ABSTRACT
Students in most engineering baccalaureate degree programs are required to propose, complete, present, and write reports for their senior design projects during their senior year. There is a minor titled “Electric Energy and SmartGrid” in the Electrical Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. Students pursuing this minor should select senior design projects with topics related to electric energy. The “Modular Smart Power System” is a battery management system that has the ability to provide renewable battery power with minimal user interface. This system will be able to manage the charging, conditioning, and monitoring of each battery and display, and transmit pertinent information. It can monitor and maintain the battery so that the battery can be used at any time, even when the whole system is stand-alone. It can also operate autonomously for extended periods of time. The Modular Smart Power System consists of a microcontroller battery-charging circuit and battery, which is designed to work with solar panels or any other renewable energy source. This entry will explain how the smart battery management system will provide the end user with a power source that can manage itself in a remote environment where other energy sources may not be available. The Modular Smart Power System allows the end user to have a solar-powered battery bank that provides the needed electricity. This system is an alternative to the required purchase of a large and expensive system similar to those in the commercial market today.
