• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.704-712
• /
• 2016

Recently, the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems has been increasing due to the worldwide interest in eco-friendly and infinitely abundant solar energy. However, the output power of PV systems is highly influenced by the surrounding environment. For instance, a string of PV systems composed of modules in series may become inoperable under cloudy conditions or when in the shade of a building. In other words, under these conditions, the existing control method of PV systems does not allow the string to be operated in the normal way, because its output voltage is lower than the operating range of the grid connected inverter. In order to overcome this problem, we propose a new control method using a DC-DC voltage regulator which can compensate for the voltage of each string in the PV system. Also, based on the PSIM S/W, we model the DC-DC voltage regulator with constant voltage control & MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) control functions and 3-Phase grid connected inverter with PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) control function. From the simulation results, it is confirmed that the present control method can improve the operating efficiency of PV systems by compensating for the fluctuation of the voltage of the strings caused by the surrounding conditions.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.711-723
• /
• 2013

The objectives of this study were to access climate change by global warming in Korea, and to investigate its effects on production efficiency of lactating dairy cows. Two regions, Daegu and Daekwanryung, were selected to represent a warm and a cold area, respectively. Time-series analyses on meteorological records for 25 years (from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 2012) revealed significant and different climate changes in two regions. In the warm area there has been a significant (P<0.05) increase in low temperature during the summer, which can cause heat stress to the animal. On the other hand, a decrease in low temperature during the winter was observed in the cold region (P<0.01), and cold stress in winter can thus be an issue in this region. Simulations using a model integrated the Korean feeding standard for dairy cattle and the environmental effect module of Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System, indicated that a reduction in feed efficiency can be a problem during the winter in the cold region while during the summer in the warm area. We conclude that the effect of climate change by global warming varies in different areas in Korea and a region-specific management strategy should be developed in order to maintain productivity, health and welfare of lactating dairy cows.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 2012

The objectives of this study were to test geothermal conductivity (k), water velocity, water quantity, and pipe pressure from a ground heat exchanger in the field, and then to analyze these data in relation to the effectiveness and economical efficiency for application of geothermal energy. After installation of the apparatus required for field tests, geothermal conductivity values were obtained from three different cases (second, third, and fourth). The k values of the second case (506 m depth) and third case (151 m depth) are approximately 2.9 and 2.8, respectively. The k value of the fourth case (506 m depth, double pipe) is 2.5, which is similar to the second and third cases. This result indicates that hole depth is a critical factor for geothermal applications. Analysis of the field data (k, water velocity, water quantity, and pipe pressure) reveals that a single geothermal system at 506 m depth is more economically efficient than three geothermal systems at depths intervals of 151 m. Although it is more expensive to install a geothermal system at 506 m depth than at 151 m depth, test results showed that the geothermal system of the fourth case (506 m, double pipe) is more economically efficient than the system at 151 m depth. Considering the optional cost of maintenance, which is a non-operational expense, the geothermal system of the fourth case is economically efficient. Large cities and areas with high land prices should make greater use of geothermal energy.