Summer 2023—U.S. Student Participants’ Research Activities and International Research Experiences in the

Center of Reliable Power Electronics (CORPE) in the

AAU Energy Department at

Aalborg University (AAU)

U.S. Student Participants’ Bios and Experiences

Ms. Sunshine Rodriquez’s Bio and Experiences—Senior Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate U.S. Student Participant

Mr. Adama Toure’s Bio and Experiences—Senior Renewable Energy Engineering Undergraduate U.S. Student Participant

Detailed Information on Adama’s Experiences and Projects—I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the NSF innovation program at Aalborg University, where I spent two months immersing myself in Danish culture while conducting research in PV Technology. Aalborg University has a reputation for its expertise in Clean Energy Technology, and Denmark is known to be home for some of the happiest people. This experience was unique and rewarding, both culturally and professionally.

One critical aspect of PV technology is the end-of-life management of PV systems, which is essential for considering PV as a clean and sustainable technology. While there have been advancements in PV recycling technology, making it economically feasible is still a challenge. Interestingly, recent discussions suggest that PV panels installed before 2012 may be economically feasible to replace, even if their expected lifespan extends until 2040. This is due to government subsidies and the continuous advancement in PV technology. With the accumulation of PV waste projected to reach 1.7 to 8 million tons by 2030, finding sustainable solutions is crucial to prevent these panels from ending up in landfills. One potential solution is reusing old PV panels in new grid-connected applications.

To facilitate this process, my project aims to develop a controller for a second-life grid-connected system that can detect and identify fault conditions without the need for expensive sensors. I am using electrical characteristics under the maximum power point condition to detect and characterize these fault conditions.

In our research, I will be focusing on detecting and classifying fault conditions using the I-V curve characteristics analysis method. The I-V curve provides valuable information about the electrical characteristics of a PV cell and changes in its shape can indicate different fault conditions. I will employ a circuit model that incorporates a reverse diode with a negative voltage source, variable capacitance, parasitic resistances, and inductances in both forward and reverse bias. By examining changes in parallel capacitance and resistance, we can detect and classify hot spots and Potential Induced Degradation (PID) based on their respective effects on the I-V curve and electrical signatures. Implementing this dynamic model presents some challenges as it is more complex than the widely used one-diode model for Maximum PowerPoint Tracking. Solving some of the parameters requires nonlinear equation solvers, but I am working on it to get my model working.

Next, I will focus on solving the characteristic parameters of the dynamic model equation or reach out to the paper's authors for further clarity. Afterward, I will simulate hot spot and PID conditions to analyze the I-V curve characteristics and collect data on electrical properties to identify the electrical signature of each fault. Based on these findings, we will design and test a fault detection algorithm and controller to ensure their effectiveness and reliability.

Outside of my research, I had a wonderful time exploring Denmark. I visited the northernmost town of Denmark, Skegan, and the Viking Museum in Aarhus, immersing myself in Denmark's history from the 1700s to the present era. Copenhagen was a delight, where I saw the iconic Little Mermaid statue and the Queen's palace. I also had a unique experience at Aalborg Museum, where I saw the world's oldest intact chicken egg dating back to the 13th century.

My favorite activity in Aalborg was exploring the town on a bike that I rented. The well-designed bike paths reflected Denmark's intentional efforts to create a happy and sustainable community.

Mr. Kerry Sado’s Bio and Experiences—PhD Candidate/Graduate Electrical Engineering U.S. Student Participant

Mr. Ivan A. Florentino’s Bio and Experiences—Master/Graduate Electrical Engineering U.S. Student Participant

Mr. Sebastian Oviedo’s Bio and Experiences—Sophomore Undergraduate Honor Electrical Engineering U.S. Student Participant

Mr. Ian Bermudez Rivera’s Bio and Experiences—Senior Electrical Engineering Undergraduate U.S. Student Participant