Background:
Norwegian climate is characterized by frequent snowfalls during the winter and significant cloud cover throughout the year. This prevents photovoltaic cells from capturing all the available solar irradiance with the consequent worsening of their performance. Detecting real-time changes of cloud pattern and snow deposit can contribute to a more accurate prediction of produced energy, providing support for the definition of highly effective energy management strategies. The topic is framed within the NFR-FRIPRO FRINATEK project Helios – Enhancing optimal exploitation of solar energy in Nordic cities through the digitalization of the built environment (https://www.ntnu.edu/helios)
Short description of the assignment:
This work aims to investigate an innovative technique for real-time detection of obstructions on photovoltaic installations. The study will include experimental activities to be conducted in the laboratory (under controlled environmental conditions) and in full-scale outdoor facilities. An existing bidirectional irradiance transposition model will be implemented to quantify the solar radiation incident on the photovoltaic solar cells from the amount of produced electricity. The model outcome will be later validated against experimental data.
Number of students on the thesis:
2-4 (the assignment is suitable for two practical students who collaborate). Background in materials science, renewable energy, physics, and chemistry or electronical engineering is preferred.
Contact person at IBM:
Gabriele Lobaccaro, gabriele.lobaccaro@ntnu.no
External partners:
Marisa Di Sabatino, marisa.di.sabatino@ntnu.no (NTNU - Department of Materials Science and Engineering),
Alessandro Nocente, alessandro.nocente@sintef.no (SINTEF - Architecture, Materials and Structures),
Bjørn Petter Jelle, bjorn.petter.jelle@ntnu.no (NTNU - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering),
Mattia Manni, mattia.manni@ntnu.no (NTNU - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)