Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system
Unified modular solar collector monitoring and control system with balancing capabilities and stagnation protection has been developed. The automated control module performs continuous monitoring of operational modes and temperature parameters of the system, as well as switches the mode in the case...
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Institute of Renewable Energy National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2017
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| author | Volodarskyi, V. Vyshnevska, Yu. Brazhnyk, V. |
| author_facet | Volodarskyi, V. Vyshnevska, Yu. Brazhnyk, V. |
| author_institution_txt_mv | [
{
"author": "V. Volodarskyi",
"institution": "National Technical University of Ukraine \"Igor Sykorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute\""
},
{
"author": "Yu. Vyshnevska",
"institution": "Institute of Renewable Energy, NAS of Ukraine"
},
{
"author": "V. Brazhnyk",
"institution": "Gimasi SA Ukraine R&D Centre, Mendrisio, Switzerland"
}
] |
| author_sort | Volodarskyi, V. |
| baseUrl_str | https://ve.org.ua/index.php/journal/oai |
| collection | OJS |
| datestamp_date | 2026-07-18T06:32:08Z |
| description | Unified modular solar collector monitoring and control system with balancing capabilities and stagnation protection has been developed. The automated control module performs continuous monitoring of operational modes and temperature parameters of the system, as well as switches the mode in the case of certain edge conditions are reached. Stagnation protection has been implemented as a special emergency operational mode where surplus heat is transferred to the high-capacity heating circuit that will protect collector and improve the sustainability of the system. It was shown that the proposed system is capable to utilize any type of heat sources without replacing the control module while modular architecture allows easy upscaling for building complex smart systems. |
| first_indexed | 2025-07-17T11:37:16Z |
| format | Article |
| fulltext |
СОНЯЧНА ЕНЕРГЕТИКА ISSN 1819-8058
Відновлювана енергетика. 2017. № 1 32
on market requirements for energy trade. Long-term forecasting
is necessary for grid development planning and economic analy-
sis, and performed in seasonal and annual time horizons.
The physical approach to predicting deal with solar and
photovoltaic energy behaviors, and statistical approach based
primarily on historical data to identify trends. If the forecast
concerning a large number of areas, some objects are modeled
and methods of extrapolation or interpolation are used.
Images of the sky are using with the methods of tracking
the movement of clouds in the sky photographs. For satellite
imagery a similar approach is used for longer time horizon
because the spatial and temporal resolution. For deterministic
approach a certain level of solar energy is predicted, the stochas-
tic indicates additional level of uncertainty. The combination of
techniques provides better accuracy of forecasts. To assess the
accuracy of prediction the average deviation, mean square error,
mean absolute error, standard deviation are used. The accuracy
of the forecast is affected by the local climate, the amount of
area or number of areas, forecasting horizon, precision of the
measuring equipment. The emergence of intelligent networks
and power systems management forms its own requirements for
predictability, and encourages new developments in forecasting.
Стаття надійшла до редакції 26.11.16
Остаточна версія 09.01.17
UDC 620.92(075.8); 681.51
V.H.Volodarskyi1 (National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sykorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute", Kyiv),
Yu.P.Vyshnevska2, Ph.D. (Institute for Renewable Energy NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv), І.V.Brazhnyk3 (Gimasi SA
Ukraine R&D Centre, Mendrisio, Switzerland)
Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable
operation of the combined renewable energy system
Unified modular solar collector monitoring and control system with balancing capabilities and stagnation protection has been devel-
oped. The automated control module performs continuous monitoring of operational modes and temperature parameters of the system,
as well as switches the mode in the case of certain edge conditions are reached. Stagnation protection has been implemented as a special
emergency operational mode where surplus heat is transferred to the high-capacity heating circuit that will protect collector and im-
prove sustainability of the system. It was shown that proposed system is capable to utilize any type of heat sources without replacing the
control module while modular architecture allows easy upscaling for building complex smart systems. Ref. 2, fig. 1, tab.1.
Keywords: smart home, solar collector, automated control module, stagnation protection.
ORCID: 10000-0002-7455-6007, 20000-0003-2971-9628, 30000-0003-1278-4749
Introduction. The wide application of renewable
energy systems [1] require the development of smart
monitoring and control systems that are capable to
achieve and maintain the optimal operational mode,
maximize the efficiency and ensure durability of the
equipment. Furthermore, such systems should meet the
requirements of scalability, interoperability, and must
be compatible with wide range of equipment, including
solar collectors, heat pumps and PV modules [2].
In present report, unified modular microcontrol-
ler-based (MCU-based) solar collector monitoring
and control system with balancing capabilities and
stagnation protection is demonstrated.
Results and discussion. The generic structure
of the module (fig. 1) includes three independent
heat sources – solar collector, the boiler of any type,
and electric heater.
The proposed scheme includes separated heating
and hot water supply circuits that may be condition-
ally connected only via dedicated heat exchanger.
When the amount of solar energy is insufficient for
both heating and hot water supply, heating circuit
may be completely detached from solar collector and
rely solely on boiler.
Temperature measurements are carried out using
four sensors that provide temperature data for solar
collector input (tc-c) and output (tc-h), storage tank (tt),
and temperature in the room (tr). Room temperature
is calculated as an averaged data from multiple in-
stalled sensors.
© V.H.Volodarskyi, Yu.P.Vyshnevska, І.V.Brazhnyk, 2017
СОНЯЧНА ЕНЕРГЕТИКА ISSN 1819-8058
Відновлювана енергетика. 2017. № 1 33
Fig. 1. Generic structure of the unified MCU-based solar collector monitoring and control module.
The automated control module performs con-
tinuous monitoring of operational modes and tem-
perature parameters of the system, as well as
switches the mode in the case of certain edge condi-
tions are reached. The implemented state machine
uses the three-temperature model that represents
logical temperature ranges – minimal (min), nominal
(nom), and maximum (max) with associated parame-
ters that together define the operational mode. Tem-
perature ranges may be adjusted for a particular sys-
tem as well as associated operational parameters may
be redefined according to equipment setup.
For the purpose of operational mode switching,
the control module continuously measures three key
temperatures: temperature of hot water, produced by
solar collector, temperature in storage tank, and air
temperature in the room. The module implements 7
operational modes that are listed in table 1.
Table 1. Operational modes
Relay Operational
mode
tt tc-h tr 1 2 3 4 5
1 (idle) nom nom nom
2 (active: solar collector) min nom nom ■
3 (active: el. heater) min min nom ■
4 (active: solar coll, boiler) nom nom min ■ ■ ■
5 (active: boiler) nom min min ■
6 (active: el.heater, boiler) min min min ■ ■
7 (stagnation protection) max max max ■ ■ ■
Relay key: 1 – pump; 2 – electric heater; 3 – three-way valve 1; 4 – three-way valve 2; 5 – boiler.
СОНЯЧНА ЕНЕРГЕТИКА ISSN 1819-8058
Відновлювана енергетика. 2017. № 1 34
In the idle mode, system is found in an equilib-
rium state when temperatures in solar collector, stor-
age tank and in the room lie in a nominal range. In
this mode none of the control relays are engaged.
If the temperature in storage tank drops below
nominal value while other temperatures remain in
nominal range the system switches to operational
mode #2 by activating the pump in a solar collector
circuit. Circulation of heat medium will rise tempera-
ture in a storage tank that in the case of sufficient
insolation will eventually reach nominal range.
Operational mode #3 is being activated when
temperatures in storage tank and solar collector out-
put both fall below nominal value, while the room
temperature is still in the optimal range. In this
mode, the electric heater is switched on by engaging
relay #2. Controller will maintain the storage tank
temperature in the range between tnom0 and
(tnom0+tnom1)/2, leaving some capacity for heat energy
that may come from the solar collector. Such situa-
tion may occur in the case of improvement in
weather conditions.
Operational mode #4 is activated when tempera-
tures at solar collector output and storage tank lays in
the nominal range, while room temperature drops be-
low its lower point. The boiler and pump are switched
on, while three-way valve 1 is engaged to attach solar
collector to heating circuit. This mode allows the solar
collector to assist boiler as a secondary source of heat
and reduce the amount of energy required to for heat-
ing in the case of sufficient insolation.
Operational mode #5 corresponds to the sce-
nario where temperature in storage tank remains in
nominal range, while both solar collector and room
temperatures fall below their minimal value. In this
case insolation is insufficient to assist heating that is
performed solely using boiler.
One of the critical problems that should be effi-
ciently solved in order to ensure durability and sus-
tainability of such system is the stagnation of the
solar thermal collector. Stagnation will damage
equipment if the temperature reaches critical value
(200°C for flat collectors, and 300°C – for vacuum
ones). Such situation may occur in the case of high
insolation and low consumption of hot water.
The stagnation may be divided into number of
stages, for this reason the multilevel stagnation pro-
tection is implemented in the proposed design that
includes active and passive components. Among
passive measures there are expansion tank that pre-
vents the development of the stagnation process and
the high temperature flap valve that helps to reduce
temperature and pressure in the case of critical over-
heating. Both of these measures help to reduce the
negative impact of overheating while still not capa-
ble to prevent it entirely.
As an active measure, the control module im-
plements special emergency operational mode #7 to
protect solar collector against stagnation. For this
purpose, the pump will be switched on to reduce
temperature inside the collector while three-way
valve 1 will be engaged to attach solar collector to
heating circuit via heat exchanger. Thus, the surplus
heat will be transferred to the high-capacity heating
circuit that will protect collector and improve sus-
tainability of the system. Furthermore, the proposed
approach reduces the maintenance cost for re-
move/refill the heat agent.
Conclusions. The proposed design is capable to
utilize any type of the heat sources such as a heat
pump without replacing the control module or
changing the operational logic, while modular archi-
tecture allows easy upscaling for building complex
smart systems.
REFERENCES
1. REN21. 2016., Renewables 2016 Global Status Report,
(Paris: REN21 Secretariat), ISBN 978-3-9818107-0-7.
2. Yu.P. Vyshnevska, І.V. Brazhnyk, M.Santoli Two-tier
modular architecture with intelligent energy redistribution capa-
bilities for the sustainable zero-energy systems on a smart city
scale // XVIIth International Scientific and Practical Conference
"Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the XXI century"
(Kyiv, Ukraine, September, 29 – 30, 2016). – Kyiv, Ukraine,
2016. – P. 211-213.
В.Г.Володарський (Національний технічний університет
України "Київський політехнічний інститут ім. Ігоря Сікор-
ського", Київ), Ю.П.Вишневська, канд.техн.наук (Інститут
відновлюваної енергетики НАН України, Київ),
І.В.Бражник (Gimasi SA Ukraine R&D Centre, Швейцарія)
Розробка і реалізація уніфікованого модуля керування
для забезпечення сталого функціонування комбінованої
системи на базі відновлюваних джерел енергії
Розроблено уніфіковану модульну систему моніторингу і ко-
нтролю сонячного колектора з можливостями балансування
СОНЯЧНА ЕНЕРГЕТИКА ISSN 1819-8058
Відновлювана енергетика. 2017. № 1 35
та захисту від стагнації. Автоматизований модуль керуван-
ня здійснює постійний моніторинг температурних парамет-
рів системи, а також перемикання режимів роботи у випад-
ку настання граничних умов. Захист від стагнації реалізова-
ний як спеціальний аварійний режим роботи, коли надлишко-
ве тепло передається на контур опалення, що дає змогу захи-
стити колектор та продовжити термін експлуатації обла-
днання. Показано, що запропонована система здатна викори-
стовувати будь-яке джерело теплової енергії без заміни мо-
дуля керування, тоді як модульна архітектура спрощує зада-
чу масштабування для побудови комплексних інтелектуаль-
них систем енергопостачання. Бібл. 2, рис. 1, табл.1.
Ключові слова: "розумний дім", сонячний колектор, авто-
матизований модуль керування, захист від стагнації.
В.Г.Володарский (Национальный технический университет
Украины "Киевский политехнический институт им. Игоря
Сикорского", Киев), Ю.П.Вишневская, канд.техн.наук (Ин-
ститут возобновляемой энергетики НАН Украины, Киев),
И.В.Бражник (Gimasi SA Ukraine R&D Centre, Швейцария)
Разработка и реализация унифицированного модуля
управления для обеспечения устойчивого функциониро-
вания комбинированной системы на базе возобновляе-
мых источников энергии
Разработана унифицированная модульная система мони-
торинга и контроля солнечного коллектора с возможно-
стями балансировки и защиты от стагнации. Автоматизи-
рованный модуль управления совершает постоянный мони-
торинг температурных параметров системы, а также
переключение режимов работы в случае наступления гра-
ничных условий. Защита от стагнации реализована как
специальный аварийный режим работы, когда избыточное
тепло передается на контур отопления, что дает возмож-
ность защитить коллектор и продлить срок эксплуатации
оборудования. Показано, что предложенная система спо-
собна использовать любой источник тепловой энергии без
изменения модуля управления, тогда как модульная архи-
тектура упрощает задачу масштабирования для построе-
ния комплексных интеллектуальных систем энергоснабже-
ния. Библ. 2, рис. 1, табл.1.
Ключевые слова: "умный дом", солнечный коллектор, авто-
матизированный модуль управления, защита от стагнации.
SYNOPSES
Automated monitoring and control systems becoming an
integral part of modern renewable energy systems to optimize
efficiency, reduce maintenance cost and improve their sustain-
ability. In addition to the traditional passive measures, the over-
heating and stagnation issues in the solar collector systems may
be addressed with MCU-based control system. The emergency
stagnation protection mechanism has been developed and auto-
mated control module with balancing capabilities and active
stagnation protection has been implemented. The system uses
abstract three temperature range state-machine that provides
compatibility with various heat sources without requirement of
replacing control module or changing operational logic. In the
case of critical overheating the solar collector may be attached to
heating circuit via dedicated heat exchanger to prevent irreversi-
ble degradation of equipment. The implemented control module
performs continuous monitoring of the temperature and opera-
tional parameters optimizing utilization of renewable energy
sources and ensuring safe and sustainable operation of the system.
Стаття надійшла до редакції 04.10.16
Остаточна версія 26.12.16
|
| id | veorgua-article-79 |
| institution | Vidnovluvana energetika |
| keywords_txt_mv | keywords |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-19T01:03:23Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Institute of Renewable Energy National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| record_format | ojs |
| resource_txt_mv | veorgua/b9/b4ab03fee7c423054f39d47fd2ce87b9.pdf |
| spelling | veorgua-article-792026-07-18T06:32:08Z Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system Разработка и реализация унифицированного модуля управления для обеспечения устойчивого функциониро- вания комбинированной системы на базе возобновляе- мых источников энергии Розробка і реалізація уніфікованого модуля керування для забезпечення сталого функціонування комбінованої системи на базі відновлюваних джерел енергії Volodarskyi, V. Vyshnevska, Yu. Brazhnyk, V. smart home solar collector automated control module stagnation protection розумний дім сонячний колектор автоматизований модуль керування захист від стагнації умный дом солнечный коллектор автоматизированный модуль управления защита от стагнации Unified modular solar collector monitoring and control system with balancing capabilities and stagnation protection has been developed. The automated control module performs continuous monitoring of operational modes and temperature parameters of the system, as well as switches the mode in the case of certain edge conditions are reached. Stagnation protection has been implemented as a special emergency operational mode where surplus heat is transferred to the high-capacity heating circuit that will protect collector and improve the sustainability of the system. It was shown that the proposed system is capable to utilize any type of heat sources without replacing the control module while modular architecture allows easy upscaling for building complex smart systems. Разработана унифицированная модульная система мониторинга и контроля солнечного коллектора с возможностями балансировки и защиты от стагнации. Автоматизированный модуль управления совершает постоянный мониторинг температурных параметров системы, а также переключение режимов работы в случае наступления граничных условий. Защита от стагнации реализована какспециальный аварийный режим работы, когда избыточное тепло передается на контур отопления, что дает возможность защитить коллектор и продлить срок эксплуатации оборудования. Показано, что предложенная система способна использовать любой источник тепловой энергии без изменения модуля управления, тогда как модульная архитектура упрощает задачу масштабирования для построения комплексных интеллектуальных систем энергоснабжения. Розроблено уніфіковану модульну систему моніторингу і контролю сонячного колектора з можливостями балансування та захисту від стагнації. Автоматизований модуль керування здійснює постійний моніторинг температурних параметрів системи, а також перемикання режимів роботи у випадку настання граничних умов. Захист від стагнації реалізований як спеціальний аварійний режим роботи, коли надлишкове тепло передається на контур опалення, що дає змогу захистити колектор та продовжити термін експлуатації обладнання. Показано, що запропонована система здатна використовувати будь-яке джерело теплової енергії без заміни модуля керування, тоді як модульна архітектура спрощує задачу масштабування для побудови комплексних інтелектуальних систем енергопостачання. Institute of Renewable Energy National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 2017-03-16 Article Article application/pdf https://ve.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/79 Vidnovluvana energetika ; No. 1 (48) (2017): Scientific and Applied Journal Vidnovluvana energetika; 32-35 Возобновляемая энергетика; ##issue.no## 1 (48) (2017): Науково-прикладний журнал Відновлювана енергетика; 32-35 Відновлювана енергетика; № 1 (48) (2017): Науково-прикладний журнал Відновлювана енергетика; 32-35 2664-8172 1819-8058 en https://ve.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/79/50 Copyright (c) 2017 V. Volodarskyi, Yu. Vyshnevska, V. Brazhnyk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 |
| spellingShingle | smart home solar collector automated control module stagnation protection Volodarskyi, V. Vyshnevska, Yu. Brazhnyk, V. Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| title | Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| title_alt | Разработка и реализация унифицированного модуля управления для обеспечения устойчивого функциониро- вания комбинированной системы на базе возобновляе- мых источников энергии Розробка і реалізація уніфікованого модуля керування для забезпечення сталого функціонування комбінованої системи на базі відновлюваних джерел енергії |
| title_full | Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| title_fullStr | Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| title_full_unstemmed | Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| title_short | Design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| title_sort | design and implementation of the unified control module for a sustainable operation of the combined renewable energy system |
| topic | smart home solar collector automated control module stagnation protection |
| topic_facet | smart home solar collector automated control module stagnation protection розумний дім сонячний колектор автоматизований модуль керування захист від стагнації умный дом солнечный коллектор автоматизированный модуль управления защита от стагнации |
| url | https://ve.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/79 |
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