A Promising Engineering Innovation from the UAE University: Mechatronics Students Present a Smart Project for Hybrid Energy Management and Lighting Rural Yemen with Renewable Energy
University Media
In an academic display reflecting the spirit of engineering innovation and the quality of educational outcomes, the Mechatronics Engineering Department at the College of Engineering and Information Technology discussed a unique and inspiring graduation project by a group of students entitled: “Smart Energy Management for a Hybrid Power Network Powered by Solar, Diesel, and Batteries in Rural Yemen.” The project was presented by a select group of students from the department: Ammar Mohammed Al-Warqi, Abdullah Ali Ahmed Al-Faqih, Nader Hamoud Hassan, and Ahmed Khaled Hamada, as part of the requirements for obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechatronics Engineering.
The project, supervised by Professor Dr. Radwan Al-Badhiji and assisted by Engineer Anwar Al-Haimi, embodies an advanced model of applied projects that connect academic knowledge with the real needs of society, especially in the energy sector, which is one of the most vital and important sectors in Yemen.
The discussion committee consisted of Professor Dr. Farouk Al-Fahidi, Professor Dr. Radwan Al-Badhiji (project supervisor), and Engineer Anwar Al-Haimi. The event was attended by the Vice President of the University, Dr. Ahmed Al-Badani, and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Fara’a, clearly demonstrating the university's commitment to supporting student innovation and encouraging projects with a sustainable developmental impact.
The project aims to provide a practical and intelligent solution for supplying electricity to rural and coastal communities suffering from limited and unstable access to power. This is achieved through the design of a hybrid electrical grid that utilizes solar energy, batteries, and diesel within an integrated system for highly efficient energy management.
The proposed system employs a 150 kW photovoltaic array, a battery storage system with a capacity of up to 123 kWh, and a 100 kW diesel generator. It features an intelligent load distribution design based on different priority levels, ensuring the continuous supply of essential and vital loads first, followed by residential and other service loads.
The students also developed an intelligent control system based on power management rules that prioritizes solar energy and utilizes batteries for operational balance, while the diesel generator is only activated when needed. This contributes to reducing fuel consumption, lowering operating costs, and promoting reliance on renewable energy.
To demonstrate the project's practical applications, the team used advanced engineering tools and technologies such as MATLAB/Simulink and Stateflow, along with PLC systems and EPLAN and Node-RED/HTML platforms. This reflects the high level of practical training and advanced technical skills acquired by students at Emirates International University.
The project results demonstrated the proposed system's ability to improve the continuity of critical loads, increase the efficiency of renewable energy use, and reduce reliance on diesel compared to traditional systems. This reflects a deep engineering awareness of national challenges and the needs of sustainable development.
This high-quality project underscores the academic and applied excellence achieved by the university in preparing engineering professionals capable of innovation and problem-solving. This reinforces its position as a leading educational environment that fosters creativity and encourages its students to pursue impactful projects that serve the community and meet future demands.
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