A simulated energy monitoring system to enable undergraduate engineering students to grasp fundamental energy generation principles

Abstract

Engineering students must be equipped with the right graduate attributes in order to contribute effectively to the socio-economic growth of their communities. These vital attributes may be demonstrated by students through the use of various educational technologies, including computer based simulations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a simulated energy monitoring system that was developed at the Central University of Technology to enable freshmen engineering students to grasp fundamental energy generation principles relating to solar energy. This system enables students to grasp principles of energy flow in a typical PV system, as well as the importance that power efficiency exerts on the overall performance of the system. The majority of students exposed to this system have indicated that they enjoyed the simulations, having applied new knowledge in a practical environment.