Clean Energy Educational Technology with Virtual Technology

Clean Energy Educational Technology with Virtual Technology

Jessica Noutch, CDSE, College of Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Description

This project focuses on the development of an integrated system within a virtual reality to simulate the energy utilization of a house powered by a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES => Solar Panels and Wind Turbine). The system is designed to demonstrate its functionality through a simulation displayed on ARC system screens. The VR environment currently features: A house with an exterior garage, 13 solar panels and 3 wind turbine installed in the backyard and 10 solar panels on the roof of the house. The next phase will include: Connecting the HRES to the house for energy collection, storage, and distribution. The key contribution: Connects the HRES to the house, enabling real-time energy flow, Implements energy storage mechanisms to store surplus energy for use during low/no sunlight conditions, Distributes energy efficiently to meet the house’s power demands, Simulates the entire process in a VR environment, allowing users to visualize and interact with the systems in real time. Using Unity and Unreal Engine, this project creates a more interactive and realistic simulation. The goal is to help users learn about sustainable energy by providing a visual and immersive experience of how HRSE is used.