ABSTRACT
This entry describes the implementation of a stand-alone renewable energy educational training unit (mobile-lab). Its mobile structure extends the use of the system in various locations for training, troubleshooting, and testing purposes. The system contains all equipment usually required for a remote residential installation of complete wind and photovoltaic energy systems. The main equipment in the system is two 60 W photovoltaic modules (to study series and parallel connections), a charge controller, batteries, a.c. and d.c. disconnects and breakers (fuses), an inverter, a 400 W wind turbine (mounted on a separate stand), switches, receptacles, digital and analog meters, a battery analyzer, lightning arrestors, a step-down transformer, and a.c. and d.c. loads. The system also contains equipment for laboratory purposes to study energy and environment including a data acquisition unit, a computer, kinetic and potential energy systems kits (thermoelectric, friction, flywheel, rotary, human power), various sensors (temperature, light, sound, mass, rotary, force, VI, rainfall, anemometer, wind wane, humidity, irradiation, barometric pressure, heat index, wind chill, dew point). This mobile system is used to teach renewable energy systems for sixth–twelfth grade levels, college-level educational systems and workforce development. For specific knowledge levels, the mobile unit has a workbook developed by senior students and faculty.
