Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
PROJECT SUMMARY
The mission of the Sustainable Energy Systems for Education (SESE) family of projects is to design, develop,
build, test, and deliver interchangeable sustainable energy technological solutions for use by future senior
design teams and undergraduate engineering class projects in the KGCOE, beginning fall semester 2013. The
SESE should represent an integration of the six core technologies: Capture/Collection, Conversion, Storage,
Transmission, Management/Control, and Consumption. The objective is to provide opportunity for various
technological solutions within the core functions to allow the execution of numerous modular SESE systems.
All work produced should be in an open source / open architecture format, encouraging use of the technologies
by others.
The Energy Bank Module for SESE will have three of the six core functions; Conversion, Management/Control,
and Storage. These three functions are critical so the energy captured within the system can be consumed by
the end user. The mission for the Energy Bank team is to design, build, test, and deliver a controlled storage
system to store the power coming from the Capture/Collect Module. This Capture/Collect Module is titled
Wind Energy Collection for SESE. The Energy Bank team will need to take the energy and voltage outputs from
the Capture/Collect team and convert them into a form which can be readily stored in a suitable NiMH or Lead
Acid battery. The two possible batteries were chosen because they are the most suitable for this project within
the next academic year. Future development may allow this Energy Bank to become a Li-Ion storage system.
The Energy Bank team should also research if batteries are capable of being overcharged and if this condition
will harm the battery. If so, consider a Management/Control solution so the battery does not overcharge when it
reaches its full storage capacity.
The Energy Bank Module must interface with the Charging Dock Module for SESE as well. The Energy Bank
must have enough storage capacity so the Charging Dock can charge at least 10 SESE Power Supplies. The
Charging Dock Module will also be in charge of preventing the Energy Bank from discharging to 0% power.
This project will require collaboration between various teams within the SESE family to determine and pass
along Engineering Specification Values. This team should focus on the energy, voltage, and phase coming
from the Capture/Collect Module to determine the storage capacity necessary to provide sufficient power to the
Charging Dock Module. A primary focus should be high conversion and storage efficiencies; try to maintain
90% efficiency or better. This project should still be considered a success if other SESE modules fail or are not
chosen as MSD projects.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:
Project Name:
Project Number:
Project Track:
Project Family:
Energy Bank Module for SESE System
Sustainable Systems
OS/OA Modular Sustainable Energy
Systems
Parent Roadmap: R12006
Planning Term:
2010-3
Start Term:
2011-2 (Winter)
End Term:
2011-3 (Spring)
Page 1 of 9
Faculty:
Industry Guide:
Project Customer:
Project Sponsor:
Project Budget:
TBA
TBA
RIT MSD LVE and WOCCSE teams
TBA
TBA
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
PROJECT CONTEXT:
This project is one of the critical modules of the larger SESE roadmap mentioned above. Without a conversion
system, it would be nearly impossible to consume the energy harvested by the collection systems. Also, without
a storage device, most of the energy would go to waste as the user does not always want to consume the power
at the time of collection. The SESE is a modular project aimed at developing a power source for the Land
Vehicle for Education (R12005) and Wireless Open Source/Open Architecture Command and Control System
for Education (R12003) systems.
This will start from the capturing of energy to storage and finally the consumption of that energy. The Energy
Bank will be designed to take the electrical output from the Capture/Collect system and convert it. For
example, if a wind turbine is outputting 120VAC and the battery storage system charges at 12VDC, the AC to
DC conversion system would match the output voltage to the required 12VDC.
If the Capture/Collect team decides to have a system with both a wind turbine and solar panels, the Energy
Bank team will need to design a conversion board, or boards, that will have capabilities to convert both power
inputs at once. This is not likely for the 2011-2012 Academic Year, but will be further down the road.
The image below is a SESE system block diagram for all of the modules. This Energy Bank Module is colored
purple. You can see that the Capture/Collect’s power goes to the Energy Bank Regulator Board which
converts the power to the designated D/C Power in order to store it in the Energy Bank. These color coded
modules are used throughout R12006 documents and roadmap.
For more information on the larger project into which this system will be integrated, search for on the EDGE
website for R12006, the Sustainable Energy Systems for Education roadmapping page. Link provided below.
(http://edge.rit.edu/content/R12006/public/Home)
Page 2 of 9
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
PROJECT HOUSE OF QUALITY: (NO COLOR CODING)
Energy
Collection
/ Energy
Capture
++
+
+
+
+
+
VOC to VOE
There is no relationship between VOE & VOE
There is a weak, indirect relataionship
There is a linear relationship
There is a stronger than linear relationship
Down Packaging
Down Maximum Distance Between Collection/ Conversion/ Storage/ Consumption
Up
Down Packaging
Up
Up
3
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
9
9
2
3
2
3
2
4
3
2
3
4
2
9
1
1
2
4
1
1
2
3
3
1
2
2
3
3
4
1
5
1
3
3
3
2
1
1
3
3
9
3
1
9
1
3
9
3
1
1
1
1
2
9
9
1
9
3
3
3
2
1
4.37
0.32
1.58
1.53
0.92
1.07
0.32
0.32
2.95
0.97
1.08
1.58
3.1
0.97
1.69
Relative
Weight
4%
4%
3%
3%
1%
1%
8%
3%
3%
4%
9%
3%
5%
in & lbMeters
% Jin/Jout
in & lbJoulesWatts$/Watt
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
3
3
A)
5
3
3
3
5 B)
5
4
C)
D)
1%
3
3
3
3
JoulesWatts% Jin/Jout
Wattsin & lbJoulesWattsWattsWatts#
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
4
3
3
1
1
5
4
2
2
3
3
5
3
1
5
4
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
2
Raw score
1
3
9
Page 3 of 9
Benchmarks
Maximum Power Threshold
1
3
Down Cost Per Watts Produced
Maximum Energy Threshold
Micro-Hydro Generator
3
9
Livecell Batteries
3
9
9
9
3
3
9
3
9
Solio Classic Universal Portable Solar Charger
3
Customer Perception
Portable High Power-Density Energy System
9
3
3
3
3
3
Transmission Efficiency
Peak energy output
3
Number of Storage Cycles
3
12%
Future Motives
Up
Up
3
Maximum/Average Energy Discharge Rate
Maximum/Average Energy Charge Rate
Up
1
4.73
Benchmark
Specifications
Down Rate of Energy Degradation
Down Packaging
Storage Capacity
Up
9
1.0
End-User Needs
Conversion Efficiency (%, Joules In/Joules Out)
Up
9
Average Rate of Energy Output
3
13%
Usage
++
++ ++
3%
Packaging
+
+
+
Up
Customer Weights
Power
Preferred
Direction
CN# VOC - Customer Objectives
CN1 Able to power WOCCSE and LVE
CN2 Operational in environmental conditions
Range of users from developing countries to freshmen and
32.2%
CN3 graduate students
CN4 Easy/minimal maintenance
CN6 Design priority to LVE
15.3%
CN7 Must be scalable
10.2%
CN8 Individual weight considerations
CN9 Total battery lifetime
CN10 Battery runtime
11.9%
CN11 Recharge time
CN12 Voltage/Amperage
CN13 Power required
20.3%
CN14 Phase
CN15 Power to weight ratio
CN16 Improving ease of use for end user
3.4%
CN17 Look beyond traditional energy solutions
Measure of Performance
Nominal Value
Marginal Value
5
Benchmark is Much Better Than Proposed
4
Benchmark is Somewhat Better Than Proposed
3
Benchmark is About the Same as Proposed
2
Benchmark is Somehwat Worse Than Proposed
1
Benchmark is Much Worse Than Proposed
++
++
+
++ ++ ++ ++
++
+
+
+
++
+
+
++
++
++ ++ ++ ++
+
-+
+
+
+
ES1 ES2 ES4 ES5 ES6 ES7 ES8 ES9 ES10ES11ES12ES13ES14ES15ES16ES17ES18
Engineering Metrics
The mission of the Sustainable Energy Systems for Education (SESE)
family of projects is to design, develop, build, test, and deliver
interchangeable sustainable energy technological solutions for use
by future senior design teams and undergraduate engineering class
projects in the KGCOE, beginning fall semester 2013.
VOC - Affinity Groups
+
Up
Spec
Correlation Codes
++
Very Positive
Negative
-Very Negative
++
+
+
+
+
+
Energy
Distribution /
Transmission Energy Control
Energy Storage
Up
Peak energy output
Average Rate of Energy Output
Conversion Efficiency (%, Joules In/Joules Out)
Rate of Energy Conversion
Packaging
Storage Capacity
Maximum/Average Energy Charge Rate
Maximum/Average Energy Discharge Rate
Rate of Energy Degradation
Number of Storage Cycles
Packaging
Maximum Distance Between Collection/ Conversion/ Storage/ Consumption
Transmission Efficiency
Packaging
Maximum Energy Threshold
Maximum Power Threshold
Cost Per Watts Produced
Energy
Conversion
Rate of Energy Conversion
Sustainable Energy Systems for Education
1
5
5
3
5
5
2
3
Portable High Power-Density Energy Syst
Solio Classic Universal Portable Solar Cha
Livecell Batteries
Micro-Hydro Generator
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
CUSTOMER NEEDS ASSESSMENT: (NO COLOR CODING)
Need #
Affinity Group Name
Importance Customer Objective Description
Measure of Effectiveness
9
Able to power WOCCSE and LVE
SESE power supply provides both high power and high fidelity DC power
through converters
3
Operational in environmental conditions
Passes drop tests conducted at 3 ft
1
Range of users from developing countries to freshmen
and graduate students
Survey on user friendliness
3
Easy/minimal maintenance
No more than 10 user steps per session (disconnect, removal, charger
connection & visa versa)
9
Design priority to LVE
System will be tailored to LVE dimensions as the primary customer
3
Must be scalable
Size: 2AA (WOCCS), 6AA (LVE), 5AA (ThmStv)
3
Individual weight considerations
Weight: <1/3lbs (ThmStv), 4x578g(UAVE)
1
Total battery lifetime
5 years for MT at 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year
3
Battery runtime
8hrs (MT), 30min (UAVE), 2-3days (UVWT), 2hrs. (LVE)
CN11
3
Recharge time
4hrs (UAVE), 10hrs (MT), 2hrs (WOCCS & LVE)
CN12
3
Voltage/Amperage
(MT: A, >5V, 8hr) (WOCCS: <3A, 2.5-4.2V) (UAVE: 10,000mA*hr, V, 0.5hr)
(CellPhone .7A, 5-6V, hr) (UVH20: 3.3A, 12V, 72hr.) (LVE: A, V, 2hr)
3
Power required
4W (ThmStv), 40W (UVH2O)
3
Phase
DC Power
CN15
3
Power to weight ratio
>50W/lb (UAVE)
CN16
1
Improving ease of use for end user
Reduce installation time, packaging space, and complexity of Interface from
Gen1 system
1
Look beyond traditional energy solutions
Research current prototype solutions for energy collection and conversion by
conducting patent searches
CN1
CN2
CN3
Power
CN4
CN6
CN7
CN8
Packaging
Usage
CN9
CN10
CN13
CN14
End-User Needs
Benchmark
Specifications
Future Motives
CN17
Page 4 of 9
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS:
Page 5 of 9
Rev 16 May 2011
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
PROJECT INTERFACES: (COLOR CODING APPLIES)
This Energy Bank Module will need to interface seamlessly with the Capture/Collect and Charging Dock
Modules. This will allow future upgrades to be implemented very easily. Included below is an image showing
the interfaces between the modules that are integral to the Energy Bank. Also included is an interface internal
to the Energy Bank project; the interface between the Regulator Board and the Energy Bank itself.
1. The Capture/Collect module(s) will output power from a female Molex connector to a male Molex connector
on the Energy Bank Regulation board. The Regulation board will need to have as many Molex connectors as
there are Capture/Collect modules. The two teams will need to discuss the length and quality of this wire.
2. The Energy Bank Regulation Board will output the converted power from a female Molex connector to
positive and negative leads (+/-) that connect to the Energy Bank (battery). This means the wire between the
board and the bank will have a male Molex connector on one end, and +/- leads on the other.
3. The Energy Bank will send its power from +/- leads to a male Molex connector on the Charging Dock. The
wire that connects the two (+/- leads to female Molex connector) is the responsibility of the Charging Dock
team, but the Energy Bank should still be in discussion throughout its construction.
NOTE: The Energy Bank team will need to communicate with the Capture/Collect and Charging Dock teams
to decide on which exact Molex connectors they will use. This will be largely based on the power that the
Capture/Collect team can supply and the power that the Charging Dock needs to draw.
From (right)
To (down)
Capture/Collect
Energy Bank
Regulation
Energy Bank
Capture/Collect
Energy Bank
Regulation
From ___ Molex
to ___ Molex
From ___ Molex
to +/- Leads
Energy Bank
From +/- Leads
to ___ Molex
Charging Dock
Page 6 of 9
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
STAFFING REQUIREMENTS: (NO COLOR CODING)
Position Title
Position Description
Electrical Engineer:
PCB Designer
(2 needed)
Electrical Engineer:
Battery Research
(1 needed)
Industrial Engineer
(1 needed)
Mechanical Engineer
(1 needed:
potentially)
The individuals will be responsible for designing and testing printed circuit boards used to convert
various electrical inputs. Input connections to the PCB will be specified however characteristics of the
electricity may vary (current, phase, etc…). Efficiency will be the primary focus of the design.
The individuals should be pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering. They should be well versed in
the process of designing printed circuit boards, the various PCB components associated with power
conversion systems and the procedures for testing such a product. Co-op experience in this field is
highly desired. Required coursework: Power Electronics, Circuits II, Fields II, Electronics II
The individual will be responsible for researching lead acid and nickel metal hydride batteries. The
goal is to choose the better of the two (in terms of power density, storage capacity, lifetime,
sustainability) and implement one into a system which provides intermittent power. After performing
research, the individual will be tasked with interfacing the battery with the conversion system being
developed concurrently. If time allows, research lithium ion batteries to see if they are viable storage
systems. The goal for future MSD project modules for SESE is to provide a more energy dense
solution to the classic lead acid battery while considering safe operation of the system
The individual should be pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering and should be passionate about
power and storage systems. Required coursework: Power Electronics, Device Physics, Circuits II,
Fields II
This individual will have three key responsibilities. The first will be to manage the engineering teams
that encompass the whole SESE system. Secondly, this individual should perform a thorough cost
benefit analysis to determine the Return on Investment of the prototype as well as a mass
manufactured system. Due to the sustainability aspect of this project, this individual will complete life
cycle assessment and provide recommendations for material use and end of life options.
Interest and experience with project management and sustainability is preferred. Interest is
sustainability and renewable energy would be beneficial. Applicable courses include: Engineering
Economy, Life Cycle Assessment, Design for Environment, Engineering Management, Design for
Project Management
One option is available to this individual based on the direction of the project. If the system is to be
integrated somewhere in the Engineering Building, this person could design and develop a stand or
support system for the Energy Bank battery and its Regulation Board. The wires could be routed from
the Capture/Collect module to the Energy Bank. This individual could also work with the Charging
Dock ME to assist in designing and fabrication of that system as well as interfacing with that system.
If the Energy Bank and Charging Dock are not indoors, these systems will need to either be housed or
withstand the elements.
General fabrication and experience in design is preferred. Interest is sustainability and renewable
energy would be beneficial. Applicable courses include: Design of Machine Elements, Circuits I,
Materials Processing, and Engineering Design Graphics.
Position Title /
Discipline Name
Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Disc Skill
Engineering Discipline Skill Description
Number
ME1
Machining and Fabrication of Components
Basic Circuits Skills
ME2
ME3
ME4
ME5
EE1
EE2
EE3
Industrial Engineer
IE1
Perform ANSYS Finite Element Analysis of Structural Integrity
Develop Simulink Model of Device Dynamics
Create Pro-Engineer Solid Model of the Device Package
Circuit Board Design - Regulator & Converter Boards
Fabricating Circuits
Develop Test Plans for Noise, Regulation & Degradation for
Applicable Components
Matrix Management of Projects
Page 7 of 9
Notes About This Skill - For example, what kind of experience
would this student likely have had in the past?
Intermediate Machining Lab
Circuits I
ACT
System Dynamics
Engineering Design Graphics
Basic EE Course Curriculum
Experience Designing, Fabricating, and Testing Circuits
Advanced Circuits/Electronics
Basic IE Course Curriculum
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
PROJECT CONSTRAINTS:
Regulatory Constraints
 The design shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The team's
design project report should include references to, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and
local laws and regulations (see ISO Standards for Energy Collection)

The design shall comply with all applicable RIT Policies and Procedures. The team's design project
report should include references to, and compliance with all applicable RIT Policies and Procedures.
Economic Constraints
 Each team will be required to keep track of all expenses incurred with their project.

Purchases for this roadmap will be run through the Mechanical Engineering Office. Each team must
complete a standard MSD purchase requisition and have it approved by their guide. After guide
approval, the purchasing agent for the team can work with Ms. Venessa Mitchell in the ME office to
execute the purchase and obtain the materials and supplies.
Environmental Constraints
 Adverse environmental impacts of the project, such as the release of toxic materials or disruption of the
natural wildlife, are to be minimized.

Particular focus should be placed on resource sustainability (described further in Sustainability
Constraints).

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required for all materials.
Social Constraints
 Each team in this roadmap is expected to demonstrate the value and outcome of their project at the
annual Imagine RIT festival in the spring.
Ethical Constraints
 Every member of every team is expected to comply with Institute Policies, including the Policy on
Academic Honesty, and the Policy on Academic Accommodations.
Health and Safety Constraints
 Wherever practical, the design should follow industry standard codes and standards (e.g. Restriction of
Hazardous Substances (RoHS), FCC regulations, IEEE standards, and relevant safety standards as
prescribed by IEC, including IEC60601). The team's design project report should include references to,
and compliance with industry codes or standards.
Manufacturing Constraints
 Commercially available, Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components available from more than one vendor are
preferred.

It is preferable to manufacture and assemble components in-house from raw materials where feasible.

Students should articulate the reasoning and logic behind tolerances and specifications on manufacturing
dimensions and purchasing specifications.
Page 8 of 9
Project Readiness Package
Energy Bank Module for SESE
Rev 16 May 2011
Intellectual Property Constraints
 All work to be completed by students in this track is expected to be released to the public domain.
Students, Faculty, Staff, and other participants in the project will be expected to release rights to their
designs, documents, drawings, etc., to the public domain, so that others may freely build upon the results
and findings without constraint.

Students, Faculty, and Staff associated with the project are expected to respect the intellectual property
of others, including copyright and patent rights.
Sustainability Constraints
 All raw materials and purchased materials, supplies, and components used in the roadmap must have a
clearly defined Re-Use, Re-Manufacturing, or Recycling plan.

This is intended to be a "Zero Landfill" project. This includes documents as well as project materials.

Each team in the project family is limited to no more than 150 pages of printed documentation during
MSD1 and MSD2 (not including the MSD2 poster and MSD2 technical paper). Teams may use an
unlimited amount of electronic documentation, unless disk space becomes limited on the server.

Each team must prepare an MSD2 poster and technical paper which is exempt from the paper constraint
above.
REQUIRED FACULTY / ENVIRONMENT / EQUIPMENT:
Category
Faculty
Environment
Equipment
Materials
Other
Source
Description
Resource Available
(mark with X)
RIT EE/ME
Departments
Faculty that specialize in power electronics and power conversion for EE
questions. Mechanics and heat transfer (ME) faculty may be useful for
some parts of the module.
X
A designated place to work and store all materials necessary for project
completion and organization
X
Labs containing necessary hardware and software tools for designing and
testing the module’s components
X
RIT Senior
Design
Space
RIT EE/ME
Departments
Online and
local
suppliers
Online and
local
suppliers
Batteries, PCB, PCB Components, Connectors, Wires
Sheet Metal, Metal Stock, Hardware (if ME position needed)
Page 9 of 9