ENGR41281 Capstone Project (Conceive & Design): Design Challenges Honours Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) SOLIRRIGO (Latin for Sun Irrigation. Solar Power System design to maximize w

ENGR41281 Capstone Project (Conceive & Design): Design Challenges Honours Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) SOLIRRIGO (Latin for Sun Irrigation. Solar Power System design to maximize water use.).

[Audio] The Problem Statement of our capstone project is: Current irrigation practices often lead to significant water wastage due to the difficulty in precisely controlling the amount and timing of water application, especially with unpredictable weather conditions which leads to inefficient water use. There aren't many affordable solutions to help manage water properly, which can impact how well plants grow and how resources are used. Our project aims to address this issue by developing a solar-powered irrigation system that uses smart technology to monitor weather and soil conditions in real time. This system will help ensure that water is used more efficiently, reducing waste and improving plant health while keeping the solution cost-effective and easy to use. By making irrigation more efficient, our project can contribute to better crop yields and resource management, which is crucial for addressing global food shortages and supporting sustainable agriculture practices. This improvement can help in the fight against world hunger by increasing food production and making farming more resilient to climate change..

[Audio] We will be starting off with our Constraints. Solar Power Integration: Relies on solar energy, which may vary with weather conditions. Space Limitation: In a scaled-down model, space constraints may limit the size of components, affecting performance. It might make it challenging to arrange all components effectively. Component Integration: Integrating different sensors, motors, and control systems can be complex and may lead to compatibility issues. Weather Variability: Changes in weather can affect solar power generation and irrigation needs. Cost of Project: Staying within budget may limit the quality or type of components you can purchase..

[Audio] We will now discuss the assumptions we have made for our capstone project. Rural Location: System is installed in a rural area. Adequate Sunlight: Average solar power of 900 kWh/kWp annually. Rainfall Consideration: Location receives 590 milliliters of total precipitation annually. Crop Type: System is designed for corn cultivation. Natural Water Source: Presence of a natural reservoir, such as a lake or groundwater. Water Storage system: Water containment system is present on site..

[Audio] Next are some external factors of our project. Environmental: The projects seeks to better manage freshwater usage which helps save natural aquifers, river and groundwater. This prevents waterlogging, root damage, salinity issues, erosion, and habitat destruction. Prevents release of C-O-2 from flooded biomass. Social: The adoption of our project can benefit early adopters Impacts varies with land size, capital, and technology access. Can impact class/caste structures in village like societies..

[Audio] Economic: 70% of freshwater used in agriculture. A large portion of water is wasted, which our project seeks to rectify. Irrigation boosts farm productivity but causes worker imbalances between regions. Helps lower poverty, especially in urban areas. Health: Increased freshwater demand with population growth requires better management of use. Poorly managed systems risk bacteria breeding (for example, mosquitoes). Proper management improves clean water access and boosts healthcare investment. Safety: Risks of electrical shocks, loose wiring, and fires from arc faults in electrical systems..

[Audio] With every project, comes some technical challenges and for our project some of those challenges are: Research: Understanding the operation of smart irrigation systems. Lack of knowledge for agriculture. Equipment: Maximize Sheridan's resources to reduce reliance on external materials. Select appropriate hardware (sensors, controllers) and programming language. Decide on the type of mechanical pump for the system. Integration: Plan how to integrate the system into existing agricultural plots. Prototyping & Testing: Test the first prototype as close to real agricultural conditions as possible. Consider simulations if real testing isn't feasible due to time or budget constraints. Ensure proper tools for testing, including measurement instruments..

[Audio] Some of the impacts we would hope for this capstone project to achieve are: Society: Increased agricultural production supports rural communities, allowing families to sustain themselves. Environment: Reduced freshwater use preserves natural reserves and prevents habitat degradation. Economy: More efficient agricultural yields improve farmer profits across different economies. Health and Safety: Economic growth boosts healthcare investment, particularly in rural areas. Better water management reduces risks of over-irrigation, preventing crop damage and pathogen spread. Culture: This system will transition from lower-level roles, such as watering, to focus on higher-level positions, like technicians. While this shift will create new opportunities for some, it encourages everyone to enhance their skills and pursue higher-level roles..

[Audio] Now we will talk about the sustainability of the project. Efficient Water Management: System designed to optimize freshwater use for irrigation, reducing waste. Technical & Non-Technical Issues: Technical: Focus on affordability, integration into existing farms, and cost-effectiveness. Non-Technical: Ensure system is marketable and easy to use for farmers worldwide. Long-Term Solution: Solar-powered, sustainable technology that better manages water to protect habitats, contributing to long-term agricultural efficiency. Global Impact: Improved agriculture and freshwater usage will positively affect society's economy, health, and culture. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Consultation with experts in agriculture and smart technology is essential throughout design, construction, and testing..

[Audio] We will now conclude our presentation with the accountability of our project. Safety of Users: Ensure that the project is safe for all users. This includes equipment being well made and fitted. That it is understandable and easy to use responsibly. User Training: Providing adequate training and support for users to ensure proper system operation and maintenance. Offering clear and accessible information about system performance, water usage, and energy generation..

References. [1] “Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Modifications,” Nationalgeographic.org, 2016. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/environmental-impacts-agricultural-modifications/ (accessed Sep. 15, 2024). [2] M. Giordano, R. Namara, and E. Bassini, “The impacts of irrigation: A review of published evidence.” Available: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/ar/132251561407498546/pdf/The-Impacts-of-Irrigation-A-Review-of-Published-Evidence.pdf [3] “Law Document English View,” Ontario.ca, Jul. 24, 2014. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900941#BK95 (accessed Sep. 15, 2024). [4] “THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development,” Un.org, 2015. https://sdgs.un.org/goals (accessed Sep. 15, 2024). [5] “1.4 Principles of Sustainable Engineering | EME 807: Technologies for Sustainability Systems,” Psu.edu, 2023. https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme807/node/688 (accessed Sep. 15, 2024)..