Advanced Monitoring and Control Strategies for Off-Grid Water Pumping Systems

Luis Antonio G. Lopes; Giovani A. Castro; Diuary Gonçalves; Renata O. de Sousa; Allan F. Cupertino; Heverton A. Pereira

doi:10.18618/REP.e202546

Authors

Luis Antonio G. Lopes Federal University of Viçosa https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5813-7934
Giovani A. Castro Federal University of Viçosa https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5522-2691
Diuary Gonçalves Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9295-3455
Renata O. de Sousa Federal University of Technology – Parana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9556-5260
Allan F. Cupertino Federal University of Juiz de Fora https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8418-1985
Heverton A. Pereira Federal University of Viçosa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0710-7815

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202546

Keywords:

off-grid system, Internet of Things, Decentralized Photovoltaic Systems, hydraulic pump

Abstract

The growing demand for energy in remote and isolated regions, where access to the conventional electrical system is limited, has been driving the development of off-grid systems. A common type of off-grid power system employs photovoltaic systems associated with battery banks. However, these systems face challenges due to their remote location and their reliance on weather conditions for energy generation. Furthermore, it is crucial that these systems can communicate operational discrepancies, notify maintenance teams, and receive commands to activate energy-saving modes during adverse weather conditions. This work presents a simple and cost-effective approach to enhance the operation of an off-grid system, transforming it from a conventional system into an intelligent operation using the cloud-based platform known as ``thingable!''. The results highlight a cloud interface creation that enables the control of a pumping system. This interface is enabled by monitoring operational parameters, such as voltage, IGBTs temperature, and power delivered. To validate the proposed changes, a monitoring test was carried out using a controlled pump from 9:10 a.m. to 10:10 a.m., powered by an inverter connected to a 100 V DC bus. Additionally, a test was conducted to assess the pump behavior under a fixed duty cycle of 60\%.

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