Currently, the world needs urgent action due to the widespread use of fossil fuels that emit large amounts of CO2. It is in this scenario that the possibility of using renewable energy arises.
"In the case of solar energy, photovoltaic panels that occupy a large area are generally required to operate. For this reason, we are seeking to develop folding systems that can be folded for easy transport and storage, and unfolded when needed", says Dr. Daniel Lavayen, professor of the Academic Department of Engineering.
How was this achieved? "The Miura-Ori origami pattern (one of the most studied analytically, mathematically and mechanically) has the peculiarity of being unfolded and folded with a single movement, and occupies a small space," he said. Thus, PUCP and Dinamo Tecnologías company developed a full-scale functional prototype of solar panels, which is expected to be applied in the mining and maritime industries.
For example, he points out that on a barge the space available for a permanent installation is very limited. “If we install folding solar panels instead, we can use more space and fold the panels back when they're not needed,” he says. And while there is no way to build fully solar industrial barges, we can cover part of the energy demand.
He also points out that not only the solar panel was developed as part of the project, but also some of the equipment to produce them locally. "All the production has been national," he said.
If we install folding solar panels instead, we can use more space and fold the panels back when they're not needed.”
Dr. Daniel Lavayén
Professor of the Academic Department of Engineering
The researcher explains that the joint work between PUCP and Dinamo Tecnologías generates added value by solving problems in companies of different sectors. "In this way, Peruvian solutions to local problems are found, with the obvious potential for later export. In this sense, the University can always take an innovative look at various problems," he concludes.
This is the interview with Mag. Enrique Pujada, professor of the Academic Department of Engineering and Business manager of Dinamo Tecnologías.
The joint work is designed to ensure that both entities contribute to the same purpose. As Dinamo, we know our customers very well, not only in terms of their technical support needs, but also in terms of how they operate and identify potential opportunities. In this sense, the relationship with the University for solution development allows us to implement methodologies and knowledge in a structured and orderly manner, which facilitates proposing improvements and changes. One important aspect of academia is to provide knowledge that is tailored to the needs of the customer.
At present, there are several types of solar panels: rigid or standard, which are the most common, then we have semi-flexible and rollable. The difference lies in the price and this also limits the target market. In the maritime sector, where we work, the customer appreciates the semi-flexible solar panel even though its cost is twice that of a standard solar panel, and it is because this type of panel resists deformations and at a certain point blows, in addition to being able to bend up to 30° to adapt to the shape of their boats. Considering the fact that the panel would not be the most expensive of such projects either, this is an opportunity to offer more advanced and complex solar panels.
Thanks to innovation and engineering development from a university, hand in hand with enterprises, we are driving the way to achieve a developed country"
Enrique Pujada, M.A.
Business manager of Dinamo Tecnologías
While rollable solar panels can be completely deformed and are better adaptable to areas and shapes, their price is three times or more than the semi-flexible solar panels; therefore, their introduction to the market is slow due to their high investment. With this, and adding up the investment cost, it was proposed to develop semi-flexible solar panels that fold quickly, considering that there is an operational routine that should be affected as little as possible. That is the value proposal that has been developed and is in line with the customer's needs, that is our main difference: cost and adaptation to mobile applications.
It is the first time that solar panels are being manufactured in the country, which brought complications such as the availability of specialized and knowledgeable labor to manufacture solar panels, as well as materials and machines that enable the manufacture of solar panels. Despite the great challenge, we managed to implement a still initial manufacturing line, but many areas for improvement were identified. In the future, we want to compete with conventional panels commercially.
In parallel, we are working on possible applications in the mining sector and promoting the application in barges and pilot boats to validate our technology and test it in aggressive conditions, such as mines or the sea. This will give us important feedback to improve our design and production process.
In addition, we are working with PUCP to develop machines that will allow us to test and predict the useful life of the folding panels, with the purpose of achieving a commercial prototype in the medium term.
Thanks to innovation and engineering development from a university, hand in hand with enterprises, we are driving the way to achieve a developed country. It is important to maintain and continue to generate these collaborative works. All innovation and product development involve a methodology, a structure and the application of a lot of knowledge. In order to achieve success, academia and management side are important.
