Overview
I am an EPSRC funded PhD student in the Renewable Energy department, my research focuses on improving upon the existing designs of concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPV/T) hybrid systems for use in developing countries. My work is supervised by Professor Tapas Mallick and Prof K. Srinivas Reddy.
Qualifications
2016-2020 MEng Master of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Engineering (Class I), University of Exeter
Career
The Institute of Physics Materials and Characterisation Group Best Student Poster Prize at the Solar Energy Society (UK-ISES) Photovoltaic Science, Technology and Applications, PVSAT-16, conference held at the University of Salford, 6-8 April 2022 was awarded to William Cameron and colleagues of the University of Exeter, and co-authors from India and Saudi Arabia, for the paper entitled “ Optical Losses and Durability of 4-Domed Optic for Concentrator Photovoltaics”.
Links
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Publications
Journal articles
Cameron W, Mallick T, Reddy KS (In Press). Review of High Concentration Photovoltaic Thermal Hybrid Systems for Highly Efficient Energy Cogeneration.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy ReviewsAbstract:
Review of High Concentration Photovoltaic Thermal Hybrid Systems for Highly Efficient Energy Cogeneration
Concentrated photovoltaic/thermal hybrid systems are a combination of concentrated photovoltaics and photovoltaic/thermal hybrid systems which capture waste heat for later application. Higher concentrations lead to higher energy fluxes over smaller areas which is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, less photovoltaic material is required, instead using relatively cheap optics. This allows more efficient types of PV material to be used effectively. Secondly, the concentrated heat flux easily allows for a high outlet temperature which in turn increases the applicability.
Point focused systems have experimentally achieved cogeneration efficiencies of 86.47% (excluding system losses) and concentrations of over 1000 suns, but the technology still faces challenges. The design of the cooling system must be optimised to maximise both electrical and thermal efficiency. Furthermore, the optics and cell interconnections must mitigate the effects a non-uniform focal image for high electrical efficiencies. These challenges must be faced while minimising the thermal stresses the system undergoes to ensure the system has a substantial lifetime. This review provides an in depth understanding of the challenges and function of point focused concentrated photovoltaic/thermal systems. From the literature, it is clear more focus should be put on microchannel/impinging jet hybrid cooling systems for use in dense array concentrated photovoltaic/thermal systems. More physical experimentation is needed, especially full model systems which include the output image of the optics, along with consideration to alternative cooling fluids (particularly nanofluids).
Abstract.
Cameron WJ, Alzahrani MM, Yule J, Shanks K, Reddy KS, Mallick TK (2023). Indoor experimental analysis of Serpentine-Based cooling scheme for high concentration photovoltaic thermal systems. Applied Thermal Engineering, 234, 121183-121183.
Cameron WJ, Alzahrani MM, Yule J, Shanks K, Reddy KS, Mallick TK (2023). Outdoor experimental validation for ultra-high concentrator photovoltaic with serpentine-based cooling system. Renewable Energy, 215, 118926-118926.
Conferences
Cameron W, Alzahrani M, Shanks K, Mallick T, Reddy KS (2022). Optical Losses and Durability of 4-Domed Optic for Concentrator Photovoltaics. PVSAT-16. 6th - 8th Apr 2022.
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