Hybrid Solar-Based Power Supply for a Stacker Crane System

Warehouses and distribution centers are regarded as the vane of modern economies where merchandise and products are stored and shipped continuously. These installations consume significant energy due to the material maneuvering operations conducted by stacker cranes. An automated crane system supported by a battery module is considered to reduce cost and increase the efficiency of warehouse operations. The abandoned rooftops of these warehouses can be equipped with solar panels to generate power and expand the power autonomy of these complexes. This research proposes the integration of a hybrid power supply system with battery-equipped stacker cranes. This integration decreases the dependency on the grid supply and ensures the sustainability of the crane operation. In principle, any renewable or non-renewable local generator can be incorporated into the design, however, solar panels are considered as the most suitable option for this application. The entire system is modeled and simulated to validate its effectiveness during operational scenarios. This research also provides insight into the performance of the crane drive system while changes are experienced on the supply side. The obtained results confirmed that the two systems were integrated efficiently and effectively with close to zero tracking error for the crane system.