Design and Implementation of a smart monitoring system of a modern renewable energy micro-grid system using a low-cost data acquisition system and LabVIEW^TM program

Abstract

This paper focuses on designing and implementing a prototype of smart monitoring system capable of doing multi functions i.e. monitoring, analysing and communicating with devices in a small micro-grid system. This research proposes the use of a combination between a low-cost data acquisition (NI compact DAQ) device and a commercially-used LabVIEW™ program in being a smart renewable monitoring and analysing system. The proposed set of equipment is capable of doing all the functions needed by utilities and users in the aforementioned micro-grid system. The proposed prototype is capable of measuring, monitoring and recording in both normal system operating conditions and when faults occurred. A number of power quality parameters that can be monitored and analysed are as follows: voltage (V), current (I), real power (P), reactive power (Q), apparent power (S), energy consumption (kWhr), power factor (PF), harmonics distortion (THDi and THDv), over/under voltage, sag as well as swell. Extensively in this paper, the principle design concepts, hardware implementations, the LabVIEW TM algorithm, how the overall system works, experimental results, the accuracy verification process and the conclusions will be thoroughly elaborated.

Real-Time Monitoring of a PV-Based Solar Power System in a South-Western Nigerian City using LABVIEW

“…National Instrument's LABVIEW myDAQ hardware and software module are well-known to be most widely used devices for capturing and processing control systems (Kos, Kosar, & Mernik, 2012). NI myDAQ is a lowcost data acquisition (DAQ) device that provides the ability to take measurements and is capable of being interfaced with many sensor applications (Chinomi et al, 2017). The NI myDAQ used for this work is shown in Figure 2.…”

“…It should be noted that the quantity of data gathered can't be relied upon to understand the energy delivery pattern of the PV system. Chinomi, Boontaklang, and Chow (2017) developed a LABVIEW program that was interfaced with a well calibrated monitoring devices to acquire and store data that are associated with PV systems. The experimental set-up acquired and stored basic electrical parameters of the system.…”