. Makdisi went on to say :” The suggested system consists of the following essential parts:

12 photovoltaic panels, wind turbine and asynchronous induction generator, AC/DC thyristor controlled double bridge rectifier and DC/AC bidirectional single phase converter connected to smart grid.”

Prof. Makdisi stressed that the research has been published as a chapter in a book entitled “Handbook of Research on Power and Energy System Optimization.” This book is considered the crucial scientific resource that studies the use of energy in relation to the observed living standards within the country and explores the importance of increasing power generation facilities.  It is a global reference for engineers and researchers in international universities due to its theoretical information and scientific applications in the fields of renewable energy and power systems”.

”This book has been widely spread and the chapter which contains the study we have prepared has received great attention as this chapter was adopted as a reference in more than 30 international studies. Here we must draw attention to the importance of smart networks which has been used in many European countries and the need to start using them in our country, Syria, sooner or later.” Prof. Makdisi concluded.

It is worth mentioning that this study is not the first research presented by the researchers, there are several publications and research published in world and local periodicals and magazines. They s also have distinguished contributions in world conferences and in the arbitration of many international researches .

Interviewed by Amal Farhat